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Jeremy Nygaard

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Blog Entries posted by Jeremy Nygaard

  13. Jeremy Nygaard
    The Twins just got back over .500 (again) while a top prospect is starting to heat up.
     
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    There was a lot going on in the minor leagues today. You can read about it and catch up (or comment) here.
     
    After taking in three Kernels games in Cedar Rapids, Seth is driving back to reality tonight. So I'm pinch-writing.
     
    Like any back-of-the-rotation starter, you'll have to put up with me once (and sometimes twice) a week. I'm on Twitter, if you're into that sort of thing. But my baby is tracking the Major League payroll and all of the organizational rosters. I call it the R&P (Roster & Payroll) page and update it frequently to answer all of your burning questions. I'm also pretty heavy into the MLB Draft. Sometime soon here I plan to start bugging Seth into letting me do a Draft Chat, what do you think about that idea?
     
    But enough about me, let's take a spin around the farm:
     
    Ft. Myers Miracle 10, Bradenton Marauders 6
    Box Score
     
    The bats were alive in Fort Myers and the Miracle will look to complete a four-game sweep tomorrow afternoon.
     
    Though Miguel Sano didn’t hit a home run, he did go 3-for-4 with a double and a walk. He scored three runs and the report was that he looked great at 3B. Eddie Rosario, who got off to a cold start, had two hits tonight including his first home run. He also scored two runs.
     
    The Michael Gonzales-Kennys Vargas-Lance Ray part of the order drove in six runs on five hits. Gonzales homered, the other two doubled.
     
    Matthew Summers got the start and went four innings. He allowed four runs (three earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out three.
     
    Making a relief appearance was Adrian Salcedo. Salcedo has been regarded as a highly-ranked starting pitcher, but has missed significant time with various injuries. Tonight, he allowed two runs on three hits in two innings. All of his outs were recorded on the ground. He still is someone to watch as far as “prospect status” goes and his role this year bears watching.
     
    Ryan O’Rourke picked up his second win of the year. He struck out two in two innings.
     
    Closing it out (in a non-save situation) was Zack Jones, who struck out one in a perfect ninth.
     
    Rochester Red Wings 2, Buffalo Bisons 9
    Box Score
     
    A chilly Home Opener in Rochester saw the Red Wings drop their third straight game and second straight home opener to Buffalo.
     
    Shairon Martis threw only 29 of 69 pitches for strikes and only lasted three innings. His four walks and four hits allowed amounted to two earned runs. He struck out one.
     
    The bullpen – starting with Bruce Pugh – didn’t provide much help. Pugh allowed three hits and two earned runs while only recording one out. Caleb Thielbar got the Red Wings through the sixth. He struck out four, but also allowed two more earned runs. Luis Perdomo allowed four hits, four walks and – you guessed it – two more runs in 1 1/3 innings. Daniel Turpen got the final five outs, but also allowed a run on two hits and two walks. He struck out two.
     
    Offensively, the story of the game was walks. Rochester play-by-play announcer Josh Whetzel tweeted after the game that in the MLB since 1916 only 14 teams have lost a nine inning game while coaxing 11 walks, like Rochester did today, and scoring two or less runs. As you can probably guess, the Red Wings did poorly with runners in scoring position (1-for-10).
     
    Chris Colabello was the only player with a multi-hit game (two singles). Oswaldo Arcia went hitless and Eric Farris, making his Red Wings debut, went 0-for-4 after pinch-hitting for Ray Olmedo in the 4th inning.
     
    Sunday’s original starter, Pedro Hernandez, was promoted and will start for the Twins. Virgil Vasquez, who was originally slated to pitch Monday, will pitch tomorrow. Buffalo will send Tyson Brummett to the mound.
     
    New Britain Rock Cats 5, Richmond Flying Squirrels 7
    Box Score
     
    The Rock Cats got all of their offense from two players – Daniel Ortiz and Harold Garcia.
     
    Ortiz went 3-for-4 with two doubles, three RBI and a run. Harold Garcia had two hits, including a two-run home run.
     
    Pat Dean got the start and lasted four innings. He allowed seven hits, two walks and five runs (four earned). He struck out two.
     
    Relieving Dean was TwinsDaily’s Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year last year: A.J. Achter. Achter struck out two and walked two in two innings.
     
    Marty Popham took the loss for allowing two runs in the seventh.
     
    Nelvin Fuentes hit a batter, but otherwise went unscathed in the eighth.
     
    Tomorrow the Rock Cats will look to even the four-game series with Richmond. They will be doing so with Alex Meyer making his Twins minor league debut. This is definitely a game Twins prospect-watchers will have their eye on.
     
    Cedar Rapids Kernels 1, Beloit Snappers 2
    Box Score
     
    After two exciting wins, the Kernels struggled to get going and failed to match their dramatic victory of last night.
     
