Ted Schwerzler

I enjoyed it. 
 

Always appreciate minor league content and I think live looks is a valuable addition. When reading about the minor leagues I often wonder how much is based on actually seeing the players.

I enjoy this type of stuff. Thank you!

The Minnesota Twins have had success developing pitchers from later rounds of the Major League Baseball Draft. Taken in the 17th round out of the Air Force Academy, Jay Thomason is looking to become a success story on the infield.
Image courtesy of Thiéres Rabelo  
When the Minnesota Twins took Jay Thomason in the 17th round of the 2024 Major League Baseball Draft, they grabbed a slugger with some extreme pop. Thomason has spent the past four years playing for Air Force, and as a regular each of the past three, he posted OPSes north of 1.000 each year. Thomason blasted 21 home runs in both 2023 and 2024, and will look to bring that hitting prowess to professional baseball.
Attending Air Force Academy is about more than just sports, and Thomason joins Griffin Jax among notable Twins to go through the university. Jax is a Captain in the United States Air Force Reserves, and Thomason could put a pause on his future plans with a similar baseball trajectory.
Before he kicked off his time down in Fort Myers, I caught up with him for a few questions.
Twins Daily: You’ve had an incredibly strong collegiate career, but achieved new heights this last season. How did you get there and what went into your development?

Jay Thomason: My career was full of ups and downs, and a lot of figuring it out along the way. I wouldn’t have had the career that I had without my teammates, coaches, and ultimately Coach Kaz (my second dad) supporting me throughout my entire time at the Academy. Additionally, simply showing up every day and putting in the work and trusting my routine over the course of four years at the Academy helped me develop into the player that I am today.

TD: You have shown power for a while now. How would you describe your approach at the plate and what goes into your process?

JT: My time in the weight room over the course of four years at the Academy definitely helped my power at the plate. My approach is simple, because I don't like to think mechanics at the plate. I'm simply just trying to catch the ball out front. Get a good pitch to hit and catch it out front are my two cues at the plate.

TD: Playing at Air Force is obviously more than just baseball. How did that contribute to your college experience and what does that influence going forward?

JT: I went through a lot of trials and tribulations while at Air Force that helped shape me into the human being that I am today. I am looking forward to just focusing on baseball now that I have the opportunity to do that. At Air Force, you are juggling military, school, and athletics at the same time and trying to excel at each of those things. The Academy has helped me develop resilience and grit over time, which has also helped me on the field.

TD: There’s clearly an element of speed to your game as well. How would you describe your ability as a third baseman?

JT: I do try to and implement speed into my game. I try and steal bases as much as I can and create chaos within the game, because it puts pressure on the other team. I’m looking forward to further developing my ability at third base. I'm willing to do whatever it takes to get to the next level. Whether the organization wants me at third, second, or anywhere on the diamond, I just want to help the Twins win in any way I can.
TD: What do you know about the Twins as an organization and Minnesota in general?
JT: I have played in U.S. Bank stadium as a sophomore, when we played the Golden Gophers in March during the 2022 season. It was probably -15 degrees, so didn’t roam around too much. But from what I saw, Minneapolis was a really cool place and the people that I met were awesome. So far, I have loved my short time being in the Twins organization. They really care about their people and I am fully bought into the process that they have for prospects to make it to the next level.
TD: How do you relax or reset to get away from the game? What do you like to do for fun?
JT: I love anything fitness-related during my free time. Whether that be working out or really anything outdoors. I also love going any type of fishing.
Welcome to Twins Territory, Jay!
 

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I feel like I've heard bluesky pronounced blue-SKY, but I always hear blue-ski, like grabbing a brew-skee.
What is the correct pronunciation?

Neither Kepler or Watkins should be absolved, but it’s at least a little funny that this was a headline earlier in the year…
 

Neither Kepler or Watkins should be absolved, but it’s at least a little funny that this was a headline earlier in the year…
 

This.
You probably get one or two chances to do this before it becomes too late.

This.
You probably get one or two chances to do this before it becomes too late.

This.
You probably get one or two chances to do this before it becomes too late.

This.
You probably get one or two chances to do this before it becomes too late.

I think the DSL numbers can be taken with a relative grain of salt. Pitchers and catchers there are relatively incapable of controlling the running game. I wish it was more philosophically included for the Twins though.

