Jump to content
Twins Daily
  • Create Account

rdehring

Verified Member
 View Profile  See their activity

  • Posts

    2,976

  • Joined

  • Last visited

  • Days Won

    6

 Content Type 

Profiles

News

Minnesota Twins Videos

2026 Minnesota Twins Top Prospects Ranking

2022 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

Minnesota Twins Free Agent & Trade Rumors, Notes, & Tidbits

Guides & Resources

2023 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

The Minnesota Twins Players Project

2024 Minnesota Twins Draft Picks

2025 Minnesota Twins Draft Pick Tracker

Forums

Blogs

Events

Store

Downloads

Gallery

Everything posted by rdehring

  1. rdehring
    Not a lot of wins, but several very nice starts from the starters. Speaking of starters, Benninghoff had a rough one. Any information on how he is doing coming back from TJ surgery following being drafted. Does he look like the potential is still there and yesterday was just first game jitters? Also, any news of the reason Hackimer is on the suspended list? Is it a Twins decision, or minor league baseballs?
  2. rdehring
    I am getting tired of seeing prospect lists that begin with where was he drafted or how big his check was when signed. Yes, that is meaningful the first year or two in the organization because it is based on the opinion of the people that matter, the Twins scouts. But after several years in the organization, rankings should be based on what Player X is doing on the field while the tools factor lessens. Yes, we are looking at this at a very poor time comparing Arraez to Gordon as Arraez is on a streak that none of us could have expected. Including yesterday's (I think it was yesterday as the last two days of games seem like one to me) perfect drag bunt. But if I read what you wrote, Seth, it appears you are in agreement that Arraez is the leader for the Twins starting second base job next year. So is that his floor...starting second baseman for the Twins? And what's his ceiling, a decade long starter putting up eye popping average and on base numbers with little power and only a few stolen bases? By comparison, what's Gordon's floor and ceiling...remembering he has yet to play the second half of this season when he recently has gone in the tank? I doubt anyone can say his floor is the starting shortstop, or second baseman, for the Twins. Yes, Gordon got a bigger check when signing. Yes, Gordon runs really well and has a chance of sticking at shortstop. Isn't it time to get off the bandwagon until he puts it up on the field for more than a couple months (how many at bats does he have cause I know he was on the IL for awhile?). OK, I'm done with my rant. As for Thorpe, no one is a bigger fan than I. With that said, I am disappointed in his results this year and am surprised he didn't drop further.
  3. rdehring
    Looks like all 11 of the first ten rounds are signed with +$443,000. Overall, looks like they signed 31 of 41. Can they use the entire $443,000 and give $568,000 to the Auburn second baseman? Would be almost exactly what they paid Holland. I know he said he was returning, but dollars can change everything. Hopefully they will get one or two more signed, making an unusually big class really big. But then we don't know, maybe this new regime will always sign 30+ every year.
  4. rdehring
    I understand what you are saying, Tom. Followed Escobar closely last year looking at every appearance. Did some research of which I don't recall the specifics. But of the three or four biggest names coming thru the system recently, I believe only Graterol had awesome numbers...but not as good as Escobar. A couple others, like Romero, were good but not eye popping...which Escobar was. The other thing that was impressive was that if memory serves, he was one of the top two or three pitchers in the league for ERA, WHIP, and some other stats. I recall that only one of that upper group was also 17. Although I agree with you totally that a lot of numbers in the DSL aren't all that meaningful. But Escobar separated himself from almost all other pitchers in the league last year and Twins who have come thru the DSL over the past half dozen years. I totally understand not following and ranking a lot of guys from the DSL. But this kid had a special year which is why I am so excited to see if he can back it up in Florida this summer...and yesterday was a very good first outing.
  5. rdehring
    Count me among those who loved the bunt call. Forget all the numbers and studies, the most important part of that decision was the score, we were down 1 run, the point of the game, 7th inning, who was bunting and who the two hitters were behind him. Getting two runners into scoring position for Arraez and Polanco makes a ton of sense to me. Probably knowing that Schoop can't bunt, however, makes the decision questionable. But if he bunts or strikes out, at least he didn't hit into a double play and the next two hitters have a good chance to tie or take the lead. The bigger question for me is who do the Twins start at second base game one of the playoffs. Personally, I hope like heck it is Arraez!
  6. rdehring
    Not a lot of problems with this group. Like most, am excited to see what Blankenhorn does over the next couple years. Also believe Rortvedt will be sharing the catching duties with Garver by sometime in 2021. Don't know what to think about Urbina's ranking. I expect Anthony Escobar won't be included in this Top 40, yet, he was one of the top pitchers in the DSL last year as a 17 year old. I understand that tools is what gets scouts excited and the big $$$ follows. But I personally have a problem with basing rankings off the size of the check someone received while not recognizing production in the DSL. And who knows, I may be shocked to learn that Escobar is in the next group.
