DAM DC Twins Fans

Thanks Nick for the numbers--I have been noticing the creeping up in his avg. since the beginning of May but didnt have the numbers. I was in the camp that said send him to Rochester for a month or two. Now I dont think so. Let him learn up here. If he gets the avg. up to 240 by the end of the year great. If not, OK. He can play CF well and save runs. As Bert says--let him have fun. Buxton is tearing up the Midwest League and will be up here in 2015--give Hicks 2 years to keep the job.

Add the Orioles to that list...I agree with the kids (Sano, Buxton, etc.) on the way, not spending money on risky free agent pitchers (Jackson, etc.) is the right strategy for 2013.

Brett Lee Update #3 Brett made his second consecutive quality start tonight. I call his last start a quality start because he shouldn't have come out in the 7th. Like last start, Brett had minimal offensive support--a HR by DJ Hicks in the 5th was the only run the Kernels scored while Brett was on the mound. Like his last start, Brett picked up the loss--he is 2-2 with an ERA of 2.92. Brett's numbers on the night--6IP, 4 hits, 3 Runs (2 earned) 3Ks and 2BB. Not the dominant number of K's I was hoping for so Seth would have to include him on his prospect list. But decent numbers. For the year, Brett is 2-2 with the ERA of 2.92 I stated above. He has allowed 27 hits including 2 HRs, 11 runs (only 8 earned) in 24.2 IP. (take away the 2 H and 2 runs allowed in 0 IP last game when he should have been pulled--the numbers are pretty DAM good 25 hits in 24.2 IP (only 1 HR) and only 6 earned runs. 13Ks to 6 BB--in all honesty that ratio has gone down in his last 3 starts--since I adapted him for what that is worth. Still a healthy ratio. His WHIP (if my math is correct) is 1.28 not counting the extra inning he shouldn't have pitched. Additional research on Brett--he didnt pitch in the GCL Twins rookie team in 2011--most of his Kernel mates did--cause he signed late. He did pitch at a Junior College in 2010--Bishop State (in Alabama)--only stat I could find was almost meaningless--a 7-6 record no ERA given. Weird that he switched JCs after his freshman year. His overall JC record is 11-14. Dont know anything about Bishop State. Do know his sophomore team was 18-31 so you would expect a record like the 4-8 he had. Numbers that do not lead to prospect star status. Bottom line--if he gets his K/BB ratio back up--Brett is still a Twins bullpen prospect (as a lefty) for 2016 or so.

I just watched the replay of the JA Happ play in Toronto last night--I think we need to take it down a notch--good thing Happ appears to be OK... Having read the comments I think the emphasis is wrong. Hicks is obviously trying to be a MLB player and struggling--there is only one answer--he needs to spend a couple of months in Rochester and get his head together and get over the struggles at the plate which he has carried into the field. If Mastro is hurt, bring up Benson until Mastro is healthy. Not sure whether Hicks is a long-term OF with the Twins or not--but he needs to spend time at AAA. Gardy actions are irrelevant.

thanks for article Seth. I have been following this team and agree with you a lot of prospects; it will be interesting to see how they grow and which ones make the show--whether with the Twins or elsewhere after trades.

Ever is a very long time--yes the Twins have a very good group of prospects right now led by Sano, Rosario, Buxton, Meyer and May (and maybe Gibson) plus a group of youngsters currently in the show led by Arcia and Hicks. As fine a group as we have seen since maybe 2001. But ever I dont know. Also remember that one or two or more will get hit by the injury bug, one or two or more will find out they cant do it in MLB (think Hendricks). Given all that--I am very happy with the state of the Twins farm system right now. I expect we will see the fruits starting next year.

Just a minor nit--I think you meant bottom of the 7th in the Kernels game...

