Article: Prospects on the Move

[jokin]

Right, everything is relative... people must realize that this season can be filled with plight and still a vast improvement over the last two.

 

Vast improvement? It's hard to see- and it didn't have to be...

 

BTW...the Twins record this year is 27-33 after 60 games. Last year at the same point? 25- 35.

 

How about the Hitting? Worse. Defense. In the OF, clearly worse, in the IF, close to last year. Starting Pitching? The same old, awful, same old.

[jokin]

^ I like how people constantly ignore sentences providing context, such as "Still, compared to the last two seasons, ... " when they attempt go after you, Nick. q; )

 

No one is going after anyone- as far as I can tell. It's just that the actual, factual context simply doesn't suggest that compared to the last 2 seasons that much has changed for the better, except perhaps, less injuries, but even in that context, the season has yet to fully play out.

[jimbo92107]

At the moment, I've got a few names I'd like to see promoted. Some might be a little unlikely, but as far as performance goes, these players have all been solid.

AAA Kyle Gibson

AAA Andrew Albers

AA Josmil Pinto

AA Logan Darnell

A+ Kennys Vargas

A+ Matt Koch

A+ Zach Jones

A Byron Buxton

A Dalton Hicks

A Steven Gruver

Rk Angel Mata

 

You wouldn't promote DJ Baxendale?

[Mike Sixel]

You wouldn't promote DJ Baxendale?

 

Baxendale was already moved to AA, unless I'm confused by this work meeting I'm almost listening to.....

[Zephrin]

And Dozier should have gotten error that lead to all the runs--it was not a hit.

 

I agree that Dozier should have had an error, but the play (or two?) before that Diamond failed to cover his position on a possible DP. They got one so it wasn't an error, but the Dozier play never happens if he covers 1st properly.

[Otwins]

Yeah, I wonder about that two. Did they release two kids to free up roster spots?

 

Alex Meyer went to the DL at AA

 

I am not sure who they brought to AA when they lost Robertson and they called up Tonkin from AA - I am guessing that might be the other spot

[howieramone1406390264]

Vast improvement? It's hard to see- and it didn't have to be...

 

BTW...the Twins record this year is 27-33 after 60 games. Last year at the same point? 25- 35.

 

How about the Hitting? Worse. Defense. In the OF, clearly worse, in the IF, close to last year. Starting Pitching? The same old, awful, same old.

I agree. I find Nick Nelson's positive and insightful articles demeaning. If he truly wanted to report on the heartbeat of Twins fans, he should review the comments section of the Strib.

[jokin]

I agree. I find Nick Nelson's positive and insightful articles demeaning. If he truly wanted to report on the heartbeat of Twins fans, he should review the comments section of the Strib.

 

So... sarcastic condescension is your response? Yeah, don't let simple facts get in the way of a well-spun straw-grasping meme.

Got it.

[Nick Nelson]

What has improved over the last two, that's what I'm trying to understand. The hitting and pitching and fielding are worse, by WAR measurements (and their components) for everyone but the relief pitchers. So, I'm looking for some bright spots, and I am struggling to see them. If Nick, or you, have ideas of what they are, I'm all eyes.

Well, as I pointed out in the thread jokin linked to, the Twins have been plagued by far fewer injuries and on-field gaffes this season. They didn't dig an inescapable hole in the first four weeks. Their bullpen has been very good, with Glen Perkins continuing to cement himself among baseball's elite relievers. Joe Mauer is having one of his best seasons. Chris Parmelee and Aaron Hicks are both looking much better after slow starts. Oswaldo Arcia showed some great signs during his stint and will surely be back soon. Pedro Florimon actually looks like he might be a decent stopgap, which I never would have expected.

 

As far as the Twins' team record and team rankings in WAR, I don't really care a whole lot about that. I have no illusions about this team contending in 2013 so when I'm talking about positives, I'm looking more on an individual level as it relates to the organization's future.

[Shane Wahl]

At the moment, I've got a few names I'd like to see promoted. Some might be a little unlikely, but as far as performance goes, these players have all been solid.

AAA Kyle Gibson

AAA Andrew Albers

AA Josmil Pinto

AA Logan Darnell

A+ Kennys Vargas

A+ Matt Koch

A+ Zach Jones

A Byron Buxton

A Dalton Hicks

A Steven Gruver

Rk Angel Mata

 

I would add Adam Walker, JD Williams and Danny Ortiz as well. Probably some OF clearing at Fort Myers or when Ray and Roberts come back they just move to NB.

[jokin]

Well, as I pointed out in the thread jokin linked to, the Twins have been plagued by far fewer injuries and on-field gaffes this season. They didn't dig an inescapable hole in the first four weeks. Their bullpen has been very good, with Glen Perkins continuing to cement himself among baseball's elite relievers. Joe Mauer is having one of his best seasons. Chris Parmelee and Aaron Hicks are both looking much better after slow starts. Oswaldo Arcia showed some great signs during his stint and will surely be back soon. Pedro Florimon actually looks like he might be a decent stopgap, which I never would have expected.

