DocBauer

No question Greene I is tantalizing as a prospect, and overall ceiling he may indeed be the top player in the draft. And if you don't take him, you may live with deep regret. Right now though, I'd lean to Faedo or Wright. There is a ton of baseball to be played before the draft and the hope is, obviously, that someone truly separates from the pack. I just can't find myself feeling comfortable with a HS pitcher as the #1 overall pick. There is a reason it's never/seldom happened before, (LH yes, RH no). Injury potential and just so far from the majors makes it such a risky proposition.

I could see him begining the season at Ft Myers initially jdue to only 11 starts there, possibly a full rotation at AA, and let the first month play out at both AAA and AA to settle a few spots, and then promote him. But on the surface, it would sure seem natural to move him to Chattanooga right from the get go. (Same could be argued for Gonsalves to Rochester). A new FO, new training and development techniques being brought in, (it appears Allen may be committed to change as well), with Mejia, Gonsalves, Stewart, Jay, Jorge and Romero has me almost as excited in just watching pitching development in 2017 as watching the Twins themselves! A few tweaks in delivery here, better control of a 3rd pitch there, and building up some innings for a few guys, man, call me an optomist with Twins-red colored glasses but I'm feeling so much better about the future rotation than I have felt in a long time.

Maybe I just want to believe, but something about him has always intrigued me as a guy with real potential who just sort of understands how to pitch and "gets it". Like any young pitcher, he's still learning and refining his control. But I've had this feeling that he's not done developing physically yet, and a little more muscle and on continued work on mechanics will add a tick or two to his fastball. Refine that 3rd pitch, and he could potentially be a #2 starter. At worst, I see a very solid/good 3 or 4. I'd still be very happy with that.

I don't buy in to the re-draft theory as there is a hell of a lot yet to see and develop. Not to mention a re-draft could be fun, but is nothing but fantasy anyway. The AFL US a SS, agree totally. But when you take a young A ballplayer and place him there and he performs well, I don't think you just dismiss what he did either. It just shows me how ready, through talent and hard work, Gordon is for the AAA level. I wouldn't be a bit surprised if this is his "breakout" season.

Personally, I wouldn't bet against Garver. Castro was brought in for a reason. And I think he will handle the staff well, show his value, and his career has shown he can be effective against RHP. I don't buy in to Garver's age as a restriction. Catcher is a unique position as far as development goes. He has improved defensively by all accounts, has al ways had a great arm, and has hit decently to we'll at all levels, and even shown improvement at levels if he started slow. It's not only ability but opportunity. Is he better playing every 3rd day at the ML level now, or everyday at AAA to begin the season? Does an injury get him playing time or more playing time? I actually find him to be at the top of my prospect watch list. He could be a solid backup to a really good starter. His opportunity window may be one of the hardest to speculate.

Kistler did a surprisingly solid job last year. I don't mean to diminish his 2016 season at all, but I just don't think he's really a closers. Throwing 92-93 is fine. Not every closer is a true fireball er. But there is usually special movement and a special secondary pitch. He just doesn't have that. Maybe we'really better in the long run, but I really wanted that bounce back candidate that could be flipped or traded. Pressly could be solid and maybe better than any of us realize. But when all is said and done, the job will belong to Chargois. There will be various guys with saves on their 2017 resume, but Chargois will be the main man.

I think you wrap it up pretty succinctly here. Ultimate blame is on TR. We aren't privy to various conversations that took place, maybe Molitor pointed the desk demanding certain things and was rebuffed time and again. But you would think he was have at least a minimum amount of input to say: "Hey, how's Polanco doing? I like that kid and we need a SS." He may not have much control, and daily his work centers around the functions of the ML club as is, but you'd think he'd at least have some influence.

Not to gush, he's still only an 18yo rookie, but big and strong with decent wheels, defense, power, great attitude, etc, etc, what's not to like other than improving walk rate? Other than being able to place him on a time machine and have him ready by the end of this season. Lol Very impressed with this kid.

One of the various invited OF in camp currently, or a waiver wire pickup during ST could very easily become the team's true 4th OF, IMO, replacing any thought of DanSan as the possible "13th" position player.

I know the prevailing thought is to have Mauer hit 2nd with Grossman doing so against LHP, playing some OF and DH. But I have also wondered about some combination of Buxton and Polanco hitting 1 & 2 with the Mauer/Grossman combination lower in the krder, possibly 6th or 7th to perpetuate and inning with their OB skill and to help set up the bottom of the order better.

