DocBauer

I like the Castino pick. I thought Mickey Hatcher for a moment, but he wore batting gloves IIRC.

A few runs scored, and games lost, skew the fact that the bullpen has largely been good. While ERA isn't a complete picture of competence, the Twins total team ERA since April 1st is below 3 I believe. Having the 2nd best run differential in the division is skewed due to a few highly productive games that mask the 1 and 2 run games that have them with a losing record. No Lewis, and Wallner out, and nothing from Correa except for a couple solid games really messes with the lineup. Bader has been more productive than expected. France has really been a solid contributor. Larnach has been a little inconsistent, but not bad. Buxton is always streaky, but has provided some solid production overall. And while Lee hasn't figured it out yet, he's showing signs of doing do. But 3 key bats either out or floundering really makes it hard for this team to score runs. And just when Keaschall comes up to provide a spark, he's now out for 2 months. Any chance the baseball gods cut us a break here at some point? K's are way down, contact is up, and the power is suddenly gone. I'd rather have the K's come back at this time and see a big power jump. No offense to Bride, Gasper, and Clemons, who have actually contributed some here and there in SSSS, but I'd still love to see McCusker get a chance to see if he could hit .230 and slap the ball to and over the fence once in a while. There's just no consistency in the offense. Lewis and Castro will be back soon. Wallner should be back about June 1st. And that can't happen soon enough at this point.

A very good question. TBD is the easy answer. There's a number of arms drafted just in the last 3-4 years that will end up moving to the pen eventually. And that might be where you find your next wave of RP in the system, following the same route as Duran, Jax, Sands, Varland, etc. Adams might be the closest example. But Parades, Wharf, and Posqualoto are all fairly recent picks from '21-'22 and '23. Despite being college draftees, they are still young enough to be pen contenders in the next couple of years if they keep this up. As stated previously, I haven't given up on Funderburk yet. The stuff is there, but can he be effective against LHB and find greater consistency? His clock is starting to tick.

I was surprised to not see Spencer Bengard on the list. Then I checked his ERA and it makes sense. But his other numbers are very good for CR. Honorable mention to Adams and Misiewicz at St Paul for having a good month. I haven't given up on Funderburk yet. I've seen enough of him to know his stuff plays. But he's got to be better against LHB, and just be more consistent when he's given his next opportunity. He's proven he can do the job at AAA, now he needs to take that next step of consistency.

Great start from Ober! Heck, except for 1 game, a great season from Ober so far! Nice to see Sands get right. I'll echo the sentiment that it's hopefully a confidence booster for him. And I agree it was a great baseball, and father/son moment for Clemons to get that HR blast. I'll enjoy this win, but I have a bad feeling about Sunday. But I'll be checking in when I can and hope for the best. 3 and 4, if it happens, doesn't stink for this road trip. But the Cleveland series left a bad taste. Should have at least split there, if not winning 3 of 4.

Absolutely. Must have fat lingered it. Lol Thanks for catching the error.

Sorry if I'm repeating myself from the draft OP, but I really like the selection of Jackson. I really thought we'd slide down a couple spots and stay in the 1st round. But I'm an "inside out" believer and despite the FA signings, I thought we'd be looking at BOTH lines with the 1st 2 picks. I still think Brandel is a quality OL. But maybe he's best as a 6th man? I'd love to see him play some CENTER beyond a voluntary camp appearance. I've always seen him as a Dave Huffman 6th man for those who can remember that far back. Why wouldn't you do EVERYTHING you could to protect your young QB? The OL and depth looks pretty great right now. If they didn't grab Jackson where they did, they sure as hell wouldn't have had that high of a quality OL in the 3rd round, and maybe not at the top of the 2nd as well. The choice of Felton really surprised me. I really thought they'd take a flier on a WR later in the draft. Like Addison he's got speed and hands, but is slight. He might need to add a couple of lbs to fight off defenders. They seem to love Iove Nailor, and they should based on 2024. But they only have him for 1 more season barring an extension. And he does have an injury history. FA signing Moore is EXPLOSIVE if recovered from injury. And there's a couple PS players who might force themselves on to the roster in 2025. But a WR was a sneaky need. My only real concern here is can he beat DB deep? He was used so much on shorter routes with the ability to RUN after the catch. I'm still a little unsure with this pick. Ingram-Daw is a rough DL/edge that has top of the line athletic traits. Was he a bit "lost" in the depth of Georgia's talent? I think he's just too big to be an OLB, but I can see him bulking up another 10lbs or so to be a dangerous DT with some pass rushers ability with improved technique. Hard to argue with drafting talent and potential in the DL. King is a "downward" tackling machine who isn't great in coverage. He's a Pace junior who can excel on ST and might turn in to an eventual starter. As I stated in a previous post, Bartholomew at TE was NOT on my radar. But while he might need to refine his blocking a bit more, maybe add a couple lbs to do so, he's at least a willing blocker who had 4.6 speed and good hands. He MIGHT have TE #2 potential, but he's a possibly the better #3 TE than Mundt, even as a rookie, despite the experience factor, just based on size and athleticism. Some serious questions about the potential talent of this limited draft class. But some equally optimism with the upside talent brought in.

