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MWLFan

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  1. MWLFan

    Jason Wheeler

    By MWLFan,

    This is the 3rd year I have been writing about the big lefty from California. Wheeler has steadily moved through the organization from Beloit to Fort Meyers to now...Fort Meyers? Ok I get it. He doesn't throw as hard as the sexy guys, Meyers, Berrios, Stewart etc. All he does is go out every few days and give you 5 to 6 solid innings. He is the very capable Kenny Jay of organization. Maybe, just maybe this year he could be bringing big Sexy Back to the Miracle and beyond.
     
    Jason has been working on getting his velocity up as reported by Seth Stohs earlier here on Twins Daily, "Jason Wheeler altered some mechanical things last year with the Miracle and is now throwing harder. He’s certainly one to watch." Jason has always been able to work his sinker well and induced plenty of ground outs while limiting home runs. Has struck out 210 versus walking 103 in 304 innings, so he tends not to hurt himself. And I don't believe he has missed a start due to injury in his pro career, which for a Twins pitcher might be deserving of a award of some kind. Plus he is left handed.
     
    He has won 25 games while dropping 10. He has kept his ERA under 4, granted in some fairly pitcher friendly leagues and led the FSL in wins last year. So Jason finds himself back in Fort Meyers. Now I am sure that Fort Meyers in April has a few things going for it compared to New Britian, but I do think the young Mr. Wheeler is deserving of a spot in the Rock Cats rotation fairly soon.
     
    All Jason needs to do is show some improvement with the fastball and keep on doing what he has always done, pitch the ball.
     
    His first test would be opening day for the Miracle. Final line for Jason, 5.2 innings, 5 hits, 2 walks, 4 K's, and 1 earned run in the victory. (3 of the 4 K's were swinging.) 8 Ground outs vs. 4 in the air. And for the fun of it he picked off former teammate Angel Morales, Angel should know that Jason has a fairly decent move to first. Final score Miracle 5 and Jupiter 1.
     
    So good first step towards AA for Jason. He should be starting this week against Charlotte, he needs to keep consistent as the Twins lower minors are looking pretty stacked with arms pushing hard.
  2. MWLFan
    So this could be the last year of the Twins in Beloit. If true where do you think the Twins should go? You could stick with the already in place MWL teams or think a bit out of the Box. Now it has to be able to work into a current low A league and make sense. Rapid City or Fargo will not work for travel reasons in the Midwest League, even though at least Fargo has a nicer stadium the one currently in Beloit.
     
    My choice would be Cedar Rapids if they move from Beloit. (Quad Cities would be great again, but they are not giving up the Cardinals.) Jim Crikket I think I know your view on this.
     
    Now if you decide to think out of the box, like say Madison or Eau Claire or Waterloo or Dubuque can you give a few reasons why it should happen and what could make it happen? (I have wondered for a awhile how long a franchise could stay in Beloit with their facilities and attendance. The MWL may need a more dynamic city if you will.)
     
    My wild ass thought is the Wisconsin Dells. April and May attendance might be a problem, but honestly it would be on par with Beloit currently, and they would need a Stadium but so does Beloit, but June, July and August could be wild with Twins fans vacationing there. Just a nutty thought.
     
    Talk amongst yourselves.
  3. MWLFan
    Not trying to be too snarky here. Just wondering who people think would be a good replacement for TR? I honestly have no idea on who would be better if anyone. I just read all the comments about how bad he is and thought that many people would have a plan around that. (The anyone would be better line is a lame retort. You could have used that for most of the Twins pitching staff, but someone has to take the ball and pitch. I can say Sam Denudo is awful, but who do I say takes his place. Clayton Kershaw or Liam Hendricks. There is where the comments hit the fan.)
     
    So who would be your Dream Date General manager for the Minnesota Twins to replace that old balding guy. (The guy from twilight is kind of dreamy, wonder if he knows what pitch to contact means...ummm.)
  4. MWLFan
    I spend way too much time reading the comment sections of the Blogs. In doing so I have seen many people comment over and over again indicating that A. They are unemployed and are really filling time or B. They are employed and really avoiding work. But that doesn't interest me (For the record I am a B and that includes yard and house work.) What interests me is each of you.( Not in the Jerry Sandusky creepy way ok.) I read the comments from people, I am guessing they are people though I have never met them face to face though I have seen Seth at Twins fest, and have in my mind what I think of their general view of baseball as life. But I am curious on how you view yourselves. Are you a rose colored glasses kind who supports Gardy and the Pohlads and would have Terry Ryans Love Child if asked (I don't really think Mr. Ryan wants to know that by the way.) or have you not met a Twins executive you have liked since..ah..F**k them all. A one armed, drought stricken, stalk of corn could run this team better. Only me and those that think like me, of which I have never met anyone fitting that description, could run this club correctly. But that is too broad of a spectrum to fully capture the depths and nuances of the frequent denizens of Twins Daily. We need to narrow this down.
     
