DocBauer

"They have made worms meat of me."--Nolasco, chapter 1, verse 5

Wow! OK, late to the party I know. Fascinating stuff guys, really. One of the most intelligent, well thought and argued debates, varied though they may be, that I have ever read. Wish I could copy and paste dozens of comments, but that would prove rather fruitless. So I'm just going to do my best to hit my own hot points. 1) This front office and manager were in place when the Twins were winning, and drew huge accolades from everyone. Ryan left, then came back. Did he get stupid in the few years he was gone? No. Like many things, teams are evolutional. There were injuries, age, FA departures, and misses. The Twins now have one of the best milb systems around, dividends are showing, and will show even more soon. The FO some are bashing is responsible for that. This brings me to.... 2) I shook my head several times this offseason reading threads where everyone has Meyer, Buxton, Sano and others on the club opening day, or shortly past, leading the club to greatness. I'm sorry to remind everyone, impatient that we all may be, that it takes time for this young talent, no matter how great, to reach the majors and perform. I know 3 tough and wanting seasons breeds impatients, but really, you have to give it some time due to injury, development, etc. 3) We ARE begining to see the fruits of labor. Arcia is a potential stud. We've seen it. He's on the cusp. Let's get him healthy. Gibson looks good guys. He looks really good! I'm shocked at those who are knocking him. I'm not talking ace-Dom at this point. And he still needs a bit more consistency, but have you been watching this young man? Lost 2012. Returned to health in 2013 and worked through re-hab. Now he's a quality SP in our rotation, showing real development and potential in what is basically a rookie season and you want to throw dirt on him? 4) The Twins aren't actually producing any real talent from their milb system the last year or so? The previously mentioned Arcia, Gibson plus Dozier, Thielbar, Tonkin, Pinto and Colobello (at least so far) TK often used to speak of hitters needing a certain number of AB's to figure out what they were actually doing. And what is happening with Plouffe right now? 5) The starting rotation. Been a huge disappointment so far no doubt. But Hughes has shown real signs. Nolasco has been hugely disappointing so far. Does anyone really expect him not to turn it around? Already mentioned Gibson. The bashed front office has brought us Meyer, the talented May, and top prospects in the lower minors. 6) Same bashed FO has brought us the surprising Suzuki, and a surprising Kubel that we all, including me, had written off. Now for the negative. Perhaps I'm naive or just stupid. But in Florimon I felt they found a talented athlete who could play great defense. A player who had a decent first half to his first season, not so great second half, who could be a short-term fixture if he could replicate what he did last season. Presumably, he would improve at least slightly in his second year. The Twins also had Escobar as a talented youngster needing a chance. And a couple youngsters like Santana to hang some hopes on. While I can't completely forgive inaction, I can at least understand the Twins reluctance to make a major move at the position when they felt they had a short term solution to the position, for 2014 at least, with a very limited FA class presented to them. What really troubles me is the in attention placed on the CF position, with all due respect to those who disagree. Offseason I argued strongly for two areas, position-wise, that needed to be addressed in a limited market. One was a LH bat to help in the Inf. Mauer, Dozier, and the rapid improvement of Plouffe has made that somewhat irrelevant. But the other area that I advocated, that absolutely screamed out to me, was a CF/OF player to fill out the roster. I had, and still do have, big hopes for Hicks. And I felt a Hicks/Presley OF platoon might actually give the team a "decent" #1 or 2 option at the top of the lineup. Something to bridge the gap until Buxton was hopefully ready next season. But there was WAY too much hope there. Someone needed to be signed or traded for there to bridge the gap. Insurance. And there were options available. And I don't insult Hick's potential to be a good player, but he's not there yet. And the Twins should have expected that. Don't know what happened to Presley. He had an awful ST. There is probably something there we don't know. But the lack of action to provide something there as an alternate is a glaring error on the part of the FO that can't be ignored. Fuld is a decent 4th OF option after the discard of Presley and the ridiculous loss of Mastro, (what a shame he never recovered from his ankle. But still?) That is my soapbox.

