Mill1634

Berrios looks horrible

ROBBY

Don't have to test the ankle on that one!

Berrios screwed by his GG SS and amateur umpire...

That....is a strike

Way to eff up that play, Simmons. What a play by Jose.

I like the above thoughts on replay, but if the current form stays I'd like to see the amount of looks NY gets at the play limited to 3. If you don't see anything that warrants an overturn after that, the play should stand. No reason these replays should take 3 or 4 minutes.

Third part of this blog series is out, this time taking a look at infielders.

The Twins have started to turn things around as of late, but are still 11 games below .500 nearly a third of the way through the season. Certainly there is a chance for the squad to go on a long win streak, which features the next 12 games against the lowly Orioles and the free falling Kansas City Royals, but injuries are still piling up, and we've seen the Twins play just as bad as the two aforementioned squads. As of now, I still firmly sit in my stance that the front office would be best suited to have a fire-sale at the deadline, moving every expiring deal, and taking offers on players with only one year of team control left. This group of players is highlighted by Jose Berrios, Byron Buxton, and Taylor Rogers. If they get a 'blow your socks off" offer, I see no reason not to take it. Today we take a look at some infielders that the Twins should get an extended look at in the second half of 2021. RH C Ryan Jeffers Jeffers was fantastic as a rookie, featuring a fantastic defensive game behind the dish, and was part of what appeared to be a two-headed monster catching duo headed into the 2021 season. However, Garver got off to a slow start, and Jeffers was flat out bad. Jeffers was performing so poorly in limited at bats that the front office sent him down to AAA Saint Paul where he's been given the opportunity to start nearly every day, whether behind the dish or as the DH. Jeffers has returned to form at the plate, OPSing .753 for the Saints, including three home runs and four doubles. Jeffers is also using a patient approach, drawing 10 walks in 77 PA. He is still having trouble with strikeouts, with a K rate of 25 percent, but hitting the ball hard while playing fantastic defense at a premium position is worth giving a look at. When Jeffers was up, he was only starting against RH which puts him in a hole. If the Twins are out of things come July, I'd like to see Jeffers split time with Garver, including against southpaws. MIF S Nick Gordon Nick Gordon isn't the top 50 prospect that he was a few years ago, and he hasn't put up great numbers in the high minor leagues, but I believe that Gordon can be a utility infielder at a minimum. The one thing holding back Gordon right now are the facts that he struggles against left handed pitchers, which is a bad thing for a platoon bat, and can no longer play shortstop, at least over a full season. However, Gordon has succeed in the young campaign with the Saints, hitting .393, including a homer and a triple. He has also added four stolen bags, which we saw on display in Gordon's MLB debut, where he stole second base twice. If Gordon can play a strong second base, and potentially develop an average glove at third, and fill in in left field a few times a year, which with his speed I think is a possibility, he is an MLB bench bat. There is a very strong chance we see a ton of Nick Gordon, and the front office either commits to him as an MLB utility player, or removes him from the 40 man roster. 3B/2B RH Jose Miranda At only 22 years old and no spot on the 40 man roster, I don't think it's too likely that we see Miranda in Minnesota this year, but I don't think that should be the case. Miranda was mediocre in the low minors, but started the season at AA Wichita, and has gotten off to a blazing hot start. Miranda has hit .309, and has an OBP of .372 in 18 games. Jose has shown the pop that we've seen in the past with 5 homers in 68 at-bats, as well as 3 doubles. Fangraphs had Miranda ranked as the 20th Twins' prospect heading into the year, with a game power grade of 50, and a hit tool of 55, but doesn't love the defense as they note he's likely a "shift-enabled" 2nd or 3rd basemen. Miranda has good bat to ball skills which have shown well in AA, with only 10 strikeouts in 78 plate apperances. It is worth noting that Miranda is rule-5 eligible this upcoming off-season, and will have to be added to the 40 man, as he will certainly be taken if not added. I hope the Twins get out in front of things with Miranda, and see what he can do in 2021 at the big league level.

