Article: Twins Minor League Report (4/29): The Bats are ALIVE!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1646-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(4-29)-The-Bats-are-ALIVE!

[70charger]

Can we refrain from putting Twins spoilers on the very front page, please? The first thing that came up when I went to the home page was exactly what happened in the game I haven't watched yet. I realize most of us watch the games as they happen, but some of us can't and would like to retain some measure of suspense.

[70charger]

This is what I'm talking about. If we could avoid this, I'd appreciate it. I know not to click on these threads until I'm ready, but it'd be nice if it weren't in block letters on the front page.

 

http://i.imgur.com/qblzI4I.jpg

[Shane Wahl]

Yeah, Polanco is dominant and this is a great development. People forget that he is what, 5 months older than Buxton? That's extremely noteworthy given his performance and position. I would like to see him play SS more to see if that will work out.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

So the summary with the article is ok? I can make sure from now on to keep it out of the first 10 words so it doesn't pop up on the slider. Can't guarantee that I can hide it from the summary. I think the culprit was the catchy picture. You saw it and had to read what it was about.

[MarcusE]

This is what I'm talking about. If we could avoid this, I'd appreciate it. I know not to click on these threads until I'm ready, but it'd be nice if it weren't in block letters on the front page.

 

http://i.imgur.com/qblzI4I.jpg

 

The world doesn't start and stop at your convenience, Donnie!

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I agree. I'm curious to see what becomes of their middle infield.

[kab21]

The two big questions that concern me about Polanco are if he'll ever walk more than 5% of the time and if he will hit for any power. He's a little bit Revere-esque in his high contact approach. He's obviously not as fast but he should (almost definitely) have more power.

 

The concern - His upside becomes pretty limited with low walks and low power even if he is hitting .285+. He's starter but not a very good one.

[Seth Stohs]

The two big questions that concern me about Polanco are if he'll ever walk more than 5% of the time and if he will hit for any power. He's a little bit Revere-esque in his high contact approach. He's obviously not as fast but he should (almost definitely) have more power.

 

The concern - His upside becomes pretty limited with low walks and low power even if he is hitting .285+. He's starter but not a very good one.

 

Fair concerns, but I don't know what you're expecting from a smooth-fielding middle infielder. The walks certainly are a fair concern. He's agressive, but not Danny Santana aggressive. From what I've seen, he has a pretty strong grasp of the strike zone. As for power, I mean, he's like 175 pounds, and a speed-type guy, so I think his power potential may be in that 10-15 home run range at best.

 

But your point is fair, he could become a .285/.325/.355 type. Though a .680 OPS SS or 2B isn't exactly bad. That's the kind of guy you want around for 4-6 years.

[Lonestar]

Can we refrain from putting Twins spoilers on the very front page, please? The first thing that came up when I went to the home page was exactly what happened in the game I haven't watched yet. I realize most of us watch the games as they happen, but some of us can't and would like to retain some measure of suspense.

 

I agree. Why bother with a Twins game report in an article called Twins Minor League Report? They are usually the weak point of the article anyway.

[Mike Sixel]

Man, Lonestar, that question begs for a smart alecky response........

[cmathewson]

Um, the reason I come to this site is to get the latest info on the Twins organization, often before the papers. I don't want them witholding information so that someone can watch Tivo without knowing the outcome of the game.

[kab21]

Fair concerns, but I don't know what you're expecting from a smooth-fielding middle infielder. The walks certainly are a fair concern. He's agressive, but not Danny Santana aggressive. From what I've seen, he has a pretty strong grasp of the strike zone. As for power, I mean, he's like 175 pounds, and a speed-type guy, so I think his power potential may be in that 10-15 home run range at best.

 

But your point is fair, he could become a .285/.325/.355 type. Though a .680 OPS SS or 2B isn't exactly bad. That's the kind of guy you want around for 4-6 years.

 

I guess it also depends on how well his defense develops. If he becomes the .680 hitter with sloppy defense then he is Luis rivas. If he does hit 10-15 HR's and picks up a few walks he can push that OPS over .750 and he's an actual asset in the lineup instead of that weak hitter that you bury at the bottom and wish you could replace every year.

 

Just to be clear I said he might not walk a lot but I didn't say he had plate discipline. His problem (like Revere) is that he puts swings in play and the count simply doesn't get to ball four very often.