Hi Linus! Please don't disregard scrolling down the front page or searching a player's name from our search bar. You must have not visited yesterday, as the specific piece you are requesting is right there/here. We are here to please! 
 

There is an article on Hall ...

Hall pitched really well again tonight.  His line for August 1.38 ERA, .62 WHIP and 16 K's in 13 innings.  Utterly dominant his last two times out.  With the walks and hits way down he could be a monster mover next year.  Maybe he gets a few games in at CR this year yet.  Really cool to see him this dominant given his rough start to the year.
Lewis seems to be back in top form.  Got out of a couple of jams in this one as well.  9K's in 6 innings and he got some of those when he really needed them.  I know the fastball might not blow anyone away, but when he is on he is just really tough on hitters.
And of course Zebby was Zebby tonight.  Gave up a HR on a high fastball but other than that did his thing. 2 hits and 1 walk over 5 innings.  I think he is starting to figure out AAA using different approaches.  He was using his fastball a lot in this one.
Man three really great pitching performances makes me feel spoiled, but I love it.
Winokur continues to hit the ball hard.  Another HR and two hit night.  Nice to see him not slowing down late in the season.
Fun night on the pitching side and hopefully the bats will look better tomorrow.

Not signing him is also a huge risk for a team on a tight budget.

Long-term 5 years I'm fine with. Teams who lock up arbitration eligible players usually end up with a tradeable asset at the end of the contract (see Polanco). The Twins would be stupid to let all of their players go through arbitration and walk as free agents when they could flip the expensive but still below market rate seasons for prospects instead.

2020 wasn't a real season and the wonky numbers across the league reflect that.

2020 wasn't a real season and the wonky numbers across the league reflect that.

The Minnesota Twins set out thinking they may have one of the better bullpens in baseball. It took some time to get there, but the group is putting it together. July brought some glimpses of the next wave of solid relief arms rising through the farm, too.
Image courtesy of David Malamut (@MWLArchives on X) While starting pitching typically draws the favor of fans, it’s the big bullpen arms who often handle the biggest situations during any given game. Minnesota is currently developing some talented hurlers in relief on the farm, and more than a couple stood out in the last month.
Here are the best performances from July:
#8 Matt Bowman (St. Paul) - 8 G, 2.79 ERA, 9.2 IP, 1.03 WHIP, .206 BAA, 11/3 K/BB
After pitching for Minnesota earlier this season, Bowman made stops in Arizona and Seattle. He’s back in St. Paul now, and had a great July. He’s carrying a 1.72 ERA across 15 2/3 innings with the Saints and may again be a depth reliever to get a look down the stretch.
#7 Jeff Brigham (St. Paul) - 7 G, 2.79 ERA, 9.2 IP, 1.34 WHIP, .222 BA, 13/5 K/BB
Brigham signed with the Twins this offseason, and has spent the entire year at Triple-A. His 3.91 ERA isn’t dazzling, but he has put together some strong stretches. The Saints reliever owns a solid 11.4 K/9. He has been bitten by the long ball, and has allowed too many walks, but July was a strong month for him.
#6 Xander Hamilton (Ft. Myers) 9 G, 2.70 ERA, 13.1 IP, 1.13 WHIP, .235 BAA, 17/3 K/BB
The Mighty Mussels have employed Hamilton as their closer at times during the year, and he has picked up five saves. July was a great month for both the strikeout totals and his command. A 2023 draft pick, Hamilton has worked 41 1/3 innings this year at Fort Myers, and he has often been put in high-leverage spots.
#5 Ronny Henriquez (St. Paul) - 8 G, 2.61 ERA, 10.1 IP, 1.35 WHIP, .225 BAA, 16/5 K/BB
After not reaching the majors last season and being cast off the 40-man roster, Henriquez has worked himself back into the Twins' plans. He has taken a few trips up to the Twins bullpen, and months like the one he put up in July will keep him around longer. Minnesota liked what they saw from Henriquez enough to target him in the Mitch Garver trade. Still just 24 years old, there could be more to unlock.
#4 Wilker Reyes (Fort Myers) - 8 G, 2.45 ERA, 14.2 IP, 0.89 WHIP, .180 BAA, 19/4 K/BB
A Dominican native, Reyes is having a solid season at Fort Myers. The lefty owns a 3.45 ERA but had a solid July. At just 22 years old, he has 34 strikeouts across 28 2/3 innings. Reyes will need to dial in command a bit more, but could be a candidate to join Cedar Rapids when 2025 starts.
#3 Jarret Whorff (Cedar Rapids) - 6 G, 0.63 ERA, 14.1 IP, 0.70 WHIP, .157 BAA, 16/2 K/BB
After going undrafted, Whorff signed with the Twins and pitched at Fort Myers last season. This year, he has pitched for both Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita. In High-A during July, Whorff was the best version of himself. On the year, he owns a 2.28 ERA and 9.5 K/9 while limiting walks for the Kernels. He needs to harness that in Wichita, but has shown that the stuff plays. He began August with a promotion to the Wind Surge.
#2 Mike Paredes (Cedar Rapids) 4 G, 0.57 ERA, 15.2 IP, 1.09 WHIP, .276 BAA, 14/1 K/BB
The Kernels have used Paredes as a long man, with a couple of starts sprinkled in. He worked around some base hits this month, but the 14/1 K/BB jumps off the page. Paredes has a 6.2 strikeout-to-walk ratio at High-A this year, and while he’s not a huge strikeout guy, he keeps himself in good spots by avoiding free passes.
Relief Pitcher of the Month - Kyle Bischoff (Cedar Rapids/Wichita) - 8 G, 1.54 ERA, 11.2 IP, .143 BAA, 16/2 K/BB
Undrafted out of Michigan State, Bischoff spent time in the United Shore League before signing with the Twins. After pitching in the Complex League last season, the 25-year-old has been at Cedar Rapids this year. He finished the month with a couple of appearances at Double-A Wichita. Bischoff was nearly perfect in July, and confused hitters at both levels.
His 16/2 K/BB last month jives with the strong 11.7 K/9 he owns on the season. Bischoff earned a promotion to Double-A, and should be there the rest of the season. He has continued to keep the gaudy strikeout numbers at each stop he has made, and continued development could yet make him a future big-leaguer.