There were a couple TE I thought they were tied to, and a 3rd i kinda liked. They didn't nab any of them. And I confess Bartholomew wasn't even on my radar. But after post draft research, I'm kinda excited about him. He's a willing blocker but still needs a little work. No surprise there. Good hands and decent speed and athleticism. I'm intrigued. Howell wasn't my first choice. But they basically got him for nothing except a cheap 1yr deal. And he's got experience...questionable as it may be...but he's got a big arm and some athleticism. He's a combination of Mullens and Darnold in arm talent and attitude, but maybe a bit more athletic. But he's also young enough to really learn and develop in this system with this coaching to be a good 2nd option.

Stupid post by me, but 2 career MILB players in Gasper and Bride. One is short and has the Mario mustache. The other wears glasses. Who do you root for more? LOL

Clemens has been around, can play different spots, but has seldom proved he can hit at the ML level. I agree he's gone 1st. What very little I've seen of Bride, it appears he's got a good glove. Despite his sudden hitting explosion with the Twins, I have to question his bat potential overall. But, he did perform well for Miami in 2024. Maybe there's some potential in his bat as a good glove decent hit bench option? Speaking of options, does he have any? (Or did i miss that)? I don't think Gasper offers much of anything with the glove. I have some faith that his bat has SOME potential based on his MILB career and looking more comfortable in his 2nd go with the Twins. Lewis and Castro should both be back around the same time. The INF suddenly has depth and better production when that happens. Again, I'm not sure if Bride has any options left. (I'm guessing not). But if Bride is DFA he might stick for additional AAA depth. (I do like his glove so far from what I've seen). Gasper can be optioned. I'm guessing it's whoever is still swinging a hot bat at the time. If Bride continues to hit decently, I think Gasper goes down. If Bride goes on an 2 for 24 over the next week, they might keep Gasper, assuming he doesn't do the same. At that point, flip a coin. But if that happens, HEADS says keep Bride and his glove for the short term. I'm leaving Keirsey out of the discussion for now because he fits a role nobody else does. He's a defensive replacement OF and PR who can steal a base. Rocco has been much more aggressive in the running game, though that goes away a bit without Keaschall. And while Keirsey hasn't hit, he also hasn't had an opportunity for anything close to regular playing time. Considering the state of the offense, I don't know if that's a good thing or a bad thing at this point. MAYBE he's deserving of a few starts and MIGHT actually start to hit. That would be GREAT! But who does he replace in the lineup for that opportunity at this point? I think he's safe in his role for now. But damn I'd like to see him get a chance if possible. Oh my baseball gods, can we POSSIBLY have Lewis, Castro, and Wallner all 3 back by June 1st...at the latest...and nobody else breaks or tears something? PLEASE!

To any future potential owner: I don't know if you are looking to clean house or go status quo for the time being and then make decisions. But I'd like to point out a few things for your consideration despite errors made by the current regime in charge. 1] When the Twins have a good product on the field, the fans show up. History of that is proven, especially when the Twins are in the playoffs. 2] The organization has assembled a quality MILB system complete with a wonderful complex in Ft Myers for everything from ST, to a couple MILB clubs, to rehab facilities. 3] Target field is one of the best, most beautiful ballparks in all of MLB. 4] There's a lot of potential to drive the Twins fanbase if you actually care to invest in the Twins themselves, but also engaging the fans in a way they haven't been included in years. FINALLY, fans who live inside a multi-state demographic can now be allowed to actually watch the games. Despite the Pohlad's looking for a somewhat higher asking price...mostly to bail them out from losses they've forced the franchise to incur as they've looked for liquid cash where they could find it...there's actually some good stability at the core of the franchise. If you like baseball, there's a lot of opportunity here to grow the Twins brand. All you need to do is actually care. You don't have to re-build the organization from scratch.