I've said this before some time ago, but I wasn't sold on Gordon initially. Coming in to the draft, his numbers on the 20-80 scout scale were all around 45-55 if I remember correctly. (Could have been a 40 and/or a 60 mixed in there) But I have really come around on him the past year or so. His work ethic seems excellent. In interviews, he seems intelligent, direct and business like. (Also polite). I love the kind of guys he works with in the offseason, showing further evidence of his willingness to work and soak up knowledge. With his build and youth and yes, even lineage, I could easily see him muscling up some more. I am begining to think/feel more and more that we are talking about a solid defensive player who will hit well, have a solid OB%, and be a real threat for 30+ doubles and double digit Homer's and stolen bases every season.

I think you nailed it pretty well Seth. I really hate not seeing Duffy on the team, in the pen. And I just can't see Hughes as a lock yet until we see his full velocity and control back. I can get Berrios at Rochester to begin the season due to a "crunch" of options and then coming up early when someone gets hurt, etc. But for the future success of the team I think we just have to see both Berrios and May in the rotation.

If Giminez really could play a couple spots, and Garver could play 1B and has the better bat, could the Twins keep a 3rd catcher this season as the 13th player???

I agree with the general assessment that Gordon will be solid and all around defensively as well as offensively. What impresses me most about him is his attitude and work ethic. The guy just seems to "get it" and what it takes to develop and succeed. Gotta love a young SS prospect who works out with and gets advice from "Mr. Larkin" in the offseason.

Surprise here I know, (sarcasm alert), but I'm going to further defend Jay and his selection. At least for the here and now. The MLB draft is the biggest crap shoot in all of pro sports. Always has been, always probably will be. Jay's draft wasn't considered an especially strong draft. Regardless, in any draft, in any sport, you draft who you think is a talented player who can develop and help your team. In other words, what upside and potential reward can you expect to receive. A year and a half later, no-one can say at this point, especially when you expect a big draft hall to include all of 3 players to make any real impact. Benintendi may turn out to be a stud. He may not. If he does, then good for his team. But then again, other teams besides the Twins also passed on him. (The Trout arguement all over again). The Twins need pitching, especially starting Pitching, and saw a real live arm, from the left side, who was one of the top overall arms available in the draft. Right or wrong, they saw a college RP with big stuff and the ability to hone his 3rd and 4th offerings in to something good and solid that would allow him to become a quality starter. On most college staffs, Jay would have been a weekend starter, perhaps the #1 starter, but with a deep talent pool, they chose to make him their ace bullpen arm. There is little question he needs to build his body and arm up for endurance, and develop that 3rd and/or 4th pitch...but isn't that true for most any SP prospect...before he is ready. But even as a "prospect" still working on things, he throws in the low 90's consistently as a starter with a great slider. And he has the initial makings of a couple other solid pitches. Those come along how often? At worst, he moves back to the pen with a pair of outstanding pitches and maybe a 3rd or 4th "serviceable " pitch he can throw once in a while to keep hitters off balance. Just a couple years ago, weren't a lot of us complaining the Twins were drafting pitch to contact arms without the potential for real upside? (Wimmers for example). So they draft one just like that, and because he's still learning and developing after 1 1/2 seasons, only 1 as a SP, we want to say "bust"? Hold your horses, I say. Give him the entire year at AA if necessary to bulk up, build up, and learn the routine of being a starter. If he's ready for Rochester at some point, GREAT! But need and want at the ML level shouldn't dictate the development of any top prospect.

Love the post, as I usually do, and agree 100%. Buxton's only real problem is being a victim of his own success, talent and potential. When you are as gifted as he is, unless you skyrocket like a Griffen, Trout or Harper, you are suddenly labeled as a bust or under performer. He is still so damn young, and was really rushed through the system due to his performance, despite missing some normal developmental time due to injury. He was really a victim of his own success and team need. Despite big numbers, there is natural development and recognition that only comes through playing. Not being an all star by 22 or 23 is neither a crime nor an aberration for his career. He is more gifted than Hunter or Puckett, overall, and just needs time to play and harness his skills.

Agreed. Except for the bunt less arguement. It is, unfortunately, become a lost art, which is a tremulous shame, as it can be such a dangerous weapon. If Buxton could become adept at it, I wouldn't stop using it.

Some meat on his bones and time to refine his off speed stuff and adjust is paramount. He absolutely needs time. And by time I mean another full season. Knowing what you have a a reliever is sort of a "safety net" that you can fall back to at almost any time.