I agree that none of these names are all that exciting, but I do think Cano can be a successful MR right this second and should be given the chance. Chalmers has closer like stuff as well, but just struggles with the walks. Get him up and see if the stuff plays. As for the top pitching prospects, I see no reason to bring those guys up right now. If the twins were 28-15 instead of 15-28 I would have a different view on the issue, but with a lost season it’s more beneficial for them to continue to develop as starters in the minor leagues.

Second part of the series is up, this time looking at relievers. A few exciting arms that I think TD, as well as Twins territory would be excited about. As always, I appreciate discussion! Thanks for reading.

I wrote a few days ago on starting pitchers that we are likely to see in the dog days of summer. This of course assumes that the Twins are going to continue down the horrid path that they've gotten off to in the first 40 games of the season, and expiring deals like Michael Pineda and J.A. Happ are moved. The bullpen also contains two names who were brought in on one year deals, one throwing very well, and the other getting off to a horrid start. If someone told you that one would be good and one would be bad, you may not be shocked, but the fact that Robles has outperformed Colome is surprising. If the Twins do decide that they are going to sell, those two will certainly be moved. Some other names like Tyler Duffey or Taylor Rogers could also find themselves being traded, but as I'm writing this I don't foresee it happening. Either way, with injuries, taxing bullpen arms, or relievers not performing, there will be plenty of chances for the Twins brass to bring up some young, intriguing arms. RHP Yennier Cano Cano was signed as an older international free agent in 2018 for 750,000 dollars, just before the international period was about to end. The Twins essentially traded OF Zack Granite to the Rangers for Cano, as 750,000 in international money is what the Twins received in compensation. Cano was ranked as the #2 player in the international class, behind OF Victor Victor Mesa. Cano features a unique three-quarters delivery in which he features a fastball sitting in the mid-90's, topping out at 97 MPH. Cano also features a heavy sinker which induces a lot of ground balls, and works a slider and splitter for strikeouts. Cano is currently in AA Wichita, and has gotten off to a torrid start. At the time of this writing, he's worked 6.2 innings with 12 strikeouts, no walks, and no home runs. Cano is likely going to be called up to Saint Paul in the near future, and if things go well, there is no doubt that the 27 year old will be up with the Twins. Due to his age, the ceiling is limited, but Cano could prove to be a useful middle reliever on a team the could badly use one. RHP Dakota Chalmers Chalmers was acquired as a lottery ticket arm in the 2018 trade that sent Fernando Rodney to the Oakland A's, after being a 3rd round pick in the 2015 draft, being signed way over slot at 1.2M. Chalmers battled injury issues early in his career, and received the dreaded Tommy John Surgery in 2018. Due to Chalmers missing much of the 2018 season, the Twins sent Chalmers to the Arizona Fall League in 2019, where things didn't go according to plan. Chalmers made 6 starts, totaling 17.2 IPs, allowing 17 hits and 12 walks. However, Chalmers, who has always had 80 grade stuff, struck out 25 batters. Despite the rough outing in 2019, the Twins added Chalmers to the 40 man roster. Chalmers has continued to work as a starter in 2021 at AA Wichita, but the results still haven't turned around. Chalmers has walked 4 in 8.2 innings, and given up 8 hits, including 4 home runs. Due to Chalmers having 20 or 25 grade control, his chances at starting seem slim to none. Getting Chalmers in the bullpen as an effectively wild pitcher is the best hope for both him and the Twins brass. RHP Tom Hackimer Hackimer is an under the radar pitcher within the Twins organization, not appearing on any top prospect list on any site. However, Hackimer has been a very effective reliever in the minors, largely due to his unique delivery. The Twins righty throws with a submarine type wind-up, which he compares to former Astros reliever Joe Smith. Hackimer doesn't have blow you away type stuff, with a fastball that sits around 90 MPH, topping out at 94 MPH, but due to the spin rate and unique arm angle, it plays faster than it is. He also features a big, sweeping slider that can get right handed hitters out. He is also working on developing a changeup in order to get left handed hitters out more effectively, but it's a work in progress. If Hackimer is ever going to crack the big leagues, at least with the Twins, this is going to be the year he does so. He is not on the 40 man roster as of now, but with the expected trades, the Twins can make a move to get him a look if they feel like he can succeed. Hackimer is currently at AAA Saint Paul, putting up a scoreless 7.1 innings pitched, and 11 strikeouts. During his minor league career, he's thrown 176.1 innings of 2.65 ERA, while striking out 204 batters.

