DocBauer

Six straight starts pitching in to the 7th inning. Four straight starts with 2 or fewer runs allowed. And the team is 11-1 in games he has started. Wow! Despite pedestrian SO numbers am becoming a bigger and bigger believer in Jorge as a quality SP prospect.

Still not entirely sure I embrace the choices made last night, or the possible strategy involved. And we absolutely won't know a thing until the draft is done and each of these guys get a year or two under their belt. But a few thoughts after sleeping on it last night: 1] The Twins need pitching. The Twins didn't draft pitching with their first two picks, HS or college. Therefore, angst and frustration for the selections made. But any potential financial savings or not, Lewis is one of the top players in the draft, period. You can never add enough or have enough talent. Booker appears to have a potentially high quality bat at an OF corner, or perhaps 1B. Unto themselves, these are quality picks with excellent potential. I think Leach may end up defining this draft. We know virtually nothing about him. But obviously, the Twins have scouted him intensely and like what they see and his projectability. 2] I have read a few places that the best overall talent in this draft was in HS, not college, particularly on the mound. Isn't it entirely possible the new FO was drafting the BPA vs reaching for a college pitcher just because they need pitching? I dont know. But if that is the case, then I have to applaud them. Especially in the crapshoot that is the baseball draft, it's supposed to be about adding talent and potential vs drafting strictly for need isn't it? After all, there is always the future possibility of trades of veterans and prospects. 3] Perhaps the plan at 35 and 37 did get blown up. Not sure we will ever really know. But couldn't that banked savings from the first few picks be spent on a couple high upside HS guys in the 2nd-4th rounds to keep them away from college?

I'm not saying the Twins blew tonight. I'm not saying Lewis and Rooker don't look like quality future players. I'm not saying 3 years from now we won't look back in wonder at how smart the new FO was. But right now....something just doesn't look or smell right about this draft.

Gotta stick with Mejia though. He's part of the future. Really surprised Belisle or Breslow didn't get cut or come down with an injury after Sunday. But that's for a different discussion.

Surprised and initially disappointed in the pick we of Lewis. I really wanted Weight or Gore if you want the high school route. Nut I freely admit I don't know anything compared to the guys in charge. That being said, Lewis was considered a top 4-5 talent in this draft. A draft with no clear cut #1 player. By all reports he is a great athlete with lots of skill and potential. Probably the best overall HS player in the draft. Can we really be upset if the Twins braintrust felt he was the best overall player available AND he may save money to make a nice move or two at 35 and/or 37? I wanted a ready made SP as much as anyone. But isn't the mantra also "take the best player available"?

Going to repeat a couple things I've said before and echo a couple thoughts from others here, but I really want to weight in on this topic again after reading and reflecting more. The position players on this team are a young nucleus playing well and still growing and developing and learning to win together. The team still needs help on the mound and we all know this. But unless someone out there...Astros, Yankees, etc...have a significant injury in a season in which they truly think they are a contender, we won't get the overpay in prospects we need to make the trade work. In other words, a top young SP ready to come up and contribute. So we trade away a leader and quality pitcher with life left in his arm when we need pitching and effectively punt on the season. This just doesn't make sense to me in the short term or the long term. This off season, the Twins absolutely have the resources to sign a quality FA SP to add to the staff. If there truly isn't someone interested available, they may have to go the trade route and offer up some quality young prospects, possibly a current rostered player. I would prefer the FA route as it allows the system to maintain as many good young players as possible for promotion and later trades of such, or the ML player they might replace. Even if said Santana suddenly regressed to the status of solid, quality #3 starter, combined with said FA and Berrios, we have a nice threesome to start our rotation with. Mejia, hopefully, continues to develop and gives us a 4th reliable, and young, starter. Who is the 5th starter? I don't know. Hughes? Slegers? Gibson? A FA reclamation project? Gonsalves? But I'd sure rather worry about a 5th starter than 2 or 3 open spots. Yes, the pen also needs help. But it's completely reasonable, IMO, that just a little better luck on the health front could see 2 or 3 young arms getting their shot the second half of this season. Combine those with what is already there, possibly a better Pressly, maybe a quality FA, and a much strongef pen could easily be in place. I just think this competitive team is starting to come together. Unless there is an overpay, I just feel moving Santana sets the team back.

Gonsalves may have struggled somewhat in this one, but that is going to happen. What always has impressed me about him as he seems to have the ability to adjust, whether it be game by game, or level by level. He's not just a thrower. He knows how to pitch, and that can't be understated as an ability or a reflection of his future. Flat out Curtiss needs to be in Rochester. And hopefully, in Minnesota before the season ends. Great news for Rodriguez!

