DocBauer

Thank you Pitz. Really, really appreciated. And whether you do so on your own, or with Seth and Parker and others, I'd love to read and learn more. If and when you have something to report of course. I know news from the DSL can be a bit intermittent. I and we also know news of these kids is like reading about the local high school team at times, and trying to speculate who might make it. Hell, scouts have a hard enough time trying to tell the Twins which 18 yo American HS player to draft, much less sign a 16-17 yo South American kid with hole in glove and hole in both shoes kid to sign.

"We can rebuild him. We have the technology. We will make him better....stronger....faster than before."--Terry Ryan in regard to Alex Wimmers. Err....OK....so I'm paraphrasing liberally here. But man, complete, unfortunate washout to what he's been doing? Wow! And it's not just the past 3 starts. He's been hot and cold this season, shut has had other good games. So this doesn't appear to just be a hot streak. It appears he's actually growing and getting better. And I may joke about being bionic, but he really has overcome a lot. And for whatever reason, better velocity or not, it appears his SO's are up. Great story!

Not a clue. (Mostly) Funny, but these things kind of work themselves out. Already happened twice this year for the Twins with Pelfrey back in and May back up when Santana was suspended and Milone back up when Nolasco was hurt for the second time. Hughes is a no-brainier, as is Gibson, as previously stated. And, as stated, May is pitching quite well to very well, and probably even better than surface numbers indicate. But also, winning or not, this team is still in transition, and May is part of the future. It would be grossly irresponsible to remove him from the rotation barring injury or just sudden and prolonged slump. It has to be Pelfrey or Milone. And let's be honest, while NOBODY, not even his momma, saw Pelf having this kind of success this season, you HAVE to ride his year until I ends or stumbles. Milone has to be the odd man out, deserving or not. And while I completely agree Milone doesn't seem to play in the bullpen, at the same time I have to ask, who else from the port side does right now? What is better for him and the Twins, Rochester to start until needed again or the ML bullpen for now?

Kepler and Rosario in the corners (whichever) and Buton in CF. Could be September, could be next June. You don't need a backup CF on the roster because you already have two. Not saying no to Hicks, but decreases any urgency for a 4th OF to be able to play the spot. If roster crunching left you with only 4 total OF's, Arcia could be that guy. That starting OF offers up not only daily talent, but soooo many options and possibilities for reserve spot/roster scenarios as well as trade options to fill other needs.

