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Seth Stohs

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Blog Entries posted by Seth Stohs

  2. Trade Talk: Oakland A's

    · Seth Stohs · 07/30/2013 12:16 PM

    Buyer or Seller?
     
    A year ago, many fans believed that the Oakland A’s and the Baltimore Orioles snuck into the playoffs. Most thought that there would be a return to reality in 2013. Apparently the reality is that both teams are pretty good. The A’s are currently 62-43 and have a five game lead in the AL West. The A’s have been linked to the likes of Jake Peavy in recent days, although that seems unlikely at this point, but the A’s are certainly buyers, with several needs.
     
    What They Need
     
    Pitching
    Of all the things that the A’s need, it would not appear that pitching is one of them. As of today, the A’s lead the American League in ERA (3.60) and WHIP (1.19). They are second to the Detroit Tigers in Quality Starts with 64. They trail only the Tampa Bay Rays in Batting Average Against (.241). It’s interesting that Oakland is atop of the league in most pitching categories, yet them rank just 12th in the league with just 6.86 strikeouts per nine innings.
     
    Yet, the A’s were believed to be a leading candidate for Jake Peavy. Is it possible they are just planning for time without All Star Bartolo Colon? The A’s bullpen is led by former Twin Grant Balfour. Pat Neshek has been good for them as well. They may want some bullpen depth.
     
    Hitters
    As strong as the A’s pitching is, the hitters have been no better than league average. As a team, they are hitting .243 (11th)/.321 (6th)/.395 (10th), with a .694 OPS (11th). The outfield is strong with Yoenis Cespedes, Coco Crisp, Josh Reddick and Chris Young. The left side of the infield is good, with Josh Donaldson and Jed Lowrie. However, the A’s could use and 2B (Eric Sogard) and catcher (Derek Norris, Stephen Vogt).
     
    What Might Work
     
    With Jared Burton, Casey Fien, Brian Duensing and other bullpen arms likely available, there could be a match with the A’s. There could be a match with a bullpen arm.
    It may make some sense for the A’s to consider a veteran influence such as Jamey Carroll in their infield. He could be an upgrade to current utility man Adam Rosales.
     
    Sleeper Targets
     
    The A’s system appearas to be pretty middle-of-the-pack. Young shortstop Addison Russell is at the top of the list, but he likely is not available, even in a Glen Perkins deal. So, here are some guys that the Twins could potentially realistically target.
     
    2B Chris Bostick (Low-A)
    The A’s took infielder Chris Bostick with their 44th round pick in 2011 out of his high school in Rochester, New York. To say he has been a pleasant surprise is probably an understatement. This year at Beloit, the 20 year old is hitting .293/.368/.488 (.855) with 19 doubles, seven triples, 13 home runs and 76 RBI. He is also 21 of 28 in stolen base attempts. The Twins actually have a nice group of middle infield prospects at this time, but based on history, it never hurts to add more.
     
    SP Seth Streich (Low-A)
    Streich is a Twins-type of pitcher. He was drafted just last year out of Ohio University. This year, he is 10-5 with a 3.78 ERA for the Snappers. In 104.2 innings, he has given up 107 hits, but he’s walked just 39. He’s also only struck out 81. Not a real high ceiling here, but enough command of three pitches to have a chance to move up. He also is aware of the Twins farm system as his brother Tobias was in the minor leagues from 2009 through spring training of 2012.
     
    C Bruce Maxwell (High-A)
    At 6-2 and 235 pounds, Maxwell is a sturdy catcher. He was the A’s 2nd round pick in 2012 out of Birmingham-Southern where he was a teammate of former Twins minor leaguers Drew Leachman. He began this season with the Beloit Snappers where he hit .286/.360/.387 (.747) with 14 doubles, two homers and 28 RBI. He was promoted to High-A Stockton recently and he’s hit .236/.310/.348 (.658) with four doubles, two homers and six RBI. He is known to be a very good defensive catcher with a strong arm.
    SP Raul Alcantara (High-A)
    Alcantara came to the A’s from the Red Sox organization in the Andrew Bailey deal. He began this season with Beloit and went 7-1 with a 2.44 ERA. In 77.1 innings, he walked just seven and struck out 58. He moved up to Stockton where he has gone 3-2 with a 3.28 ERA. In 35.2 innings, he has walked eight and struck out 27. His fastball sits anywhere from 90-95 mph, so there is some upside.
     
