Jeremy Nygaard

You may recall the story earlier this month about the Diamondbacks signing an undrafted high schooler for $400K. It counted against their cap, some opined that they broke the rules (they didn't). The gem in the article was saying the move wasn't without precedence: The Twins signed Bobby Kielty for $500K after going undrafted in 1999, but blowing up in the Cape Cod League. They compare all the CFs in the Eastern League and Aaron Hicks compares favorably to most. Two plus tools (fielding and arm) to average tools (hit and run). His power is considered below average. Only Jake Marisnick (TOR) is younger and has more plus tools. AJ Pierzynski thinks that the Twins got a good big-league player in Eduardo Escobar "if he's given an opportunity". Phil Miller wrote about Eddie Rosario. The morale: a baseball hurt Eddie's face. Eddie is swinging the bat like he wants to hurt baseballs. BA reviews the top prospects for USA Baseball and the Cape. I'll give you a couple names to remember as the Twins think about the 2013 draft: Obviously Mark Appel is going to be rated highly, but there are other guys the Twins will consider. Ryne Stanek, Arkansas, RHP. Stanek and Kevin Gausman (drafted as a sophomore-eligible) were the two best pitchers in that class. Stanek missed being draft eligible by a week. He has a mid-90s fastball, a mid-80s slider and the ability to be a No. 1 pitcher. Sean Manaea, Indiana St, LHP. Big dude (6-5, 215) who is still filling out, can touch the high-90s. If you asked me right now who I think the Twins take (and it's a long ways away), I'd say Manaea. For you local prep fans, Red Wing has a kid named Ryan Boldt, LH OF who made the U-18 National Team. (Perfect Game MVP and Top 50 draft prospect for next year, too.) Even though the Twins didn't take the locals in 2012, I'd still consider it probable they return to form in 2013. Boldt would be at the top of that list.

I haven't noticed them often; but on they occasions I do, it drives me crazy. It's certain computers only, as best as I can recall.

Isn't it five years of service to be a 'veteran player'? Blackie's short of that.

Hicks was injured running into the wall making a catch in the 10th. (It sounds like he'll be fine.) They had to shuffle their fielders around after the injury and after subbing out Shawn Roof in the 9th, they had to put Nate Hanson in at 2B (after he had DH'd all game), so the team lost their DH and had to bat a P in Hicks' place.

Let's call him Liam... or Hendriks. Hendy just doesn't sound right.

Liam Hendriks was recalled today. If he finishes the season with the team he'll make $246,600 ($120,700 more than he made to date). That increases the team payroll to $97,853,200. Also of note, Luke Bard was placed on E-town's 7-day DL. This is a result of his leaving his August 10th appearance with some sort of arm discomfort. Whether that is lat (previous injury) discomfort or something new is unknown (to me anyway).

The simple fact that Nishi was outrighted is curious. Why not do it when he was taken off of the 25-man? Similar with Blackburn... why not option him unless you need that spot immediately? My first thought was that Walters must be close to re-joining the big club and that's why the 40-man spot was needed. But it doesn't look like he's close enough. Vazquez started tonight, so it doesn't look like he'll be the one. Hendriks could be the guy... but am I alone in thinking he'd be better off pitching in a AAA pennant race rather than a few August/September games that don't matter? The Rock Cats are in the same boat. It's been a while since both AAA and AA have been in this situation. I'm ok with the Twins thinning their 40-man in preparation for the September call-ups... but let those guys play for something and call them up when their season is done... someone's going to come up to take Blackburn's place... but I hope it's not someone that will leave the Red Wings short as they close the gap in the standings.

I will update the table after the Twins make some corresponding moves. Blackburn and Nishi are both off of the 40-man. Their income won't change. Their free agency won't change. They will both be available in the Rule V draft. I referenced "roster flotsam" a couple of days ago. These were two guys that fit in that category. I am interested to see who the Twins call up.

Michael Gonzales sent to the disabled list with a strained elbow. Pat Dean activated.

The Twins officially added Matt Carson to their 25-man and 40-man roster. He'll presumably earn a pro-rated share of the vet's minimum ($131,100). He has options remaining, which come in handy if the Twins wish to keep him around. If he's outrighted off of the roster, he'd be a six-year MiLB FA. To make room for Carson, the Twins outrighted Rene Tosoni. He cleared waivers and will stay in AA. Tosoni will have five years of minor league service at the conclusion of the season, so he shouldn't be a MiLB FA until the conclusion of next year. Though the 40-man remains full, there is plenty of roster flotsam that could be shuffled to make room, giving the Twins plenty of flexibility going into the final month of the season and offseason.

