DAM DC Twins Fans

Great job as usual Seth--I read the minor league report first thing on TD every day. Cedar Rapids game report said Brett's complete game was first of season for Kernels, since you follow the Twins farm system more than anybody else, do you know how many complete games the Twins minor leaguers have pitched in 2013???

I would go further--I would trade anybody. Our prospects (Sano, Buxton, etc.) tend to be focused on our strong areas--OF and 1B. I would only trade one of Hicks, Arcia, and Parmalee for a good SS, 2B or SP. Mauer with his contract will not bring much--so the odds of trading him are small...but if I could get a good SS or SP I would trade him. The problem is none of our other guys will bring much back...

Brett Lee Update 13 Like my other adopt-a-prospect (Stephen Gonsalves) Brett continued his bid to move up on all of Seth's lists...He threw a complete game. Not only, was it his first complete game of the year, it was the first complete game of 2013 thrown by a Cedar Rapids pitcher. Brett was the beneficiary of the vaunted Kernels offense (basically Adam Walker) that produced a 3 run first inning and coasted to a 7-1 complete game win. He gave up 5 hits in his 9 innings that produced one run. He struck out 3 and walked a batter. He got 15 guys out on grounders (including 2 DPs) and 6 on flies. All in all, a very impressive showing. If he can do this consistently, maybe 2014 will see him in New Britain and give me a chance to see him pitch live at Bowie or Harrisburg... Brett's second half stats--4 starts totaling 27.2 IP which is an average of 7IP per start; In those 4 starts he has given up 19 hits, 8 runs (5 earned), struck out 20 and walked only 3. His outstanding ratios--20K/3BB almost 7-1; 42 ground outs to 15 flyouts almost 3-1. Assuming my math is correct--his WHIP is 0.795. For the year Brett is 6-4 with an ERA of 3.54. He has thrown 86.1 innings which is double what he threw for E-Town in 2012--I wonder if the Twins Minor League pitching gurus will be keeping an eye on that stat.

One more way: Wait for someone (Scoscia??) to be fired....

Steven Gonsalves Update #2: Steven made his second GCL Twins appearance today. It was a near perfect 3 innings. (4-6). He definitely impressed and showed his upside. He got the win--stats for the day--3IP 0 runs, 0H, 1BB, 3Ks, 3 ground outs, 2 flyball outs. A few more appearances like this and he will move up on all of Seth's lists. Steven's 2013 stats (2 appearances, 1 start). 5IP, 0 runs, 2hits, 6Ks to 3BB, 6 ground outs to 2 fly outs. Obviously his K/BB ratio is 2-1. His ground to fly ratio is 3-1. His WHIP is 1. very small sample size. Officially he is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA.

On the whole I agree--none of these guys (Morneau, Doumit, Pelfry, Correia, etc.) will give us a good MI or SP or even a top prospect. The exception is Perkins--since he is a lefty and could be brought into specific situations in 8th or 9th innings. Parmalee could also bring decent return, but I wouldn't trade him until I was sure about Sano.

I won't touch the love-child thing...Levi was a low (30) first round pick. He was 20 years old when he was drafted out of UNC...I am sure somebody in the Twins org. thought he had Pedroia potential even though it is not apparent now...that is the thing with drafting kids...it is not a science. My adopt a prospect Stephen Gonsalves turns 19 tomorrow (7/8). Most experts I read project him to be a mid-rotation southpaw--think Diamond. Obviously someone in Twins org thought he could be better...who is right...wait 2 or 3 years.

I liked the video as a change of pace--but I do prefer the text to go back and review and the link to the box scores of each game...you didn't mention that Gonsalves made his debut in the suspended GCL game. JC thanks for the links to the video and Seth's first pitch--the original video didn't work.

Brett Lee update 12 Brett celebrated being on Seth's Minor League pitcher of the month list by having a mediocre game...he did receive the benefit of the vaunted Kernels offense and left with a lead. The Kernels pen had a bad night and the Kernels lost--so Brett did not get a decision. Brett went 5 and 2/3 innings giving up 5 hits (one double and 4 singles) while allowing 3 runs (only 2 earned). He kept up his outstanding K/BB ratio by striking out 5 while walking only 1. He did throw a WP. He had 6 ground outs to 4 fly ball outs--below par for him...his record for the season is 5-4 with an ERA of 3.84. Brett's second half stats--3 starts 18.2 IP; 14 hits allowed. His outstanding K/BB ratio is 17-2. He has 27 groundouts to 10 flyouts--still after a mediocre performance a very good close to 3.0 ratio. His second half WHIP is 0.857 (assuming my math is correct).

