DocBauer

NOT a fan or apologist of Molitor as a manager. Simply stating that there were games when the Twins seemed to be obviously on the short end of things and he would put out his most trusted RP in hope of a surprising comeback instead of letting a game maybe go by. To his defense, the pen may not have always been as deep as needed. But again, don't you just toss a "someone" out there at times and hope vs riding your best relievers in a possible no win situation? I don't like Romero and Mejia in the pen. Mostly because I think both have real starter potential. But if the FO and Rocco see this as best arms on hand, and not limiting their potential to such, and being fluid in their usage and future roles, then I'm on board with starting 2019 in the pen.

23yo now and a successful AAA debut, even in SSS. A history of winning and great numbers posted in his milb career and missing 2 whole seasons. Personally, I'd put him #4 on the prospect list. He doesn't need to be rushed! There is no reason for him not to begin 2019 at Rochester. And there is no reason for him not to be ready by mid season. It's all up to him. As stated, he's not just a soft tossing lefty who tricks batters. Pre and post injury and illness he has shown real ability and real stuff. Just give him a little more time to develop and work on his stuff. You mentioned all of Romero, Mejia and Gonsalves. Romero and Mejia will be in the pen initially as Rocco and his staff prepare for 2019. If they follow development the way the Rays have, and the Cardinals have, and the way the Twins did with Santana and Liriano, both of these guys could figure in the 2019 rotation and beyond. Gonsalves is a classic SP who just needs time to learn and adapt. And when called upon at some point in 2019 we will see a different pitcher than we saw initially in 2018, as a rookie. Thorpe has even better stuff than Gonsalves. Let him blow away AAA and bring him up when needed. Nurture Romero and Gonsalves and Mejia as needed, plug them in where they best fit, but never lose sight of the 2nd half of 2019 and beyond.

Big bat and offensive potential with power and what appears to be decent contact and a decent approach and good eye. All great! But what else could he offer? I mean, a college bat with power and hitting and power potential is NOT some outlier ML teams are oblivious to. Right? But then you mix in high intelligence and genuine WANT to be a catcher and control the game and I think the FO may have quickly gone from a "huh" to very smart selection.

Hey Mike, just really wanted to thank you for all these greatest/retrospect posts. I have really enjoyed them! I feel a tad guilty as I haven't posted, until now, despite my enjoyment. Been a little more quiet as of late, gearing up for ST I think! LOL But these have been wonderful and very well thought out! For context purposes, I'm 53 and been a Twins fan since my father introduced me them ata be 5. You wouldn't guess my age to look at me, nobody does, and I certainly don't act my age a lot of days, lol. But I've been an avid fan for 48yrs. Wow, how time flies! What I really enjoy is reading about guys that were before my time, and their place in Twins history, as well as reading about some guys I had forgotten about. I find it fun and interesting when I remember someone that you don't. Just brings back a lot of memories scrounging through limited paper information before the internet, and so many years listening to AM radio, sometimes filled with static. I wish I had had the time to comment on each of these posts, but alas, I haven't had the opportunity to do so. And at this point, going back would probably fall on deaf ears. All of this being said I wanted to jump on this positional post. I'm not a big WAR guy for various reasons that are unimportant here. Due to context, I am leaving Cardenas out of the equation. From the history of the Twins, I'd have to place Versalles as the best overall SS. My memories of Smalley are two-fold. His initial time with the Twins and his homecoming. Wondering...in case I missed it somehow...is your WAR ranking skewed because his second time around was more of a DH/utility role? Offense and defense, production and memory, I would make a shorter list of the following: 1] Versalles 2A] Gagne 2B] Smalley 3] Guzman Rea)y torn between Bartlett and Mears limited time.