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The Minnesota Twins saw a handful of their minor league talent go through promotions due to strong performances in July. With multiple arms vying for the top spot, who took home Starting Pitcher of the Month honors for July?
 
Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge Starting pitching has been something that the Minnesota Twins have keyed in on all season. When Sonny Gray and Kenta Maeda sought new homes and went unreplaced, internal talent became that much more imperative. Simeon Woods Richardson and David Festa have both eaten innings after starting on the farm. There’s a possibility they may not be the only ones.
For the month of July, there were quite a few players that took their turns in the rotation and dominated. Let’s get into them:
#7 Randy Dobnak (St. Paul) - 5 G, 2.39 ERA, 26.1 IP, 1.41 WHIP, .272 BAA, 22/9 K/BB
The culmination of years of hard work came together when Dobnak earned himself a promotion back to the big leagues. Dobnak took the ball in relief against the New York Mets, and he ended a stretch of more than 1,000 days in between appearances for the Twins. He has been among the best and most consistent starters for the Saints over the past handful of months.
#6 Adam Plutko (St. Paul) - 4 G, 2.82 ERA, 22.1 IP, 0.85 WHIP, .190 BAA, 20/4 K/BB
Plutko pitched in Korea the past two seasons and was dominant. The former Cleveland Guardians staple is looking to work back to the big leagues, and he has been putting his best foot forward in St. Paul. Plutko posted nearly a strikeout per inning in July, and he showed excellent command as well.
#5 Charlee Soto (Fort Myers) - 3 G, 2.77 ERA, 13.0 IP, 0.92 WHIP, .191 BAA, 16/3 K/BB
The fastball was what drew the Twins in on Soto, but pitching is always a developmental process for prep arms. July saw Soto put things together at a level he has yet to reach. The dominance from a strikeout-to-walk perspective was there, and Soto showed an ability to work around opposing hitters. This could certainly be a launching point for his career.
#4 Louie Varland (St. Paul) - 4 G, 19.1 IP, 2.33 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, .174 BAA, 20/11 K/BB
Varland started the year in Rocco Baldelli’s rotation. He struggled out of the gate and found himself pitching in St. Paul. After a slow start at Triple-A, Varland has turned things around and was even recalled for a spot start. He could be another depth option down the stretch, or a shift back to the bullpen for the postseason would work as well.
#3 Christian MacLeod (Cedar Rapids) - 3 G, 2.12 ERA, 17.0 IP, 1.00 WHIP, .197 BAA, 22/4 K/BB
One of the few lefty starters across the Twins system, MacLeod had an impressive month for the Kernels. He has allowed a few too many walks on the season, but was great in that department last month. The 2021 fifth-round pick earned a recent promotion to Double-A Wichita, and his 3.05 ERA on the season comes with a 10.7 K/9.
#2 Spencer Bengard (Fort Myers) - 4 G, 1.93 ERA, 18.2 IP, 1.13 WHIP, .239 BAA, 11/4 K/BB
It has been a great year for Bengard. With a 1.64 ERA across 60 1/3 innings, he has been stellar each time he has taken the ball. The Fort Myers starter dialed back the strikeouts a bit in July, but he was every bit as stingy when showing command and staying in the zone. As a 15th round pick last year, he is showing a significant amount of earl-career promise. After month's end, he was promoted to Cedar Rapids. 
Pitcher of the Month - Andrew Morris (Wichita) - 4 G, 1.04 ERA, 17.1 IP, 1.21 WHIP, .243 BAA, 20/4 K/BB
One of the most intriguing arms in Minnesota’s system, Morris is beyond worthy of attention. He continues to rise the ranks among his peers, and the 2022 fourth round pick has done it at two levels this season. Earning a promotion from Cedar Rapids after posting a 2.15 ERA, he has been a shade better with a 2.14 ERA at Wichita across 54 2/3 innings.
Morris is just 22 years old and has continued to show an ability to rack up strikeouts while limiting walks. He doesn’t get beat by the long ball, and he has been a pillar of health as his professional workload continues to creep up. It’s possible that Morris reaches Triple-A by the end of the season, but either way, he will be an arm for the Twins to consider in 2025.

