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Hrbowski

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Blog Entries posted by Hrbowski

  1. Hrbowski
    http://onlineathens.com/sites/default/files/021415%20bbVeiu%20AJR0014-1.jpg
    Image courtesy of onlineathens.com
     
    Robert Tyler is a 6'4", 225lb right hander out of the University of Georgia who was drafted in the 28th round by the Baltimore Orioles, although he was considered unsignable. Tyler's power fastball is his best pitch, usually sitting at 92-95 and can reach 99 miles per hour, a good changeup that is expected to get better, and a loopy curve that he has yet to master. Robert has had a hard time repeating his delivery and has had to be shut down the past two seasons, which leads scouts to believe that he would be better off in the bullpen. The Georgia native has pitched fairly well so far this spring, but his walk rate is high as he continues to try and improve his below average control. The big righty has dealt with forearm injuries, so teams have not seen much of him, and if he pitches well down the stretch he could move up quickly in a relatively thin class. Robert Tyler has a similar build and throwing action to Wade Davis, who started in the beginning of his career before becoming an ace reliever out of the Kansas City Royals bullpen. The Twins will no doubt be interested in Robert Tyler, but there will likely be better players available at #15 overall.
  2. Hrbowski
    http://www.d1baseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/MattKrookOregon.jpg
    Image courtesy of d1baseball.com
     
    Matt Krook is a 6'3", 205Ib lefty from Oregon State University who was taken 35th overall by the Marlins in 2013; nevertheless, he did not sign due to disagreements about his physical. Krook has a good fastball that sits around 92 miles per hour, throws a power curveball, and an average changeup. Matt incorporates a high leg lift into his delivery before coming violently over the top, which has lead many to question whether he has good enough mechanics to last as a big league starter. OSU's ace missed the 2015 season after he had Tommy John surgery, yet he made a comeback in the Cape Cod League that impressed many scouts. Since coming back from his surgery, his walk rate has nearly doubled, so he will need to improve his walk rate in the weeks leading up to the draft before he begins moving up boards. Matt Krook may be better suited for the bullpen, but if everything comes together he could be a good middle of the rotation starter in the majors. The Twins have drafted from Oregon State in recent years, and Krook reminds some of a lesser version of Tyler Jay, but it would not be surprising if the Twins shied away from a pitcher with an injury history and control issues.
  3. Hrbowski
    http://image.cdnllnwnl.xosnetwork.com/pics33/1024/EP/EPDCWROFGWVLTTA.20150301055451.jpg
    Image courtesy of calbears.com
     
    Daulton Jefferies is a 6 foot, 180 pound right handed pitcher out of California who was drafted by the Marlins in the 39th round of the 2013 draft, although he made a good decision by not signing. Jefferies has a very good fastball he can comfortably add and subtract from anywhere between 90 and 95, has an above average slider with wipeout potential, and a developing changeup that should become a solid pitch to lefties. The small righty has faced questions about whether his body will be able to hold up in the big leagues, but he is one of the most athletic pitchers available in the draft and has a mechanically correct delivery that should aid him. Daulton has some of the best pitchability in the draft, as he knows how to throw his pitches for outs and when he should throw them in different counts. The California righty has slightly above average control, and his strikeout rates are up from last year, so he is beginning to catch the attention of teams picking in the 10 to 20 range this year. Daulton Jefferies has been flying under the radar for a while, but his continuing excellence has started to remind people of Sonny Gray, who has become one of the best pitchers in baseball. The Twins would be a great landing spot for Jefferies, and they have a history of picking college pitchers later in the first round, but they will need to be convinced that he has the durability to be a middle of the rotation workhorse.
  4. Hrbowski
    http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/48490219ecb45dfdc7394e363d72ad00f93ab68b/c=0-162-3456-2754&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/FortMyers/2014/11/03/twinsmolitorbasebalbuit.jpg
    Steve Senne, AP
     
