Steven Buhr

I'm pretty sure the drug policy (including the minor league policy) was negotiated by the players union. True, the minor leaguers aren't allowed membership in the union that negotiated those terms, but that's a different issue (that we beat to death in another thread). Look, I'm a child of the 60s-70s and it's unlikely I'd have passed many drug tests if my HS and Juco sports teams had administered them, so I'm about as open minded on this issue as anyone. That said, if my shot at earning a job that comes with a half-million dollar minimum wage depended on me not using pot... or alcohol... or Hostess Cupcakes... and I knew I could and would be tested for such a substance... and that said policy was negotiated as part of collective bargaining and had zero chance of being thrown out any time soon... I'd like to think even my 19 year-old self would have been smart enough to make sure I didn't screw up... twice. I think it's arguably a legitimate safety issue for baseball to want to keep players from playing ball under the influence of drugs, even a relatively harmless one. That said, if baseball (and the union) really felt such use of MJ was a safety issue, then penalties wouldn't apply only to minor leaguers, so that's a pretty flimsy rationale. But regardless, the rule is there, Rosario was well aware of it because he failed a prior test that got him warned, and he still failed a second time. Pretty stupid move.

And I find it amazing that I can post something I write at 1:00 am and by 8:30 the next morning, already 85 people have read it!

May have also had something to do with the Twins having AAA affiliates in the area for some time. Both Denver and Portland at various times. But, honestly, before the Rockies and Mariners, the Twins were the closest geographic MLB team for folks in Wyoming, Montana, etc.

Heading in to the 2014 season, everyone pretty much had expectations in check with regard to the Cedar Rapids Kernels. The team's fortunes would likely turn on the performance of a staff of young, highly heralded pitching prospects. The offense, meanwhile, could very well struggle to score enough runs to keep the Minnesota Twins' Midwest League affiliate competitive. As they near the end of the first month of the season, however, the Kernels are two games above .500 with a 13-11 record and the hitting is at least as responsible for that success as the pitching staff is. Infielder Tanner Vavra and outfielder Zack Larson are just two of the Cedar Rapids players making major contributions with their bats. Before Tuesday night's game with Kane County, Vavra and Larson talked about their season thus far. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/LarsonVavra2014.jpg Zack Larson and Tanner Vavra Vavra, the son of Twins coach Joe Vavra, spent a few days recently at the very top of the Midwest League's leader board in batting average and still leads his team with a .344 average. He's also reaching base at a .391 rate and carries an .829 OPS through Tuesday's games. While most fans may not have expected that kind of production out of Vavra, neither he nor his manager seem terribly surprised, either. “He’s a guy that really obviously has been around the game his whole life, with his dad being a professional baseball guy,” said Jake Mauer of his second baseman. “He’s got a lot of baseball instincts. He knows himself as a player. He knows what he needs to do and he plays to his strengths. He’s a guy that puts together good at-bats. He makes the routine plays. He’s definitely earned his playing time.” “I’m just trying to put good swings on (the ball) and help the team win,” said Vavra of his hot start to the season. “I’m just trying to stay with the same approach and kind of just get my pitch and get on base for guys like Larson here to drive me in.” Meanwhile, Larson's also got a pretty impressive early-season slash line, as well with a .307 batting average, a .351 on-base percentage and an .806 OPS. That's not a bad start for a 20 year-old in his first year with a full-season affiliate. “He’s really come on for a younger guy and made some adjustments.” his manager said of Larson. “He was having a little hard time with offspeed pitches, but that’s not the case any more. He's doing a nice job out in right field. He’s going to hit in the middle of our order and he’s getting even better in the outfield and that’s pretty encouraging to see.” Larson's just as humble as Vavra when asked about his contributions, too. “Like Tanner, I'm just trying to put good swings on it,” said Larson. “That’s my main focus, put a good swing on the ball and hopefully good things happen.” Both hitters have been particularly productive at the plate with team mates on the bases. In fact, both Vavra and Larson are hitting at a .400 clip with runners on base. Neither man claims they do anything special in those situations, though. “I don’t like to get out, so I try to take the same approach with runners on or runners not.” said Vavra, laughing. Added Larson, “Just barrel it up and put a good swing on it. I try to do that every at-bat; stay focused.” The two team mates may be making similar contributions to their team's cause this season, but they come at their tasks from very different backgrounds. http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Larson2014-600x449.jpg Zack Larson Larson was drafted by the Twins in the 20th round of the 2012 First Year Player Draft out of his Bradenton, Florida high school. A 24 year-old from Wisconsin, Vavra played college ball at Valparaiso University before being drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of last June's draft. A year ago, top Twins prospects Jorge Polanco and Adam Brett Walker were manning the positions that Vavra and Larson are holding down this season. Both guys just smile when asked about trying to live up to the offensive legacy of last year's Kernels. “I think we all knew it was going to be tough to follow in the footsteps of the team from last year and we were never trying to do that,” said Vavra. “We're never trying to live up to what they did last year, because, let’s face it, that’s pretty special what everybody got to see with the number 1 prospect in all of baseball playing (in Cedar Rapids).” “With that being said, our goal is still the same,” Vavra added, “to get to the playoffs and put good seasons together individually and have a great team season. Hopefully take it one step farther and get that ring.” And maybe do enough to get a promotion to the next level in the organization? "Everyone wants that," acknowledged Larson, "but you can’t control that. You can only control what you do. Can’t worry about that." Larson shares the Midwest League lead with 10 doubles already this season, just one shy of his total two-baggers during his 55 games a year ago at both rookie league levels combined. Then again, he had five home runs last season and has just one as a Kernel. But don't expect Larson to feel disappointed with his results so far. “I’m not disappointed at all,” Larson explained. “I’m not worried about hitting home runs. I’m just worried about helping the team win and putting good swings on the ball and if I hit a home run, it’s cool. Whatever I can do to help the team.” “He’s young.” chimed in Vavra, about his team mate. “He’s still got a lot of manpower to come his way. This is his first full season. You never know, he might catch hot in July once the weather warms up and you’re going to see big things out of him.” http://knuckleballsblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Vavra1-600x456.jpg Tanner Vavra Vavra's complete story can't be told without mentioning that he's blind in his right eye, the result of a fishing accident at age three and a subsequent injury suffered playing football several years later. His ability to play baseball at a professional level with that limitation inevitably comes up during interviews. That could give a player a bit of a chip on his shoulder, but Vavra said questions about his eyesight don't bother him much anymore. “It’s kind of came and gone. That used to be the biggest concern.” said Vavra. “People doubted me.” “It irritated me for a while and it’s still a little chip,” Vavra continued, “but I’m just trying trying to get rid of the whole, ‘You’re here because of your dad,’ type deal.” “I haven’t gotten anything like that from the players, they’ve all been great. I haven’t heard that once. It’s from bloggers and those people that somehow send a letter to your house and tell you that you don’t belong. That’s my chip right now. The eye thing is always going to be there, but that’s my new chip.” While it's understandable that Vavra would be sensitive to suggestions that he hasn't earned his place in pro ball, having a father in the game has its benefits. “This offseason, I got to work with him for 5-6 months. That’s incredible. Going from usually working with him for three or four weeks over Christmas break to five months. It was definitely helpful.” While Vavra was spending his offseason working out indoors in Wisconsin with his dad, Larson was wintering in a much warmer climate. “Down in Bradenton, I give lessons at an indoor batting facility and my hitting coach is also there,” said Larson, of his offseason. “I hit with him and work out, try to get in the best shape I can before the season starts. Every day, hitting cage, doing something with baseball.” Larson arguably seemed to have an edge on non-baseball related activities. “I go to the beach. Beach is a big thing in Florida,” said Larson. “Just hang out with my friends. I don’t see them that often. They’re in college when I’m back at home.” Vavra, on the other hand, “did a lot of hunting and fishing. Different fishing though, dropping a line through the ice.” The look on Larson's face, hearing that, gave the impression he wasn't inclined to trade offseasons with his team mate.

