DocBauer

Followed the tracker and radio for part of the game and joined in about the 6th inning. It was a stomach Turner, but a fun game and win. A few comments to make: 1] This is a very good team who believes in themselves and never give up. 2] I can't believe I'm actually saying this, but even though Perez has been struggling his last few starts, be struck out 7 in 5 IP tonight. The stuff appears to still be there. He's been mkre wild lately. There are ebbs and flows for batters and pitchers alike. I am not panicking at this point. 3] Duffey was good for his 1 IP. Harper was OK but allowed a run. EARTH SHATTERING. Magill had an impressive inning. Where was THAT on the road trip? His stuff is just too good to give up on. But he needs to do that again and again over the next few weeks or he could be replaced. 4] May came through! There were a couple weak shots that provided scary moments. He got a called 3rd strike that may have changed the game. Somewhat debatable as it was a nice pitch. But those calls happen for both teams in every game. But he stayed in control and got the job done. IMO, he's starting to collect himself and looking more and more like the pitcher we saw last season. And that could pay huge dividends going forward. Good game and good win! Go Twins!

Being young is not an excuse, it's truth IMO. He is STILL showing pop and speed, and by most accounts, including his manager, his glove continues to flash and show improvement. I think the biggest problem is pitchers making adjustments after seeing him for about a half season last year. Now, he has to make adjustments. Admittedly, coaching has to make adjustments on his behalf as well. But in a league where he is probably a year or two under average, I wouldn't worry too much at this point.

Seems as though Diaz is maturing mentally and physically right before our eyes. Strikes me as a young man who had a tough 2018 and was just DETERMINED to make a difference. Thinking both he and Larnach may spend some time at Pensacola before the year is done. I don't think anyone should be upset about Lewis at this point, even if his season got off to a slow start. He seems to be a super talented prospect who is ONLY 20yo and still learning. It's not how you start, it's how you finish. I think he is going to be just fine. Even if he spends the whole season at Ft Myers, getting better and better, he is still very much on track for his development track. The talent on this team is just WOW! Kind of feel Watson may be flying under the radar a bit. Thank you again SD for an outstanding report!

Honestly, dont know anything about him but what we read. I dont pretend to be a talent scout. But excited about reports of his power, good speed, cannon arm and supposedly excellent defense at 3B. Got one of the hottest risers in the draft. Have to be excited at this point, right? Welcome to the Twins young man!

Trading within your own division is not just on the Twins and a reluctance and giving good players to a rival. Said rival team isn't always interested in helping you achieve your goals for this season, and possibly longer. Just being a realist, I don't think you see the Twins, or most any team, acquiring 3 pitchers, much less 4. I like Watson, and have for some time, as a 2nd LH in the pen. He's had a nice, somewhat under the radar career and looks solid again this season. I don't think he'd be all that expensive. Then, bring in a top RH with at least one more year of control, and I'd be pretty happy. Just not sure who that choice would be.

