Paul Pleiss

A word of advice for Twins Festers: get a name tag with your name and Twitter handle to help people who only know you electronically find you in real life.

Winning!

Episode 21 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/greg2-300x356.jpg Once again the Pleiss brothers get together to talk Twins baseball. Continuing their look around the AL Central division they are joined by Lewie Pollis (@LewsOnFirst) from WahoosOnFirst.com and BeyondTheBoxScore.com to talk about what's been happening with the Cleveland Indians since the end of their season and what we can expect from the Tribe in 2013. Later in the podcast Seth Stohs (@SethTweets) joins the podcast to talk about the recent release of his Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2013. By the end of the podcast you will have learned something about the Heart of Darkness, Greg Gagne, Josmil Pinto and a whole slough of other Twins news and notes. http://puckettspond.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/themes/advanced/img/trans.gif __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 21 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/greg2-300x356.jpg Once again the Pleiss brothers get together to talk Twins baseball. Continuing their look around the AL Central division they are joined by Lewie Pollis (@LewsOnFirst) from WahoosOnFirst.com and BeyondTheBoxScore.com to talk about what's been happening with the Cleveland Indians since the end of their season and what we can expect from the Tribe in 2013. Later in the podcast Seth Stohs (@SethTweets) joins the podcast to talk about the recent release of his Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2013. By the end of the podcast you will have learned something about the Heart of Darkness, Greg Gagne, Josmil Pinto and a whole slough of other Twins news and notes. http://puckettspond.com/wp-includes/js/tinymce/themes/advanced/img/trans.gif __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Anytime I get a chance to pick Seth's brain about prospects it's a good day, and I'd like to see more of these, or even a prospect centric podcast!

Episode 20 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/dissectedsock-300x518.jpg This week Eric and Paul are joined by Ken Boehlke from WBBM Chicago to take a closer look at the Twins division rival Chicago White Sox. After talking with Ken we discuss Bert Blyleven's plae in Twins history, the baseball HOF's induction process (or lack thereof), and reveal each of our top ten prospect lists going into 2013. We discuss beer, baseball, and not a whole lot else, join us for the twentieth installment of the Talk to Contact Podcast.If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 20 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/dissectedsock-300x518.jpg This week Eric and Paul are joined by Ken Boehlke from WBBM Chicago to take a closer look at the Twins division rival Chicago White Sox. After talking with Ken we discuss Bert Blyleven's plae in Twins history, the baseball HOF's induction process (or lack thereof), and reveal each of our top ten prospect lists going into 2013. We discuss beer, baseball, and not a whole lot else, join us for the twentieth installment of the Talk to Contact Podcast.If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Having all of this info in the book is PRIME! I had average age for league numbers penciled into my book along with some other stats, happy to have them in the book to begin with. The prospect handbook continues to evolve into a better and better tool/book.

I don't think a 6-man rotation makes sense for this team, despite their accumulation of 4-5 type starters. I suspect Pelfrey to start the season on the DL, and Gibson to be in EST to start the season and limit innings on his arm. The suspect the Twins will go with a standard 5-man rotation, but that we will see a lot of different guys moving into and out of that rotation, especially early in the season.

I spent nine years in LaSalle/Peru, all of middle-school and high school, a nice commnity growing up out of the corn fields of central Illinois, adided by the intersection of I-80 and I-39. When do we get to see a picture of the pup?

2015, Twins compete in AL Central and have an outside chance at post-season contention, although that chance is quite small C - Mauer/Herrmann, Mauer will play a lot of DH, but will still catch 60 games behind the dish 1B - Parmelee 2B - Rosario, although I think this is a stretch, his defense will need to improve, but his bat should play for a middle infielder 3B - Someone suggested Goodrum, which I like, but I think this spot is filled by a veteran FA signing SS - Goodrum, I love this kid and think he can be an above average everyday regular LF - Arcia CF - Hicks RF - Benson I don't know, but I like this game.

Of more interest to me is who is going to be the 4th outfielder for the Twins. Hammer, Mastro and Parm seem to be locked in for opening day, but who is the #4? Does Clete Thomas get an undeserving call for opening day? Will Benson or Hicks crack the 25 man to start the year? I think Benson is more likely if only because I think there is more value giving Hicks time in AAA before moving him up, could see him by mid-season which also would avoid the super-2 business and give the Twins an extra year of control.

Episode 19 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. Eric and Paul have returned from their winter hiatus to bring you more witty banter about the Minnesota Twins. This week they are joined by listener of the week, Mark Smith, to project opening day lineups and discuss spring training battles that will have to be won. After Mark's departure the twins discuss Kent Hrbek's place in the Twins Hall of Fame, Eddie Rosario's future as a second basemen and of course what type of beer they're drinking. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/butera-590x441.jpg If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 19 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. Eric and Paul have returned from their winter hiatus to bring you more witty banter about the Minnesota Twins. This week they are joined by listener of the week, Mark Smith, to project opening day lineups and discuss spring training battles that will have to be won. After Mark's departure the twins discuss Kent Hrbek's place in the Twins Hall of Fame, Eddie Rosario's future as a second basemen and of course what type of beer they're drinking. http://puckettspond.com/files/2013/01/butera-590x441.jpg If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog. Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

I like big Mark McGwire for the hall, but other than that I've got no arguments with the guys you listed, definitely a very deep year for HOF. I am interested to see what happens with Edgar Martinez being that he was primary a DH.