    Here are 3 to start with for the general Twins Daily Population. Who are you?
     
    Question number 1. Between 1 and 10. Organizational outlook.
     
    1. Are you a nearsighted person who is only looking for instance gratification from each at bat, pitched game, daily outcome and lineup. We have Minor League Affilates?
     
    10. Are you farsighted and what is really important is the performance of the Twins prospects in the DSL and how we are stacking up for our draft next year. When did the Twins move out of the Met?
     
    (I would put myself at a 7 here. Since I spend more time in Minor League Parks the performance of the E-Twins is actually important to me for next year hopefully. I need to watch my MLB TV in order to see a Twins game and if you have spent any time on MLB TV you might understand how frustrating that is. So the performance of the current Twins actually means less for me than that of the Minor League guys.)
     
    Question number 2. Between 1 and 10- How do you view the game day experience.
     
    1. The most important thing to me at the game is what the current up to the at bat BABIP is for Joe Mauer, the UZR for Ben Revere, the xFIP for Scott Diamond and other performance metrics that will predict the outcome of this contest before I even arrive at the game. In Fact all this would be so much better on a computer and not have any of these pesky players and fans around me. It is also hot here and I burn easy.
     
    10. Dude the beer is awesome and the hot girl in the 5th row is like falling out her shirt. I have got to get behind home plate and text my buds while on camera. Bert Circle This! Where do I find the Kent Hrbek Cuban Sandwiches? Hey Mauer get one over the plate..Boooooo. Hey lets come up with a nickname for that big guy Wilingham. How about the Willing Hammer!
    ( I see myself as a 6. Wishing I could still be 10. But going to games with Wife and Children means less beer and more soda. I also need to be a bit more subtle around the girl falling out of her shirt and then I feel guilty as I realise how old I am and how young she is..back to that creepy thing again. Also advanced stats bore me. I like the sun, the sounds, the smells and the symentry of the game far more then the spreadsheets. I understand them and their place, I do advanced businnes stats for a very large company so I get it, but it really strikes me as trying to make something simple so hard that only those with large brains and extra time can appreciate it. I know that is in't it, but it has that element in it's application and the communication. That being said I do look at them and think that if I was in the front office or field leadership of a Major League team it would NEED to be in the tool box and near the top. But I want to sit in the sun, sip a cool adult beverage and watch Oswaldo Arcia and think back to a time I would watch Tony O and his sweet lefty swing. Aside Best I have ever seen. Just awesome in its speed, power and grace. Tony Oliva in his pre knee injury days is maybe the best hitter I have ever seen.)
     
     
    Question number 3- How do you view the Radio or TV experience.
     
    1.) That Bert Blyleven is so funny. I love it when he circles people. Dick Bremer is really insightful and calming. Dan Gladden must know what he is talking about as you know he scored the winning run in the 1987 World Series. I miss John Gordan, but this Cory kid may turn into something yet. Hey can we have more on field instruction with All Stars Ron Coomer, Tim Laudner and Roy Smalley. I learn so much. Anyone else like Chris Berman on the Homerun Derby as much as I do!
     
    10.) They all suck. I prefer to get my Twins in game information from MLB Gamecast and follow updates on Twitter. Blyleven is a one trick Pony, the best thing about Bremer is when TK calls him Richard, Dan Gladden as a highly paid communicator...really. Stevie Wonder and Stephen Hawking would give me more insight and impart it more fully. Coom Dog, Smalley and Laudner. Looks like the best tips they could give me is on eateries in downtown and hair styling for men...or lack there of.
     
    I will go 8. I can stand Bremer and Bert doesn't get to me as much as the performance of MLB TV which reloads every 4 minutes it seems. Gladden does nothing for me, Provus I used to listen to him a lot on Brewer games and he is ok. I was hoping for Ryan Levebre though as I have listened to him on Royals games and think he is very good. I think the part of TV and Radio that grates on my most is the incessant commercials and sponsorships for everything. Has Kohler sponsored a Bert pee Break segment yet? Geez shouldn't give them ideas. For every dump Dick takes this year Kohler will donate $50 to Toilets for Troops. But I do miss the days of Herb, Kaat and Robinson.
     
    So how do you see yourself and are their any other ratings you can throw out there.
  5. MWLFan
    With the injury to Rosario what are the Odds that Niko Goodrum or Max Kepler get a taste of the Midwest League? Or how about dropping Levi Micheal back to see if he can get some confidence in his game? (I know the last one would not happen, but they have done it to Benson and Parmalee.)
  7. MWLFan
    When a team loses the blame game starts up. Bill Smith, Terry Ryan, Gardy, the Minor League managers, Vavra, Anderson, Big Fella, Sid, or whoever. In the end the buck does stop with the owner, they have the ultimate power to make changes to the direction and the culture. So I do expect a more focused discussion on the Pohlad family and their stewardship of the Twins to come up.
     