I think is a very salient point, regardless of how anyone feels about the Kimbrel situation. Like it or not, this FO is still quite new and an arguement could be made from drafting, FA, trades, new manager and coaches from the top down, that they are really only fully implementing all their ideas, observations and plans for what is now their second full year. Like him or not, one thing Terry Ryan did well was find some pretty good options for the bullpen over the years. Some guys were decent arms known, some were converted starters, some came out of nowhere. We don't really have a track history, as of yet, how this FO sees building a successful pen. IMO, there was hope and belief Romero, Mejia and Reed could provide at least one viable option to go along with what they had, with maybe a surprise or two. To say the least, it hasn't worked out that way as of yet. Time for plan B. But Brian's example of how the Dodgers built their pen is worth noting. Also, as someone posted before the season began, the Padres built quite a pen last year much the same way. I find it very interesting that in his few innings when up, Littell looked much more comfortable than last season and threw harder than before. (Duffey as well thus far). And since his return to Rochester, Littell has been used exclusively out of the pen. While a big move hasnt happened yet, the FO IS looking for options, just internally at this point. Also going to suck-up to Brian again, LOL, in his opinion on usage of the arms on hand. I have largely applauded Rocco's usage of his pen. For the most part, I think he's done a fine job. And in a 7 or 8 man pen, all pitchers are NOT created equal. But if a guy is going to be rostered, then USE HIM. They've done a pretty good job of playing the option/roster game to roll through guys and keep fresh arms and offer auditions. And to some degree, the coaching staff is still learning about some of these guys. But the next couple of weeks are critical. With such a talented and mostly young ML roster, and one of the deepest systems around, you can afford to trade away 4-6 quality prospects in the top 10-30 to bring in a quality RP or two come July 1st. Be aggressive and strike early. Use the next few weeks to further evaluate what you have on hand at the ML and AAA level, and then cut where you believe it's smart to do so. Take some time to evaluate/audition, and then be aggressive. Smart, but aggressive. And as the second half of the season unfolds and Romero, Mejia, Littell, etc, prove their ready, just more depth and icing on the cake.

Thank you SD! Just live reading the various articles you and others post on TD to bring depth and perspective to these young prospects. All further proof that Twins Daily is the premier fan website on the planet!

Time to weigh in. I've liked a ton of opinions and couldn't possibly post them all. A couple points I'd like to make clear first of all: 1] Darvish arguements are ridiculous. Another pitcher, a different season, and a different position. 2] I liked the idea of Kimbrel on a 1yr, 1yr+, or straight 2yr. I have NO CLUE if Kimbrel was interested in coming to the Twins, and I dont think anyone else knows either. SPECULATION, would state it would have taken a 3rd yr and more more money. I dont think this idea should be easily dismissed. And while we could be proven wrong, I just wouldn't have done that. 3] I love our FO and just about everything they have done, overall. The single #1 blunder they have made was trading Pressly because I liked him, his potential, and I felt 2019 was going to be a much different/better season. I will call the FO out when necessary, and I did this when the trade happened. But it's over and done. This year's BP HAS largely been good and effective. That DOESNT mean it can sustain. So let's be clear in regard to the difference! If we are truly honest with ourselves, most of us felt Romero and Mejia had the arms to develop. They haven't. Period. So far. I'm betting the FO is pretty disappointed so far as well. By the break, there will be a good many teams who realize they are out of it. Is Nick flippant to suggest there will be a plethora of available arms to be plucked? Perhaps. But history has shown a good deal of movement in the RP trade market in the past. Should this year really be any different? The Twins have a top rated system with enough talent to spare to make a move or two without debilitating the system. Can we really argue that? The key factor, IMO, is what is paid for a rental vs someone with at least another year or so available. I didn't like the Pressly trade then and still dont know. But some seem to feel the Twins received trash back, and that's just not the case. In a best case scenario, the Twins still have about 3 weeks for Duffey, Romero, Littel, etc, to show that at least ONE of them can make a difference. Either way, the depth of the system actually allows them to bring in an arm or two that they believe can make a difference. Who was Pressly, to most people outside of the actual FO's of MLB, before Houston got him? This FO needs to see what they have...short leashes dont always help but we are contending and I get it...and then make a serious move or two. And said move or two may or may not include a 30+yo "name" we know or a 27-28yo name we are unsure about but who they like and believe in. I could care less. But just be smart and right and bring in that guy or two to add to this contending team!

Sounds like a highly intelligent young man. And I would never dismiss high intelligence when it comes to pitchers. We all know it's more than just pure stuff that makes the good ones successful. I'm very curious about his delivery and confess I haven't had time to watch film yet. I hear there are concerns. But if it works for him and he's been doing it since Jr High, is there really anything to be worried about?