    Dream Target
     
    SP Sonny Gray (Triple-A / Majors)
    Now, in a Glen Perkins deal, we know that Addison Russell is not likely available, and it may even be a bit optimistic to think that Sonny Gray would be either. He was the A’s first round pick in 2011 out of Vanderbilt. He raced through the A’s system. This year, in the hitter-friendly Pacific Coast League, he is 9-7 with a 3.38 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP. He has given up just five home runs in 112 innings (or one every 22 innings). He has made two appearances with the A’s, and has given up just two hits and a walk (while striking out six) in four innings.
  10. Typically, the full season minor league affiliates do not have games scheduled for the night of the All Star game. Earlier in the day, the Gulf Coast League Twins played a game. However, the New Britain Rock Cats played the middle game of a three-game series at Harrisburg.
     
    The story of the day was that there were a lot of minor league transactions throughout the system, and frankly, several more must be in the works. Here is what we have as this is written:
     
     

    LHP Edgar Ibarra has been promoted from New Britain to Rochester.
    OF Evan Bigley, LHP Ryan O’Rourke and LHP Jose Gonzalez have been promoted to New Britain from Ft. Myers.
    C Kyle Knudson went from New Britain to Ft. Myers.
    OF JD Williams, 1B Dalton Hicks, LHP Steven Gruver and RHP Tyler Jones were promoted from Cedar Rapids to Ft. Myers.
    C Jairo Rodriguez was sent back from Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids.
    RHP Dallas Gallant and RHP Tim Shibuya have been moved from Elizabethton to Cedar Rapids.

     
    Here is a look at what happened in the two Twins games in the farm system on Tuesday:
    Rochester Red Wings
     
    No Game Scheduled.
    New Britain 4, Harrisburg 6
    Box Score
     
    Lefty Pat Dean has pitched quite well of late, but this start did not go so well for him. In just 3.2 innings, he gave up five runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out two. Tom Stuifbergen came on and after a walk, he got the final out. BJ Hermsen gave up one run on five hits in 2.1 innings. Edgar Ibarra then gave up one hit and struck one out in 0.2 innings. Dakota Watts gave up two hits and a walk but no runs in his inning.
     
    Nate Hanson led the offense. He was 2-3 with two walks and his 17th AA double. Danny Santana went 2-4 with a walk. Eddie Rosario went 2-5 with his ninth double. Jordan Parraz went 2-4 with his seventh home run. Josmil Pinto doubled for the 22nd time. Angel Morales went 1-2 with two walks and his second stolen base.
    Ft. Myers Miracle
     
    No Game Scheduled.
    Cedar Rapids Kernels
     
    No Game Scheduled.
    Elizabethton Twins
     
    No Game Scheduled.
    GCL Twins 2, GCL Orioles 11
    Box Score
     
    Looking at the game score, and then finding out that Kohl Stewart made the start may give you pause. However, the Twins top pick worked the first three innings. He gave up two hits and walked a batter but did not allow a run. He struck out two. In his two starts, he has now thrown six shutout innings.
     
    Brandon Easton came on and gave up four runs on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings. Miguel Gonzalez was next and he gave up five runs (2 earned) on three hits and two walks in 1.1 innings. He struck out one. Zach Hayden got the final out of the 6th inning after giving up one hit. Reyson Zoquiel gave up one run on two hits in his inning. He struck out two. Josh Guyer pitched one inning and gave up one run on a solo homer. He struck out two.
     
    Although they scored just two runs, the GCL Twins hitters did combine for nine hits. Zach Larson went 2-5 with his fifth double. Engelb Vielma went 2-4 with a walk. Chad Christensen also doubled for the third point.
     
     
    Thanks for checking out today’s Twins minor league report. Please feel free to discuss, comment or ask questions.

  11. Trade Talk: Detroit Tigers

    · Seth Stohs · 07/16/2013 01:18 PM

    Buyers or Sellers
     
    The Tigers are certainly buyers at the trade deadline. They had completely stocked up over the last two seasons to make a World Series run. They acquired and then retained Anibal Sanchez. They added Torii Hunter this offseason. After missing all of 2012, Victor Martinez is back in the middle of their lineup. Their top four starters (Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, Doug Fister and Sanchez) are the envy of the rest of the league. Most believed that the Tigers would run away with the AL Central, but at the All Star break, they have just a 1.5 game lead over Cleveland.
    What they Need
     
    The Tigers have spent to win in the very short term. They have a powerful lineup, a tremendous starting rotation and a Joaquin Benoit and Drew Smyly have been terrific in the bullpen. However, the back end of the Tigers bullpen has caused a lot of issues. Bruce Rondon showed that despite a 100-mph fastball, he wasn’t ready. Things got so bad that they brought back veteran Jose Valverde only to soon be reminded why they didn’t bring him back originally. Phil Coke, Al Albuquerque, Darin Downs and Jose Alvarez all have ERAs over five. Octavio Dotel is on the Disabled List. The Tigers can use bullpen help. The only other thing the Tigers may need would be another utility infielder who would play very little.
    What Might Work
     
    Jamey Carroll’s playing time has been limited enough in the first half that he will become a free agent after the season. Although his numbers this season are well down, his inconsistent playing time may play a role in that.
     
