Article: It Took A Team

[John Bonnes]

It started ugly. The home opener, an ugly 12-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals, dropped the Twins to a 1-6 start on the year. It also seemed to confirm the fan base’s worst fears: after four years of losing, this team still was not close to a turnaround.

 

Cue turnaround. Suddenly, were were all watching The Natural, only the New York Giants were the Minnesota Twins and Roy Hobbs was ... still fictional. Because in Major League Baseball, a miracle season is never due to one player. The Twins marathon through 162 games has included significant contributions from players all over the roster. Here are a few:Veteran Hitters Kick Start The Lineup

Over the first half of the season, the Twins lineup was paced by their veterans. Brian Dozier led the team offensively (841 OPS pre-ASB)) and was rewarded with a (belated) All-Star Game appearance. Besides mentoring rookies and organizing dance parties, Torii Hunter impacted the team offensively with 49 RBI and a 756 OPS pre-All-Star break. Trevor Plouffe matched that production with a 769 OPS and 46 RBI. Finally, Joe Mauer contributed despite a dip in his batting average with a 935 OPS with runners in scoring position.

 

  If there had been a Game 163, this is the story you would have seen in the Twins $1 Official Scorecard. It is often written by independent bloggers including some from Twins Daily and it's the best deal in Target Field. Look for it next year.  

 

Consistent Starting Pitching

Kyle Gibson leads the team in ERA and innings pitched, despite also being one of the youngest (27 years old) members of the staff. Mike Pelfrey and Ervin Santana both had good and bad stretches, but Pelfrey’s first half (9 Quality Starts before the All-Star break) and Santana’s second half (10 QS) combined to be a solid top-of-the-rotation presence. Maybe most importantly, whether starts were taken by Phil Hughes (11 QS), Tommy Milone (9 QS), or even Trevor May (7 QS) the team has received more opportunities to compete in games.

 

Next Man Up In The Bullpen

The bullpen hasn’t had year-long fixed roles like some past Twins bullpens, but has had several players step up as others battled injuries and slumps. Closer Glen Perkins was flawless before the All-Star break, Blaine Boyer dominated late innings in May (0.68 ERA), and May’s move to the bullpen provide that same consistency after the All-Star break. Finally, Kevin Jepsen has absolutely sparkled since acquired at the trade deadline (1.80 ERA), providing - well – relief to the Twins and their fans.

 

The Kids Take The Torch

Imagine if you were told in April that Miguel Sano (935 OPS), Eduardo Escobar (759 OPS), Aaron Hicks (722 OPS), Eddie Rosario (754 OPS) & Tyler Duffey (3.14 ERA) were going to be the most consistent performers in August and September. Only one of them was even on the team on Opening Day. Unlike The Natural, none has literally hit the cover off the ball. But their sudden rise and contributions to the team might be stranger than fiction.

 

 

Stats Attack

Last year, the Twins had two starting pitchers who made at least 30 starts. This year, they Twins had two starting pitchers who made at least 30 starts. Here’s how those two fared both years, compared to the rest of the starting rotation:

 

Download attachment: Rotation ERAs.JPG

 

Partly because Phil Hughes had such a great year last year, the top two starters were slightly better last year. The difference this year has been the back of the rotation, where Tommy Milone (4.07 ERA), Ervin Santana (4.10), Trevor May (4.43) & Tyler Duffey (3.14) have provided a significant boost over 2014 fill-ins.

 

Click here to view the article

[davidc3915]

The 2015 season was fun, and what made following the Twins so much fun for me was Twins Daily and Gleeman & the Geek.  Living in another state (an enemy one nonetheless...) makes it harder to follow my favorite team, but this site was my absolute every day, multiple times a day, go to source for news, insight and the chance to converse with fellow Twins fans.  Thank you, John, and thanks to everyone involved with this site.  I'm sad that 2015 is over, but can't wait for what the hot stove season and the 2016 season is going to bring........

[h2oface]

More than anything, this season screamed "out of shape" to me. These guys ran out of gas, collectively and individually. Even those that look to be in shape (Mauer and Dozier and Plouffe, for example) should take their career more seriously and put in the work that lets them last a whole season, instead of half a season - right Perk? With age, it means even more work and diverse workouts during the off season. Cardio, flexibility and strength. They should all hang with Berrios. He seems to get it, and at such a young age. As one ages, it is even more important. Right Perk?