Pitz

As for Buxton, it is great to see him get off to such a hot start. From different reports I've read, it sounds like he has a great work ethic and desire to improve. Hopefully, he can continue to put up solid numbers and in a couple months maybe he'll be ready for the next challenge.

Several people have suggested this, and I had thought about it as well. But I remember someone (Jeremy?) in another thread talking about how this is also a risky strategy. I like the idea of trying to spread out the talent if there's no clear cut BPA. However, its pretty tough to predict that 'projected unsignable high schooler' is still going to be available with the next pick. Maybe another team decides to save on their later round picks and go well above slot to sign the unsignable. If it were to work out, it looks genius (kudos to Houston for what they were able to do last year), but I'd rather the Twins go with the top player on their board.

I'm not a Gardy hater and I don't want to start a stream of bashing. I'm usually pretty laid back about most things but his comments in this arcticle Gardenhire has several possibilities to bat second really bothered me. I think that somehow he's stuck with the notion that the 2nd hitter is some sort of sacrificial lamb. "He has to bunt and all those things to get the guy over." "People say they want Joe Mauer batting second, but do you really want him coming up with a man on second base and shooting them the other way?" Yes I absolutely want Mauer coming up with a man on second, because he is the team's best hitter. The goal is not to get the runner to third. The goal is to get him home while preferably making as few outs as possible. Would you rather have Mauer or Dozier up with a runner on second? To be fair, Gardy does mention wanting the number 2 hitter to be an on-base guy and that's he's looked at Mauer in that slot. But it just seems his priorities are a little out of whack for the second spot in the lineup.

Is Travis Harrison at 5 if he sticks at 3B and at 6 if he has to move over to 1B?? I'm going to guess that maybe you intended to put Vargas in at 6?? In all seriousness though, thanks for the write up. Appreciate the insight and its nice to get an idea of where everybody is likely at. I'm hoping to catch a couple Kernels games and hopefully a Rock Cats game as well after I move out east this summer.

If, when the Twins pick, there is nobody who is clearly the BPA, would they be wiser to sign somebody who would take less than slot and try to use the savings throughout the draft similar to what the Astros did last year? I don't know much about the depth of the draft, but it seems from the discussion that the top end talent is not particularly impressive.

I'm about to look elsewhere on the site for more discussion about him, but I was just wondering what the chances are of Wilkin Ramirez getting the 4th outfielder slot? I don't know a lot about him but he seems like a guy who should be given a shot in that role, especially if Hicks goes to AAA. Noticed from a quick look at his numbers that he's primarily played corner outfield, so maybe that would be too ugly of a defensive outfield if it was he, Hammer, and Parm.

Thanks for the write-up. One note, its Kiley McDaniel, not McDonald. I'm not trying to be anal or anything as I know I make mistakes all the time, just want to give credit appropriately. I, as I'm sure most of us do, really hope that Sano can develop into a serviceable third baseman. I think he's got the skills to do it. Only saw him play once, but to me it seemed that he could be ok there with more time and reps. He definitely has the arm for it, but yes footwork is the main issue. I'm very excited to see what Sano can become.

There is a nice article by Mike Newman on FanGraphs - Like Aaron Hicks, Buxton Will Require Patience Newman notes that Hicks has seemed underwhelming at times probably because the expectations were so high. Some interesting points were that Hicks has never been less than above average at any level and in 2012 his offense was 33% better than league average. He then goes on to talk more about Buxton, but I was encouraged by what I read about Hicks.

I had been thinking the same thing as the original poster. I definitely think that if Bourn has to settle for a 1 year deal, the Twins should strongly consider it. He would fill a glaring hole at the top of the order and actually makes the lineup look pretty potent on paper. I'm eager to see what Hicks can do, but signing Bourn would allow them flexibility with Hicks. If he has a great spring training, or tears up AAA for a month or so than it would make sense to me to start Hicks in right and let Parmalee be the bench bat that so many have talked about needing for the punchless middle infielders. They could also find some occasions to still start Parmalee. If Hicks shows he's not ready, than he is allowed the time he needs in AAA to continue his development. The 2nd round pick does not concern me that much. 1) I've heard this year's draft is very weak. 2) They can get the pick back the following year if they make a qualifying offer or potentially trade him to a leadoff hitter/CF starved contender for hopefully a prospect that is further along in his development than the draft pick would be. I understand the desire to have seen that money spent on a quality SP, but it seems that ship has sailed. I feel there is very little risk in a 1-year deal for Bourn and this is definitely something worth exploring by the Twins FO.

