Jump to content
Click here to check out our updated free agents rankings, now up to 150 players and sortable by position! ×
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

Darius

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,085

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    2

 Content Type 

Profiles

Minnesota Twins News, Rumors & Analysis

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Rankings

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Minnesota Twins Trade & Free Agent Rumors

Minnesota Twins Fan Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

2026 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks & Signing Bonuses

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by Darius

  1. Darius
    It does look funny from our perspective. From a hitters perspective, the lateral movement on that pitch is wild. I have some first-hand experience that causes me to appreciate that pitch: I caught a guy in high school who had an unbelievable slider/slurve that looked similar to Romo’s in terms of directional movement. Great, great pitcher. Romo’s breaking ball is much better, no doubt, but it reminds of me of his and it was good enough to get plenty of attention from pro scouts. He eventually got drafted in some obscure round because he was giving up baseball after high school to play college football (great receiver as well). It was very difficult to catch, let alone hit. Amazing that a ball can move like that. I saw on multiple occasions hitters totally bail, once or twice even going to the ground, only to have the pitch break over for a strike. Swings would look silly. I don’t recall anyone making solid contact. It looks like a fastball that takes a violent left turn about halfway to the plate, breaking what seemed like multiple feet. It almost seemed to change speeds suddenly mid-flight. A devastating pitch. I picture Romo’s a perfect version of that pitch, breaking even more sharply. People just can’t hit that.
  2. Darius
    Good is about right. Not great. There are a lot of solid pieces (Rogers, Dyson, Romo, Duffey, May), and everyone seems to be going relatively well right now. There isn’t a run of consistently dominant guys, like you see at the back-end of the Yankees bullpen. With Chapman, Britton, Ottavino, Kahnle, and once healthy Betnances, lined up in the playoffs, they have a huge advantage over anyone. But, I think we’re just as good or better as any other serious playoff contender right now.
  3. Darius
    Imagine the Twins total if they played in Yankee Stadium. The Twins might have 50 more right now. How many have we seen off the top of that scoreboard in right-center at Target Field? I’ve seen Cruz and Garver do it a half-dozen times each just in August. Rosario and Kepler have smashed that a number of times as well. Those are gone by a mile in Yankee Stadium. It’s also where Judge hits most of his HRs (we actually saw him come up short off that scoreboard here in MN in July).
  4. Darius
    It reminds me of the Twins in the late 90s. Nearly everyone was juiced out of their minds. Sosa and Big Mac were hitting 2 HRs a night. Meanwhile, Matt Lawton, Ron Coomer, and Terry Steinbach led the Twins with 21, 15, and 14, respectively. David Ortiz hit 9. Clearly, the Twins we’re behind the times (aka, had subpar pharmacists). It was reflected in the standings. Fans lamented the lack of power-hitters. Similarly, the Tigers seem to be one of the last to embrace some of the analytic-based things.
  5. Darius
    It feels like it’s been years since seeing Cron and Schoop mentioned positively in the same post-game. If Schoop and Cron could get hot down the stretch and into the playoffs....lookout. Think about taking the team from May and adding 1.000 OPS Miguel Sano and Arraez to that. The team could carry a tee to serve as the whole pitching staff and still have a shot at the World Series.
  6. Darius
    Sano doesn’t get near enough credit for what he’s doing this year, IMO. You almost never hear about him, and he’s been mashing. He has the second highest hard hit rate in the MLB (thus, the highest on the team - and ahead of Cruz in second by 3%). He average home run goes 14 ft farther than Aaron Judge and average overall batted ball distance is 24 ft farther than Judge. His average exit velocity is slightly lower than Judge, but if you look closer it’s because Judge has the edge in hard hit ground balls. Miguel has better velocity numbers on fly balls and line drives, which is clearly preferable. He has two full point in barrel per batter ball rate than Judge (21.5 to 19.5%). There are plenty of arguments to be made for Sano being the best pure power hitter in the game right now. When you take a step back and realize he’s only 25 years old right now (two years younger than Judge), it’s pretty darn impressive. The fact that most people had already written this guy off makes the story even better. We’re seeing one of the best hitters in Twins history play right now and many don’t even realize it (were actually seeing 2 or 3 with Cruz and Kepler).