Hard to rank him this high, IMO, simply due to age and limited DSL appearances. But he does fascinate and capture attention for his skill set and scouting reports. He is definitely one of the most intriguing prospects in the entire system. Overall, there are a couple of position player prospects in the upper levels I will be watching, along with a plethora of pitching prospects. But I think it's fair to say the real interest, fun and excitement will be watching the lower affiliates this season.

I firmly believe Sano will surprise people with his defense at 3B. He will NOT be a finished product when the season ends, but he will show ability and a future there. IMO, Polanco is the bigger concern. But we can't forget he has played a lot of SS until recently (minors I mean) and he is athletic. I firmly agree with Thrylos that he needs opportunity and stability. He is probably not the future, but if he can just be solid/average defensively, with his bat, he could be a real cog for the lineup.

With his frame, even a small tick up in velocity, a bit more refinement of his breaking ball, I'm not so sure Gonsalves couldn't be a #2 one of these days.

I like your post. And I agree with it for the most part, but also have to disagree a bit. I agree there is a bit of a logjam for the rotation. Not including fringe guys like Vogelsong or a sudden, unexpected promotion of a minor leaguer, a healthy Hughes, (at some point), Santana, Gibson, Santiago, Haley, May, Duffey and Berrios give 8 legitimate SP options. So you are correct there is a bit of a logjam, and I'm actually glad we didn't invest in any additional FA options. But we are uncertain on Hughes, for now. Berrios is still very young and has options if it's decided to go another right to begin the season, and a couple of these guys could also see themselves in the pen. Which brings up the second point. I absolutely agree that an end of the season rotation of Jay, Berrios, May, Gonsalves and Mejia would be excellent and exciting. And I see a lot of possibilities of both Santana and Santiago being moved at some point to contending teams needing additional pitching help. It would make sense not only to clear dollars and maybe get a decent prospect or two, but to make room for at least one prospect, and create a better roster opening in 2018 for a prospect, major trade acquisition or FA signing. But the counterpoint would be: 1] Hughes is untraceable at this point. We're he to come back to form..at some point at least...he could be more valuable to keep. 2] Almost ditto for Gibson, though less of a post-injury concern. But again, healthy, back to his 2015 form, perhaps even better, while trade able, he could also be more valuable to keep. Especially considering its a little hard to simply graduate multiple pitching prospects, with any success, all at once. 3] While Jay offers a TON of potential...and I simply don't understand those that are down on him so soon...he has only a single full milb season under his belt. He is still developing a feel for being a starter and building up endurance. I think he's a full season away, at least, and I'm OK with that. I expect, and hope, that by the end of the season, we are looking at a rotation of Hughes, Gibson, May, Berrios and Mejia with an appearance for Gonsalves. Now ask me how excited I am with those 6 in the fold for 2018, with more on the way, and the possibility of a major trade or FA signing?

Agree with you in theory here. And I hate to state the obvious...but I will, lol. It's not the money, it's the veteran experience. I agree Mejia seems to have more upside. And I know this is a rebuilding team needing to look at their young talent. But while not a stud, Santiago has proven to be a solid, decent, serviceable ML SP. He was good for the Angels last season, crappie when he came to the Twins, but then finished strong. Meanwhile, Mejia is still young, has, I believe, only about a half season of AAA under his belt. So I can see Santiago higher on the pecking order for now, with Mejia getting the call during the season, and Santiago possibly traded mid season.

Not going to disagree with you. I think Haley, pitching well, has a shot at the end of the rotation since Hughes is such an unknown and Berrios has options. However, I think if Berrios really shows progress, options or not, I could see him in the rotation and bumping Haley to the pen. I get we need to look at young starters, but Berrios has even better stuff and probably more upside than Haley, so it would make sense to place him in the pen initially. I also agree to no on Vogelsong. I think he's at AAA if he shows anything as a potential call up. My best guess: Kintzler, Belize, Chargois, Pressly, Duffey and Haley with Rogers from the left side. From there, one of Breslow, Boshers or O'Rourke. Now, that makes 8, which could happen, but I expect a 7 man pen. So who goes? That's what I can't answer. But not only do these things "sort themselves out" but invariably someone pulls something, has some tightness, etc. So I am going to cheat and name 8 for the pen for now.

I think the shuttle between the Twins is, more or less a given isn't it? Guys get hurt, even minor injuries, and Rochester should be pretty loaded with guys awaiting their turn.