Jham

First of all, are starters more likely to get injured than relievers? Yes. 2.4x more likely. BUT... no more likely to injure their elbows. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/35040985/ My prediction is that Duran will need TJ or thoracic outlet release this season regardless of role because Twins.

His development reminds me of Jorge Polanco and Kepler in that he developed power after scouts had essentially given up on them developing power. From an eye-test perspective he looks like he fits. He never appears intimidated and stays aggressive at the plate. Tries to do damage. His eye may need improvement, but the development of power is a major game changer for the guy. Defensive flexibility. Really good defensive outfielder. Huge pedigree. Excuses for slow development (illness not injury).... He's a sneaky one.

The cynic in me thinks the Twins want to keep him from starting and accumulating saves to protect negotiation and arbitration decisions. Duran already stated he wants to start. This is a no-brainer. Stop being clever. More innings of Duran, 2 to 3x as many... That's a risk worth taking. We are never going to sign a starter with his stuff. Ever. I'm sure Verlander would have been a sick fireman last season. Stupid Astros didn't protect his 38yo arm and cost him a reliever of the year award. He's our best pitcher period. He needs to start.

Never give up on a prospect until you try them in the bull pen. Focus on max effort and top 2 pitches.

I didn't realize all those guys were 2019. That's ridiculous. Especially with Cavaco looking like a miss.

Pagan: a true 3 outcome pitcher. It's like watching little league. Walk. K. Walk walk. K. Homer. His problem is he can't throw strikes. The whiff rate is because he can't throw strikes. He can't throw strikes because his stuff isn't good enough. That said why is Rocco allergic to using Duran as closer? Hasn't he earned it?

I'd ask Correa if he'd exercise his year 2 player option if we brought in Ohtani (or any other player).

Not glowing report from Marlins' writer, but fast risers are sometimes hard to gauge when unconventional. Luis Arraez was barely a prospect, but our front office loved him. Scouts then adjust to make it look like they knew all along. If Nardi continues to move up, the scouts will reference impeccable feel or deceptive delivery to explain why his success was inevitable.

Anyone else think Keep should have attempted to hunt for a hit there?

All very good points. Pretty much what I was thinking.

At the game. There seemed to be some discussion between the ump and twins bench before the HR. Them Jax appeared to have some words after the inning. What happened?

I've long said that some teams use the additional years as a way of financing. Player salaries keep going up. Insurance covers risks of injuries.

1) If Max were vaxxed but injured, he'd have to go to the IL in order to make a roster spot available which did not occur. 2) I appreciate you trying to fair about about your arguments against the vaccine, but "We've seen how wrong, and possibly intentionally wrong our government has been about this since the outset. It never had ANY basis in science." We've heard from every major epidemiologist in the planet, drug company, University, countless doctors, statisticians. The vaccine is highly effective. So is science. Neither are 100 pct. Neither need to be. Didn't mean they should be dismissed.

From the brief videos I've seen, he looks like a reliever. Very high effort delivery.

Reality is sometimes painful. Lewis is such a competitor and fun guy to cheer for. He's determined and has the personality and confidence of a star. He's smooth in the field but doesn't have either the softest hands or perfect timing in the field. He also doesn't have a bat that plays in a corner yet. Martin is our 1 or 2 prospect. Noah Miller might be a fast riser. Paddock is hurt and we have no ace.... Would we get more for Correa, Royce, or Martin? Correa's the best player of them and trading him makes us worse, but if we can get the pitcher we need, he needs to be dealt.

Not a swing analyst. Not an orthopedic. But a few years back Kurt Suzuki and a handful of MLB players had found success using an ax-handled bat that is supposed to keep your front wrist in a stronger pronated position and help prevent wrist injuries. https://axebat.com/blogs/news/biomechanical-study-of-the-new-axe-handle-baseball-bats-and-comparison-with-standard-round-knob-bats Not sure if players are still using these, but I'd try it. I'm sure the wrist is causing him to not barrel balls. But not barreling up also jars that wrist. I also just get worried with lefties who primarily stroke to the opposite field. It looks sweet, but all that late contact leaves little margin for error. You have less time to get the swing on plane and if you're fooled and out front, you're likely to roll over your wrists. I haven't looked at AK's swing plane, but presumably he's still pretty straight to the ball. My hypothesis is he's chopping at the ball to catch up and then having to roll his wrists if he's out front. I don't know how else he'd generate so many fly balls.