A double edged sword at the moment gang: all this OF talent and potential, but not all of the OF and potential ready or realized and nothing necessitates making a decision TODAY. And tomorrow row is half a season away, which gives more time for offensive and defensive development, successes, promotions, etc. Mauer: Not going anywhere for at least a year. Contract and history both say he's earned that right. He might rebound, he might not. But cut, retire, urged to retire and bought out, whatever, ink him in for 2016 as a 1B and DH. Could he be OK in the OF? Meh...potentially. Still has a good arm, decent athlete overall, and I've seen worse in the last, and still see worse out there today. (Baseball, not necessarily the Twins) But I just don't see any scenario in which moving Mauer to the OF overrides any other scenario. There are just so many other possible options that make more sense. Arcia: I don't want to trade him, much less trade low. He played and hit the best I've seen the last part of 2014. I just don't understand what has happened this season. Still a boatload of offensive talent and mediocre to OK defensive potential. Call me crazy, his youth, flashes, and potential still hold some value in a trade scenario, especially as part of a package. Losing him if he rebounds won't hurt as much depending on what the final return is, and if Kepler and others would have made him superfluous anyway. I think he can DH and be a part time 4/5th OF. But if Kepler is or can be ready soon, then I'm OK with an Arcia move to bring in that catcher the team could really use. Speaking of Kepler: huge fan and believer. Been immensely intrigued and hopeful since day one. Unless his swing just lies flat like Mauer, (I've seen nothing to indicate this, just saying) more HR's will come from his big and athletic frame. Suddenly finding himself is awesome. But I don't want him promoted so fast that he loses himself again. I think AAA for the second half is the right thing to do. And it's not that anyone is saying he's of MORE VALUE at 1B, it's just that, with so many options potentially available and viable over the next year or two, putting him at 1B fills that position very well and puts another potential quality OF in the field. Rosario: really, up until last season, he has always hit, always produced, always shown tons of potential and natural ability and always been young for his level. While not setting the world on fire YET, he is playing excellent defense, slashing some speed and power, and looks natural on the base paths. He'll probably never be a high OB guy, but I can live with that and all off is other skills and potential. Not all players, and not all great players, are necessarily disciplined, high BB hitters. Hicks: offensive and defensively, despite a few bad moments, the player I saw out there this 3rd time looked much, much more like a confident, bonafide ML player than the overmatched and defensive kid I watched the past couple of seasons. I hesitated at his promotion as his stance and stroke were re-worked, productive, but still in their infancy. I still like his potential as a starting CF for someone, with decent to good potential offense. But for the Twins, I think he's a 4th OF. And he could be a really nice one, and I'm OK with that. But like Arcia, he could be part of a package for a young catcher. (Think of the Twins desperate and bungled CF situation these past few seasons and a former top prospect drops in your lap as part of a deal) Sano: can we just drop this for now? Please? Kid misses the entire 2014 season, has a half season at AA 3B under his belt, and is suddenly destined for 1B and/or the OF...positions he has never played before except for like a single inning....because....why? Because he will be an instant HR champ slugging All Star with the move off of 3B? Because he can't play 3B? Who says? I have read speculation that he MAY have to move off 3B, at least eventually depending on growth, but have read nothing that says he can't be at least an OK 3B. Said it before, and will keep on saying it, gold glove 3B don't get promoted, they develop. I'm not down on Walker or Harrison, it's just that there are more holes there to close, typical of most prospects. Each is a good year away. And that's OK! I'm also not as down in Santana at SS as some, though I believe Polanco just might be the best option going forward. Based on what he showed flashes of potentially, could he unlock that potential as a LF who can backup CF and SS? I think it's worth considering. Like Arcia, and Hicks, his talent and potential could make him part of a trade package as well. Hunter: absolutely love what he's brought and how this story is playing out. I don't think he should be brought back, almost regardless of how he hits/plays the rest of the year. HOWEVER, I will say this; injury, trade(s) or poor performance of say Arcia and/or Hicks, I would at least consider Hunter back on a 1 year, provided it was friendly, and it was understood he was a DH who might get a start here or there, but NOT a big signing as a starting OF option.

Gotta throw Deunsing in to make the deal work

Agreed. But then again, the draft was only a week ago, signings have begin, and it's right around now, traditionally, that the Twins make all their second half promotions. There should be a bunch coming real soon. And on that note, the Lookouts have a top 100 player, a soon-to-be named top 100 player in Kepler, (bank it),and a possibly named top 100 in Polanco, (strong candidate). Would suck for Rochester, but you could almost make the move for all three to skip AAA. Almost.

Oh...the Twins are playing the Cards and then the Cubs? Oh yeah, that's right, they're in the NL aren't they. Yawwwwn! I mean, seriously, it used to be kind of a big deal. Twice a year, for a couple of weeks, the AL and NL just sort of stopped as a season long entity for a little while, and we had this little baseball vacation fantasy time. Now it just seems kind of Ho-hum, teams drifting in and out of league ballparks, just another game on the schedule.

I absolutely want Meyer to get another shot at starting, do well, get promoted, do well, and in a year or two become a #1 or #2 starter. And it could very well still happen. That door is in no way closed, IMO, and I believe the Twins feel the same. However, what if he does stay as a hard throwing SO capable relief pitcher? Really, would that be such an awful thing in the scheme of the Twins universe? Fien and Meyer blowing away hitters to get to Perkins, with Meyer as a possible future closer. Jay, perhaps, along with auditions of Darnell, Hurlant, Thompson, a rehabbed Melotakis, and the various LHSP options at AAA and AA....suddenly you have a TOP bullpen to go along with a rotation of Hughes (better than he's shown this year), Santana, Gibson, May, Berrios as well as a few other depth options and some really nice options down in A ball.

Not a coach or scout, but with roughly 10 weeks available, and plans to make him a starter, I'd like to see him ramped up as a starter to build his arm, work on his arsenal, and then ramp him back down again to finish in the bullpen. Of course, I suppose he could pitch multiple innings per appearance as well. I have to say, I have little to no angst against in regard to Jay's "bust" potential. While it would be great to see him evolve in to a high quality starter, if you told me we were picking a hard throwing, SO capable LHSU man who would be a big factor in the Twins bullpen and might even have eventual closer potential, I'd say "way to go!" A contributor of that quality would be well worth the #6 pick in the draft. If you doubt that, look again at the current list of former #1 picks in the various posts here on TD that washed out in the crapshoot that is the baseball draft.

