PeanutsFromHeaven

BREAKING BEARD NEWS!! Rampant speculation suggests that Luis Perdomo's beard provided much needed sustenance as Luis Perdomo pitched 5 innings, giving up only one hit and one run while striking out 6 for a win in Richmond. The length of Perdomo's outing (a season high and duration unmatched since 2010 in Portland, OR) prompted beard watchers to examine the situation. It seems likely that the beard shifted during Perdomo's follow through to feed him various foodstuffs trapped inside of it, and provide the calories necessary to pitch for an extended period. It is unclear whether such mid-game munching violates Eastern League Rules, however the precedent set by David Wells eating and drinking in the majors suggests both beard and pitcher should be commended. Read report of the game here

Like almost all our posts this is originally available on our website (with pictures!) And this year, as the Twins remain frozen in carbonite out of contention (with .7% chance of making the playoffs) we COULD fixate on analyzing how the little things done by Ben Revere and Scott Diamond and Joe Mauer may or may not play out when the team returns to the playoff hunt in a year (or several), OR we could balance our love for the Twins with a special National League ally to give this season a hint of the old competitive flavor. So it's fortunate that the last few days the Twins have been battling the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course we've made no secret of the fact that we have a certain fondness for the Swashbucklers on the Allegheny. But why should the rest of the denizens of Twins Territory shift their attention to this particular squad? SO GLAD YOU ASKED! AL teams are now and will remain our adversaries. Cheering for one of our direct competitors (a team we've battled for years and will need to battle for future years) can lead to conflicting emotions when the Twins get back to business, so while seeing former Twins like Ron Washington or Delmon Young get a hard fought playoff spot might be nice, it comes with the knowledge that sooner or later we'll have to destroy them. (Ergo we need not cheer for the AL) The midwest rocks. We here in "flyover" country don't need the razmatazz of major media markets, or the obscene luxury suites that populate various capitals of industry. The more blue collar you get, the more dedicated and focused you are on the teams and players who bring a little notoriety your way. (Ergo we scratch the NL West (save Colorado/Arizona) and the NL East from our: teams to cheer for list) A little history goes a long way. It's easiest to join fan bases that are already a part of baseball lore. When fans can reminisce and brag up the glory of their guy and their best teams you get a sense of that passion. When fans reminisce about purple uniforms...that's just weird. (Ergo, now we can ignore Colorado, Arizona and Houston) But by the same token Twins fans tend not to mope about the problems of the past when the present is so darn entertaining unlike some other teams we could mention (Cou*CUBS*gh!) Everyone loves an underdog. And if you're the World champions you aren't an underdog (even if you did lose your MVP). It's been twenty years for the Twins you have to hope that if they don't do it some other hopeful franchise might (Ergo, St. Louis doesn't need us) Milwaukee is Milwaukee. Enough said (Ergo no Brewers cheering). So that leaves us with two teams, the Reds and the Pirates. The two teams who are (conveniently) first and second in the NL Central. But the Pirates have been waiting longer for a playoff berth, longer for a world championship, heck, longer for a winning record. Moreover, they've got this absurdly awesome education program, and their the setting for the new Batman movie! Best of all, they may be in the market for a new leadoff hitter/outfielder or a slugging first baseman (and be willing to give up a top pitching prospect for them)...so maybe we could cheer for our beloved Twins and the Pirates simultaneously (if you know what I mean). So, while we remain Twins fans first-and-foremost, we'll make the time to root, root, root for the Pirates and we invite you to do the same. But these are all our biases, where do you land in the quest for relevant baseball team to watch?