    Early on Monday morning Terry Ryan heard loud clamoring outside his office at 1 Twins Way which he thought sounded like some unruly protestors, and upon getting up out of his chair he realized that he was right, but instead of being greeted by angry, old, white men shouting, "Make the bullpen great again!" or mourning the loss of Blaine Boyer or Doug Bernier he was met by a bunch of millennials. These people seemed to have taken a dislike to the Minnesota Twins' baseball hats which are adorned with the familiar TC logo, and were claiming that it was showing obvious hatred and intolerance. A shocked Ryan stepped back and said, "How so? And why are you blaming me? I never had the authority to make that decision!" He was answered with the throats of about sixty, and was able to pick out of the babble, "It stands for Totally Canadian!" "Terrible Cuban!" "TED CRUZ!" Ryan was horrified that they would take a baseball hat so out of proportion, but hoping to pacify them he asked, "What do you want us to do?" to which they replied, "Change the hat logo to the initials of our candidate!" Seeing that they hadn't been clear about who they were endorsing, he found it necessary to ask who it might be, and found out it was Bernie Sanders. Ryan withdrew to have a meeting with Mr. St. Peter and Mr. Pohlad, and when they found out about the demands they wholeheartedly agreed to meet them. Mass production will begin shortly, and upon the completion of the product a free hat will be sent to every man, woman, and child living in Twins Territory, and embroidered on it will be:
     
    Brought to you by the Twins front office, BS.
     
     
    An extra note:
    The headline the next day for Salon was: Years of injustice end, Minnesota Twins Finally feel the Bern!, meanwhile on Breitbart: Ryan once again caves to liberals....
  5. Hrbowski
    http://presidiosports.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/03/Dillon-Tate-Pitcher.jpg
     
    Dansby Swanson is considered by most to be the top college position player, and is probably the most advanced, plus he is the best fielding shortstop in the class. Swanson won't be a power threat, but he has a solid hit tool and can run, plus he is a great guy, making scouts and coaches like him even more. Brendan Rodgers is the best high school player in the class, and sits at the top of my prospect rankings. Rodgers should also stick at short, but some scouts think he will move to third, where his bat will profile well, but he has good up the middle instincts. Dillon Tate was a closer in college until this year, and when he moved to the rotation and pitched well he skyrocketed up draft boards, but he has slowed down some at the end of the year, and now some consider Carson Fulmer ahead of him. Tate has a dominating fastball to go with a great slider, and he also throws a fringe curve, and a changeup that is slightly above average, giving him the stuff to stay in the rotation. The Twins will love it if any of these players fall to them, and Tate is the most likely to fall, but there is no chance that Swanson falls, and Rodgers will likely be gone, but I did have Rodgers fall to them in my mock draft, but I have heard that the Rockies and Astros are zeroing in on him, so that will likely not happen, but the Twins will likely be closely looking into Rodgers and Tate leading up to the draft.
  6. Hrbowski
    http://www.collegebaseballtoday.com/files/2013/06/LSU-BregmanBarehand.jpg
     
    Alex Bregman is a 6'0", 190 pound shortstop out of LSU who was drafted by the Red Sox out of a New Mexico high school in 2012, but did not sign. Bregman's most advanced part of his game is his hitting, and he is the best college hitter in the class, but some scouts think that is his only above average tool. My ratings of Bregman's future tool are 60 hit, 55 power, 55 run, 55 arm, and 50 field, but his fielding tool would be 55 if he moves to second base. Bregman's biggest question is whether he will be a shortstop or second baseman, and that debate has become one of the main debates in this year's draft, but I think that he will stick at short, due to his charging the ball on every play in front of him, and he has improved this year on defense, and should continue. During his swing, he takes a short, unexaggerated step in his swing, and uses a nice, short stroke that allows him to make consistent contact, which could make him a annual .300 hitter, but most scouts think that he will always have below average power, although others think he will be a guy who can hit 15 in a year. Bregman has had a good junior season at LSU, hitting .329 with 9 home runs, 47 RBI, and 32 stolen bases, plus he has walked 33 times to 20 strikeouts. The Twins are hoping that Bregman will fall to them, but it is looking more and more like he won't, as the Astros like him, as well as the Texas Rangers, but if he does they would likely take him, because he is a strong hitter, and would likely make it to the big leagues quickly.
  7. Hrbowski
    http://mlb.mlb.com/assets/images/5/5/8/87502558/cuts/daz_q4y8w58j_va9xsjto.jpg
     