Never seen him in person, but always been impressed with all reports of his build, his natural athleticism and his attitude. (My father met and saw him ST a couple years ago and was very impressed). I thought he was a pick to click last season and so glad to see it happen this year. Although it's kind of a surprise that he actually moves up a level and finds his very best year. I'm betting there is more HR power to come, and I'd be very happy if he was a consistent 20 HR type to go along with everything else he seems to bring. Doesn't have to hit 30 dinners to be very good and very valuable. Thinking he's in the top 100 this offseason for prospect rankings

Going to disagree here, rather strongly. I have absolutely no doubt Kepler could, would, will be an excellent ML outfielder. But defense at 1B is pretty important. And while stating the obvious, you can't just stick someone over there with a glove and say; "go play and do well". Kepler offers a big target and athleticism. And with the intention of putting the best 8/9 guys daily on/in to the field/lineup, Buxton and Rosario as probable starting OF's leaves one spot open. Walker? Harrison? Hicks? Plouffe? Arcia? Not betting on it, but, Sano? And I don't kid when I say possibly Santana with a conversion to the OF (mostly full time at least) and really finding himself as a dangerous and exciting top/bottom spot in the lineup presence. So Kepler can man 1B if and when one of these options claims that third OF spot fully. He doesn't have to be the Twins 1B of the future, but I'd say there are way more OF options available than 1B options at this point. Think Erstad with more power and a little less speed.

Nobody wants to blame the concussion. Not Mauer, not the FO, not the staff, so fine, I won't either. A strong close to last season and an Ok start to this one would suggest the elephant has left the room. (But then why such maddening swings of inconsistency?) I can't buy physical. Is he over 30 now? Sure. We're there obvious rigors in catching? Sure. But he just turned 32, he's not ancient, he hasn't really caught in almost 2 years now, believe, and supposedly had a great offseason workout. Something he didn't have the offseason before. Could his bat be slowing? Sure. But this much this fast AFTER the concussion supposedly healed and almost two years AFTER his last game a as catcher? I have to wonder then about the mental side of things. Too many adjustments? Trying too hard to be something he's not? One of the truly great things about Puckett was the simple philosophy of "see ball, hit ball". And he did. All over the place, a lot of the time right back up the middle. Mauer is more patient as a hitter, and he's never had the uppercut to produce HR's despite his natural size and strength. But he always seemed to previously have the ability to put the bat on the ball. You would think just doing that, with his natural strength, would produce wicked line drive after wicked line drive...with a few duck snorts in there too, obviously. I don't mean to sound simplistic, but is it possible Mauer's approach should be as simple as "don't swing at crazy crap...otherwise...see ball, hit ball, and just see where it goes"?

Brian Duensing

IMO, Mauer is now a quality defensive 1B. He is still a .260-.270 ish hitter with a .350 OB%. Call it grasping at straws, but, there is value there. It's not what we want, not what he wants, not what the Twins want, and not what his contract and past would indicate he should be. But there is some value there. Can he pull a Morneau and heal up and find himself again? Nobody knows. JM shows maybe. Koskie shows maybe not. There is still hope. But what to do in the meantime? Drop the whole "but for his contact" thoughts and arguments. What to do while he's here and part of the team? For NOW it would seem to me you have two choices: 1) despite a penchant for hitting in to double plays, he can still hit a little, and he can still be good to better at getting on base. Hitting second behind Buxton...eventually...might be his best spot. 2) ultimately, Rosario or Polanco hitting second may be the best lineup option. For now, most of this year, Hunter has done a good job there. If one if these guys, or Escobar, or a Santana return, can become a fixture, then Mauer only fits in one of the final 3 spots in the order. It's sad...but it's the truth. Still.....there is some value here when looked at objectively, and taken at current, realistic, face value.

Speaking of Meyer...NICE JOB

Am I missing something here on Polanco? If it's just one game, then why not Bernier again?

Sign him, stretch him out as a starter and simply work with him. By the end of the season, you might have him finish in the pen to limit innings. There is no need to rush him directly the majors for some short sighted motivation, then put him back in the minors to start. It will end up costing him development time as a starter. That may also lengthen his ML arrival timetable. And who wants that?