 

As far as the Twins' team record and team rankings in WAR, I don't really care a whole lot about that. I have no illusions about this team contending in 2013 so when I'm talking about positives, I'm looking more on an individual level as it relates to the organization's future.

 

The individual positives have made the team easier to watch, for sure. I just wish they had made a better effort to bolster the areas of weakness in the offseason (what the 3 acquisitons there are as SPs have proven to produce exactly what was expected- a collective ERA over 6.00, one already demoted, another hanging on by a thread- in a word- AWFUL). You are correct, there are enough positives already and more than enough payroll room to have played for this season to make a run, as well as preparing for the future. Very frustrating.

[mudcat14]

One interesting aspect of this move that I didn't touch on is that Sano and Rosario are both guys who entered the season with major question marks about their ability to stick where they're at defensively. The fact that both have been promoted so aggressively is a sign that either A) the Twins view their progress in the field very favorably, or the Twins are high enough on them that they want to keep pushing them while putting defense on the backburner a little bit, which would be uncharacteristic for them.

 

Either way, it's nice to see.

 

Or C) The defense is still a work in progress, but is neither more difficult to teach or learn at the AA level than at the High A level. Not even sure if the fields are any nicer at the higher level. Presumably, the guys they will be defending with are a tick above the ones at Ft. Myers, but even that isn't a given. Bottom line, the defensive aspects of their development are only minimally affected by what level they play at. Let's just hope they get it down once they hit Target Field.

[Kwak]

The individual positives have made the team easier to watch, for sure. I just wish they had made a better effort to bolster the areas of weakness in the offseason (what the 3 acquisitons there are as SPs have proven to produce exactly what was expected- a collective ERA over 6.00, one already demoted, another hanging on by a thread- in a word- AWFUL). You are correct, there are enough positives already and more than enough payroll room to have played for this season to make a run, as well as preparing for the future. Very frustrating.

 

Ryan had this belief that he could obtain "adequate" pitching for "average" salaries--"attack the strikezone with medium speed sinlers and sliders". He was wrong. I think he also thought this team would "hit better"--also wrong.

 

I watched the Kernals game today on TV. TK was in the FSN studio and made the comment stating his preference for guys "who work harder, but with 'lesser' tools" than those guys who are physically better, but "don't work as hard". OK, everybody has a preference. But my take on the past two drafts is that the Twins are targeting the higher skill player--hoping that he will also have the "proper work ethic". Selecting early in the draft does make that task easier. TK also made the comment (7th inning) with 2 on, no out, "time to remove [Melotakis]". Perhaps that would be a savvy decision for a major league team, but I completely support Manager Mauer's decision to see if the pitcher [Melotakis] could "fix his own mess", testing his character and skills. Success! 6-4-3 DP!

Methinks there is a changing of the guard in Twinsville, but we haven't seen much of it at the Twins' level (Gardenhire is still the manager). To me, they are targeting more "power arms" and "power bats" than before 2012. But IMO, this team will continue to [frustrate] for a few more years--maybe enough to continue to select early and acquire a couple more top players.

[jorgenswest]

It really has been an encouraging year for prospects. Nearly all of the better prospects entering this year have performed well. That never happens. Hopefully the Meyer injury is a minor one.

 

I don't have season tickets or live locally so I don't share he frustration of the major league failures. Investing in MLB at bat is a minimal cost compare to going to several games. So for me, the progress of the young players and looking forward to their arrival is critical to my view of a successful season for the organization.

 

Based on that measure, the season is very encouraging. Two years ago at this time, the Twins only prospects were a long way from the majors and they had a system ranked in the bottom 10. Today they have several prospects getting close and a top five system. Ryan deserves some credit for the turn around.

[RodneyKline]

Really? I say it is pretty much three horrible teams in a row. Terrible job by Terry Ryan! I will give him credit for Correia being better than I thought he would be but all other decisions were bad ones so far.

 

Right, everything is relative... people must realize that this season can be filled with plight and still a vast improvement over the last two.

[RodneyKline]

I really hope you are right but I see Parmalee getting put on waivers next year and Hicks getting replaced by Buxton. Florimon is the only nice surprise of the young kids.

 

I hope this puts things into perspective for everyone who has projected all the minor leaguers as future major league stars. Parmalee lit up the minors! Buxton is the one guy that I am very confident with for some reason. Sano scares me for some reason but he could be good. The guy TR traded Span for is all hype and will not amount to much in my opinion. The Revere trade was better. Just my $.02

 

Living in DC area don't get much of a chance to see the Twins (and last couple of seasons only trip to Balmer is in April)--so I saw them live yesterday--get much different perspective. I was very disappointed in infielders--none seem to have range (though Florimon made a couple of nice plays after the game was decided--not when game was in balance). And Dozier should have gotten error that lead to all the runs--it was not a hit.