Have to admit being a bit surprised. Unless I missed something somewhere, no previous mention of Pelfrey struggling through something physical. As stated, perhaps something amiss with the lower half of his body. Understand Gardy liking Deduno in the pen. I really do. Nasty stuff for multiple innings, SO possibilities, and a swing man when you need him. Actually, quite a luxury few teams enjoy. But I've always felt he's better and more valuable in the rotation. Not only because he's somewhat proven now what he can do when given opportunity, but because his occasional bouts of wildness are less alarming. I really hope he's there to stay. No matter what happens, I will state that while not doing cartwheels over the Pelfrey re-sign, especially for a second year, I think the FO had the right idea. And I don't think their expectations were out of line either. But I believe we're just better with Deduno in the rotation. Further, I've felt for some time that Correia is a placeholder until Meyer or someone else was ready. Truthfully, when SP began to drop like flies in ST, I felt they should have traded him then and opened the season with Deduno in the rotation to begin with. This would have allowed Tonkin to open with the team, where he should have been all along. Moot point now because I don't see Tonkin going anywhere. Have also been really hoping Darnell was going to show something this season, and despite the long shadow of Meyer, get a shot and stick along side him and Gibson, paving the way for the 2015 rotation. He's been even better than expected in the early going. Not sure who else I would have promoted besides him, but really didn't expect his promotion this soon, especially to be in the pen vs the rotation. No offense to Johnson, and perhaps the AAA rotation days had something to do with it, but I was hoping he was going to be the 26th man and SP for the double header. Here's hoping he does well, and takes something positive with him to Rochester when he almost invariably goes down. My hopes, dreams and baseball desires? Blow out a candle, catch a falling star, make a wish; regardless of ultimate disposition of veterans Correia and Pelfrey, by July Meyer and Darnell would join Gibson in the rotation with May breathing down their necks and Deduno either doing the same, or rocking it in the pen.

The move of Escobar to primary SS is not only welcome but very necessary. I am in the camp who loves watching Florimon and believes he is an excellent fielder. And I was OK with him as our starting SS this season figuring he'd at least produce similar to last season, not great but acceptable for his defense and hitting 9th. But there is a difference between being an excellent defensive player and punch-and-Judy hitter, vs not being able to hit even as well as most pitchers. I don't know if Florimon just got behind the 8 ball in ST from his surgery or what, but his ineptitude just can't be ignored any longer. In fact, if the Twins really want to both themselves and Florimon a favor, they will send him to Rochester to work on things. Completely understand Gardy's position on Arcia and can't disagree with it, though I do hope he's ready soon. Rather have him come up not only healthy, but in a groove and feeling good about his approach. Thus far, Escobar has performed well and has not been an automatic out. Call me an eternal optimist but I'm really intrigued by Nunez. Not every prospects lives up to advance billing, of course, but, a young athletic Inf who was seen at one point as Jeter's heir simply has to have something going for him. A chance to play, out of the NY spotlight, a fresh start elsewhere, different coaching, call me intrigued. Frustrating he's hurt! At this point, I would honestly bring up Bernier to be your utility man. He showed last year he could play ML level defense. He can apparently play multiple positions. While I have no illusions offensively, despite his strong start to the season, what is he going to do, hit worse than Florimon? Know it's Santana. Excited and hopeful to see what he does, and what he learns and takes back with him from this probable cup of coffee. Really, really hoped he'd get a mid-season promotion, show something and stick, building for the future. This is probably too early. We'll see how things play out, but my ultimate vote is Florimon down, Escobar at SS, Bernier up until/unless Nunez is ready.