Fresh off winter ball, and in a comfort zone the pitchers certainly aren't the first day, his HRs are fun, but meaningless. What is NOT meaningless is his incredible milb career hitting results carrying over to Rochester and Minnesota in 2018, along with increased power, and continuing this trend through the just completed winter season. Just how good he can be is debatable, but there is nothing to indicate he is just a fun story as opposed to a real ballplayer and real find. Early season breaks, I believe the Twins will open with a 12 man staff. Hopefully it will stay that way. The FO has made comments about where they will NOT play him vs all the spots they WILL. That's pretty high praise and a rather telling arguement as to their opinion of him. Other than injury, the only way he doesn't make the opening roster is the fact he has an option. The Twins may simply want more time with Austin or even a resurgent Duda. That wouldn't necessarily be a bad thing. Having too many guys you like, who can help the club, is a good thing. Over/under on Astudillo getting 300 ML/AB? I'm betting the over!

I think it's easy to quibble about the order of the rankings, but that has already been expressed previously. Based on early results, potential, and the thoughts of others not involved with TD, I do wonder a bit about Balazovic not appearing in the top 20. I have a feeling that will change come this time next year, if not a mid-season re-shuffle. It may sound strange to say, but one of the things that intrigues me is the listing of prospects that were honorable mention outside the top 20. There are a lot of guys there that have real ML potential in the next couple of years. My greatest "concern" is also the thing that excites me most. There is just so much talent and potential on this top 20 list, despite some question marks. There are a couple guys here rough around the edges with, maybe, lower floors, but with very high ceilings. Alcala and Duran are prime examples. Both have big arms and each could be part of the rotation in the next couple of years, but each has enough to work on to project as quality relievers instead, or wash out as just tantalizing hard throwers. But that's where the new FO, new coaches, and a new way of doing things comes in to play.

Absolutely! Why I still preach patience at times. I believe in promotions for top talent. And I think thjs FO has been, and will be aggressive. But you also have to knkw when jts prudent to pull the reigns back a bit. For example, they were aggressive with Romero. But he's still a work in progress, especially for his 3rd pitch. But he's also one of the best arms we have. Can we be smart enough to utilize him properly in 2019 and still develop him? Khirilloff is a NATURAL. That doesn't mean he doesn't have things to learn and adjustments to be made. But I think he's ready right now for AA. To rake like he did in a pitcher friendly league tells me he is ready for the next level. Personally, despite his talent and potential, I wouldn't care if he didn't debut until 2020 for various reasons. But I wouldn't be surprised if he forces the issue this year. What a wonderful conundrum it would be to place Khirilloff, Rosario, Buxton, Kepler, Cron, Cruz all in the same lineup with Cave saying....wait a minute, what about me? But I'm OK with stacking talent, end of 2019 and beyond.

Quoted this even though I also wanted to quote ashburyjohn and nicksaviking. Just easier this WAY. All of you are correct. I mean, if you want to be abstract, a slider is a "change" from a FB, etc. But that is obviously not what we are talking about here. But there are different variations of a "changeup". There is the straight change, the circle change, the palm ball, and some would tell you the splitter was a form of change for a power pitcher. Just...SOMEBODY...grab this kid and teach him SOMETHING in regard to a repeatable 3rd pitch that has speed variation and at least decent control, because his other stuff is outstanding. No rush. Work on the third pitch. Not "babying" him, just working on the 3rd pitch and building up endurance of IP for a full season.

Sorry Seth, my copy of the Handbook says 6' 1" 247lbs. Did I get a mis-print? Refund! Lol But seriously, I have to wonder how much height really matters. I understand the downward plane concept of course. But not every successful power pitcher has had had a towering frame. I have often mentioned Pedro Martinez when discussing Berrios in the past. I have done so knowing Pedro was more of a slider pitcher while Jose is more of a curveball thrower. And I have little doubt Berrios is larger,overall, than Perez. But live FB, Bulldog mentality and lack of height is why I always grouped them together. HUGE fan and believer in Berrios, and believe we have yet to see the best of him. Graterol seems to have the same "attitude" and work ethic as Berrios...and Perez. The fact that he throws a slider rather than a curve may make him an even better comp to Perez than Berrios. The whole point is, height and length is not always in play. Hard stuff is hard stuff. Big breaking stuff that missing bats is still big breakjng stuff. It still comes down to control and consistency, doesnt it? Yes, to be an effective SP you need at least 1 more pitch. But in today's game, with high K totals, swinging for the fences batters, and the high K looking better and better for smart pitchers who can hit spots, does height and plane even matter as much any longer?