    So instead of just throwing cr#p on the wall and seeing what gets a reaction my challenge to people is who would be better? I remember at one time people thought Glen Taylor could save the Twins. Would you prefer a Zygi type of out of state owner, how about a gang of of six or seven, a corporation, or is there some person that you think would make all the right moves as a owner to set a culture of winning in place.
     
    My take on it is I have no issues with the Pohlads beyond the drop in payroll this year. But considering that I think the biggest need this team has is quality starting pitching and seeing what was out there for FA's that would probably come to Minnesota in the last 7 months or so I am not foaming at the mouth. Now if in the next year this is not addressed through trades in the minors for a top side Arm or plucking a prime Starter from the FA market, then I will wondering WTF are they thinking.
     
    So what ideas are there for regime change? (Realizing of course this will not happen, but part of the joy of this site is it's venting.)
  8. MWLFan
    I am going to write about a oddity for a Twins fan, good starting pitching. Not awesome or eyepopping, but good. Wednesday Jason Wheeler picked up his second victory Wednesday with six innings of 10 hit (8 singles-2 doubles), 2 K, 0 BB and 3 earned run pitching. Wheeler was helped by the GIDP and picked off a runner in order to keep more from crossing the plate. The Snappers held it close until he sixth when they put three runs in breaking the 3 to 3 tie. Wheeler stats sit at 21 innings, 1.38 WHIP (24 hits and 5 walks), 12 strikeouts, and 3.00 ERA.
     
    The Beloit record sits at 10-10 and have won a couple in a row, with Sano not contributing.
  9. MWLFan
    When the idea of adopt a Prospect came up my first choice was Jason Wheeler for several reasons. First he is a impressive young man to talk to, second my wife thought he was a nice boy, third he met Harmon Killebrew and my son is named for Harmon, and fourth he is a member of the Snappers. So a bit about the 6 foot 8 inch, 265 pound left handed throwing young man from Torrance, California.
     
    Jason comes from a family of athletes, mom and dad both played college basketball and his older brother Ryan plays in the Diamondbacks organization and is currently in AAA with the Reno Aces. So Jason has the pedigree. Jason played college ball at Loyola Marymount University, as did his Snapper team mate Matt Koch, and some Twins fans may have seen him play for the St. Cloud River Bats of the Northwoods League where he was named 2010 Pitcher of the Year with a 8 and 1 record, 1.35 ERA and 74 strike outs. He was 6-4 with a 3.84 ERA his last year with the Lions before the Twins drafted him in the 8th round in 2011. (That may make him a qualify him as one of us. I have to check the rules.)
     
    Jason was a Junior at LMU when he left for the Twins but will graduate this fall with a degree in business law. If the whole pitching in the Majors and making a lot of cash thing doesn't work out he might end up a sports agent, we will try not to hold that against him on this blog.

    With three games started under his belt at Beloit this year Jason is 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 10 K's and 5 walks in 15 innings. The nom de plume I threw out has nothing to do with his velocity or style of pitching, I just have a soft spot in my heart for baseball of the 1920's-1930's when such names where common place. Depending on the wacky southern Wisconsin weather Jason should take the mound in the next couple of days against Bowling Green. I have yet to see him pitch but it looks like he charts a good game, once he has some gloves to keep those California fingers warm.
     
    Good look Jason, we will be keeping a eye on you.
     
     


  11. MWLFan

    Boom.. Sano happens.

    By MWLFan,

    Finally went to a game that A.) the Snappers won and B.) Sano connected. Both were worth the wait. Really. 18 years old. Wow. The only question was how far the moment we heard it. Glad I went today and not yesterday, considering the extra innings and the distance to Clinton. Beside the Sano home run I guess the most impressive player was Micheal Tonkin, he kept the Lumber Kings under control for over 3 innings. I think he has spent enough time in the MWL, time to head south for him. It's late and time to get the our guys ready for bed and prepped for school after dad them along to another baseball game two hours away. It will be awhile before I get to another game so great to go off with a win and Sano home run.
  12. MWLFan
    Found that interesting. I think he needs as much time at second as possible, but I know the Snappers want his bat in the game and probably needed to get a couple of the other infielders some work. Hope this won't be a ongoing thing as CF is not a issue in the Twins system right now.
  14. MWLFan
    We all need to do a well baby check here and repeat it is the first weekend, it is the first weekend. So that being my mantra my family and our friends from St. Paul headed back to Pohlman Field.It was a much more comfortable afternoon in Beloit. The sun was out for awhile and the temps slipped in the low 60's. Unfortunatly the same result as I saw on Thursday occured, a Snapper loss.
     
