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Another game, another couple hits from Javier. Is this former top prospect who was no longer in your top 20 working his way back into top prospect status? He is developing into the most exciting story in the organization, at least for me. Hopefully, they will keep him in Cedar Rapids for at least another month to build his confidence. Should he continue, going to be lots of teams kicking themselves for not selecting him in the Rule 5...twice! After reading Seth's comment, gave him the sad face because we all had such high hopes for Rijo. Hopefully, it is just a scare and he is back in a few weeks.

First thing I do on every report is go to the Cedar Rapids box score to see what Javier did. Another great night at the plate for this young man. Should he continue hitting like he has, this just may be the best story of 2021 in the entire Twins organization. Should this talented young man figure it out and someday become a very good shortstop at Target Field, his recent turn would be huge, HUGE! Not to long ago the May pitching awards didn't include a single pitcher from Fort Myers. Seems like every day of late they play in a low scoring game. Headrick was amazing last night in a 1-0 win. Expect we will read more about he and other Mighty Mussel (I really hate that name) starters as the summer moves on.

Finally got to see a game last night, well most of it. The highlight for me was while driving home from dinner Gladden was talking about Arraez deciding he was going to slide exclusively feet first. Considering both IL stints this year were after head first slides that would be tremendous. This teams need guys on base when those home runs are hit and a healthy Arraez will be there often. Great seeing Berrios locked in last night. Expect the Twins will get some inquiries next month. Hopefully, they will sit down with his agent and hammer out an extension. If not, they should only move him if someone makes that offer you cannot refuse. And that's a heck of a lot more in return than most of the hypothetical trades I have read about. Good win and great start by Gordon. Personally doubted he would ever make it after his so-so play the second half of a few seasons several years back. But like most of us I didn't have a clue what his physical condition was, so maybe there were reasons. But he sure as heck seems like someone that Twins should include in their plans moving forward.

Just smiled when reading this Seth. Seems like years ago we were watching Moran, wondering if the Twins could get him on the fast track to Minnesota. What is good is that he has hung in there and having another fantastic season. Looking just at the numbers, I would think that Moran should be the first to move up and it should be soon, very soon. Cano is older with a different background, so he should be right behind. Expect we all want to see both with the Twins come Labor Day. Speaking of Labor Day, what are the rules this year for adding players in September? Does anyone, including the Commish, know?

Great spring training, then they bring him north and put him in the bullpen. Gets sent back to St. Paul where he starts a few games and begins settling in and doing better. Bring him back and after pitching with a torn fingernail, now looks to be back in the bullpen. I said it earlier, put the kid in a starting rotation and leave him there. The end result will be good.

Wasn't that long ago we had what, 13 games coming up against the Orioles and KC. Easy, win 10 of 13 against two teams that aren't good and that's a start to get back into the hunt. Well, we know how that turned out. Even talking about winning 12 of 18 (now 12 of 17) in this next stretch is as Rodney Dangerfield once said..."Living in Fantasy Land!" This team isn't very good anywhere except on paper, and I ain't too certain they are any good there either. Sure, the injuries have been brutal, but isn't it time to begin planning to get better for 2022 and beyond? We will see come August if as Sid Hartman would have said...we'll see what the geniuses in the front office have accomplished. Yes, I know I shouldn't be this negative. But heck, they even took away my ability to watch these ugly games, so why not be negative. Hell, I'm old and if anything entitled to be a little crotchety.

First, this season is over for the Twins. With that said, I will be listening to some games on CCO and reading TD and the Strib with an eye on finding spots in games where players who can be part of the 2022 Twins perform well. In one of the few games I have actually been able to watch this year, last night that player was Bailey Ober. Don't know what his future holds, but sure seems like he could work himself into their 2022 rotation. Totally understand their keeping him on a short leash after not pitching an inning anywhere in 2020. So for that reason, have zero problem with taking him out after five excellent innings against a very good hitting ballclub. What I saw, I like a guy who fills the strike zone with pitches and hope like hell he has a good future.

Put Rogers thru the warmup and then burn an outing for one batter? Agree, not desirable move. But why should we expect more from this field general?

What Buxton has said, after his first game, was that he was not comfortable at the plate. Don't know the specifics, but he felt he needed more at bats to be ready to hit big league pitching.

If I can count that high, 86 runs scored in the four games last night. Where the heck has the pitching gone? And what was Toby thinking in St. Paul? His starting pitcher gave up 14 hits, 4 walks and 11 runs before getting him out of the game? Although he did nothing big, Wander Javier had a nice 1-4 night with a walk. After seeing game after game of 0 fors during several years, that's a nice night...real nice. And what can anyone say about Buxton. One more night in St. Paul, then get him back to the Twins. And please, PLEASE, get this young man extended so he stays with the Twins long term. I don't care if he plays 100 or 140 games a year, I want to see him doing so in a Twins uniform.

