Monkeypaws

Was just looking around for stuff on Hu, and came across the game story from his start in Rochester in the Rochester Democrat and Chronicle: http://www.democratandchronicle.com/story/sports/baseball/minors/2015/05/19/chih-wie-hu-red-wings-rochester-fort-myers-miracle-twins/27598005/ What I found interesting was they were talking about early nerves, as evidenced by a walk to the 2nd batter of the game, our old friend ... Alexi Casilla! (who btw has an ops of .910 this season for Durham)

I wish I had bet money that the top 3 in the AL on May 27, all over .600, would be: 1. Houston 2. Minnesota --. KC Guess being REALLY bad has its benefits down the road.

Wasn't he just called up for a spot start, then returned?

I was surprised that Dozier wasn't even top 5 for AL 2nd basemen. Then looking more closely at the seasons the others were having, only Infante seemed out of place on that list, but seeing as the Royals are dominating the ballot box as well as the diamond, it makes sense I guess. Still, Dozier would be my position player front runner. Plouffe is good, but there are lots of good 3rd basemen out there. Perk looks a shoo-in if he maintains his current form. It would take some superlative performances over the next month for any of the starters to be considered.

Toronto is last in the AL East with a 20-26 record, yet they have the 3rd best run differential in the AL at +20.

Was thinking of posting a similar thread - I remember when he slid to the Twins at 22, and it looked like a steal. Others might remember better, but as I recall he was projected as a front-line starter, perhaps not an ace, but a #2 for sure. I agree with your points Jimbo, he looks confident and calm out there, and the stuff looks better because of it. Here's hoping he repeats last year's trend and shaves 2 more point off his ERA this season.

Yeah, of all the retreads to pursue, Howard seems like one of the worst: •expensive? Oh yes. •useless in the field? check. •slow? yep. •wiffs much? to be sure. •35+ and in steady decline? Yessiree. Fills a void on the roster? Not so much.

With the team looking better, and the top prospects kicking ass, they can afford to go with a long term bpa kind of guy. Whether that is Cameron or someone else, our system just gets better and deeper with who-ever.

Hunter has worked out well, but enough with the worn-out stars, especially at corner OF, 1B, DH slots. I think the Twins have a surplus there; hell, we may have a surplus everywhere if these prospects keep developing. Let's continue the rebuild from within: all our best teams were built the same way.

The only sad thing is this could have easily been a sweep. The Sox were kind of on a roll, so good to beat 'em back down.

93 mph with the sink and movement Gibson has, he looks just great out there.

Liking that extension more and more....

That's what we said about Hunter, and Cuddyer, and Morneau, and ....

I wish I had a nickel for every guy that hit better than he fielded, especially corner outfielders....

Ah, the ones that got away: http://www.gannett-cdn.com/-mm-/cdc65b2031fdd31f2d061a4cb77270db0c911b20/c=0-65-1449-1150&r=x383&c=540x380/local/-/media/USATODAY/USATODAY/2013/10/17/1382063101001-2013-10-18-hunter-ortiz.jpg

Speaking of the Braves, I've also been inside Nickerson Field at BU, which retains certain elements from when it was Braves Field. Kind of like counting Met Stadium if you've stepped on home plate at the Mall of America....

My list of deceased parks is longer than current ones: 1. Comiskey Park- great old bandbox. 2. Yankee Stadium - pretty bland, but hell, it was the House the Ruth built. 3. Met Stadium - pretty good stadium for baseball. 4. Shea Stadium - very Met-like. the pitch of the upper deck was frighteningly steep. 5. Expo stadium - wasn't a dome yet when I was there. Classic 70s ring stadium. 6. Metrodome - awful. Current: 1. Fenway - I've been to many games there, and love the place. 2. Wrigley - almost 1b. Not sure I will like it as much after "renovations." 3. Target - Yep, it's a great ballpark. We are lucky. 4. Petco - just toured it, never saw a game, but much like Target, good park in a great area. 5. Busch - Another pretty nice new-school stadium. Will be going to SF and AT&T park this summer, and hope to do a Cleveland -Pittsburgh swing one of these days.

I'm gonna enjoy it while it lasts.

I'd opt for the future on that one.

Love to jump the gun - Twins are tied with Tampa Bay for the 2nd spot. Looking for a Stephan Pastis pun to complete the thread.

I don't know if Berrios is the best, but he is certainly the most impressive - the guy just keeps killing it level after level, years under league average every step of the way. I'd put him right after Buxton on the untouchable list.

Wow stuff from Tonkin. Nasty slider outside corner then bust em inside with 96 mph heat, loved that sequence as much as Smalley

Hard to say Walker hasn't adjusted - he has moved up a level every season, which might give the appearance that he hasn't adjusted. Each year he faces better pitching, and the BB/K ratio stays the same, but so does the production. At some point, when the pitching he faces reaches a plateau, we might see tanginble improvement in the numbers. Or not. If he were repeating levels, then I'd be concerned.

The thing about Walker is people look at his faults more than his assets. That power is pretty special.

I am very excited to see this young man continuing the tradition of Puckett and Hunter. Elite CFs are about my favorite kind of player.