[Seth Stohs]

Just to be clear I said he might not walk a lot but I didn't say he had plate discipline. His problem (like Revere) is that he puts swings in play and the count simply doesn't get to ball four very often.

 

Yup, I understand the distinction. I should have been more clear. I just think that if a guy that young puts together good plate appearances and appears to have a pretty decent idea of the strike zone, hopefully that'll show up in some walks down the line.

[beehles]

Man these young guys are fun to read about. Can't help but check these minor league reports every day, my favorite part of the site by far. Keep up the good work and hope the season stays as promising as its been thus far!

[70charger]

So the summary with the article is ok? I can make sure from now on to keep it out of the first 10 words so it doesn't pop up on the slider. Can't guarantee that I can hide it from the summary. I think the culprit was the catchy picture. You saw it and had to read what it was about.

 

The summary is absolutely fine by me, and I wouldn't ask you to completely rejigger your article just for me. But you're right about the first ten words. If it's not in the first ten words, I can't see it on the front page. (And you may be right about the catchy picture.)

 

I also don't want to come off as whiny or unreasonable. I would simply appreciate it if we could push the critical Twins information to the second sentence or later.

 

As for this:

 

Um, the reason I come to this site is to get the latest info on the Twins organization, often before the papers. I don't want them witholding information so that someone can watch Tivo without knowing the outcome of the game.

 

I'm not asking for the withholding of information. Keep it in the article, just move it back a bit in the article. That's all.

[70charger]

Oh, and I might as well add this here - I really do appreciate these articles, and I read every one. Of course, I do read some of them a day late. Nevertheless, a real highlight of Twins Daily, whether I'm on time or not.

[AScheib50]

What are the odds a guy like Adam Walker gets bumped to Ft Myers before Buxton? He's a few years older after all. Might be worth seeing if he can keep hitting at higher levels. I remember being down at Spring Training this year watching the group of Walker, Buxton, Goodrum and Kepler take BP. Walker looked more impressive than Buxton...granted it was just one BP session and I am in no way saying he's the better player just that I was impressed watching him that day.

 

Definitely want to get to CR at some point this year. I live just down the road from Kane County so I will be going there end of May to catch a game. I told myself every month last summer I was gonna go to Beloit to see Sano and Rosario but never did...that won't happen this year.

[Twins Twerp]

Can we refrain from putting Twins spoilers on the very front page, please? The first thing that came up when I went to the home page was exactly what happened in the game I haven't watched yet. I realize most of us watch the games as they happen, but some of us can't and would like to retain some measure of suspense.

 

Or you could wait until after you watch the game before you go Twinsdaily.com. Just a thought. I tried this with ESPN.com (because I record my Lynx games because they usually play at 10 AM), and they said no. So now I watch my Lynx...THEN to go to espn.com: Genius!

[108 Double Stitches]

Can we refrain from putting Twins spoilers on the very front page, please? The first thing that came up when I went to the home page was exactly what happened in the game I haven't watched yet.

 

I agree with the post (for a different reason) and thought it was constructive criticism, not a snarky comment. The overall article is very good, this is just reader feedback.

 

My reason for not wanting the Major league content mixed in distracts from the focus of the article itself. Plus, the information itself is repeated 100 other places, so it is a rather odd fit in article which provides a lot lesser known information that is mostly unique to the readers. After years of reading

Seth Stoh's minor league reports without mention of the Twins results, seems like a step backward to stick in a Twins headline in, and why? Because the readers need to be reminded of the big league team?

 

 

Anyway, its just a minor feedback point about a single sentence from one readers opinion on it, so hardly worth over-reacting to it. I won't stop reading

the minor league reports for it, just seems like wasted space.

[Jeremy Nygaard]

I usually include the Twins update just because that's what I'm watching when I'm writing the report. I would have no issue keeping the minor league report Twins-less, its just always been what I start with. Maybe I'll kick it off with a bad joke next Monday... but still a catchy picture.

 

Appreciate the feedback.

[golfboy1]

I also sometimes DVR the Twins game & come here before I've had a chance to watch them. I really appreciate the minor league report ( & the draft info) & it's not a big issue but I agree with 70charger's view.

 

I love to see how the minor league prospects are doing & linking the box scores is an added bonus. Keep up the good work!