From AJ to DJ to Eddie, but no Sano: Rock Cats at Fighting Phils Saturday night.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch

-----

Despite the current drama within the Twins' organization with their future star third baseman, which is getting to be about as bad as that of the Yankees with their former star third baseman, and unsure whether the unanimous number three prospect in baseball would play, I made the forty five minute trip to Reading (think of "ready" when pronouncing it, not " 'riting" and " 'rithmetic") to watch the Rock Cats face the Phillies' AA team, the Reading Fighting Phils. The major attraction in my book was starter DJ Baxendale (whom I last watched live in Spring Training making the unanimous number one prospect in baseball look like a fool, striking out on three pitches.)

Baxendale was a different pitcher tonight. Not sure whether it had to do with his recent three week stint in the disabled list, but his fastball was down a couple notches to 88-90 mph and he had a hard time controlling it the way he did in the spring. This game was almost rained out, but when he pitched the weather was not a factor. His curveball in low the 70's was his best pitch and he showed great command, throwing it for strikes and intentionally throwing it in the dirt. His low 80's change-up did have movement, but for some reason he wasn't throwing it much. I did not see any sliders. His main arsenal was the curve and he threw it a lot. So he did not have his best stuff out there, but despite that he looked very poised. I checked him on the centerfield camera a couple times and the way he pitches reminds me of Brad Radke, but substitute curve for change-up. Very similar fluid mechanics with good follow through and easy motion. In addition to not being 100% he was unlucky: Nate Hanson let a couple catchable balls go through at third (one for a double) and Jordan Paraz let a catchable ball fly sail over his head in short center. These accounted for three runs. Add a Reading batter who got "hit" on the toe, but didn't try to get out of the way and a two run error on Dan Rohlfing and you get the rest of the picture.

Eddie Rosario was impressive. He might be the second player who will make it to the bigs from this bunch. Excellent speed and very good feet and an even cutting motion at second. He is owning the position. Add a batting average around .320 (he was batting third) and he might be on his way soon. I have seen him hit and I knew he could hit, but color me very impressed with his glove at second. For sure he will rise on the lists as soon as the national writers see him play. He changed his number from 2 to 13. This was what he was wearing today. Rumors that he did it in support of Jerry White, are unsubstantiated.

Josmil Pinto likely will be the first guy up from this squad, maybe as soon as September, or earlier, trading deadline deals willing. Since last spring, he has gained a good 20 pounds of solid muscle and looks pretty dominant out there. He was the DH tonight.

I did not have much chance to see Danny Santana and Danny Ortiz play live, but they are both solid with the bat. Santana is very fast as well and he flashes a nice glove at short. Definitely a possibility at short with the big club.

Evan Bigley seems to slowly be getting back from his injury, which is a shame because he was close to becoming a mainstay in Rochester in a season the big club is very thin in outfielders. Journeymen Reynaldo Rodriguez and Jordan Paraz, neither of who have any future with the Twins were at first (Kennys Vargas anyone?) and center. Nate Hanson,26 years old, was plainly disappointing with the glove today. I think this might be the end of the road for him. Dan Rohlfing has had a puzzling season. After a great spring, he has had a very miserable summer both at the plate and on the field. Blake Martin was better than I remember, with a fastball in the 90's and a variety of off-speed stuff. Might have some future as a "crafty lefty", but he is 27 and the organization is full of this type of pitcher.

AJ Pettersen sat, as did Angel Morales and Miguel Sano. I am not going to get into the Sano drama in this piece. Morales and Sano shared first base coaching duties.

I took a whole bunch of pictures, but will put them up later, because it is getting late here on the east coast. But I am leaving you with the following parting shot:

Thunder came and the skies opened at the top of the seventh inning while the score was 2-8. I did not stay any longer.