Not comparing him to Lewis, but I find it fascinating, like Lewis, when you find out some of these kids only played infield for a year or two before being drafted. I think we forget sometimes how young they are and how much projection used to make decisions like this.

What strikes me is how good he could be by the end of 2019 once he settles in, gets to something close to 2,000 ML AB, and carries over to 2020. It is totally unfair to compare Sano to Buxton, Polanco and Kepler, who are of similar or exact age and came in to the season 100%. Every player is a unique individual unto themselves. But it is also grossly unfair to compare any of the young Twins, including Sano, to the amazing and generational talents of guys like Trout and Harper, or Machado. Every few years there are a couple of guys, pitchers or position players, that defy odds and are All Stars and generational talents in their early 20's. 30 teams and a couple of guys every year or so who are that kjnd of talent. Mauer was our last one. Potentially, Kiriloff and Lewis could BOTH be mentioned in that vein. Sometimes, even the very best pitchers and position players don't hit their stride until 26, 27yo. Our own Cruz didn't hit his stride early. Someone mentioned Ortiz earlier as well. Depending on your age, how many top of the rotation SP have you seen that became #1's about 28-29yo? Can we just let this lie for a bit, maybe a couple months at least, and see how the rest of the season plays out? Like Buxton, Polanco and Kepler this season, can we wait until Sano is 100% for 2020 with the development he shows in 2019?

Lost my mother to a genetic disorder. I had to have myself tested to see if I carried the same gene. THANKFULLY NOT. In sports, as fans of any sport, we talk about beating guys and pounding guys. And there are teams we just despise! But we NEVER, EVER, want anyone truly injured or ill. Truly hope he will be OK.

I have stayed out of commenting until now for a couple of reasons. Chief reason being the ML draft is fun but the ultimate crapshoot where you barely know anything initially, know only a tiny bit more a few weeks/months from now, and sorta have a decent/real perspective 2-3yrs from now. That being said, I agree with the general sentiment this year just felt WEIRD! It sort of felt like nobody was great, except maybe for a few top picks, and nobody really knew who or what was great but everyone was following their own theory. Everything I read was a draft of hitters and nothing even close to a sure thing in regard to college arms. But possible depth in college arms. So that leaves HS talent, which can be the hardest to project. So the twins concentrated on BPA available, which was college bats. And a lot of them. Who am I to disagree? Other than ONE early arm, they followed their board and scouting reports, and then went all in for a collection of arms, mostly college, to see what they can find. And it makes sense in a pitching poor draft. You can, to some degree, teach "pitching" and breaking balls and changes, etc. If you feel a college guy doesnt have room to grow, then you grab a collection of guys who have something to build on and develop. Surprised and disappointed there wasnt a single HS pitcher with legitimate upside somewhere early like Enlow. But maybe that is the way this draft fell. I just have a hunch this FO picked a bunch of college arms who have something they like and can work with. Guys who might have had big senior years who they are hoping to bring on board now. Hoping so.

I honestly thought this was a sarcastic headline espousing solid early returns for Sano on his return to the Twins with his 1.000+OPS. I was sadly mistaken. I am NOT going to bash Sano in any manner. I will, however, simply re-iterate some things we knkw that have happened over his BRIEF career: there have been weight/conditioning concerns but so much as last season when recovering from fairly major surgery, there have been allegations levied against him, (NOT going down that rabbit hole), that had to be a distraction along with injury recovery, then had a weird, innocent, altercation while in his home country, and then suffered a freak injury that set him back for 2019. Despite some injuries, he has already shown what he is capable of, made an All Star team, and is still only 26 with 1,600 ML AB. He has shown signs of real maturation with his new regime. Despite being slowed to begin this season, and perhaps rushed back the MLB, he has been producing while probably STILL feeling his way back. Defensively, he lacks some range. But he has soft hands, moves well for a large man, charges the ball very well, chases pop ups well, and has an amazing arm. At 26yo and with various setbacks he is not yet a superstar or perennial All Star. Guess we should just give up on him, right? Come to think of it, we shou,d have given up on Buxton and Kepler before now too, right? And don't even get me started on that Polanco guy who can't play SS and had a couple things happen to him over the previous couple of seasons. Sorry, just frustrated by yet more piling on a young man with a world of potential who is is still growing and learning and developing. Who ever said he was HOF bound? Like Seth stated, how about a multiple All Star caliber player with a good career? Are we OK with that?