    Daz Cameron is a 6'1", 190 pound outfielder for Eagle Landing Christian Academy (Georgia), who has been on scouts radar's for a couple of years. A five tool player, Cameron is the most athletic player in this year's class, as well as having the best instincts, due to his dad, Mike Cameron, who played for seventeen years in the big leagues. Cameron has a 60 hit tool, a 55 power, 55 run, 55 arm, and 60 field, and has potential to improve his arm strength and power. Cameron has good bat speed, that generates hard line drives, and can hit to all fields, plus he should stick in center field. Cameron is committed to Florida State University, and could attend if he falls out of the top five, so teams picking later will definitely be doing their research to see how signable he is. Cameron didn't have the spring that many were hoping for, and has fallen down some draft boards, but still has tons of potential, so teams that are picking in the top 5 still have him on their radar. The Twins are said to like Cameron, and they have gone with toolsy high school players in recent years, but he is represented by Scott Boras, who is asking for a 5-7 million deal, but the Twins don't have the money in their draft pool to sign someone to a deal like that, and if Cameron falls past the Twins, there are few teams that would give money like that, making me think that Cameron will have to sign for less, or go to college, but if the Twins could sign Cameron he would probably be their dream pick.
  8. Hrbowski
    http://web.usabaseball.com/assets/images/4/6/0/93655460/cuts/Allard_640_3kgu9avi_vni55mie.jpg
     
    Kolby Allard is a 6'0", 170 pound left handed pitcher out of San Clemente High School (California) who is considered the top prep lefty in the class. Allard has a really good three pitch mix, a fastball, slider, and changeup. Allard has a loose, easy delivery, and has no problem repeating it, so he should be able to remain a starter throughout his career despite his small size. Allard's stock skyrocketed during last summer's showcases, but he suffered a back injury that set him back this year, and he has not been 100% throwing for scouts. Allard sits at 93-95 mph, but has made 97 look easy, and has consistently shown a plus slider, as well as a change that has potential to be above average. Allard has above average control, and a feel for every pitch, so I think that he is the top high school pitcher in the class, and could become the best overall pitcher in the class, reminding some of a high school Brady Aiken or Clayton Kershaw, making me wonder how high he would go if he was healthy, as his injury could have effect on his pitching. The Twins love Allard, and I have heard since February that he was "Their guy," but this year's draft has been all over the place, and there are other players that have rose up boards, but the Twins usually go best player available, and if Allard impresses the Twins in his workouts, it would be no surprise if they took him.
  9. Hrbowski
    http://www.stlsportspage.com/Portals/0/Images/2014%20Local%20College/jon%20harris%20main%205-7-15.jpg
     
    Jon Harris is a 6'4", 190 pound right handed pitcher for Missouri State who was selected by the Blue Jays in the 2012 draft, but did not sign. Harris has a four pitch mix, including a fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. Harris' delivery is a good, strong, repeatable one that draws rave reviews from some scouts, and keeps a good rhythm throughout the game. Harris' stock has soared this spring, after repeating a strong performance from the Cape Cod League, and is very athletic, earning conference awards in high school for football. Harris sits 90-94 with his fastball, with his curve sitting in the high seventies, his slider in the low eighties, and his change has been his most effective pitch, plus all of his pitches have shown potential to be above average. Harris has the most ideal pitcher's body in the draft class, which makes him even more appealing to teams who are interested in him, plus he has had decent control. The Twins really like Harris, and if certain players are gone at #6, the Twins will definitely be interested in him, and Harris is possibly the safest pick in the draft, so that could be a bonus, but since Terry Ryan's return to the general manager position they have only taken prep players in the first round of the draft, but that likely means nothing since they also were going with best player available, and if the scenario plays out that the big three, plus Bregman and Cameron are gone, they might consider Harris the top player on the board.
  10. Hrbowski
    http://provationsgroup.org/ftpfiles/louisville/Baseball/2015%20Louisville%20Baseball%20Media%20Guide%20Final%20Files/Header%20Photos/Funkhouser-3.jpeg
     
