DocBauer

Escobar has a shot if he gets hit again after his recent cold spell. Berrios has a real shot due to ability, his hot start which got a lot of national publicity, and the fact that he's found himself again after a couple not so great performances. Romero also has a real shot, his bad outing against the Royals tonight notwithstanding. He's not going to be Superman every night. But if he can keep it up..... Dozier heating up soon could put him there, but with all due admiration and respect, he's a long shot IMO. Rosario is the choice if you only get one guy, with Berrios a close second. Cringe if you will at a play here here and there Rosario will make, but man is this kid talented and dynamic!

On the issue of character: Perhaps I'm naive or Pollyanna, but race has never made a difference when defining character. (Not a swipe, just my feelings). Character doesn't mean church going, or non-church going. It simply means being a good, decent, honest person who treats people with honesty and respect. From a sports perspective, however, I believe the term character has a broader context. To me it means, despite your level of talent and ability, you are willing to put in the work to be better, and make your team better. It means not feeling you are entitled because of athletic gifts. Regarding Lewis and Khiriloff both, while different talents, they both seem to shine with ability, potential, and yes, character. They won't be long for Cedar Rapids. Can you imagine them beginning next season at AA if they can post even similar numbers at Ft Myers to finish out the season? Talent and work ethic, I think these two are fast risers! If you remove Romero from the discussion as he is now in Minnesota, and just focused on the milb system, with all due respect and love for Gonsalves and Gordon, wouldn't you rank these two young men and Graterol as your top 3 right now?

In regard to Wilson, I don't think he was a bad signing for Rochester and a fill in catcher when guys get dinged. As a regular man on the roster, not so crazy about him. I think he's playing more than we would lime simply because Garver is a bit of a work in progress and Molitor just doesn't feel totally comfortable naming him as the primary catcher yet. It's not a condemnation, but a process. Personally, I was sorry to see Giminez go and not be signed to a milb contract. But I get it. Garver may have felt like looking over his shoulder if Giminez was around.

Romero: No IP above AA coming in to the season. No need for a 5th starter to begin the year. Whether you fault the Twins for wanting a final look at Hughes or not, it still makes sense. Nothing wrong with him beginning the season in Rochester. But this article is about Garver: 1] It must just be me, but when I watch Garver, I'm not seeing but a couple "oops" plays or drops. I'm just not witnessing all the dropped balls and such I keep reading about. 2] Being a 27yo rookie catcher is not a death sentence. It's an unusual position to learn. 19-22yo phenom like Purge and Mauer just aren't common. Yes, he is learning somewhat on the job, and he's been pushed to the forefront quicker than expected. But.... 3] Most minor leaguers split time with other prospects and most don't enjoy an "every day" status. Other guys play to develop, and guys play different positions for learning and potential career flexibility. The Twins have always thought enough of his offense to move him around and keep his bat in the lineup. 4] Offensively, he has a compact swing, seems to generate pretty good power, and seems to have hit potential. I don't want a starter catcher only because he hits, but it's a valuable quality. 5] FWIW... and I posted this in a game thread a couple night ago because I thought it was interesting...from April 1st through May 25th, the Twins has 12 games in which they pitched a shutout or allowed only a single run. Garver caught 7 of this games, Castro 3 and Wilson 2. Odorizzi was the SP in 5 of those games, Berrios and Lynn in the other 2. Does the swap of Castro for Wilson skew this? Maybe. Does this mean Garver is good defensively or better than given credit for? Not necessarily. But I found it interesting.

The numbers are what they are. No discounting them or just explain them away. But just a point to be made: this middle of the road staff didn't begin the season with Romero, or this improved version of Lynn. For that matter, a lot of the guys in the pen had some ugly initial numbers. Not being dismissive of the numbers or putting on rose colored glasses, but I see improvements beyond just the ramkings.

I've been pretty silent on the whole Gordon issue. While I'm anxious to see him, and the Twins offense has been ugly, I've chosen to believe the FO knows what they are doing with Gordon and will promote him as needed and when ready. Not convinced a young, developing middle infielder is going to be the guy to ignite this team. (Especially with Sano back at 3B and Escobar returned to SS). But I have to tell you I'm comjng around to the idea in a hurry! As long as he would get regular playing time between 2B and SS. Sorry Kernels fans, but Carrier is not going to be your last promotion over the next couple of weeks.

I agree with this take. There have been an awful lot of moving pieces the first couple of months. A couple of weeks of health and regular play could snap the offensive funk. Not sure Sano was pitched correctly, from a Royals standpoint, but his HR was a very welcome sight! Sure hope it helps boost his confidence/approach moving forward. Dozier has looked a little better as of late and I've seen him go to, or try to go, more to RF lately. Love Rosario and Kepler!