Forgetting BPA, whatever that means, for a moment, it feels to me the FO feels really good about the changes they have been implementing organization wide. I think they believe a lot in tools, and ceilings, and their ability to truly develop those tools. It's easy to say Lewis was a safe pick, for example. And maybe he was. But he also wasn't a consensus pick. But to your second point, the Twins probably/hopefully will not be picking this high for a few years. PERFECT TIME to roll the dice on a high upside arm or two and trust in their new way of doing things.

Personally, I've felt all along that a re-dedicated, maturing Sano...and that is NOT a knock on him...would settle in at 3B for at least a few years. And I'm not looking to jack the thread and start a debate, I just really believe he's going to settle in there and be just fine. How good he can be is for a different time and place. But you don't always draft for need. Realistically, in a couple of years, 3B COULD be manned by manned by Miranda, Javier, or even another super talented athlete like Lewis. Never know what the future could have in store, injuries, position moves, trades, etc. So when you draft, you draft for tools and potential and see what you can do with the guy. Reading various reports, it seems he has the glove and arm for 3B with power and good speed. An athlete who has to hone his swing.

From Andrew's report, quality glove man at 3B with power and power potential. Elongated swing is the issue.

I just love being so fascinated by a draft that has proven to be such a crapshoot and a player who probably won't even arrive for at least 3 years. Love being a fanatic! Lol!

Law and others state this is one of the worst drafts for college pitchers. But when I read the pluses of some of the top college arms, I see several guys with velocity and a big breaking pitch that have low floors but high ceilings. 1] Even at 13, is this the season to take a shot there and hope you get the right guy? 2] Could this mean a slide to the compensation or 2nd round for some of those arms?

I am 100% OK with both Odorizzi and Gibson back next year. Those two, Berrios, and the surprising Perez is a heck of a rotation to go to war with. Question then becomes a major deal for another top of the line piece, or the promotion of an internal candidate. Really like Odorizzi this season. There were times last year where you just felt like he was capable of more. I keep wondering if he just finally accepted the fact his stuff plays so well high in the zone and just quit being cute.

Twins play on the road against one of the top teams in the AL and take 3 of 4. Yes, the BP had a couple of bad games. No doubt. But all joking aside, I'm not hitting a panic button after these 4 games.

Really nice performance and win by the good guys! Sure glad I didn't panic after Thursday's game.

Honestly, despite being a huge baseball fan, the All Star game just lost luster for me several years ago. Maybe it was inter-league play, or saturation, or ridiculous fan voting, I don't know. Rosario and Polanco SHOULD BE automatic. Buxton and Kepler have claim, but won't go due to voting, depth, and fan votes. Cron and Schoop are deserving, but won't probably go due to selecting a balanced roster and trying to represent every team. Berrios, Odorizzi, Perez and Rogers are all deserving. At least 1, maybe 2, will go. We will end up, total, with 3 or 4 Twins going. Shame about Garver. His ankle doesn't get banged up, try telling anyone he didn't deserve to go.

I missed the game, so have no direct comment on anything or anyone. Perez has been awesome!. One mediocre game after jetlag with the birth of his child, and then another good game. He didn't have it tonight. The team didn't have it tonight. Hey, it happens. It's one bad game. Next!

Agreed on Arreaz going down. He has a bright future and he can be brought up whenever you need him. But he needs to play daily and continue to see work all across the diamond. And then probably Littell. I just dont see us need the extra arm right now.