  7. rdehring
    Davis continues to impress the heck out of me, although it looks like the Pigs pitching wasn't that great last night. That was Mejia's first appearance of more than an inning and now hasn't allowed a run in 6.0 innings. Looks like he has another two weeks on his rehab before he will have to be activated...or DFA. If healthy, could he be that second lefty needed in our bullpen? Sure looks like Tampa Bay's Wander (Franco) is off to a better start to his career than our Wander. How do the Ray's keep getting all this talent? Great seeing Schulfer have another strong start. Is it time we start considering him for some of these Top 40 rankings? But the best news of all, at least for me, was the first start of the year for 18 year old Anthony Escobar. Including yesterday's 3.0 shutout innings, he has allowed only 7 earned runs in his first 63.1 innings as a professional. Was hoping this kid would come to the States and dominate. Yesterday, he took a first step towards that hope becoming reality.
  8. rdehring
    Thanks for the early look at who the Twins may be signing next week, Cody. Look at the Twins current roster. Of the 15 position players on the team, I'm including the three on the IL as of yesterday, 8 are from Latin America and Kepler is from Germany. With 60% of the Twins position players signed as International Free Agents (not all signed by the Twins) it appears to me this is THE most important method of obtaining future talent.
  9. rdehring
    Thanks for a great article Mariana. Almost sounds like you have some first hand information, do you? I have been a huge fan of Arraez for several years. As I have stated elsewhere over the past few days, believe he can have a special career. However, won't be surprised if he gets sent back to Rochester for a few weeks when all the guys come off the IL over the next days/weeks.
  10. rdehring
    They did and he is no longer on the 40-man.
  11. rdehring
    Was thinking the same thing, especially that line drive in the gap he didn't get to. Was asking myself, "self, would Kepler have gotten that?" Don't know. Also don't know how they may have been positioned differently. Of the 5 positions La Tortuga plays in addition to catcher, would have to say right field is the toughest for him...perhaps in part because he hasn't played there very much. See him as ok at first and third, acceptable in left and at second or right only in a pinch. But that is great flexibility for someone who is ok behind the plate.
  12. rdehring
    Gotta believe Davis is playing himself into a 40-man roster spot come November. Ditto for Diaz. It seems like both are having great games nearly every day. Liked seeing Sammons with a game like that. Eagerly waiting for Escobar to make his first start/appearance for the GCL Twins. Want to see if he continues pitching like he did last year in the DSL. If he does, he could be special.
  13. rdehring
    Looking at these five as a group, must say I was more excited about the five we read about yesterday, 26-30. Don't know if I would flip all five, but certainly several.
  14. rdehring
    Looks like the Twins are getting that 'swagger' back. At least for one night. Isn't La Tortuga a perfect 13th man? A utility player with an interesting bat who can actually play catcher...not just in an emergency. Should be great next year when the team will actually carry 13 players all year.
  15. rdehring
    If this group can't make the organization's Top 25, wow! Liked many of the above comments, thanks guys. Personally, I wouldn't include Celestino with this group until he starts to deliver somewhat on those tools. Same with Canterino. Expect both are legitimate players to consider in this range, until we see the players surrounding them who have delivered.
  16. rdehring
    Great article, Nick. Is it possible the biggest help will come from within the organization? Perhaps May or Duffey or Littell take that final step and becomes a shut down reliever the last 60 days of the season. They still have to go out and try to bring in some help, but maybe one of the three will step up. One avenue you haven't mentioned is if a current starter would be converted to the pen. That could happen should their big move being a trade for a young starter who would be protected for a couple years. Not real certain if Pineda or Perez would be any better than what we have seen. But could be a partial fix.
  17. rdehring
    Do you know, Seth, if Brubaker signed for $125,000? Or was it more? If not, once Holland signs they should have lots of money to go after a couple of those lower draft picks. What a great start by Jax. Looking at the league leaders, if he had about 4 more innings he would have the second best ERA and third best WHIP. Gotta believe he is headed to the middle of the Twins rotation by opening day 2021...if not sooner.
  18. rdehring
    Signing Gross for $10k is a surprise, pleasant surprise. They have to get Holland signed, but still should have a good balance remaining to go after one or two kids taken after the first ten rounds. Maybe #11, Brubaker? All indications are this is going to end up being another excellent draft. Remains to be seen what they do on the field the next two or three years, but seems like management had a good grasp of this draft.
