April 3, 201313 yr You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1510-Rochester-Red-Wings-Season-Preview
April 3, 201313 yr I'd say at this point Arcia has already broken out. The guy I'll be watching closely is Benson. He's a pretty big key for MN going forward and will be a big reason as to whether or not Rochester does well.
April 3, 201313 yr Excellent writing. I agree witht he above, Benson is a player that needs something to happen. The lack of INF is worrisome, imo, but not much to be done I guess.
April 4, 201313 yr Author I agree that Arcia has broken out, however whenever a young guy moves up to a new level it's always something to watch for. I do agree that Vasquez does appear to be the odd man out, it all depends on the pitchers currently on the DL and how quickly they return. Benson has a wrist injury. It's the same wrist he had surgery on last year, something to definitely watch out for. He's not on the DL right now, but it wouldn't surprise me if this keeps lingering that he's inevitably put on there.
April 4, 201313 yr Virgil Vasquez......over/under on AAA roster...30 days +1 At this point he and Shairon Martis are at best placeholders or emergency starters; With Diamond, Deduno and Harden (hopefully) returning soon, there will be rearrangements...Still, the Rochester rotation will be pretty strong. One of the issues I have with Rochester is that if you look at their starting lineup today (Thomas 8, Herrmann 2, Arcia 9, Colabello 3, Clement DH, Boggs 7, Sobolewski 5, Olmedo 4, Bernier 6.) has a grant total of 1.5 (that .5 would be Herrmann) prospects, which is not too great... Add Gibson, Benson, Pugh & Hernandez, and the whole roster has 5.5 prospects and the rest is suspects. Which is pretty sad. I can see half and half, but it is about 1:4 now...
April 4, 201313 yr Tough to have a prospect-laden AAA team when the big-league club has lost 99 and 96 games the last two seasons!
April 4, 201313 yr Tough to have a prospect-laden AAA team when the big-league club has lost 99 and 96 games the last two seasons! and way too many of the guys on this roster were on it.
April 5, 201313 yr OK , so looking at this ugly box brought out good and bad news. First, Arcia and Colabello are hitting right out of the gates. BUT, This team decided to start Clete Thomas instead of Joe Benson (and Thomas was the leadoff hitter). Benson came in to pinch hit. If there was some health issue involved, it would seem weird to play Benson at all. But even IF Benson were out of the question, why on earth would this team give the most plate appearances to a guy like Thomas who is merely AA (not AAA) filler? I would be happier with Boggs there as he at least is a useful plug in for the Twins if there is an injury.
April 6, 201313 yr Author OK , so looking at this ugly box brought out good and bad news. First, Arcia and Colabello are hitting right out of the gates. BUT, This team decided to start Clete Thomas instead of Joe Benson (and Thomas was the leadoff hitter). Benson came in to pinch hit. If there was some health issue involved, it would seem weird to play Benson at all. But even IF Benson were out of the question, why on earth would this team give the most plate appearances to a guy like Thomas who is merely AA (not AAA) filler? I would be happier with Boggs there as he at least is a useful plug in for the Twins if there is an injury. Clete Thomas is sadly one of the few guys who, when he gets on base actually is a base stealing threat.... that's my only explanation. I won't be surprised to see him get the majority of the starts unless he's hitting like Nishioka was last year around the .200 mark.... I think a huge positive today would be the pitching of Kyle Gibson, he looked good in his start.
April 6, 201313 yr For some reason the Twins love Clete Thomas. As far as I am concerned, I'd rather have them cut him and bring up Evan Bigley to play LF and move Boggs to CF.
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