Popham to the DL and Albers active. Uncertain when this happened, whether it was yesterday or 10 days ago. It puts the Rockcats back at 25. The Twins responsibility of Marquis' contract was adjusted. I haven't added Matt Carson yet, because there will be a corresponding move. (My guess is that Nishioka has been placed on waivers and will be outrighted to AAA.)

This was debated elsewhere about a month ago. BA had the Twins at 19. Of the teams ahead of them, I'd say they've only passed the Angels, Rockies, and maybe the Cards, Rays and Red Sox. That would put them right in that 15 range, but the lack of high-end pitching prospects AND the lack of MLB-ready guys will keep them out of the Top 10.

Albers made a start earlier this month, but he was just listed as activated yesterday.

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?934-Thursday-s-Minor-League-Round-up

The biggest question coming into today's off day for the Twins was, "Who will fill the 25th spot on the roster?" I didn't believe we'd have an answer until tomorrow, but John broke the news this afternoon. Matt Carson is definitely deserving of another shot in the majors. The case could be made for Chris Parmelee, but part of me believes that leaving him in Rochester had more to do with helping the Red Wings fight for a playoff spot and keeping those in Rochester happy than it had to do with Carson being the more obvious choice. That can obviously be dated in other places on this site. The intrigue now is speculating how the Twins make room on their 40-man roster. It's far-fetched to think the team would DFA someone on their current roster (such as Jeff Gray) because that would require a corresponding move. ROCHESTER 2, INDIANAPOLIS 1 (10 innings) Box score Nothing but good things coming out of Rochester tonight. The win puts the Red Wings at 65-61 and, in the "hard to believe" category, puts the team at four games over .500 since May 14, 2009. They have clawed back to 3.5 games out of the Wild Card and possess an IL-best 28-16 record since July 1. Pedro Hernandez pitched seven strong innings, allowing only one run and striking out five. When the candidates for next year's rotation are discussed, Hernandez shouldn't be forgotten. Luis Perdomo picked up the win by pitching three innings of two-hit, shutout ball. Nishi, Clete Thomas and Eduardo Escobar all had multi-hit games. Thomas is 10-for-24 (.417) over his last six games. Escobar tripled after being in a six-game tailspin. Wilkin Ramirez's walk-off single was the Red Wings fifth of the year. NEW BRITAIN 1 , RICHMOND 3 Box score Andrew Albers was activated to make the start tonight. This is coming on the heels of the Rockcats using two of their "starters" in relief last night. With the addition of both David Bromberg and Luke French, though, there are other rotation options. There was no corresponding move announced, so I have the Rockcats roster at 26 for now. Albers pitched okay in his return, scattering nine hits over five innings. He allowed three runs. Matt Hauser and Edgar Ibarra combined to pitch four shutout innings. There wasn't a lot of offense for the Rockcats tonight. The team only combined for five hits (singles by Hanson, Colabello and Tosoni and doubles by Hicks and Romero) and one run (a Colabello RBI). Aaron Hicks stole his 28th base. FT. MYERS 7, JUPITER 12 Box score What a kick in the shorts tonight in Jupiter. The Miracle hung a seven on the Hammerheads in the top of the first, more run support than Carl Pavano would need in his rehab appearance. Unfortunately, they gave it all back - and more - when Pavano left the game. First, on Pavano: reports were that he was sitting in the mid-80s with his fastball. That isn't good. Pavano will want to continue trying to get back - and I'd bet the Twins will let him - but if you're holding the proverbial fork... well, I think you know where I'm going with this one. Anyway, Cole Nelson gave up five hits and four walks and didn't get anybody out. By the time the bleeding stopped, 11 runners had crossed the plate in the home half of the fourth and the Miracle bats went completely silent after that. Lance Ray had three hits (one double) and drove two in. Danny Santana, Levi Michael and Steve Liddle all had two hits. Jonathan Goncalves had a double and two RBI. BELOIT 5, WISCONSIN 6 Box score The comeback fell one run short in the ninth. Jason Wheeler didn't have his typical stuff - or at least get typical results. He only struck out three and gave up 10 hits in six innings. The bullpen duo of Steven Gruver and DJ Baxendale went three scoreless innings. Drew Leachman had three hits, including a double. Nate Roberts and Eddie Rosario each had two hits. Miguel Sano added a double. Jairo Rodriguez left the game, so backup catcher/in-game DH Matt Koch had to go behind the plate, making the pitcher's spot come up in the lineup. This, also known as "Gardy's Worst Nightmare", forced the team to use it's bench completely. ELIZABETHTON 7, BLUEFIELD 3 ELIZABETHTON 4, BLUEFIELD 6 Game 1 Game 2 The E-Twins split today, here's the most important things that happened in today's 14 innings: Byron Buxton's lone hit of the two games was a double. His average is down to .219. Max Kepler was pinch-hit for in Game 1, but came back with two hits (one double) in Game 2. Adam Walker hit another home run. Travis Harrison had a triple. Hudson Boyd pitched four solid innings, striking out three. Angel Mata got roughed-up, two hits and four walks in three innings. GCL TWINS 2, GCL RAYS 3 (10 innings) Box score Aussie Logan Wade's 2-run home run in the 8th gave the GCL Twins the lead. He also added a double. The bullpen blew it in extras. Dereck Rodriguez also doubled. Andre Martinez and Sam Gibbons both went four innings. Both struck out three and had WHIPs of 1. Melciades DeLaCruz gave up the tying run in the ninth and the winning run in the 10th. --- Players of the Day for Thursday, August 16, 2012 Pitcher of the Day – Pedro Hernandez [ATTACH=CONFIG]2043[/ATTACH] bleacherreport Hitters of the Day – Lance Ray [ATTACH=CONFIG]2044[/ATTACH] milb.com --- A Look Ahead – Friday, August 17, 2012 Schedule Rochester vs Indianapolis – RHP Liam Hendriks (9-2, 1.99) New Britain at Portland – TBA Fort Myers at Palm Beach – TBA Beloit vs Wisconsin – RHP Tyler Jones (3-4, 5.25) Elizabethton vs Kingsport – TBA GCL Twins at GCL Red Sox – TBA --- If you have any questions on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and we’ll try to answer them! Comments also welcome.