Love these write ups! Takes this awesome website even another notch, and I wasn't even sure that was possible. Even when I catch all or most of a game, the following wrap up puts icing on the game. 100% agree on keeping Santana. He's good and this team needs pitching. It doesn't hurt having him to learn from as well, whether it be Berrios, Mejia or those yet to come. It could be argued Santana has never pitched better in his career, overall, since coming to the Twins. And he sure appears to have life left. But we want to trade away our best pitcher for prospects and not win? I just don't see Santana, as much as I love him, bringing back another high quality arm unless some team is desperate to fulfill their opportunity this season.

Was also the Yankees milb pitcher of the Year in 2012, FWIW. I know that's been a few years, but I think it speaks to some of his potential. From what I gather, he had some arm soreness and was released in 2014 and began bouncing around a bit before his independent league stint last season. I don't know, I'm not expecting greatness, but guys do get healthy and find themselves later in their career sometimes.

Missed all the game except for updates as I was at the Omaha Stormchasers game. Live baseball! But what a game I Missed! Right now, have to say, "trade Santana?" Screw that idea! We need this guy the next 2 years and just continue to build and keep him around!

THIS!

I've been...sort of...softly and lazily...campaigning for "So Long Sano" as a nickname due to his enormous shots.

While the fruit hasn't ripened yet on the old prospect tree, it's pretty exciting to look at what the Twins have now, and should have in the near future, for middle infield options. Not including Rosier, Polanco looks to be a keeper. Adrianza, through ST and his rehab stint and his short time with the Twins, has looked good. Escobar is a nice ballplayer. Vielma has potential as a contact/speed glove man off the bench if he never makes it as a starter. And then there is Gordon...enough said there. Oh, and Goodrum shows potential as a super utility guy liked we all hoped DanSan might have been. Remember when the Twins couldn't find anyone to play the middle infield? I just don't think Dozier gets moved if the team is playing well come July. Further, after last off season attempts to possibly move him proved underwhelming, I'm still uncertain of his actual trade value. Does it improve mid season for a team looking for that edge in their contention window? Possibly. I still wonder about keeping him long term with Mauer gone after 2018 and juggling the infield with Sano, who I like a lot at 3B, moving to 1B or Dozier sliding over there. May be crazy, but it's a thought that has crossed my mind.

While I know absolutely nothing...an important preface...i find it interesting that Gore isn't talked about the same way Greene is, or even higher. He's put up fantastic numbers has decent size and growth potential, throws in the 90's and it SEEMS from reports that his secondary stuff is more advanced than Greene. Is Greene really rated so much higher because he hits 100 on the gun and is also a quality SS prospect? That's not a knock on Greene, but he's only going to be able to concentrate on one spot or the other, and he has to do more than through 100. I just find it....interesting.

Survey says that Grossman and Castro have been more valuable than people's gut feelings... Good call. And interesting analysis. Our pitching is not fixed by any stretch. But overall, it's been much better than last season...(yes, call me Captain Obvious)...and I think much better, overall, than expected. And I have to tell you, I'm a fan and believer in Vargas and his potential and want him to stick and play almost daily, I have become a believer and big fan of Grossman. I think we lucked in to a nice player there. I don't know if it is due to natural maturation or a change of scenery, but NICE.

Exactly. This team needs a FA SP in the off season. They have the resources to do so, and the appeal of a beautiful ballpark and an exciting array of young talent to be enticing. And the FA route keeps prospects in the system. Prospects to promote, trade later, or allow others to be replaced and traded. Said FA, Santana, Berrios and Mejia offer, potentially, a pretty solid group to work with. A flier on someone, Hughes, Mayes, Slegers, Gonsalves could all be in the mix for the 5th spot. Of course, the pen needs help as well. But better health for prospects and one quality FA reliever would go a long, long way. But this article is about Santana and the rotation.

Can't disagree with the names on your list, Seth, regardless of individual rankings. But I agree Castro has been a fine addition and needs some love. I'm just not sure where'd I rank him or who I would remove to place him there. Mauer is interesting, and not because of the #4 ranking. Before the season began, and through April, I'm not sure he would have made hardly anyone's top 10.

My guess? He'd go to Ft Myers for introduction and a tuneup and could see AA for a couple of starts before finishing his year in the pen due to innings limits.

Only way I think a realistic trade, i.e. one that actually brings in a top-almost ready or ready arm, is if one of the top contending teams has a major injury and would be willing to part with a top young arm and a secondary offering to help them maximize their window. Otherwise, the Twins acquire a couple solid players a couple years away and have let go their best pitcher for a team in need of pitching. The Twins have real money to spend next off season in a quality FA SP. Doesn't have to be a groundbreaking $30M deal for a Strasburger. They are under the ML average for payroll, ,less than last season's payroll, and have a good deal of money coming off, or available to be let loose, after this season. What if the still very good and cost controlled quasi-#1/#2 Santana slips to a solid #3 next year in his last contractual season? You've still gained another quality arm to go with Berrios, Santana and probably Mejia. Between Hughes, (still under contract), arriving prospects, a possible shift of Duffey, and an inexpensive 1 year deal or two for a bounce back guy or two, you have options for that 5th starter spot.