Steven Gonsalves update #1 Steven made his professional debut tonight in rainy Florida...it looks like all GCL games were hit by rain. The GCL Twins game vs the GCL BoSox was called after 3 innings with the score 0-0. It will be picked up tomorrow. Stephen pitched 2 innings. He faced 10 batters. He walked 2. He gave up 2 hits. He didn't allow a run. He had 3 groundouts and 3Ks. So his K/BB ratio is 1.5. His groundout to fly ball ratio is infinite (very small sample size). All in all not a bad debut...his record for 2013 is 0-0 with an 0.00 ERA.

You beat me to the punch--as it turned out both of my "adopted prospects" pitched today...you are right...he could develop into a 95 MPH fastball pitcher...or the Twins way...run into arm difficulties and become mediocre...for how he did see below...

I finally made it to Target Field last weekend...not living in Twin Cities. I counted up--I have now been to 23 stadiums (stadia). Given my age and the fact I have been going to MLB games for over 50 years...many of the ones I have gone to are gone. My top 10: Ebbets Field (cause it was the first and the BROOKLYN Dodgers were then my team). Citizen's Bank (IMHO the best of the new stadiums) Kaufman (I love the fountains and the whole atmosphere) Shea (maybe cause I could walk there from my home and see a double header almost any Sunday in the early 70s) HHH MetroDome (maybe cause I saw a walkoff Twins win in the 13th inning--I know all the issues with the Dome--but I miss it). Memorial Stadium in Balmer (another stadium I really miss--along with the Earl watching Tippy Martinez and Stanhouse nervously get thru the late innings) Old Yankee Stadium for the history Fenway for the history Camden Yards--would be higher but too easy to hit HRs Target Field--slight edge over Nats Stadium The bottom 3 are easy--Connie Mack--by the time I got there in the late 60s, it was a dump. Comiskey (now US Cellular) just ugly; Polo Grounds--absolutely weird dimensions. Also true for RFK Stadium here in DC.

In my quest to find a quality southpaw for the Twins I am adopting Gonsalves to go along with Brett Lee as my "adopt-a-prospects". As most of you know, Stephen was the Twins 4th round pick (110 overall). He slipped in the draft--from a late first or early second round pick because of a minor marijuana incident and questions about his upside. Stephen is just a kid--he turns 19 on Monday (7/8). He is a big dude--6'5" but very skinny--just 185 pounds. He is from southern California and went to San Diego Central Catholic HS where he was a dominant pitcher his junior year (10-0 with an ERA of 1.91). He had 79Ks in 66IP. His senior year was less dominant due to a suspension (marijuana incident). Still 6 wins with a 2.19 ERA and 55Ks in 48IP. I take HS stats with very few grains...level of competition, etc. Stephen is now with the GCL Twins but has not made an appearance (at least I cant find one). I will post updates whenever he pitches... Now for the questions about his upside...Stephen has a build like Randy Johnson but doesn't yet have Randy's fastball...depending on which reports you read--his fastball tops out at 89MPH or 92MPH. Good enough to get HS kids out...but not much else. He has mediocre curve and change and is working on a slider... Most reports I read project Stephen as a bottom of the rotation starter...like Diamond??? All of this is meaningless now. It is up to Stephen and the Twins pitching gurus to get him to improve his stuff (and control) and probably add 20-30 pounds in the next year or two. IMHO the key year in Stephen's development is probably next season (2014) at Cedar Rapids?? Meanwhile, he will get some chances hopefully in July and August in Florida.

Seth: Are this year's draft picks available for adopt-a-prospect??? If so, I would like to stick with southpaws and adopt the kid (Gonsalves) as my second prospect...sooner or later I will adopt a southpaw who makes the Twins...

Brett Lee is my "adopt a prospect"--I knew his last 3 starts were probably his 3 best of the year--and probably off of that will stay in the rotation for a while--he only got 1 win in those starts--wrong end of one pitchers duel--Kernels needing a walk-off wild pitch in the most recent...yes his start before that was atrocious...but still surprised he made the list...but happy...I agree with Boone that May belongs in the list too...but when I look at the numbers even with the atrocious start...Brett has pretty much the same WHIP and K/9 ratio as May... Seth do you think Brett's future is in the pen--the Duensing role?? Sorry for delay...still traveling...

Brett Lee Update #11 Sorry for the delay--I am traveling--I didn't have web access for 3 days--cause I refuse to pay $12 a day... Brett started Saturday and pitched arguably his best game of the year. With Atholton starting Sunday there is a chance Brett could go to the pen for the rest of the season. Brett went 8 innings--I believe his longest stint yet. The vaunted Kernels offense didn't show so Brett didn't get the win even though he didn't give up an earned run. (He did give up an unearned run). The vaunted Kernels offense (less vaunted now of course without Buxton) did show up eventually and the Kernels won in 10 on a walk-off WP of all things. Brett continued to build up his good ratios--4 hits in 8 innings--NO WALKS--9 Ks. 13 ground outs to only 4 fly outs. An OUTSTANDING performance. For the year Brett is 5-4 with an ERA of 3.89. Again take out the start where he was left in too long and a couple of other things and his ERA would be about 3.33 (you could say that about all pitchers). Brett's second half stats--12Ks to 1BB; 21grounders to 6 flyouts. His second half WHIP is 0.77--outstanding--assuming my math is good.

