DAM DC Twins Fans

Brett Lee Update #7 Brett came off of the MIA list (not a real list but he has been missing in action since April 30 when he finished off a great month and made it to number 4 on Seth's pitcher-of-the month list). Still no clue what happened. Fort Myers story just said he made his first start since April 30. Brett didn't skip a beat--he just kept on doing his thing. He had arguably his best start of the year (small sample size--6th start 7th appearance). He had his highest strike out total of the year. He didn't walk a batter. He didn't give up and EARNED run. For the day, Brett pitched 5 innings--giving up 4 hits (1 double and 3 singles), an UNEARNED run (thanks to Polanco throwing error--Polanco's 14th error of the year--four of those have occurred with Brett on the rubber), 0 BBs and striking out 6. He got the win as the Miracle won going away. Brett retired 6 by the strikeout, 5 on flies and 4 on grounders. For the year, Brett has pitched 37.2 innings giving up 36 hits (6 doubles the rest singles), 15 runs (only 10 earned), walking 7, striking out 21, retiring 57 on the ground and 31 via flies. His K/9IP is virtually 5. His K/BB ratio is 3/1. His WHIP is 1.141. His ground/fly is 1.84. In my opinion--pretty DAM good numbers though not as good as he did in Cedar Rapids the second half of last year. Brett is now 4-1 with an ERA of 2.45. In my opinion on track for a mid-season promotion to New Britain (Seth will probably disagree) pending whatever issues caused his MIA status. Note: Brett was never put on the minor league DL. If his one or two remaining May starts match this performance, Brett should be on Seth's may pitcher list too.

What is the rush. We have had about a year of solid play from Dozier. He has another year before arbitration. Maybe the offseason. I would wait a year, see where Rosario stands and see if Dozier keeps it up.

I don't consider yesterday's game to be average defense at all. How was he not charged with an error that led to the blast from Miggy (Gibson had to make 5 outs in the inning). If his future is at SS--which I doubt--then send him back down to learn defense. If his future is to be the Punto of this team (utility) then maybe keep him up until AL pitchers figure out how to get him out.

Seth (or Jeremy): Any clue on why Brett Lee went 10 days without an appearance and now came out of the pen?? He certainly didn't pitch his way out of the rotation with his April starts.

Brett Lee Update Number 6: Brett made his sixth appearance for the Miracle tonight. It was his first appearance since finishing fourth in Seth's pitcher of the month award for April. Something is going on, injury or dispute with Lucas or manager or being moved to the pen or something else...10 days without an appearance... In any case, Brett came out of the bullpen to pitch the 9th inning. He wasn't involved in the decision. He faced 5 batters. Uncharacteristically, he didn't miss bats or get ground outs. He hit a batter (his first of the year). He gave up a single and got three fly ball outs. Brett is now 3-1 with an ERA of 2.84. His other stats: 31.2 IP, 14 runs (10 earned), 32 hits (5 doubles the rest singles) 7BB, 15Ks. 53 ground outs to 26 fly outs. For one IP not worth it to recalculate ratios. If Brett moves permanently to pen, will post updates weekly. I hope he goes back in rotation--he certainly hasn't pitched his way out of it. If he goes back into rotation, I will post updates after every start. If somebody knows the story behind the 10 days without pitching, I would appreciate it if you could post here.

First off...great article Nick!! Second...why the heck isn't Parmalee on the roster and playing RF every day starting now?? (When Mauer is healthy--you can platoon Parmalee with Colobello in RF vs southpaws). Third...I agree with majority of posters. What the heck is Matty G doing here and why did Twins hang on to Bartlett for so long. This roster is a mess!!!! Get down to 12 pitchers.

Brett is my AAP. I wondered the same thing. I checked MILB.com. Nothing. He didn't get his status change (call up or DL). I also checked the Ft. Myers paper. Nothing. (I don't tweet so I couldn't check that). In answer to your question--I don't know any more than you but he didn't get called up. I actually wonder if he is going somewhere as part of a trade (like Sulberin earlier this season).

Yes, bring Parms back up and play him and lets see if he is part of the future. He is younger than Willingham and Colabello. Who to send down?? Pick one--Santana who needs to learn SS at Rochester or Hermann or DL Mauer or better yet one of the bullpen guys.

Great interview. I have not been a fan of May before--but will be now--hope he gets his chance in Target Field.

Great article as usual Seth. This guy looks like he has a plan for both his baseball and post-baseball career. Good for him. Hope he gets his promotion to New Britain in the next month or so.

Brett Lee is my AAP for the second year. I wouldn't worry about the Ks--he had good strikeout total last year in Cedar Rapids. He also had 5Ks last night. In two of the 5 April starts, Brett had a big lead to work with and seemed to be just trying to get ground outs (what he does best). I agree with you that it is nice to have quality starters in AAA. Behind Brett and Slegers in the lower levels we also have Stewart, Gonsalves, and others. For once the Twins minors look healthy on the starting pitching front.