    If there is a team where Glen Perkins makes a lot of sense, it is the Detroit Tigers. If the Tigers were in any other division, it might make even more sense. Perkins has a terrific contract that any team would be happy to take on. Both teams would be leery about dealing with each other. Obviously, the Tigers want to win now, but they won’t want to see a top prospect star for the Twins against them for the next four to six years. The Twins won’t want to see Glen Perkins coming in to ninth innings against them. So, it would be interesting to see if the two teams can make a major trade. Minor trades are one thing, but blockbusters rarely occur within a division.
    Sleeper Targets
     
    Dixon Machado - 21 - SS – High A
    Two years ago, I saw Dixon Machado playing in Beloit for West Michigan. I recall thinking that I may not have ever seen such a smooth defender at shortstop. He is 6-0, and he is rail thin, almost Alexei Ramirez like. However, he doesn’t hit like Ramirez. In 2012 in the Florida State League, he hit just .195 with a .535 OPS. This year, repeating the level, he is hitting .231 with a .558 OPS. He’s not going to hit, but his glove makes him a potential utility infielder.
     
    Jose Ortega - RHP- AAA
    Ortega is probably in the middle ground of prospects that make him not a likely candidate to come to the Twins. The hard-throwing right-hander has an impressive 1.47 ERA in AAA right now and has had time with the Tigers. In 30.2 innings this year, he has 33 strikouts… to go with 19 walks. Sound familiar? To me, he sounds a lot like another hard-throwing reliever that the Twins acquired from the Tigers, Lester Oliveros.
     
    Dream Target
     
    Nick Castellanos was a supplemental first round pick in 2010 out of high school. The Tigers gave him $3.45 million (about $2 million over slot) to sign. Recently, the Tigers have said that Castellanos could be available in a trade for a top closer. Perkins would certainly fit into that category. Drafted as a third baseman, the 6-4 potential power hitter was moved to outfield a year ago when Miguel Cabrera moved to third base. Because he’s 6-4, he could be a first base option as well if the Twins have enough outfielders. With AAA Toledo, he is hitting .281/.353/.455 with 29 doubles and 12 home runs this year.
     
    Outfielder Avisail Garcia, who played well for the Tigers in the playoffs last year, is also said to be available. Bruce Rondon throws 100 mph but often without great control. He would also be worth inquiring about. If he’s available, that’s a great arm to consider replacing Glen Perkins with, if that’s the direction the Twins went.
  15. After eight Minnesota Twins minor league games to report on Thursday night, it was nice that all six Twins affiliates played just one game on Friday night. There were a couple of one-run losses, and a walk-off win. Two teams had little offense, and the one team that seemingly gets big offense every day did so again. Brett Lee was easily the pitcher of the day with a complete game when his team needed in the most. With the extreme struggles and frustrations surrounding the Twins big league team, it’s nice to have some good teams and terrific prospects to follow throughout the minor leagues.
     
    Here is a look at what happened in the Twins farm system on Friday:
    Rochester 7, Pawtucket 8
    Box Score
     
    PJ Walters made his return to the Red Wings rotation on Friday night. He started with three scoreless innings before giving up one in the fourth and three in the fifth. He allowed those four runs on five hits in 4.1 innings. He walked four and struck out three. Luis Perdomo gave up two runs on a hit and two walks over 1.2 innings. He struck out three. Blake Martin gave up two runs on two hits and two walks (while striking out two) in… one inning. AJ Achter threw a 1-2-3 inning.
     
    Antoan Richardson provided much of the offense on this night. The speedster went 4-5 with three doubles (12 on year). Chris Colabello went 1-3 with two walks. Doug Bernier hit his fifth triple.
    New Britain 1, Trenton 4
    Box Score
     
    The offense was pretty non-existent for the Rock Cats in this game. They managed just six hits. Miguel Sano and Josmil Pinto were both 1-2 with two walks.
     
