DocBauer

OK, I understand your basic belief that a top prospect should be a viable ML player by age 24. I don't entirely agree due to mitigating factors such as injury that could wipe out an entire season. And while we are all sick and tired of hearing about and dealing with covid, the simple truth is the entire 2020 milb season was lost. Period. A few top prospects were allowed to practice and semi play for taxi squads that year. So while you, or me, or anyone wants to admit it or not, almost ANY PROSPECT is a year younger in development time than their age. How can you possibly deny someone NOT PLAYING for an ENTIRE YEAR and then say they are behind development and not a legitimate prospect because they aren't ready by age 24? I LIKE Wallner. He's athletic and surprisingly fast. He's got tremendous power. Batting wise, I'm still concerned about K's. But he's improved at EVERY level the last 2yrs, in reagrd to AVG and OB. He keeps getting better. He's got the athletic range to play the OF and a CANNON for an arm. But his defense, even in SSS says he needs polish. Nothing wrong with that. It's up to HIM to prove his athleticism and arm can play at the ML level after 3 seasons of milb ball and a cup of coffee at the ML level. Being stuck, for the moment, behind Gallo, Kepler, and Larnach is not a bad thing. It just means veterans in place and waiting for opportunity. And time to further refine his game. And I don't have a problem with him trying on a 1B MIT to see if he could play the position. But opportunity will come. I would place Larnach in RF and Wallner in LF, with better speed, as early as 2024, even with the option of Martin providing competition. But AAA time to hone his talent is not a bad thing at all.

Great start by Ober. And I'm a fan and believer. As long as the re-work they did with him in 2021 to keep his delivery smooth and consistent holds true, I think he's a legit middle rotation starter. He was great again in 2022, despite limited starts. It's just crazy that an arm that good might start the year at AAA. But when is the last time, if EVER, the Twins had 5 other arms as good or better to begin the season? Over a 162 game season and every team needing a minimum of 8 SP throughout, he's going to get 20-25 GS I'm sure. Dobnak's future role is hard to predict. His future might be with another organization when all is said and done. But if he's actually back, what a luxury to have him as an option with ML experience sitting at St Paul. I'm predicting nothing for Castro. But he's still only 26yo, has a lot of talent, and can play multiple spots. I was kind of enthused when they picked him up as a possible late bloomer. I hope he doesn't have an opt out for that very reason. A long way to go for sure, but could he fit at some point, maybe 2024, as a nice utility player? I wasn't much of a fan of the 2020 draft, with the exception of Raya, who just felt like a potential steal to me. And Rosario was my second favorite selection that year. I just liked his potential more than I liked Sabato or the athletic but questionable Soularie. Very interesting how much playing time he's had in ST considering age and level of competition in 2022. Seems the Twins have their eye on him. What's up with Lee? Doesn't he know he only has about half a season of pro ball under his belt? Shhh...nobody tell him he's not supposed to be this good this soon. Alcala might have been facing lesser talent when he came in to the game today, but striking out the side and throwing consistently at 95-96 is what caught my eye. Fully ramped up...and we still have 3 weeks to go...he's capable of another couple MPH. Today filled me with optimism that he's 100% and just needs to harness all of his pitches with, again, 3 weeks to go. He and Moran make this pen potentially 6 deep!

FUN! Great read! I actually have faith in a Gallo rebound, but I'd knock a few points off the BA down to about .220-ish, and the OB % down to about. 350. The HR numbers are very reasonable, unless MLB is playing with the ball negatively again. I like the 41 bombs from Buxton and not going to argue that one. I also don't want to, LOL. Are you sure you weren't a little confused or blurry eyed from your trip and it was Mahle that was actually the best SP? I'm pretty optimistic on Lopez. But my gut hunch says Mahle is just fine, and he and his new slider and other pitches are just ready at 28yo to take another step forward. 100% yes on Julien. And I agree with others, Lee isn't going anywhere. The only way he doesn't appear in a Twins uniform at some time in 2023 is because the roster is healthy and performing and he isn't needed. Now, if that happens, I'm not saying he shouldn't be one of the limited September call ups, but maybe the 40 man is pretty packed and they'd just rather add him in 2024 when the dust settles and the smoke clears during the offseason. Either way, he's not going anywhere. I think a re-sign or QO or both for the pitchers on hand makes more sense than a trade for Gallen. If Lopez and or Mahle are that good, why not keep what we have instead of a trade?