I did a bit of a breakdown of the UDFA's that might be potential steals for the roster, or excellent PS development options in the DRAFT OP. But since it looks like the conversation has moved back HERE, thought I'd toss out a small nugget that some might have missed. CB Tommi Hill from Nebraska is getting a tryout at the next camp. After converting from WR he had a breakout 2023 season and was considered a potential Big 10 honors candidate preseason of 2024. Several pundits/publications had him as a day 2 pick in the 2025 draft. Unfortunately, he missed about half the season with plantar fascitis and was never 100% when he did play. That tanked his projections to a 4th-6th round option by most lists. I don't know for sure he's at 100% yet. But if he is, or close, he might get signed as an interesting flier. If they see enough to keep him, he could be a 2nd day talent that just needs some time. Could be a steal.

Agreed. There were times last year when we had 3 OLB on the field at the same time, not counting Ward whi was sometimes a DT. And at times they would blitz a OLB up the middle. Plus they rotate the starters to keep them fresh. I think Turner gets a lot of play time, even if he's not a "starter".

Even though AA is crowded at SS, they still need to get him time there. He could be a replacement for Castro in the very near future as a Suoer Utility option. All the better if he can play a legitimate SS. Really encouraged by his start. AA by July 1st? Sooner?

The MLB is about as hyped and as big or an event as it could be currently. Even the best draft choices...Skenes is a very different situation...will spend a year to 4 or 5 in MILB before they debut, and possibly struggle initially, before getting their footing. ALL draft choices in the NFL, and even UDFA, will go to camp immediately and challenge for a job. There's just no comparison of players who are ready to compete and maybe make a difference in YEAR ONE vs the MLB draft.

Considering how the Twins have continued to protect him on the roster and his familiarity with the organization, why wouldn't they sign him to a 2yr MILB deal and why wouldn't he accept? Of course, it's also possible he just decides enough is enough and hangs it up and moves on with his life. He reminds me of Stewart, a top prospect in the Dodgers system who endured injury after injury, but continued to rehab and follow his dream. While Stewart has continued to have some injury issues, he's also been DAMN GOOD since his late 20's, now 30. Canterino MIGHT do the same after this latest procedure. He just might fulfill his dream on a similar path. I'd love to see him pursue that dream with the Twins. IF he still wants to.

I may be an eternal optiimist, but I'm not going to blow smoke either. We took 2 of 3 from the Dirty Sox, but we didn't look great doing it. But the home town team seemed to be clicking much better overall against the Angels. Julien has looked much better. Correa's bat is apparently not dead yet. Larnach is getting hot again. Lee has been contributing defensively as well as offensively, even if it's in a quiet way. Is Jeffers getting hot? France is nothing special, but he's been solid. We really miss Wallner! But Lewis should be back soon. He makes a difference. And a healthy Castro AT LEAST gives the team legitimate options besides playing DFA guys brought in to fill in. But I do agree that the Bride who played in 2024 was actually a decent ballplayer. Considering the mess that the Marlins are, maybe we got a guy who's not a bad 13th man bench option? Part of me wonders if the great catches by Buxton and Bader and the SUPER debut by Keaschall haven't provided a wakeup call to everyone? The offense isn't where it needs to be, and should be, and could be, partially due to missing pieces. The rotation is doing its job. The pen has largely done its job despite some blow ups. This team is starting to remind me of 2023 when they started slowly, got to .500, but didn't CROSS THE LINE until after the All Star break where the offense suddenly matched the staff. Part of that surge was Lewis, Wallner, and Julien. Well. Lewis is back soon, Wallner by the end of May, Julien is much better, and Keaschall back by July? Maybe Rodriguez gets in a groove and helps as well? The staff has to carry the load, but they can if the offense actually maintains decent production until everyone is back. They have a winning record when they score 4 or more runs. That's not a large benchmark to overcome. I'd be extatict if they could come home with a 4-3 record on this road trip. Its only ONE win, but it's a start.