I just signed up for a 30 day free trial of ESPN Insider just so I could read the prospect stuff that Law is putting out this week. The thing that struck me most about his comments regarding Twins prospects was regarding Rosario's floor: an everyday outfielder who hits .280 with 40 doubles. Obviously that's more valuable if he can stick at 2B but that seems like a really nice floor!

Thats two encouraging reports on Sano's development. Keith Law had this to say about Sano in his chat (2) yesterday when asked about his high strike out rate: "He's really young, and I'm hearing the quality of his ABs is good and improving."

Thanks for this article. It seems that maybe/hopefully Morneau is finally able to focus on playing baseball and improving at the plate rather than worrying about his injuries. Here's to hoping that he can finish this year strong and get ready for an even stronger campaign in 2013.

Living in Chicago, this is the first game I've actually been able to watch on TV. Unfortunately it means I have to listen to Hawk Harrelson and Steve Stone - sometimes humorous with how painfully awful they are. Nice 2ndinning going for the Twins

I saw Sano on Saturday. He was 0-3 (a little sad I missed him by a day as he hit a homerun on Sunday). I'm no scout but I thought I'd share some of my thoughts. The ball does indeed jump off his bat. His first at bat, he hit a hard line drive right at the right fielder. His final at bat was a GIDP, but it was an absolute smash right at the shortstop. I'm not trying to exaggerate, but its just obvious that he hits the ball hard. The scouting report in the program says he has 'easy power' and I think that describes what I saw. I don't think that those who are concerned about the Twins ruining his power by telling him he needs to use all fields need to worry too much. He did not appear to be set on pulling the ball and it looks like he has natural power to all fields. Of his 11 hrs - 6 to left, 1 - left center, 1 - center, 3 right. As for the concerns with him: Defense: He committed an ugly error, which was by all accounts a footwork problem. He literally stepped on his own foot as he fielded the ball going to his left and then still tried to throw to first off-balance sailing it to the fence. I think he has pretty good hands to handle the infield. He definitely has the arm for third, but certainly needs to work on his footwork and approach to the ball. Plate Discipline: He saw 16 pitches in his four plate appearances. He didn't chase anything out of the zone. He also swung at all but one strike that he saw (didn't swing and miss). In my opinion, none of the pitches that he swung at were pitchers pitches and seemed hittable strikes so I can't blame him for swinging. He drew a walk in his second plate appearance and popped-out on a first pitch strike in his next at-bat. I'm not really drawing any conclusion from the day about his plate discipline but just thought I'd share what I saw.

I saw that Sano did not play for Beloit today. Anybody know if that was just a routine day off? I'm planning to go to the game tomorrow, but it may not be worth the trip if he's not playing. Also hoping that if it was just a day off that Rosario isn't due for one tomorrow.

i hope they don't move him up for awhile. mostly for personal reasons. i live in chicago and i'm planning to see a few beloit games this year, so i'd like to see him before he moves up. i would think that they would leave him in beloit for at least half the season though unless he really forces the issue. tough to say he's forced the issue after only 2 weeks, but exciting to see him off to a good start.

From Kevin Goldstein's tweet, it sounded like he hit them into the wind, meaning the wind was blowing in from right.

I was a little surprised to see Levi Michael batting 9th for the Miracle. I would think that they would want him (and Angel Morales) higher in the order to get more plate appearances. I'm sure the order will change and they'll both move around in the order, but I would hope to see Michael more consistently at the top of the order.

Less playing time for Doumit is a good thing coming out of the gate. It means that the Twins have some depth if these young guys can continue to step up when the games really start to count. I think Doumit will still get his fair share of at-bats over the course of the season. Hopefully this all means that the Twins are better prepared to fill holes when injuries occur. But again, thats dependent upon the young guys stepping up when called upon.

Ok. I agree, I'm hoping that Benson forces his way into that outfield. My thought would be Benson in right, Span in center, Willingham in left, and Parmelee/Morneau at 1B/DH. I think Doumit's best role on this team is backup catcher, pinch hitter, and occasional matchups DH.

I'm just curious what you mean about Benson. I agree that Benson should get some playing time this season, but I was wondering if you are implying that you think Span will be traded, or you're just saying that Benson will play due to injury?

I understand the thinking in terms of trading one of these guys, but I feel the expectations for what the Twins could get in return are a bit unrealistic. It seems to me that teams aren't very willing to trade pitching prospects. I think the best they could get for Span would be someone who projects as a #3 starter. Maybe that would still be valuable for a Twins system that needs pitching, but I'm not sure it would be worth trading a quality leadoff hitter to get.

I'm curious who the Rangers would want from the Twins in return for Koji. I agree that Koji would be a great addition to the bullpen but I'm not sure the price is right in terms of who the Twins would trade to get him.