June 11, 201313 yr Thanks a lot for this Seth, glad some of the other talent is getting attention. I personally cannot wait for Kepler to return
June 11, 201313 yr Very timely post, Seth, thank you. Like everyone, I love watching Buxton play baseball, but you're absolutely right about there being many, many reasons to continue watching this team. Thanks for taking the time to list them.
June 11, 201313 yr Enjoyed reading this. And a reminder of just how young some of these players are is always a good thing.
June 11, 201313 yr Seth, when was the last time that the end-of-the-season A+ squad was made up of 6-8 players that started in A-??? I have to think Buxton, Hicks, Williams, and Walker are almost guaranteed to end in Fort Myers. Melotakis probably should eventually. And there are likely a few other pitchers as well.
June 11, 201313 yr I really liked Walker in the game yesterday. He made an acrobatic catch near the end of the game, and he stole a base comfortably. I'm really intrigued by someone with his power who's actually an athlete to go with it.
June 11, 201313 yr I have not read great things (little snippets here and there) that suggest Polanco isn't a great defender that he was considered when he signed. He will stick at 2B but he doesn't sound like the plus defender that his reputation suggests. These are just whisperings here and there so it will be interesting if the end of season scouting reports say this also.
June 11, 201313 yr Amazing game for Buxton last night. My wife and I took the trek to Cedar Rapids for the Saturday and Sunday games on Memorial Day Weekend. Sunday was rained out. On Saturday, Berrios had a pretty good game, but Matt Tomshaw, lefty in relief, was downright impressive in his last game before promotion to the Miracle. I was most impressed, in this very small one-day sample, with Jorge Polanco. By the way if you go to Cedar Rapids, stop at the Suzy Q café in Mason City for their Spic and Span Pork Tenderloin (no relation to Denard). Great sandwich at a classic place that makes Mickey's diner look like a palace.
June 11, 201313 yr I was in CR Friday-Sunday this past weekend. Adam Walker (3rd rd 2012) was the player who surprised me the most. He is an incredible athlete who smoked the ball every time at the plate. He is surprisingly quick for a big man. The Twins have another potential star in Walker. Hudson Boyd shows flashes of greatness at times. He had Cougar batters helpless in at bats where he could get his breaking pitches over for strikes. His fastball consistently sat in the low 90's. His poor stats so far are deceiving as to his potential if he can remain consistent with his command. Travis Harrison is the unsung hero of the group and probably the nicest guy on the team. His play and approach reminded me of Michael Cuddyer who wasn't a slouch by any means for the Twins. Twins fans will love him if he can harness his potential. Cedar Rapids is an easy trip for Twins fans and where else can you get the best seats in the house for $11 while seeing the Twins' future up close and personal. Sunday games are especially sweet since the players go into right field for 30 minutes after the game while fans are allowed onto the field to chat with them and get autographs and pictures. Really nice move by the Kernals!
June 11, 201313 yr Author I liked Polanco a lot. Defensively, it was just three games at 2B, but I thought he looked very good with the glove most of the time. Some question if he has the arm strength to make all the throws from SS, but he can catch it.
June 11, 201313 yr When I first saw the title I read "Batman Beyond" (a animated show in 2000) in my head. Hope Buxton is as good baseball as Batman is at crime fighting- LOL!
June 12, 201313 yr Seth, when was the last time that the end-of-the-season A+ squad was made up of 6-8 players that started in A-??? I have to think Buxton, Hicks, Williams, and Walker are almost guaranteed to end in Fort Myers. Melotakis probably should eventually. And there are likely a few other pitchers as well. Including their best pitcher, Steve Gruver...
June 12, 201313 yr Author Any updates on Niko's health? Got an update from him yesterday. He's doing some running and feeling pretty good. The hope is that he can play one game before the All-Star game and then play in the All-Star game. That's a good goal.
June 12, 201313 yr Author Including their best pitcher, Steve Gruver... Yeah, in my mind, the "givens" are Buxton, Hicks and Gruver... I think Melotakis moves up at some point, and probably Walker. I'd like to see JD move up too. I also would ahve no problem with Harrison, Goodrum, and Polanco spending the full year there. I think that's the right level or them.
June 12, 201313 yr I liked Polanco a lot. Defensively, it was just three games at 2B, but I thought he looked very good with the glove most of the time. Some question if he has the arm strength to make all the throws from SS, but he can catch it. Very good is possible but I no longer get the feeling that he's the slick fielding int'l signee that he was considered or that you wrote up. My understanding is that he's getting stockier and has lost some of the quickness (before his 20th birthday) and he has a solid but not great arm. This sounds more like an average (or a little above average) defender at 2B depending on how well he executes the fundamentals.
June 12, 201313 yr We gotta do a motorcycle trip to Cedar Rapids. That would be extra cool. Hmm... gotta go find me a sidecar.And a driver.With a bike.
June 12, 201313 yr Very good is possible but I no longer get the feeling that he's the slick fielding int'l signee that he was considered or that you wrote up. My understanding is that he's getting stockier and has lost some of the quickness (before his 20th birthday) and he has a solid but not great arm. This sounds more like an average (or a little above average) defender at 2B depending on how well he executes the fundamentals. kab, I'm not sure who's feeding you the information, but I can assure you there's nothing "stocky" about Polanco. He may or may not be able to stick at shortstop, but I don't think it has to do with a lack of quickness and it certainly isn't about his weight. Personally, I think there are perhaps just better shortstops in the organization, from Beresford to Goodrum and probably others. I just think it's way too early to start dismissing a 19 year old with Polanco's abilities, especially with the way he's hit the ball.
June 12, 201313 yr kab, I'm not sure who's feeding you the information, but I can assure you there's nothing "stocky" about Polanco. He may or may not be able to stick at shortstop, but I don't think it has to do with a lack of quickness and it certainly isn't about his weight. Personally, I think there are perhaps just better shortstops in the organization, from Beresford to Goodrum and probably others. I just think it's way too early to start dismissing a 19 year old with Polanco's abilities, especially with the way he's hit the ball. I'm not dismissing him but I am not considering him a slick fielding SS.
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