I like a number of the UDFA they signed. A number of them were listed amongst the top options available at their positions, FWIW, and a few had draftable grades. TYLER BATTY, DL from BYU is an older player, so there are questions about upside. He's more of a run defender with a good motor who might have some upside as a pass rusher. Good development option who had a draftable grade. LOGAN BROWN, OT from Kansas languished at Wisconsin, transferred to KS, and then had a coming out party as a starter. He was supposed to be picked in the 4th or 5th. Big and athletic, but still needs some technique work. Could be a major steal with time. I was hoping for a development C and they got one in JOE HUBER from Wisconsin. Hard to bet against Whiskey OL. He's played all over the OL, needs some strength work and polish, but might be a future backup as a IOL. CHAZ CHAMBLISS lead Georgia in sacks, and might have lead in TFL, but I'm a little unsure on that last one. He's a tweener but high energy and tough player. Could move to ILB and surprise with a year of development? BEN YUROSEK, TE from Georgia might have slipped through the cracks. His numbers at Stanford were quite good, but they dropped when he got to GA. He was used more as a blocker and far less as a offensive option. But reportedly a good blocker and good athlete with soft hands. And the Vikings need 4 TE on the total roster. (practice squad). Again, there's some real upside there. DORIAN MAUSI was a beast for Auburn in 2024 after transferring from Duke. 81 tackles, 9 TFL, 2.5 sacks. Supposedly runs a 4.69 40. Hes alternated between Mike and Will in his career. The more I've read about him I'm surprised he wasn't drafted. I don't know what to think about the RB, TRE STEWART from Jackson State. He's on the smaller side and only runs about a 4.5 40. He was tearing things up in D2 and then moved to D1 Jax St this last season for 1,600 yards and a bunch of TD. Good vision and a 1 cut runner when he sees a hole. Huge production, but it's a big jump from a smaller conference to the NFL. But if the instincts are real? In a down year for QB, and some very weird/surprising action despite that, I was hoping the Vikings would find an UDFA that had some talent KOC and staff could work with in hopes of developing a future backup option. I don't know if the Gophers MAX BROSMER IS that guy. But most lists have him as the #1-3 guy not drafted. MAYBE he's got some potential? While I don't want to dismiss any of the other kids signed, I see mostly roster fodder beyond this collection of options. But other than RB Stewart, all of these other guys were 4th-7th round options on most drafts lists. The one thing Kwesi and his staff have done over the past few years is identify kids with good athleticism and upside. I think it's a good bet 1 or 2 might make the roster. But even still, there's a very interesting collection of PS guys here with potential with a year to work with them.

I'm an inside out guy. To this day, I believe the best teams have the best lines. I LOVE the OL additions made. And I actually think Brandel is a quality OL, who was better when playing next to Darisaw before he got hurt. And I don't think Brandel should be dismissed as a quality part of the OL. Depth is very important. And nothing says Jackson is a day 1 starter, though he might be. Brandel has already proven himself as a quality backup before 2024. But when you look at the OL right now, it's the best we've had in YEARS, with quality depth. That's damn important for a better running game, as well as protection for our young QB. We MIGHT have been able to trade down for additional picks. But IOL came off the board quickly. And there was a dropp off if we didn't grab Jackson. And that was a priority for the FO. I can't disagree. I really wanted a DL in the 3rd round. I understood that WR was a "silent" need due to Addison having a pending suspension. And while Nailor finally had a healthy and productive season, he's on his last year of his rookie season. And while he's an amazing talent when healthy, Rondale Moore isn't a given. So picking Tai Felton in the 3rd round actually makes a lot of sense. He's Addison-like in being slight with speed, maybe needing to add a couple pounds, and might be as fast if not faster, but maybe needs to learn to run routes better. I see the reasons for his selection and the potential. I'm really torn on Ingram-Dawkins. Georgia kids have a lot of talent these days, but he's a TWEENER who might not have the OLB twitch and speed needed, and might not have the bulk and strength/ancor to play the 5 spot. I read how good he can be once he works on technique to be a good rusher as well as a good run defender. But is he an OLB or a DT? Honestly, there were a couple of guys i liked better. I just want to understand where the "untapped potential" I've read about translates. I'm thinking he adds a couple more pounds and sticks on the DL. I do like the King pick. He's sort of a Pace clone. And that's a good thing. He'll compete for a depth spot that might push Asamoah out. Not quite sure what to think about Bartholomew as the TE selected. He was NOT on my radar. I had Fidone and a couple other TE options for them to select. After examing him in a little more detail, I do see a someone who has the ability to be a "Mundt" kind kind or replacement 3rd TE at worst, but might be a little faster and more athletic. I like the potential there. I'm disappointed there wasn't a way to grab a good RB. But with so few picks, you just aren't going to get everything you want. And I'm glad they didn't dip in to the 2026 picks for this year. Gives them more flexibility next year for numbers, as well as trade options. Not a lot of blue chip talent in this draft, but they added some guys who are athletic and still have upside.

