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RJA

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  1. RJA
    Thanks for the summary, Theo. Couple of thoughts. Does anyone know what is up with Hajjar's control. His walks per 9 have nearly doubled over his last year at Michigan. One would think that in lower A that players would be less disciplined than in college, and more likely to chase. Maybe they have him working on some things. His strikeouts are great, so his stuff must be pretty good. Second, I like Martin as a prospect, but I am not sure one homerun is cause for celebration. If they are trying to get him to drive the ball more, I am not sure it is working--at least not yet. Finally, Sands seems like he is either lights out or has trouble getting anyone out. I didn't watch last night's game, but the stat line is not pretty.
  2. RJA
    Great summary, Nick. I suspect there is not an analytic for this, but it seems that for some teams in some years things just go bad, or things just go right in terms of close games, injuries, individual performances, rookie surprises, free agent signings, etc. Last year it seemed that everything went bad in many of those categories. It was almost like you knew a few weeks in that there was bad karma around the team. This year it seems like it is the polar opposite, with things going right even when there are setbacks--like Lewis coming in after Correa's injury, Celestino playing great with Buxton out, and Larnach stepping up at a time when Kirilloff is struggling with an injury. This team has good karma around it. Maybe it has something to do with the "chemistry" issue Seth raised in an earlier article. Whatever the source, I hope nothing changes!
  3. RJA
    Baseball is a crazy game. Who would of thought at the start of the season that the Twins pitching would be dominating and the offense a little hit and miss? Let's just hope that the pitching stays consistent and Buxton, Correa, and Larnach come back quickly and the offense begins to rake. Boy, hate to hear the news on Paddack. Hopefully, it will turn out better than we anticipate and will not lead to significant elbow issues.
  4. RJA
    I would pull him from the rotation and use him in a couple of mop up situations to see if he shows any sign of improvement. If not, I would release him.
  5. RJA
    Great update. Thanks. It is great to see Wallner heating up. Actually, it was a great day for the top 20. Fun times for sure watching so many prospects starting to hit the bigs. I can’t remember a time when so many have arrived together.
  6. RJA
    Three observations. First, it is great to see Emmanuel Rodriguez drawing three walks. It shows good discipline for a young, aggressive hitter. Second, I didn't watch last night's game, but it still does not seem to me that Kirilloff looks comfortable at the plate. Not sure if it is his hand, or if he is just feeling some pressure. Finally, Correa's injury is a gut punch, but I think Lewis is ready. He has been fantastic at St. Paul. We are lucky that we have him, and I don't think the moment will be too big for him.
  7. RJA
    I wasn't sure so I checked and I believe Headrick is Rule 5 eligible this fall, so it might be a good idea for the Twins to promote him and see how he does. Lefties with his strikeout totals would be attractive in the draft I would think, but the TD staff is better equipped to make a judgment on that than I am.
  8. RJA
    I know it is early, but Headrick is doing two things of note this year more than in his injury year of 2021. One, he is allowing fewer hits, and two he is not walking anywhere near as many batters. In the latter case, he is walking 1.9 per 9 this year compared to 5 per 9 in 2021. It might be that 2021 was an aberration due to injury as this years walks are closer to his numbers in college. My guess is they will move him up soon when a spot opens in Wichita.
  9. RJA
    Great summary, Steve. I was really excited for the Varland matchup, so I hope that is on for today. I have a couple of thoughts. First, I have not seen Cavaco play this year, but is he struggling as badly this year as it looks from the boxscores? That is a concern. Second, it doesn't appear as if Raya struggled too badly. I think they probably pulled him because of his pitch count in the second inning. Sometimes an error can disrupt a young pitcher's rhythm. Finally, CES and Sabato are really going in opposite directions as prospects. Sabato just can't seem to make any solid contact, while Strand is playing very consistently, drawing a few walks and hitting with some power.
  10. RJA
    It certainly has been a terrific start for the rotation, about which I must admit I had severe doubts. The Athletic has a great article about how well the members of this rotation have bonded, enjoying each other's company and helping each other out. Seth had a great article about winning and chemistry, and I think the chemistry of this group will help all of them be better. It is still early, however, and the hitting around the league is slow to come around. Let's just hope we are still seeing positive numbers in mid summer. We are going to have a fun year if they stay on course.
