TEX 7, MIN 4: Is Jose OK?

Berrios has had a dip in velocity. He used to be 94 - 96 and now he's 91 - 92. Poor strike ratio,a good number of walks and a ton of home runs. He's looking more like Gibson the past few years.

Boy, it's kinda hard to say many positive things about this team. Berrios is regressing, Sano is looking bad again, and basically every Twins-system rookie is looking awful upon their arrival to the majors. Only the Yankee-system rookies are looking any good... it's like there's some sort of sickness in the water in the minor league pipeline.

Vasquez topped out at 90? So is his slider his bread-and-butter and that's going to be his key to success?

Shining the spotlight on Berrios and his recent back slide got me thinking about other highlights of our Twins 2018 season. Eddie Rosario has cooled off as of late. Gibson, Forsythe, Cave, and Austin are (somewhat) bright lights that have not exactly set the world on fire. When does spring training 2019 begin?

Boy, it's kinda hard to say many positive things about this team. Berrios is regressing, Sano is looking bad again, and basically every Twins-system rookie is looking awful upon their arrival to the majors. Only the Yankee-system rookies are looking any good... it's like there's some sort of sickness in the water in the minor league pipeline.

 

Vasquez topped out at 90? So is his slider his bread-and-butter and that's going to be his key to success?

I read somewhere that his delivery for his pitches are similar so he has the added deception.

Maquina needs to be shut down.  He just looks mentally weary.  There are plenty of other arms to look at in September, and a full boat in the bullpen now.

I understand that Vasquez had a long day in airports yesterday, arriving at the stadium shortly before game time.  With his surprise call up and long day, I think the manager could have let him settle in and observe for a night before putting him out there.  May have been better decision for all!

Boy, it's kinda hard to say many positive things about this team. Berrios is regressing, Sano is looking bad again, and basically every Twins-system rookie is looking awful upon their arrival to the majors. Only the Yankee-system rookies are looking any good... it's like there's some sort of sickness in the water in the minor league pipeline.

Yeah, Sano's regression is frustrating. He had those 2 weeks where he was sort of riding the pink cloud, hitting singles to right field, everything seemed like it would be okay again. But alas....

Hey, at least he's taking some walks, right? Pretty sad when the only thing to be happy about is your .206-hitting cleanup guy taking a coupla walks.

Gonsalves and Stewart haven't just been disappointing...they've been just plain awful. No silver linings, either.

I think it is a good thing for Jose to struggle down the stretch on a year like this one. It will only help him be better down the stretch next year when we really should be at least contending for a spot.

Boy, it's kinda hard to say many positive things about this team. Berrios is regressing, Sano is looking bad again, and basically every Twins-system rookie is looking awful upon their arrival to the majors. Only the Yankee-system rookies are looking any good... it's like there's some sort of sickness in the water in the minor league pipeline.

All true, expect the minor league water seems just fine. It's the major league water that seems to be a problem.

One comment that stood out - they only young guys that are shining are those that came up through the Yankee system.  Our guys are their throw aways, they have two going for rookie of the year.   

So what does the Yankee system do that prepares their minor league players to advance that our Twins system does not.  I read TD minor league reports get excited about seeing the guy in the majors and then the audition stinks, over and over and over.  

What is happening?  Even when there is a good start - Romero, the wheels fall off, we demote and forget.  How many coaches does this team need?

One more thought, or group of thoughts:  Is this what a September Call up for a losing team is supposed to look like?  Belisle and Gimenez?  We need a washed up 38 year old arm, and another second string catcher who cannot hit and was sent to the minors by the cubs?  Astudillo is much more fun than any of these other hitless catchers.  Gimenez is 35, and has 1.3 WAR over 10 years and he was batting 143 this year.

Belisle is 38 and has a -0.6WAR for this year.  What else do you need to know.  So that makes two our call ups.  

Johnny Field has a collective 200 BA over 197 ABs.  He is 26.  In 6 seasons in the minors he has batted 270.  What do we expect to get from him?  Is he worth a spot over Wade or even old friend Vargas?  

Tyler Duffey had a wonderful debut (considering the Twins history that should have made us suspicious) and since then we have seen him struggle and fail at numerous roles.  Is it time to try someone else?  He has a career -0.5 WAR. 

Finally there is one I am excited by - Vasquez.  Thank you.  But while other teams are looking at their prospect list we are looking at the next to retire lists.  What gives?  Those of you who defend this FO have to tell me what great analytic strategy they are employing because once again I am at a loss.

As bad as we have been and with no limits why aren't we building an addition to house all the minor league arms we can find and try them all?

Am I the only person concerned that Berrios only has 2 pitches?  Fastball and breaking ball 91% of the time.  If one pitch is a little off on a given night a hitter can sit on the other.  He's got outstanding stuff, but in my opinion he won't dominate over the long-term until he has a reliable 3rd pitch.  

I still think he needs that change-up or other 3rd option to be at least average and throw it more than 10% of the time, otherwise hitters won't pay any attention to it and just sit on either the fastball or the curve.  

I'm glad that Tom brought up the subject of Berrios and his recent struggles. I can't remember the last time he had an impressive start, but it must have been well before the All-Star game. Not sure what the answer is? At this point I don't know if shutting him down will do that much, so might as well let him keep pitching and work on whatever he needs to work on. Any other ideas?