Monkeypaws

Apparently set a record yesterday with a 105.5mph throw from the outfield: https://sports.yahoo.com/blogs/mlb-big-league-stew/aaron-hicks-unleashes-monster-105-5-mph-throw-from-the-outfield-133222104.html Out of curiousity I checked out how the rest of his game was coming along in pinstripes. Batting .095, ops of .269. Only 21 at bats though. To his credit, he has only struck out twice.

He has been walking a tightrope vs. KC tonight, about 25 pitches per inning in the 4th, losing 4-0, but gutsy as hell. Royals have stranded 7, and 3 of the runs are earned(or should be). He had no help from the Ump. Fun watching Pelf do his thing, for someone else that is.

When 480 woulda done just fine. Wow, where did this uncivilized and aggressive Tonkin come from. That was impressive.

Here's theTwins offense in a nutshell...batting averages of today's lineup after today's loss, minus Mauer and Escobar: .152 .167 .161 .143 .160 .091 .167 .000 Murderer's row indeed! Love the OP!

I think the Royals have overperformed the last season and a half. I expect WS Champion hangover this season. The chip has been knocked from their shoulder. OTOH, I don't expect them to utterly flounder in the first to last mode either.

Hard to draw solid conclusions after a cluster^&&* rain delay that limited your best starter to 2 IP.

Even Big Bad John of songdom only weighed "bout 245," and he was 6'6".

Wade = underrated.

I don't mind Nunez one bit, but I am struggling to find where this guy gets at bats this season if Santana keeps it up. Part of this is wondering also is the Twins play Sano at 3rd once in a while.

Stealth is good - sneak up on the overrated and bring them to their knees.

Busting out is good. Busting is bad. I say I say boy, here's hoping Park busts out!

Duffey will be a stud if he can develop that change up. Willing to let him work on that in AAA for now. We are stuck with Carlos EnRicky Nolasco. He was never a pitcher who deserved what the Twins gave him, but if he can pitch near the levels he did during any of his best seasons, he would make a nice 4-5 guy. Given the injuries he's had, and his age, this is all up for grabs. If he pitches well, the Twins will keep him. If he pitches crap, noboby will want him. He needs to throw just over a hit an inning, around a low 4 ERA, decent K to BB ratio. Not so great TR will think, we got a keeper, not so bad that nobody will give us a Palka or somesuch for him. Hoping for tradeable mediocrity to a team that has no rotation to speak of.

Berrios, Meyer, Duffey: Rochester starts out with a nice top 3 in their rotation.

I remeber Joe Boyle on WTCN as well - liked his call for theTwins and the North Stars. Hi and Killebrew were great.

Loved the Game of the Week on NBC - they often ran Mel Allen's "This Week in Baseball" just before it as well. Back before MLB.TV and the 24/7 sports networks, the Game of the Week was a great way to watch other teams, especially the NL(before interleague play as well). I have a brother who couldn't stand Joe, but I always enjoyed the heck out of him. 90 is a nice old age to get to for a good man.

There are days off, DH duties and such that can let a player recoup. Twins bench will be good this season. Plus, swinging a bat a dozen times a day ain't exactly debilitating to a strongman in his early 20s. Rotate the squad, and he''ll be just fine for now.

Those were thoughtful comments by David. Time will tell.

Eduardo Escobar provides solid defense, .750 ops., and continues to fly under the radar until the Twins extend him through his first year of free-agency eligibility for 3 years/16million.

When players are assigned to Minor League Camp, are the cut off from the Major League coaches?

Seems like a buttload of rubbish everytime I read it, yet it is posted as gospel. What gives? Are these pro scouts, or pro bloggers?

My very thought - like Dozier, but I believe he has peaked. It would be a classic trade high scenario.

Find it hard to believe anybody who has been a Twins fan would actually believe spending money on free agents was the key to success. This organization has always lived and died by the quality of its homegrown talent. Looking at the system, it looks like the Twins are on the upswing. When they spend money, it is quite often a fail. Development, and a nice trade thrown in, that has been the Twins way. The difference with Target Field was supposed to be keeping our stars, not poaching other those of other teams.

It all depends on how good Buxton, Gordon, Stewart, and Jay end up being, being the premium draft product of the 4 year tank.

I think this one and next years will be the spring trainings where the benefits of a loaded farm system will render signing Bartletts, Quentins, and Abads obsolete. I'm a believer in this current batch of top prospects. I'm also a believer that our minor league coaches are doing a great job of developing them as well. If this could become a smooth running machine, look out. I know 29 other teams are hoping for the same thing, but prospect depth doesn't happen in a day, right White Sox?

One of the most fun reads I've enjoyed in a while - very nice job of tracking down the loose ends Nick. Just hats off stuff!