Twins stuff from around the Web (Fangraphs, Twitter, Athletic, non-local news sites, etc)

[USAFChief]

 

Awesome, I get to pick? I pick Ted Williams.

He did say "hit over power." 

 

Ted Williams finished with a career .634 SLG.  

 

*fun with numbers: in 1957, as a 38 yr old, Ted Williams SLG'd .731. 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

Lewis Thorpe:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/the-fringe-five-baseballs-most-compelling-fringe-prospects-119/

[Mike Sixel]

Dave
10:18 Is this Joe Mauer's last year as a Twin?

 

Jeff Sullivan
10:18 I don't really know why they'd keep him around, as strange as that sounds to say

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/jeff-sullivan-fangraphs-chat-8-17-18/

 

[nicksaviking]

 

He did say "hit over power." 

 

Ted Williams finished with a career .634 SLG.  

 

*fun with numbers: in 1957, as a 38 yr old, Ted Williams SLG'd .731. 

 

That crossed my mind, however most still call him the greatest hitter of all time. .344 career BA and the last man to hit .400 while striking out about once a week.

 

If I have to choose again though, I'll go with Stan Musial.

[USAFChief]

 

That crossed my mind, however most still call him the greatest hitter of all time. .344 career BA and the last man to hit .400 while striking out about once a week.

 

If I have too choose again though, I'll go with Stan Musial.

I'm ok with that.

[Mike Sixel]

Paul Molitor on charity work.....

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/sunday-notes-older-and-wiser-clay-buchholz-is-excelling-in-arizona/

[Mike Sixel]

Really good article in the Athletic about Drake.....here is one snippet (sub required):

 

One major-league evaluator recently said his club currently rates Drake as the third-best reliever on the Twins behind Trevor Hildenberger and Taylor Rogers and slightly ahead of Addison Reed and Gabriel Moya.

 

https://theathletic.com/481757/2018/08/21/oliver-drake-twins-most-traveled-man-in-baseball-brewers-indians-angels-blue-jays/

[nicksaviking]

 

Really good article in the Athletic about Drake.....here is one snippet (sub required):

 

One major-league evaluator recently said his club currently rates Drake as the third-best reliever on the Twins behind Trevor Hildenberger and Taylor Rogers and slightly ahead of Addison Reed and Gabriel Moya.

 

https://theathletic.com/481757/2018/08/21/oliver-drake-twins-most-traveled-man-in-baseball-brewers-indians-angels-blue-jays/

 

Hmmm, can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm strongly leaning toward bad.

[Mike Sixel]

 

Hmmm, can't tell if that's a good thing or a bad thing. I'm strongly leaning toward bad.

 

That was my feeling also......

[Lonestar]

 

That crossed my mind, however most still call him the greatest hitter of all time. .344 career BA and the last man to hit .400 while striking out about once a week.

 

If I have to choose again though, I'll go with Stan Musial.

Musial had a career .331/.417/.559 line. I know your tongue is planted firmly in cheek. The most unlikely number is the implicit Isolated Discipline of .086 = .417 - .331

 

Something more like Tony Oliva's .304/.353/.476 seems more reasonable.  Perhaps a little more power.  Tony had an OPS+ of 130.  What would that look like today? A little better than Eddie Rosario.

[Mike Sixel]

Johan Quezada, RHP, Minnesota Twins
Level: Low-A   Age: Turns 24 on Saturday   Org Rank: 46   FV: 35+
Line: 3.1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 R, 6 K

Notes
This was Johan Quezada’s first career appearance in full-season ball. An imposing mound presence at a towering 6-foot-6, he has recovered from the shoulder surgery that cost him all of 2017, and his velocity has returned. He sits 94-97 with extrem...................

 

go visit to read more:

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/daily-prospect-notes-8-21-2018/

[Mike Sixel]

I don't know if there is another Brusdar out there or not.......but I don't think so....

 

Kyle
1:09 Does Brusdar have the stuff to profile as a potential #1 if things go right?

