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Cody Christie

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Blog Entries posted by Cody Christie

  1. Cody Christie
    It’s shaping up to be a killer couple of days for Cedar Rapids. After the first two games of their four-game set with Peoria got rained out, the Kernels will be forced to play double-headers on Tuesday and Wednesday.
     
    In their two other double-headers this season, the Kernels have played to an all or nothing result. They have either swept or gotten swept by the opposition. This left the club with a 2-2 record in double-header action this season.
     
    How would they fare tonight? Would they be the sweepers or get swept?
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester 6. Columbus 0 (6 innings- Rain)
    Box Score
    Rochester decided to have a home run party. The only requirement was that the batter couldn't of hit a home run yet this season at the Triple-A level. Eric Farris, Oswaldo Arcia, Deibinson Romero, and Chris Herrmann each. They were all solo home runs except for Arica's two-run shot. After a two-hit effort, Farris now has a team leading 15 multi-hit games in 32 starts this season.
     
    Trevor May was pitching against another tough Trevor, Trevor Bauer. May gave up three hits and struck out six over six frames. It was the first time Bauer had lost this season and the win ended Rochester's eight game losing streak, a season long skid. The Red Wings have a season high five-game winning streak at home.
     
    ROCK CATS REVIEW
    New Britain 4, Portland 2
    Box Score
    The Rock Cats turned to Taylor Rogers to continue their recent winning ways. The club had won back-to-back games coming into the night and Rogers did his best to continue this streak. He tossed six innings of one-run ball by striking out seven and walking three. Over his last two starts, he has pitched a minimum of six innings and allowed one earned run or less. It was also his third straight victory.
     
    Kennys Vargas and Reynaldo Rodriguez both had multi-hit nights and each scored two runs. It was the eighth double of the season for Vargas. Brandon Waring and Daniel Ortiz each added a double to help the Rock Cat offense. Waring's two-out double knocked in Rodriguez and Vargas and that hit made the difference in the game.
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers 6, Brevard County 0
    Box Score
    Jose Berrios, one of the Twins top pitching prospects, completed 6.1 innings of shutout ball by limiting Brevard County to three hits. He didn't allow a hit until the fifth and his eight strikeouts were a season high. Berrios might have been able to finish the seventh inning if not for a missed catch error by first baseman Mike Gonzales. Madison Boer and Brandon Peterson helped to complete the shutout by allowing a hit each.
     
    The Miracle didn't need a ton of offense but they scored enough to get a comfortable lead. Travis Harrison is in the midst of a four game hitting streak as he knocked two doubles. Aderlin Mejia and John Murphy each collected two hits including a double apiece. Jorge Polanco scored two runs and he extended his hit streak to 11 consecutive games.
     
    KERNELS NUGGETS
    Cedar Rapids 3, Peoria 3 (Game 1)
    Box Score
    The Kernels got out hit 11 to two but the club held a two run lead heading into the fifth inning. This is when Peoria got their big inning. After allowing one run in the first, starting pitcher Ethan Mildren settled in before allowing three doubles and three runs in the top of the fifth. His record dropped to 0-2 despite having a 3.10 ERA after allowing two runs or less in every start prior to today.
     
    Jason Kanzler provided all of the offense for the Kernels. With two outs in the fourth, he cracked his third double of the season to drive in two runs. He also swiped two bases to bring his season total to seven steals. Overall, there wasn’t a ton of offense to speak of from Cedar Rapids.
     
    Cedar Rapids 4, Peoria 6 (Game 2)
    Box Score
    A big five-run third inning doomed the Kernels and starting pitcher Josue Montanez. He was charged with five earned runs on four hits and his ERA is up to 8.74. It's been back-to-back rough starts for Montanez as he allowed eight earned runs in less than two innings during his previous appearance.
     
    Bryan Haar clocked his sixth home run of the season, a two-run shot. The long ball gave Cedar Rapids an early lead but it wasn't enough. Haar finished the double-header going 4-for-6 with three runs scored. Bo Altobelli added two hits and an RBI in this game.
     
    TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Jose Berrios, Fort Myers Miracle
    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Bryan Haar, Cedar Rapids Kernels
     
    SUNDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
    Columbus @ Rochester (6:05 CST)- Scott Diamond
    Portland @ New Britain (5:35 CST)- Tyler Duffey
    Fort Myers @ Brevard County (9:35 CST)- David Hulbut
    Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (5:05 CST)- Kohl Stewart
    Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (30 min. after Game 1)- Felix Jorge
  2. Cody Christie
    Something clearly hadn't been right with Mike Pelfrey in his recent starts and the Twins finally did something about it on Saturday morning. Pelfrey was placed on the disabled list with a left groin strain. Sam Deduno will take Pelfrey's spot in the rotation after he has continued to pitch well out of the bullpen.
     
    Danny Santana is the man taking Pelfrey's spot on the active roster. The Twins plan to use him in a variety of roles especially since the club already has two other shortstops on the roster. Santana is one of the top prospects in the Twins system and he was hitting .268/.311/.381 with seven doubles in 24 games at Rochester.
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester 2, Louisville 0
    Box Score
    Yohan Pino took it to his former team on Saturday afternoon. He tossed his second complete-game shutout of the season as he scattered three hits over nine innings. After throwing nine innings, Pino is in the midst of a 15 2/3 scoreless inning streak. In that streak he has limited opponents to seven hits with no walks and 17 strikeouts. His ERA is down to 0.84 and he has a perfect 5-0 record even though he hasn't been in the starting rotation for the entire season.
     
    Chris Parmelee went 0-for-2 with a couple walks to snap a career-high 15-game hitting streak. Wilkin Ramirez collected a couple hits and scored a run. Doug Bernier and Deibinson Romero both added a double while James Beresford had a single to increase his hitting streak to five games.
     
    ROCK CATS REVIEW
    New Britain 6, New Hampshire 5 (12 innings)
    Box Score
    New Britain had their backs against the wall at multiple points of this game. New Hampshire scored a run in the top of the tenth inning to take their first lead of the day. Kennys Vargas kept the team alive with a solo-shot in the bottom of the inning. In the twelfth inning, the Fisher Cats scored again to jump out on top. Cory Wimberly singled to start the bottom of the inning. A couple batters later, Tony Thomas, who was a late inning pinch runner, sent the fans home happy with a walk-off two run bomb.
     
    Pat Dean started the game for the Rock Cats. He pitched seven strong frames while limiting New Hampshire to three runs on nine hits. His five strikeouts were his second highest total of the season. The bullpen trio of Cole Johnson, Ryan O'Rourke, and Jim Fuller didn't allow an earned run after Dean's departure.
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers 3, Palm Beach 10
    Box Score
    The Miracle pitching staff had a rough night. Alex Wimmers started and was all over the place with his control. He allowed four walks in only 3.2 innings. Palm Beach tagged him for six runs (three earned runs) on six hits. Brian Gilbert walked as many batters as Wimmers in only two innings of work. Madison Boer was charged with three earned runs over the last couple of innings.
     
    Levi Michael offered a positive note in a rough game. He went 4-for-5 with a triple a run scored, and a RBI. It was his fifth straight game where he as registered multiple hits. Travis Harrison went 0-for-1 but he knocked in one of the team's three runs with a sacrifice fly. Stuart Turner hit his third double of the year.
     
    KERNELS NUGGETS
    Cedar Rapids 3, Peoria 0
    Box Score
    While the Miracle pitching staff had their troubles on Saturday, the Kernels compiled a strong performance. Aaron Slegers picked up his third win of the year after he threw seven scoreless frames. He struck out six and walked two. Alex Muren pitched the eighth innings and didn't allow a base runner.
     
    The Kernels recorded four doubles on the offensive side of the ball to defeat Peoria for the first time this season. Chad Christensen went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Engelb Vielma added two hits of his own and scored two of the three runs for Cedar Rapids.
     
    TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Yohan Pino, Rochester Red Wings
    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Levi Michael, Fort Myers Miracle
     
    SUNDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
    Louisville @ Rochester (12:05 CST)- Alex Meyer
    New Hampshire @ New Britain (12:35 CST)- Virgil Vasquez
    Bradenton @ Fort Myers (3:05 CST)- Jason Wheeler
    Peoria @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 CST)- Ryan Eades
  3. Cody Christie
    Things were a struggle for Kyle Gibson on Tuesday night. The Rays pounced on him for seven runs and he was saddled with his first loss of this young season. David Price pitched nine strong innings and showed why he is one of the best pitchers in baseball.
     
    The good thing is that it appears as if Brian Dozier is going to continue to hit a lot of home runs this season. Chris Colabello also seemed comfortable at the plate as he collected his second home run. He also saw 20 pitches over his four at-bats while no other Twins player saw more than 14.
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester 7, Pawtucket 5
    Box Score
    The Red Wings offense was very balanced as six different men had RBI in the game and most of the damage came in a six-run seventh inning. Chris Parmelee extended his hit streak to a season-long seven games. Eric Harris went 2-for-4 and scored two runs. Chris Rahl hit his fifth double and Wilkin Ramirez hit his second triple of the season. The team went 5-for-13 with runners in scoring position.
     
    Logan Darnell started for Rochester and pitched five strong innings. He allowed two earned runs on three hits including six strikeouts and two walks. Yohan Pino did some fantastic work in relief by striking out nine hitters in only four innings of work.
     
    With their 10th win of the season, the Red Wing matched their win total from last April. The team hasn't had a winning month of April since 2007 and they currently sit with a record of 10-8.
     
     
    ROCK CATS REVIEW
    New Britain 2, New Hampshire 1
    Box Score
    This low scoring affair saw the Rock Cats squeak out their fifth victory of the season. Virgil Vasquez didn't pick up a decision in this game but he pitched seven scoreless innings by allowing three hits on only 84 pitches. It was his first start of the season after being used in relief in his first two appearances this year. Jim Fuller allowed the only run scored by New Hampshire but he ended up "earning" his first win of the season.
     