    Today it is was Tim Shibuya that started the game for the Twins A Leaguers and his afternoon was not much better then Madison Boers start two evenings ago, he too had a short start with a few well struck balls and not a lot of help from his defense. Wang Lei-Lin air mailed ball from right field causing a couple of runners to move up and into scoring position and for the second game in three Eddie Rosiario had a error at second that plated later in the inning.
     
    One series but here are the first impressions of a guy who never played beyond High School and works with Spread sheets all day long- (So take it for what it is worth)
     
    Rosario- I saw the power yesterday and Friday with a double and a laser homer to right. But he is going to need some work at second getting comfortable in making the plays at this level. The ball is having issues staying in his glove and his positioning still needs some work. But it is worth it, if he develops to his potential and stays at second he could be one of those guys who provides power at position one does not normally find it. But this maybe one of times were we need to temper our natural tendencies for instant gratifiation. Rosario has time to improve and grow into that player.
     
    Sano- I have not heard him make solid contact yet and have seen him chase a couple of wide pitches. Heard his Grand Slam was a good shot on Saturday, but didn't see it. I will say he has been a pleasant surprise with his defense. He looks like the most comfortable and seasoned defensive player on the infield, and I am not short changing Tyler Grimes and Rory Rhodes. Sano just looks smooth, he isn't going to make you remember Brooks Robinson, but he handles the balls hit to him very well.
    Can't say I have seen his range, but he has the arm and showed good hands.
     
    Starting Pitching- Ah...lets hope Boer and Shibuya have better days ahead.
     
    Relief- Looks good. Best pitchers I saw were the guys out of the bullpen. Yesterday Ryan O'Rourke domainated the two innings he was in. It wasn't a contest. His second year in Low A started well. 3 K's in six batters. Corey Willams looked good yesterday too.
     
    Offense-Besides Sano and Rosario. Not a lot. Ortiz impressed me with his swing. Yesterday 17 ground ball outs were hit into by the Snappers. 17! It's gotta to get better, right? We need to remember it is April, I am watching the Masters and not the PGA on TV.
     
    So I will not see them for a week or so as they travel and I have stuff to do. Maybe by then things will improve and I can see a team with tight starting pitching and the scary offense we all anticipate.
     
     
    As far as the Masters goes...BUBBA!!!
  15. MWLFan
    Last night myself and about 700 other folks decided to tempt frostbite to catch a baseball game between a bunch of guys who have spent the last few months in Florida as they tried to adapt to 35 degree weather. This was not a enjoyabe experience for all concerned. Most noticeably Madison Boer. Our starting pitcher hung in for a a couple innngs with some good stuff for game more suited for Lambeau then Pohlman Field. But this promising start was not how the night would be ending for Madison. The Peoria team strung together a few hits on him and his team gave back some with a few well placed errors.
     
    It was a mix of both hard hit balls, a very nice bunt and a seeing eye single here and there. But the kid from Minnesota was not fooling anyone by the third and was gone by the games midway point with 5 on the board for the Chiefs.
     
    The Snappers bullpen came in and held the Chiefs scoreless the rest of the way. Some good pitching from the four guys out of the pen. The Matts (Tomshaw and Summers) looked particularly good.
     
    The offense for the Snappers looked like it was a bunch of guys from the Caribbean and Florida trying to stop shivering long enough to swing the bat. Sano and Rosiaro are the headliners here and both had good moments and bad moments in what might have been the coldest night of baseball in their lives. Sano was plunked in the second and stole second fairly easily, he looks slower because he is a big guy out there running around. After that he was not really a factor waving at a few balls out of the strike zone and taking some first and second ball strikes. He does look good in the field, smooth. Not flashy but solid at 3rd.
     
    Rosairo was having some issues at the plate until he caught a ball up and roped into the wind aganist the right field wall. He ended up at 3rd after the ball was chucked home looking to catch Jonathan Gonclaves scoring. Gonclaves had 2 hits for the Snappers and Rosario, Daniel Ortiz and J.D. Williams the other 3. Ortiz had a hard double down the right field line for other Snapper ball that rang off the fence.
     
    I found myself wondering just what the boys of Puerto Rico, the Dominican and much warmer climates were thinking, probably something like. "When is it going to start to snow?" "There really are 700 people who live in the god forsaken tundra?" "Damn you Kepler, how come you got to stay in Fort Meyers. Can I go back to extended Spring Training." "Are my fingers still attached?" "What is that coming out of my mouth? My life force is escaping with every breath!" or it could have just been strings of expletives in various languages.
     
    I will be heading back Saturday and hope for a warmer time as it is a 2:00pm start.
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