HitInAPinch

I really, really like the way the Twins managed Hicks this time. And I believe this is the direct impact of Paul Molitor. He set the tone in Spring Training and it continued in the Minors. Hicks' year started poorly in AAA. A week or 2 later, he started hitting and everyone [large percentage of which were TD posters] were saying "Bring him up NOW!". And the Twins waited. Still working on the leg-kick suggestion from Brunansky, Hicks started warming up, hitting better as the weeks progressed. Then came the big offensive explosion and Schaefer got hurt. Twins call up Eddie Rosario, the former 2nd baseman with much lessor stats than Hicks. However, as has been reported, the kind of player Molitor likes. A guy who keeps focused in the game. Message sent and received.

4th outfielders aren't all that valuable. They really just need to be a little bit less than hideous to survive.

Rehab assignment?? Arcia seems to need a little, ahem, "attention grabber"

My list of IF's 1. IF the Twins are still hovering around .500 at the All Star break [July 14] 2. IF Hicks is still on a hitting rampage at the All Star break AND is focused 3. IF the Schaefer/Robinson collective are still a mediocre combo in CF 4. THEN it's time to bring up Hicks.

With Hicks, the stats are of less importance than the person. Or do I have to quote Paul Molitor again :-) This line from Nick's article says it all: "Throughout spring training, most expected that Hicks would end up winning the center field job, if only for a lack of better options. But Hicks had a tough spring, highlighted by a few notable gaffes and mental blunders, and ultimately the lesser options prevailed." re: Hicks' assumed he had the job and sloughed off. This is the kind of stuff that Molitor talked about. Molitor wants the whole package before Hicks is brought up again.

In the previous game Sano was 3 for 5, all singles. Somebody got to him and one of the big reasons I was against Mientkiewicz becoming the Twins manager. They need a guy like him in the MiLB developing players.

Is Meyer just over throwing? Things started going bad for him immediately after he got cut from the MLB camp in spring training.

ML bullpen: No. He's got a WHIP of 1.792. As he is right now, he'd get killed in the ML. If any move would be made, I'd say a demotion to AA would be the move. I'd like to hear something from Neil Allen on what's happening. And it is only 5 starts and 25 innings...

Looking in from afar, I think the big change for Plouffe can when Molitor started him a the cleanup hitter. Some people respond better when pushed. Keep listening to Bruno!! Right now, Sano isn't proving he's the prospect a lot of people think he is. That being said, his 3 - 5 day yesterday, with 3 singles, is a good sign. But he still has a very long road to hoe to make it to MLB. With a good AA season this year and at least a partial one at AAA next year, he just might be ready.

Miguel Sano went 3-5, all three hits a single. So, who's the guy that finally smacked him on the back of the head? It's about time. At some point, they'll need to do the same to Walker.

Phillies have already stated that they want a bunch of high level players in return for Hamels so they can rebuild. The Twins don't have nearly enough to make that trade. Oh, and yeah, you're crazy to think you can trade a middle of the road pitcher and a shortstop with some fielding issues for a lefthanded ace pitcher.

I'm with you on Danny Santana. He'd make me a lot happier if he took a walk every now and then. Now up to 100 AB's and only 1 stinkin' walk and 29 K's. I'm putting the blame for 9 E's on his lack of SS development time last year.

Projecting 10 games worth of excellent AA stats onto a 162 game MLB schedule is pure fantasy stuff. Although I'd love to see a player hit 35 triples in a season!! Highest number to day is 36 by Chief Wilson in 1912....

Arcia reminds me of Willie Horton of the Tigers. Horton had problems staying in the lineup because he was so muscular. Shoulder cramps here, quad strains there.

"leaving some to question why Aaron Hicks didn’t get the call instead due to his superior statistics." Paul Molitor has been very clear on the subject of Aaron Hicks: it isn't just about the stats.

It's nice to see Hicks put up good numbers. OK, make that pretty awesome numbers, but in only 22 games. After reading Molitor's comments in spring training and more recently, I think he's having an huge influence on Hicks.

10 games of excellent play does not make for a quick call-up. Buxton's season average of .286 in 23 games is pretty pedestrian for an "elite prospect". I would need to see a .300++ average and OPS .900++ [ right now at .880! ] at AA before even thinking of a promotion to MLB before August. Better path would be a jump to AAA first. If that works out to a .300 BA and .800+ OPS, an August call-up is warranted. Hicks. FogetAboutIt. If Molitor says he's not ready, that's good enough for me.

If you read the different articles on this move, the picture becomes a little more clear. I'm leaving out the Gleeman article. To me, it seems like he has a axe to grind: i.e. the Twins didn't pick the guy he wanted, Aaron Hicks. From the Strib: “Aaron’s doing fine, I’m hearing some really good things about him,” Molitor said. “It’s important for him to know that he needs to continue to do that over a little bit longer period of time. His day could come soon as well.” From the Wetmore article: Rosario got a boost for his versatility, Ryan said. Despite his struggles in the minor leagues, the Twins want to see how Rosario will perform against the best competition in the world. The Twins did something similar last season with Danny Santana, whose minor league numbers didn't suggest he was prepared to thrive, but who nonetheless took the league by storm with a great rookie season. "This will be an opportunity for him to get his feet wet up here and see what it's all about and see how he responds and see what we've got," Ryan said. "We talked a lot about Eddie in his development and his ability to stay focused day in and day out," Molitor said. "From all the reports he's been doing that very well. He's going to get a chance to play here in the short-term. Excited for him to get this opportunity." This all spells out the simple facts: Hicks, while hitting better now, its still about the "mental mistakes" and "needs to be engaged" issue from Spring Training, per Molitor. And not to put words into their mouths, but I believe Molitor and Ryan are saying this: Rosario seems plays up to the level of competition he faces. Hicks does not.

Agreed, and it was Molitor that he really impressed. And, also remember what Molitor said about Hicks after he was cut from the MLB camp: “I told him I appreciated his work down here and his desire to try to improve various aspects of his game,” Twins manager Paul Molitor said. “I think the bottom line was he didn’t perform particularly well.” “You take full consideration of how the spring goes,” Molitor said. “When you look at the body of work, you have to consider all things that happened down here and that was part of that. He understands he needs to be engaged in the game. He’s a guy who if he defends well and has good at-bats and stays aggressive on the basepaths, he can be helpful up here — and not make mental mistakes.” I also don't discredit the concept that this was both a message AND the continuation of a plan for Hicks. Seems to be the kinda thing Molitor does....

Craig Counsell hired!

If [ and by that I mean IF ] Plouffe continues performing in the #4 hole and IF Sano somehow, [ by that in mean MIRACULOUSLY ] turns it around at AA ball in a BIG way, Plouffe would have the most trade value. Not sure whom the uber prospect would be [ or if you could get one of them for Plouffe ] but maybe, just maybe, Terry Ryan could find a good outfielder. Recent history says, no.

I'm thinking [ doing a lot of that this morning ] that Plouffe is performing better because he's feeling challenged more by being the regular cleanup hitter. Sometimes, it's a pride thing....

I think a lot of people are still Ooo-ing an Ahhh-ing about Sano's Spring Training BP HR's. I'm concerned he's still swinging for those in the games. Reality is Sano's .162 BA is very concerning.

No way. Remember, he's failed miserably twice. A 3rd would probably break him for good. I want to see at least a half season at AAA with numbers better than his "career minor league numbers". I also don't see a huge need to callup Hicks when the team is on a nice little streak.

4 GAME SWEEP!!