Look, I'm a huge Meyer fan and supporter. I completely and utterly believe in him as a top prospect and an eventual stud pitcher. Not just from prospect rankings and box scores, but from watching a couple starts in the AZ league you can just see the velocity and hard downward plane of his stuff, as long as he just keeps his mechanics in check. And I think he just might be on a fast track to the Twin Cities. And I am beyond thrilled with his early start to the season. But a quick reality check please. His innings last year were, unfortunately, limited. He's been a consistent 3rd pitch away from dominance. Fortunately for him, and all of us, he just might have found that pitch. But can we give him more than 5 starts, 2 of them fantastic to be true, at AAA to refine himself, gain confidence and consistency before calling him up? If Meyer keeps doing what he's been doing, gets anywhere from 5 to 10 starts, and is up for the second half, color me pink and tickled to death. So what if he is on an innings limit this year and gets shut down sometime in September in favor of perhaps another young pitcher, May or Darnell or even Deduno? He can gain experience and confidence, pitch for a couple months at the ML level, hopefully with great success, and be poised as a fixture for 2015. I understand wanting our immensely young talented prospects to climb the ladder quickly and put us back in to serious contention. But I think the ideas of Sano, pre-injury, Buxton and Meyer and others all jumping to the majors this season at once, and making huge impacts is just a little bit unrealistic.

The Twins know the players far better than myself. Perhaps there is something about Dozier, despite playing SS his entire life, being drafted and developed as a SS by the Twins, that has them convinced that even now, past the inexperienced, rookie jitter phase, he simply can't play SS at the major league level. And if that is reality, I'm perfectly fine with that as he is/has turned in to an excellent 2B, and will probably continue to improve. But as Leviathan said, even if there is a slight regression with a move back to SS, I'm OK with that. Not saying move him today, that would be foolish. But next season or so, I'd have to consider it. As to what we have now, I'm a little shocked that Santana, a young athlete with some offensive potential who has caught the coaches' eye, is being so quickly and easily dismissed by some so quickly. Can't we at least let him settle in and get some AAA time, at least, before we just dismiss him? Polanco, if he be even a solid, consistent SS defensively, with his offense, would be tremendous. Early errors this season so far stink, but the season is still young. There are a lot of factors in development for any young player. Once settled and comfortable, we might see a big drop in errors, and far better fielding the balance of the season. In the short term, I'm very glad to see Escobar finally getting a chance. At this point, I think you just have to pull the plug on Florimon as the every day option. Wish it hadn't played out this way, but it's reality. The team is on an upswing in talent and competitiveness. I don't feel a knee-jerk reaction today, or off season, to an aging player is the way to necessarily go. For now, I ride Escobar. Perhaps, by the second half, we have a youngster like Santana to take a shot.

Thank you SD. Wonderful to have someone so close to an affiliate who can give us such a great insight in to the team and players. It's simply impossible to predict the future of any young player, much less one with a blind eye. His "handicap" may eventually limit him, or perhaps, like any young player, he will simply plateau at a level. And perhaps he'll climb all the way to the majors! But a tip of my cap to what he has been able to accomplish thus far. A great story, and a talented and hard working young man.

On the drug portion of this thread, not saying what should or should not be legal, or will be, or debating the morality of alcohol or MJ. Honestly don't think that is the point. Rosario, even at his young age, should be smart enough to realize the rules at this point, and the consequences, especially if caught and warned once already. And this is an employer concern/policy. My problem, however, is the severity of the penalty under the circumstances and the drug involved. Pot might be illegal, but he was tested for it, not caught with it, or caught selling it. Nor is it an enhancement drug. So to me the 50 games seems excessive as a "1st punishment" course of action. On the field, his staying at 2B is ideal for now. As I have stated before, and has been re-stated here as well, his staying at 2B and continuing his development offers him and the Twins greater flexibility. If the now established ML Dozier could transition back to his original, lifelong position of SS, this opens an opportunity for Rosario at 2B. If not, it increases Rosario's trade value to another club at 2B. And if the Twins decide to transition him back to the OF, it should not only be a very easy transition back, but might allow him to continue to be a fill-in alternate at 2B. As a further note, this young man can flat out hit. He can also run. Now whether or not he ever develops in to a consistently productive base stealer or not, speed on the base paths is a very good trait to have. Further, while the early power he showed has definitely lessened, he's also been aggressively promoted. I feel given time to settle in to an acceptable level, you will an increase in his power and extra base production overall.