I think I would agree with these 3 choices. The good news is I think the REASONS FOR OPTIMISM are pretty legit. LF: Assuming things stay as they are, I have a hunch we're going to see the "old" Gallo from his Texas days. He's having a very good ST thus far, and I think he's welcoming a fresh start with the Twins. I think he just wasn't a good fit in NY and things spiraled for him. I don't know if he's going to hit .200 or .220. And I know there's going to be a lot of K's. But the power is great and I think the OB % will be back up to his normal range. RF: Despite being a long and hopeful fan of Kepler, I'm a little less optimistic in him. The changes in the shift might help him. But somewhere between 2019 and the last 2yrs, he just stopped barreling up on the ball. Can he reverse this trend and start hitting the ball HARD again? I'm not so sure the best option for 2023...and beyond...isn't a healthy (finally) Larnach being one of the starting corners opposite Gallo. 1B: Obviously, major question mark in regard to Kirilloff. I like hearing reports from him, and the Twins, that he's got soreness in the wrist but not pain. That would seem to indicate a normal progression from general healing and getting back to actual baseball work. And I'm OK if his gradual ramp up isn't enough time to be ready for opening day and he needs a little more time. The long game with him is the important thing. He's a potential stud in the heart of the lineup for many years if this procedure works. Gallo, Miranda, Solano, and even Julien provide options, (hopefully short term), and depth there. I am not opposed to either/both of Larnach and Wallner getting a 1B mit and working at the spot to just see. But both those guys run better than many believe, especially Wallner, and both have great arms. I think they just fit better in the OF, but why not take a look see at some point? I mean, you want to get all of your best players on the field and in the lineup as much as you can, right? Nothing wrong with greater flexibility. These 3 spots might be the "weakest" positions, but I don't know that they are necessarily "weak" per say. I like the optimism at each spot, and the depth of possibilities.

I am filled with hope and optimism when I hear "sore" and not "pain". Soreness I would expect. I mean, major or not, it was still surgery and his wrist is going to adapt over time. I don't know that any of us don't believe he could be a special bat for the next several years. If he's not ready opening day, I won't be freaked out or upset. It will only mean he needs more time to ramp up after being brought along slowly for precautionary reasons. And I'm OK with that. His full and long term recovery is far more important than being ready opening day. If he does begin at AAA, there would then appear to be room for Larnach or Julien. Long term, I'm not so concerned about depth of prospects as long as AK gets right. Julien will end up there and 2B, and Miranda will be able to swing between 3B/1B. All is good and deep and well....as long as Kirilloff gets 100%, even if the beginning of his season is a little delayed.

He's a 5 tool talent, with none of those tools ranking great. By that I mean he projects to being able to hit some, provide some pop/power, run and steal and advance, and play great defense with a good arm. He projects as a wonderful 4th OF who can kinda do it all without being great offensively in any category. He actually grows here and there, he might be a starting OF who can contribute at the top and bottom of a good lineup. The Twins, I have to say, have done him no favors. He NEVER should have been brought up in 2021. But he was literally something like the 5th CF option, due to injury, when even journeyman Refsnyder was hurt. But poor roster construction made him part of the 2022 roster when he should have been targeted for AAA. And remember, despite his skipping 2020 and all but a handful of games at AA in 2021, he looked really good when he actually got his first taste of AAA in 2021 when initially sent down. This latest setback doesn't help him, or his development. In fact, he reminds me a lot of the way Polanco was rushed too early to MLB. But if the injury heals correctly, and the Twins are smart...which I think they generally are...he will spend most, if not all, of 2023 at AAA to work out kinks in his game, FINALLY be allowed to match talent to game experience and growth/development, and be ready for late 2023 and 2024. Not a star prospect, but he's got the ability to be a really good depth piece. And the ML depth right now says he's got the opportunity to get his GAME together in 2023.