Like almost all our posts this is originally available on our website (with pictures!) And this year, as the Twins remain frozen in carbonite out of contention (with .7% chance of making the playoffs) we COULD fixate on analyzing how the little things done by Ben Revere and Scott Diamond and Joe Mauer may or may not play out when the team returns to the playoff hunt in a year (or several), OR we could balance our love for the Twins with a special National League ally to give this season a hint of the old competitive flavor. So it's fortunate that the last few days the Twins have been battling the Pittsburgh Pirates. Of course we've made no secret of the fact that we have a certain fondness for the Swashbucklers on the Allegheny. But why should the rest of the denizens of Twins Territory shift their attention to this particular squad? SO GLAD YOU ASKED! AL teams are now and will remain our adversaries. Cheering for one of our direct competitors (a team we've battled for years and will need to battle for future years) can lead to conflicting emotions when the Twins get back to business, so while seeing former Twins like Ron Washington or Delmon Young get a hard fought playoff spot might be nice, it comes with the knowledge that sooner or later we'll have to destroy them. (Ergo we need not cheer for the AL) The midwest rocks. We here in "flyover" country don't need the razmatazz of major media markets, or the obscene luxury suites that populate various capitals of industry. The more blue collar you get, the more dedicated and focused you are on the teams and players who bring a little notoriety your way. (Ergo we scratch the NL West (save Colorado/Arizona) and the NL East from our: teams to cheer for list) A little history goes a long way. It's easiest to join fan bases that are already a part of baseball lore. When fans can reminisce and brag up the glory of their guy and their best teams you get a sense of that passion. When fans reminisce about purple uniforms...that's just weird. (Ergo, now we can ignore Colorado, Arizona and Houston) But by the same token Twins fans tend not to mope about the problems of the past when the present is so darn entertaining unlike some other teams we could mention (Cou*CUBS*gh!) Everyone loves an underdog. And if you're the World champions you aren't an underdog (even if you did lose your MVP). It's been twenty years for the Twins you have to hope that if they don't do it some other hopeful franchise might (Ergo, St. Louis doesn't need us) Milwaukee is Milwaukee. Enough said (Ergo no Brewers cheering). So that leaves us with two teams, the Reds and the Pirates. The two teams who are (conveniently) first and second in the NL Central. But the Pirates have been waiting longer for a playoff berth, longer for a world championship, heck, longer for a winning record. Moreover, they've got this absurdly awesome education program, and their the setting for the new Batman movie! Best of all, they may be in the market for a new leadoff hitter/outfielder or a slugging first baseman (and be willing to give up a top pitching prospect for them)...so maybe we could cheer for our beloved Twins and the Pirates simultaneously (if you know what I mean). So, while we remain Twins fans first-and-foremost, we'll make the time to root, root, root for the Pirates and we invite you to do the same. But these are all our biases, where do you land in the quest for relevant baseball team to watch?

Good on you for trying something intimidating. Hopefully you enjoy it as much as the other blog-o-sphere participants do because if you can match the fun of watching a Twins game with the fun of writing and talking to friends then it makes the games just that much sweeter.

I really appreciate this analysis. Growing up in a Rookie League town (out in the Pioneer League circuit) I saw a lot of guys who came in highly touted and suddenly realized that a hot streak didn't equate to getting the hell away from all the cows and towards an actual metropolis. I forget that lesson sometimes as a fan, and it helps to think about the patience everyone in the organization needs to have with young prospects. As for the coaches, I've got no idea, but thinking about it from an amateur coach/professional teacher perspective--not every teacher's style matches with every student. So, maybe the Twins coaches are a mismatch with some of the current generation of prospects, or maybe what works for guys like Mauer/Morneau/Revere takes longer to work for guys like Plouffe/Morales (again--no idea what kinds of guys those would be...this is pure, irresponsible, conjecture)

Thanks for the votes gents, I'm hoping this can serve as a fun mental exercise (despite the inexact science of suggesting such deals) In the interest of full disclosure, ashburyjohn, the ages are as follows: Door #1 AAA RP-25 y.o.; AA OF-20 y.o. Door #2 2B/OF-21 y.o. (Cash...ageless) Door #3 AA OF-23 y.o; AAA C-25 y.o.; AA SP 23 y.o. Still interested? MChans24 & YHIMH feel free to change your minds if, with this info you want to change your mind. I'll include ages with all future Let's Make a Deal Options...next week...Matt Capps!

I really appreciate this, thanks for writing it. But please tell me there's also a space for my incoherent blather?

