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When I read the article about this in today's Strib, Thielbar does have a reason for not getting the shot. Turns out he has had bad reactions to previous 'flu' shots. [Not defending it or making any kind of statement, just relating what the Strib said his reason was] Missed the first few innings, but was really impressed by Moran...and Cotton. Hopefully, Moran will get more chances over the coming weeks to prove he belongs. Could be solid part of a good bullpen.

Guessing that the fourth player to be added will be Celestino, who is coming off COVID, or not. Gonna hurt Megill as he is battling to make a good impression and stick with the Twins for awhile. Personally, like what I have seen. Will also hurt that he will be losing that $4,500 per game check after getting minor league pay the first two months of the season. On the flip side, there are two young men who are not on the 40-man roster who will get a chance to make their good impression. And I am certain that three games at $4,500 will be a nice bonus for them. Is it correct that these two who aren't on the 40-man will be sent back to St. Paul and do not have to be DFA'd? And count me among those who is surprised to see Kepler's name on this list. The good news is that will give him three days off to continue healing his leg injury. Is it possible that is one of the reason's the Twins didn't put him on the IL? If he made a quick recovery, he would be back on the field. If the injury dragged on longer, they knew he would be replaced for this series?

Was it yesterday I asked about Rodriguez' speed? I guess two triples in a game answered that. Kid sure seems to be amazing. Is it possible he is one of those young studs who forces his way onto the Twins by the time he is 20 or 21? Although he allowed the unearned 10th inning run, good seeing Schulfer with a solid AAA outing...3 K's out of 5 outs. Great seeing Severino back on the field for the Kernels. Its only been a couple days so his numbers are meaningless. But he is off to a great start and the Twins really need him to start producing, big time. Really don't want to think of his going the way of Wander Javier after signing him for $2.5M after his release from the Braves.

Personally, I am gonna sit back and enjoy watching this young man. Hopefully for many years. Expect Lewis will be another star, just hope like heck he can stay on the field. Also hope that AK can get healthy because I have total confidence he can be a top hitter. This trio could/should be the core of the Twins lineup for the next six plus years.

Am most interested, and excited, about Schulfer. That's because he is from the Badger State AND close to helping the Twins. Now the younger guys are all putting up astonishing numbers. Can that continue as they move up the ladder? Only time will tell, but it would be one way to build a strong bullpen a few years from now.

The best news of the day, Andrew, was that Jorge Alcala was on the mound, pitching with a 96+ mph fastball. Huge. Barring a setback, he should be on track to join the Twins by June 10, or soon thereafter, when he can come off the 60-day IL. They sure as heck need him badly, assuming he is still the pitcher he became late last year. Rodriguez has to be exciting for both the fans and Twins. Don't know much about his outfield defense. I see he is 10-14 in stolen bases, so should have some speed. Is his defense solid, plus or so-so? Does anyone know anything about Swain? He sure is getting results after a solid, but not outstanding 2021.

Can't believe all the harping about Rocco and the team after yesterday's game. Yes, it was tough to watch. But what could we expect with basically a AAA lineup facing a very good young pitcher. Unfortunately, Buxton, Correa, Kepler and Arraez were all either out or on the bench. That's half their normal starting lineup...the best half. And yes, Jeffers probably shouldn't be with the Twins the way he has been hitting. So the result should have been expected. probably more of the same today. I believe Buxton has more serious injuries than we know of. They talk about maintenance, but it is likely more a rest plan to keep him on the field some of the time. Correa is out with COVID. Max has been kind of an iron man throughout his career, but he is battling a leg injury. Considering all the others missing, they are trying to nurse him thru it. And Arraez was the Manager's decision. Should he have been in the lineup? Considering everyone else that was missing, I would have had him there. But he isn't as effective against lefties, so it was a good pitcher/day for him to take a break. And for those above comments that the team isn't missing all that much. Excuse me? Buxton is injured, Correa out with COVID, Celestino out with COVID, Ryan out with COVID, Gray maybe missing another start/injury after recently returning from the IL, Alcala out almost all year, Sano out for 60+ days, Kirilloff back in AAA trying to overcome a potentially career ending/altering injury, Kepler playing thru an injury, Polonco dealing with an ankle problem, but playing most of the time. They were missing their two best players and two best starting pitchers. That would be tough for any team/manager. Now I am not a fan of Rocco, lots of little things hit me the wrong way. But he knows a heck of a lot more about baseball than I and is paid to manage the team. He is who we have, may as well live with it.

Excited seeing a catcher, any catcher on this list. Looking at the numbers, can’t believe Perez was higher than Miller. Are you guys so much into home runs that five versus two had Perez higher even though all of Miller’s other numbers were higher?