  7. Darius
    Cruz has missed some time lately, and he started slow. But, the last month or two seems epic (without looking at any numbers). I recall the stretch recently with multiple 3 HR games in the span of about a week. He nearly had a third 3 HR game in between (and would’ve in many other parks) with two doubles a foot from going over top corner of the wall out in right center of Target Field. I’ve never seen anything like it. Thome was great, but for my money I’ll take Cruz.
  8. Darius
    I don’t think it’s likely that Graterol or Alcala show up and blow everyone away (assuming they actually follow through on bringing one of them up. I’m skeptical). Major league hitters are facing high-velo guys with knee bucking breaking stuff every night now. The command has to be there. Berrios is a recent example of raw stuff that was dominant in the minors, but a little off against big leaguers l. It took him 1.5 years to refine things. Being in the bullpen may be different, but I think the overarching concept stands. Major league lineups, especially when you’re talking about the Yankees, Astros, Twins, are on a completely different level. You’re facing 8-9 batters that are twice as good as the best hitter you’ve faced in your life up to that point (aside from the occasional rehabs). I actually like the Twins pen a lot going into the homestretch. Duffey and Dyson look great right now. Rogers and Romo are rock solid. I really like how May has been throwing the ball. You can really take innings away and play some matchups with that group.
  9. Darius
    Can’t argue with the list. I’m not sure he’s any more unexpected than the theee mentioned, but Sano May have a place here. A large portion of the fan base had written the guy off. But, he’s been our best hitter behind Cruz for going on two-three months now. He’s provided some monster clutch ABs (the most exciting against the Yankees for naught, but still amazing). He’s working deep into the count and punishing mistakes. Without his re-emergence, thus team likely wouldn’t be in first place right now.
  10. Darius
    Certainly, 2 of 3 or even a sweep to basically bury the Indians wasn’t too much to ask here. Although, we did get the White Sox at an awful time. Nova and Giolito have been exceptional lately. We were “buzzsawed.”
  11. Darius
    A lot of people get frustrated with Gibson for it, but Odorizzi’s inability to pitch deep into games is really hurting this team.
  12. Darius
    People just hate Sano, man. No matter what he does. I believe people were pointing to Jake Cave’s OPS at his age in the game thread last night as reason he should be platooned with Buxton/Rosario in the outfield (as opposed to not playing at all). It’s .300 points lower than the number you’re referencing.....and Sano is actually younger. Perception is everything. These stellar numbers from Miguel Sano just aren’t good enough....unless youre anyone but Miguel Sano.
  13. Darius
    Not a good look losing 2 of 3 to White Sox at home. Especially with all of the issues coming into question lately. Here’s to hoping to offense comes through and we don’t have to cross that bridge.
  14. Darius
    Just when you think a corner has been turned. Heaven forbid we go on any sort of long winning streak. Can’t beat the White Sox at home? That’s too much to ask?
  15. Darius
    People are hand-wringing over God Bless America while calling for Take Me Out to the Ballgame?
  16. Darius
    One of the funnier things I’ve seen/heard in a while. Gotta feel for the guy though. I just picture him laying in the fetal position in his bed the entire next day in agony. Not only thinking his career is over, but that he’s going to show up on all sorts of obscure blooper-shows as long as the TV footage exists.
  17. Darius
    Interesting note about knuckle alignment at the end. That’s kind of surprising because I was taught that as an elementary-age ball player. I just taught to my 4-year old t-baller this summer. After struggling for 2 years, that’s what fixed the swings of one of the (now) best hitters in the American League?
  18. Darius
    Finally taking care of business.
  19. Darius
    Not a ideal time for Berrios to: a). Hit his annual wall. And/Or ‘ Have an injury of some kind.
  20. Darius
    Cave should’ve swung at 3-0 there.
  21. Darius
    I have to give Schoop some credit for coming through. Massive home run.
  22. Darius
    He has a great foul off pitch.
  23. Darius
    Huge game by the pen tonight. Great to see.
  24. Darius
    I’m just planning on a walk-off homer here.
  25. Darius
    Schoop got a big hit?
×
×
  • Create New...