I actually like what we have, and the depth. And I didn't when the offseason began. I think the Vazquez signing was major! He's an experienced and well regarded game caller and defender. If he only hits to his career norm quad slash numbers, I'm very happy for what he brings at the bottom of the order. And much like Castro did a few years ago for Garver, he provides an example and mentor for the still young Jeffers. And I'm in the camp that actually likes Jeffers a lot, especially now as the "secondary" catcher. He's generally solid defensively, and I like the way he calls a game. The pitchers seem to like working with him. And that's still the most important part of being a backstop. Is there room for defensive improvement? Absolutely. His CS% in 2021, as I recall, was just slightly below league average. He definitely slid back in 2022. But I'm not sure how much of that was him, vs fault also with some of the pitchers not holding runners or being slow to the plate. Offensively, he needs to take a step forward. But the guy hit in college, hit in the minors, hit in his brief 2020 debut, and has real juice in his bat. We've seen glimpses of him being hot. So while I don't know what adjustments he needs to make, at 25yo, with a history of hitting, real power, and only 591 PA and 534 AB, I think there's real, legitimate hope for the bat to come around. At worst, he's a solid game caller with power as a #2. I just don't have a lot of faith in Sisco...once a well regarded prospect...ever doing much. But Greiner and Wolters have ML experience to work with the St Paul staff and that is HUGE. While neither is probably as good as Leon as a receiver, not having to trade for a #3 catcher...if and when needed...is not a bad thing. Regarding prospect depth, I have to agree that the organization is in short supply. I also have to agree that I just can't include Williams in that group. It's my understanding he's actually solid as a receiver from the mental standpoint, but he's been mostly a 1B/DH the last year or so. I have to speculate that part of that goes back to his shoulder injury in college. Carmago I think is interesting. It's my understanding that the basic skills are all there, but a little unrefined yet, but that he's actually pretty solid. He's got good power. I think he's going to end up as a mediocre hitter with power who might have a future as a decent backup. But he's not a top prospect unless the actual BAT starts to pick up. FIVE catchers drafted the last two years, along with a couple international signings, offers some hope. But they are all 3-5yrs from probably reaching the ML. A few have flashed a little in A ball, providing some hope. So a lot may be riding on Jeffers shoulders in regard to a step up. And that might just mean the Twins need to look at a trade in the next year or two, or another FA signing. But I actually like where we are heading in to 2023.

I didn't like losing CES because I think he's a potential big bat at DH and 1B. And I liked Steer as a good utility player and bat. But in the grand scheme, with AK and Miranda, and Lee, and Lewis, Larnach, and Julien, I'm not sure I'm disappointed in losing a couple prospects that MIGHT turn out for what's on hand that MIGHT turn out for a quality SP. Mahle is exactly at the right time and place in his career, experience and stuff, out of Cincinnati, where he might just be ready to establish himself as a legitimate top of the rotation piece, if not a #1. It's up to him to prove it. And it's up to the Twins to re-sign him.

The kinda funny thing about Julien is, even if he has a long and great career, he's always going to be the 18th rounder who "turned out and surprised". But that's not close to accurate. He took a scholarship offer to a very good Auburn program while still learning English, coming from Quebec. NOTE: Canada isn't exactly a HOTBED for MLB talent, even though they've produced some very good players. He had a very good 2018 at Auburn. His 2019 was good, but not as much. And I don't know who his scout was, but the Twins offered him way above slot $ to sign. And he did. But he also signed too late to get even a token appearance in 2019, and then missed all of 2020. So everything he's done, all that he has produced, has been 2 milb seasons, and and AFL award as newcomer when he should have been crowned MVP. While different decades, he's an amalgam of Knoblach and Arraez. He's the hitter of Chuck, but not Luis. But he has similar bat control and OB ability. He's not as fast as Knoblauch, but much faster than Arraez. And he probably matches Knoblach for power, if not, maybe, more. But he's such a natural at everything he does with the bat, he's also probably ready, or near ready, to hit at the ML level. Unfortunately, his defense is not at the Knoblach level at 2B. Which puts his defensive comparison closer to Arraez at this point. Auburn played him everywhere while there. The Twins did the same in 2021. In 2022, they concentrated on 2B solely with time at DH. And I understand why. Trying to maximize his ability, his bat, and get him comfortable. I believe, with 2 healthy knees and athletic ability, he should/could be at least OK at 2B. There should be no reason he couldn't be a solid 1B with the same athleticism. But man, with his talent, I would just love him to be OK as an occasional LF to increase his versatility. Is he ready to be a long shot opening day part of the lineup? I think not. I think he's actually part of a projected 15 player roster, health provided, and will begin 2023 in St Paul because there isn't enough room. And while I applaud him playing in the Classic for his home country...and hope he performs well and uses that as a springboard...it might diminish his chances of making the final roster. But I believe he's ready, or damn near close, to being ML ready. I predict he's an early call up who will replace Arraez as a top of the order hitter who will help stabilize the lineup and produce, and only get better offensively and defensively come 2024.