I understand and appreciate your consternation. But we DO have those types of prospects. Their names are Lewis and Khirilloff and even Graterol. Before that was Sano and Buxton. And we can all lament the status of those two. I know I do! Only time will tell about Sano and Buck. But consider Sano was an All Star in 2017 before a very significant injury which required surgery. Buxton had a completely messed up 2018. There are HUGE questions surrounding both of these young men. Early reports are good health, both working hard and being fit and ready for 2019. We will see. But we shouldn't be down on Javier at this point. He has shown outstanding ability when healthy. His first injury was a hamstring issue. Just one if those things? Possibly due to still growing in to his body? Who knows? The second was a torn labrum on his left, non-throwing arm. As has been stated, young Khirilloff had an injury just as severe, if not more so, and came back with a vengeance in 2018. If he is fully healthy in 2019, Javier could be following a similar path that Khirilloff and Lewis followed last year.

This! Absolutely! I hope to eat crow about Perez, but I thought his signing was head scratching at best. Now, I think there is a good chance Pineda dies well. But Perez? The final spot shku,d be an audition for anyone and everyone, including Mejia and Romero specifically. I even envisioned a scenario where they could see innings out of the pen...on a regulated basis...and piggyback one another in the rotation. I can read the numbers that are not so great in Romero's resume. But I can also read scouting reports and watch him on the mound and see what he is capable of. He missed a great deal of time and was still performing well and promoted quickly. He is a young man with tons of potential still harnessing his stuff. I get his long term role could be as an outstanding RP. And that is still a good thing! But no way do you convert a young arm with his potential to the bullpen at this time. However...he is one of the Twins best 12-13 arms for sure. And if your plan is to not use him in an old school, regimented fashion, then he can still pitch a lot of ML innings and continue to hone his stuff for a move back to the rotation. It's been done before with great success. And the Cardinals are somewhat known for doing this. But as has been mentioned, the Twins also did this with Santana and Liriano. I am fine with him, and Mejia, in the pen to begin 2019. But it would be a HUGE mistake to slot them in as situational or 1 IP guys.

Just a quick note. Got the most recent issue of Baseball America today and they had Javier listed among a top 10 list of prospects they hoped had a healthy year. They didn't get in to specifics but mentioned he was one of the top international FA in 2015 along with Vlad Jr, Tatis Jr and Juan Soto. That's some pretty heady company!

Miranda might be the best long term option in the system.

I've got my own personal list of 10-20 prospects who make up my "guys I am keeping my eyes on the most". Naturally that includes Lewis and Khirilloff and others listed here. But I'm not so sure Javier isn't #1 on my list. All that talent and upside, and coming back from missing the season, could be a great story. Can't wait to see what he does this year!

