Secondary User

A quick pitch is an illegal pitch, but it is not the only illegal pitch

Altering the timing as much as he did could be seen as deceiving to the hitter.

They're two different topics, both covered by the rule book (Rule 8.01 has a comment about quick pitches, and Rule 8.01(a) states without interruption or alteration)

One question, is how does the "without alteration or interruption" rule apply to the slide step? That is clearly a sizeable alteration to the delivery, though not on this scale.

If it is deemed he made an illegal pitch (seems as if altering your delivery could fall under that category), it's a balk.

Couldn't it be considered a deception to have drastically altered his delivery after the runner had gone into motion? Trick a runner into going based on your slow delivery than shorten it and speed it up after you have him running? It all depends on your interpretation of the "without interruption or alteration" in 8.01(a) in my opinion

While I agree that the error definitely played a role, Gibson still only had a lead off runner on first. He did walk the next guy and give up a double. He shouldn't have to deal with extra adversity, yes, but his inability to handle it says something. He lacks the ability to just buckle down and get someone out situationally. Whether it's not having a two strike out pitch, or not being able to cope with an inning like last night, it is a concern

I'd love for him to be at "effective"

That's not a great ratio

Lol....for those following the game, AJ Achter came in for the 7th inning and gave up a walk off home run to the first batter (shortened due to double header. On a side note, he did still only throw 55 strikes out of 96 pitches.

First, let me apologize for the brevity of this post. My computer is down and I'm making this post from a phone. Jason Wheeler made his second start of the season when the Rochester Red Wings took on the Pawtucket Red Sox. He went 5.0 innings giving up 2 earned runs on 5 hits while issuing 2 walks and striking out 4. He took a no decision.

In the long run, that is a fall back. But if the belief is that he can turn into an everyday guy, then he needs to get at bats from the left side in order to do that

Tell that to Theo Epstein and Kris Bryant

Just some context on Hicks here guys: 2015 splits: vs. RHP: .154/.214/.308, 5Ks and 1 BB in 14 PAs vs. LHP: .500/.600/1.250 3Ks and 2 BBs in 10 PAs Now all the usual cautions of small sample sizes absolutely apply, but what we're seeing in the numbers is that he's still struggling as a lefty and hitting well from the right side. With just numbers, it is possible he's facing some bad luck, but 5 Ks in 14 PAs doesn't scream "tough luck". Does that mean he couldn't potentially help this squad right now? Absolutely not, but I have to go with John Bonnes on this one (for those of you who listen to Gleeman and the Geek, you probably already know where I'm going). I believe the organization still thinks there's everyday potential in Aaron Hicks, and he got sent down to become a better left handed hitter. He hasn't done that so far. Aaron Hicks, (and likely any combination of roster moves) isn't going to turn this team into a contender in 2015, so playing the long game with him is fine in my opinion. He would help the club, but as he is right now, he's not going to push the needle far.

After a rough 2014 season, the Twins added four players to their forty man roster. Miguel Sano, Alex Meyer and Eddie Rosario received a lot of attention, but joining them was left handed starting pitcher Jason Wheeler. Though more quietly heralded, Wheeler is certainly deserving of our extra attention. Jason Wheeler grew up in Southern Californa and attended high school in Torrance. He played varsity for two years for a Tartans squad that has a produced eight major leaguers to date (source), including Jason's older brother Ryan and the father/son pairing of Fred and Jason Kendall. Along with helping lead the Tartans to two Pioneer league championships in 2007 and 2008, he lettered and earned All-Area, All-League and All-CIF honors after both seasons. On the hardwood, he was named Most Outstanding Player in the Pioneer League after his senior season. Jason made the trek up America's busiest interstate (the I-405 for those who aren't up to date on your freeway system rankings) and played his college ball for the Loyola Marymount Lions. He spent his first two seasons pitching primarily out of the bullpen, going a combined 1-4 with a 7.80 ERA. In his Junior season, he cracked the Lions starting rotation and found success, pitching to a 6-4 record and a 3.84 ERA. Jason decided to enter the First Year Player's Draft after his junior season, and joined the Twins organization in 2011 when he was selected in the 8th round. As the 268th pick, Jason received a signing bonus of $132,000. He skipped the rookie leagues and reported to Minnesota's then Class A affiliate Beloit to start the 2012 season. In his first professional season, he posted a 14-6 record in 27 starts, a 3.45 ERA, 43 walks and 115 strikeouts in 156.2 innings pitched and helped lead the Snappers to the Midwest League playoffs and was named to the Midwest League All Star team. After his successful campaign with the Snappers, he was promoted to the Twins A+ affiliate Ft Myers Miracle. He went 9-4 in 26 starts with a 3.70 ERA, 58 walks and 91 strike outs in 143.1 innings pitched. Despite posting solid numbers, including leading his team in innings pitched and strikeouts both seasons, the decision was made to have Jason start the 2014 season with the Miracle. He didn't stay long. He posted a 2.51 ERA, a 1.215 WHIP, averaged over 6 innings per start and saw improvements in his K/9, BB/9 and H/9. After 13 starts, he was promoted to the then AA affiliate New Britian Rock Cats and continued to find success, this time to the tune of a 2.80 ERA and a 1.149 WHIP in 12 starts and 74 innings. To finish the season, Jason made one final start with the AAA affiliate Rochester Red Wings, which is where he started the 2015 season. He led the organization in ERA in 2014, and also led all Twins minor leaguers in innings pitched. At 6'6", Jason fits right in with tall starting pitching prospects like Trevor May and Alex Meyer and uses that frame to create good downward angle and induce a lot of ground balls. He features a three pitch mix, fastball, curveball and slider. Some concerns with Wheeler include the lack of an 'out' pitch and his career platoon splits. While all three of his pitches grade out well, none of them receives a plus grade, which could lead to Jason being hittable at the major league level. He also has fared much better against left-handed batters than he has right-handed batters to this point in his career. With the 2015 season just underway, management hopes for Jason to continue the trend of growth he has shown throughout his time in the Twins organization, and potentially make his debut in a Twins uniform. Jason took a good first step as he made his first start of the season for the Red Wings on Sunday against the Buffalo Bisons. His control was atypical, as he walked four and also hit a batter, but he was able to go 6.2 innings and allowed two runs on only four hits,

Two things: 1) You could make the argument that Chris Herrmann is a better back up catcher than Pinto. Offensively, Pinto will win out, but defensively..... 2) I've liked what I've seen of Graham thus far and wouldn't give him up. He's been used a lot more than you would want a Rule 5 draftee to be so far this year, but with his velocity up, he seems like a guy worth holding onto.

Mediocre MLB is something a lot of people undervalue

Easier said than done, that is for sure

And also had two lineouts for what that is worth

Does anyone think that Buxton is feeling a lot of pressure to rebound in a big way?

Even if he profiles better as a second baseman, his path to the show will be through shortstop. Santana/Escobar have many more question marks than Dozier does, and the next solid short stop option is probably Nick Gordon. By the time Gordon comes up, Dozier will be on the back end of the contract, and potentially expendable or a depth option

Jason Wheeler still looks available? Can I has

This shouldn't be an indictment on the rest of the articles, but this is the best piece of information I've come across in these articles in a while..... I was way off....

That was a heated episode. Hope Bonnes is still alive....

There is basically no correlation between spring training offense and regular season offense.