The premise is my BEST CASE LINEUP. NOTES: 1] This is, as the OP states, PEAK performance meaning, as explained, players healthy and performing to normal/expected standards. 2] I'm fudging just a tiny bit as my expectations for some time included Kepler being moved, which obviously hasn't happened at this point. 3] It's OK to fantasize a little bit, right? OPTIMAL LINEUP: 1] Julien--DH 2] Correa--SS 3] Polanco--2B 4] Buxton--CF 5] Kirilloff--1B 6] Miranda--3B 7] Gallo--RF 8] Larnach--LF 9] Vazquez--C THE REASONING WHY: First of all, OPTIMAL might not be day one. Also, even with Kepler on board, there's room to to adjust at 1B, 2B, DH, and OF corners, with virtually the same lineup. And yes, maybe I'm cheating a little bit with Julien proving he's ready, or will be very soon, and optimal, again, doesn't necessarily mean DAY ONE. Julien pulls a "Knoblauch" and jumps from AA to be a table setter with a lot to offer, even though his 2024 version will undoubtedly be better. Buxton is just NOT the leadoff hitter envisioned when drafted. He's a dangerous power plant and RBI and RUN producer who's speed will still be exciting, bringing in doubles and triples and plenty of runs from 2B and even 1B, but he's only going to SB here and there. Kirilloff and Miranda are a perfect LH/RH duo to follow Byron. Hit, contact, power, and decent OB ability to drive in runs and keep the table set. Gallo is his "TEXAS" self again and hits .200-.220 with a .350 OB% and 32-38 HR power. So why do I have him hitting 7th? Because the "powerful" Buxton will have a bit of SO production as well. And I don't want them back to back. Gallo still has 3 very good hitters in front of him and opportunities to drive them in. But despite his .800+ career OPS, there remains a ton of swing and miss. This is the perfect spot for him to produce, lengthen the lineup, and scare the hell out of pitchers. Larnach can and should produce and climb this lineup ladder by 2024. But for now, he's less experienced than Gallo, not quite as powerful, and might be one of the most dangerous #8 hitters in all of MLB, if not THE most. And then comes the very solid bat of Vazquez...and Jeffers many days...making the 9 hole effective. I am not going to play in the sandbox and paper napkin arena of a lineup vs LHP right now simply due to the fact that the Twins will face LH ST approximately 25% of the time, and there are so many different permutations of said lineup that it's almost impossible to select a single OPTIMAL lineup. Farmer, or even Solano, might hit #1 at DH, or more likely in the field. And both could play in various configurations. Taylor could easily figure in to an OF spot. Jeffers might catch or DH. Gallo has good splits and AK and Larnach also have the same based on some history. So again, with the few comments offered, leaving the 25% of games against a LHSP alone, that is my very best lineup against RHSP.