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I thought much of the same. Thomasson did already sign and is down in Fort Myers, so he shouldn't be stopped that way either.

The Minnesota Twins find themselves within striking distance of the Cleveland Guardians in the AL Central. Their stellar lineup has gotten more headlines, but pitching continues to be a quiet strength for this team. Who was the club's ace in July?
 
The Twins were fourth in strikeout rate minus walk rate among MLB pitching staffs in July, and third in FIP. Here are the individuals who fueled that showing.
Griffin Jax - 10 G, 10.0 IP, 2.70 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, .167 BAA, 10/2 K/BB
When Jhoan Duran was injured out of the gate, it was Jax who immediately stepped in as Minnesota’s closer. He has continued to be one of the best relievers in the sport this season. Jax has operated in high-leverage exclusively, and has found himself in save situations even with Duran on the active roster.
The former starter has completed a near-flawless transition to the bullpen. Jax has racked up strikeouts all season long, and he is about as close to a sure thing as it gets. With arms on the shelf or lacking consistency, Minnesota will need Jax to keep showing up in a big way down the stretch.
Jorge Alcalá - 11 G, 10.0 IP, 0.90 ERA, 0.70 WHIP, .143 BAA, 9/2 K/BB
Shuttled between Triple-A and the big leagues to start the year, Alcalá has established himself as a key cog in Rocco Baldelli’s relief corps. Called upon for 11 appearances in July, Alcalá just kept showing up. He has been utilized in a multitude of different situations, and he could be a high-leverage arm by season’s end.
With Brock Stewart headed back to the injured list, there is an opportunity for Alcalá to operate in an expanded role. His 9/2 K/BB ratio in July was nice to see, and it’s clear that strides have been made to his command. With just two months left in the regular season, this could be a springboard to a really strong end of the year.
Cole Sands - 9 G, 12.2 IP, 0.00 ERA, 0.32 WHIP, .093 BAA, 14/0 K/BB
Sands has been something of a popular breakout pick for the past couple of seasons. It is now happening in 2024. Once just a mop-up long man out of the bullpen, Sands is now being relied upon to get big outs in middle relief. He has honed in his emotions on the mound, and the command has followed suit.
A perfect 14/0 K/BB in July may have been the biggest development of his entire season. With starters like Simeon Woods Richardson and Joe Ryan scuffling a bit last month, it was often Sands who was called upon to keep the Twins in a game. He has been among the greatest development stories for Minnesota this season.
Bailey Ober - 4 G, 27.0 IP, 2.00 ERA, 0.74 WHIP, .168 BAA, 29/4 K/BB
When the Twins didn’t replace Sonny Gray or Kenta Maeda this offseason, they were placing a good amount of faith in Ryan and Ober. Both have stepped up in a big way, and Ober’s July may be his crowning achievement thus far as a big-leaguer. While rocking different custom cleats on a regular basis, he has looked good while pitching great.
Ober has had a couple of tough turns against the Kansas City Royals, but otherwise been dominant on the season. He wrapped up July with a new career-high 11 strikeout performance. It was also his second double-digit strikeout start of the season. Baldelli has shown a greater level of trust in his arm, as well, allowing him to go deeper in ball games.
Congrats to Bailey Ober on being named the Twins Daily Pitcher of the Month for July.
How would you have ranked the Twins pitchers last month? Share your thoughts in the comments below.