Seriously. WTF? I'm honestly starting to believe in curses. I know a pitcher...usually...never intends to hit anyone, much less injure them, but Keaschall was hit WHAT, 3 times in 2 games? Or maybe once in 3 games? And he's been up for about a week? That's got to be some kind of perverted record! And now he's down for what, a good 6-8 weeks if everything heals well and quickly? So he's maybe ready in July if everything goes well? This is just NUTS! What have the Twins ever done to make the baseball gods so angry that every top player/prospect should endure so much injury and angst? I got nothing.

I've stated previously...including in an OP a couple weeks ago of almost exactly the same content...that I'm OK with MLB going to a 28 man roster like they had for most of the covid season. I thought it was a nice balance and could provide another couple jobs and might mitigate this "problem" of roster churn a bit, if such a problem really exists. And I have ZERO problem with players receiving 7 days service time every time time they're claimed. We pretty much all have a "work week" and so do MLB players. If players and their families really are made to suffer from living a dream, and traveling 1st class for free, and staying in the best hotels and eating at great restaurants, and getting paid $4600 per ML game, then give them a weeks worth of service time for a "down the road" reward. But don't do things that will actually limit their opportunity to be claimed and make that extra $ and chase their dream.

I've NEVER been opposed to the idea of a great athlete playing a position that was considered a "waste of talent" for said position. That's ********, and I'll live and die on that comment. Rodriguez played 3B so Jeter could stay at SS. Erstad played 1B and CF for the Angels. Bellinger has played 1B and CF in his career. You build the best TEAM you can and put the best players in their best positions. But you always have utility options. Marwin Gonzalez and Castro are recent Twins players who play and contribute all over. (NOTE: that's not a NEW THING for the Twins if you look back). I think Lewis is a FINE 3B if the weird "yip" throwing motion he developed in 2024 is gone. He's got all the athletic ability and arm strength to be a quality 3B. There's no reason the Twins can't just plug him back at 3B when he's ready to go. And Lee can still play there, letting Lewis do some DH duty. But Lee is also a very good 2B. But then what about Keaschall and the suddenly improved Julien at 2B? And what about Larnach playing some DH with Bader's glove in the OF? And if Larnach is playing RF for now, what happens when Wallner is back? The offense is barely acceptable so far. Losing Wallner really messed things up. Larnach has started to heat up again recently. And Lee NEEDS to play DAILY for his glove and his development. And I'm leaving Castro out of the conversation for now since he was finally put on the IL. Despite a bad play the other night. Keaschall should be a fine 2B. But he has some experience at 1B now. He's also got experience in LF/CF and seems to have some aptitude to play the OF at least reasonably well. IMO, Lewis, Lee, Keaschall, and Larnach should play daily. OBVIOUSLY. Wallner should as well when back. For NOW and the future, Lewis should learn 1B at some point as well as playing 3B. That's not a knock on him as a 3B, but putting together the very best INF you can. He could be the best 1B we've had since Morneau. That's NOT a bad thing! I'm not saying TOMORROW as we've got a decent producer/player in France for now. I'm talking tomorrow and some of today, if not some time here in 2025. Lee is a very good 2B and 3B and a solid SS. IMO he needs to play DAILY and just let his bat develop. It's TIME to let him figure it out. If and when Lee's bat "figures it out" he should be at 3B NOT because Lewis can't be a good 3B, but because the BEST INF is Lee at 3B and Lewis at 1B. Correa is still at SS. And Keaschall should be at 2B eventually, with Julien at DH, 2B and work like hell to be a decent 1B option. I can see scenarios where someone else takes over 1B...Lewis maybe... and Keaschall becomes a sorta replacement for Castro playing 4 spots, or Lee becomes a daily player at 3 INF spots. Is Lee's development the key here? He's a great looking 3B with the potential to be a good hitter with a solid AVG and good OB% with 30+ Dbls and double digit HR. No disrespect to Lewis, but he could be just as a good of a 1B as he might be a 3B. But the ENTIRETY of the best INF possible might be him moving to 1B and being the best 1B the Twins have had for some time.