First of all, I have a hard time dismissing 2 division wins and playoff appearances in 4 years and a winning % of .527. Baseball ebbs and flows. 2021 was NOT what anyone expected. Nor was 2010 when the Twins seemed primed and had a then record payroll. 2022 turned out to be a reboot of the TV series MASH when all was said and done. But before that happened, how many weeks and months were the Twins in 1st place? Look, I haven't always agreed with some lineups Baldelli has thrown out, even with the team in good health. I haven't always liked every SP or BP move he's made either. And I DO BELIEVE it's on him, and his coaching staff, to make his players better and smarter in simple things like base running and throwing to the right base. SOME of that, more so in 2022, was the result of playing a AAAA roster or worse. But some happened before that. Thankfully, the FO AND Baldelli have recognized the ball has changed, the game is changing, and they are re-shaping their approach. Even in milb and the draft, you are seeing changes in approach. And BTW, that's part of the reason Molitor has been brought in. He and Baldelli have tremendous respect for one another, despite any potential awkwardness that might have happened. If you watched as many games as I did last year, you would have seen Rocco trusting his SP to go a little longer. You would have seen a few more bunts and hit and run scenarios. I'm sorry, I know he plays percentages and embraces analytics, but when your team doesn't hit, and your rotation is limited, and you are at the top of the league in injury lost days and WAR lost days, what are you to do? I don't absolve the FO for moves made, or not made, that assisted in 2 poor seasons. I can grant at least a partial Mullligan for 2020 and milb injuries throwing a HUGE monkey wrench in to their PLAN. But they are learning and changing, hence the number of very smart moves they've made to make this team the deepest and best they can entering 2023. As the FO goes, so goes the manager. Rocco is/was a BALLPLAYER. To think he doesn't understand the game is a huge mistake based on a pair of poor seasons. But again, how many weeks and months were the Twins in 1st place in 2022 before the roof caved in? I think this roster, right now, is just about exactly where the FO and Rocco want it. SIX quality ML SP who are, arguably, all #2-3 arms. And a potentially very good pen, though there are a pair of spots to work out. And there appears to be options for both. The defense looks, potentially, improved. There ARE lineup/production questions. Whether ready from DAY ONE, or a month in to the season, can Larnach and AK finally be healthy and ready to fulfill their promise? If so, even if Gallo reverts back to his "TEXAS" normal...or not...the lineup is in great shape now and going forward. A healthy Polanco makes a HUGE difference in the lineup. Catching and infield and OF depth is better. Talented young prospects are on the rise and will make their presence known in 2023. The absence of the likes of Shoemaker, Happ, Bundy and Archer, and the talent of the rotation right now almost immediately screams more than an average of 5 IP per start. Even with a couple remaining questions about the pens last few spots still says this is, potentially, the best opening day pen we've had in years. Just a little bit of good luck, long overdue, says that either or both AK and Larnach are going to finally be ready to establish themselves. Same little bit of luck says Lewis, Lee, and Julien aren't going to "spike themselves" and be part of the team sooner than later. Rocco and the Twins of 2023, I believe, will run a bit more. I think they will just run the bases better and be more aggressive. There's some speed on this team, and more coming. And there's still power, and projected power. I don't like everything Rocco has done. There's only a handful of managers I believe make a huge difference. Baldelli also has a few great leaders on his team with Gray, Buxton, and Correa. Players like playing for him. I believe the team is just about right for him wanting to manage the way he wants to. Of course, good players and depth make that a lot easier. For any manager. But isn't that the whole point? Being a "manager". Even when you have talent, it's about utilizing what you have. I don't think Rocco is on a hot seat any more than the FO. I think this is the best overall job the FO has done, with few quibbles. A little luck of health, FINALLY, combined with depth and some VERY good young talent ready to perform, I think the Twins might be primed to make some noise. It's up to Rocco and his staff to make the most of it.

I'm not out on Waldrep either. Despite having a smaller frame than Dollander or Skenes, it sure is hard to argue with his results. And he's performed against the very best. Gut feeling, I think I like Skenes the most. And I'm liking Langford more and more. IMO, there are guys who catch. And there are guys who LOVE to catch. Think Mauer. And while there remains a huge split in regard to Jeffers, his ability and potential, the kid LOVES catching and wants to keep getting better there, as well as at the plate. Think about last year when there was seemingly no way Lee would fall to #8. If Dollander or Skenes fell there, as of today, I think the Twins would pounce. If not, right now, I'd be torn between Waldrep and Langford. A lot is going to happen between now and the draft. But even then, who knows? All it takes is one surprise to have someone we love fall in our lap, just like last year.