Berrios doing all he can to avoid being an attractive trade chip

Uhh...the umpires must’ve felt bad for us?

Safe. Donaldson continues to do wonders for the Angels offense.

Well that does game one. Pretty uninspiring start by thorpe who was once again sitting in the 80s rather than the 90s and didn’t have the command necessary to succeed throwing that slow. Defense was ugly, and the at bats were downright piss poor against a bad starter. Pretty much what we’ve come to expect with this years team, but still upsetting.

They’d have to pay me at least 100 to watch this ****ty team in the upper deck

Yep. Arraez is a DH. Not a 2nd basemen. Not a 3B. Maybe a 1B but doesn’t have power. I’d try to trade him.

A real left fielder catches that ball, but Donaldson has been shaky in the field. Makes some good plays and then does that. Safe to say thorpe probably isn’t good after the smoke and mirrors have faded. The hell is a Phil Gosselin?

I get what you’re saying, but Eddie is having an absolutely horrible year. OPS+ of 61 and an OPS of .580. Only getting on base at a .258 clip, and has been worth -0.2 WAR. He would still provide timely hitting at times, but he would mainly fit in with the rest of our putrid offense. I’m fine with the route they took and would much rather see AK and Larnach get a chance.

I do agree that the ceiling on all 3 of these pitchers being fairly limited. However, you don’t need a staff full of number one or number twos in order to be successful. Having a handful of mid rotation starters from within saves you money from having to bring in JA Happ, Matt Shoemaker, Rich Hill, etc. and allows you to go spend on more premium positions. I don’t think it’s out of the question for Dobnak, or even Thorpe, to be that. As for Ober, I’m not high on him and questioned him being added to the 40-man, but since he’s here there’s zero reason not to give him a look in the what appears to be a lost season. The key to the twins future does weigh heavily on one of Jordan or Duran being a top of rotation starter, very much so. I just think it’s a year too early to expect too much impact from either at the MLB level, although Duran will likely be up this season.

Thanks for the feedback. Always fun to think about the future, especially when the present is absolutely horrible. Stay tuned for a piece on Friday. I have a feeling Cano will be featured in the RP section of the article Winder is a guy haven’t read/watched a ton of, so I can’t give an informed opinion. As for Whitefield, he’s intriguing if he can truly hit and is at worst a 4th OF with his defense and speed. Hopefully the continues to develop. Appreciate the reading and conversation!

Also..if anyone like me is done with the first half Minnesota twins and just want to get on with seeing some young guys play and figure out if they’re any good, I wrote about some guys we could see in the second half of the year, starting with starting pitchers. Feedback and interaction is encouraged and appreciated!

Least shocking news all year..that that lineup couldn't hit Lucas Giolito. Actually somewhat impressed with how close the game was. Shoemaker was bad, but got good results in a weird way. Polanco looked good at SS, and Cruz hammered the ball. Colome staying rolling is pretty big for nothing else than trade value. Twins just have too many journeymen types on the roster right now, or a few guys who should be in AAA still (Rortvedt, Ober). Oh well. Starting to get numb to many of the loses, including this one. At least we'll have always have yesterday. Also..if anyone like me is done with the first half Minnesota twins and just want to get on with seeing some young guys play and figure out if they’re any good, I wrote about some guys we could see in the second half of the year, starting with starting pitchers. Feedback and interaction is encouraged and appreciated!

Least shocking news all year..that that lineup couldn't hit Lucas Giolito. Actually somewhat impressed with how close the game was. Shoemaker was bad, but got good results in a weird way. Polanco looked good at SS, and Cruz hammered the ball. Colome staying rolling is pretty big for nothing else than trade value. Twins just have too many journeymen types on the roster right now, or a few guys who should be in AAA still (Rortvedt, Ober). Oh well. Starting to get numb to many of the loses, including this one. At least we'll have always have yesterday.