Let me join others here congratulating you on your fine season and multiple promotions...I am sure life has been hectic when promotions come...but each step brings you closer to Target Field...

Brett Lee Update Number 10 Two things surprised me about tonight's box score for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. First Buxton led off--I am shocked he is not playing in Ft. Myers--he has nothing to prove in Cedar Rapids. Second, Brett got the start, I was sure he would be in the pen for the second half. Brett got a win in his first appearance in his third half season in the Twins org. (2012 second half at ETown, 2013 first half in Cedar Rapids). Brett ended the first half with a bang, but prior to that had been in a downward trend. Tonight's start was OK not great. He got the benefit of Buxton and the vaunted Kernels offense by having 3 runs on the board before he threw a pitch...he needed those runs. The good news is Brett continued his good K/BB ratio--3 strikeouts and one walk; and his good groundball/fly ratio (8-2). But not a great start--5IP, 5hits, 3 runs (2 earned). He threw 68 pitches in 5 innings which isn't bad. His WHIP for the game is 1.2--pretty good. I will be traveling for a couple of weeks, not sure about web access, I will update when I can for all starts. If Brett as expected heads for the pen, I will try to update once a week. I am keeping split half stats--so I can have comparison for the three halves. For the year, Brett is 5-4 with an ERA of 4.38.

I think you overvalue the Twins players...I doubt we could get these level prospects for Morneau, Doumit, Plouffe, Willingham, etc. It reminds me of the Capps/Ramos deal--most GMs are smarter than Billy Smith and would want more than one of the 4 Twins for a top 200 prospect...

The Twins may (should??) be sellers this year...the problem is the Twins have nothing to sell that will bring anything in return...had a discussion with my son (a Nats fan) yesterday...we agreed that maybe 5 Twins would make the Nats roster...one (Mauer) would start...other 4 (Parmalee, Hicks, Arcia--Nats could use 2) and maybe a bullpen guy (Perkins). The Nats would give up nothing to get any one of those guys...and the Twins are not trading Mauer. Morneau (injury prone basically average 1B) gets $14 million and is a free agent--no team will give up a top prospect or MLB IF or SP for him. Willingham and Doumit--the same on lesser contracts. Our pitchers are worthless...our best trade values (besides Sano and Buxton) are guys like Hicks and Arcia and Parmalee...we shouldn't be trading them.

Does anyone know how to edit a post--I tried and it wouldn't save... First edit--I would love to hear from Dean or anybody else who was at game and what their impressions were... Second edit--I did compare final first half numbers with Brett's numbers from E-Town last year and they are down a bit which I guess shows that if you are not Buxton or Sano it is tougher each level...also Brett pitched more from the pen last year and only made 4 starts out of 16 appearances...he increased his IP by a third which probably helped put the numbers down and shows me his Twins future is as a southpaw reliever...

The Cedar Rapids Kernels went into tonight's game knowing a win would get them closer to a first half pennant. Brett Lee got the start. He did his job. He saved the best for last--by pitching possibly his best game in his last first half start. I am hoping he moves to the pen for the second half because I believe that is where his future lies. He probably does not agree. We will see what Jake Mauer and the Twins brass think in the second half. Back to the game--I said it was his best (possibly) start in a very big game. The vaunted Kernels offense vanished...Brett was on the wrong end of a 1-0 pitchers duel. He made one mistake--gave up a HR to Patrick Wisdom...he scattered 7 singles in 7 innings. Kept up his good K/BB ratio by striking out 5 while walking 2. He didn't hit a batter--he went thru a stretch where he did that too frequently--he did throw a WP. He also built up his good groundball to flyball ratio (12-2) what you want in a southpaw RP. He chalked up another quality start. All of this was not enough for the Kernels who tied it up after Brett left the game--and then the pen got hammered in the 10th inning so the Kernels lost. Final first half Brett Lee stats: 4-4 with an ERA of 4.44. By my count he has 5 quality starts (out of 10--he also appeared in relief twice during the inclement weather start of the half). He has struck out 44 while walking 18. (a ratio of 2.44) He has given up 68 hits in 58.2 IP producing a WHIP of 1.47. Looking forward to the second half.

I hope you made it to the game--it looks like Brett had one of his best starts of the season. Too bad the Kernels lost. My update follows.

Outstanding post--I could not have said it any better...hopefully some team picks him up and gives Slama the real shot the Twins never gave him.

I only have time to visit once a day (exceptions made on the day my adopt-a-prospect Brett Lee pitches)--but I love this site--spend lots of time here--even though 1200 miles from Target Field--this site makes me feel I am there with all the Twins news I can ever want. So congrats on the million mark--may 10 million come soon...