Kiley McDaniel
1:10 He shows an above changeup, plus breaker and hits 100, all without the long levers issues of Manning, so there's a better chance that Brusdar! could become an ace. But Brusdar! also has some command issues.

 

mike sixel
1:15 Odds Royce Lewis is a SS or CF in MN?

Kiley McDaniel
1:15 I lean CF, 65/35

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/kiley-mcdaniel-chat-8-22-18/

[jkcarew]

 

Something more like Tony Oliva's .304/.353/.476 seems more reasonable.  Perhaps a little more power.  Tony had an OPS+ of 130.  What would that look like today? A little better than Eddie Rosario.

No.  There was never a Tony Oliva that was "a little better" than Eddie Rosario.  There was a Tony with knees that was WAY better than anything Rosario has done so far (multiple seasons with OPS+ in the 140's and 150's.  And then there was the Tony without knees...after the second catastrophic injury...that was not nearly as productive as Rosario.  Tony Oliva's career averages are meaningless.

[Platoon]

No. There was never a Tony Oliva that was "a little better" than Eddie Rosario. There was a Tony with knees that was WAY better than anything Rosario has done so far (multiple seasons with OPS+ in the 140's and 150's. And then there was the Tony without knees...after the second catastrophic injury...that was not nearly as productive as Rosario. Tony Oliva's career averages are meaningless.

Tony Oliva with good knees was a very good MLB hitter. I like Rosario, but as of this writing he is not the level hitter Oliva was. They may have had similarities in the OF, both questionable glove men, with strong arms. While Wiki isn't exactly FanGraphs, this paragraph summarizes part of Olivas excellence. >>>>>"Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for eight seasons, an American League (AL) batting champion for three seasons, an AL hit leader five seasons, and a Gold Glove winner one season.[2] On a consensus Hall of Fame track his first eight years, his career was cut short in its prime by a series of severe knee injuries, forcing him to become a designated hitter during his final four years of baseball. He is widely regarded as one of the best players not inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.<<<<<<<<<< Rosario may have a ways to go to be favorably compared to TonyO

[jkcarew]

 

Tony Oliva with good knees was a very good MLB hitter. I like Rosario, but as of this writing he is not the level hitter Oliva was. They may have had similarities in the OF, both questionable glove men, with strong arms. While Wiki isn't exactly FanGraphs, this paragraph summarizes part of Olivas excellence. >>>>>"Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for eight seasons, an American League (AL) batting champion for three seasons, an AL hit leader five seasons, and a Gold Glove winner one season.[2] On a consensus Hall of Fame track his first eight years, his career was cut short in its prime by a series of severe knee injuries, forcing him to become a designated hitter during his final four years of baseball. He is widely regarded as one of the best players not inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.<<<<<<<<<< Rosario may have a ways to go to be favorably compared to TonyO

To be fair, the poster was not suggesting Rosario was on a par with Oliva...only that the numbers suggested that Oliva was "a little better" than Rosario.

 

I only called it out because of the relatively unique way Tony arrived at his career numbers.  Oliva also had MVP voting results of (in no particular order) 2nd, 2nd, 6th, 4th, 10th, etc.  I'd love to be able to say that that's only a little better than Rosario.  And maybe we will be able to say that in 6 years.  I'll not high-jack this thread further.

[gunnarthor]

On Oliva, it's a crime that he had to wait until he was 25 to be a MLer. He hit over .400 as a 22 year old. .350 at 23. And at 24 in AAA the Twins made him spend the whole year there despite hitting .304/.347/.519 in nearly 600 at bats.

[jkcarew]

 

On Oliva, it's a crime that he had to wait until he was 25 to be a MLer. He hit over .400 as a 22 year old. .350 at 23. And at 24 in AAA the Twins made him spend the whole year there despite hitting .304/.347/.519 in nearly 600 at bats.