I sing the grinch song to start the episode, that alone is worth a listen.

Merry Christmas Cody, thanks for the song, I enjoyed it.

Unfortunately I think Florimon starts the season as the everyday SS, definitely not excited about it, but I think it's happening. Carroll and Dozier to split time at 2B/Utility, and I'm sure Carroll will also spell Florimon at SS, maybe Dozier too. I dont think Slama makes the club, he didn't get called up last September, and the organzation seems to have some serious bias against him getting things done at the big league level; I wish they'd give him a shot, but it's not happening.

I like the signing for the Pirates, 2 years, 2 chances to catch the Liriano lightening in a bottle. Maybe 2 years is risky, but I think moving to the NL can only help Frankie. I think he'll be worth at least 1.0 WAR in the next 2 seasons, which is about a wash for the moeny the Pirates are investing.

If Plouffe can get back to his power hitting ways from last summer his lack-luster below average at defense is an acceptable loss. If he turns back into a pumpkin or cant keep his BA around .250, then his offensive skills will not outweigh the problems with his glove. That being siad, with 2013 looking to be another bad season for the Twins, give him all the chances he needs to find his power stroke, what's the harm?

I'm with Seth on this one, Mauer is already a lock for the hall. If he can continue to be a .300/.400/XXX hitter for the next few years, even if only half those games are behind the plate, he'll be a shoe-in when he finally hangs up his cleats.

I think I read the Twins will have 34 pitchers in camp this spring, looking to give a lot of arms a look and see what sticks. -P

Episode 18 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/Grinch-300x300.jpg Eric and Paul are joined this week by special guest Brandon Warne of Star Tribune Storts, Fangraphs and other places around the web to talk about the newest Twin, Mike Pelfrey and what that signing means for the team going into 2013 and beyond. After Brandon departs the twins discuss Rod Carew, whether or not Daniel Turpin will ever reach the big leagues and what the Mets/Blue Jays trade means for baseball in Canada. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/IMAG0145-300x179.jpgThis is what it looks like when Eric records the podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Episode 18 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/Grinch-300x300.jpg Eric and Paul are joined this week by special guest Brandon Warne of Star Tribune Storts, Fangraphs and other places around the web to talk about the newest Twin, Mike Pelfrey and what that signing means for the team going into 2013 and beyond. After Brandon departs the twins discuss Rod Carew, whether or not Daniel Turpin will ever reach the big leagues and what the Mets/Blue Jays trade means for baseball in Canada. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/12/IMAG0145-300x179.jpgThis is what it looks like when Eric records the podcast. If you enjoy our podcast, please take a couple extra minutes and rate and review us on iTunes (ratings and reviews have magical iTunes powers, which help us become warlocks.) You can follow Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) or read his writing at the Knuckleballs Blog.Once again thank you to Egon's Unicat for letting us use their music on the podcast. __________________ Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact) or email the show: talktocontact@gmail.com

Bad teams often have a lot of room for talented prospects to move quickly through the farm system and get a chance to play with the big league club. After losing 99 games in 2011 the Twins stunk it up again in 2012 and lost 96 games. Half-way through the off-season the Twins have traded away their two best center fielders and while they have gotten back three quality arms in return, two of those arms still have a ways to go before they make it up to the big league club. The Twins also added a veteran arm to the starting rotation, but by all accounts it looks like the Twins are building for the future at the expense of the 2013 season. Who are the young guns in the system to be on the lookout for? Follow me Down on the Pond and together we'll take a look at some of the top prospects in the Twins minor league system. This week we take a look at the prospects I have ranked 16th-20th. http://puckettspond.com/files/2012/05/down-on-the-pond.1.jpg 20. Adrian Salcedo. Salcedo was limited to just 9 games this past season after he suffered a broken nose when a line-drive came back and caught him in the face. In 2011 Salcedo posted a nice 2.93 ERA in low-A Beloit but only struck out 92 batters in 135 innings after having struck out 81 in 93 innings the year before. I look for Salcedo to return to the Miracle in 2013 where his K rate will hopefully return and his ability to keep the ball in the park will remain. 19. Daniel Santana. Santana is switch hitting short-stop who spent 2012 with the Miracle. After hitting .247/.298/.373 (AVG/OBP/SLG) in Beloit in 2011 he made the jump up to high-A and improved his slash line to .286/.329/.410 in 2012. Santana was the Miracle's primary SS, but also spent some time at second base. Santana committed 27 errors at SS in 2011 but reduced that to 16 in as many chances in 2012, unfortunately he committed another in limited duty at second base. Has Santana done enough to start the season in AA? _________________________ To read the rest of the article, please visit Puckett's Pond Follow me, @BaseballPirate, on Twitter Check out the Talk to Contact Podcast (@TalkToContact)