DocBauer

Sooo.....do we demote everyone under 25 and run with an "all bench" team after watching today?

Just so nice to see an actual lineup, spring training game or not!

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.

There is obviously a reason he was available via the waiver wire and hasn't secured a full time ML job. He hasn't hit. To be fair, only once has he had more than a 100 AB, and 90 some another time. But what's kind of interesting is that if you check out his milb career, from 2009-2013, his 5 most recent "full" seasons on the farm, anywhere from 373-451 AB, he hit .258/.256/.273/.220/.266. His corresponding OB% for each of those seasons were .333/.333/.352/.289/.360. Now, expectedly, his SLG and OPS numbers were nothing to get excited about, but not awful for a glove first player, and he did show a little speed with some decent SB numbers and success. 27yo now, 28 in August, is it all possible his biggest problem has been lack of sustained opportunity? Just wondering. He still has to show on the field he can be a viable contributor of course. But I'm starting to wonder if he could be the 25th man...bidling farewell to DanSan with Escobar or Polanco being the "extra" OF to go along with Grossman.

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.

He's tall, broad shouldered and muscular and wears his weight well. He has a cannon for an arm. He charges the ball well. In his "youth" he was a SS. Getting had had hands of stone until he became one of the top 3B. Koskie was too tall and too stiff before he became the same. A year and a half, roughly, in to his career Sano finally gets to concentrate on playing 3B daily. His ultimate position could be 1B, his body changing, abuse diving for balls etc, but give him a real chance. He has the potential to be solid to good for several years.

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.

Kind of felt this was part of Buxton's and Berrios's problem last season; trying too hard and tensing up. I think both guys, just relaxing and enjoying themselves more will make a difference. Determination vs expectation can mess with the head and confidence at times.

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.

Despite my dutiful dedication to the entire Twins organization for over 40 years, I am embarrassed to admit two things. The first being I had thought Smith had a cup of coffee with the Twins back in the day. The second is, life getting in my way and obsessive speculation over Dozier and other matters, I had almost forgotten Smith was named to the ML staff. (Go ahead...shoot me or throw one at my ear, life has my brain on mush cycle these days, lol). I understand the previous comment made by Thrylos. There have been whispers regarding Smith's approach in the past as to whether he may be abrassive or too hard nosed at times. But he has been the good soldier for the organization. He has been successful as a milb manager. He does have knowledge of a lot of the Twins young players. And while a lot of us, including me, have questions about Molitor as a manager after the last two very different Twins seasons, I have a definite respect for him as a baseball man. And his comments about Smith growing as a manager and instructor does carry some weight, IMO. Proof is in the pudding, or more importantly, what we see on the field. Time will tell and show. But a little bit of a hard edge wouldn't be a bad thing would it?

Nice post! I get your point about early showings in any camp, and you aren't wrong. But I think there is a bit of an asterisk when talking about a prospect looking more confident or a rebounding veteran vs someone "looking good" early, if that makes sense. As to the second part of your post, what I am most encouraged by with our new leadership is simply the new approach they are bringing in. Talk is cheap, and the best laid plans of mice and men and all that, but based on what we have seen from the organizations they are coming from, and what they have said this far, I see a very different approach being implemented by Falvey and Levine both going forward. Not only in regard to new implementations of how things are done overall, but in regard to approaching players as individuals in regard to their strengths and development.

Also, have to say, I was actually pretty excited when the Twins signed Breslow. Now, I would have preferred a younger and injury rebound or former quality prospect who converted to the pen to A] present a younger, better flip candidate, OR B] a younger player who might be kept around as part of the rebuild longer. But there are some legitimate bullpen arms ready or almost ready, as well as a couple starters who could find a role in the pen, and adding a bright, experienced possibility on the cheap with an upside is exactly the kind of move this team should make, and did make. I've always felt age and the whole "bullets in the gun" theory applied far more to starters than relievers. Many solid to high quality RP are former starters who found their role in their later 20's. The very nature of their role is about brief in game success vs multiple IP starters. Breslow may or may not prove himself to be effective and "re-made" this season. Regardless, it was a smart flier to take.

You know, I'm a pretty smart guy overall, and I like to think I know a couple things about the Twins, and baseball, etc, but there are people here on TD that are smarter and more informed than I am. And there are certainly more people within the Twins organization who have forgotten more about baseball than I'll ever even hope to know. But as I see it, Polanco's entire career the past couple of seasons has been handled as poorly as anything I have ever witnessed. I have followed Polanco's career with great attention and interest since his initial signing. When inked to contract, the comments were that he was a good athlete with good speed and a natural SS with the question being his bat. Fast forward a couple of seasons, and his bat began to turn in to something bordering on special. Virtually every stop he made on his milb ladder climb had him hitting initially in the #1 or #2 hole to begin the season before he would slide down to the #3 spot as one of his team's best and most clutch hitters. And somewhere, somehow, somebody...despite a glaring need at the ML level at SS...decided he wasn't good enough or special enough to be a ML starting SS. And maybe, ultimately, that's true. But he was still a young, still developing milb player with said glaring hole on the parent club. And they just gave up on him as an option while still developing? And they further torpedoed his development by bringing him up for a few days here and there to sit on the bench, thus removing his options? Just ridiculous! While it doesn't fix anything to admit the mistake in his handling, I will give credit for Molitor at least having the courage to admit to a mistake. Now, work with the young man, keep up his confidence, and give him a real opportunity to develop and show what he can do.