If I had more time, I could do a long(er) response on this....instead, I'll look for a source and provide a link...if I can figure out how to do that!

 

The bottom line is that Oliva's birth date is disputed.  Oliva maintains he was born in 1941.  BR and some others give it as 1938.  It is pretty well documented that Oliva came to his first Twins camp in 1961 on his older brother Antonio's passport....as he had been signed just weeks prior to the beginning of spring training and he didn't have a passport of his own.  Hence Tony became "Tony"...despite the fact that his given name is Pedro, and he has a brother Tony.

 

Presumably little was know about Oliva when he was signed.  He was signed by the Twins/Senators long-time Cuban scout...but only on a recommendation to the scout from someone he had signed years earlier, and that was back playing in Cuba and had played with Oliva in some league along the way.  This would better explain (at least to some extent) the prolonged look in the minors once he came over.

 

Also, the Cuban revolution comes into play in the story....fascinating story...I will look for it, and provide a link if I can.

[jkcarew]

 

If I had more time, I could do a long(er) response on this....instead, I'll look for a source and provide a link...if I can figure out how to do that!

 

The bottom line is that Oliva's birth date is disputed.  Oliva maintains he was born in 1941.  BR and some others give it as 1938.  It is pretty well documented that Oliva came to his first Twins camp in 1961 on his older brother Antonio's passport....as he had been signed just weeks prior to the beginning of spring training and he didn't have a passport of his own.  Hence Tony became "Tony"...despite the fact that his given name is Pedro, and he has a brother Tony.

 

Presumably little was know about Oliva when he was signed.  He was signed by the Twins/Senators long-time Cuban scout...but only on a recommendation to the scout from someone he had signed years earlier, and that was back playing in Cuba and had played with Oliva in some league along the way.  This would better explain (at least to some extent) the prolonged look in the minors once he came over.

 

Also, the Cuban revolution comes into play in the story....fascinating story...I will look for it, and provide a link if I can.

Easier to find than I thought.  Bottom line...the Twins THOUGHT Oliva was born in 1941 which might explain the slower-than-needed ascent to the big club.

 

This SABR article does a great job....https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/244de7d2

 

[Mike Sixel]

976
3:31 Got anything on Twins pitcher Jhoan Duran?

 

Eric A Longenhagen
3:31 93-96 t98, will show plus change and slider. Raw in many facets.

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/eric-longenhagen-chat-8-23-2018/

[big dog]

 

Tony Oliva with good knees was a very good MLB hitter. I like Rosario, but as of this writing he is not the level hitter Oliva was. They may have had similarities in the OF, both questionable glove men, with strong arms. While Wiki isn't exactly FanGraphs, this paragraph summarizes part of Olivas excellence. >>>>>"Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year. He was an All-Star for eight seasons, an American League (AL) batting champion for three seasons, an AL hit leader five seasons, and a Gold Glove winner one season.[2] On a consensus Hall of Fame track his first eight years, his career was cut short in its prime by a series of severe knee injuries, forcing him to become a designated hitter during his final four years of baseball. He is widely regarded as one of the best players not inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame.<<<<<<<<<< Rosario may have a ways to go to be favorably compared to TonyO

They are extremely similar, in that both of them are willing to swing at pitches in their eyes or pitches that have already bounced.

[Platoon]

They are extremely similar, in that both of them are willing to swing at pitches in their eyes or pitches that have already bounced.

Currently the difference is Tony hit a lot more of them, a lot harder.

[Mike Sixel]

Didn't this used to be a thread about stuff from around the web?

[Mike Sixel]

Ron: ETA of Lewis and Kiriloff to majors? Late 2019 or is that moving too fast? Thanks!

 

Keith Law: I’d put Lewis a year behind that. They’re separated by a year, and Lewis has more work to do on defense – if he stays at short at all – than Kirilloff, who is clearly a corner OF.

 

Brandon Warne: Would you rather have Tyler Austin or Greg Bird going forward?