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The Minnesota Twins entered the 2024 Major League Baseball trade deadline knowing they were chasing the Cleveland Guardians. With an opportunity to make impactful additions, ownership dealt Derek Falvey a tough hand, and little of consequence was done.
Image courtesy of © Nick Wosika-USA TODAY Sports Since the moment the 2023 postseason ended, the Minnesota Twins began to spread a message that their finances would be limited. That resulted in payroll slashing to the tune of $30 million, and was echoed during trade deadline conversations that money was not available. That reality certainly made Derek Falvey’s job more difficult, but the outcome is one that could haunt the Pohlad’s for years to come.
When Carlos Correa returned to the Minnesota Twins in 2023, he talked about having an influence on roster decisions. He provided the front office with a list of desirable acquisitions this year, and you can bet Trevor Richards was not among them. That isn’t to say the star shortstop won’t be happy with a big-league addition for a fringe minor leaguer, but a player that has experience in the World Series certainly wants more.
That’s where this all falls. Nothing about the Twins trade deadline turns to Falvey or Thad Levine. They were handed virtually impossible circumstances. Joe Pohlad and his family told the men they hired to build winners that they had little to invest in the team, and changes were to come from within. The front office duo rolled with that, not only because they had to, but because they knew their club would get healthier in the immediate aftermath of the deadline. They also encountered a seller's market, making it harder to be buyers.
Minnesota didn’t need to make monumental moves, but ownership chopped off any ability to make realistic midsize ones, as well.
Richards is a lackluster, low-leverage reliever. He has reverse splits and should help to fill part of the void created by an inefficient Caleb Thielbar, unimpressive Steven Okert, and hurt Kody Funderburk. He isn’t a high-leverage arm who can act as a peer to Jhoan Durán, Griffin Jax, or an injured Brock Stewart, though.
The Twins also failed to acquire a starting pitcher. Despite an apparent need at the back end of the rotation, Yusei Kikuchi, Jack Flaherty, and others all went elsewhere at the deadline. The Blue Jays arm earned a haul for Toronto. The Tigers got little in the waning moments. Randy Dobnak was promoted in a relief role, but unless Zebby Matthews is going to make starts, the prospect bullets have largely been shot.
If there was a time for the Twins to do something, it was now. The AL Central is good. The Cleveland Guardians are winning, and got better with the additions of Lane Thomas and Alex Cobb. The Kansas City Royals are winning, and got better with Lucas Erceg and Michael Lorenzen. Rocco Baldelli implored his bosses to make moves, and they turned a deaf ear.
It still remains entirely plausible that Minnesota can win the division, with a favorable schedule down the stretch. The starting rotation has been among the best in the sport, while both Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan have stepped up. By declining to make an upgrade, though, they narrowed their own path back to the front of the pack.
The Pohlads, coming in as something around the tenth richest owners in the sport, want you to believe that television uncertainty circumscribed their plans. They were one of more than a dozen teams dealing with that reality, but were the last (even behind Oakland) to make a trade. Major League Baseball is subsidizing their losses, and the franchise took the most lucrative deal they could get this winter, despite shutting fans out for three months in the process.
To call the whole situation (dating back months) a debacle would be putting it lightly. Finding a Pohlad Pocket Protector in this era would be something of a miracle. Falvey and Levine have worked to construct something impressive. Baldelli has managed a group that can contend. All of that is taking place while ownership operates their baseball team as a hedge fund they could care less about.
Hopefully, the cents they save now are worth the potential dollars they lose, as future fans are turned off at their operating procedures. Wealthy businessmen and women don’t get to those levels without a certain aptitude, but at least in this realm, they appear to have forgotten it all.

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Yeah I Liked the Thomason pick and the Carr pick.  Senior signs just don't get much love in the draft.  If he has the Griffen Jax mentality he'll do just fine.  Looking forward to see what he can do.