Parmelee not being claimed after being waived in ST might have been a very lucky stroke for the Twins. It is way too early to predict any sort of long term success for Parm at this point, but I believe he really surprised a lot of people with how well he adapted to the OF defensively, increasing his flexibility and long term options. While never showing the big power that was expected of him in the minors, (wasn't he even compared to Morneau at one time?) he did show power and potential. After a couple rough early seasons, he showed hit ability. And just about every season he held an OB between 70-100 points higher than his Avg. I think his biggest problem the last year or two was consistency in his playing time. Either every day at AAA to grow, or every day at the ML level to see what he had to offer, and could he learn and grow. I would absolutely love to see Vargas in the Twin Cities come September but don't see it happening. And that's not a knock on Vargas, who absolutely could use some more help in the lineup around him. Hopefully, he will soon. But with Mauer at 1B, Colobello as an alternate, Parm doing well to start the season, just not sure I see Vargas jumping to AAA AND a ML look in one season.

I wonder if it might also be fun to simply do a separate mount for the best 4 pitchers in Twins history? Blyleven and Santana would have to be on it. After that I'm not as sure. Viola is a strong candidate. So might be Aguillera. Kaat? And what about one for non-players? Despite controversy, would Griffin be there? McPhail would have to be wouldn't he? TK would be a must. Ryan? Mauch? And again, despite some controversy, Pohlad?

I feel almost ashamed. While reading this post I felt it was obvious who the four would be...but...I actually had an arguable Hrbek as my 4th as somehow I forgot about Oliva. While I think Herbie would be a great choice, and without a doubt is an all-time great, I can only plead temporary insanity. He was before my time, but from all I have heard and read, is Bobby Allison a consideration for the mount?

Does anyone have any first hand accounts of Polanco defensively this season? One thing time and observation has taught me is to not get too hung up on errors in the lower minors from young infielders, especially at SS and 3B. History is littered with outstanding defensive ML infielders who had high error totals early in their careers as they learned the details of their position, dealt with rougher infields, tried too hard to make a play, or simply needed to learn to relax and concentrate to make the routine plays. Michael is starting to show something. Goodrum has tremendous talent and possibilities despite playing mostly 3B at the moment. But I don't think there is much question that Polanco would be an outstanding option as our stalwart SS in a season or two if he can prove to be an adequate, solid, consistent defender. With this position being such a hot topic with our Twins the past few seasons, and still, I'd really love to hear what everyone thinks.

To be sure. Truly not even sure who is the biggest surprise so far. Even if we get some regression here or there, we should get better production from Mauer soon, who has shown a propensity for flipping a switch and pretty much carrying the team in stretches. Thought it was going to happen when he hit hs 3 run homer a week or so ago, but, not yet. Arcia should be back now in a week or two. What a wonderful problem for Gardy to have, almost too many guys to shuffle in to the lineup on a daily basis. That doesn't even include Hammer's eventual return or Hicks hopefully showing some gradual improvement.

I just feel like, solid start to the season or not, the Twins pretty much know already what Bernier brings. And that's why he's in AAA. He has a good glove and arm, no doubt. And a 30+ y.o. ball player should be able to hit AAA pitching or he wouldn't be around. Nice to see Escobar finally get a few games at SS in the starting lineup. Even his anemic to so-so bat is an improvement over Florimon to this point. And he's still young enough to be part of a solution, starter or utility, rather than part of a problem. I think Nunez gets a shot soon. Starter or utility I don't know for sure. The thing I keep wondering is how do you go from a Yankee top prospect, Jeter's heir, to posting less than stellar defensive numbers and gaining a not so great reputation? NY, Yankees, being heir to the throne pressure? Lack of consistent playing time? I truly love watching Florimon and love what he brings to the club. But not only has he shown no improvement at all w the bat over last season, which I could still live with, but he's actually shown real regression to this point. Some kind of change has to be considered.