    DJ Baxendale took the mound. The right gave up three runs (2 earned) on nine hits and a walk in 4.2 innings. He struck out two. At that point, the bullpen got some usage. Cole Johnson came on and struck out two over the next four outs. BJ Hermsen gave up a hit and recorded a strikeout in his scoreless inning. Dan Turpen came on and gave up a run on a hit and recorded just one out. Tom Stuifbergen came on and got the final two outs of that inning. Matt Hauser came on and worked a scoreless inning.
    Ft. Myers 0, Lakeland 5
    Box Score
     
    Speaking of little offense, the Miracle were shutout on Friday night. Jhon Goncalves went 2-3 with a walk and his 18th double. Byron Buxton went 1-3 with a walk. Levi Michael went 1-2 with two walks.
     
    Manuel Soliman started and went 4.1 innings. He was charged with four runs on seven hits. He walked three and struck out two. Chad Rodgers came on and gave up one run on two hits in 2.2 innings. He walked one and struck out two. Zack Jones pitched the final two innings. He gave up two hits and no runs. He struck out four.
    Cedar Rapids 7, Dayton 1
    Box Score
     
    On Thursday night, Kernels pitchers gave up 13 runs on 11 hits and ten walks. Manager Jake Mauer was none too happy about it, and he told the Metro Sports Report after the game, “We’ve just got to get better. These guys have to find a way to throw the ball over the plate.”
     
    Later, he added, “You’ve got to go out there and you’ve got to compete. It’s your day. You just have to do it one day a week. That’s all we ask.”
     
    On Friday night, Brett Lee competed, and he gave Mauer and his Kernels teammates exactly what they needed. The left-hander went all nine innings for his team. He gave up just one run on five hits. He threw strikes, walking just one, and he struck out three. He improved to 6-4 with a 3.54 ERA on the season.
     
    [ATTACH=CONFIG]4795[/ATTACH]
     
    Adam Walker led the offense. He gave the Kernels an early lead with a long, three-run home run, his fifteenth of the season. He was 2-4 and added another RBI. Dalton Hicks went 1-3 with a walk and his 29th double.
     
    Elizabethton 6, Bristol 5
    Box Score
     
    The E-Twins came from behind to win this game. Down a run in the 8th frame, Stuart Turner doubled in the tying run. Then, with two on and two out in the bottom of the ninth, Mitch Garver singled in Bryan Haar with the winning run. Haar was 3-4 with a walk and his second double in the game. Garver was 3-5. Turner was 2-5 and the double was his first of the year. Rory Rhodes and Ryan Walker each added two hits.
     
    Yorman Landa started and was charged with three runs (2 earned) on five hits in five innings. He walked four and struck out six. Brandon Peterson gave up two hits in a scoreless inning. Andrew Ferreira gave up two runs on one hit and three walks in his inning. Brandon Bixler struck out four over two scoreless innings.
    GCL Twins 7, GCL Red Sox 8
    Box Score
     
    The GCL Twins fell behind early in this one, tried to claw its way back and fell just short. Sam Gibbons started. He was charged with seven runs (3 earned) on seven hits. He walked one and struck out none. Lewis Thorpe came on and worked the next 3.2 innings. He gave up only an unearned run on three hits. He walked none and struck out five. Dan Sattler pitched another scoreless inning. Miguel Gonzalez gave up one hit and struck out three over two scoreless innings.
     
    Amaurys Minier went 2-5 with his fourth home run. Jason Kanzler went 2-4 with a triple, three RBI and his fifth stolen base. Brian Navarreto and Jonatan Hinojosa each went 2-5. Adonis Pacheco was 1-2 with two walks and his fourth double.
     
     
    Thanks for checking out today’s Twins minor league report. Please feel free to discuss, comment or ask questions.
  22. As you know, I have been in Cedar Rapids for their past two games against Wisconsin. They won on Thursday, but they fell 8-7 on Friday. This is a first. Following the game, my brother played cameraman, and we decided to record the minor league report. This is, essentially, a video version of what you would typically read. Let us know what you think.
     
    I'd also like to thank everyone involved with the Kernels, from GM Dog Nelson, to the coaching staff and the players, for being great to talk to. The Kernels are covered well locally by The Gazette and MetroSportsReport.com. Special thanks to Steve Buhr for hanging out with us. It was again a great experience, and I certainly still recommend planning a trip to see the Kernels. And yes, the rumors are true... i did throw out a ceremonial first pitch. Video possibly in the comments.
     
    here is the report:
     

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