The St Paul rotation looks awfully enticing! Ober is just too damn good to be there! But he might be to start the season to just stay stretched out and ready to come back up. Might be unfair, but there isn't always room for everyone DAY ONE, and we know how these things work out. Until/unless I hear something different, I'm going to believe Balazovic's account. Wrong time, wrong place, crazy thing happened on the way to do whatever he was doing. Maybe he should have already been back at the facility, but I can't fault anyone for arriving early to camp, and then going out for a little fun. But unless there is more to the story, what I care about is him getting healthy again. From everything I've read and heard, he probably should have been placed on the IL early last year. His knee wasn't quite right. It screwed up his landing point, mechanics, velocity, and just about everything else. The fact he finally felt "normal" the last month or so of 2022 and suddenly looked like his old self gave me real hope for this year. And now he gets a late start. Stinks! Instead of a fresh re-start and maybe being ready a couple months in to the season, we're talking mid year or second half. I'm disappointed, but not sure I care all that much. As a top 100 prospect as recently as the beginning of 2022, what I care about is him being 100%, back in a groove, and being ready by the second half and priming himself for 2024. But let's just take Ober out of the St Paul rotation. Balazovic will be there, though potentially arriving a bit late. Even then, SWR, Varland, and Henriquez will be there. So should Winder, ramped up over the next 4 weeks to get ready. And then there is Dobnak. Henriquez may be destined for the pen, but not yet. Very young, give him IP to just work on his stuff. Winder was great in 2021 before he had a shoulder issue. As a rookie in 2022, he looked good and earned a spot as first a middle RP, and then a SP. Some of his final numbers weren't great, some were solid. The Twins have brought him along slowly...like a few others...after working at building up his shoulder this "normal" offseason. Four weeks from now, he will hopefully be good to go and be in the Saints rotation. Short term memory has Dobnak not very good following his finger injury and a poor 2021. Longer memory will have him skyrocketing through the Twins system and flashing in 2019 before following up with a very solid 2020. If Dobber is actually healthy and ready to go, he is very likely to be in the Saints rotation to get IP, help them, very possibly being a back end rotation option for the Twins at some point, especially considering ML experience. He also might transition to being a bullpen option. It's very likely he will be bypassed by so many good, young arms that any future ML success will be elsewhere. But if he's in the St Paul rotation, and might be the Twins #8-9-10 option, things are looking very good! Sands MIGHT be in the Saints rotation, based on need, but I think he should/will be moved to the pen very soon. He can throw harder there, concentrate on his best secondary stuff, and might be a real help in the middle innings at some point soon. Headrick is a guy I have my eyes on. He had a nice breakout season in 2022, and has had a solid start thus far in his first Twins ST. But less than a half season at AA and a numbers crunch tells me he begins this year at AA, and that makes sense to me. OFF/ON topic, the St Paul pen is very much in flux. Some options will simply be cut, and some will be at Wichita. And someone might just sneak their way on to the Twins opening day roster. But a few names to consider are Ortega, Santana, Hoffman, Coulombe, Sanchez, Laweryson, Murphy, Stewart, Beck, De Leon, Nordland, Rodriguez, Schulfer, Bentley, Funderburk, Neff. And there's another handful of names I didn't include because even I can't keep up with who is who when it comes to all the milb team signings. Again, some won't be heard from. Some are just AAA depth pieces, who might see time in the rotation here and there, but figure best in the Saints pen. But guys like Ortega, Santana, Hoffman, Coulombe, Sanchez, Rodriguez, Laweryson, Schulfer, Bentley, Beck, and Funderbrurk are recent additions, previous helping arms, or guys we've seen slowly making their way up through the system. No top prospects there. And a lot of names to forget as quickly as you read them. Ortega, Santana, Hoffman, Coulombe, Laweryson, Bentley, Schulfer, and Funderburk are names you should know, however. An interesting mix of veterans and still relatively young arms with a chance, along with others, that should provide St Paul with a quality pen to back up the potentially excellent SP staff. A couple of them might see their way to the Twins this year. Pitching should NOT be a problem for the Saints this year.

I don't know that I recall hearing Taylor mentioned previously. (Slipped my memory?) I don't hate the idea of a LH 3B who has a legitimate HIT tool with contact and high BB totals. All very impressive! But how legitimate is the defense there? It had better be really good to warrant a pick this high. And if I'm reading this correctly, the bat absolutely plays, but the power is questionable still at this point. Hmmm....I think there's a couple "maybes" here that scare me away from him at #5, not that he's a bad player. Are the Twins short of RH bats in the system? At the top, we still have the young...relatively if not exactly...Larnach, Kirilloff, Wallner, and the switch hitting Lee as LH bats. Top prospect E Rodriguez also swings from the left side. And let's not forget Julien! From the RH side of things there is Lewis and Miranda. Do we want to include Jeffers? But even though they are 2-3yrs from making any sort of debut, top 20 prospects Urbina, J Rodriguez, and Mercedes are all RH bats. As of right now, there appears to be a trio of top college arms all worthy of top 10 consideration. I don't feel the system is barren of pitching talent at all. But since when do you ever have enough of them? And we've moved a handful of potentially good ones in trades recently. If the Twins feel confident in the potential of one of those 3...or someone who jumps up considering the college season is still early...I think this is the year to go ARM at #5. I can't bring myself to pick a corner infielder that high unless he looks really special. And thus, I say no to Taylor. Position player wise, I'm not certain if I care about a RH bat as much as I did a few weeks ago. I just want the best 4 or 5 tool athlete who has a real HIT/CONTACT ability who can drive the ball and play good defense. Decent to good speed is a bonus. Unfortunately, as of now, there doesn't appear to be anyone at catcher worthy of such a high selection. But I'd be very interested in Langford at #5. As a HS catcher, can he convert back? Does he want to? Catcher is a very unique position. There has to be intelligence at that spot and a WANT to be a catcher. If he'd fully embrace a move back, he might be a really good pick there. He seems to have the ability to stick in the OF and be good there if it doesn't work out, so I don't see any risk. A starting pitcher is my #1 hope at this point, with the best SS/OF bat as my second choice. But Langford as a catcher/OF sounds like a really good choice.