Couldn't agree with you more. And with that problem, get him out of the game earlier. Don't know what they are doing with Jax. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but hasn't he been a starter throughout his minor league career?

Great seeing Javier hit another bomb last night. Sure seems like he is making adjustments...now keep it up young man. Wanted to check on Gore's track record with the Twins after seeing his numbers last night. Puzzling to see that he was at AA a couple years ago and after last year off is now back at Hi-A. Can those of you who know a lot more about these guys tell us what you think his future is? Watched some of the Saints game last night, although with the rain delay didn't make it until Duran was on the hill. What I did notice is that the damage done against him was in his 4th inning. Considering this is his what, third start since coming off the IL, expect his arm may be getting a bit fatigued around the fourth and fifth innings until he builds up his arm strength.

Considering Gordon has looked better than I expected, I would like to see the Twins finish their season with Gordon, Polonco and Arraez manning the two middle infield position. Expect that some contending team will lose their shortstop sometime over the next seven weeks. When that happens, the Twins should be able to get a reasonable return and save at least a third of his salary for this year. As for what is the reasonable return, that's for the professionals who negotiate these deals to determine.

Great year for him to work on the change so he is a ninth inning option in 2022. Excellent article, thanks.

If you want to learn more about the fingernail problem Dobber has, read today's Strib. Good explanation of the problem and why he couldn't put pressure on some pitches like normal because of the one finger. And those of you who like to blame the Pohlads, should also read the Strib where they talk about Stashak going on the IL. He had been optioned to the Saints and was set to be placed on their AAA IL, where he would be paid a couple thousand a week. Rather than do that, they jumped through whatever hoops and returned him to the Twins and placed him on the Twins IL, where he makes $ 3,050 a game...or about ten times more. In my opinion that is an employer who cares about their employees and puts the dollars behind it, regardless of how big their loss was last year and will likely be again this year.

Unlike a normal year, it is June 9 and we are only about five weeks into the season. Expect those promotions will come, hopefully soon. The highlight for me today is seeing Wander Javier getting another big hit. Should he really be turning the corner, could be so exciting for the Twins to have him as their shortstop come 2023. Was also good watching the Saints last night and seeing Mr. Buxton run on that triple.

Oh, crap! And does this put the Twins in a pickle come November. Haven't looked at the must add list and how many spots they will likely have, but it will be almost impossible for them to add Enlow. And that gives some team with extra space a chance to pluck him from of the organization, knowing he won't pitch until summer, 2022 at the earliest. Does some team take a chance? Boo, bah humbug!

My comment about Javier was made because of my excitement at what he did this week. Hadn't even looked at Julien's numbers, wow! But his having a great week has become somewhat expected, hasn't it?

The highlight of this report is the week Wander Javier had, at least for me. After I don't remember how many years he has been around battling injury and disappointing results with his bat, this may be the first time I recall his having a great week. Noticed his extra base hit in TD's daily report earlier in the week, followed by his four hit game and I believe two hit game on Sunday. Looking at the numbers, would not have been surprised had you named him your hitter of the week. This young man has so much talent and looked so good the couple times I saw him on the field in televised spring training games. That was always followed by disappointment. If he does eventually put it together and become a big league shortstop, this may have been the week he turned the corner. After going undrafted through two Rule 5 drafts, it would be a fantastic story if he would become that player the Twins were hoping for when paid the biggest International signing bonus they ever paid. Thanks for the recap, Seth.

Great story for this young man, coming out of the AFA and serving his two years before getting back to baseball full time. As for his pitching, always reminded me of Scott Baker and Kyle Gibson. Maybe not quite at the same level, but who knows how he develops over the next year or two.

Interesting seeing the name of Ernie De La Trinidad appear in these write-ups of late. Checked and learned he has one of the top averages on the team together with a mid-.800 OPS. Remember that he was part of one of those trades made during that busy late July period a few years ago. Other than what I have just written, I know nothing about him. Is he a prospect that has a legitimate chance of making it to the Twins someday? Or will it be a long shot for him to do so?

Watched the first couple innings of Balazovic's start. He seemed to be overpowering the batters he was facing. At 6'5, he sure looks like a front line big league starter...hopefully, he will become that some day. Was so excited seeing what Javier did yesterday. Saw he also had a double or triple a day or two earlier. Is he starting to put it together?

Lots of work to do. The important thing is for them to begin it today. And that starts with the FO understanding this season is over and making decisions with that in mind.

See that Cano pitched the 10th inning. Began with a runner on second, gave up 2 hits and yet no runs scored. Great experience. Maybe some of the Twins relievers should take a lesson from him on how to do that.

Last night's game spells the end of the season for the Twins, insofar as their being a potential factor in any post season play. The emphasis now must be developing players for future Twins teams, whether that be getting prospects experience with the Twins or working trades to bring more prospects into the system.