Honestly, since the Twins and Kernels hooked up on an affiliation, the blackout of Twins games hasn't bothered me as much, either. I simply spend much more time watching the Kernels than I used to. I just think it's absolutely stupid of the Twins to allow the situation to continue. But then, the Twins do a lot of stuff I find stupid and one could certainly argue that they know their business better than I do.

Just thought I'd mention that KGYM in Cedar Rapids is carrying some (but not nearly all) of the Twins games on one of their FM frequencies (107.5) this year. Had been carrying WSox games the past few years but switched to the Twins this year. I doubt we'll see Twins games on free TV until the cable industry goes bust. Can't happen too soon, for my tastes.

And I'm fine with a couple weeks, Brock, especially given that the Twins go on the road Monday for a week. My point is simply that I'm kind of tired of thinking logically and being deliberate to make sure every move is timed perfectly. I'd like to see a little sense of urgency out of this front office right now; a sign that they're just as tired of the bad starting pitching as fans are.

What you say makes perfect, logical sense, Brock. But I'm just not sure another couple of weeks will answer those questions. Will the Rochester pitchers throw nothing but shutouts for 2 weeks? No. Will the back of the Twins' rotation be as bad as they have been? Probably not. Where would that leave you in 2 weeks? As for the message it would send to the established veterans, I think it might be, "quit sucking or your butt is out of here because we're done putting up with it." I'd be ok with that as a fan and I think I would be, too, as a player.