My turn I guess: Three batter minimum: No way. No we're losing strategy and letting some get teed-off on if he doesn't have it. Also slows the game down more. Universal DH: Growing up, I always appreciated the NL game, but not because of pitchers batting! I appreciated the use if speed and defense in parks that usually were larger and seemed to have mkre turf. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to know to pinch hit for a pitcher with runners on base and down a run or two. Ive grown up with the DH and appreciate it. Pitchers are unique in tneir craft the way QB and kickers and goalies are. If the NL wants to keep pitchers hitting, go for it. But when an AL team visits, then use the DH. When a NL team visits, they get to use a DH and their pitcher doesnt have to bat. No advantage to either team...unless you just have a punchless roster. But a AL team is put at a disadvantage when visiting NL teams. I don't care about "universal" I just want things fair when they play. 20 second pitch clock: PLEASE! Clock on the pitcher and batter! The constant readjustment of uniform, gloves and jock strap are ridiculous. And whatever happened to "work quick and throw strikes"? Roster size: The game has changed over the years, as have all sports. I've felt for some time baseball needed to move to a 26 or 27 man roster. Gone are tbe days kf a 10 or 11 man staff. Also gone are platoons. More pitchers will lengthen the game? Mmmm...perhaps. More bats off the bench increases excitement and scoring. Reducing the September stinks. It's a special game. Letting guys get their feet wet in September is a staple of the game. Let it stay the way it is. Anti-tanking: Kind of ridiculous. How do you prove it, first of all? If a team is rebuilding and flooding their roster with young talent to build for tomorrow are they truly "tanking"? In the crazy and absolutely impossible to predict world that is MLB, does a higher draft selection truly offer some quick turnaround of success? I believe it was Ashbury who spoke about minimum payroll standards being implemented. If you don't match that, fine, the "left over" unspent payroll goes back in to the general fund to be split up between the league. And BTW, baseball would be a lot healthier if there was a more universal profit sharing split amongst all teams, similar to other sports. The very healthy NFL for example.

This! Age 24 is not exactly old for AAA...even if he does "warm up" at AA to begin the season...and he could see Minnesota before the year is done. His numbers improved EVERY SINGLE MONTH! That is learning, adjustments and progress. Yes, the last month was a downer. But it's a long season, and his FIRST full pro season. Even top prospects, and ML players as well, have those stretches where their BABIP just suffers for some reason. I will take his season long improved numbers. What does perplex me is the comment about appearing "stiff" as I've read various reports he is a good athlete with at least average speed. I find this perplexing. I find the idea of his playing a single position to be interesting, but I think it would be a disservice to both he and the Twins. It's just way too early in his career, only a season and a half in, to pigeonhole him. He needs coaching and development time at both spots. In time, he can hopefully be comfortable at both OF corners, as well as 1B, to just be average.

What does this prove? Quality SP can come from many sources including places where you least expect it. Debate all you want about Darvish last season and the attempt to sign him. No what the outcome, I feel pretty good we didn't swallow that 6th year. But it she's me the FO will actually make the big move if they feel it's the right one. But I do tend to agree with the point made that via draft, trade and development this FO is really concentrating on building it's own arms/rotation. Well done! This should be moved to the front page, IMO.

I repeat what others have said, and I have before as well, just way too early to get bent out of shape on Gonsalves after a few bad rookie outings. Reminder: his last few appearances as the "primary" looked much better. On top of that, he has adapted and excelled at every level he has reached. And his control problems in 2018 were not season-wide, it seemed to come in stretches, where in other stretches his control was just fine. I believe his ceiling is a #3 who should settle in very nicely as at least a quality #4-5. But let's give him more than a few rookie appearances before we decide he can't cut it shall we? Right or wrong I tend to look at Alcala and Duran as 2 sides of the same coin. Probably because they both came to us last season in trade and we haven't watched them "grow up" in the Twins organization. But from all I have read, they both bring serious heat and have questions about secondary offerings, but with potential. Alcala, a bit older and having reached AA ball, I guess, strikes me as the more likely to end up in the pen. Is that fair? Probably not. I admit to being influenced by his numbers once he came over, as well as the video Tom shared, to think Duran may have more time/potential as a quality SP. Fair or not, just kind of where my head is at.