 

Keith Law: Bird. I have a soft spot for Austin but he’s never gotten all the way back after that lost year-plus with wrist injuries.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/2018/08/23/klawchat-8-23-18/

[Riverbrian]

 

Ron: ETA of Lewis and Kiriloff to majors? Late 2019 or is that moving too fast? Thanks!

 

Keith Law: I’d put Lewis a year behind that. They’re separated by a year, and Lewis has more work to do on defense – if he stays at short at all – than Kirilloff, who is clearly a corner OF.

 

Brandon Warne: Would you rather have Tyler Austin or Greg Bird going forward?

 

Keith Law: Bird. I have a soft spot for Austin but he’s never gotten all the way back after that lost year-plus with wrist injuries.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/2018/08/23/klawchat-8-23-18/

 

Mike,

 

I just want to thank you for the work you provide in this thread. 

 

It is much appreciated. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Mike,

 

I just want to thank you for the work you provide in this thread. 

 

It is much appreciated. 

 

ah, that's nice. I figure if I read them, it is the least I can do. Even the ones I disagree with get posted here.....but thanks!

[jkcarew]

Ron: ETA of Lewis and Kiriloff to majors? Late 2019 or is that moving too fast? Thanks!

 

Keith Law: I’d put Lewis a year behind that. They’re separated by a year, and Lewis has more work to do on defense – if he stays at short at all – than Kirilloff, who is clearly a corner OF.

 

Brandon Warne: Would you rather have Tyler Austin or Greg Bird going forward?

 

Keith Law: Bird. I have a soft spot for Austin but he’s never gotten all the way back after that lost year-plus with wrist injuries.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/2018/08/23/klawchat-8-23-18/

Huh? Hadn’t heard the wrist thing regarding Austin....nor do his minor league numbers seem to reveal any such gap. How long ago was this?

 

I’m pretty sure the Yankees fans have a different opinion right now . But Bird is left-handed (in that ballpark) and a year younger.

 

I think it’s a fair point on Lewis....and Kiriloff’s bat does seem a full notch ahead of Lewis’s as well. But the wildcard would be if the Twins found themselves desperate for a middle infielder or a centerfielder. Twins seem more stable in the corners...of course all that could change significantly by the back end of 2019.

[PseudoSABR]

 

ah, that's nice. I figure if I read them, it is the least I can do. Even the ones I disagree with get posted here.....but thanks!

It's about the post count isn't it?

[Mike Sixel]

 

It's about the post count isn't it?

 

I looked at it yesterday, I was more embarrassed than anything....

[nicksaviking]

 

Ron: ETA of Lewis and Kiriloff to majors? Late 2019 or is that moving too fast? Thanks!

 

Keith Law: I’d put Lewis a year behind that. They’re separated by a year, and Lewis has more work to do on defense – if he stays at short at all – than Kirilloff, who is clearly a corner OF.

 

Brandon Warne: Would you rather have Tyler Austin or Greg Bird going forward?

 

Keith Law: Bird. I have a soft spot for Austin but he’s never gotten all the way back after that lost year-plus with wrist injuries.

 

http://meadowparty.com/blog/2018/08/23/klawchat-8-23-18/

 

I don't think I'm biased because I would barely bat an eye if the Twins happened to ditch Austin this winter, but I'd much rather have Austin than Bird if for no other reason than you can stick Austin in the OF. 

[howieramone2]

 

Huh? Hadn’t heard the wrist thing regarding Austin....nor do his minor league numbers seem to reveal any such gap. How long ago was this?

I’m pretty sure the Yankees fans have a different opinion right now . But Bird is left-handed (in that ballpark) and a year younger.

I think it’s a fair point on Lewis....and Kiriloff’s bat does seem a full notch ahead of Lewis’s as well. But the wildcard would be if the Twins found themselves desperate for a middle infielder or a centerfielder. Twins seem more stable in the corners...of course all that could change significantly by the back end of 2019.

I agree. I think we will see them both next season.