He's got an interesting pitch mix, and had a really good 2019 and 2021 as a SP, so it's hard for me to say he should be converted to the pen after an inconsistent 2022. However, sometimes you just watch a guy and look at his offerings and something just tells you he'd be better off in the pen. And I think I see that when I watch Sands. While inconsistent, I've seen really good flashes from his breaking stuff. And his fastball has looked average at best. I'd like to believe his FB would gain velocity and effectiveness throwing 1-3 IP and facing batters a single time. And the breaking stuff could be that much more effective doing so as well. Whether he can make the conversion quick enough now to take one of the final bullpen spots, or go to St Paul and help later on, I think he should be moved now.

It's my understanding this has happened once before. A sore this or that isn't uncommon this early in camp for anyone. The Twins don't seem concerned, and he's still able to hit. So I'm betting he's going to be fine in a week to 10 days. But it's too bad he won't be able to participate in the Classic for his home country.

I think we got a glimpse of what he might become in 2019, a legitimate CF who can hit, get OB some, and provides speed and some pop/power. Just a good, all around player who has the potential to be a really good 4th OF with starting potential somewhere in the OF. But we've barely seen any of that with his being rushed straight from A ball as a 21yo who wasn't ready. And now this delay. Oof! I feel for the kid. From a purely baseball perspective, what he really needs is a re-set and a few months at AAA to get his game going again. This delays his start to 2023, but his designation is the same: play in AAA and get your game back on track for later in the season and for 2024 and beyond. He's going to be delayed, but if his hand is right, he's still a future.

Plenty of time to recover and get strong. His initial velocity says he is, and just needs to ramp up a little more, per usual. But it's always been about smarts, and the quality and location of his other pitchers. I had heard that late in 2022, while working out, the Twins were impressed with his control even though it had only been about 12 months since surgery. Agree he might need a short mid season trip to the IL just to skip a start or two in order to be fresh for the second half. But I can easily see a sub 4 ERA and 130-150 IP this year for him.

I think this kid is the real deal. He's probably going to end up being the Twins #3 hitter really soon. My only question...about his bat...is how much pure HR power is he going to have. Is he going to be a consistent 35-40 doubles hitter with around 20 HR per? Or will he translate 8-10 of those doubles in to HR's? IMO, he and Lewis are the 3B and 2B of the future, and neither is a waste of talent at either spot. Both will have the ability to be excellent defensively and All Star caliber players. Miranda should play 1B/3B/DH. Kirilloff with hopefully reach his potential. Julien will play 1B/2B/DH. This could all transpire before or during the 2024 season. The Twins would have one of the best infields in all of MLB, especially when we add Correa in to the mix. But where does it leave Polanco, who I'm not anxious to see go anywhere? Wow!

Typo

As long as he's healthy, and so far there is nothing chronic in his injuries, I have no doubts about Larnach. While his ML numbers are skewed toward the negative based on playing a few weeks fighting injury, he's look good to great. He's got a real chance to be really good in either corner for another 6-7-8 yrs. He's still only 26 and debuted, fairly well initially, at 24. 100% healthy and over his abdominal issue from last year...even if he starts the season at AAA due to roster crunch as well as possible ramp up time....same for AK, BTW...I just don't have doubts about his future. Cavaco is young enough, athletic enough, they aren't going to give up on him yet. He doesn't turn 22 until after the season starts, and it looks like SS is out of the equation, and he's done little yet to justify his draft status, but I'd still move him to CR to begin 2023. The FSL is known to be a tough hitters league. That's a good thing in regard to the idea if you can perform there, you should only do as well or better when you advance. But maybe he just needs a new/different challenge and opportunity. He's absolutely got to start showing more. But when you have an athlete that young, you don't just cut bait after a couple disappointing seasons. And he doesn't have to be protected yet by any means. BUT, if he doesn't show improvement in 2023 with this new challenge, he might simply be squeezed out by other prospects. I just don't know what to think about Sabato. He was a later 1st round picked based mostly on being a bat first 1B/DH. But I'd bet you'd have a hard time finding a scout who didn't think he would hit, based on his college career. But he just hasn't done so! I'd say he has eye problems, but he still takes a bunch of walks. Is he just too passive in his approach? Walks and OB and power in milb are great. But if you can't HIT at the milb level, what hope do you have at AAA or MLB? His selection might be debatable, but the entire 2020 draft was a stranger crap shoot than most years. But the simple truth is the player the Twins drafted has simply not been the player they got so far. His 2023 at AA is going to make or break him. Unlike Cavaco, he's not athletic, and is 2-3yrs older. He doesn't have to hit .300. But if he can't hit AT LEAST in the .240-.250 range while maintaining his power and solid OB% in 2023, I think he's done.