    It was a doubles party for New Britain as Tony Thomas, Reynaldo Rodriguez, and Brandon Waring all collected a two-bagger. Rodriguez had a multiple hit game for the fourth time in his last seven games. Anderlin Mejia didn't join the doubles party but he had two hits and he scored a run. Because of some bad weather and poor play, this was New Britain's first victory since April 13th.
     
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers 1, Jupiter 5
    Box Score
    The Miracle couldn't get to Jupiter starter Scott Lyman as he tossed six scoreless frames. Jason Wheeler got hit around over 4.2 innings as the Miracle starter. He allowed five runs on seven hits with three strikeouts and a walk. Tyler Jones and Mason Melotakis combined to pitch the last 3.1 innings without allowing a hit.
     
    Levi Michael was the lone Miracle batter with more than one hit. He went 2-for-4 and he has three multiple hit games out of the last eight. Travis Harrison cracked his first triple since 2012 in the rookie leagues. Max Kepler knocked in Harrison with a single to score the only run of the game.
     
     
    KERNELS NUGGETS
    Cedar Rapids 1, Peoria 4
    Box Score
    In three out of his four starts this season, Ryan Eades has allowed three runs or fewer but the Kernels continued struggle to find ways to support his efforts. Tonight Eades tossed 5.2 innings of two-run baseball with five strikeouts. It was his third loss of the season. Josue Montanez took over for Eades and allowed one run over the last 2.1 frames.
     
    Chad Christensen did his best to keep the Kernels in the game as he went 3-for-4 with a run scored and a stolen base. He was also the only batter in the line-up that didn't strikeout at some point in the contest. Tanner Vavra had the only extra-base hit for Cedar Rapids, his fourth double of the season. The team left six men on base and went 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
     
     
    TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Virgil Vasquez, New Britain Rock Cats
    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Chad Christensen, Cedar Rapids Kernels
     
    WEDNESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
    Rochester @ Pawtucket (5:15 CST)- Alex Meyer
    New Hampshire @ New Britain (5:35 CST)- DJ Baxendale
    Jupiter @ Fort Myers (6:05 CST)- Tyler Duffey
    Cedar Rapids @ Peoria (11:00 CST)- Ethan Mildren
  4. Cody Christie
    For the second Tuesday in a row, weather played havoc on the Twins farm system. Only half of the teams were able to get on the field and both of those teams didn't exactly like the results on the night. Some hitters continued their hot starts to the year but the pitching seemed to be the biggest problem on this night
    Fans who braved the weather at Target Field got to see Phil Hughes get off to a great start before giving up a chunk of runs in the sixth inning. The Blue Jays have held the Twins number in recent years. Since 2010, Toronto has a 21-7 record versus Minnesota and things haven't been pretty during that stretch.
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester --, Pawtucket -- (Postponed)
    Today's game between Rochester and Pawtucket was postponed due to inclement weather. The teams will play one game tomorrow (Wednesday) at 2:35 CST and they will make up today's game as part of a doubleheader on Thursday. The first game of the doubleheader is scheduled for 12:05 CST and game two will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of game one. Scott Diamond was scheduled to make his third start of the year before the weather acted up. He is off to a rough start after allowing eight earned runs in five innings of work through two starts.
    ROCK CATS REVIEW
    New Britain --, New Hampshire -- (Postponed)
    The weather in the Northeast part of the US was not cooperating when it came to baseball action. Much like Rochester, New Britain wasn't able to play their game on Tuesday evening. It will be made up at some point later this season. DJ Baxendale was scheduled to make his third start of the year. He currently has a 5.91 ERA after giving up seven runs over 10.2 innings on the mound.
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers 4, Charlotte 6
    Box Score
    Fort Myers held 2-run leads at two different points in this game but it still wasn't enough. Tim Shibuya surrendered four runs including a three-run home run in the eighth inning to see the victory slip away. Jason Wheel started the game and gave up two runs on eight hits. He struck out three and walked two. It was the first time this season he allowed more than one earned run in a start.
    Levi Michael continued his hot hitting streak by going 3-for-4 with a run scored. He has gone 7 for his last nine and he has been on base in 9-of-11 plate appearances. Dalton Hicks collected the only extra-base hit for the Miracle, his third double of the young season. Max Kepler had two hits for the second time this season and he ended a six-game hitless streak.
    KERNELS NUGGETS
    Cedar Rapids 5, South Bend 7
    Box Score
    The Kernels were off to a scorching start with victories in six straight games. Cedar Rapids starter Ryan Eades got beat-up as he allowed five earned runs in three innings. On the positive side, he did record five strike outs but South Bend pounded out eight hits. Josue Montanez came on in relief and struck out six of the eight outs he recorded while limiting the Silver Hawks to one run.
    Mitch Garver has started 12 games for the Kernels and he has five home runs so far. His fifth home run of the season put him in first place in the Midwest League in home runs and total bases. Tanner Vavra collected a hit to extend his hitting streak to seven games. Bryan Haar hit a two-run homer, his second in three games.
    TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Josue Montanez, Cedar Rapids Kernels
    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Levi Michael, Fort Myers Miracle
    WEDNESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
    Pawtucket @ Rochester (2:35 CST)- Scott Diamond
    New Britain @ New Hampshire (9:35 CST)- Taylor Rogers*
    Fort Myers @ Charlotte (9:00 CST)- Tyler Duffey
    South Bend @ Cedar Rapids (6:35 CST)- Ethan Mildren
    *Subject to change because of today's weather delay
  5. Cody Christie
    Weather has been a factor in the early part of the minor league schedule. Rochester was forced to play two seven-inning games on Tuesday because of weather issues on Monday. The Miracle had some weather issues of their own on Tuesday as their game got called early in the day.
     
    For the coming weeks, it likely means there will be plenty of doubleheader action in the Twins system. The games have to get played but it has been a long winter in different parts of the country and it could take awhile for the weather to start cooperating. However, the weather did cooperate for a few of the Twins affiliates on Tuesday night...
     
    RED WINGS REPORT
    Rochester 5, Scranton/WB 0 (7 Innings)
    Box Score
    Rochester picked up their first win of the season behind a strong pitching effort from Kris Johnson. In his Red Wings debut, Johnson tossed five scoreless frames for his first victory. He's held the RailRiders scoreless over three consecutive starts dating back to last season (17.0 IP). Ryan Pressly pitched the last two innings to complete the shutout.
     
    Every hitter in the Rochester line-up had at least one hit and five different players knocked in runs. DH Darin Mastroianni did a good job out of the leadoff spot going 3-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Eric Farris had a two-out RBI double for his first extra-base hit of the year.
     
    Rochester 6, Scranton/WB 5 (7 Innings)
    Box Score
    In the Red Wings second game of the day, Trevor May made his Triple-A debut. May had a tough act to follow with Johnson's performance in Game 1 but his performance turned out to be fantastic. Over five solid innings, May struck out eight and maybe more importantly didn't walk a single batter. The lone run scored against May came after he gave up a leadoff triple in the top of the fifth inning. He ended the evening throwing 84 pitches, 51 for strikes.
     
    Darin Mastroianni kept up his hot hitting from earlier in the day with three more hits in this contest. Brad Nelson went 2-for-2 with an RBI before being lifted for a pinch runner. Doug Bernier has only played in two games this season but he's made the most of them by getting multiple hits in both games.
     
    ROCK CATS REVIEW
    New Britain 2, Harrisburg 6
    Box Score
    Sean Gilmartin got off to a rough start in his debut in the Twins system. The Senators pounced on him for three runs in the first inning and the Rock Cats were never able to recover. Gilmartin put up zeros in the second, third, and fourth innings before getting hit around again during the fifth. He lasted five frames and surrendered four earned runs.
     
    Corey Wimberly had his second double of the season, while Brad Boyer and Mike Kvasnicka each collected two hits. Boyer stole his first base of the year but he also had a error in the field. The team didn't capitalize on some key moments as the club went 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position and left six men on base.
     
    MIRACLE MATTERS
    Fort Myers --, Charlotte -- (Postponed)
    Inclement weather at Hammond Stadium meant the Miracle and the Stone Crabs will have to play a doubleheader on Wednesday. Game one will begin at 4:05 CST and the second game will be approximately 30 minutes after the first game with each game scheduled to last seven innings.
     
    KERNELS NUGGETS
    Cedar Rapids 4, Great Lakes 8
    Box Score
    Zach Larson did his best to keep the Kernels close but it wasn't enough as the team suffered their third loss of the year. Larson finished the day by going 3-for-4 with two doubles. Jeremis Pineda clocked his first home run of the year and stole his first base. Bryan Haar collected his second home run and it was his second game in a row with an extra-base hit.
     
    The Kernels pitching staff gave up eight runs on eleven hits with four walks. Felix Jorge made his first start out of the rookie leagues and struggled by giving up four runs on five hits including a home run. He struck out three and didn't walk a runner. Alex Muren did a good job of cleaning things up by tossing 2.2 scoreless frames to end the game.
     
    TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
    Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day: Trevor May, Rochester Red Wings
    Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day: Darin Mastroianni, Rochester Red Wings
     
    WEDNESDAY'S PROBABLE STARTERS
    Scranton/Wilkes Barre @ Rochester (6:05 CST)- Logan Darnell
    Harrisburg @ New Britain (5:35 CST)- Pat Dean
    Charlotte @ Fort Myers (4:05 CST)- Mason Melotakis
    Charlotte @ Fort Myers (30 minutes after Game 1)- Jason Wheeler
    Cedar Rapids @ Great Lakes (5:05 CST)- Aaron Slegers
  6. Cody Christie
    Another regular season is upon us and that means that it is prediction time for a lot of writers across the inter-web. There will be surprise teams, surprise players, and even some other surprises along the way. The unknown and unpredictability of baseball is one of the most enduring qualities of "America's Past-time."
     
    Through out the coming week, I will be making my picks for the National League and the American League, taking a closer look at the AL Central, and selecting awards for the Twins. Here is a look at the weekly schedule so make sure to stop in all week to get yourself primed for the season to come.
     