​This blog is also available on our original site along with a quick and easy poll to vote in In six weeks the trade deadline will come to pass, but before that happens there will be rumors, conjecture, and wheeling/dealing of innumerable kinds. It's exhilarating and yet, frightening because--after all--you're giving up something you know for something that is totally unpredictable. There's so much uncertainty that it makes me feel every bit as anxious as I used to feel watching game shows as a kid. For some reason--even though many were decade's old repeats--I worried over each lightning round, groaned with each needless gamble and muttered "no whammy, no whammy, no whammy" over and over again. But beyond a doubt, the trade-crazed part of the season reminds me of Monte Hall's legendary "Let's Make a Deal". For those who didn't waste their sick days gorging on bad tv: Let's Make a Deal gives average people the chance to just take away a couple hundred bucks or trade it in for something behind one of three doors. Some contain fabulous prizes, some contain goats chewing hay. You just never know [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container, align: center] http://www.letsmakeadeal.com/images/85-Doors.jpg [TD=class: tr-caption]Yes, I have several brain cells devoted to knowing this show... (Courtesy Letsmakeadeal.com)[/TD] [/TABLE] Whatever you may say about scouting reports and statistical analyses, trades still boil down to fast choices between a few options--keep what you have or swap it out for an unknown risk. But rather than let Terry Ryan have all the fun/anxiety of these decisions, we fans can play along at home! That's right, I'm channelling my inner Monte Hall/Wayne Brady and presenting three options for the Twins most likely trade candidates. Each one is based on trades made for similar players in baseball history, and while they aren't all deadline deals or deals with similar contract statuses, they represent deals that offer things the Twins might like to have in building for the future in exchange for a similar player at a similar age. So, you'll all be playing as Terry Ryan and in the interest of fairness I'll give you a few hints at who's behind the door with stats and ages. Then you vote (either in the poll at the right, or the comments section below) for the trade you think TR should make. I'll unveil what's behind each door next week so we can see just what the blogo-sphere community would walk away with if we pooled our collective wisdom. With that let's.......MAKE A DEAL!!!!!!! [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container, align: center] http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1EYVPrf48/T9smrkjg6gI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/H_4oKxeen2Q/s320/LMD1.jpg [TD=class: tr-caption]Image credit: CBS.com[/TD] [/TABLE] Okay, Terrys first up I'll give you a 28-year-old consistently above average Center Fielder: that's right it's Denard Span!!! Alright, would you like to keep Denard Span or would you like what's behind Door #1? Door #2? Or Door #3? Oh, don't make up your mind so fast Terrys! Let's get a little hint at what you'd get behind each other door Behind door #1 there's a durable reliever in AAA who had a 1.94 K/BB ratio and a 1.35 ERA in a cup of coffee with the big team. To sweeten the pot, there's a fast rising outfielder whose defense just gets better with each level (1.34 RF/G in A ball to 1.79 in AA) he cranked 26 homers in A ball and though that dropped to 16 in AA this year he's just 20 years old and should get better with age especially in your system when you MAKE THIS DEAL!! Behind door #2 there's a man Baseball Prospectus ranks as a top 10 prospect on the team! He's versatile enough to have split time between second base and the outfield in rookie ball and he's even made the transition to 3rd in A ball this year! But the bat is the big appeal for this youngster boasting a current slash line of .312/.416/.411! We'll even throw in a fat wad of cash just for you if you MAKE THIS DEAL!! And finally behind door #3 we have some options, you can have any 2 of the following 3 players, yes... in this scenario you can pick between an outfielder who marked a career high in Home Runs in AA last year (but is crowded out of our flush system); a catcher who's just about major league ready posting a .286/.339/.471 slash line in AAA (how 'bout that to replace Drew Butera?); OR a AA Starting pitcher who has 113 Ks in 103 innings and 1.92 K/BB Ratio! And hey, if you want all three just agree to toss in Ryan Doumit and we will MAKE THIS DEAL!! So there you have it blogosphere Terry-clones! Do you want to keep Denard Span or will it be Door #1?! Door #2?! or Door #3!?!?! (Vote and share your reasoning in the comments below--our trade deadline is Sunday at Midnight Central)