I had today off so fortunate circumstance allowed me to watch the game. I didn't care it was ST game #5. It was BASEBALL! It was only 1 IP, but I thought Ober looked pretty good. His FB sat at 94mph consistently, which really surprised and impressed me. The control was solid. Striking out the side was great, even if he wasn't facing the Phillies primary lineup. The pitch count was a little high, but Marsh worked him hard to open the game and saw 9-10 pitches, so that AB ran the count up a little. I was really hoping for a 2nd inning, but I understood the first game approach. I know it was his first appearance, but was disappointed in Santana. The velocity was solid, consistently between 93-95, and I saw some really nice breaking balls. But the batters had too many pitches in the zone and wasn't impressive as a result. Duran had huge velocity and looked pretty close to season ready. Threw a couple really nice splinkers. Alacala wasn't great, but looked solid. I know he was facing a collection of bench players and prospects, but Schulfer was solid in his 2 IP, 17 pitches, 13 strikes, 1 hit, no walks, no runs, 2 SO. Jeffers did what he was supposed to do. He called a solid game, looked solid behind the dish, and hit a bomb against a LHP. Just fun to watch Twins baseball again

And just to add, Polanco has stated he feels good, but he and the Twins are in agreement to give him a gradual ramp up. Some shoulder soreness for Miranda, or anyone, a week in is not unusual. SO FAR, nothing has been stated as this being an issue. (Though teams are always tight lipped). I mean, why not be extra cautious this early? Besides, he's still getting AB so I doubt it's much of an issue. I'm still frustratingly confused as to exactly what happened to Larnach in 2022. Was it a hernia? I have heard that whatever it was too a long time to heal up and for him to recover. So I believe it would have to be some sort of hernia or muscle tear. It's already been stated that like many of the 2022 walking wounded, a slow ramp up is expected. Hopefully, this latest report and day off is nothing more than just soreness and nothing to be concerned about. While, again, teams tend to be tight lipped, I've never heard anything all offseason there was concern about his readiness for 2023. And it does seem those kind of things tend to leak out at some point. Didn't mean to hijack the thread, just wanted to comment/add.

Rival for the division in 2024? Cleveland. I think Cleveland is a very good ball club. They've got good to great pitching. (There are questions about team depth vs the Twins). They've got a handful of really good position players, but have been short there for several years. I do like their signing of Bell and the addition of Zunino might be sneaky good. But the Twins held 1st place in 2022 for a good majority of the season before the team became a re-boot of MASH. And I think the team is better and deeper now than last year. So yeah, for 2024, if we are speaking about a rival as being the team to beat, it's Cleveland. If we're talking about day to day, week to week, month to month, year to year, regardless of records or divisional rankings, who is the Twins #1 rival? NO DOUBT, it's the Chicago Dirty Sox. It has been for decades now, and I don't see a change any time soon.

IMO...excluding the FO initially stating nobody was currently planned to move to the pen...it makes sense to keep him in a starting role. He's got 4 pitches and good velocity. He looked really, really good at AA in 2021 before his shoulder flared up. For NOW, I dismiss his shoulder issue as A] nothing has actually been found to be wrong with it at this point, and B] Winder has been working with the new training staff to build his arm back up. And I have to again reference the lockout last year in which players/pitchers were allowed ZERO contact with ANY team personnel. Gray and Mahle have been pretty honest/vocal about the lockout and short ST affecting them. Winder looked good early in 2022. His final WHIP wasn't bad, and his K-BB numbers were solid. All as a rookie coming off injury and the lockout. There's just no reason to move him permanently to the pen just yet. My caveat is...for Winder and just about everyone else...I want the staff to be the best and deepest it can be. And even if you have a great 6 guys in the pen, what if you struggle in the last 2 spots? In that case, virtually EVERYONE should be in play to fill out the pen. Milb is about development, and depth, but MLB is about winning. And Winder, or anyone else, could help do that and move back to the rotation in 2024. There's a few teams like the Cardinals and Ray's who have done this successfully. But for now, Winder should remain a starter.