  19. rdehring
    I understand that I am in the minority here, perhaps a minority of one. But I believe Arraez' OBP and walk rate will improve in the major leagues compared with the minors. Just watch him take at bats. He is selective and has the ability to work long at bats. Yes, I doubt he will continue the 20%, or whatever, walk rate in his first forty some plate appearances. But I believe it will be higher than the minors, thus, his minor league .385 OPS can, and will, actually go up once he has settled into his major league career.
  20. rdehring
    Yes, I believe he will have an OBP over .400. If not every year, certainly many years. As for his career, yes, I believe it will be possible. As you stated, there have been 56 players in the history of the game. Who is to say that Arraez cannot be the 57th? He has been very close to a .400 OBP for his entire minor league career. There is only one person who can say whether or not he will continue to improve as he matures and gains experience, Arraez himself. I believe he will. As for prospect evaluators, Arraez does not do the things they get excited about...thus, he doesn't get included in the upper echelons of their lists. All he has done, his entire minor league career, is get on base. I'll take that, especially amongst all the bombers he will be surrounded by.
  21. rdehring
    Got a question. Are Rooker and Gordon maximizing their value at a time when the Twins need to become active in the trade market? I was so hopeful that Thorpe would settle in and have a great year. Still lot of time left in the season, but he isn't trending in the right direction. With his ability to strike out lots of hitters, is it possible he could become a shut down reliever? His arm seems to talented to not get a valuable piece for a future Twins pitching staff. Great start by Sands. I know he was shut down last year after being over used in college. Was his recent injury something to be concerned about long term? ecurring? Or
  22. rdehring
    Loved the uniforms, especially the Twins. Watching Arraez take his at bats tells me he isn't a flash in the pan. He is what he is and that is a high on base guy at whatever level he is at. That plays, especially amongst a lot of bomba hitters. Put him in the lead off slot, or #7 ahead of Garver and Buxton and he will score runs, a lot of runs. Yes, another month or two will confirm his SSS is who he is....maybe not a .529 OBP, but likely well over .400. When does he earn the starting second base job? Probably not until Schoop is no longer on the team. With the Twins needing to sign a lot of big dollar extensions next off season, I don't see them paying big dollars to extend/resign Schoop. So pencil him in to the 2020 lineup. Do they make the move sooner should a deal develop to move Schoop next month? Interesting!
  23. rdehring
    Good question. The problem may be that he is blocked by Diaz and Kirilloff. Expect they don't want to promote him and have any of the three sitting a lot.
  24. rdehring
    0-5 day, ouch! Or 0-6, if you include the DSL Twins 9-4 loss to those blasted Yankees. Speaking of the DSL Twins, outfielder Rhodery Diaz was 2-2 with a pair of walks and 3 runs scored. He is the Twins leading hitter with a .359 average and .971 OPS. Like so much of the DSL Twins roster, he is a 17 year old from the Dominican Republic playing his first year of professional ball. Another 17-year old, Venezuelan third baseman Alexander Pena, is the second best hitter on the squad with a .355 average and .942 OPS. The Twins big International signing last year was Venezuelan outfielder Misael Urbina. He didn't play yesterday, however, is hitting .271 average with a .844 OPS. Although there weren't any teams in the win column yesterday, gotta like the starts of all four of the full season starters, Smeltzer, Barnes, Balazovic and Winder. Prior to Keith Law's ranking of Balazovic, none of this group was considered amongst the organization's top prospects. Yet, all are having excellent seasons and may be arms the Twins can use some day.
  25. rdehring
    Great lead today, Tom. Add me to those who are more than happy to wait for Rooker. Sure don't want to call him up for a few games then burn an option. Seeing he doesn't need to be added to the 40-man this year, expect it is 50-50 he will be a September callup. The Twins have a pleasant problem. Rooker and Kirilloff are both corner outfielders who can play first base. Larnach is a corner outfielder. Diaz is a first baseman. All four are hitting well, very well. With three outfielders who will hopefully be the starters for the next 5-7 years, there isn't a lot of playing time available in the outfield. Probably will have an opening at DH in 2021. There should also be some time available to split with Cron at first base. But there isn't going to be enough playing time for all four....maybe two at the most. Expect the Twins are going to have to move at least two of this group at some point in the next two to three years. They will keep whomever appears to be the best, but should get a nice return for the other two. Will one of them be included in a July trade this year? Or next winter? Curious why you chose Schick as Pitcher of the Day over Rijo who threw 5 shutout innings with only 1 hit? Also excited to see if Lewis can extend this hot streak beyond a handful of games.
×
×
  • Create New...