Brett Lee Update #2 Brett made his 3rd start for the Kernels tonight. They were on the road and staked Brett to a 2 run lead in the first inning. (Then the hot Kernels offense went cold). Brett made a quality start (2 runs thru 6 innings). Thru 5.2 innings he pitched well enough to hold the lead. (With 2 out in the bottom of the 6th it was 2-1 Cedar Rapids). Then West Mich. tied it up on a passed ball. So thru 6--Brett did well--he threw 74 pitches--49 were strikes--a 2-1 ratio--good. 6IP, 6H, 1 BB, 2Ks. A quality start 2 runs allowed only 1 earned. For some reason--remember I think Brett's future is in the pen--and even in college he was a part-time reliever--Brett came out to pitch the bottom of the 7th with the game still tied 2-2. Didnt work. He gave up a single and HR. Then the Kernels brought in the pen, but the damage was done. (The pen didnt do well Kernels lost 7-2.) Brett's final numbers 6+ IP, 4 Runs (3 earned), 2Ks, 1 BB, and 8Hits. As his prospect adapter, I prefer to ignore the 7th when it comes time to evaluate--he should have never come out to pitch. (His opponent didnt). Reminds me of the Corriea game. Brett's YTD numbers: 5 appearances--last 3 as starter. 18.2 IP, 10Ks vs 4BB (though last 2 games are 2Ks and 4BB) 15H (OK for 18.2 IP), and 8 Runs (6 Earned). His ERA is 2.89...would be about 1.89 if he didnt come out for the 7th inning tonight. Opponents are batting about .280 against him (not so good). Will be interesting to see if he moves to the pen soon and what he does there.

Great article--good to get to know a little about the Twins prospects...thanks.

Thanks guys--found the transactions on Kernals page--never thought to look under stats--but Seth will still probably know first.

Can somebody tell me where to find Twins minor league moves--that Seth keeps reporting here--I cant seem to find them except for articles on individual club sites like Cedar Rapids and they seem to be behind Seth.

I was actually thinking about Pavano--after an earlier start--a guy who came here with nothing the past couple of years and did (moderately) well. Will KC regress--probably. Can he give us 15 quality starts leading to 10-12 wins--most definitely. That would be a reasonable return. I actually figured we would get this from Pelfrey--but he looks more like Marquis.

Brett Lee Update #1: I guess this is how you do it...but this is my DAM blog...so I will do it my way until told otherwise. This is also my first blog...I wish I was as good a writer as Seth and Nick and JC who regularly post here...then I could aspire to be as good as Jonah Keri (my son's favorite baseball blogger) or my favorite (the legendary) BatGirl who I miss from the Twins Blogosphere. I will admit, I was a little perturbed when Seth didnt include Brett in his list of top 30 prospects--I do respect him when it comes to Twins minor leaguers. So I did a little more research to see if I could understand why. It didnt take long. Brett was originally (in 2009) the 40th round pick of the Dodgers (my first favorite team--I am lucky enough to be able to say I attended a game at Ebbets Field as a kid--of course when O'Malley broke the heart of Brooklyn they weren't my favorite team any more). Being the 40th pick meant Brett was the 1200th pick overall out of high school (give or take). Further research gave me Brett's 2011 statistics at St. Petersburg JC...the good news he had 75Ks in 80 innings while walking only 25...the Twins need pitchers who have that kind of K/BB ratio. The bad news...the rest of Brett's stats that year...a 5.06 ERA to go along with a 4-8 record (on a mediocre team that went 18-31). Brett pitched in 19 games so basically averaged 4+ innings per game--from that I guess he was both starter and reliever--he had NO saves. Now tonights game--a game that probably means little since it was his first appearance in 9 days!!!! Brett started and went 4 and 2/3 innings. He was not involved in the decision. The game was a wild one--the Kernels won 16-7. Brett's numbers--4.2IP, 4 Runs allowed (3 earned), only 1K and 3BB (the only ones he has allowed in 4 appearances--total of 12 innings). Not good but understandable. So where does he stand. In my humble opinion--nothing's changed cause of the layoff. I still think Brett has a shot (as a lefty reliever--remember they get 9 lives just like cats--see Romero, JC and Orosco, Jesse) to move up and maybe make spring training in 2015. On the other hand, a few more performances like tonight will mean he washes out of the Twins system before 2015. Given his K/BB ratio--still 8 to 3, I vote for a lefty reliever on the Twins within 2 or 3 years. p.s. dont be offended by the DAM--those are my real initials.