​This blog is also available on our original site along with a quick and easy poll to vote in In six weeks the trade deadline will come to pass, but before that happens there will be rumors, conjecture, and wheeling/dealing of innumerable kinds. It's exhilarating and yet, frightening because--after all--you're giving up something you know for something that is totally unpredictable. There's so much uncertainty that it makes me feel every bit as anxious as I used to feel watching game shows as a kid. For some reason--even though many were decade's old repeats--I worried over each lightning round, groaned with each needless gamble and muttered "no whammy, no whammy, no whammy" over and over again. But beyond a doubt, the trade-crazed part of the season reminds me of Monte Hall's legendary "Let's Make a Deal". For those who didn't waste their sick days gorging on bad tv: Let's Make a Deal gives average people the chance to just take away a couple hundred bucks or trade it in for something behind one of three doors. Some contain fabulous prizes, some contain goats chewing hay. You just never know [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container, align: center] http://www.letsmakeadeal.com/images/85-Doors.jpg [TD=class: tr-caption]Yes, I have several brain cells devoted to knowing this show... (Courtesy Letsmakeadeal.com)[/TD] [/TABLE] Whatever you may say about scouting reports and statistical analyses, trades still boil down to fast choices between a few options--keep what you have or swap it out for an unknown risk. But rather than let Terry Ryan have all the fun/anxiety of these decisions, we fans can play along at home! That's right, I'm channelling my inner Monte Hall/Wayne Brady and presenting three options for the Twins most likely trade candidates. Each one is based on trades made for similar players in baseball history, and while they aren't all deadline deals or deals with similar contract statuses, they represent deals that offer things the Twins might like to have in building for the future in exchange for a similar player at a similar age. So, you'll all be playing as Terry Ryan and in the interest of fairness I'll give you a few hints at who's behind the door with stats and ages. Then you vote (either in the poll at the right, or the comments section below) for the trade you think TR should make. I'll unveil what's behind each door next week so we can see just what the blogo-sphere community would walk away with if we pooled our collective wisdom. With that let's.......MAKE A DEAL!!!!!!! [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container, align: center] http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Bf1EYVPrf48/T9smrkjg6gI/AAAAAAAAB_Q/H_4oKxeen2Q/s320/LMD1.jpg [TD=class: tr-caption]Image credit: CBS.com[/TD] [/TABLE] Okay, Terrys first up I'll give you a 28-year-old consistently above average Center Fielder: that's right it's Denard Span!!! Alright, would you like to keep Denard Span or would you like what's behind Door #1? Door #2? Or Door #3? Oh, don't make up your mind so fast Terrys! Let's get a little hint at what you'd get behind each other door Behind door #1 there's a durable reliever in AAA who had a 1.94 K/BB ratio and a 1.35 ERA in a cup of coffee with the big team. To sweeten the pot, there's a fast rising outfielder whose defense just gets better with each level (1.34 RF/G in A ball to 1.79 in AA) he cranked 26 homers in A ball and though that dropped to 16 in AA this year he's just 20 years old and should get better with age especially in your system when you MAKE THIS DEAL!! Behind door #2 there's a man Baseball Prospectus ranks as a top 10 prospect on the team! He's versatile enough to have split time between second base and the outfield in rookie ball and he's even made the transition to 3rd in A ball this year! But the bat is the big appeal for this youngster boasting a current slash line of .312/.416/.411! We'll even throw in a fat wad of cash just for you if you MAKE THIS DEAL!! And finally behind door #3 we have some options, you can have any 2 of the following 3 players, yes... in this scenario you can pick between an outfielder who marked a career high in Home Runs in AA last year (but is crowded out of our flush system); a catcher who's just about major league ready posting a .286/.339/.471 slash line in AAA (how 'bout that to replace Drew Butera?); OR a AA Starting pitcher who has 113 Ks in 103 innings and 1.92 K/BB Ratio! And hey, if you want all three just agree to toss in Ryan Doumit and we will MAKE THIS DEAL!! So there you have it blogosphere Terry-clones! Do you want to keep Denard Span or will it be Door #1?! Door #2?! or Door #3!?!?! (Vote and share your reasoning in the comments below--our trade deadline is Sunday at Midnight Central)

Key Stats for Luis Perdomo in the past two weeks: 5 App. 6.33 Innings, 3 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 7 K, 1 L, 1 SV So far this season: 2.59 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 2.36 K/BB Ratio, 1.181 WHIP Key Stats for Luis Perdomo's beard in the past two weeks: .7 Inches Lost (single past his face resulted in unintentional shaving), 3 Bullpen Catchers distracted, 18 irritating comparisons to James Harden made by teammates, 2 Cheese Its accidentally consumed while sleeping. Career Beard Power Rankings: ...#29 Aristotle's, #30 Luis Perdomo's, #31 Philosophy Professor Ed Langerak... (For a full break down of James Harden's Beard V. Luis Perdomo's check out our blog on the subject: here)