Doubtful May comes riding in to save the day. For one thing, pitching really isn't the problem at this point. But he was looking good before moving to the pen a couple years ago where he pitched very well. Injuries messed up his 2016. He was looking very good back in the rotation before blowing out his arm in ST 2017. The guy has good stuff, and he shouldn't be easily dismissed. And I wouldn't doubt he helps this year at some point, but his best opportunity may come next season, he's still rounding in to form and is behind a few guys for sure.

I don't mind adding a college aged catcher, as was mentioned. Only the Twins really know what potential he has. I like saving the additional $6M and getting out from under the contract to a degree. I don't like losing the draft pick. A year or two from now, player vs pick could be a wash. Really shocked someone traded for Hughes. Not a fan of the deal, but pretty "meh" on the deal.

Still a little confused why Gordon and Wade were at AA to begin the season, but like to believe it was for a reason; defense, increased power production, etc. Too bad Wade is hurt. But still have a hard time promoting him straight to the ML unless he is going to play daily. Even with his struggles, would Wade really supplant Buxton at this time? Question for Seth, or anyone, we've heard for some time now that Navarreto has power potential and defensive chops to play in MLB NOW. This is the first season we've actually seen the bat show a little life. Should we actually be encouraged?

Above all sports, in the baseball draft, you never draft for need. You draft the best player available, develop them, cross your fingers, hope for the best, and know depth also allows for future trades, whether it be at the ML or milb level. But despite a few interesting options at the milb level, if the Twins cant find a couple catchers they really like, they should pounce!

I would just like to make a couple of points first: 1] Life schedule has prevented me from watching as much of Garver as I would like. So when I read disparaging comments concerning his defense, I completely respect the opinions/observations of others who have watched him perhaps more than I have. 2] Garver is a rookie. Truly great/very good defensive catchers often don't hit. (See Butera). Catchers who can really hit often aren't good behind the plate. Guys like Rodriguez, Mauer, Posse, are really unique and very scarce. I think this comment is a pretty obvious one. That being said, what I HAVE seen of Garver hasn't been poor behind the plate, with a few bad plays I fully admit. (Overall, a dropped ball here and there doesn't concern me as I've seen even the best drop balls). What is there to like about Garver? He has shown, in milb and MLB, that he can throw, that he can hit, and that he has decent pop/power. If he were elite defensively, I think we would have heard raves before now. Again, still a rookie now pressed in to a more prominent role. Is it possible his defense continues to improve? I posted this in the game thread last night, and bring it here now. Since April 1st, the Twins have had 12 games in which they had a shutout or allowed only 1 run. Garver has caught 7 of those 12 games, Castro 3 and Wilson 2 in his SSS. He also caught Romero's 7IP gem last night, but it doesn't meet the criteria. Does this mean he's actually good defensively? Absolutely Not! But I think it's worth noting for this discussion. Someone asked who was pitching in those 7 games. So I went back and looked it up. FWIW, Odorizzi was the SP in 5 of those 7, and Berrios and Lynn for the other 2. Castro is gone. Garver is here. To deny flaws would be foolish. To deny potential would also be foolish. Perhaps Molitor is protecting Garver for the full season length, as has been suggested, or trusting in the defensive chops of Wilson, as has also been suggested, as Garver grows in to a more prominent role. Regardless, I think it's way too early to simply dismiss the potential of Garver. And I believe he should be starting more than Wilson. Far more potential, and he earned the backup job for that reason. And maybe the FO DOES need to go out and bring someone else in. But wouldn't it also make a ton of sense to let him play and see what he really is and can be? I think everyone, FO down to fans already has an idea who and what Wilson is.

Grrrr!

I meant, perfect time for Dozier to stroke something good.

Perfect time for Nick to stroke something good!

Anyone else think this Romero kid has a chance to stick?

Damn you Twins! (Sorry Brian). I should be going to bed but you keep sucking me back in! (Loose Godfather 3 reference). Can't we just score a couple of runs in the top of the 8th so I can go to bed with dreams of past winning years of Hrbek dancing around the diamond with a tutu?

LOVE GOOD BEER! But usually Mich Ultra to keep my girlish figure. THE Minnesota Twins. Any other twins scenario not my style. One team and one woman kind of man.

GOOD. Low pitch count, let him at least face a batter and let's see.

What cursive letter does Kepler wear on the front of his T shirt?

GOING! Will tell the boss tomorrow you told me so if the pizza and Mich Ultra proves too much. Lol

Believe it or not, 2 for 1 from Kum & Go. Italian and a Hawaiian.

Sorry Vanimal, love me some good wine, but this is a night for Twins, pizza and BEER. Enjoying all 3.

Don't want to use hyperbole on Kepler, but everything he does is just so "natural" that I can't wait until he really figures stuff out.

Not pretending to be an expert or know-it-all, but I watched Kepler against LHP last year, and you could just see the smooth swing and quick hands and you just KNEW he was going to turn it around.