    Kyle Funkhouser is a 6'2", 218 pound right handed pitcher for University of Louisville who was undrafted out of high school. Funkhouser usually throws three pitches, a fastball, slider, and changeup, but has thrown a curveball at times. The biggest worries about Funkhouser are his inability to command his pitches, and not having a great secondary offering. Funkhouser got off to a hot start at the start of the season, hitting 98 mph and his slider looking above average, but now he is struggling to get his fastball into the low nineties, and his slider is not looking better then average, so his stock has taken a hit. His fastball is usually 92-95, and his slider and changeup are usually around 83 mph, and when he uses his curve it is around 79-80 mph, but his fastball is his only an above average pitch, making him fall on draft boards. If Funkhouser is going to start in the big leagues he will need to lower his walk rate, which some scouts think he could improve by adding a better follow-through in his delivery, and Funkhouser could end up in the bullpen if he can't control his pitches, but I think that the team that drafts him should give him an extended look in the rotation. The Twins were linked to Funkhouser earlier in the year, but it now sounds like they will likely pass on him, due to his velocity drop, and control issue; another thing to keep in mind is that he is represented by Scott Boras, who would likely not take an underslot deal, and Funkhouser has not performed good enough for them to give him a deal that is above, or at the bonus slot.
  11. Hrbowski
    http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/3f894c2d87d7cbb17f0c291318475ce0cf011b26/c=127-0-2233-1581&r=x404&c=534x401/local/-/media/Nashville/Nashville/2014/06/23/1403538632000-buehler.jpeg
     
    Walker Buehler is a 6'1", 160 pound right handed pitcher for Vanderbilt University who was drafted in the 14th round of the 2012 MLB Rule 4 draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, but went on to pitch for the Commodores. Buehler has four pitches, a good fastball, curveball, slider and change, giving him a nice repertoire. Buehler does not put full effort into his delivery, but he has had some trouble repeating it, which has given him control issues at times. I believe that Buehler will start, and it is unlikely that a team picking him in the first round would view him as a reliever; although some people are concerned about his small size, I don't think that it should effect his path to the big leagues. His fastball is his best pitch, usually sitting 90-94, but he can get it up to 96 with ease, and puts good movement on it, his slider and curveball usually receive 50-55 grades, but some scouts say there is no clear difference between the two pitches, and instead call it a slurve, but I think that he will be able to use both a curve and slider at the next level, his changeup is considered average. I view Buehler as a high floor/low ceiling type guy, who should fit into the middle of a big league rotation, and could be on the fast track to the big leagues. The Twins are said to like Buehler, and have been watching him for quite some time, but he was set back by injuries, giving him less time to be evaluated, but personally I view Buehler as a 10-15 guy, but since he won't be around at #73 the Twins probably wouldn't hesitate to take him if the other players that are higher on their draft board are gone at #6.
  12. Hrbowski
    http://cdn.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/Mike-Nikorak-2015-mj.jpg
     
    Mike Nikorak is a right handed pitcher out of Stroudsburg High School (Pennsylvania) who has risen steadily since last summer. Nikorak is a power pitcher who can hit 98 mph, but usually sits in the low-mid nineties, and also throws a curveball and changeup. He repeats his delivery well, and is one of the better athletes in this year's draft class, so he should be able to remain a starting pitcher. Nikorak is committed to Alabama, and is considered by many to be the top prep pitcher in the class, so he will likely be a top 15 pick. He has a high ceiling, due to his power fastball that has good movement, and his curve that has potential to be a wipeout pitch, but both his curve and change need work. Nikorak is one of the older players in the class, being nearly eleven months older than Kolby Allard and he is also just exactly one month younger than Brady Aiken, but that likely won't deter a team that is picking high. The Twins have been taking high school pitchers recently in the draft, so they are likely watching Nikorak closely, but he isn't the most advanced prep pitcher, so that might make them decide against taking him at #6 overall.
  13. Hrbowski
    http://cdn.baseballamerica.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/08/nick-plummer-2014-mj.jpg
     
    Nick Plummer is an outfielder out of Brother Rice High School (Michigan) who broke out at the Area Code Games last summer. Plummer is best known for his bat, but has decent tools across the board. He implements a high leg kick into his swing and gets good extension, allowing him to pull the ball, giving him power potential, plus he can hit the ball to the gaps with authority. Plummer's hit tool has received 60 ratings, but he isn't going to wow you with his other tools, mostly getting 45-55 rankings for power, run, field, and arm. The Kentucky commit had to shake off some rust after suffering from mononucleosis, but has hit this spring, and is still considered a first round pick. Some scouts think that Plummer will stick in center, but I believe that he would fit better in left, as he has a short, stocky body, and a below average arm. The Twins have not been linked to Plummer, who won't be the top player on the board at #6, and isn't considered a good under slot pick, so it makes sense that there has been nothing linking them, but this year's draft class has been tricky for evaluators, so I wouldn't write Plummer off.
  14. Hrbowski
    http://throughthefencebaseball.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/09/Trenton-Clark.jpg
     