Personally, I was never sold on Kiriloff entirely. His numbers didn't suggest he was a candidate for skipping AAA. He missed a year, really almost 2. He adds little defensively. And as corner/1b, I was leery he would be above replacement. His classic swing generated power to all fields. He's a pleasure to watch swing. However, his use of all fields didn't necessarily translate numbers wise. Lefties who pull with power are seeming to have more success on average these days. Of course, many players develop pull power as their careers advance. Jacque Jones and AJ come to mind. The wrist injury may force him into being a punch hitter for awhile. Too bad. He had a ton of promise and already came back after 1 serious upper body injury.

This is sooooo annoying. I've never ever cast him as a complete player. I said I was concerned that at 23 he isn't hitting for average or power. Puckett, Arraez, Altuve... All hit for high average. None were walk machines. Guys with great contact skills don't walk much typically. I dunno. It's not like I'm giving up on him.

This isn't about SWR. He's promissing, no doubt. I'm encouraged there. Concerned with Martin. Martin is a top 10 first-rounder with college pedigree who appears to be struggling to hit for power or average. I'm concerned despite Arraez' success with similar ops because 1) Arraez is the single hardest player to strike out in all of baseball and has drawn a fair amount of walks while maintaining a high batting average. IE more balanced approach. (Compare with Tortuga). 2) I do not believe Martin's obp is sustainable as he advances because pitchers have better control. Martin's talent and college success gives reason for optimism that further development will occur. But his minor league record is concerning at this point, from a top prospect standpoint.

Not gonna lie, the argumentative nature of this site turns me off sometimes. I stopped posting for awhile because of it. The premise of the article is "are you worried about Austin Martin". My answer was "Yes. I'm worried that at 23, he can't hit." It turned into some debate about Arraez who absolutely can hitb for average vs Martin who at this time, hasn't hit for average or power. And about SWR's value in the Berrios deal (like he was even close to Martin on prospect lists). If you want to disagree with me, at least pick on things I actually said. I went on to say that he's a likely big league utility guy. Nothing wrong with that. But he was THE key piece of a major trade AND or no. 1 prospect heading into the season. From that standpoint, I'm worried. It doesn't get easier to hit as you climb levels, and it frequently gets much harder to walk as you gave fewer guys with serious command issues. I feel like I'm being fairly objective. Maybe it's just semantics of what "worried" means? If he's Nick Gordon in 3 years, is that good or bad? Going for him, it's much easier to go from contact to power than the other way around. I haven't seen him play. But I question his contact skills as well given the low averages and high bbs. I'm not giving up on him, I just think some concern is warranted.

Miranda with a 2-0 count swings at a ball up and in... His approach needs refining.

Nice intro! Had to return the Mother's Day gift I bought after the Derby, unfortunately. That said, it was my favorite Derby ever. Amazing story. Here's a link to the presser. Sports fans should enjoy. Paddock reminds me a great deal of Kyle Gibson. Nibble nibble rocket.

I love Arraez. I love watching him play, but I think I'd expect more than that for Berrios. Despite being the hardest player to strike out in all of baseball (7% of ab) and hitting .300, he has a negative WAR this year, He's pulling more and higher fly ball pct too. So even Arraez is less Arraez. Arraez never got under .300 in the minors. Martin never over .300. Arraez hits for average. Martin not at all. Not comparable, imo.

Of course I'm worried. I'm very worried he can't hit. His .400 obp is driven by walks. MLB pitchers don't walk guys, let alone guys who can't hit for power. He's 23. Not young for a top prospect. Looks like a glove first utility guy at this point. Not a great haul for Machina unless the power comes.

The upper cut produces lots of top spin. He hooks balls foul that he could keep fair by just pulling in his hands. Agree that an up the middle and away approach boosts his numbers including wiff rate and lowers k's by keeping balls in play. Generating back spin with swing plane was a big thing a few years back. I know Cruz really worked with him on going oppo before he was traded. He's still one of my favorite players, but his attitude is stubborn for good or bad.