 

The good news--I was impressed by Hicks (good range, nice arm) looks like batting is getting better. I like Parmalee--great arm--pretty good defense. I don't know if his future is at 1B (depends on Sano being able to play 3rd) or RF but he is a solid player. So that is two long-term contributors.

[Steven Buhr]

TK also made the comment (7th inning) with 2 on, no out, "time to remove [Melotakis]". Perhaps that would be a savvy decision for a major league team, but I completely support Manager Mauer's decision to see if the pitcher [Melotakis] could "fix his own mess", testing his character and skills. Success! 6-4-3 DP!

 

What Kelly also was likely not aware of is that Mauer's Kernels had gone several straight games where the starting pitcher had not survived even the 5th inning and they desperately needed to give some of the more reliable bullpen arms a day off before the final 6 games of the first half. Melotakis is developing in to the 'stopper' of the rotation at this point.

[nicksaviking]

I watched the Kernals game today on TV. TK was in the FSN studio and made the comment stating his preference for guys "who work harder, but with 'lesser' tools" than those guys who are physically better, but "don't work as hard".

 

Yeah, I love TK but this seems to be a common idea in the organization. The implication of course is that talented players don't have work as hard. What a crock, it doesn't mean they don't. It's all simply just Rocky mentality, we cheer for the less talented underdog and when they prevail we have to assume they outworked the percieved better athlete. Ivan Drago worked his tail off too.

 

TK also made the comment (7th inning) with 2 on, no out, "time to remove [Melotakis]". Perhaps that would be a savvy decision for a major league team, but I completely support Manager Mauer's decision to see if the pitcher [Melotakis] could "fix his own mess", testing his character and skills. Success! 6-4-3 DP!

 

So Gardy should be managing in the Midwest League instead?

[Kwak]

 

 

 

So Gardy should be managing in the Midwest League instead?

 

TK = Tom Kelly, not Gardenhire.

[KernelsGuy1]

I really hope you are right but I see Parmalee getting put on waivers next year and Hicks getting replaced by Buxton. Florimon is the only nice surprise of the young kids.

 

I hope this puts things into perspective for everyone who has projected all the minor leaguers as future major league stars. Parmalee lit up the minors! Buxton is the one guy that I am very confident with for some reason. Sano scares me for some reason but he could be good. The guy TR traded Span for is all hype and will not amount to much in my opinion. The Revere trade was better. Just my $.02

 

I love Buxton and it would be incredible to see him on the Twins in 2014 (even in September), but do you realize how big of a difference it is between Single-A and the majors? Incomprehensible.

 

The amount of video alone available in the majors puts it scores and scores ahead of Triple-A, let alone Single-A. And that's after a lot of baseball scouts recently have said there are huge differences between AAA and the majors as of late.

[Kwak]

My thee are the Parmalee haters! Right now Parmalee's got a tighter grasp on a major league job that Hicks and Arcia. Willinghame is more likely to be moved than Parmalee.

So, I strongly disagree that Parmalee will be waved next year.

[orangevening]

I really hope you are right but I see Parmalee getting put on waivers next year and Hicks getting replaced by Buxton. Florimon is the only nice surprise of the young kids.

 

I hope this puts things into perspective for everyone who has projected all the minor leaguers as future major league stars. Parmalee lit up the minors! Buxton is the one guy that I am very confident with for some reason. Sano scares me for some reason but he could be good. The guy TR traded Span for is all hype and will not amount to much in my opinion. The Revere trade was better. Just my $.02

 

Umm...no. No reason at all to put Parmalee on waivers. Even if he bombs rest of year the Morenau (sp) situation makes him worth keeping. No way Buxton moves up that fast even if he continues to kill it and they are not going to give up on Hicks after one season. Florimon isn't all that (relatively) young.

 

Meyer (the guy that TR traded Span for) is doing better than May and Worley (Revere trade) so I don't see how you can say that was a better trade (at least right now).

[Shane Wahl]

I really hope you are right but I see Parmalee getting put on waivers next year and Hicks getting replaced by Buxton. Florimon is the only nice surprise of the young kids.

 

I hope this puts things into perspective for everyone who has projected all the minor leaguers as future major league stars. Parmalee lit up the minors! Buxton is the one guy that I am very confident with for some reason. Sano scares me for some reason but he could be good. The guy TR traded Span for is all hype and will not amount to much in my opinion. The Revere trade was better. Just my $.02

 

A: Parmelee is not going to be waived. He will be around next year unless some strange trade happens involving him before then.

 

B: Hicks is not going to be replaced by Buxton next year. And Hicks isn't going to replaced at all unless you mean to RF.

 

C: Florimon isn't that young. Not that huge of a surprise either--I never thought he would be terrible.

 

D: Parmelee did not light up the minors. He had a great few months at AAA last year. That's it.

 

E: Sano will be a star in the majors.

 

F: Alex Meyer is a good pitcher right now and has been good in the majority of his starts. He projects to be a 3-type starter at minimum.

 

G: Worley has been horrible and May has been good. That doesn't make that trade better.