DocBauer

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.

Were I in charge and could have a few things fall my way, my draft strategy would be as follows: 1:as previously mentioned, the biggest potential payoff at #6, even with risk involved. 2: with no second round pick this year, and reports that the Twins will be judicious with the number of signings they make, you have the flexibility to add powerful, talented arms...(without passing on a BPA position ally speaking in any given round)...and know that you have the financial capability to over spend by slot to sign them. 3: in the first 10 rounds, I'm looking for the top catching prospect I can find. I might even be seriously tempted to select him a round higher than my board says. I think Turner and Garver are very interesting and solid prospects. But if you look at the depth of the Twins system, there are legit, big time prospects on the mound, in the pen, and all across the OF and even the INF, but there is a lack of a TOP catching prospect that makes you think "can't miss".

i would agree with Aiken except for one thing; health risk. I have said multiple times this is the absolutely perfect time for th Twins to make an unconventional move and just grab the guy with the biggest upside, that potential star player. Preferably a high end LHSP, probably the hardest thing to find in baseball. My problem/concern with Aiken is not is TJ surgery, it's all the rumors that something isn't right with his arm, may never be, one day he will simply self combust on the mound, etc. And after all the reports I've read, I'm still not certain I fully understand his injury situation. Allard and Jay are probably my two picks. There is risk with both. But there also seems to be legit top of the rotation type of potential from both of them.

Understood. Some power may still come. But I think just about anyone would love to have an honest to goodness catcher who could hit .290-.300 at the bottom of their order. Or at worst, come off their bench. The ability to hit better than most, especially at a position not known for hitting, is still a nice ability.

But tip of the cap to Meyer who is embracing his situation and is making the most of it. Whether this turns out to be permanent of the right move to regain his motion and confidence, he's doing something with the opportunity. The odds of make the majors are huge. And between competition and his injury history, I cant image what Wimmer's odds are at this point. But a tip of the cap to him for sticking with it and making a comeback that I'm not sure any of us could see or predict. He still has a long way to go, and seems to be battling some consistency issues, but it's really nice to see him do well. Best of luck to Go Go Gonsalves tonight! Walker........WOW.

Swim continues to intrigue me. Plays OF and 1B, has tremendous hit tool, obviously, and can even steal a base or two? Man, if he can only catch...

Look, I'd love Santana to produce like last season and move Dozier down somewhere. Right now, he isn't. I'd also love to bring P olanco up, slide him in at SS, hit somewhere at the top of the lineup, juggle the order, and not look back. But I think its kind of premature to look to a AS SS as our lineup savior. The lineup, right now, is the best it can probably be. Think Hunter at 3 and Mauer at 2 is better? I can see that. But you cant just bash Mauer, say move him, without having a logical stepping stone process. And, I kind of understand the Vargas move to get untracked, but I still maintain he never should have been sent down. Not only was he starting to turn it around, but he's a completely different breed of an option in the 5 hole than anyone else.

Just got done reading about Swim in the prospect handbook again. Anyone have a good read on his defense and game calling behind the plate? I read kind of a mixed bag, and it sure seems like he plays as much or more OF and 1B as he does catcher. It's great that he's athletic and has some potential versatility. But if he can legitimately call a game and be solid behind the plate, with that potential hit tool, wow, what a bottom of the order contributor.

HUGE potential logjam in the OF corners, DH and 1B as Kwak reminds us. Someone pleased emind me again, when is Mauer's contract up? Isn't 2017 his last year? I have always been a Mauer fan and supporter. I'm puzzled, frustrated and happy for his 2015 campaign thus far. He's not hitting like he should be, like I expected him to, but he's been CLUTCH and playing a very nice 1B. But while I think he has life left, can play, and might even surprise us yet again this season, and the next couple, I have to believe when his contract is up.....so is his career. At least as a Twin. (Unless he suddenly moves behind the plate again late in his career-doubtful) Walker, Harrison and Kepler may get cups of coffee, but more than likely, each is a year away. Meaning they are ready, or ready sometimes during Mauer's last season. The timing may not be all that bad. Of courses,if I'm mistaken about '17, then we are in much more of a jam than Im thinking.

I can easily see Kepler as our future 1B and part time corner OF. He'd be a much better than average athlete for a 1B which would be outstanding in regard to being on the bases and such.

I'd be in full favor of Jay were he available at 6. As previously stated, I believe this is the perfect time for the Twins to pick the ONE pitcher, preferably LH, that has the highest upside in the draft and take their shot. We dont have a second round pick to "back up" our first rounder. And I'm ok with that. But we are probably done with top 10 picks for a while too. Jay, Alien, whoever...just take that pitcher with the biggest payoff and trust your scouts and coaches. I just hope that one guy van also be LH.

Not saying yes or no, but I assume you are talking about a continuous 6 day rotation vs each pitcher missing a turn every 5th week?

Never had anything against Pelfrey personally. Always heard he was a good guy and teammate. And I respect the hell out of guys who want to play and genuinely want to earn their paycheck. But the entire mantra of "but when healthy...and look what he did during this stretch..." was simply turning in to "look at the history and track record." I was...oh, not excited, but curious...as to what he could maybe do out of the pen for us. Slow delivery, high hard and straight might work for an inning or two. That is simply not what we are seeing out of him. If I didn't know better, I'd swear there was an invasion of the body snatchers going on. That first pitch on the top of the page is what an 88 MPH knuckle ball would look like if you could throw such a thing. I don't recall names, but I am reminded of 20 years or so ago when Pitching coach Roger Craig had great success teaching the split finger and changing some careers. I don't know if this is Allen tweaking Pelfrey's delivery, approach or head, or if Pelfrey is just growing in experience, (learning hard lessons to be sure) and now fully healthy and feeling great he's tossing hard and care-free. I sure am enjoying it though. I'm almost excited when I see his name listed as the starting pitcher.

Lookouts need to play a triple-header