1] Signing Kimbrell would be outstanding to solidify and deepen the BP for the next 2-3yrs. But it might have been cheaper with financial freedom for another roster addition if they had pounced on someone else earlier. But can we truly complain if they do this? 2] Screw marketing! I grew up on the weird blue uniforms of the Twins. It has its place in nostalgia. The best uniforms they ever had was pinstripes! White, gray, cream, just BE the TWINS! Do the Yankees and Dogers ever change? Stick with class! 3] A healthy Castro can help this team. Especially as a tudor to the impressive Garver and Austudillo, who could also be the 13th man. If Rocco plays things right, and the FO plays things right, do we have to use a 13 man staff?

Not going back to the Twins arriving in Minnesota, and skipping the 70's, some of may remember those days, but since the 80's there has been a magnificent group of CF and CF prospects. Really, Puckett really set the stage. And then came Hunter, but not without some struggles initially. Then came Mack, (sorta), and Span, and Revere, (sorta again), and then Gomez. But it was, for years, a nice progression of talent. But Gomez was rushed and found success elsewhere. And then Hicks...not going there, and now Buxton. What else needs to be said we don't already know and haven't spouted out at length in internet ink? He is a tremendous athletic talent that compares to the affor mentioned players that I don't need to go on. Who knows how good he could be? Hopefully his arm will be good enough to stay in CF, along with instinct. But despite his reported "raw" nature, you can't just teach a patient approach at the plate. If his natural instinct is to work the count to his advantage, aggression can be taught and learned. Discipline, athleticism, power and speed are all there. Just give him a little to put it all together.

Thank you for the ego boost Jrod! Lol (pointless but interesting, one of my best friends is named Jarrod and we call him J-rod). But seriously, thank you for the compliment! No ego on my end, but if you are willing so gracious publicly, then I can graciously thank you publicly as well. Quick...how do I post a blush icon? LOL On a serious note, I always try to maintain an even balance when it comes to the Twins, despite being a fervent fan since I was 5yo courtesy of my father. I've always believed it's OK to being an optimist, but jts also OK to call out your team as well. I liked your comment about Gonsalves to "haters" and his eventual "owning" each level be has been at. I have often commented on this, and expressed candidly I expected him to struggle initially. The move to the ML is seldom easy. This kid is smart and has ALWAYS learned to adapt. I take his last couple of appearances with a grain of salt due to being the primary, and not the actual game starter. But it's also an indication, IMO, of a young rookie settling in. I also agree on Gordon, but again, IMO, if kept, he might fit best as a utility player who does a lot of things well. And despite disappointment for a 1st round pick, there is real value in that. I am a HUGE believer in Polanco as well as Lewis. In the next season or so, I can easily see those two as a tremendous keystones combo. At the end of the day, what's wrong with Gordon being a really nice role piece for a ML roster? I find your comments about Rortvedt vs Jeffers interesting. What have you seen or heard that makes you feel Jeffers is more confident? Really interested in your AJ comparison to Jeffers. Despite being so young I hate to make comparisons, but I could easily see Rortvedt as a better hitting and more powerful version of Butera. Jeffers is obviously older, though their trek through the system may parallel, as Seth alluded to. Jeffers, probably, is the better bat with even more power. Reports are the Twins like him behind the plate and like his framing. This could be a very interesting "battle" over the next couple of years!

