Hosken Bombo Disco

But does Phil Miller have a trained eye to judge Mejia's command...

Sano-zi with the erro-zi

I'm gonna go broke if this keeps up... happily, happily broke.... * well not really happily

I've been thrown out of bars for asking them to turn the Twins game on...

Sweet - some eyeballs in Cedar Rapids! I hope to make that trip soon myself. Any observations on how Wells fields his position for a big guy?

Chris Gimenez at first base, anticipating a throw from Sano: http://orig15.deviantart.net/a18e/f/2006/365/7/8/cowering_like_a_submisive_cat_by_neetrith.jpg

Oh wait Tonkin just got a strikeout. That quote is fake news.

"A one thousand mile journey begins with a single step." - Oakland A's, May 2, 2017

me too. Don't question, just enjoy

well, so could Babe Ruth

Interesting comparison between Buxton and Hicks. Like Buxton's last 20 Plate Appearances, Hicks did have a roughly 20 PA stretch with 7-8 BB, depending on how you count the partial games. However it was very early in Hicksies rookie season, 2013. Hicks had 2100 professional PA to that point while Buxton had 1900 professional PA to that point, though 500 of those were in MLB (these are estimates). Hicks was also hitting much worse at the time his "walk streak" started, hard as it is to believe. So then the next 20 PA for Hicks following that streak, and a similar day off: 4-16, 0 BB, 4 K. Sometime after, Hicks went on a little strikeout binge, though he gets a break since he was just a rookie. However reports were that Hicks was somewhat aloof and not engaged, unlike Buxton.

I have been watching Cedar Rapids game logs but haven't seen them play yet. Based only on that, I would rate Beeker just a tiny sliver ahead of Poppen. Not sure why. Just a gut feeling or to be argumentative, I guess. Can't argue with the results either of them are getting.

I doubt he's ever heard this one. You should sent this to him.

The rainy weekend provided a nice opportunity for Beeker and the other Kernels pitchers to get a little extra rest on their arms.

Jermaine Palacios is getting a lot of deserved publicity lately, but looking back at the Cedar Rapids game log from this night, this game looks to be something other than his finest moment. I only post this because it might be of curiosity, not as a knock against the player: Brian O'Keefe singles on a pop up to shortstop Jermaine Palacios.With Mitchell Kranson batting, Jermaine Palacios picked off and caught stealing 2nd base, pitcher Ian Oxnevad to first baseman Stefan Trosclair.J. R. Davis singles on a ground ball to shortstop Jermaine Palacios. Davis advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Jermaine Palacios.Stefan Trosclair singles on a line drive to left fielder Ariel Montesino. Stefan Trosclair advances to 2nd, on a throwing error by shortstop Jermaine Palacios And for a good hitter, perhaps the most embarrassing indignity of all: Jermaine Palacios grounds out, pitcher Ian Oxnevad to first baseman Stefan Trosclair. Even good prospects have bad days. Carry on, everyone. Palacios followed it up the next night by playing error-free shortstop and going 3-5.

I could be wrong but his pitch recognition has looked fine to me on the few occasions I have seen him bat recently. He has not been swinging at fastballs outside the zone, and he swings and misses at breaking pitches like everyone else does. Batting against Leclerc last night (44% K rate), Buxton looked like Ted Williams compared to how a couple other guys looked against him (Dozier, Sano).

Other people have said he starts slow at new levels of competition, so I think the best move is to let this play out.

In the season prior, Becker batted 93-392 in 438 PA, for a line of .237/.303/.296 (599 OPS) Even after that horrid start, Becker finished the 1996 season at 291/372/434, with an .807 OPS, so whatever chocolate milk he started drinking was working.

Just adding Becker as another name to the mix. Jetes had an 0-32 streak one April (with fewer strikeouts than Buxton has!) but you'd never be able to tell for sure which season it was by looking at his career lines.

Rich Becker on this date in 1996, 3-41 with slash line .073/.174/.098

Had it the whole way

God I miss these

The Twins sit at 8-10 through their first 18 games. The Twins are in a much better spot than last season, but considering that opening series sweep against Kansas City, the Twins have been heading in the wrong direction recently. The Twins begin a six game road trip in Texas tonight. I want to get my hasty thoughts down for the upcoming week. There's not a lot the Twins can do about the starting pitching right now (yes there is, but anyway), so I will set that aside. There is also specific information we do not have access to, as fans. However, in my opinion, there are four general things I would like to see the manager do this week to improve the team's present and future outlook. Here they are, as addressed to Molitor, in no particular order (except for the number one thing, which is unquestionably the number one thing, in my mind): # 4 : Hold the outfield together. Rosario-Buxton-Kepler should start all six games. They will not need rest, as there is a day off after each series. If you feel compelled to make a starting lineup substitution, then it needs to be Grossman, and probably as a right fielder. Kepler can move to left field or DH. # 3 : Move Mauer down the order. These are the players that should be batting ahead of him: Dozier, Polanco, Grossman, Sano, Kepler. Against a lefty, Mauer can sit (Hamels pitches Wednesday) and Vargas can slip into that sixth slot as a RHB first baseman. I liked the early lineup experimentation, but things are coming into a little more focus. Polanco and Grossman are OBP machines. Take advantage. # 2 : Manage pitching changes as if it's August. Manage them as if the Twins are in a pennant race, too. I understand it's pretty slim pickins out there, but there's no need to bring in a guy like Breslow to face a guy like Castellanos, as you did on Saturday. Granted neither of those two has a strong platoon split, but mind the splits anyway. Also, I like how you used the mop up guy for three inning stretches when necessary. Tepesch is that guy this week. # 1 : Let Buxton bat. This might be the week Buxton gets on track. Do not pinch hit for him, do not pinch run for him, do not ask him to bunt. In fact, tell him not to bunt. Just let him hit. The Twins have played mostly afternoon games to this point. Oddly, the Twins have played one night game on the road so far. It is April, and it has been the cold weather schedule. Beginning tonight, they will start their normal schedule. They will play three consecutive night games, followed by a day off, followed by two more night games this week, and then the Sunday day game before heading home for an evening series beginning Tuesday. These are good conditions for establishing a routine. Often, teams do not take batting practice ahead of day games. I'm sure Buxton is being coached well and doing tee work and getting swings off the machine. It's the real stuff out on the field where he needs to be this week, standing tall (DeRosa), and keeping his eyes on the ball (Reynolds). Lots of repetitions. Minimum distractions. Sound mechanics, same approach, swing after swing. Then into the clubhouse to think about it, grab a bite, get dressed, and get ready. Let him carry his batting practice work into the games. Buxton was slotted third in the batting order to start the season, a show of confidence. Removing him from a game for a pinch hitter is probably a contradictory message. Imagine if Buxton is allowed to bat in those late innings and comes up with a big hit, instead of being pinch hit for. That might be the biggest affirmation of his work and confidence boost of all. Tell Buxton he has 12 plate appearances in Texas, and 12 more in Kansas City, and as long as he's doing things correctly, there's no pressure to change or make it all up in that first at bat. He's got 4 at bats tonight, 4 tomorrow, and just go out there and do it. Unless of course the Twins clobber the starting pitcher tonight, in which case he might get 5 at bats. Or 6, if it really goes off the rails. Go Twins!

For the record I don't think Shaggy should be called up yet. But if he's healthy and pitching in AAA games, I don't see why he couldn't be since he would be taking the spot of the lowest guy anyway.

What's the right number?