stringer bell

The six-man rotation was necessitated by having six bona fide starters, at least to start the season. The chances of five of these six all lasting and staying effective is near zero. Winder should be in AAA pitching every fifth or sixth day. Smeltzer should be the long man, pitching multiple innings maybe once a week. I hope they option Winder to St. Paul on May 2. The bi-product of this system is limiting Winder’s innings for the first month. The starters are getting close to being able to go 6 or more innings if they’re effective. There hasn’t been the predicted need for Openers or have piggyback starts. Time for Winder to get to St. Paul to develop.

I think they’re waiting to see whether Buxton is 100%. They probably could go with 16 pitchers for the next ten days, but with options and 40-man limits, they might just go with the current 13-15 position player/pitcher distribution.

Oh I won't yell, but I've come to the realization that the times have changed. Pitchers aren't treated as they were and the expectations are different. Bullpens have guys with great arms and the game is expected to go to the bullpen for the later innings. The average fastball velocity is way up and the exertion on the other pitches is up to. Franchises want to handle their assets so that they get maximum production for the length of their control over the asset. I remember 4-man rotations and guys like Jim Kaat getting more than 40 starts and 300 innings. Finally, this year all of the things limiting extending pitchers into later innings are exacerbated by the lockout and short spring training. Also what we don't know or don't remember is how many guys flamed out with the earlier expectation of throwing nine innings every fourth (later fifth) day. Some guys like Nolan Ryan and Bert too, I guess, probably could succeed in any generation and be dominant. As a post above says, they are among the 1%.

Please give guys more than 20 PAs before you brand them successes or failures. Nick Gordon has had a nice run early and he should get more playing time, but writing him in as a regular for the season on his last ten PAs is shortsighted at best. Garlick's limited history against left handed pitching is very good and he got one start against a righty (yesterday on getaway day) and Gordon was in the lineup. I'm not the biggest Garlick fan, but give him a chance over a bit more time, nor am I the biggest Gordon critic, but again don't make judgments based on so few plate appearances (I know at one point in Boston, Gordon was at .182).

Bundy has thrived with really good command so far. He has been very good, but those 90 mph fastballs have to hit their target. The question on Correa isn't if, but when he will hit. I hope it is soon, but the coming series with the White Sox in mostly lousy weather probably isn't conducive to a hitting explosion. After seeing the way Duran pitched in Spring Training, I am surprised that he has given up four runs. My hopes for Duran are that he maintains his health and the Twins find the best role for him.

Here's a look at some notable ex-Twins: Good starts--Eduardo Escobar .313 BA, .464 OBP 1.055 OPS, 12(! ) walks. Kyle Gibson 17.2 IP, 19Ks, 3.57 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, Taylor Rogers 5 IP, 1 H, 1 BB, 5 Ks, 5 SV .40 WHIP. Poor starts--Nelson Cruz .200 BA .588 OPS, 2 HR, 9 RBI. Mitch Garver .158 BA, .535 OPS, 1 HR 6 RBI. Josh Donaldson .191 BA, .588 OPS, 1 HR 4 RBI, Eddie Rosario .081 BA, .299 OPS, 0 HR, 0 RBI, Jose Berrios 11.3 IP, 17 H, 11 Ks, 6.35 ERA I'm sure most of these numbers will regress to the mean, particularly the slow starters. Any other notable ex-Twins who should be highlighted?

I'd like Larnach to have a fair shot, but Martin gives them speed and versatility in the outfield. With work, he could develop into a plus plus defender, I think.

I noticed Henriquez’ first outing was very good

The Twins would be 6-7 if Rogers was in the BP.

Probably better for Winder’s development for him to get regular work in the St. Paul rotation. I think a Winder for Smeltzer swap makes perfect sense.

Another good game for Martin and he played center field.

I don’t even want to watch this.

Only one K today and six yesterday. Sometimes teams go through slumps like this. Damned if you do (bunt, steal, hit and run), damned if you don’t. Wind keeps possible homers in play and the opponents make good plays. They will bust out, but the longer this goes on, the further back they’ll be.

Urshela really like to swing at the first pitch.

Good luck to Lewis Thorpe. I'm thinking he needs to get his head right and his body right, but he showed potential before and I'm guessing if he does get right, he'll get another chance with someone.

I think the imminent reduction of of the major league staff has a lot to do with the lack of movement between St. Paul and Minneapolis. In looking at the Saints roster and statistics, they have a great number of former major league pitchers and three more would be added on May 2. The only remaining Saints pitchers on the 40-man roster are Sands, Moran and Strotman. None of them look like like are up for a promotion in the near future. Among the non-roster pitchers, Minaya looks like the best bet for promotion and although he has no big league experience, Yannier Cano would seem to have earned a shot. Two spots on the 40-man would have to be made for those guys and more than the original three arms would have to go to AAA. Another player to consider is Devin Smeltzer. I would think a straight switch for Winder might make sense, but again.....40-man issues.

Minor league baseball. Strange plays that happen once a month in the majors happen about every other day in the minors. Crazy innings happen all the time. Can't help but be enthusiastic about the prospects in the farm system. SWR has been great and consistent so far. Among the top prospect pitchers, he has seemed to take the biggest step forward. I would like to see either Martin or Lewis get some outfield time. That seems to be where they could help the '22 Twins, and in Martin's case, it would seem to be where his major league future lies. Miranda has been (only) decent so far this year and I think the club would like him to prove that '21 wasn't a mirage.

And risking the person they take off the 40-man roster to claim Cotton.

Duffey lost it last year, but found it later in the season. Perhaps, he’ll do the same. The velocity hasn’t been what it was when he emerged a few years ago and I don’t think that element will return.

Who do you turn to? Honestly, it was the sixth inning. I suppose one more inning for Smith, then Coulombe, then Duran? I am not seeing any of those guys as sure things to shut down Kansas City. The KC bullpen, even with a guy with an ERA over 10, outpitched the Twins.

Gee, Rocco, could you maybe have seen the Garlick vs. right handed pitcher in a game situation coming?

Certainly not helping his free agent value.

BTW, that’s how you have no errors.

No reward for Jeffers good at-bat.

Joe Smith. Maybe a sneaky good signing!