Brett Lee made a strong bid to be on Seth's pitcher of the month for April list--I know with Meyer, Brett has a very slim chance to win it, but he is right there!! Brett made his 5th appearance of 2014 tonight and picked up his 4th quality start. It was one of his best starts of the year. He went 7 innings for the first time this season. He gave up 2 runs (both earned as for the first time this year the Miracle IF made no errors when Brett was on the mound). He scattered?? 9 hits (1 double, the rest singles). He struck out 5 while walking one. He got 3 outs via flies and 9 via grounders. For good measure, he threw a WP (his first of the season). For 2014 (5 starts)--Brett has 30.2 IP, allowing 14 runs (10 earned), 31 hits (5 doubles and 26 singles--no triples of homers) while issuing 7 BB and striking out 15. He has 53 grounders to 23 flies. That makes his K/9 innings about 4.5; his K/BB 2.14; his ground to fly ratio 2.3; his WHIP is 1.24 (could be better but he has pitched with big leads). The Ks are still down from last year but he did better tonight. Brett is now 3-1 with an ERA of 2.93

Brett picked up his third quality start (6IP and only 2 EARNED runs) in his 4th start of the year. He was helped by the Miracle offense scoring NINE runs in the second inning led by a grand salami by Jorge Polanco. Polanco didn't make an error behind Brett today but the other two IF did (Goodrum and Grimes) leading to 2 unearned runs. Brett was perfect for innings 3, 4 and 5. Not so much the other 3 innings. He did get his 2nd win of the year. Brett went the 6 innings. He gave up 4 runs (2 earned), 5 hits (4 singles and a double), struck out 2 and walked 2. He had 12 ground outs to 6 flyouts. This is his biggest strength (though it has led to unearned runs in every start with the Miracle IF defensive problems. Brett's stats for 2014. 23.2 IP, 22 hits (4 doubles the rest singles), 12 runs (8 earned), 10 Ks and 6 BB. His K/BB rate is 1.66. His K/9 innings is 3.77. His ground/fly ratio is 2.2. His WHIP is 1.18. The strikeouts are down from last year but still OK. His other stats are outstanding. Brett is 2-1 with an ERA of exactly 3.00 for the year. He is definitely in contention for Seth's pitcher of the month award.

I agree with the basic premise. The Twins don't have a viable MLB SS in the system. At Ft. Myers, Polanco is in double digits in errors and its only April. Goodrum and Michael (playing 3B and 2B respectively are not doing much better). Neither is Santana at a higher level. I think the Twins need to find a free agent SS next year or better yet trade for one this year (maybe Arcia...) They need to get a good one so have to trade someone with value like Arcia not an old vet like Willingham or one of the older pitchers or Collabello who is no youngster.

My take--all three have made way too many errors this season (yes I know small sample size). I would move Goodrum to short to see how he does and Polanco to third (realizing the throwing errors will still be there for Polanco) but to see how Niko does at SS.

Brett picked up his second quality start in his third appearance for the Miracle today. It was a high quality start (though he got the loss). For 5 innings he was near-perfect. A no-hitter for 4.2 innings when he gave up a single. 3 more baserunners (all reaching on errors by the Miracle IF--2 by Polanco). In the sixth Brett gave up 2 more singles and a BB--leading to two runs. (Both runs were earned). Brett had 15 groundouts (including the 3 errors) to only 5 fly outs. He walked 1 and struck out 1...still below his K numbers last year for the Kernels. Easily his best outing of the year (its early). Brett's stats for 2014 17.2 IP (in 3 starts), 17H (3 doubles the rest singles), 8 R (6 earned), 8Ks and 4BB. So his K/BB rate is 2.0, his K/9 innings is virtually 4. His WHIP is 1.19 (good). His grounder to fly ratio (I think his best attribute) is2.29 (outstanding assuming IF defense is up to par--which it hasn't been in Ft. Myers). (that's 32 grounders to 14 flies). Brett is 1-1 with an ERA of 3.06 and is well on his way to his second straight great season as a lefty starter in the Twins system.

The Twins believe in "pitching to contact". Disagree with that or not as a good philosophy, that means until the Twins get strikeout pitchers, the SS must be average or better defensively. I think Florimon is overrated defensively but yes, he is better than average. Nunez is simply horrid on defense. NO WAY the Twins can play him at SS. (His defense with the current pitching staff will cost the Twins a run or two at least a game.) The Twins defense on the corners is already below average. Given that, Florimon has to be given a wide berth. Play him til June--if his numbers come close to last year--keep him in the lineup. Maybe PH in late innings and put Escobar in there then.

Brett Lee Update #2: Brett picked up his first quality start of 2014 today (technically last night) in his second start of the season. (I actually thought he may have pitched better in the first one where he only went 5.2 IP). He went the 6 innings required for a quality start but didn't get the decision. His pitching line--6IP, 8 H (2 doubles, the rest singles), 3 runs (only 2 earned thanks to a Niko Goodrum error--Niko also got an RBI and had a good night offensively) 4Ks and 2BB. He got 7 grounders to 6 flyouts--well below his usual... His stats for the year 11.2IP, 14 H, 6 R (4 earned), 7Ks and 3BB. So his K/BB is 2.33 (good), his WHIP is 1.46 (OK not great), his grounder to fly is 1.89 (below par for him). I am confident he will get better. For the year Brett is 1-0 with an ERA of 3.09. By the way, reading back over this entire entry--I realized I missed something--for those who don't know--Brett is a southpaw.

