jorgenswest

A search of aging curves will certainly lead to articles about how second baseman decline earlier. http://www.baseballprospectus.com/news/images/4464_6.gif Additionally Dozier was a rookie at an older age. Those players tend to decline earlier. A third factor working against him is that some of the aging curve studies are based on the steroid era data. Recent students show that the aging curves may be changing and players are entering decline at an earlier age. http://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/hitters-no-longer-peak-only-decline/ There is lots of work in this area. I hope the Twins are paying attention. Decisions like extending Jared Burton into his 33 year old season when they had his age 32 season under team control or extending Ryan Doumit through his age 33 season may have been avoided.

The Twins contract with Span ran through his age 30 season. Dozier can't become a free agent until his age 32 season. If he earns it, pay the arbitration cost and trade at age 30. Let somebody else pay for the decline.

Allowing him to go to arbitration and the Twins risk he performs at an all star level and earns a large salary. Sign him long term and the Twins risk making a long term commitment to a middling or worse 2B. The Twins can afford to risk he will step up to all star level. They are a mid market team. A small market team might need to the cost control. The Twins can't afford to make more long term commitments to players to players without near certainty that they will be among the better players at their position. They need to act like a midmarket team. Let him earn his big dollars in arbitration and happily pay for top performance.

The Twins can afford to pay his arbitration costs. They don't need to buy his decline phase. Go year to year and plan trade high in his free agent year. Let some one else buy the decline.

The Twins can afford to pay his arbitration costs. They don't need to buy his decline phase. Go year to year and plan trade high in his free agent year. Let some one else buy the decline.

This is really unfair to the players and their families. Major League Baseball and the players association need to fix this so that players aren't losing so much time in DFA limbo and unnecessarily moving their families so many times. Easy fix - the claiming team must keep them on the 40 or 25 for the remainder of the season (or at least 100 days). Too many teams are claiming with full knowledge that they will be designating in short time. The player is the loser.

FIP in particular requires a pretty large sample size to be meaningful as it is homeruns based and home rate needs a large sample size. It probably is not particularly helpful during the season but might give information over a full season when there is a significant difference in ERA. I would think the same about fielding metrics. It certainly is true about any split that is reported. Strike out rate and walk rates don't require large samples. They could be meaningful. I really think we are better off having broadcasters with a skilled eye sharing what they see happening on the field. Leave the stats and the analysis out of the broadcast. They are so easy to misuse due to sample.

The signing of Pelfrey probably did close out reasonable chances of making it this spring. He didn't make very good use of his limited opportunities and passed through waivers. The Twins weren't the only ones who did not see the value. I do think the Twins should have given him the year in AAA to see if he might make it as a reliever. They could have made room. Ray Searage and the Pirates may have the skill to get the talent out of his arm. He could not have gone to a better place.

Signing decline phase players in hope that they will return to former success keeps the Twins from seeking other options. All of the successful signings listed above were younger than the trio signed this winter. They all came with multiple years of team control. They didn't come with opt out dates that forced the Twins hand with roster decisions. Those signings can not be compared to the signings of the former Twins trio in terms of risk or upside.

With the signings of Kubel, Bartlett and Guerrier, comments overwhelmingly went like these below. No risk? No impact on the 40 man roster? Alex Presley Brooks Raley Darin Mastroianni Signing decline phase players (even to minor league contracts) does have a risk. It kept the Twins from seeking other younger solutions. It invests playing time into players with no upside. It costs a few younger players on the 40 man roster who have a better long term shot at being a role player. Everyone wasn't on the no risk side of the conversation.

I think I would need to take out pitcher strike outs in the NL so I did check AL numbers in 2011 and 2014. They have increased from 18% to 19.7%. Kubel 21.4% to 34.1%. I do not think lasts year's abysmal performance can be written off to injury. Kubel's skill has changed.

I agree. Perkins new contract also makes him more difficult to trade. Kurt Suzuki is the best trade chip and really the only one without a 2015 commitment that can get anything beyond the return for Liriano or Morneau. The supply of relievers and DH types laboring in the field is too great. They never will have value. League average or better starting pitching, catching, shortstops and centerfielders are the best currency.

Jason Kubel has enough plate appearances to pass the sample size threshold for strike out rate and walk rate. [TABLE=width: 500] [/TD][TD]K-Rate BB-Rate 2011 MIN 21.4% 8.0% 2012 ARI 26.4% 10.0% 2013 ARI/CLE 31.7% 10.0% 2014 MIN (through 5/9/14) 34.1% 9.3% [/TABLE] When signed this winter, it was reasonable to believe that last year's struggles were related to injury. Is it still reasonable?

