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Twins Insight from a Banker Nerd

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Read more about Kyle Gibson Is Elite

Kyle Gibson Is Elite

Kyle Gibson is elite...when it comes to ground ball pitchers. And that's a good thing.   According to Baseball Nation, a ground ball pitcher is a type of pitcher that has a tendency to induce ground balls from opposing batters. The average ground ball pitcher has a ground ball rate of at least 50% with extreme ground ball pitchers maintaining a ground ball rate of around 55%.   In his brief MLB career, Gibson has consistently proven he is a top 20 pitcher at inducing ground balls. Gibson had a

• 0 Comments
• 919 views

• PogueBear
• May 19, 201511 yr

Read more about The Annexation of Puerto Rico!

The Annexation of Puerto Rico!

I love baseball. It's the one sport where a nerd, such as myself, can get lost in the numbers and think they know something others do not. What do I (think I) know? Well, if the Twins continue to over-achieve for one or two more weeks, and then merely regress to the team everyone thinks they are...they'll be right in the thick of the Wild Card race come September.   I know, I know, I'm either WAY TOO OPTIMISTIC or I'm jinxing it. And if that's the case, I should shut up right now. But j

• 1 Comment
• 1,378 views

• PogueBear
• May 14, 201511 yr

Read more about Offense, Not Starting Pitching, Has Been Twins' Achilles

Offense, Not Starting Pitching, Has Been Twins' Achilles

Conventional wisdom heading into the MLB season had the Twins' offense, which returned essentially all its key 2014 pieces plus Torii Hunter, leading the team to a slightly improved 2015, albeit in a difficult division. Beyond Hughes and Santana, the starting pitching and an "iffy" bullpen were perceived weaknesses. That script has been completely flipped as the Twins wrap up the first month of the season Thursday.   After a horrendous opening series against the Tigers, Twins starters have poste

• 0 Comments
• 991 views

• PogueBear
• April 27, 201511 yr

Read more about The Return of Mike Pelfrey's Arm

The Return of Mike Pelfrey's Arm

Mike Pelfrey's arm is feeling better. Last night he pitched 7 shutout innings against the Royals as he struck out four, walked two, and gave up five hits as the Twins cruised to a 3-0 victory.   That's a good result, but it doesn't necessarily indicate Pelfrey's arm is feeling better. Well, how about this factoid? Pelfrey's sinker's average velocity of 93.5 mph in 2015 is the highest it's ever been, according to fangraphs PITCHf/x velocity data. His fastball's 93.1 mph average is also the

• 5 Comments
• 2,163 views

• PogueBear
• April 23, 201511 yr

Read more about "Do I care if it's a walk or a hit?"

"Do I care if it's a walk or a hit?"

How about last night!? (Forgive my excitement, but we may need to celebrate smaller victories this season.)   "Kyle Gibson pitched 6 2/3 innings of 1 run baseball and Oswaldo Arcia hit a 2-run homer to lead the Twins to a 3-1 victory over the undefeated Royals." Games like last night give glimpses of the future the Twins hope they are building. Let's hope we can read many more headlines with those names in the storyline. Now, onto the real point of this post...   I know it's only been a week

• 0 Comments
• 1,381 views

• PogueBear
• April 16, 201511 yr

Read more about A Joe Mauer-ish Day

A Joe Mauer-ish Day

Good news Twins fans, Joe Mauer had a very productive, "Joe Mauer-ish" day yesterday.   Tell my dad who is obsessed with batting average and fairly representative of the old school baseball philosophy that 'Mauer had a good day' and he would probably ask, "Why? How many hits did he have?"   Well, one. A single.   "How many RBIs?"   Just one.   "Couldn't have been that good..."   That's old school and it's wrong. Earl Weaver used to say, "On offense, your most precious possessions are your 27 out

• 4 Comments
• 1,623 views

• PogueBear
• April 11, 201511 yr