Seth: A minor nit pick--in your Rochester write up you mentioned Rochester as both a place where weather forced a postponement and where they will move too. I was pleasantly surprised you named Brett Lee as your pitcher of the day--yes a solid performance continuing to get ground outs--but he didn't miss bats like he did last year--maybe cause he got staked to an 8 run lead.

Brett Lee Update #1: Brett made his first start (and appearance of 2014) today (well maybe yesterday). He was staked to an EIGHT run lead in the first inning which may have changed his pitching plan. He didn't avoid bats like he did last year in Cedar Rapids--only 3Ks and 1BB in his 5.2 innings. Brett pitched well enough for a first start in what turned out to be a non-competitive game. His line--5.2 IP, 3 runs (2 earned), 6 hits and the 3Ks and 1BB. Only one of the six hits went for extra bases (a double). He did his job. He did manage to maintain his impressive ground out to fly ratio: 10 grounders to 3 flies. I will post ratios (like K/BB and ground to fly) as well as WHIP and ERA as the season goes along--but this is just first game.

For the second year in a row, Brett C. Lee is my adopt-a-prospect. He did so well last year, I decided to keep him. When last season started, Brett was barely on the radar screen and not on any of Seth's lists. By the end of the 2013 season, Brett was moving up on Seth's lists (I believe he should be around 18th on the Twins prospect lists--higher than Seth has him) and was arguably Cedar Rapids best starter in the second half (over Barrios and others). At the beginning of 2013 I believed Brett had a shot at the Duensing role in 2016. Now I believe he could be a number 3 starter in the Twins rotation (better than Diamond but not top of rotation level). Here is his story. Brett was born Sept. 20, 1990 in Pensacola FL--he will be 23 for the 2014 season and turn 24 after the minor league season is over. He is a lefty pitcher who misses bats (see stats below--high number of both Ks and BBs). He graduated High School in 2009 and was drafted in the 40th round by the Dodgers (about 1200th player selected--yikes.) He chose to go to junior college instead. In 2010 he pitched for Bishop St. JC in Alabama (I could only get fragmentary stats). In 2011, he went back to Florida and pitched for St. Petersburg JC. On a very mediocre team he went 4-8 with a 5.06 ERA pitching some out of the pen and making some starts. He totaled 80 innings pitched with 25 BB and 75Ks (yes missing bats). He was drafted by the Twins in 2011 (10th round) (better than 40th round I guess) still not heralded. He didn't pitch in GCL in 2011 cause he signed late. His career with Twins org. started in 2012 with E-Town in the Appy League (short season). Again mixing roles (both starter and pen but mostly pen). Brett's 2012 E-Town numbers 43.2 IP with a 2.68 ERA. He gave up 39 hits, walked 12 and struck out 48 (more than one per IP). His WHIP was 1.17 (good) his K/BB record was 4!!!! (impressive). In 2013, Brett spent the whole season in Cedar Rapids. He pitched out of the pen the first week (weather) and then became a starter the rest of the year. He pitched the only two complete games for the Kernels during the year (until the last week of the season when there was another one). Brett's innings were limited in August. He had a great year and pitched one playoff game. He got better as the year went on (until his innings were being controlled). His first half stats (weird start). 4-4 with an ERA of 4.44. He made 12 appearances including 10 starts--5 were "quality starts" (yes useless stat). He went 58.2IP, gave up 68 hits and 18BB but struck out 44. His WHIP was 1.47 and his K/BB record (his most impressive stat in career) was 2.4. His second half stats. He threw the two complete games mentioned above while going 57.1 IP (all as a starter). He went 4-0 with an ERA of 1.41!!! In the 57+ innings he gave up 42 hits and continued to miss bats with 8BB and 45K. That gives him a WHIP of 0.87 and K/BB ratio of 5.6. Both very impressive!! I don't have his ground to fly ratio handy--but it was also good--when hitters make contact--they produce grounders more often than not. I look forward to chronicling his 2014 exploits with the Miracle. I do think Brett has a chance to be part of the 2016 rotation at Target Field.

Couldn't agree more. First thing I look at on Twins Daily every day.

Since he did so well for me last year--I would like to adapt Brett Lee again. Question Seth--I will be overseas for 2 weeks in June--I will try to follow and stay in the rules you set up Seth--but can I be given a little leeway. Thanks DAM

I agree. When the Twins cut Presley and Parms--that put the OF defense on Hicks. Too much pressure--with some combo of Kubel, Arcia, and Willingham in the corners--Hicks will have to cover everything. too much pressure. Take away any offensive pressure by batting him 8th or 9th and leave him there. To me the big question is how many runs will the Twins OF defense give up by allowing gap hits (especially with a fly ball guy like Hughes on the mound). That means more than how many they score.

I will be very surprised if I win!!!!