I find it interesting/funny how the Twins are too conservative in approach and get blasted for making safe picks o predictable control pitchers with limitd upside and not taking a shot at power arms with big upside. So the past few seasons they become more imaginative, turn to power arms, and even become creative in their projected use of them, but now get blasted for taking shots at upside arms instead of being more conservative.

Side note: in regard to why Jay was only used as an occassional starter, or stretched out reliever in some cases, and not a full time starter: Illinois was a top 10 ranked team who won the Big 10 and won 50 games on the season. The team had 4 primary starters in their rotation that went a combined 33-7! The ERA's of those 4 was 1.75, 2.01, 2.28 and 3.35! They all started 12 or more games, and pitched 75 or more innings. The absolute worst SO/BB ratio amongst the 4 was better than 3-1. The worst BA against was in the .250's and the other three were under .250. And only one SP allowed as many hits as IP. Jay was an anchor for the team, and used in slightly different roles at times. But he wasn't in the bullpen because he lacked something. He played his role.

Once again, I love this pick. And I really, really don't get the angst of some posters here. Gang, the Twins have some nice to really good pitching prospects. They even have some interesting LHSP options for the back of the rotation, though most would appear destined for the bullpen, especially compared to their RH brethren. But other than Gonsalves, and hopefully a healthy and recovered Thorpe, there is a dearth of top shelf LHSP options. (As there undoubtedly in most organizations) The Twins made a smart move in acquiring a very talented LH arm here. * Don't think I've read a single scouting report that didn't have him in the top 10 of available draftable prospects this season. The Twins drafted 6, which is in the top 10. * Don't think I've read a single scouting report that hasn't stated he is seen as a legitimate SP candidate, based on his pitch mix and potential. Sure he needs some more polish and command, but what young pitcher doesn't need at least some polish and development. * There were three LH's with real ability and potential in the draft. All have nice potential upside but also have question marks. One...Jay...is healthy and college age and closer to the majors, while the other two are HS'ers, injured, and further away. The draft is all about projectability, but age and injury have to be considered. * Despite rumors to the contrary, with minute, generational exception, you DONT draft Ace pitchers. You scout, you project, you draft, you coach, and then you wait and cross fingers. In all the years I've been a Twins fan, or watched baseball, I could probably name on one hand...hand and a half tops...the guys I've seen drafted as almost sure fire Ace pitchers. And I think all of them were picked #1 or #2 in the draft probably. * If Jay turns out to be a legitimate, solid, ML LHSP who can hold down a 2 or 3 spot year after year...hell, even be a really nice #4 SP on a winning staff...you will say he's a wasted pick? * Even if he washes as a SP, and becomes a top shelf LH 8th inning setup guy...not even a closer...he still becomes a valuable asset to the Twins. And this is his lowest level, practically basement level floor!

Nice pick! (And nice prediction) Tall, big frame, excellent velocity. Definately some stuff to work on, but a lot of tools and potential to work with.

Really happy with this pick. Three different LISP options, all three with risks, and all three with seemingly legit front of the rotation stuff. There is also real need for a quality LHSP with some real stuff. If starting doesn't work out, we have a top port side relief prospect. You need those too. Especially in a draft that doesn't appear overwhelming, this is a great choice with a real fall back option.

Despite the points you bring up negatively, such as pitch framing, the crux if your article is Suzuki shouldn't hit 5th. He's no Harper. And I agree. But as the starting catcher, calling a game, taking charge, making his pitchers feel comfortable, blocking the plate, I like Zuke and appreciate him and respect him. I think it's disingenuous to say the Twins pitchers respect him simply because he is a veteran. He had a well respected reputation long before he joined the Twins. Offensively, not being an easy out, stroking a few XB hits at the BOTTOM if the order is not so bad. If Herrmann could ever hit as he has in the minors, I think he could be an asset, and people would climb off his back. I have to say, over the years, when I've watched games with him behind the plate, I've been impressed with the job he's done. I have a hard time calling for him to be replaced. And yet, I still think Pinto belongs in the majors. In fact, he was hitting in the spring when he was farmed out, and never should have been sent out in my opinion. He should be up. He can be a real asset with the bat as a catcher and DH, possibly as a dangerous PH. But until someone gives him the chance...as they did to close out the 2013 season rather impressively...he's never going to do anything.