Last year the errors in the FSL ranged 100-159. Fort Myers had 113. The MWL range was 137-196. Cedar Rapids made 159. It doesn't seem that the Twins instruction around errors was much different than other organizations last year. A-Ball players make a lot of errors. The game speeds up from the rookie leagues to A-Ball and errors result.

Poor number in 600 some plate appearance scattered over 3 years is not proof. Countless valuable players have had poor numbers at the start of their careers. Talented coaches and staff who watch Parmelee every day should be able to make that assessment outside of the data. Their assessment spoke in the spring when he was designated and echoed by the lack of claim. Yet there are still many players who have been waived and gone on to have valuable careers. The Twins called him up and they need to give him a long stay in a regular role. That role could be a platoon role. It would eventually be at the expense of at bats for Kubel.

Fryer is a benefit to the young pitchers in AAA. He certainly has a reputation of being an asset behind the plate. He would probably be picked up in spite of his low upside bat.

If the Twins have called up Guerrier for his trade value, they haven't been following the market. Set up relievers have been getting little in return the last few years. The supply is too good. Every seller has some to trade. The only other reason to call him up is because they believe he makes this year's team better. It will be at the cost of future teams if they don't invest innings in Tonkin as a result of this move. Who is the next 30+ they add? Bernier?

Twins will set a franchise record when Guerrier appears in a game. More 30+ year olds will have appeared on the the 2014 Twins than any other Twins team. They had tied the 1991 team when Sam Fuld made an appearance. Maybe the rebuild will start next year.

He should stay in AAA into June. If he can maintain his success for another 25-30 games, bring him up and play him a regular platoon role. Dump or trade any of the veterans not under team control next year.

I think Bernadina would need to be on the 25 and in the majors. Buss would provide outfield depth in the minors and need to be on the 40. Buss could be an upgrade over Wilkin Ramirez.

If it is true that he is a great defender at SS, those skills are rare. Defense saves runs and wins games. He turned a bad throw from Hughes into an out. It could have been runners on second and third no outs top first. It is a myth that there are lots of great defensive shortstops (or catchers) in the minors. Some teams would care about losing him.

I have a hard time seeing how the week or 10 days he might spend being a utility bench player will either hurt his development or the Twins. He is here until either Hicks, Arcia or Willingham return.