Wish I knew what to make of Jorge long term. For the most part, he seems to be a model of consistency the past couple of season's and has made steady progress. Reports of his stuff are solid, Managers and coaches say positive things, as do teammates. But with the exception of a few games here and there, his SO numbers are so-so. Is this youth and growth still taking place? You don't have to be a dominate K machine to be a quality starter, but SO absolutely help. Is he a potentially solid back end starter? Or is he a long/swing man?

I'm still going to go with Wright, though I can easily and clearly see reasons for the other 4 guys that seem to almost be universally mentioned for the top 5. I just don't see a negative with him. He had a rough-ish start to this season, discovered a mechanical flaw, corrected it, and has been sailing ever since. The track record is there. The fastball and secondary pitches are there. While it's still all speculation, he appears to be a #3 SP at worst, and a potential #2 and perhaps a #1 in time. (Though that is almost impossible to predict and can be said about others). The fact that he could be up in 2 years doesn't hurt.

Have to agree on: 1) Santana 2) Berrios 3) Mejia I also agree Duffey has the potential to take the 3 spot, but Mejia has room to grow and develop. And I believe he will. Call me crazy, but in 10 days, (DL), Santiago could be #3. I understand the negatives, peripherals, inconsistency, etc. But we have seen in the past, for the Twins and other teams, what he can do. A 10 day stink to get his head back on straight could...hopefully...get him back on track.

I find Greene to be very intriguing, and I'd be happy if they draftnhim and root like crazy for him. But I don't understand the abbreviated season this year. And while I've certainly read the positives about all around talent and athleticism, I'm looking at him as a starting pitcher and not an athlete. I just haven't seen/read where he has a consistent, plus and potentially better breaking ball, much less a third offering with any kind of potential. If I could feel better about those secondary offerings, and their potential, I'd be more on board.

It seems to me that Wright is the obvious choice. While nothing is guaranteed, he fits all the criteria necessary. He has the build, the heat, the secondary offerings, the experience and track record and he's close to the majors for a team needing starting pitching with a high floor and a high ceiling. High potential and relatively "safe" at the same time. What's not to like here? To say he would be a mistake because 5 years from now another player could be an All Star and potential HOF performer is a bit silly to me. You could say that every draft concerning half the first players in the 1st round, or the top 10 at least. I just don't think you can properly quantify that kind of speculation.

Couple of points: Rotation: Unless the Twins just fall out of it, Santana is needed and I'd look forward to keeping him next season as well. I just don't believe the wheels are ready to fall off yet. You have real money to spend next off season on one high quality FA. Berrios and Mejia are stuck with for the rest of the season. They are young, talented, and part of today and tomorrow. For now, Gibson and Hughes are your 5th SP options. You could,,,and the Twins have previously...do worse. By the second half, you could legitimately look to Slegers or Gonsalvez. It was even reported the Twins would consider Gonsalvez straight from AA if he looked ready. Keep Romero starting, for goodness sake! (Though IP could see him finish in a pen). Bullpen: The more immediate concern, obviously. IMO only, May wasn't written off, but it was a "show me" month for a few guys. Which is why a few guys are no longer with the team. June is the month when changes start being made. And while they may be great or likeable changes, we ARE seeing roster moves and rolling changes. Wimmers? Good milb season last season, OK September, solid ST..."show me or you're gone." We ALL want Hilgenberger, Reed, Chargois, Melotakis, Curtiss, Jay and Rosario. But look at reality for a moment and put yourself in the soft comfy chairs of Falvey and Levine. Chargois, Reed and Jay have been hurt. Melotakis had a great April but has slumped a bit lately. Hilgenberger was hurt at the end of last season and is at AAA for the first time. Curtiss and Rosario are at AA for the first time. Again, IMO, the FO is looking to mid season to A) Get a couple guys healthy and pitching well for a possible ML promotion, and look at the AS guys ready for a AAA promotion which could lead to a ML promotion at some point. In the meantime, as they are doing now, with the exception of Rosario, they are rolling through arms for auditions to see who can help today, or tomorrow, and who needs to go. It may not be happening exactly the way we want, or as quickly as we want, but you can see the wheels turning if you look. The Rosario promotion alone shows they are not afraid, just, biding their time and looking at all factors and all possibilities.