    Trenton Clark is an outfielder for Richland High School (Texas) who was Team USA's best hitter last year, with a .565 batting average, 3 home runs, and 20 RBIs. A strong player across the board, Clark should be one of the top picks in this year's draft. Clark has an above average hit tool, due to his incredible bat speed; he is also a slightly above average runner, but his arm strength is slightly below average. His swing has a nice short stroke that gives him power, and his athleticism allows him to use his speed on the bases and in the outfield, but there is a chance that he could be moved from center to left by the team that drafts him. Clark is committed to Texas Tech, so if he falls he should still be signable, but Texas Tech had the 13th best recruiting class in the nation, and he is from Texas, so there is still a chance that he could go to college. He could be a potential five tool player, and I think that he will start his career in center, so teams in the top 15 are taking a hard look at him. The Twins have been looking at prep outfielders, and Clark is off to the hottest start of any of them, hitting .518 with 25 runs scored, so if he stays hot the Twins could decide to take him if players at the top of their board are already taken.
  15. Hrbowski
    http://bloximages.chicago2.vip.townnews.com/starlocalmedia.com/content/tncms/assets/v3/editorial/2/56/2566a63a-7c6e-11e3-ac57-0019bb2963f4/52d411c4860ce.image.jpg
    Mitchell Hansen is an outfielder out of Plano High School (Texas) who has slowly risen up draft boards since his junior year in high school. He is mostly known for his bat, but he is a solid player across the board, and some scouts believe he could end up being one of the best players to come out of this year’s draft class. Hansen’s hit tool is above average, and I consider him to have the second best prep left handed swing in the class, only behind Kyle Tucker, and it allows him to drive the ball to all fields with slightly above average power. Hansen was timed by Perfect Game running the 60 yard dash at 6.67, so he is likely a 55 runner, and was timed at 93 mph throwing from the outfield, giving him another 55 for his arm. Hansen is committed to Stanford University, and will likely go to college unless he is taken in the first round, so if he falls past the first round he could fall all the way to the bottom of the draft, and become unsignable. He should hit at any level, and can play well in any aspect of the game, so I view him as the big sleeper in the class. He doesn’t seem to be in play at #6 overall, and he would probably not sign if he fell to 73rd, so the chances are he will not be taken by the Twins, but if they want to sign an under slot deal Hansen would be my favorite for the Twins, as I consider him above Garrett Whitley and Tyler Stephenson at this point.
  16. Hrbowski
    http://x.pac-12.com/sites/default/files/YNYRIYETBJDTLPO.20131223193707.jpg
     
    James Kaprielian is a right handed pitcher for UCLA who was considered a top two round talent in 2012, but fell to the 40th round due to his strong commitment to the Bruins. He features a fastball that sits 89-92 along with throwing a decent changeup, as well as a curve and a slider. During his delivery he lifts his knee up high, but keeps his foot down, he then reaches far back with his arm and delivers hard over the top. Kaprielian is considered a late first round pick, but some people believe he could rise if he finishes strong, but he currently is only viewed as a top pick if a team is trying to save money for later picks. His ceiling is considered to be a middle of the rotation starter, but there have been some questions concerning his ability to start at the major league level due to him being too curveball happy at times. Kaprielian has a good body for a starter, and some scouts consider him to have the best pitchability in the class, but he can look poor at times, and then look dominant the next time out, so scouts have been having a hard time getting a feel for him . Baseball America said that Kaprielian is the "Twins kind of pitcher", but they haven't picked a college starter in the first round since Terry Ryan took over, so BA's definition of the "Twins kind of pitcher" might be a little outdated, and since there will likely be better college starters on the board at #6 it seems unlikely that the Twins are interested, and the Twins don't pick again until 72nd, so I don't think that Kaprielian will be drafted by the Twins.
  17. Hrbowski
    http://www.ibabuzz.com/prepcorner/files/2015/02/ecct0510prepround10.jpg
     