    Super-prospect Byron Buxton went 1-for-3 with a walk and a strikeout. He’s now batting .455.
     
    Jorge Polanco drove in the lone run with an RBI double in the 8th innings. Candido Pimental and Niko Goodrum added singles. Pimentel and J.D. Williams each stole a base.
     
    2012 2nd round pick, Mason Melotakis, has started his conversion from relief pitcher to starting pitcher. He worked into the fifth, recording one out, while giving up only two runs on five hits and two walks. He struck out two. Melotakis was throwing in the low-to-mid-90s while working quickly, according to Seth. Worth noting, Melotakis recored 10 groundball outs, compared to only 1 flyball out.
     
    The Kernels got a great showing from their bullpen, ironically enough, from two former Snappers starters – Matt Tomshaw and Manuel Soliman.
     
    Tomshaw came in to relieve Melotakis after Melotakis issued a walk to start the 5th innings. He did allow two hits and two walks, but he struck out four in 2.2 scoreless innings.
     
    Soliman made his second appearance of the year and allowed three hits, but no runs, while recording six outs.
     
    Another college reliever, Tyler Duffey, will make his pro debut as a starter tomorrow as the Kernels look to clinch the series win.
  14. Jeremy Nygaard
    As we sit around three months from draft day there have been many risers and fallers around the draft world. Some larger than others. Obviously, there is still a lot of time for things to happen, but this is how I would stack the Twins Draft Board if it were up to me.
     
    The first installment of my draft board featured a top 4 as well as some other names to watch. The following list has stayed the same at the very top, but has seen many changes around it. It's also expanded to a top 8.
     
    http://cache.comcorpusa.com/640/0/crop/nbc33tv/media/sports/mlb_draft.jpg
    (photo from WVLA NBC33 | Baton Rouge News, Weather and Sports | Baton Rouge News)
     
    As I mentioned last month: In the last 20 years, the Twins have had 24 1st round draft picks (not counting supplemental picks). Of those 24 picks, 11 have been prep position players and eight have been college pitchers. The other two groups: college position players (4) and prep pitchers (1) have been much less represented.
     
    The Twins first pick (fourth overall) will come with an approximate $4.5m price tag.
     
    JEREMY’S SMALL BOARD
    (Keep in mind, please, that this is not a “mock draft”. This is not a reflection of my top players. This is my attempt at stacking a “Twins Draft Board”, based on a number of things.)
     
    1) Mark Appel, RHP, Stanford
     
    WHY HE STILL MAKES SENSE: Appel has been nothing short of dominant so far this season.
    WHY THE TWINS COULD PASS: Scott Boras. Because of Appel's inclusion in the draft pool, it's going to be hard for anyone to project. He's a wild card.
    MY TWO CENTS: Appel has been good enough that, as the #1 guy on my board, I take him and cut money from Rounds 2-10 to give him as much as possible. The stickier part of this situation is that, as a college senior, the signing deadline wouldn't apply. So unless you give up on him before the deadline, you can't rely on "fallback options", that you took in the later rounds.
    PRICE TAG: We know it's going to be high. That's a given.
     
     
    2) Sean Manaea, LHP, Indiana State
     
    WHY HE STILL MAKES SENSE: Though he hasn't been as "lights-out" as he was this summer, he's still been good and projects to be a top-of-the-rotation type pitcher. And he's a lefty. The Twins would do good to add him, even though he'll need more minor league time to develop than Appel would.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD PASS: I think Manaea - even more so than Appel - has solidfied his spot in the top 5. If I had to bet, I'd say the Twins won't get the chance to draft (or pass on) Manaea.
    MY TWO CENTS: I'm hoping to make it to Friday night's game at the Metrodome to see Manaea in person. I would guess my suspicions will be verified.
    PRICE TAG: Manaea would be smart to take slot money and get signed as quickly as possible.
     
     
    3) Clint Frazier, OF, Georgia HS
     
    WHY HE'S ON THE BOARD: Frazier is the top-rated high school player in the nation. And then he goes and hits two home runs in the Frazier/Meadows showdown yesterday. He's going to be a top 5 pick. The Twins love prep outfielders.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD PASS: The Twins should pass because they need to pass. Baseball is about pitching, and even though Frazier has a cannon, he's not standing on a mound when he's showing it off.
    MY TWO CENTS: Frazier has some experience in the infield. As a prospect, though, he didn't take off until he moved to the outfield. If I was convinced Frazier can become a star, I'm using his versatility as my crutch. Would you feel differently if instead of drafting a prep OF, the Twins took a prep 3B? I'm not sure how the transition would go, but the Twins have tried to make the OF to INF switch with Rosario. It would be a very expensive gamble.
    PRICE TAG: Like Buxton, Frazier will probably sign for near-slot.
     