It's a frightening time for Luis Perdomo (and his beard). With all the young college relievers getting drafted and signed up with the Twins, long standing vets like Perdomo had better prove their worth quickly or else they'll find themselves looking for work elsewhere. Meanwhile for the beard feared throughout New Britain there's the troubling development out of Oklahoma City. Yes, there's a new, hip, threatening beard loose in the world of sports: the mighty muzzle of James Harden. But is Harden's hirsute chin chafer any mach for Perdomo's prickly scrap saver? (Is there any way I can work in some more aliteration?) Let's go to the tale of the tape for the two mighty beards. http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/05/29/beardx-large.jpg James Harden's Beard "The Ogre of OKC" Experience: 3 Years Length: appox. 5 inches Intimidation Rating: 7.5 Norisses #of Cheez Its lost inside: 11 Media Exposure: 11.6 Million (TV) Recent Victims: Tim Duncan's graying grizzle Conceals: Blueprints for silky layups Biggest Fans: ESPN Anchors Award: NBA's Most Valuable Beard ('11-12) Odds Beard gains sentience: 13:2 http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IeYhLeaUkGk/T9s7GMWtoxI/AAAAAAAACAI/DuTp5HqQIg4/s200/Minnesota+Twins+Photo+Day+NKJsR-D1sLfl.jpegLuis Perdomo's Beard "The Beast of New Britain" Experience: 6 Years Length: appox. 3 inches Intimidation Rating: 7.3 Norisses # of Cheez Its lost inside: 13 Media Exposure: 14 zipcodes (Paper) Recent Victims: The Erie SeaWolves Conceals: An extra 4 MPH on fastball Biggest Fans: Me (Sorry Luis...) Award: Carolina League All-Scruff Team ('08) Odds Beard gains sentience: 3:1 Unfortunately it looks like the Ogre beats the beast in the eyes of millions (especially given Luis' recent sloppy outings), but to we few, foolish, Twins followers will keep touting the Power of Perdomo regardless of recent results.

It's a frightening time for Luis Perdomo (and his beard). With all the young college relievers getting drafted and signed up with the Twins, long standing vets like Perdomo had better prove their worth quickly or else they'll find themselves looking for work elsewhere. Meanwhile for the beard feared throughout New Britain there's the troubling development out of Oklahoma City. Yes, there's a new, hip, threatening beard loose in the world of sports: the mighty muzzle of James Harden. But is Harden's hirsute chin chafer any mach for Perdomo's prickly scrap saver? (Is there any way I can work in some more aliteration?) Let's go to the tale of the tape for the two mighty beards. http://i.usatoday.net/communitymanager/_photos/game-on/2012/05/29/beardx-large.jpg James Harden's Beard "The Ogre of OKC" Experience: 3 Years Length: appox. 5 inches Intimidation Rating: 7.5 Norisses #of Cheez Its lost inside: 11 Media Exposure: 11.6 Million (TV) Recent Victims: Tim Duncan's graying grizzle Conceals: Blueprints for silky layups Biggest Fans: ESPN Anchors Award: NBA's Most Valuable Beard ('11-12) Odds Beard gains sentience: 13:2 http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IeYhLeaUkGk/T9s7GMWtoxI/AAAAAAAACAI/DuTp5HqQIg4/s200/Minnesota+Twins+Photo+Day+NKJsR-D1sLfl.jpegLuis Perdomo's Beard "The Beast of New Britain" Experience: 6 Years Length: appox. 3 inches Intimidation Rating: 7.3 Norisses # of Cheez Its lost inside: 13 Media Exposure: 14 zipcodes (Paper) Recent Victims: The Erie SeaWolves Conceals: An extra 4 MPH on fastball Biggest Fans: Me (Sorry Luis...) Award: Carolina League All-Scruff Team ('08) Odds Beard gains sentience: 3:1 Unfortunately it looks like the Ogre beats the beast in the eyes of millions (especially given Luis' recent sloppy outings), but to we few, foolish, Twins followers will keep touting the Power of Perdomo regardless of recent results.

Best line in a scouting report yet: "[hits the ball] a distance reserved for those wearing big boy pants". I am picturing a future where grizzled scouts say "He's got big boy pants power..." and Brad Pitt growls at them from the GM chair. Great write up on Buxton--shots of him eye to eye with Mauer and Morneau breed confidence (bordering on foolish optimism) and even if he turns into Matt Kemp-lite he's a worthwhile investment for the Twins.