    2014 Preview Series
    National League Preview
    American League Preview
    American League Central Preview
    Talk to Contact Preview Episode
    Minnesota Twins Awards Preview
     
    NL East Champions: Washington Nationals
    The Nationals were a run away favorite for the NL East last season but things didn't really follow that plan. This year will be different, as the Nationals will fend off the Braves and other competitors for the top spot in the NL. Doug Fister will join a rotation, which already includes Stephen Strasburg, Gio Gonzalez, and Jordan Zimmerman (a sleeper pick for the Cy Young Award). Bryce Harper looks to stay healthy this season and live up to the major hype that has surrounded the former number one pick. Atlanta's pitching injuries will allow the Nats to coast down the stretch and this will be a team to watch out for in September.
     
    NL Central Champions: St. Louis Cardinals
    It's hard to imagine a time when the Cardinals weren't in the fight for the top spot in the NL Central. This organization seems to know how to scout, develop talent, and create a roster at the big league level. The Pirates and the Reds will field good teams this year but this is still the Cardinals division to lose. Top pitching prospect Michael Wacha proved his worth in last year's postseason and top outfield prospect Oscar Taveras will look to make his big league debut. Catching stud Yadier Molina will be in the MVP discussion again as he tries to lead the Cards to their second World Series in the last four years.
     
    NL West Champions: Los Angeles Dodgers
    Things didn't go the Dodgers way last year as injuries and poor play put the team in a hole that was tough to get out of. Yasiel Puig's rookie campaign was hard to ignore but his behavior might push manager Don Mattingly to the brink. Clayton Kershaw has established himself as the best pitcher in the game. He will lead a strong staff that also includes the likes of Zack Greinke and Hyun-Jin Ryu. If Carl Crawford, Hanley Ramires, and Adrian Gonzalez can avoid the injured list, this team could score a lot of runs and see themselves pushing Washington for the best record in baseball. The Giants and Diamondbacks might be pesky but this division belongs to Los Angeles.
     
    Wild Cards: Atlanta Braves, San Francisco Giants
    Last season was tough for the Giants but this year will be a bounce back year for one of the strongest franchises in the game. If Buster Posey can be behind the plate for over 140 games, he will be back in the MVP discussion. The addition of Tim Hudson to a stacked starting rotation of Matt Cain, Madison Bumgarner, and Tim Lincecum will help. Atlanta has been dealt a ton of injuries this spring but their line-up is still enough to overcome any pitching woes. Justin Upton and Jason Heyward will be back in form to push Atlanta back into the postseason but it will be a close race with the Reds and the Pirates not far behind.
     
    National League Award Picks (Sleeper Pick)
    MVP: Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals (Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves)
    Cy Young: Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers (Jordan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals)
    Rookie of the Year: Oscar Tavares, St. Louis Cardinals (Billy Hamilton, Cincinnati Reds)
    Manager of the Year: Matt Williams, Washington Nationals (Walt Weiss, Colorado Rockies)
  7. Cody Christie
    Some of the buzz of the Twitter world yesterday was surrounding the Twins and who should be the lead-off hitter when the team heads north from spring training. Ron Gardenhire would like one of the center field candidates to run away with thelead-off job but he had a surprise name as a back-up plan. With the ways things are starting to take shape, the team might have to get crafty with men near the top of the order.
     
    Here is a look at some of the candidates for the lead-off spot. Some of the men have different traits that would suit him them for the job while other's would leave fans scratching their heads.
     


    The Center Fielders



    Either Aaron Hicks or Alex Presley will win the starting job in center field. Hicks is coming off a rough rookie season where he struggled in time at the big league level. In 10 games as the lead-off hitter, Hicks had two hits over 46 plate appearances for a .047/.109/.047 batting line. Presely was only with the Twins for part of the season but in his time with the Twins and the Pirates he had 41 hits in 146 at-bats including eight extra-base hits as the number one hitter. His .281/.323/.370 batting line looks far superior to Hicks but the Twins still have hope for Hicks to turn it around. It seems more likely for Hicks to end up in Rochester to start the year and this could mean Presley is the leader in the clubhouse for the lead-off role
     


    The Second Baseman



    Brian Dozier is coming off a breakout season where he set the club record for home runs by a second baseman. He goes into this season as one of the team's vocal leaders and he wants to establish himself as the second baseman for years to come. Minnesota struggled to find a lead-off hitter last season and this forced the team to turn to Dozier on multiple occasions. He started 74 games as the lead-off hitter last season and batted .253/.310/.462 with 38 extra-base hits including 12 of his 18 home runs.Ron Gardenhire likes to have Joe Mauer batting in the number three spot in the line-up so this could mean Dozier sees a lot more time as the number two hitter. If Presley or Hicks are struggling to start the season, look for Dozier to lead-off and Mauer to move up to number two.
     


    The First Baseman



    The Twins already moved Joe Mauer out from behind the plate this off season and maybe this means it's time to move him to a different position in the batting order. As a career .323/.405/.468 hitter, Mauer has shown the skills necessary to get on base at a very high rate. In fact, his .323 batting average is the highest among active major league players. He will already be in the line-up on a more regular basis since he won't be catching so moving him up a couple spots in the order could mean more chance to get on base. Over his 10 year big league career, Mauer has never started a game as the lead-off hitter and that trend will likely continue this season. Gardenhire likes to have Mauer batting in the number three spot so he gets more opportunities to drive in runs. It seems more likely for Mauer to get a little time as the number two hitter but most of his at-bats will likely be out of the three hole.
     


    The Catcher



    Out of all of the men on this list, Kurt Suzuki might be the most unlikely choice for the lead-off role (even though Gardenhire mentioned the possibility of using him yesterday). He is a career .253/.309/.375 hitter with very little speed on the bases. Last season, he barely hit over .230 and his OBP was under .300. He's started 25 games as the lead-off hitter in his career but his .207/.258/.267 batting line is well below his career numbers. In his age 30 season, there is no reason to think Suzuki will magically be able to fit into the lead-off role. Even if the Twins were in a crunch for a game, it would seem more likely to put any of the other men mentioned above into the lead-off role over someone like Suzuki.
     
    Considering all of the things mentioned above, here is how I would rank the candidates for lead-off hitter at this point in the spring. It seems more likely for Hicks to be in Rochester than leading off for the Twins. Mauer and Suzuki would only be turned to as last minute options if an injury bug hit the team.
     
    Ranking the Lead-Off Hitter Candidates
    1. Alex Presley
    2. Brian Dozier
    3. Aaron Hicks
    4. Joe Mauer
    5. Kurt Suzuki
  8. Cody Christie
    The Arizona Diamondbacks will be dealing with a problem this spring that many other organizations would love to have to deal with. There are two shortstops on their roster who look to be ready to be everyday players at the big league level. Incumbent Didi Gregorius will be battling with top prospect Chris Owings for the starting spot over the next few weeks.
     
    Owings, a 21-year, won the Pacific Coast League MVP last season by hitting .330/.359/.482 with 51 extra-base hits. He is-clearly a better offensive weapon than Gregorius who hit .252/.332/.373 with 26 extra-base hits in 103 games last year. For Gregorius, he was worth 1.4 WAR and that puts him in some elite company among rookie shortstops age 23 or less.
     
    From the sound of things out of Arizona, the Diamondbacks might be ready to hand the starting job over to either one of their candidates. The team also knows both players need to be playing on a regular basis. This could leave Gregorius back in Triple-A at age 24 with not much left to prove at that level. Many teams would be happy to have both players on their roster but it is all about development for these two at this point.
     
    It has been a long time since the Twins have been able to develop a long-term option at shortstop. Pedro Florimon has used some strong defensive skills to earn the starting job but his offensive skill leave something to be desired. Danny Santana is working his way through the system but there are questions about his long-term ability to play the shortstop position. This leaves Minnesota with an opportunity...
     
    By simple supply and demand, the Diamondbacks have a surplus of shortstops and the Twins are lacking in this department. This could set-up the opportunity for the two teams to make a deal.Arizona has a lot of value stored up in Gregorius as he was the key piece they got in return for Trevor Bauer when he was traded to Cleveland. This could price the Twins out of any kind of Gregorius deal.
     
    It would be nice for Minnesota to get some long-term stability at the shortstop position after trading away JJ Hardy and trying to work through the failed Tsuyoshi Nishioka experiment. If the Twins could form a trade package around a young player like Oswaldo Arcia or Eddie Rosario, it might only take another piece to get this deal done. If the Diamondbacks want an upper-level catching prospect,maybe start the conversation with Josmil Pinto.
     
    Overall, this could be a pipe dream at this point in the season. One injury to a player in the comings weeks and the Diamondbacks wouldn't have a surplus of shortstops. There also might be more value for a player like Gregorius as teams in contention get closer to the trade deadline. The absence of Terry Ryan from the Twins front office could also be a detriment to a big time trade.
     
    A young shortstop would be nice to have but maybe just not at this point.
  9. Cody Christie
    Minnesota is widely considered to have one of the game's best farm systems. It helps to have two of the best prospects in all of baseball, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. The Twins have also done well to acquire some top notch pitching talent over the last couple of years in the form of Alex Meyer, Kohl Stewart, and Lewis Thorpe.
     
    MLB.com will be unveiling their list of the top 100 prospects in baseball on Thursday, which should include a number of players from the Twins organization. Buxton and Sano are likely to finish in the top five and both could be featured in the top three when the final rankings are released.
     
    As part of MLB's lead-up to their top 100 prospects, they have spent parts of the last week reviewing each position and the top 10 prospects in relation to those spots on the field. Some of Minnesota's best prospects have been featured prominently on those top 10 lists.
     
    Miguel Sano, 3B (#1 Ranking): For the second consecutive year, Sano ranks as the best prospective third baseman in the minor leagues. His power and young age separate him from the others on the list. Last year's number two overall pick, Kris Bryant of the Cubs, finished second on the list after his tremendous debut. There are holes in the swing of Sano but his power showed up at multiple levels last season. His arm is also one of his best strengths and that's why the Twins have committed to keeping him at third base... for now.
     
    Byron Buxton, OF (#1 Ranking): Buxton's pro debut catapulted him to the top of the list of the best outfielders. There is also a good chance that he will be ranked the number one overall prospect in baseball when that list is released later this week. He is truly the definition of the five tool player by combining power, speed, and defense to show why he was considered the best talent in the 2012 MLB Draft. The only question remaining for 2014 is how fast can he get to Target Field?
     