[SIZE=3]S[FONT=arial]ample sizes for a few ratios are becoming large enough to consider as reliable. For pitchers, strikeout rate stabilizes at 70 batters faced (BF) and ground ball and fly ball rates stabilize at 70 balls in play. By stabilizing, that doesn’t necessarily mean it is the new expected rate. It does mean that any significant changes from previous year cannot be written off due to small sample size. For minor leaguers a drop or change likely coincides with a change in level of minor league and the necessary adjustment. It is also important to note that 70 is a major league threshold. I am not aware of minor league research in this area. It is perhaps reasonable to assume that K-rate (K%) and ground ball rate (GB%) stabilize earlier than other rates. Looking at the levels: [/FONT][/SIZE][TABLE="class: grid, width: 564"] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]Minnesota[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Age [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Team [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]BF [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Ricky Nolasco [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]31.5 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]134 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]10% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]20% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]50% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]41% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Kyle Gibson [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]26.7 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]129 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]12% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]51% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]51% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Kevin Correia [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]33.8 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]125 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]10% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]13% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]42% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]42% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Phil Hughes [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]28 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]121 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]19% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]31% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]30% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Mike Pelfrey [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]30.4 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]119 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]8% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]15% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]42% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]44% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Samuel Deduno [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]30.9 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]83 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]16% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]49% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]58% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Anthony Swarzak [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]28.8 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]MIN [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]69 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]10% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]46% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]44% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3] [FONT=arial]A lot has been written about Pelfrey. The 8% strike out rate won’t cut it. Nolasco has seen a significant drop in strikeout rate. A little of the drop can be attributed to switching leagues. His pitch mix in his early starts was very different than when with the Dodgers. With the Twins, he was throwing more 4 seam fastballs and fewer sliders. Maybe the Twins staff took notice: yesterday’s game was the first Twin start in which he threw more sliders than 4-seam fastballs.[/FONT] [/SIZE][TABLE="class: grid, width: 565"] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][B]Rochester[/B] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]Age [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]Team [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]BF [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]2014 K% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]2013 K% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]2014 GB% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]2013 GB% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Kris Johnson [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]29.7 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC/MIN [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]113 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]22% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]17% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]50% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]50% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Alex Meyer [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]24.4 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]112 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]31% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]30% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]41% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]57% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Scott Diamond [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]27.9 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]105 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]13% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]10% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]35% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]45% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Trevor May [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]24.8 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]96 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]32% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]24% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]33% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]38% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Logan Darnell [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]25.3 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]88 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]24% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]19% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]41% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]49% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3]Yohan Pino [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]30.5 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]ROC [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]85 [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]32% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]22% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]30% [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3]35% [/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Meyer, May and Pino haven’t hit the 70 ball in play threshold for groundball rate to be stabilized due to their high strike out counts. I am looking forward to seeing May and Meyer in the majors. May’s mix may be similar to Phil Hughes and perhaps Target field will be a good match for him. [/FONT][/SIZE][TABLE="class: grid, width: 564"] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]New Britain[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Age [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Team [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]BF [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Taylor Rogers [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23.5 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]NBR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]117 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]16% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]42% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]53% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Pat Dean [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]25.1 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]NBR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]113 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]12% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]44% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]40% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Sean Gilmartin [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]24.1 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]NBR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]99 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]31% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]38% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]D.J. Baxendale [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23.5 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]NBR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]93 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]13% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]47% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]33% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Matt Summers [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]24.8 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]NBR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]76 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]17% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]17% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]53% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]44% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3][FONT=arial] Gilmartin’s rate should be followed. The increase could be explained by the drop from AAA to AA. It may also be a return to where he was when he was seen as a good prospect. At some point, he will hit AAA and hopefully the improved strike out rate will follow him. [/FONT][/SIZE][TABLE="class: grid, width: 564"] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]Fort Myers[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Age [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Team [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]BF [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Tyler Duffey [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23.5 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM/NB [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]119 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]15% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]35% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]44% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Jose Berrios [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]20.1 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]114 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]39% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]41% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Mason Melotakis [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]94 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]19% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]18% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]50% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]46% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Alex Wimmers [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]25.6 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]81 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]16% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]45% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]26% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Steven Gruver [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]25 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]74 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]14% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]54% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]50% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Tim Shibuya [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]24.8 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]FTM [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]70 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]13% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]17% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]69% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]48% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3][FONT=arial] I expect Berrios’ numbers to improve as he adjusts to high A. Wimmers hasn’t pitched much either year. Let’s hope he can find the talent that made him a late first round pick. [/FONT][/SIZE][TABLE="class: grid, width: 564"] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial][B]Cedar Rapids[/B] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Age [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Team [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]BF [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 K% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial] [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2014 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]2013 GB% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Aaron Slegers [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]21.8 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]116 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]27% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]61% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]60% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Ryan Eades [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22.5 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]114 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]21% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]19% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]31% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]48% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Kohl Stewart [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]19.7 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]98 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]17% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]29% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]49% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]43% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Felix Jorge [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]20.4 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]82 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]17% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]29% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]37% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]48% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Ethan Mildren [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]23 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]72 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]25% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]19% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]65% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]51% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [TR] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]Josue Montanez [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]22.4 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]CR [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]70 [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]27% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]14% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3] [/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]37% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [TD][SIZE=3][FONT=arial]42% [/FONT][/SIZE][/TD] [/TR] [/TABLE] [SIZE=3][FONT=arial][SIZE=3] Sleger’s combination of strikeouts and ground balls is encouraging. A midseason call up to Fort Myers seems reasonable. Walk rate stabilizes next for pitchers at 170 plate appearances. I have looked for when pitch data rates (swing and miss rate and others) stabilize, but have not seen it. Since there are more pitch events (number of pitches) than batters faced events or ball in play events, I would guess that some of those rates have stabilized.[/SIZE] [/FONT][/SIZE] View full article

I wasn't interested. I was wrong. I couldn't imagine his poor defense in CF matching well with our corner OFs. His other position is 2B and Dozier has been solid. In hindsight they should have signed him and put him in the OF mix or started him at 2B and moved Dozier to SS. I argued then that they would still need a back up infielder but he would have been a lot better in the role that the Twins envisioned Bartlett. The Bartlett role wasn't one I had foreseen.