    Justin Hooper is a tall lefty out of De La Salle High School (California) who was ranked near the top of many draft boards after his junior year, but fell significantly after the start of his senior season. Hooper has a tendency to be very wild, but has some heat, usually sitting 92-94, but can reach 97 mph and also features a hard curveball, and a changeup that needs work. His delivery is violent, throwing from a fairly low arm angle, and has some deception in it, but is not loose at all, making his delivery look full of effort. Hooper could either go in the first round, or fall significantly due to questions raised about his command and ability to be consistent, if he falls he would likely be unsignable, since he is committed to UCLA. There is a ton of upside, due to his ability to reach the high nineties, and his hard curveball and changeup have the ability to be slightly above average, but it would be no surprise if he didn’t reach the big leagues until 2022. Hooper will definitely be given the chance to start, but I think that there is a very good chance that he will be a relief pitcher in the big leagues. I don’t see a fit with the Twins, and have not heard anything connecting them, but if they do like him they might be better off working out a drop and taking someone like James Kaprielian, DJ Stewart, or even Mitch Hansen in the first round, but I think that scenario is unlikely.
  18. Hrbowski
    Phil Hughes and Kyle Gibson were the Twins best starters last year, but they are almost opposite pitchers, with Hughes being a fly ball pitcher and Gibson being a ground ball pitcher, and Hughes walking less and striking out more.
    First we will look at Phil Hughes, who as a fly ball pitcher allowed just .69 home runs per nine and 23.2% line drives, 36.5% ground balls, 40.2% fly balls (10.5% in the infield,) and threw 822 balls to 2224 strikes while Kyle Gibson allowed .60 home runs per nine and 19% line drives, 54.4% ground balls, 26.6% fly balls (13.6% in the infield) and threw 1086 balls and 1714 strikes.
    From the spray charts below you can see Kyle Gibson’s ground balls went more towards second and short while Hughes’ were more evenly distributed throughout the whole infield, and that Gibson’s fly balls had less hang time, giving the outfielders less time to catch them.
     
    https://scontent-ord.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtp1/v/l/t1.0-9/1975054_1401994720122729_2895196675858088149_n.jpg?oh=125a3fc7789f5aec023102b003740029&oe=559F495E
     
    https://fbcdn-sphotos-b-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-9/1012919_1401994796789388_8093152344695583303_n.jpg?oh=e6889b78b0cc9736b0510c8150e3078a&oe=55DAAD73&__gda__=1441022895_934f4c0cad18032702345a9aa12d410d
     
    Another interesting stat is that Phil Hughes had a Fielding Independent Pitching of 3.01 while at home and a 2.28 FIP on the road, but Gibson had a 3.33 FIP at home and a 4.16 FIP on the road, showing that Hughes pitched better on the road but was still better than Gibson at home, despite being squared up more.
    Since neither is a big strikeout pitcher I will look at the Twins defense, which would be a very important factor. The Twins infield defense was average (16th at first, 27th at second, 7th at shortstop, and 10th at third which would rank them at 14.75), and be right in the middle of the pack, but the outfield was horrible (26th in left, 18th in center, and dead last in right which would average them at 24.67). Since Gibson is a ground ball pitcher he would have benefited from his defense better than Hughes who is a fly ball pitcher.
    So why was Hughes better than Gibson when he got less run support (96) than Gibson (106) and was squared up more? It seems the only possible reasons are because he stayed in the zone more, (which would allow him to be squared up more) or because he was a fly ball pitcher. The only other pitcher with a top twenty Wins Above Replacement who was a fly ball pitcher was Max Scherzer, who actually had a worse outfield than Phil Hughes, and the only pitchers whose defense came anywhere near the negative effect of Phil Hughes’ on their pitching were Nathan Eovaldi (ground ball), Justin Verlander (fly ball), Drew Hutchison (fly ball), Ervin Santana (ground ball), and Kyle Gibson.
    It seems that Phil Hughes was successful last year because of his ability to generate fly balls that had a fair amount of hang time, which actually gave the Twins outfielders time to get under and catch the ball, and his ability to throw strikes despite having the worst catcher in baseball at framing pitches. Phil Hughes was a pitcher who had a spectacular year despite all the odds against him, not mentioning the fact that he had been horrible the year before.
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