I doubt the 40-man room comes from someone on the 25-man roster. It would either be a move to the 60-day DL for Capps (likely) or a DFA from someone in the minors.

The Twins are on the hook for $3m less the prorated vets minimum that the Padres will pay Marquis ($480K/183 * 150 = $341,000). The Twins will pay the remaining $2,659,000. I messed up the math a little bit. (Probably due to Marquis's time in the minors.) Marquis was property of the Twins for 50 days of the season, so the formula should read $480,000/183 = $2,622 per day times 133 days that he'll be with the Padres = $348,900. $3,000,000 minus $348,900 = $2,651,100. I'll adjust all of that on the next update.

All of those options are included in the table. For the options outside of three years, they are listed in the "other obligations" portion.

The Twins are on the hook for $3m less the prorated vets minimum that the Padres will pay Marquis ($480K/183 * 150 = $341,000). The Twins will pay the remaining $2,659,000.

The salaries listed are all pro-rated. So, in the cases of Valencia and Frankie, their salary is only the portion the Twins paid. Is that what you were wondering? Not sure what the deal is with Albers... he missed two months, came back and pitched one game over a week ago, now is back on the DL. Officially, I moved him cause my numbers didn't add up, and noticed his status, not because of a transaction I saw.

Another update: Swarzak activated (no salary change). Perdomo and Manship down (both pro-rated reduction of league minimum, $133,800). Team salary reduced by $267,600 to $97,609,300. (That number will increase when the Twins make another move.) Also, to make room for players sent down, the David Bromberg was moved to AA.

Instead of having anything to do with 1500, they should just hire a bunch of us knuckleheads... I'll take an hour slot. Shouldn't be hard to divy up... Of course, there might be a fight for who gets Gleeman and the Geek.

The Twins and Wings flopped Dozier for Pedro Florimon. The Twins payroll doesn't change. The pro-rated amount for the remainder of the year ($136,400) will now go to Florimon instead of Dozier. Dozier was sent down on his first optional assignment. The interesting thing is that the Red Wings have exactly 20 days left in their season and that for an option to count, it has to be for AT LEAST 20 days. So, in my estimation, if Dozier finishes the regular season in AAA and is called up before the Twins game on 9/4, the option won't actually count. Florimon was added to the 40-man roster. He has an option remaining.