Great point! Just my opinion, of course, but my opinion is based on observations of moves the FO HAS made, as well as comments they have made over their time in charge. My opinion is this, broke down in a different points: 1] Possitively "giddy"...and yes, I used the word "giddy"...to be placed in charge of an organization that had SO MUCH TALENT sitting at the ML level, with so much potential to unlock, and some decent milb talent available, it also recognized development and changes needed to be made from the top down, or bottom up, depending on how you look at it. Hence changes in the back office, scouting, milb staff, and now the ML staff. 2] You mention trade opportunities, as have others, and I agree. And while we can lament the trades of both Escobar and Pressly, there was a deliberate attempt to build the milb funnel with talent. Talent for depth and competition, but also maybe for future trades? The FO has made various veiled comments about augmenting the "core" in the future. We can debate at length about FA opportunity, available payroll to do so, sustainability for competition,etc. But are they looking for the ability to trade now, or soon, from positions of depth and strength? I sure hope So! Despite opinions of ownership being cheap, this new FO has done some things we've never seen before, or rarely seen before. No matter how it turned out, while still trying to build a new system/structure, they made aggressive moves for 2018 to build off of the 2017 season. They also ate contract money to gain prospects. They even traded away some "free money" in the form of international dollars to add prospects. Again, the debate about ownership being cheap. We can debate, and I will argue WITH most anyone they could have, and should have, done even more than they did! But instead of just "pocketing" all the Mauer and Santana and 1yr contract money, they HAVE forked out some payroll on some interesting options. But back to the original idea: Top down or down up, the organization is being re-built. I don't believe, like TR, this new FO is being conservative with moves or with prospects. In fact, I think they are being aggressive with their moves, even though I don't like all the moves they are making. (Perez makes me shudder still). I think they are being very deliberate in building the system, from management to coaching to the talent depth. I don't like the whole "Sano and Buxton or else" philosophy. But I kind of get it. I think they are trying to build the entire system. And I feel the trade aspect will come around mid season if the guys on hand just perform anything close to expected.

I'd like to just make a couple comments on both Gonsalves and Gordon, admitting I am no expert: Gonsalves: He was considered a 2nd round pick who slid due to some controversy for covering for his teammates. He has pitched very well at every level he has been at, sometimes struggling initially as many/most prospects do when promoted, and has always made adjustments and proven himself with production. He has risen steadily up the milb system and evaluation lists. But he doesn't not posses that single plus-plus pitch to allow him to overcome or compensate. Even young pitchers who have that ability tend to usually struggle initially unless they are just special, or figure it all out very quickly. Our own Berrios is not the same pitcher he was when first promoted, as an example. While Gonsalves has been known for good control, generally speaking, he fought said control in 2018 with a rise in BB totals. Even that being a fact, his increase in negative numbers were "sandwiched" in a series of starts while being lights out in stretches. How good he can be remains an open debate. But given a little more time to harness his breaking stuff, and gain experience, I think he has a very good chance to fill one of the spots in the rotation for years to come. I do think, however, that Thorpe may have even better stuff and even more potential. Gordon: I wasn't a fan of his original drafting. Over time I've come around on his potential. I think he has received undue criticism for things like his music interest. When you spend your off season working out with potential HOFers and refer to them as Mr. Soandso, I see a work ethic and respect. He has shown flashes of what he can do, followed by fades. Ugly fades at times. Let us consider what he has flashed, and those fades, and just examine his 2018 season as a microcosm of his career thus far. His first half of 2018 at Chatanooga was excellent and very worthy of his Rochester promotion. We know ugly the second half was. If he had struggled but still managed to hit .240-.250 in his first taste of AAA would we be judging him so harshly? Why the second half fades? Does he just take longer to make adjustments than some, and longer than we'd all like? Does his body break down because he's still developing physically and needs more physical maturity? I don't have the answer. I wish I did. We'd all like a top draft choice to be ready NOW! But it doesn't always work that way. Still only 22, athletic, still growing physically, and at the AAA level, I think it's way too early to judge him too harshly. Let's just assume he needs most of 2019 at Rochester to further develop, in all areas. Maybe he gets a cup of coffee. SS, 2B, really solid utility, let's say he doesn't stick until 2020 at age 24, still gaining experience as a young ML player. His future is still very fluid. I just wouldn't give up on him too quickly until I see what 2019 brings.

Just tossing this out there, have to wonder if they not didn't like Cole as much as some...possible...or just really liked/like the future still of Gonsalves and Gordon both?

So, his expected BA against should really be in the. 280 range? And his ERA should be in the 4.60 area? Yea, I'd take that for $3.5M instead of letting my talented arms audition, learn and grow. I'm sorry, I still don't get this move at all.