    Eddie Rosario, 2B (#8 Ranking): To start the 2014 season, Rosario will be forced to serve a 50-game suspension for his second violation of the minor league drug policy. This is a shame because he seemed to be on track to make his MLB debut at some point in the 2014 season. Even with the suspension, MLB ranked Rosario as the eighth best second base prospect in the game. He has only recently shifted to second base so his defense continues to develop at his new position.
     
    If you'd like to learn more about these prospects and some of the other members of the Twins farm system, make sure to order a copy of the latest edition of the Twins Minor League Handbook. This 188-page book features profiles and scouting reports on some of the game's best up-and-coming players. Also, there are a ton of stories and special features throughout the book.
     
    It's a great deal and it makes a great gift for the Twins fan in your life.
  10. Cody Christie
    Ron Gardenhire slowly walked out to the mound at Kauffman Stadium for a move that he didn't really want to make. Andrew Albers pitched into the ninth inning without allowing a run and it was his big league debut.Unfortunately, his pitch count had run up to 109 and it was time to get the bullpen involved.
     
    It was a tremendous debut and it was hard to imagine things getting better from there... but they would.
     
    In his next outing, Albers was even more impressive. In front of the Target Field faithful, he pitched nine shutout innings by limiting Cleveland to two hits. His pitch count was barely over 100 and he didn't allow a walk. Friends and family were on hand to see what could have been the highlight of Albers big league career.
     
    For the rest of the season, Albers struggled to recapture the magic of his first two starts. His ERA ballooned to 5.70 and he averaged a little over four innings per outing. There were few walks off of the hand of Albers but he allowed opponents to hit .324/.349/.497 including six home runs in eight games.
     
    Albers had done some great things in the minor leagues in 2013 and theTwins awarded him with their minor league pitcher of the year. With Rochester, he went 11-5 over 22 starts with a 2.86 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP. As a 27-year old getting his first taste of the Triple-A level, one would hope that he could find some success and that was exactly the case.
     
    Albers will be in the Twin Cities this weekend to pick up his hardware for being the best pitcher in the Twins farm system.Many of the previous winners of this award have failed to live up to their hype. The four previous winners before Albers were Kevin Slowey, Kyle Gibson,Liam Hendriks, and BJ Hermsen.
     
    Word came out yesterday that the Twins could be close to trading Albers to a team in South Korea. The left-handed pitcher has already agreed to a deal with the Hanwha Eagles. The Twins and the Eagles have yet to come to terms on what the compensation should be for Albers. It sounds like he will be getting a one-year contract in the high six-figure range.
     
    With the crop of free agent pitchers brought in and those already in house, there was probably little chance of Albers getting another taste of the big leagues this year. Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, Kevin Correia, and Mike Pelfrey are likely locked into the rotation.This leaves one spot for the likes of Sam Deduno, Scott Diamond, Vance Worley,and Kyle Gibson.
     
    There is probably not a lot of room for Albers in that equation.
  11. Cody Christie
    February 17, 2014 is the reporting day for pitchers and catchers in the Twins organization. Some players will head to Florida knowing their roster spot is locked-in while others will toil with wondering what the future might bring. Glen Perkins, the Twins All-Star closer, was the last man I profiled and he is basically guaranteed a spot on the 25-man roster.
     
    This reporting date will also mark a new era for the franchise as the team spent a significant amount of money on free agent pitching for the first time in their history. Minnesota made a large commitment to free agents Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes to help a starting staff that ranked last in ERA and last in strikeouts a year ago.
     
    2013 Recap: 3.70 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 165 SO, 46 BB (199.1 IP)
    After spending his entire big league career with the Marlins, Nolasco was traded last July from Miami to the Los Angeles Dodgers. He started the second most games in the National League in 2013 and this helped him to pitch over 190 innings for the third consecutive year. After joining the Dodgers, Nolasco posted an 8-3 record with a 3.52 ERA over 87.0 innings pitched. This included him going 5-0 in the month of August with a 1.64 ERA over six starts. In his eight professional seasons, Nolasco has always played for National League teams and his career .138/.187/.179 batting line will be happy to get out of batting with the switch to the American League.
     
    Forecasting 2014: 4.00 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 138 SO, 45 BB (195.0 IP)
    When a pitcher switches leagues in the middle of his career, it is tough to predict how his performance will change. Will his numbers get worse because of the presence of the designated hitter? Will the pitcher have the upper hand because batters have never seen him before? The Twins are going to rely a lot on Nolasco to be a leader for this pitching staff. His goals should be to pitcher over 190 innings for the fourth consecutive year and to try and keep his ERA at 4.00 or lower. Without pitchers batting against him a couple times a game, some of his other numbers will probably change. It should still be a successful first year for Nolasco in Minnesota.
     
    25-Man Roster Safety: Locked-In
  12. Cody Christie
    As the Twins get closer to heading to Fort Myers, there will be plenty of decisions to make in relation to the 25-man roster. Some positions are likely set in stone while others are still questionable. In this series called "25-Man Roster Dissection," I have selected the men I believe will spend the most time on the 25-man roster next season and I try to predict each player's 2014 performance.
     
    Besides Joe Mauer, who was the first profile, Glen Perkins was the only other 2014 Twins All-Star. This year will mark his ninth year with time at the big league level and his second as the full-time closer. Minnesota's bullpen might be the strongest part of the roster and it starts and ends with their 9th inning man.
     
    2013 Recap: 2.30 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 77 SO, 15 BB, 36 saves (62.2 IP)
    Minnesota thrust Perkins into the full-time closer role for 2013 following a year where he split time with Matt Capps. Perkins' strong performance at the end of 2012 proved he was ready for a more important role. In 2013, Perkins would set many personal highs in his first All-Star season. His 2.30 ERA was a career low along with having a WHIP under 1.00 for the first time. He set a career high by striking out 11.1 batters per nine innings. In the first half of the season, batters hit .172/.221/.262 with 47 SO over 34.2 innings. His numbers could have looked even better if the Twins had been on the winning side of games on a more frequent basis.
     
    Forecasting 2014: 2.70 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 75 SO, 20 BB, 31 saves (65.0 IP)
    It would be tough for Perkins to match his numbers from 2013. His ERA was ridiculously low and batters averaged 6.2 hits per nine against him. In the second half of the season, batters seemed to catch up to Perkins a little as opponents batting average increased by 55 points and their OPS jumped over 175 points. All of those things could signal a couple steps back for Perkins in 2014. He will still be the anchor of the Twins bullpen, one of the team's biggest strengths. Perkins will still be one of the best relief arms in the American League and he could be one of the team's representatives when the All-Star Game is played at Target Field.
     
    25-Man Roster Safety: Locked-In
  13. Cody Christie
    One of the benefits of being a bad team for multiple seasons is the fact the Twins have been able to replenish some of their farm system with high draft picks the last two years. Add these players into a group that already included some top-notch talent, and the future of the Twins organization continues to look bright.
     
    Throughout the offseason there will be plenty of prospect lists released by a variety of media outlets. There are always differences between how people view the particular talent in an organization. Does a pitcher with more upside in the lower levels of the minors rate higher than someone at Double-A? Should a slugger with terrible defense rate higher than a light-hitting middle infielder?
     
    Those questions and more are all things to consider compiling a list like the one you see below. This is just the first grouping in my top prospect list for this offseason. Check back next week to see how I rank the players near the top of the list.
     
    11. Lewis Thorpe- LHP
    2013 Team(s): GCL Twins
    2013 Stats: 4-1, 2.05 ERA, 0.86 WHIP, 44.0 IP, 6 BB, 64 K
    The 17-year old burst onto the scene this year and surprised many with his performance in the GCL. He was wiping out batters left and right and he never faced a batter that was younger than him. Left-handed hitters struggled by hitting .071/.093/.119 against Thorpe. He might be the biggest surprise from last season and he is definitely a name to watch.
     
    12. Travis Harrison- 3B
    2013 Team(s): Cedar Rapids Kernels
    2013 Stats: .253/.366/.416, 28-2B, 0-3B, 15 HR, 59 RBI
    Harrison continues to show the power potential the Twins saw in him when they drafted him in the supplemental first round. There are still questions about whether or not he will be able to stay at third base but his power potential still projects him as a middle of the order bat. He got walked a ton this year and the Twins hope he can continue to improve at the plate.
     
    13. Trevor May- RHP
    2013 Team(s): New Britain Rock Cats
    2013 Stats: 9-9, 4.51 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, 151.2 IP, 67 BB, 159 K
    May joined the Twins last offseason in the Ben Revere trade. Minnesota had May repeat the Double-A level and he would lead the Rock Cats in many statistical categories. He is an innings eating pitcher as he threw 135 innings or more for the fourth consecutive season. There have been inconstancies throughout his minor league career and this makes it tough to put him in the top 10 at this point. If he can make some adjustments at Triple-A, he could be one piece of the Twins starting rotation puzzle.
     
    14. Danny Santana- SS
    2013 Team(s): New Britain Rock Cats
    2013 Stats: .297/.333/.386, 22-2B, 10-3B, 2 HR, 45 RBI, 30 SB
    Santana continues to be one of the best hitting middle infield prospects in the organization. The Twins continue to trot him out at shortstop to see if he can work through some of his defensive flaws. With Brian Dozier and Eddie Rosario locked in at second base, Santana is going to need to improve defensively so he can stay at shortstop. His batting average was almost 20 points higher than his career mark so the kid can hit.
     
    15. Kennys Vargas- 1B
    2013 Team(s): Ft. Myers Miracle
    2013 Stats: .267/.344/.468, 33-2B, 1-3B, 11 HR, 93 RBI
    The Florida State League is suppose to be a tough hitters environment and Vargas did his best to make that look like a myth. His 33 doubles were near the top of the leader board and his 93 RBI were tops in the league. About a third of his time was spent at DH since he accumulated 11 errors over 758 chances at first. With previous concerns about his weight, it was good to see him play a career high 125 games in 2013. He's got a powerful swing and he should be making his mark on New Britain next year.
     