Health, some youngsters and a re-tread or two, FA SP signings, I had hopes for the 2014 Twins to make a little noise, and at least hover around the .500 mark for the season, with the possibility of finishing a few games above. A preview, if you will, for what might be coming over the next season or two with solid and elite prospects on their way to flush out the roster and competitive hopes. Poor showings, especially offensively, had me feeling down and re-assessing my thoughts the last few weeks of spring training. Yes, I know full well how little ST numbers and results can really mean. I've been down those roads many times before, to the positive as well as the negative. So far, this early season, the Twins ARE that .500+ team, despite a rotation that has underperformed thus far. The complete anti-thesis of what I, and I think most, expected. And there has been some really great story lines so far this season. Honestly, what would you have thought before the season began if I had told you the Twins early season success would hinge on the play of Dozier, Colabello, Plouffe, Kubel and Suzuki? And that our best SP was Gibson, who almost everyone felt was destined to begin the season in AAA ball? Unsung (unexpected?) Heroes. Dozier: Despite a low but climbing Avg, getting on base, stealing bases, scoring runs, hitting for power, playing great defense, and proving that last year was no fluke. Colabello: Maybe one of the best stories EVER in MLB can flat out hit and produce. Despite being ignored out of college and years in the beer leagues, the Twins picked him up as minor league filler and found a late bloomer who can flat out hit and produce. This guy knows how to make adjustments. If the dream ends tomorrow, the probably player of the month and record setter is already a great story! Plouffe: A former 1st round pick and top prospect who has shown time, patience, hard work and opportunity can pay real dividends. If not for Colabello, this guy is the big story. Kubel: Proving that getting healthy and going home is not only a good story, but a productive one as well. Suzuki: What? The right time and team? Better mental/physical health after being beaten in the ground previously? A better hitting coach? I don't know, but already better than EVER expected by anyone. (even Hicks has been more professional not flailing at pitches and taking walks) Gibson: Healthy, strong in mind and body following surgery and rehab to see his talent begin to emerge. I could almost throw Pinto in here as well, except, I think we almost expected his growth as much as we wanted it. What about the coaching staff? I can't believe there aren't multiple tips of the hat here, but mine goes to Bruno as the lead hitting instructor. The rotation rounds in to form, hopefully Arcia and possibly Hammer start to make a move in the near future, what are the possibilities for this team? For now though, let's take a moment to recognize these unsung heroes of the early 2014 season.

Being such a long time Twins fan, I have soooo many all time favorite players. And many of them weren't necessarily the "stars" of the team. But right now, there is just nobody I watch more or root for more than Colabello. And as I stated in a previous article, I have simply stopped betting against him. That being said, if the hard work and pitching adjustments suddenly bring this story to a close, NOT saying its going to happen, again, no longer betting against him, he has already lived a dream come true. I think it might be time for a nickname.

I like this observation very much. Im a big fan and proponent of Herrmann. People don't realize what a good overall athlete he is. And despite being relatively new to being a C, a couple years ago he was ranked as the Twins best defensive C in milb. He played 3B and 1B in college as well as OF, including some CF, even in the lower minors. I think his biggest problem is not having had the time to progress naturally through the system. If you look at his track history, he's shown ability but probably moved a little quickly. I'm not saying he's star material. I'm saying he has potential as a solid, useful utility player. And while I don't think we need a 3rd C, it does offer flexibility. Especially in Gardy's mind, which allows Pinto that many more opportunities.