     
    4) Jonathan Gray, RHP, Oklahoma
     
    WHY HE'S ON THE BOARD: If you're a low-to-mid-90s guy, you're a prospect, as Gray was coming into the season. When you're a mid-to-high-90s guy, you're an very good prospect. When you touch 100 and have the feel to spin a ball, you're an elite part of the draft.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD PASS: Are you buying the hype? Gray is full of helium. His arm is fresh now but what happens as the season progresses? Is he still throwing 100? Is he more susceptible to injury? So far reports check out. But for as quickly as he's risen, he's got three months to stay on top.
    MY TWO CENTS: Twins fans, this is the guy to keep an eye on. He has really taken off. Viewed as a potential first-rounder before the season, he has climbed up draft boards with every start. If Manaea doesn't improve and Appel's demands remain a question mark, Gray may not stop climbing until he's #1.
    PRICE TAG: As another junior pitcher, he probably won't have any unreasonable demands (hopefully).
     
     
    5) Ryne Stanek, RHP, Arkansas
     
    WHY HE'S DROPPED: Despite coming into the season being mentioned in the same sentence as Manaea and Appel, Stanek has had a disappointing first month of the season. He isn't lasting late into games and he isn't missing many bats.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD STILL CONSIDER HIM: Stanek still has the conference schedule to impress the scouts; if he can get it done against the best conference in baseball, his stock will rise.
    MY TWO CENTS: At the very least, Stanek is one of four (or more) college pitchers that are viable options for the Twins at #4.
    PRICE TAG: You have to worry a little bit about guys that come into the season hyped as a potential #1 pick and begin to drop.
     
     
    6) Dominic Smith, 1B/OF, California HS
     
    WHY HE'S DROPPED: Smith was in the news for the wrong reasons earlier this month. Long story short: Smith was ejected from a game and subsequently suspended for the following game. In an effort to not hurt his draft stock, scouts were told that he wasn't at the game because he was sick. Well, the truth came out and now Smith and his school look bad.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD STILL CONSIDER HIM: Despite what could be considered a make-up/character issue, Smith is still a premium prospect and offers standout defense (albeit at first base) to a team that emphasizes defense.
    MY TWO CENTS: Someone to keep on the radar, but probably not someone that will make the top 4 at any point.
    PRICE TAG: It should be mentioned that the Astros banked a lot of their pool by taking a prep player and paying him less than slot.
     
     
    7) Bobby Wahl, RHP, Mississippi
    WHY HE'S ON THE BOARD: Wahl is appearing on the list as a pitcher that doesn't have a tremendous ceiling, but is already nearly a finished product. He offers a low-to-mid-90s fastball and a low-80s slider that misses bats. His changeup is also coming around. By the time June rolls around Wahl may possess three pitches that are currently in the 55-60 range. Not likely to be an ace, he could still be a very serviceable #3. And soon.
    WHY THE TWINS SHOULD PASS: When you're drafting at #4, you should be shooting for the stars. Not taking a guy because he's close to his ceiling.
    MY TWO CENTS: The Twins could do "safe". Wahl would be safe. If Wahl continues to impress and moves up the board, I'd be okay with safe. If he's a borderline top-10 prospect... I'd rather take a shot on someone with more upside.
    PRICE TAG: I would guess Wahl will sign for slot (or if drafted higher, cut a deal) and sign quickly.
     
     
    8) Austin Meadows, OF, Georgia HS
     
    WHY HE'S #8: I won't rule out anything at this point and Meadows is highly-regarded. I'm interested to see what Meadows does after Frazier so obviously stole the show yesterday. Your move, Austin.
     
    Others to watch:
    Chris Anderson, Jacksonville, has probably taken a bigger leap than any other college pitcher. Once viewed as a 3rd-5th round pick, he's moved up in the first round conversation. He's still moving up. I don't see him entering the top 10, much less the top 5, but he's got time on his side. Scouts love him and as a Minnesota prep, so do the locals. (Some have suggested taking him #4 and paying him like a late 1st rounder. That isn't necessarily my style, but I can assure you that the Twins brass will leave no stone unturned.)
     
    Jonathan Crawford, Florida, is throwing it in the high-90s, but he's lacking success. Like Stanek, he'll have plenty of time to build his status back up. It's not helping that Florida can't catch a break.
     
    I'll leave Minnesota LHP Tom Windle and prep OF Ryan Boldt grouped together again. I would guess the Twins would love for Windle to fall to the 2nd round, but I don't see it happening. Boldt has probably solidified himself as a mid-1st rounder strictly on his play last summer.
     
    Though the Twins rarely go to the "college position players well", there are two 3B that should be mentioned: Kris Bryant, San Diego and Colin Moran, North Carolina. I prefer Bryant's right-handed power (even though he will probably end up in the OF or at 1B), but I don't see the Twins going this route.
     