    16. Niko Goodrum- SS
    2013 Team(s): Cedar Rapids Kernels
    2013 Stats: .260/.364/.369, 22-2B, 4-3B, 4 HR, 45 RBI, 20 SB
    Much like Santana, the Twins want Goodrum to try and work out his defensive kinks at shortstop. He played a career high 81 games at the positions this year and had 24 errors in 404 chances. In his first year in a full season league, there were some up and down moments. In June, he hit over .315 with a .875 OPS but he followed that with a dismal July where he hit under .200 with a .539 OPS.
     
    17. Jorge Felix-RHP
    2013 Team(s): Elizabethton Twins
    2013 Stats: 2-2, 2.95 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, 61.0 IP, 18 BB, 72 K
    After brief stints in the DOSL and the GCL, Felix made a strong impression in the Appalachian League this year. He raised his SO/9 rate from 8.7 in 2011 to 10.6 in 2013. His 2.7 BB/9 rate was the lowest of his career and he ranked third in the league for strikeouts in less innings than both the players in front of him. He's only made it through the rookie leagues but there is plenty of potential in Felix's right arm.
     
    18. Ryan Eades- RHP
    2013 Team(s): Elizabethton Twins
    2013 Stats: 0-0, 4.60 ERA, 1.60 WHIP, 15.2 IP, 12 BB, 13 K
    This year's second round pick didn't get a lot of time to make his mark as he pitched 15.2 innings over 10 games for the E-Twins. He boasts an impressive college resume at LSU which plays in the tough SEC. He isn't going to strikeout a ton of batters (78 K in 100 collegiate innings this spring) but his college experience could make him a fast mover in the years to come.
     
    19. Stephen Gonsalves- LHP
    2013 Team(s): GCL Twins, Elizabethton Twins
    2013 Stats: 2-1, 0.95 ERA, 1.02 WHIP, 28.1 IP, 11 BB, 39 K
    Minnesota's fourth round pick from this past June made appearances with both rookie league squads while starting five games out of his eight appearances. In limited action, he compiled some very impressive numbers including a 12.4 SO/9 rate. At 6-foot-5 and 190 pounds, there is a little room to add some weight and this could make him an even more effective pitcher in the future.
     
    20. Michael Tonkin- RHP
    2013 Team(s): New Britain Rock Cats, Rochester Red Wings, Minnesota Twins
    2013 MILB Stats: 2-4, 21 S, 3.47 ERA, 1.23 WHIP, 57.0 IP, 16 BB, 66 K
    2013 MLB Stats: 0-0, 0 S, 0.79 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, 11.1 IP, 3 BB, 10 K
    Since switching to being a full-time bullpen arm in 2012, Tonkin has worked his way from Low-A to the MLB level. He's shown the ability to be a powerful strikeout arm and this could translate to him being an important part of the Twins bullpen of the future. Glen Perkins seems to have the closer role locked up at this point so Tonkin could turn into the set-up man of the future.
  14. Cody Christie
    There are plenty of questions for the Twins to find answers to in the coming months. One of the biggest conundrums swirling around the team is trying to figure out who will make up the starting rotation. Kevin Correia seems like the only lock for a starting job but the Twins don't really want him as the staff ace. So what direction should the team go?
     
    If the season started today, the Twins would likely enter the year with a rotation composed of Kevin Correia, Kyle Gibson, Scott Diamond, Vance Worley, and Sam Deduno. This isn't exactly the most exciting group of players and it would seem like the team would be destined for another less than mediocre year.
     
    Luckily, the team does have some money to spend. If the Twins are allowed to get back to their 2012 payroll level of $100 million, the club has around $30-40 million in annual value to spend. This could leave the team will the allotted money to go after a couple big name free agents. It certainly doesn't mean the club has to give away money but they have some flexibility.
     
    Another solution to add depth to the Twins rotation might be an in house option. Alex Meyer, the man most likely to get a chance in next year's rotation, just finished pitching in the Arizona Fall League. Last offseason, Meyer joined the Twins organization after being traded from Washington for Denard Span. Only one year later and he could be ready to make an impact at the big league level.
     
    Meyer pitched most of last year for New Britain in the Eastern League. He was limited to 78.1 innings because of an issue with his shoulder and that was one of the main reasons the club wanted him to build up some innings in the AFL. His 11.5 SO/9 rate was the highest of his career and he recorded 100 strikeouts or more for the second consecutive season.
     
    The Twins were looking for a few things from Meyer in his time in the AFL. His secondary pitches needed some work and the team wanted to see some better command from a pitcher they feel is a front of the rotation arm. He would end up finishing second in the AFL in strikeouts but he did this in three fewer innings than the league leader.
     
    Reports on his fastball were good but his command and secondary pitches still don't sound like he is ready to make the jump to the big leagues. This likely means Meyer is headed to Rochester to start next season with the potential to make his debut at some point in the second half of 2014. There are some kinks that still need to be worked out and the Twins don't need to rush Meyer.
     
    Minnesota hopes Meyer will be a boost to the rotation at some point in the near future but he needs to continue to work on command and his secondary pitches. This will help him to be a more successful pitcher at the big league level and the Twins need as much help as they can possibly get in the starting rotation.
  15. Cody Christie
    There are plenty of ways to go about trying to fix the Twins team but some patience might be required as the club waits for some younger pieces to work their way through the minor leagues. The Twins Daily crew put out some solid information in the 2014 Offseason Handbook. One of the best parts to read about this document is the blueprint plans put together by the writers.
     
    There are plenty of options for the Twins but here is how I would go about trying to fix the team. Some of these ideas will happen and some won't but that's what makes this fun.
     
    Starting Line-Up
    C- Josmil Pinto- $0.5 million
    1B- Joe Mauer- $23 million
    2B- Brian Dozier- $0.5 million
    3B- Miguel Sano- $0.5 million
    SS- Pedro Florimon- $0.5 million
    LF- Oswaldo Arcia- $0.5 million
    CF- Aaron Hicks- $0.5 million
    RF- Trevor Plouffe- $2.0 million
    DH- Josh Willingham- $7 million
    -------------------------------------------------
    $35.0 million committed to nine hitters
     
    Breakdown: Sano has an impressive spring with the major league club and earns the starting third base job. Mauer's concussion concerns are enough to make him spend more time at first base than catcher for the first time in his career. He could get some playing time behind the plate but the Twins need to protect their most important asset. Willingham's injury concerns last season make it much easier to move him to full-time DH to take some of the wear and tear off of his legs. The outfield can be a little shaky with a couple of young players. Hicks has the entire offseason to toil over his terrible 2013. This should give him the drive to earn back his starting job in center field. Plouffe has to shift to right field with the emergence of Sano.
     
    Bench
    C- Ryan Doumit-$3.5 million
    IF- Eduardo Escobar- $0.5 million
    1B/OF- Chris Parmelee- $0.5 million
    OF- Darin Mastroianni- $0.5 million
    -------------------------------------------------
    $5.0 million committed to four bench positions
     
    Breakdown: Parmelee and Mastroianni will likely get at-bats at first base and in the outfield so they will be semi-regular players. It could be a make it or break it year for Parmelee with some young prospects making their way towards Target Field. It would be nice to add some veteran catching depth but I think the Twins will use Pinto, Doumit, and a sprinkling of Mauer behind the plate. Escobar is a nice piece to have and he has the ability to fill-in at multiple positions.
     
    Starting Pitching
    1. Josh Johnson- $7 million
    2. Phil Hughes- $8 million
    3. Kevin Correia- $5.5 million
    4. Kyle Gibson- $0.5 million
    5. Johan Santana- $1.0 million (+ incentives)
    Johan insurance: Scott Diamond, Vance Worley, and/or Sam Deduno ($0.5 million each)
    -------------------------------------------------
    $22.0 million committed to top five/ $23.5 million with Johan insurance
     
    Breakdown: Target Field would be a perfect place for Johnson to rebuild some value on a short-term deal. Hughes signed as part of a two-year, $16 million deal to earn his place as a top of the rotation arm. Correia and Gibson can fit nicely in the middle part of the rotation with less pressure to perform as top of the rotation guys. Does it make sense to sign a guy like Santana coming off his second shoulder surgery? Probably not but it would still be fun to see him back in a Twins uniform. Also, the team has other guys that could fit into the fifth spot if Johan doesn't work out.
     
    Bullpen
    Righties: Jared Burton, Casey Fien, Anthony Swarzak, Michael Tonkin- $5.5 million
    Lefties: Caleb Thielbar, Brian Duensing- $2.5 million
    Closer: Glen Perkins- $3.75 million
    -------------------------------------------------
    $11.75 million committed to seven relievers
     
    Breakdown: The bullpen was the best part of the 2013 team so there is no reason to make any drastic changes. It could make sense for the club to non-tender Duensing but the team might like having another lefty to go along with Thielbar. Tonkin has a chance to turn into a late-inning pitcher of the future but the Twins can rely on Burton and Perkins for the time being. If Minnesota can get any trade value for one of their veteran righties, the team could let Duke Welker take over a bullpen spot.
     
    Minnesota Twins 2014 Checkbook
    Starting Line-Up: $35.0 million
    Bench Players: $5.0 million
    Starting Pitching: $22.0 million
    Bullpen: $11.75 million
    -------------------------------------------------
    $73.75 million committed to Opening Day 25-man roster
  16. Cody Christie
    The Minnesota Twins struck out 1430 time last season, the third most strikeouts in the history of the game. On the offensive side of the ball, the team scored the third fewest runs in the American League while the pitching staff allowed the second most runs to be scored. The club also left the third most runners on base of any team in the AL.
     
    There needs to be some changes to the roster and the pitching staff is the biggest priority. Numbers like the ones discussed above make it clear that the offense is in need of a boost. The outfield has some open starting spots for 2014 and reuniting with a former player could solve some problems.
     