This. Absolutely this. Even though Fuld is 4 years older than Presley, it's still hard for me to bash his cutting due to what just seemed to be an atrocious ST. However, while it was fun to root for Barlett initially, keeping him over anyone was a mistake. And they indeed rectified any mistake made. They got less of a hitter, but a better base stealer, and reportedly a little better overall defensive OF by reports. But Hicks is not threatened at this time. He's not only the best defensive CF we have, which is always important, but especially right now as we need him to cover a little extra ground. He's also young and filled with potential. And I believe the Twins staff and I see the same thing: a kid who worked hard this off season and through ST, and who doesn't appear as lost as he did last season. He's still not hitting or producing like anyone wants, or the Twins need, but he's taking AB's with a better plan and more patience this year. I don't have his stats handy from the same time last year, but I don't believe he was hitting .182, and quite sure he didn't have on OB 131 points higher. He's always shown the ability to have a decent OB. I'm not saying he's guaranteed to have one that much higher, but consider him improving (as he started to last season before injury) to .240-.250 Avg with some power and speed over the next few weeks, getting a rest once in a while. The Fuld claim was a good one. And hats off to the Twins for not being so complacent this season and for working to upgrade the roster on a continuous basis.

32, even without roids or greenies is not old. A healthy and in shape Kubes is part of that. He's always been underrated, especially as an OF

Are we realistically talking Cuddyer part 2? I think we may be.

I think think this is a good time to address this issue. Of all the positives we've seen so ar this season, SS seems to be a lighting topic. And despite the "sign Drew" advocates, this doesn't seem to be a real/impending possibility or a long term answer. So other than trade or next year signing possibility, where does that leave us? Florimon is outstanding defensively. We've all seen what he can do. And it's truly a pleasure to watch him. But the second half of last season didn't match the first half offensively. And despite optimism of improvement in his second full season, whether it be by recovery of appendix, bad timing or anything else, he unfortunately just doesn't seem capable of producing offensively at the ML level. Santana has caught the eye of Gardy and the staff. That can't be ignored. But there seemed to be nothing in ST games that allowed him to really set himself apart, no "moments" that allowed him to shine. But all reports have him as an athletic defender who has the potential to make the plays, as well as the offensive potential to hit some, get XB hits and steal some bases as well. Beresford has a universal report and numbers to back up that he is a very good glove man who hits and makes contact with a little bit of speed and decent OB numbers but zero power. Levi Michael has seemed like a wasted/over-reached pick until this early season. Is this an indication of a player who just took a little longer to figure things out? Maybe rushed slightly due to need and hope? Mejia is a great story. I confess to knowing nothing of this young man other than the fact he can hit and has probably jumped at least a full level plus based on age and experience. I have learned never to bet against a ball player who is a fast riser, but I don't know enough, truthfully about potential to make an educated opinion. Polanco. Now we have something to talk about. Signed as a SS with great potential, he has established himself, by all reports, as an outstanding 2B prospect who can seriously hit with a bit of power and speed. Not sure this young man has even reached his potential at any level yet as he keeps rising to the occasion. The Twins have asked him, with mixed results to be sure, to concentrate on the SSposition. This is clearly a means to measure his potential as well as a hopeful answer to the ML SS position long term. As a result of Polanco's play at SS, one of the most physically talented INF prospects in the entire Twins system, Niko Goodrum has been moved, at least temporarily, to 3B. And while this might ultimately prove beneficial overall, I have to wonder if it might slow the development of the best SS prospect, overall, in the entire system. As much as I support and love Dozier at 2B, I also wonder if he isn't our long term at SS. Rosario's suspension has thrown a big monkey wrench in to the the development of options. But it makes me wonder if Rosario or Polonco might not be the best option at 2B with an experienced and more mature Dozier sliding back over to SS.

