Notebook: The Shoe Fits, Young Talent Electrifies

Shoemaker has been impressive so far.  If he didn't have such a horrible health history I bet he could have made more money this year.  I think he picked a good team that will look out for his health and if he does well should get payed what he deserves next year.

 

Gotta say kind of disappointed in Smeltzer. He kind of reminds me of Kevin Slowey.  A guy that always looked on the cusp of being good but gave up the long ball at inopportune times.  Today he walked the number 8 and 9 batter back to back.  He had to know that would be trouble and of course it was.  He's a good story but when he's out there I always feel he is one pitch away from disaster.

 

Robles got the three K's which was good to see but it was against the B squad guys so not that impressive IMO. A good start but I need to see more.  Hamilton looked a little shaky to me but no runs allowed again and no walks so hard to complain.

 

Balazovic looked good out there.  Again it was against the B squad guys but he didn't over throw it, trusted his stuff and was done in 10 pitches No walks, No K's No runs what's not to like.  Glad they got him out there and hopefully they give him another chance.

 

Kirilloff looked much better at the plate today and his competition in Rooker, and Broxton are coming down to earth some.  Rooker looked a bit lost at the plate today.  It looked more like he was guessing than trying to recognize where the ball was going and he got fooled plenty for a two K game.  Garver wasn't any better with 2 K's as well and Broxton looks like he might be back to his strike out ways as he has 5 Strike out in 15 at bats.  I was hoping for the new and improved Broxton but he needs to keep those K's down.  He does have 5 hits and 3 walks already so he is doing fine for now but I don't think that BABIP of 667 will hold.

 

It was a pretty good game except for Seltzer's one inning.  Nice getting to see some of the young pitching prospects get to play. 

I love the life story of Devin Smeltzer. However I do not see him as an MLB pitcher. St. Paul should be his home this year unless and until he improves.

Gonzales was polarizing here? Missed that one

Marwin, back on a team that knows how to steal the catcher's signs, could have a big year.

I love what I see from Shoemaker. We all know what Kiriloff can do, he's just adjusting to LF but he'll come around. I was great to see Balazovic pitching well out there, hope to see Duran soon. I think that the HR that Broxton hit probably went to his head. I believe he knows that he needs to focus more, we really need his glove and speed.

I think it was a good idea to give Sano time at 3B. Still I'd like to see Arraez at 1B, a position where he's more suited for and would give him more ABs.

Baldelli has faith in Smeltzer so he should eventually will come around. ExTwins always seem to turn around and bite us!

I love what I see from Shoemaker. We all know what Kiriloff can do, he's just adjusting to LF but he'll come around. I was great to see Balazovic pitching well out there, hope to see Duran soon. I think that the HR that Broxton hit probably went to his head. I believe he knows that he needs to focus more, we really need his glove and speed.

I think it was a good idea to give Sano time at 3B. Still I'd like to see Arraez at 1B, a position where he's more suited for and would give him more ABs.

Baldelli has faith in Smeltzer so he should eventually will come around. ExTwins always seem to turn around and bite us!

Throwing to first with Arraez there is like trying to hit a long shot on a twelve foot snooker table. Tiny hole, lots of green.

I would love to see Balazovic jump over the Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer group.  He pushes the quality up and in addition I would like to see Duran join him.  I want those two to be the ones who jump in when one of the starters goes down.  The three we have had the last few seasons are filled with storylines, but I want the talent to rise. 

Shoemaker's ability isn't really in question, it's his ability to stay healthy. His biggest inning total was in 2016 with 160...which is basically the sum of his innings pitched from 2017-2020. If he can stay on the bump, he's a very nice 4th starter with a bit of additional upside who should be able to chew through 5-6 innings pretty consistently and give the team a chance to win. And in this rotation he's the 5th guy so maybe the Twins can skip him occasionally to try and keep him healthy?

 

I'm thinking that Kirilloff is going to get the starting nod in LF, which kinda puts the squeeze on Jake Cave. There's just less value in having a backup corner OF who hits the same side as your starters, and I'm not sure this team carries 5 OF. Arraez & Jeffers bench spots locked down. Personally, I'd have a 4-man bench rather than carry 14 freakin' pitchers, but you still have a hot competition between Rooker, Astudillo, Cave, and maybe Blankenhorn for those spots. (It's interesting: Cave & Blankenhorn hit lefty, Rooker & Astudillo hit righty...maybe you take Rooker & Cave and hope two INF don't get hurt in the same game?)

 

I would love to see Balazovic jump over the Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer group.  He pushes the quality up and in addition I would like to see Duran join him.  I want those two to be the ones who jump in when one of the starters goes down.  The three we have had the last few seasons are filled with storylines, but I want the talent to rise. 

 

I would remove Thorpe from your list, but otherwise I agree

 

I don't think we will have room for Smeltzer or Dobnak.

Kiriloff swing looks so nice.  I have high hopes for him.  When I read the Buxton story to my wife her response was, "keep him in a bubble"  I mean the man misses time for so many reasons.  He cannot even eat food without risk of missing games.  I hope it is only injury he has this year, but sadly I do not think it will be. 

 

I love the life story of Devin Smeltzer. However I do not see him as an MLB pitcher. St. Paul should be his home this year unless and until he improves.

I could see Smeltzer getting DFA'd - the Twins did their best to avoid using him last year, and it seems pretty clear that he doesn't have major league stuff. I don't see the point of carrying him on the roster when the team preferred to go for bullpen games last year instead of giving Smeltzer starts.

 

I would love to see Balazovic jump over the Dobnak, Thorpe, Smeltzer group.  He pushes the quality up and in addition I would like to see Duran join him.  I want those two to be the ones who jump in when one of the starters goes down.  The three we have had the last few seasons are filled with storylines, but I want the talent to rise. 

I think this happens in 2022. Duran and Balazovic just need to get more innings under their belt in the high minors. Thorpe seems to be turning a corner and Dobnak is a pretty darn good 6th/7th starter.

I could see Smeltzer getting DFA'd - the Twins did their best to avoid using him last year, and it seems pretty clear that he doesn't have major league stuff. I don't see the point of carrying him on the roster when the team preferred to go for bullpen games last year instead of giving Smeltzer starts.

 

 

I think this happens in 2022. Duran and Balazovic just need to get more innings under their belt in the high minors. Thorpe seems to be turning a corner and Dobnak is a pretty darn good 6th/7th starter.

I agree with all this, but i do see a young high upside starter or 2 getting some work as the season progresses. Duffey had that run and so did Romero, there is enough talent that one of these guys, Caterino etc, get a chance and gets hot.