    Jason Kubel has become a free agent after the Cleveland Indians bought out the remaining part of his contract for $1 million. The former 12th round pick by the Twins became a mainstay in the club's outfield from 2007-2011. As a free agent, he headed to Arizona in 2012 and socked 30 home runs with a 120 OPS+. The 2013 season saw him suffer a quadriceps injury and flounder to his worst professional season.
     
    Before his injury filled 2013, Kubel had been a consistent offensive player. From 2007-2012, his OPS+ ranged from 105-137 and he averaged 21 home runs a season. Those kinds of numbers would have ranked him near the top of the Twins team in 2013.
     
    Even though there were some concerns from hitters in the first two years of Target Field, Kubel didn't seem to mind hitting in the Twins home ballpark. In 2010, the inaugural season for Target Field, Kubel posted similar .746 and .753 OPS marks at home and on the road. Kubel slugged .377 at home and .476 on the road in 2011 but he had 63 more at-bats on the road.
     
    While Oswaldo Arcia and Josh Willingham should be penciled in as starters, there are some decisions to make in the outfield. Willingham was hurt for most of last season and he could probably use some more time at designated hitter. Chris Parmelee didn't impress last year and he might need to play more at first base. This leaves an opportunity for the club to add a veteran bat at a corner outfield spot.
     
    The confetti has hardly settled from the Red Sox championship parade so the free agent hot stove has just begun to get warm. Other teams might be interested in Kubel and there could be better offers on the table than anything the Twins are willing to shell out. For now, it is interesting to think about what he could offer to the club on a short-term deal.
     
    If Kubel's injuries are behind him, he could be poised for a bounce-back season at a discounted price. Minnesota could be just the team to offer him this possibility because of his history with the club. An incentive laden deal could help their former player to regain some value and he could help Minnesota with some of their offensive woes.
     
    It also helps to know that he isn't opposed to a reunion tour with his original organization.
     
    Would signing Kubel to a free agent deal make sense for the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.
  17. Cody Christie
    One of the questions facing the Minnesota Twins and their fans this offseason is the future of Joe Mauer. The All-Star catcher and face of the franchise didn't play a game after August 19th because of concussion related symptoms. With the Twins heading for their third straight 90-loss season, there was no need to rush Mauer back to the field.
     
    When the Twins head to Florida this spring, there will continue to be questions about how much time Mauer should play at catcher. Catchers are in the line of fire when it comes to repeated foul tips and collisions at home. In the past, Mauer has repeated his desire to continue to catch but one has to wonder if Minnesota can continue to allow this to happen.
     
    Two home plate collisions in the American League Championship Series brought out continued concerns about the men wearing the protective gear. As continued concern is raised about concussions and head related injuries, reports have some baseball officials believing home plate collisions could be banned this offseason.
     
    Moving forward the Twins might be more likely to let Mauer spend time catching if the front office knew the play at the plate was banned. Both of the Twins catchers from the Opening Day roster, Mauer and Ryan Doumit, missed time this season because of concussion related issues. These symptoms were brought on by foul tips to the mask so even cutting out collisions might not be enough to keep Mauer catching.
     
    In the last month of the season, the Twins used a combination of Chris Herrmann and Josmil Pinto at catcher. Pinto was impressive by batting .342/.398/.566 with nine extra-base hits. His shoulder had been a concern throughout the minor league season but he fought through this issue to have an impressive September. Herrmann batted .204/.286/.325 with 11 extra-base hits over 157 at-bats this year.
     
    If there are any concerns with Mauer's concussion related issues heading into spring training, the Twins will be forced to make a decision about his catching future. Even if collisions are out of the game, foul tips will continue to impact catchers until helmet technology can be improved. Minnesota has Mauer under contract until 2018 and they can ill afford to have him on the disable list for extended periods of time.
     
    Because of baseball's extensive history, it can be tough to change something, like collisions, that have been part of the game for so long. The time is right to ban collisions before another player gets seriously hurt. Catchers can be one of the most important positions on the field and it's time to protect them from future head injuries.
  18. Cody Christie
    Night two of playoff action saw plenty of stories to follow in the Twins farm system. Rochester was kicking off their postseason run with a game in front of their hometown fans and Cedar Rapids had to go on the road. Fort Myers was at home but their season was on the line and a loss would mean the end of their title chances.
     
    Rochester Red Wings 7, Pawtucket Red Sox 1 (Game 1)
    Box Score
    Rochester was out to prove that their last day qualification for the Wild Card spot was not a fluke. The team went out and scored runs in the first four innings to grab an early 6-1 lead. Antoan Richardson singled and James Beresford doubled to set up a 2-run first frame. Eduardo Escobar scored Richardson on a sacrifice and this was followed by an RBI-single from Chris Parmelee.
     
    Beresford found himself up in another important spot in the second. With runners on first and second, he cracked a single to center field to score the third run of the game. The third inning was characterized by multiple bunt attempts. Aaron Hicks and Eric Farris bunted in back-to-back at-bats but it took an Eric Fryer single to plate two runs. Hicks would also be responsible for a sac fly in the fifth to cap the early offensive onslaught from Rochester.
     
    Cole De Vries started for Rochester and pitched into the sixth frame. While striking out six and walking one, he allowed one run on five hits. Aaron Thompson pitched two shutout innings of relief while only allowing one runner to reach base. AJ Achter closed the door in the ninth to cap a key victory for the Red Wings.
     
    What's Next: Rochester will host the second game of this series against the Red Sox on Thursday. The scheduled pitcher for the Red Wings is PJ Walters. He finished the regular season with a Triple-A record of 7-5 while posting a 4.18 ERA in 103.1 IP. The Red Sox will counter with big league hurler Clay Buchholz who is rehabbing on his way back to help Boston on a run for the AL East crown. In his one Triple-A outing this year, he lasted 3.1 innings and gave up one run on seven hits.
     
    Fort Myers Miracle 1, Charlotte Stone Crabs 2 (Game 2-- 10 innings)
    Box Score
    In the first game of the series, the Miracle were shutout and the Stone Crabs were able to sneak away with a 1-0 victory. This low scoring affair continued into Game 2 of the series with both starting pitchers lasting posting zeros into the eighth inning. Fort Myers needed to find a way to get on the board or their fantastic season would come to an end.
     
    Taylor Rogers was outstanding on the mound and he did everything he could to keep the Miracle from being eliminated. Over nine shutout innings, Rogers limited the Stone Crabs to three hits with nine strikeouts and one walk. With two outs in the ninth, a Stone Crabs batter reached on a single but Rogers talked his way into staying in the game. He struck out the last batter of the frame to finish his nine innings of work.
     
    The Miracle were forced to turn to the bullpen and pitcher Zach Jones. In the Stone Crabs half of the 10th, the leadoff batter singled and then things started to get a little dicey. During the next at-bat, the runner broke for second he actually came up short of second base. The throw was high to Levi Michael and the runner was able to pop-up and still make it in before the tag. A walk and a sac bunt would put two runners in scoring position.
     
    Jones tried to intentionally walk the next batter but he threw the ball to the backstop and the first run of the game was on the board. After a pop-out bunt, Jones walked a batter but he followed this with another at-bat that included a wild pitch. The Stone Crabs left the top of the 10th with a 2-0 lead and survived a rally in the 10th to end the Miracle's campaign.
     
    What's Next: The Miracle have been eliminated from the Florida State League Playoffs. Plenty of Miracle players and the coaching staff have been honored for their terrific season. The offense just didn't show up over the course of this best of three series. Byron Buxton has been the talk of the prospect world this year and it was tough to see the Miracle season end this way.
     
    Cedar Rapids Kernels 1, Quad Cities River Bandits 2 (Game 1)
    Box Score
    The Kernels have been one of the best minor league teams in all of baseball this year but anything can happen in the postseason. Players have come and gone from the Cedar Rapids roster but the team kept finding a way to win. Things got off to a good start in the playoffs with the Kernels scoring the first run of this game.
     
    In the top of the second inning, Adam Walker singled to leadoff the frame. Mike Gonzales doubled to deep center field and Walker was able to come all the way around to score from first. The Kernels would get two more runners on base in the inning but those men were left stranded. Cedar Rapids had the first lead of the series but it wouldn't last.
     
    Quad Cities tied the game in the bottom of the fourth when former first overall pick Carlos Correa worked his way around the bases. It was the only run scored against Kernels starter Brett Lee but it would be an important run for this game. Lee lasted five innings and struck out six. Alex Muren came on in relief and was fantastic. He struck out three over two innings and didn't allow a hit.
     
    Cedar Rapids looked to swipe the lead back from the River Bandits in the fifth. After a Niko Goodrum walk, there were men at first and second. Jorge Polanco hit one up the middle but the pitcher knocked it down and was able to record the out at first. This left two runners in scoring position and Max Kepler in the batters box. In an unfortunate turn of events, Kepler would pop up to the first baseman in foul territory and the Kernels never had another runner in scoring position.
     
    What's Next: Game 2 of this series is scheduled for Thursday evening in Cedar Rapids. Tim Shibya will take his perfect 4-0 record to the mound for the Kernels. Over 37.2 innings, he posted a 0.96 ERA while striking out 25 and walking four. Single-A opponents were only able to hit .173 against him and he has pitched seven innings or more in his last three starts. This included a complete game shutout the last time he was on the mound.
  19. Cody Christie
    The Minnesota Twins have made a habit of losing over the last three seasons. With back-to-back 90 loss seasons and the team on track to make it three in a row, there hasn't been a lot to be excited about at the major league level. Poor starting pitching and a lack-luster offense have created a "Debby Downer" attitude among the former Twins faithful.
     
    When Minnesota was in the midst of winning six division titles in nine years, a culture of winning was created even as there were changes to the players on the roster. Johan Santana, Brad Radke, Torii Hunter, and others would move on from the Twins but the organization still found a way to win. Fans could expect the Twins to finish near the top of the AL Central but something has gone missing. The culture of winning hasn't followed the Twins over the last three years so where does the change need to happen.
     
    While the Twins major league squad has been in the dumps, the organization's minor league system has become one of the best in baseball. Stud prospects Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton are two of the top five players at the minor league level. The Twins have used high draft picks and trades to restock their system. After this past weekend's action, three of the club's four full season minor league teams will be playing in the postseason.
     