I have a close friend in the organization who snuck in a recorder to the clubhouse during ST just before the season started. Here are some edited excerpts. Dozier: Everyone doubted me last season. I'm gonna prove it to them. Kubel: Everyone thinks I'm done at 31. I got a lot left. Colabello: Well everyone doubted me for years in independent ball, then AA, then AAA, now I'm going to show them. Plouffe: Im a former 1sr round pick who outgrew my position, had to learn another, and took some time to figure stuff out. Everyone is so impatient. Suzuki: I can play. And I can hit. But I got sort of worn out and bounced around. Give me a chance to play and settle down and I promise I'll produce better. Gardy and the whole coaching staff: Let's give 'em all a great big s**t burger to eat.

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you Brock. You have done nothing here but prove points I've made myself before. We all see a big strapping athlete and many have wondered why he can't just be a consistent 28-30+ HR hitter and be done with it. But it's not that simple. Boggs once concentrated on power alone and saw his other numbers drop. Same with Gwynn. Two of the greatest hitters of their generations. Mauer is a pure hitter, something that doesn't come along every day. His natural approach and stroke is to swing at good pitches, ignore bad ones, take a walk when it's there, and hit line drives all over the field. With any kind of decent hitters ahead of him, and behind, he will hit .300+ with an OB of .400+ with 40+ doubles and double digit HR totals. Out from behind the plate now, stronger and healthier for a whole season and 150 games played the HR totals may climb to 15-18 and maybe 20. What team wouldn't kill for a bat like that in their lineup? Mauer's biggest problem has been unreal expectations and the lineup around him the past few seasons, whether due to injury or talent level. Gardy has him hitting 2 in the lineup for current reasons that I understand. But Brock's numbers show very clearly why I believe his best and most productive spot in the lineup is in the 3 hole. I hope over the course of player development/production this season and next we'll see that happen again.

The season is WAY too young to make any changes. Gibson has looked phenomenol, despite being squeezed by every umpire calling his games so far. Hughes was excellent today and his last start until the dreaded "bad inning". Nolasco has been inconsistent, but shown ability and one very good start. I think the surprises so far have been Pelfrey and Correia. Correia seems to also be suffering from the big inning syndrome, but hasn't pitched badly. Pelfrey, on the other hand, seems to be terribly inconsistent. Again, way too early. Let's get past the early games, get in a flow, stretch out arms, (something it didn't seem the Twins really did in ST in my opinion), and get in warmer weather before we make a decision. May and Myer have been, generally, very impressive, but aren't read yet. Deduno is the wild card and could still see himself in the rotation before the year is out. No changes though until June rolls around.

My running joke is my crystal ball being in the shop. And the truth is that we HAVE seen tantalizing streaks from Plouffe in the past. And it is those streaks that would offer a bit of a pessimistic view of Plouffe for his prowess this early season. So there is no way to see or predict what is yet to come. But there are indicators that this early season success is not merely an illusion. The first being is that he is indeed a former 1st round pick who has shown glimpses in milb and at the MLB level. The second is, as was mentioned earlier, that Tom Kelly himself previously mentioned it can take around 1500-2000 AB's for a player to recognize what is going on and who he is. Plouffe is just reaching those levels. The third is that not only statistically but in visual presentation he just "looks" like a player who is starting to "get it". I truly believe the Twins have an excellent coaching staff from top to bottom. I know there are issues here and there, but really, look at the track records of our coaches and argue with me. Ullger, Vavra, Molitor and Bruno have ALL seen success as batting instructors at various levels. And there has never been so much as a whisper as to conflict between them and the team. Overall, despite what our impressions might have been coming out of ST, a year after being one of the most inept and flailing lineups in MLB, our Twins have been amongst the ML leaders in production thus far. Some guys have room for regression, to be true, but others have room to escalate, and we've already had 2 injuries that would have seemed to be significant, and yet, haven't. Now, it's true the roster makeover has eliminated some dead weight. But even still, there is significant improvement overall, and Plouffe's development is one of those key developments. I don't know if Bruno's tutelage is the sole/primary reason or not, but a big tip of my cap to all involved,