    As long as I'm mentioning avenues that aren't taken, I'll name a prep pitcher who enamors me: Jordan Sheffield, RHP, Tennessee HS. Sheffield is a hard-thrower, but also very intelligent. There is a strong belief already that he'll be a tough sign, so if the Twins do something to save money early, maybe Sheffield - a first-round talent - could be one of those options later.
     
    Feel free to discuss.
  23. Jeremy Nygaard
    News of the Twins Prospect Handbook will probably start popping up soon. So to help with that appetite, you will find a couple profiles that won't make the final cut... because the players got cut.
     
    Wang-Wei Lin – OF – (6/28/88)
    Acquired: Signed as F/A in Oct 2006 from Taiwan
    2012 Team(s): Beloit Snappers
    2012 Stats: .232/.343/.334, 14-2B, 5-3B, 4 HR, 30 RBI
     
    Lin has spent the previous three seasons in Beloit and regardless of what happens, we know he won’t be heading there again. Lin spent three injury-plagued seasons in the GCL before being promoted to Beloit in 2010. He had shown improvement throughout his first two years and a quick look at his 2012 numbers would suggest he really struggled (though his BABIP dropped nearly 60 points from 2011 to 2012 while his batting average only dropped 45 points). Maybe he was just really unlucky. Unfortunately, as an organizational-type player who hasn’t been able to climb the ladder, you have to show something to stick around.
     
    Defensively, Lin can play all three outfield positions and be average. He’s a good athlete who knows how to work a count and take good at-bats.
     
    At nearly 25, Lin will head to spring training knowing that his time with the organization could be limited. Fort Myers or bust.
     
    Joshua Hendricks – 1B – (11/9/91)
    Acquired: Signed as F/A in Jan. 2009 from Australia
    2012 Team(s): Elizabethton Twins
    2012 Stats: .222/.292/.333, 9-2B, 0-3B, 1 HR, 13 RBI
     
    Hendricks was signed by Australian scout Howard Norsetter in January 2009, but didn’t make his professional debut until the summer of 2010. He began that season with the GCL affiliate as a catcher. He finished that season with a batting average of .091 (4-44). He struck out 17 times and didn’t draw a single walk. At 6-3, 220, Hendricks was moved to first base following the 2010 season. In 2011, Hendricks got 160 at-bats in 47 games and batted .275 and cut his K-rate to 18%. He didn’t take a lot of walks, though, or hit for power which resulted in an OPS of .666.
     
    There was hope that Hendricks might be able to play his way up to Beloit in 2012. Instead, Hendricks returned to Elizabethton where he was passed up by many of the 2012 draft picks. He only played in 29 games, appearing 21 times at first base and batted only .222 while seeing his K-rate increase to 32%.
     
    Hendricks headed back home to play winter ball - and is struggling - though he is having his best winter of the three he’s spent there.
     
    Hendricks hasn’t demonstrated the power that is necessary if he is going to stick at first base. He hasn’t demonstrated the hit-tool enough to stick in professional baseball. The Twins are always patient with their Australian prospects, but you can only wait so long for guys to develop. Hendricks will have to make the Cedar Rapids roster to remain in the organization.
  24. Jeremy Nygaard
    Though there may be moves yet to happen, you can view the updated Spring Training Roster here.
     
    Some comparisons between last year's spring training roster and this year's:
     
    Pitchers - Last year the Twins brought in 33 pitchers, this year the number is currently at 34.
     
    Catchers - A year ago there were eight catchers officially invited and one added in the weeks leading up to spring training. This year the Twins have five on their 40-man and have invited four more.
     
    Omissions - All hitters that remain in the Twins system from 2012 who finished the year at New Britain or Rochester were invited... with the exception of two players: OF Evan Bigley, INF Nate Hanson. The exclusion of Bigley comes as somewhat of a surprise, given how much Tom Kelly raved about him last year.
     
    Numbers-crunch - To my knowledge, the Twins flat-out cut six players either during or at the conclusion of camp who were invited to big-league camp. (That doesn't include Terry Doyle who was sent back to the White Sox.)
     
    There are 91 players either on the 40-man, list of non-roster invites orremaining players (mostly pitchers) who completed last year at AA or AAA.
     
    With the numbers of catchers, it's possible that one could possibly start the year at Fort Myers, but we won't count on it. At the MLB, AAA and AA levels, there are 75 spots on the active roster. That leaves 16 players without active spots without considering ANY promotions from the year-end Fort Myers roster.
     
    While every year is different, looking solely at what happened last year, that doesn't bode well for those pitchers that pitched at AAA or AA last year that weren't invited to big-league camp. (If you're wondering who those guys might be clink the link at the top of the page to view the rosters of those teams.)
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