While I've been rather down on the team lately, I'm a lifer. And it's been very depressing start to the season no doubt. I'm not in full despair mode just yet because whilentheyve played some bad ball and let too many games slip away to loses they should have won, and the construction of the team isn't great, I still think this team has much better ball POTENTIAL in them. Whether or not they can get right soon enough to make a run is a question that's getting more serious as time/games march on. I love Wallner. I love what a healthy Lewis does despite his bad ending last season. I love watching a healthy Buxton and how he can change games. I still have belief in Larnach, though I don't think he's ever going to be special. I don't know that Lee is going to be a stud, but I think the bat WILL come around and he's going to be a really solid/good ballplayer. And there is just NO WAY that a 30yo Carlos Correa is this bad! I like the rotation still, and it will be even better in the future with Festa and Matthews. And despite some bad games, I like the basic construction of the pen. Yes, I'm still a bit of an optimist. That's my nature, despite occasional grouchy almost 60yo syndrome, LOL. I'm also really excited about Rodriguez, Keaschall and eventually Jenkins adding to the roster/offense. I think there's a handful of really nice looking INF that might only be a couple of years away, and a few arms that will transition to the pen to make it even deeper and stronger. Some of them aren't that far away. Again, I just think thr team, even as currently constructed, is much better than what we've seen so far. But without going too deep in to the comments already made by @riverbrian, hes absolutely correct that development internally is key to the Twins future. Whether coaching mistakes, injuries, or some poor luck, the position player side of recent prospect development has been lacking, or at least slow in success. Now, I think we all know and understand that not every prospect turns out, much less reach their ceiling. That's just reality, and the nature of the beast that is MLB. But one gripe I have with how the FO builds the team is lack of opportunity at times for said prospects. I think back to 2023 when I say this, so a recent example. That team didn't play poorly necessarily, but they underperformed and were streaky through the 1st half. But Lewis and Wallner and Julien IGNITED that team and the offense took off and matched the pitching to have a nice 2nd half and have some success in the playoffs for the first time in years. Come 2024, Julien was a mess. He's starting to adapt and look more like his previous self these days. Should they have stuck with Wallner longer last season? Maybe so. Lee was probably brought up this year a few games earlier than they would have liked due to necessity. But he should be playing daily and just enjoy his defense and let the bat find it's way. He has nothing left to prove at AAA. Keaschall simply won't continue at his current SSSS clip, but he's very talented and I don't know that he should be sent down at any point. I keep looking at other mid market teams like Cleveland and Milwaukee and I see teams that are willing to stick with top prospects and let them "fail" initially but give them a long rope to "figure it out". With all due respect to Bader and solid contributions so far...and I'm NOT saying he was a bad signing...Keirsey has shown that he is indeed a good defensive OF. He's flashed some speed, which this team last lacked for a while. He's not hitting so far, but he also hasn't had any sort of run in regard to normal plate appearances to even know if he CAN hit at all at the ML level. But other teams would given him a longer run in 2024 to see if he might be a late blooming, solid 4th OF. But not the Twins. They stuck status quo with a very disappointing Margot instead. I am not saying you don't sign FA to augment your roster, occasionally the BIG FA to add to your team. (Riverbrian is also not saying you don't sign FA). You build your roster many ways, including FA and trades. That's how we got Cruz a few years ago, and how we got Ryan. But your draft and IL signings and development is your lifeblood whether those players "make it" or are part of trades to acquire talent. (Arraez for Lopez as an example). But OPPORTUNITY for said prospects is so very important in the development of your system, and the ML club. I understand he's out of commission right now due to a knee/cartilage surgery, but you don't ignore an Eeles simply because he flew under the radar. I have no clue if McCusker at 27yo will be able to succeed at the ML level. But you signed him for a reason. He's advanced and improved at every level. I doubt he hits anything close to his current. 299 clip, with a good OB%. But what IF he could maintain his improvements and still have a BB% of around 10% and maintain a 30% K rate at the ML level? That, combined with his tremendous power might make him a good DH and part time OF. Or he could just fizzle out. (Which is honestly more likely). It's somewhat surprising to me that our current FO has built up a pretty damn good pitching staff and the proverbial "pipeline" ...a term I really don't like...but they seem reluctant at times to trust in their position players. Miranda is a mess right now. Is that the coaching or on him? Julien is at least starting to figure it out. When Rodriguez gets over missing most of ST and starts to GET RIGHT, do they find room for him? Other clubs do. I'm just offering up examples of TODAY vs TOMORROW. I sometimes think the FO is more worried about TODAY vs what you might have TOMORROW.

It sounds crazy to say, but with such a convoluted top of the 1st round with no agreement on who is #1, #2, etc...and debate who the top 10 might even be...this is actually a good draft to have a decent $ pool and sit around 16 like the Twins are. The Twins will continue to follow their basic draft principles, but you might see a few more HS picks this year.

Buxton is still an elite CF. He's still a difference maker. Hopefully his bat will follow, though we have seen glimpses.