Apparently the first times around in posting this I had a nasty bit of formatting on the other blog, now that's fixed and complemented with a poll about Twins draftees all of which can still be enjoyed at our blogspot address, here's a taste of what you'll find there: With the Twins more or less out of contention for this season (recent success not with standing), the attention of the Twins blog-o-sphere has been firmly fixed on the minor leagues and potential for future glory. There are bright and talented bloggers who write about this subject: Seth Strohs, Jeremy Nygaard, Cody Christie, Andrew Walter... Our names are not on that list, largely because we aren't as savvy and also because we insist on quick and silly analyses. So while they might be able to break down all 40 rounds of the draft with staggering wisdom, we will break it down faster than anybody else. SO! For the second year in the row, here is the official Peanuts from Heaven Draft Analysis on every player picked by the hometown 9...in 5 words or less! (Symbols/Abbreviations don't count) Round (Pick #)-Name-COLlege/High School: Idiotic "analyses"(Thanks to Seth Strohs for the comprehensive list) [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container] [TD=align: center]http://images.wikia.com/whysoserious/images/d/d5/Solomon_Grundy_01.jpg[/TD] [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]We did not draft a comic Zombie but he makes an intimidating bullpen option FROM: wikia.com[/TD] [/TABLE] Left Handed Pitchers (8) #2 (63) - Mason Melotakis - LHP - COL - Northwestern State (LA): Greek God of Middle Relief? #6 (190) - Andre Martinez - LHP - HS - Florida: Trite But True: Lefties = Ungiveuponable #11 (340) - Taylor Rogers - LHP - COL - Kentucky: Kentucky kid going pro? SHOCKING!! #15 (460) - Jarret Leverett - LHP - COL - Georgia Southern: It's fun to rhyme! #26 (790) - Justin Jones - LHP - COL - U of California: No Renunciar a los Zurdos! #27 (820) - Jared Grundy - LHP - COL - U of Kentucky: Unrelated to Zombie Solomon Grundy #29 (880) - Sean Hagan - LHP - COL - St. John's U: Ikke gi opp "lefties" #32 (970) - Andrew Ferreira - LHP - COL - Harvard: Sign Kid! That degree's useless! [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container] [TD=align: center]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H1fj5VlbId8/SeaVQzKx--I/AAAAAAAAAM0/cK5IEa99kC8/s200/flipper.jpg[/TD] [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]Jacksonville Mascot/Future 4th Outfielder[/TD] [/TABLE] Outfielders (9) #1 (2) - Byron Buxton - OF - HS - Georgia: The Buck stops in MINNESOTA!! #3 (97) - Adam Walker - RF - COL - Jacksonville U: Dad's an ex-Viking, Mom: ex-Ninja. #14 (430) - Jake Proctor - CF - COL - Cincinnati: Stealing the Reds' local boy #19 (580) - Jonathan Murphy - LF - COL - Jacksonville U: Two Dolphin outfielders! Flipper's proud #20 (610) - Zach Larson - CF - HS - Florida: 18 and livin' the dream #31 (940) - Tim Robinson - LF - HS - California: Middle of the order Upside #34 (1030) - Bryan Haar - OF - COL - U of San Diego: Stealing the Padres' local boy #36 (1090) - Brandon Bayardi - OF - COL - UNLV: Tempting to call him Boyardee...#39 (1180) - Steven Liquori - OF - HS - Georgia: WARNING: May inspire terrible puns Finally, in other news, with the school year at a close I will likely have more time to write these little goofy things, so if you for some reason still put up with these shenanigans...stay tuned, we're just getting started.