Good article Seth You included 3 Kernals pitchers (I count Berrios--admittedly only one start)--just curious as to why my prospect (Brett Lee) wasnt one of them (I know you have good reasons)--Lee's numbers are arguably better than the other two (cant count Berrios) especially his low BB rate (0 this year in only 3 appearances due to weather)....

I have the Brett Lee prospect page--so I checked the scoreboard and the Kernels game has been postponed. Lee actually hasnt pitched in a week. His record is 2-0. Key stat--O (nada, zilch) BB in 3 games. Hopefully he will pitch tomorrow so I can make an update...

Jokin: I am still learning about him...I hope to post here after each of his starts (assuming he stays in rotation)...and add stuff I learn after each post. I agree his K numbers are outstanding as is his K/BB ratio. Twins need pitchers who can ring up the Ks--as Hawk says--he gone...

Brett C. Lee is my "adopt a prospect". I have always been fascinated by that unique human species called lefty reliever. It goes back to the 1970s and Tug McGraw (father of country singer Tim). The Twins have had their share of crazy southpaws in the pen from Jesse Orosco to Everyday Eddie to JC Romero. Will Brett join them??? It is too early to tell...and then last night he gets a start--first of the year...fifth of his career...he pitched 6 shut out innings for Cedar Rapids and picked up his 2nd win of the young season. Brett's bio per the Twins: He was born on Sept. 20, 1990 (so he is 22 will turn 23 post season) in Pensacola Fla. He went to St. Petersburg Junior College where he was drafted by the Twins (in 2011 in 10th round). In 2012 he made 16 appearances for Etown in the Appy League. 4 were starts. He had no saves or complete games. His 2012 stats are good 2.68 ERA, in 43 and 2/3 IP he gave up less than a hit per inning (39) and struck out more than one per inning (48). He did walk 12 which works out to slightly more than 2 per 9 innings. I like the high number of Ks. Last night was Brett's first start of the 2013 season and his 3rd appearance. He got his 2nd win. He has pitched a total of 8 innings--his K numbers still good (7). His walks are down--ZERO so far. Hits are up--8--1 per inning. It will be interesting to see how he is used by Jake Mauer and the Cedar Rapids staff. I think his future with the Twins is in the pen...but he may start most of the year...--

What the heck--I will take Brett Lee--a future Jesse Orosco?? Maybe, maybe not--but a lefty reliever--they seem to last forever even if have the talent level of JC Romero--now with the Nats.

Good point about weather and schedule..Hendricks needs to get starts and confidence back. Going to Rochester will give him starts. If he does well, he can fight Gibson and Deduno etc. for the next opportunity to come up. Bu he has to do well. So far he has shown me nothing as a Twin,

AJ: I love your updates on Twins Daily...good luck for the remainder of the season...hope to see you in the show in 2015 or 16.

I would start Arcia one day in each of the 3 OF positions--straight up or Hicks in CF, move Willingham to DH when he plays left , move Parmalee to 1B and Morneau to DH when he plays RF. The last is important--to see Parmalee at1B so we can tell if we should sell Morneau in July (if healthy)

As others have said--great read--thanks so much--looking forward to part II. Debating stopping at Cedar Rapids on my summer road trip from DC to Mount Rushmore--would love to see Buxton--but I expect he will be promoted by then.

This is managing 101--I saw it here in MD with the Earl and Palmer. If you are winning a game in the 8th inning--your starter CANNOT lose the game. First baserunner on--you pull the starter. I am a Gardy fan. But this was a HUGE Blown game by Gardy.

We already have Pelfrey, Corriea, Harden, and Perez. Isnt that enough mediocre old/injured pitching--we dont need more. We just need time for the kids (Deduno, Diamond, Gibson, May and Meyer) to mature. (I didnt include Hendricks--I dont think he can do it).

The Orioles made the playoffs last year--but that was probably a fluke. So the pitching staff has faced two teams--one a post season team--one a 500 team. Lets see what happens in the K. I think the pen will continue to thrive this year but the rotation must pitch close to 6 innings per start.