Thanks for a great report, Seth. What a battle with Wisconsin for the Kernels. Must have been great baseball. Of all the top starters pitching tonight, Balazovic has to be the one to watch. The Twins really need him to get going following his late start to the season. If he can get back to what he was, he could help later this summer. Huge night for him. Question, regarding Noah Miller? The team summary has him at 6-20 (.400) and the individual prospect summary has 8-20 (.400). Expect the 8-20 is correct?

Great topic, Matt. I think baseball is changing. The draft used to be 50 rounds. Now it is 20, or is it 25 this year? Roughly 40 minor league teams were eliminated. In football, nearly all players go to college for three or four years then step in and contribute immediately. Doubt we will see that in baseball, but your point that the best college players spend several less years in the minors is so important. Expect we will see all/most MLB teams slowly shifting to taking mostly college players in their draft. The result will be more high schoolers going to college.

Lots of mistakes by the young guys. Got a feeling it is going to be a long couple weeks. Hopefully Celestino will soon be back. Expect Gordon is gonna have to play shortstop with Correa out.

Kid was fantastic for Wichita, 1 earned run in 15 games.

Exciting to see Schulfer get rewarded with a promotion to St. Paul. His 1 earned run yesterday equaled his total from 15 games with Wichita. Next month or two should tell us if he has a future with the Twins.

Thanks for another enjoyable read. Am elated this morning to learn that Keps is not going on the IL and Lewis shouldn’t be out for the year. Curious that no one is talking about the fact that several, is it as many as five, players will not be going to Toronto because they are not vaccinated. Souhan wrote this morning that it includes one front line pitcher and a middle of the order bat. Will the Twins get swept because they are so shothanded?

Thanks LA Vikes Fan for your reasonable comment, was exactly what I was thinking. Yes, bone bruises hurt like h...., but I take this as good news. When I watched the play and heard he was taken for tests, my first thought was surgery and he was out for the year. This is a much better result.

I know both of those guys are playing well. Maybe Seth or someone else would know if either is a legit prospect that could potentially be a future starter.

True. And I don ‘t know, but have to believe he decides who plays. Although I suspect the FO and he communicate on how players will be used.

Great article, thanks. unbelievable young man. Hopefully he can spend his entire career with the Twins.

What I was thinking as I read this. And Nick, another great post...thanks. All I would add is what a shame that Kep gets hurt while playing the best he has, ever.

Question: Who will lose his starters spot when Ryan returns, Archer or Smeltzer? I know how I would answer, but it is Rocco’s decision.

My question is why either of them is DH when not behind the plate. Jeffers is a huge disappointment and should be playing every third day, at most. IMO, catcher is their #1 problem to fix come winter, both on the Twins and depth in the organization. Maybe that top college catcher people are talking about will be there for them when the Twins pick next month.

Read the headline thinking this would be about who the Twins would take in the coming draft. Kept reading and was over half thru that I realized there could be another meaning to the headline. Dah! Count me among those who see value in having someone like Gordon on this team and believes he will be here when the season ends. Do I want him starting 70 games a year, NO. But The player I see on the field is better than the past and doesn’t hurt the Twins when he is in the lineup.

Have no idea what the Twins plans are for Canterino, other than he is one heck of an exciting prospect. Would hope they want to keep him starting, while keeping his innings/pitch counts down coming back from several injuries. Considering this article is about help for the Twins from a pitcher currently at Wichita, I ask what the future holds for Schulfer. Kid has been flat out unhittable in the Wind Surge closer role. He is the one I would hope gets a promotion to St. Paul with another move to the Twins come late summer. Will he be successful? Who knows, but sure like how he has been throwing at Wichita.

"Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers didn't fare quite as well." The Mighty Mussels won 6-2, what do they have to do to "fare well?" Another solid start from Raya. Yes, it is a long way from the Fort to Target Field, but this kid seems like a good one. And Miller and Cavaco each had two hits, including a double last night. As stated above it is only a week, but any turn around in Cavaco's development has to begin somewhere. No mention in the Wichita write up about solid relief performances from Sisk and Schulfer. Is it realistic to think that Schulfer could/should move up to the Saints soon and could possibly help the Twins later this fall? Or am I smoking something? Not going to get into whether Martin should or should not be playing shortstop. But his errors are scarry. Add the fact that the Twins have Correa and Lewis ahead of him with Miller a year or two behind him, seems to me that the prudent decision would be to get him playing elsewhere. Liked seeing Lewis getting a game in center last night.

I wish there was a thing I could click that said, "smiling," cause that's what your comment brought to me. Thanks. As for the above discussion about when Duffey should have been pulled. I agree he was left in the game to long, way too long. But had he already pitched to three hitters when Merrifield came to bat? Don't recall if that was something in play, or not.