    The minor leagues, this is where the culture of losing will begin to be changed.
     
    Some members of the Cedar Rapids Kernels are shooting for their second ring in two years. Infielders Niko Goodrum, Jorge Polanco and Travis Harrison, catcher Bo Altobelli and pitchers Brett Lee, Jose Berrios, and Hudson Boyd all competed in postseason play for Elizabethton. That team won the Appalachian League Championship one year ago.
     
    Other members of the 2012 E-Twins will also be striving to get their second ring even though it won't be in a Kernels uniform. Top prospect Byron Buxton and teammate Dalton Hick started the year in Cedar Rapids but these players were promoted to Fort Myers throughout the year. The Miracle started their playoff run on Tuesday night with these two players batting third and fourth in the line-up.
     
    Since joining the Twins organization, there are some players that have yet to taste defeat at the end of the year. They only know their championship with Elizabethton in 2012 and now they are in the midst of their second playoff run. Of course, there are lessons that can be learned out of losing but other players can find the drive within by continuing to win.
     
    For the most part, one individual player can't take over a baseball game. Some players need to pitch, defense factors in, and runs have to be scored. But by having these players expecting to be in the playoffs every year, the culture throughout the entire system can begin to change.
     
    Changing an ingrained culture isn't an easy thing to do.
     
    These players aren't going to get to the big league level and magically make the Twins start winning again. It is going to take time for them to make it to Target Field and even when they do, it could be a slow process.
     
    Overall, the process has begun in the minor leagues and the culture of losing can start to reverse itself in the years to come.
  20. Cody Christie
    There was a ton of exciting action in the Twins farm system on Wednesday. Matt Summers took his Florida State League leading ERA to the mound for the Miracle. The Kernels were set to face off against former Twins pitcher Scott Baker as he works his way back from injury. New Britain found themselves in a back and forth contest that went well into the Eastern League night.
     
    Let's check out what happened down on the pond.
     
    Rochester Red Wings 5, Buffalo Bisons 2
    Box Score
    Scott Diamond made his fifth start since being demoted to Rochester. In those five starts, he has pitched at least six innings in four of them. On Wednesday, he scattered seven hits and gave up two runs that both came via the solo home run. He struck out five and didn't walk a man over six innings for his second straight quality start. Shairon Martis was asked to get the last seven outs of the game for his 11th save. He didn't allow a hit and only one runner reached base.
     
    The top four hitters in the Red Wings line-up all combined for multiple hit nights. Antoan Richardson and James Beresford both went 3-for-5 out of the first two spots in the order. Eduardo Escobar and Chris Parmelee followed these two with 2-for-5 performances. Both of Parmelee's hits were doubles and Beresford and Escobar had doubles of their own.
     
    After losing six games in a row, the Red Wings have won back-to-back contests. Darin Mastroianni extended his hit streak to 10 games. He's hitting .33 over his streak after going 0-for-14 during his rehab games with the team.
     
    New Britain Rock Cats 8 , Trenton Thunder 9 (12 Innings)
    Box Score
    In a game that felt like it might never end, Nate Hanson pushed home a run with a sacrifice fly in the top of the 12th inning as the Rock Cats took their second lead in extra innings. The Thunder couldn't be silenced as the team slapped back-to-back two out singles in the bottom of the 12th to put runners on. Matt Hauser still only needed one out but the next batter cracked a single to left fielder Daniel Ortiz. A throwing error by Ortiz would end the game and the Rock Cats were tough luck losers.
     
    Eddie Rosario had three hits and two RBI. Twins top prospect Miguel Sano went 0-for-4 but he recorded three walks. Reynaldo Rodriguez had two hits and they were both doubles to bring his season total to 33 two baggers. New Britain was 4-for-20 with runners in scorning position so there were plenty of missed opportunities.
     
    Fort Myers Miracle 7, Palm Beach Cardinals 1
    Box Score
    The Miracle exploded for four runs in the bottom of the eighth inning and the team avoided a sweep at the hand of the Cardinals. Byron Buxton continued to be Byron Buxton going 2-for-4 with two runs scored and his 22nd stolen base at this level. He is up to 54 steals for the season. Matt Koch drove in two runs and added his seventh home run. Stephen Wickens and Kennys Vargas also got into the offensive act with each player knocking a double.
     
    Matthew Summers was on the hill to start the game and he lasted through the sixth inning. During his time on the mound, he allowed one run on five hits with four strikeouts and two walks. It was his sixth victory of the year and he lowered his ERA to 2.47. The Florida State League can be considered a pitcher friendly league and Summers is leading the league in ERA.
     
    In a rather dubious honor, Jhon Goncalves played in his 299th game for the Miracle, a new team record. The previous record of 298 games had been held by Nick Romero.
     
    Cedar Rapids Kernels 1, Kane County Cougars 9
    Box Score
    Kane County is in the midst of a rough season and the team might have taken out some of their frustration on the Kernels. The Cougars pounced on Kernels starter Jose Berrios for five runs over five innings including two home runs. He walked three and struck out four while failing to pitch past the fifth inning for the second consecutive start.
     
    In an interesting twist of fate, former Twins pitcher Scott Baker earned his first victory of the season after being beat around in his first four starts at this level. He pitched five shutout innings and held the Kernels to a single hit. His ERA was close to 10.00 before the game and dropped to 7.13 with this performance.
     
    Elizabethton Twins 5, Pulaski Mariners 1
    Box Score
    The E-Twins didn't manage a single extra-base hit but they were still able to come out victorious versus the Mariners. Zach Granite did a great job out of the lead-off spot by scoring two runs and stealing his 14th base of the season. Mitch Garver went 1-for-4 on the night with two RBI. Logan Wade was the number nine hitter and he was the lone Twins player to collect more than one hit.
     
    Kuo Hua Lo did his best to keep Elizabethton in the game. He limited the Mariners to one run on three hits by striking out five and never walking a batter. Ethan Mildren did a fine job in relief as he pitched two shutout frames and struck out three. Luke Bard closed the door for a perfect ninth inning.
     
    GCL Twins 1, GCL Orioles 8
    Box Score
    Three multi-run innings from the GCL Orioles were enough to win a blow out against the GCL Twins. The Orioles pounded out 14 hits and scored eight runs including five runs in the last two innings against the bullpen for the Twins. Leonel Zazueta and Reyson Zoquiel were knocked around in the late innings. Sam Gibbons was charged with his third loss of the year after throwing three frames and giving up three runs on six hits.
     
    Chad Christensen provided most of the offensive punch with a 2-for-4 effort. This included his third home run of the season. Jason Kanzler cracked a double in four trips to the plate but he was left stranded on the bases. Joel Polanco and Ivory Thomas each had a hit.
  21. Cody Christie
    Joe Mauer won't be coming off of the concussion disabled list when he is first eligible. This probably isn't much of a surprise since the Twins are well out of the playoff discussion in the American League. Mauer has been told by the team to rest at home and report back to Target Field on Tuesday, the first day he could have come off the concussion DL.
     
    When dealing with a player making $23 million a year, it makes sense to proceed with caution. The team needs Mauer to be healthy for the future and there isn't much of a hurry to get him back on the field this season. Minnesota will trudge on without him while looking to play a spoiler role to some of team's ahead of them in the standings.
     
    For those that haven't been following the situation, Mauer took multiple foul tips off his catcher's mask in last Monday's game versus the Mets. The next day he experienced some dizziness during pregame batting practice and the team placed him on the 7-day concussion DL. Since being on the DL, Mauer has visited Mayo Clinic and everything came back clear from those appointments.
     
    Catchers have been populating the 7-day concussion DL across baseball this season. As of this weekend, there were five catchers including Joe Mauer. Ryan Doumit, one of the Twins other catchers, was recently on the concussion DL and he wouldn't mind seeing some changes to the equipment worn by men behind the dish. This probably won't happen in the middle of the season but it could be something looked at by baseball in the offseason before next spring training.
     
    Dr. Gary Green, MLB's medical director, said that the league is working on gathering information on the rash of catchers suffering from concussions. Foul tips and collisions at home plate come are part of the job description for the men wearing the mask. Green went on to say that around 40% of the players on the concussion DL have been catchers. This is a big percentage and it can be concerning for MLB and the fans of the game.
     
    Fans in Minnesota have even more of a concern when it comes to catchers. Their best player and hometown star is a perennial All-Star catcher and fans want to see him on the field as much as possible. In recent years, the Twins have allowed Mauer to spend more time playing first base or getting at-bats as the designated hitter. This trend will likely continue as the team moves forward.
     
    Twins manager Ron Gardenhire also expressed some concern about head injuries in relation to catchers. "Baseball, I'm sure, is going to find more ways to protect them and I don't know what it is going to be. We had a long conversation with our trainer about all of the types of different things they can try to limit that blow on the mask, from shock absorbers to air-filled masks. I'm sure there is going to be a lot more talk now because of this rash" of concussions.
     
    The Twins have been very familiar with concussion related issues over the last few seasons. Players like Justin Morneau and Denard Span missed large chunks of multiple seasons as they each tried to recover from concussion related symptoms. It has taken Morneau a long time to get back to the player he once was and he still doesn't seem to be all the way back.
     
    Brain injuries are different for every person and that's what makes them so tough to understand. Twins fans hope Mauer's situation doesn't turn out like Morneau's drawn out recovery. The club has a lot of money relying on Mauer making a recovery and being a valuable player behind the plate.
  22. Cody Christie
    There were a few minor league moves to take place on Thursday. Outfielder Darin Mastroianni was due to come off the disabled list but he was in the middle of a hitting slump so he was optioned to Rochester. There might be a chance that he gets back to the big leagues this year but he had options left and it would be better for him to get his legs under him.
     
    Outfielder Aaron Hicks has been dealing with a nagging injury. Rochester put him on the 7-day disabled list with a right heel bruise. Since he hadn't appeared in a game for a couple days, the move is retroactive to August 13th. In his six games after being demoted, Hicks was hitting .227/.320/.227 with no extra base hits.
     