  11. RJA
    Another great summary, Seth. Three thoughts. First, what an exciting start to both the minor and major league seasons. If this keeps up, it is going to be an exciting summer. Second, Wallner is looking much more comfortable at the plate than he did earlier in the year. I think he was pressing a bit early as now he is showing more patience as evidenced by his walks, and is driving the ball much better. I am pulling for the young man. Finally, SWR looks like he may be moved up later this summer. He has great stuff and is showing better control after last year's blip in walks. And, he is looking so confident on the mound. How do you argue with 7 hits in 21 innings?
  12. RJA
    Thanks for the update. Two thoughts. Alex Isola is really playing well. He is another below the radar prospect. Second, Noah Miller looks to be adjusting to A ball pretty well. While he is striking out some, he is also drawing a lot of walks, and seems to be solid in the field. I wondered about him after the draft, but I was wrong. I think the kid has a future.
  13. RJA
    Great to see Wallner starting to heat up. I tuned in from the NFL draft just in time to see the throw home and it was impressive. It is also nice to see Canterino making progress and doing well. I continued to be amazed by the number of strikeouts pitchers from all teams are racking up. The combination of the focus on launch angles and increased velocity is certainly having an affect. Finally, Lewis taking four walks shows his maturity at the plate. His comeback year is impressive in all aspects of the game.
  14. RJA
    Wow, fascinating article. I asked a very similar question in a sports management class I taught in college, and the responses were all over the board, but fascinating. 1. When I worked (I'm retired), I preferred organizations with leaders that had a high level of emotional intelligence (there is a significant correlation between a high level of EI and success as a leader), as leaders with EI tend to value employees, listen to employees and do their best to create an organizational culture that encourages collaboration, risk taking, and a "we're in it together" sort of ethos. I found I not only performed better in those organizations, but also had more fun and a better attitude. 2. I think good team chemistry is another way of saying that a team has a positive organizational culture, one that values the things I noted above. Like with non-sports organizations, having a good team chemistry does not guarantee success, but it definitely is a contributing factor to success. Positive team chemistry will not produce a winning team if no talent is present, but it improves the chances that a good team talent wise will realize its potential. Likwise, a bad team chemistry does not guarantee poor results, but it certainly contributes to team failures--the Vikings under Zimmer for example. 3. I think the team chemistry, or organizational culture, of the Twins is very good this year. As to who deserves the credit, all of the above. Ultimately, while the FO needs to sign the right players (Correa and the players signed and traded for this year seem to be positive, but Donaldson, Lynn, Shoemaker, etc were not), it is the front line leader, Baldelli, that has to make it all work. I think he does a really nice job of dealing with his players. While I criticize some of his game management decisions, I think his players play hard for him, and he listens to them. He has EI. So do many of his players. For example, for Correa to come in here heralded as the best shortstop on the planet only to say "this is Buck's team, not mine", and that "Buck is the best player in baseball" shows incredible EI. He gets it. And with those simple statements he removed any chance of people perceiving a rift between he and Buck. He did it because he is smart and knows that it would immediately remove any conversation about who is "the" leader of the Twins. 4. Both. Winning and good team chemistry feed into one another. You can have one without the other (depending on talent levels), but you will be at your best when you have both. As for the keys to success, if the Twins want to be at their best, they need all three--Buxton, talent, and chemistry. They can be successful without chemistry, but not without Buxton and talent, so I would say chemistry is #3. But, chemistry, IMHO, is worth a number of games every year. Maybe somebody will develop a WAR number around chemistry ;). Sorry for the long winded answer, but you did ask.
  15. RJA
    I agree with Dman about Encarnacion-Strand. If he improves his plate discipline, he will see a lot more good pitches to hit and could do some real damage. I think I would move him up once he shows that his plate discipline is for real. He has 5 walks in the past two games with no strikeouts. If this continues, move him up as he has killed pitching at Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids. As a former college player, I think you can push him a little faster. I have been a fan of Contreras, but boy has he fallen off the log. I am not sure what the issue is but he has not looked comfortable at the plate.