I'm typically OK with giving guys plenty of time to develop on the farm before bringing them up to the Big Leagues and I know that one of the worst things people who run a professional ballclub can do is change their philosophy out of emotion. I get that. But today (and maybe just today, I don't know) after seeing the kind of excitement at the Wild's game 6 last night that I don't think has existed in Minnesota sports since the Twins' "game 163," there's a big part of me that would like to see the Twins finally just say, "screw it! We're going to put the best guys we've got on the field and give our fans something to get excited about, too!" Based on my Twitter timeline last night, there were a bunch of Twins players at that Wild game and they had to dream of feeling that kind of buzz at a Twins game. If you're management, how do you look Mauer and Perkins (not to mention your manager, whose job is on the line) in the eyes and explain why you've got perhaps 3 of your organization's best starting pitchers right now still in Rochester while your MLB rotation is getting rocked? I don't think it "hurts" Meyer or anyone else to make a few more AAA starts. Right now, though, I just don't like the message it sends to your team (or your fans) when it certainly appears that you have better pitchers available to you than you're putting on the hill every 5 days, but you won't bring them up.

Yes, it's the same batter the whole time. I didn't notice the shift real-time, but noticed it on the video, too. Timely positioning.

From the Kernels game Monday night: Ryan Eades on the mound and Jason Kanzler in CF. [video=youtube;DMFbY6rLjDs]

For me, if you don't have Killebrew, Oliva and Puckett, don't bother with the monument at all. I'd say, start chiseling their likenesses in to the mountain and we'll decide on the 4th face when you have those three done. I'd imagine that face would eventually be Mauer, but I wouldn't commit until he's much closer to the end of his career. Guys like Carew and Blyleven are certainly worthy, but my preference would be to limit the list to those who spent pretty much their entire careers (or at least entire productive careers) with the Twins. That's also a reason I would hold off on Mauer, for a bit.

Put me in the group that was on-board with signing Drew during the offseason, but sees no chance of it now. If you want him now, you have to sweeten the deal enough that he (and his agent) are willing to give up the bidding process that's almost certainly going to happen in June. That doesn't seem wise because it would likely involve more years and things like no-trade rights. At this point, Drew's best bet is to simply wait another month and let any team with a need for him bid his price up. It seems like he and Boras overplayed their hand by not taking the QO, but I won't be at all surprised to see someone more than make up the money he lost once there is no longer draft pick compensation involved.

At that point in the game, bottom of the 7th with the rain starting to spit and severe thunderstorms about an hour away from arriving, there may have still been over 50 people there. But I bet there weren't 100.

The last week to ten days have not been kind to Beresford. He's just 6 for 39 in his last 10 games played. Ironically, all 6 hits came in pairs as he accumulated them in three two-hit games. One of those two-hit games came yesterday (Sunday Apr 27), so let's hope that's the start to getting him rolling again at the plate.

A year ago when Buxton started out so hot in CR, I spoke with someone in the Twins organization about when he might be promoted and was told they usually wait until June, in part because they like to see a player face the same team for a couple of series. Those teams make adjustments and the organization wants to see how the player handles those adjustments. You can't see that when he's only faced an opponent for one series. Made sense to me at the time. Still does.

Nope, no snow. Just some spitting rain and temps in the upper 50s. It started there in the 7th inning. But that wind was strong. Both HRs, the one Slegers gave up and the one Ivory Thomas hit, went out to RF and had a bit of help.

If he tips the breaking ball, the Clinton hitters sure didn't pick it up. His delivery really does seem pretty efficient. I didn't check the Clinton speed gun sign every pitch, but I saw a lot of 89-92. I saw one 93 (strike) and one 94 (ball).

Saw the Kernels beat up on Clinton Sunday afternoon. Starting pitcher Aaron Slegers had a great day, going 7 innings and giving up just 1 run on 6 hits, no walks and 8 Ks. He changed speeds well on his fastball but it looked to me like his breaking ball was nasty. If you'll pardon my shaky video talents, here's his 1-2-3 7th inning [video=youtube;DN3hcy5iZb0]

Used the discount to pick up a couple of Legends Club seats for the Saturday Tigers game. Thanks for arranging the discount, guys.

I don't disagree, but one thing that is different than last year is that there appears to be pitching depth ready to step in if the rotation continues to crumble. That doesn't mean Meyer, May, Johnson, et al, will be lights out when they get their chances, but I feel better about their chances than I did about their options a year ago.

Agree with Eric. It would be interesting to know how many of Polanco's errors at SS this year are on balls hit to his right. As a kid, I was an infielder without the necessary arm to be a really good SS and I handled everyhing to my left fine, but balls to my right made me hurry and that meant not only bad throws, but bringing my glove up too soon and botched transfers. I see the same thing now in some minor league SS with questionable arms.

Not so sure that's the case if he's a Boras client. Not saying it couldn't happen, but have to think it's less likely than if he were represented by someone else.

Guess I would respond to Mr Middlebrooks by saying the Twins don't have 5 guys better than what Meyer was last night. They may have some better than he was in his prior start. I don't think he needs several outstanding starts to get called up, but I'm ok with waiting for a couple more pretty decent starts (or at least not another clunker next time out).