Apparently the first times around in posting this I had a nasty bit of formatting on the other blog, now that's fixed and complemented with a poll about Twins draftees all of which can still be enjoyed at our blogspot address, here's a taste of what you'll find there: With the Twins more or less out of contention for this season (recent success not with standing), the attention of the Twins blog-o-sphere has been firmly fixed on the minor leagues and potential for future glory. There are bright and talented bloggers who write about this subject: Seth Strohs, Jeremy Nygaard, Cody Christie, Andrew Walter... Our names are not on that list, largely because we aren't as savvy and also because we insist on quick and silly analyses. So while they might be able to break down all 40 rounds of the draft with staggering wisdom, we will break it down faster than anybody else. SO! For the second year in the row, here is the official Peanuts from Heaven Draft Analysis on every player picked by the hometown 9...in 5 words or less! (Symbols/Abbreviations don't count) Round (Pick #)-Name-COLlege/High School: Idiotic "analyses"(Thanks to Seth Strohs for the comprehensive list) [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container] [TD=align: center]http://images.wikia.com/whysoserious/images/d/d5/Solomon_Grundy_01.jpg[/TD] [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]We did not draft a comic Zombie but he makes an intimidating bullpen option FROM: wikia.com[/TD] [/TABLE] Left Handed Pitchers (8) #2 (63) - Mason Melotakis - LHP - COL - Northwestern State (LA): Greek God of Middle Relief? #6 (190) - Andre Martinez - LHP - HS - Florida: Trite But True: Lefties = Ungiveuponable #11 (340) - Taylor Rogers - LHP - COL - Kentucky: Kentucky kid going pro? SHOCKING!! #15 (460) - Jarret Leverett - LHP - COL - Georgia Southern: It's fun to rhyme! #26 (790) - Justin Jones - LHP - COL - U of California: No Renunciar a los Zurdos! #27 (820) - Jared Grundy - LHP - COL - U of Kentucky: Unrelated to Zombie Solomon Grundy #29 (880) - Sean Hagan - LHP - COL - St. John's U: Ikke gi opp "lefties" #32 (970) - Andrew Ferreira - LHP - COL - Harvard: Sign Kid! That degree's useless! [TABLE=class: tr-caption-container] [TD=align: center]http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_H1fj5VlbId8/SeaVQzKx--I/AAAAAAAAAM0/cK5IEa99kC8/s200/flipper.jpg[/TD] [TD=class: tr-caption, align: center]Jacksonville Mascot/Future 4th Outfielder[/TD] [/TABLE] Outfielders (9) #1 (2) - Byron Buxton - OF - HS - Georgia: The Buck stops in MINNESOTA!! #3 (97) - Adam Walker - RF - COL - Jacksonville U: Dad's an ex-Viking, Mom: ex-Ninja. #14 (430) - Jake Proctor - CF - COL - Cincinnati: Stealing the Reds' local boy #19 (580) - Jonathan Murphy - LF - COL - Jacksonville U: Two Dolphin outfielders! Flipper's proud #20 (610) - Zach Larson - CF - HS - Florida: 18 and livin' the dream #31 (940) - Tim Robinson - LF - HS - California: Middle of the order Upside #34 (1030) - Bryan Haar - OF - COL - U of San Diego: Stealing the Padres' local boy #36 (1090) - Brandon Bayardi - OF - COL - UNLV: Tempting to call him Boyardee...#39 (1180) - Steven Liquori - OF - HS - Georgia: WARNING: May inspire terrible puns Finally, in other news, with the school year at a close I will likely have more time to write these little goofy things, so if you for some reason still put up with these shenanigans...stay tuned, we're just getting started.

Good catch...math was never my forte

I expect that the Twins will be closer to .500 up until the trade deadline, then (depending on how big a fire sale it is) back to a .400-ish record through the end of the year. But hey, if it leads to prospects, I won't complain

I officially have no more excuses not to grade essays--thank you all for the amusement/discussion/education

Last year I think it was 33/52 who signed, first 14 rounds all signed

Well...clearly the Twins board is different than the bloggers' board, welcome aboard Orlando Berrios!

If McCullers has signability issues would the Twins simplify with a less demanding player (Smoral or Eflin?) or gamble on a pricier pick and trust Brown drops to the 40s with a hometown discount

Going back to Buxton for a second, what kind of ETA do people think he has? 2016, '17 Later?

Key Stats for Luis Perdomo in the past two weeks: 5 App. 4 Innings, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 6 K, 1 L. So far this season: 2.52 ERA, 9.4 K/9, 2.36 K/BB Ratio, 1.240 WHIP Key Stats for Luis Perdomo's beard in the past two weeks: 2.2 Inches Grown, 2 Umpires Hypnotized, 6 oz of styling gel used for "Ladies Night", 4 Cheese Its found. Career Beard Power Rankings: ...#25 Fidel Castro, #26 Luis Perdomo's, #27 Johan Strauss...

GOOD GOD! I love this! Drop Appel Drop!! (Feel's like there's an Isaac Newton joke to make, but I'm not that smart)

I dare to dream right with you (I do wonder if Boras would send Appel to the Saints just to spite the mid-major markets)