  16. RJA
    Nice report, thanks. I find Julien to be a fascinating prospect. While he doesn't have tremendous power or have flashy hit tools, his eye at the plate is special. He has an uncanny ability to lay off of pitches. I have wondered if his on base percentage would fall as he moved up in the system, but thus far it has not. I have noticed he draws walks even against pitchers with good control. It will be fun to see how he progresses. Tonight's games should be fun. We get to see Henriquez, SWR, Headrick and Stankiewicz on the mound. Might be a lot of K's if these guys are on.
  17. RJA
    I am pulling for Smeltzer as he has been through a lot and works his butt off. If he continues to perform, he will be at Target Field this summer. While the rotation is doing well now, there will be injuries and there are no assurances that Bundy and Archer will continue to pitch well. I hope they do, but it is still early, and when batters start to warm up, they may have a harder time. As to the pitch clock, I think Smeltzer is overreacting based on a couple of at bats. Once the hitters get used to the clock, all will be fine.
  18. RJA
    Interesting question..I think it can be different with every player and position. Physically, I think Correa could play mostly every day, but I am thinking his off day may be more a mental off day than a physical one. I suspect he is pressing a bit. I think he sincerely wants to make a difference for this team and may be putting pressure on himself. Yes, I know they are professionals, but this is his first time away from Houston and the first time he has had to make good on a 35 million dollar contract. He will come around. I understand the Jeffers situation as you want your catcher strong for the long term as it is the most demanding position physically. Also, early in the season you want to get players into the lineup to keep them sharp. Tom Kelly was always careful to do that as well.
  19. RJA
    It is only one game but I thought Kirilloff's swing looked ok last night. Hopefully he is pain free and ready to do some damage. Both Sabato and Wallner are showing some signs of waking up at the plate. Miranda is struggling a bit. Hopefully it is just a cold weather thing with him and he will heat up with the weather.
  20. RJA
    Whether Correa stays or not (he won't--the Twins will not pay him 250 million), the fact that he is talking up the Twins, the area, his family's welcome, and his teammates will only help attract free agents in the future. We are not a preferred destination for many players, and likely never will be unless we win it all or come close for a few years, but I think his feelings about how he has been welcomed are real and if a player were to ask him about the Twins even when he is playing elsewhere he will talk the Twins up. His experience and Buxton's presence should help the Twins attract players in the future, assuming of course, that the FO looks to make some free agent additions.
  21. RJA
    This may be your best, most detailed summary yet, Seth. The highlight for me was Raya's performance. This kid could be special, methinks. I have three thoughts overall. First, having watched a lot of MiLB tv games, I continue to be impressed with the depth and quality of the Twins minor league pitchers. It certainly bodes well for the future. Second, I am curious why Cano seems stuck at St. Paul. I like his stuff, but it must be the inconsistent control that worries the Twins. Third, what is your take on Henriquez? The fact that he is in St. Paul would seem to indicate the Twins think he is close to ready. With a nice slider and a nice change up, he could be a good bullpen piece as well as a potential starter. On a related note, it was great to see Rosenthal's piece about Correa being interested in staying, and how much he likes the area and the team. While the money won't work I am sure, if nothing else, it may help us recruit other players in the future.
  22. RJA
    Excellent summary, Nick. It truly was Buck's week. Sweeping the Sox was significant, even if it is early in the season. It should give a boost to the team going forward. And, I'm glad we got the Larnach, Garlick, Celestino situation worked out ;). I love this site.
  23. RJA
    I LOVE this article! It may be my favorite of the things you have written. I have a wife and daughter who love shopping, love the lake, love music and dancing, and love traveling, but they love baseball as well. We have the Twins on wherever we are if we are not at the ballpark. When we are out fishing, the baseball game is our constant companion. I think you are right--there are more and more women baseball fans, and this is so important to the future of the game. Bless you for writing this, and for contributing to TD.
  24. RJA
    Great summary. Boy, that Lewis shot was incredible. I guess that answers the question as to whether he can hit with more power as he matures as a player. I will be interested to see if Adams continues to pitch well today. Thus far, he has looked very sharp.
  25. RJA
    Now, now, let's not be a cynic. Obviously, it will take some time to see if he has really figured things out. That is to be expected. But his at bats, especially when confronted with off speed stuff, are much better than last year by a substantial margin. I think that is the point mikelink45 is making.
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