    Here's a look at what happened throughout the day on Thursday in the Twins minor league system.
     
    Rochester Red Wings 4, Buffalo Bisons 2
    Box Score
    PJ Walters was coming off of his poorest outing of the season (2 IP, 7 R, 9 H) so it was important for him to get back on track. He tossed seven innings to pick up the win and this happened even after he had a shaky start at the beginning of the game. He scattered six hits and allowed two earned runs with three walks while striking out four. It was his fourth start of the season where he pitched at least seven innings.
     
    Darin Mastroianni was optioned to Rochester on Thursday and he used the opportunity to break out of an 0-for-15 slump. He had a two-single in the top of the third. The Red Wings used some clutch hitting and a Bisons error to score three runs in the fifth inning. Eric Fryer scored two runs in the game and hit his third home runs of 2013. Eduardo Escobar went 2-for-4 with an RBI.
     
    Edgar Ibarra and Michael Tonkin were great in relief of Walters. Ibarra pitched a perfect eighth inning and struck out two of the hitters that he faced. Michael Tonkin earned his 10th save by allowing one hit and striking out one in the ninth. Rochester relievers have picked up saves in 26 of their last 27 opportunities since the beginning of June.
     
    New Britain Rock Cats 3, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 9
    Box Score
    The Rock Cats pitching staff couldn't buy a break in this game as the Fisher Cats pounced on them. New Hampshire scored nine runs on 16 hits. It took New Britian until the eighth inning to get on the board. This was too little, too late for the Rock Cats.
     
    Trevor May started for New Britain and the results were so-so. He failed to get out of the sixth inning and he was charged with four earned runs on 10 hits. He was able to strike out 10 batters and he was still hitting in the low 90s with his fastball even after throwing over 100 pitches. His last three starts have been less than six innings, which isn't exactly where he needs to be.
     
    Danny Santana had multiple hits for the third time in his last four games. He went 2-for-4 with a double and a run scored. Daniel Ortiz added two hits and an RBI. Dan Rohlfing was the only other hitter with an extra-base hit, his 13th double of the year.
     
    Fort Myers Miracle 5, St. Lucie Mets 3
    Box Score
    Fort Myers ended their three game skid with a victory over the Mets. It looked a little scary in the early going as the club fell behind 3-0 after a couple innings. A big four run fifth inning helped to separate the Miracle and the bullpen pitched in with six shutout frames.
     
    Byron Buxton was held to one hit but he was still able to score two runs and steal his 15th base of the season. His single stretched his hitting streak to nine games. Jhon Goncalves and Dalton Hicks both got two hits including a double for each of them. Hicks had an impressive night at the plate with two walks and two RBI. Levi Michael knocked his fourth triple. Stephen Wickens was also able to extend his hit streak to 10 games.
     
    Matt Tomshaw got hit around and he was pulled out of the game after three innings. Luckily the bullpen was ready to perform. Tyler Duffy earned the victory after throwing three shutout frames with two strikeouts. Adrian Salcedo pitched two innings and only gave up one hit. Zach Jones struck out the side in the ninth but he did get into a little trouble with two walks.
     
    Cedar Rapids Kernels 6, Beloit Snappers 5
    Box Score
    Adam Walker sent the fans home happy in Cedar Rapids with a walk-off double. Jonathan Murphy had started the inning with a single and Niko Goodrum followed this with a hit by pitch. Jorge Polanco tried to bunt to advance the runners but the Snappers got the lead runner at third. Walker stepped up to the plate and cracked his 28th double of the year.
     
    The bullpen for the Kernels was outstanding. Tim Shibuya, Brandon Bixler, and Brian Gilbert combined for five shutout innings. There were no hits in the last five frames and only one batter reached base. Miguel Sulbaran made his first start since being acquired from the Dodgers for Drew Butera. He lasted four innings by giving up seven hits and four earned runs.
     
    Elizabethton Twins 4, Johnson City Cardinals 0
    Box Score
    Three different E-Twins pitchers combined for a two hit shutout of the Cardinals. Kuo Hua Lo pitched the first five innings and gave up both of the hits. He struck out five and walked two and the victory was his first of the year. Luke Bard got into a little trouble with a couple of walks in his inning of work but he didn't give up a hit. Austin Malinowski was terrific in three strong innings by striking out six and never having a base runner reach against him.
     
    A two-run first inning helped to put the E-Twins on top for good in this one. Rory Rhodes went 2-for-3 and he helped to keep a couple of innings alive. Stuart Turner knocked in a couple of runs with his single. There were no extra base hits for the E-Twins but it didn't matter with the way the pitching staff was throwing.
    

    GCL Twins 4, GCL Rays 6
    Box Score
    Kohl Stewart set careers highs in strikeouts (5 Ks) and innings pitched (4 IP) but it wasn't enough for the GCL Twins to get back to their winning ways. In their last eight games, the club has lost seven. The defense behind Stewart was full of some holes as there were three errors. Three runs would be scored with Stewart on the mound but he was only charged with one earned run on five hits.
     
    Ivory Thomas knocked in two runs as part of a 2-for-5 day. He added his second double of the year. Jason Kanzler notched his fourth triple of the season and he finished the day 2-for-4. Chad Christensen, Adonis Pacheco, and Ryan Tufts all had two hits and Nelson Molina scored two runs as the number nine hitter.
  23. Cody Christie
    http://nodaktwinsfan.comThe Twins bullpen had been solid in recent weeks before laying an egg at the hands of the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday afternoon. Casey Fien gave up three runs and later in the game Glen Perkins and Ryan Pressly allowed some late inning runs. Joe Mauer had five hits and came within one hit of tying Kirby Puckett's team record of six in a game.
     
    There was some exciting action this evening as multiple teams were part of walk-off wins. Not all of those walk-offs were in favor of the Twins farm system so you will have to find out what happened down on the farm.
     
    Rochester Red Wings 3, Buffalo Bisons 8
    Box Score
    The Red Wings are in the last leg of their season long 11-game road trip. Entering tonight's game the club had been 5-3 on the road trip and the club had won 14 of their last 20 games. The club will return to Rochester on Saturday and play 14 of their last 16 regular season games at home. Unfortunately, there wasn't enough magic on Wednesday evening.
     
    Rochester scored early to take a 3-1 lead through five innings but the Bisons would score seven runs over the last three innings. After making a spot start at the major league level last week, Liam Hendriks was back in the Red Wings rotation. Through six innings, he gave up three runs on six hits. Aaron Thompson took the loss after giving up three runs in less than two innings on the mound.
     
    Jeff Clement got the scoring started for Rochester by cracking his first triple of the year. The scored Chris Parmelee who had just notched his eighth double. Deibinson Romero would cap the first inning scoring with a double of his own. Clement was the lone batter to have a multi-hit game as the club was limited to five hits.

    Originally posted at http://www.NoDakTwinsFan.com


     
    New Britain Rock Cats 2, New Hampshire Fisher Cats 7
    Box Score
    BJ Hermsen hasn't been used too much as a starter this season after winning the club's minor league pitcher of the year award last season. Today marked his 12th start of the year and it might have been one of his most effective. He pitched five innings and gave up two earned runs. It was his ninth loss of the season and three of those losses have come in his last four starts.
     
    Danny Santana continued his good offensive season with his fifth multi-hit game out of the last ten games he has played. He ended the night 2-for-4 with his 24th stolen base. Dan Rohlfing also added two hits including the team's only extra-base hit, his first home run of the year at Double-A. Evan Bigley and Reynaldo Rodriguez each had a hit.
     
    Fort Myers Miracle 3, St. Lucie Mets 4
    Box Score
    The Miracle looked well on their way to their 71st win of the season but the Mets staged a 2-run rally in the bottom of the ninth to steal the victory. Fort Myers had gained the lead back in the eighth inning after a pitch plunked Stephen Wickens. DJ Hicks followed the hit by pitch with a double to score Wickens and the Miracle had a one run lead.
     
    Byron Buxton helped to get things going in the early portion of the game. He drew a walk in the first inning, stole second, and Wickens slashed a single to score Buxton from second. Buxton also helped with the second run of the game by advancing the base runner, JD Williams, ahead of a Levi Michael sac-fly. Buxton stole three bases in the game and extended his hit streak to eight games.
     
    Taylor Rogers did very well on the mound. He tossed seven inning and scattered six hits while giving up two runs. It was the third straight game where Rogers struck out five batters or more. Tyler Jones was saddled with the loss after coughing up the lead in the ninth. It was his second blow save of the year.
     
    Cedar Rapids Kernels 3, Beloit Snappers 2
    Box Score
    A Tyler Grimes single in the bottom of the ninth made the the Kernels walk-off winners. Cedar Rapids has won six of their last seven games to push their lead in the Midwest League Western division to two games.
     
    After falling behind earlier in the game, the Kernels got their offense going in the bottom of the third. Joel Licon started the inning with a single and he extended his hitting streak to 12 games in the process. Jeremias Pineda scored Licon with a double later in the frame. Jonathan Murphy singled in Pineda to tie the game at two.
     
    Tim Atherton was fantastic on the mound as he went eight innings and struck out 11, the most by a Kernels pitcher in 2013. Both of the runs scored against him were unearned and he only gave up two hits. At one point in the game he retired 16 men in a row. The inning and strikeout totals were career highs for him.
     
    GCL Twins 1, GCL Rays 7
    Box Score
    There have been some struggles for the GCL version of the Twins. The team has lost six of their last seven games while barely averaging two runs per game. This theme played itself out on Wednesday afternoon as the team came up short against the GCL Rays.
     
    On the offensive side of things, three members of the Twins were able to record hits. Alex Swim led the way with a 2-for-3 effort including his fifth double of the season. His extra-base hit set-up the only run the Twins would score. Jason Kanzler and Ryan Tufts had the other hits with Kanzler recording a double and an RBI.
     
    Pedro Hernandez made his second rehab appearance and the results were much better than his first outing. He tossed four shutout innings on two hits with four strikeouts. Seth Wagner ran into the most trouble on the mound as he allowed three earned runs in less than an inning of work. His control was a problem as he walked four men and struck out one.
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