nytwinsfan

You are correct. It was a strange jump. Maybe they got some new statcast data or updated their algorithm? I mean, he had a good game, but not THAT good.

Don't look now but Byron Buxton is 15th among all MLB position players in fWAR (1.8) with about 40 fewer PA than most of those ahead of him. On pace to be a 6+ WAR player.

$100 says Royce Lewis is playing through/with some sort of injury.

Corbin is unlikely to ever hit for much power but he has high end hit + end speed/field + lots of athleticism. I'd be very happy with him at 13, but doubt he'll fall to that point. Also would love for Zack Thompson to fall to 13. Fangraphs scouts him as having THREE 60 grade pitches (fastball, curveball and change). That's pretty rare for a college player, even if his command/control may need further tuning. Also would be happy with Matthew Allen (best HS pitcher) or Brett Baty if they think he is likely to stick at 3B.

Royce Lewis has got to be hiding a nagging injury, right?

Ummm, no? I mean, not even in the discussion. I know it has only been a month, but you can't hit like that and be the top prospect, especially with only one full year of good results in the books.

Ahh, maybe I got that backwards then.

Anyone know what is going on with Royce Lewis? Could he be injured or hiding an injury? His OBP is still good, but he has zero power and a very low BABIP. Seems like nobody in Fort Myers is hitting for much power. Very surprising and disappointing as I always thought it was considered a hitters league.

When is Kirilloff back on the field?

Seems like Twins' minor league pitching has been exceptionally good and the hitting pretty bad. Kind of surprising. Does anyone know when Kirilloff is expected back from the injured list?

umm, what the hell just happened.

Some sort of injury. Was considered mild I think. But haven't heard anything about when he'll return.

Anyone know when Kirilloff will be back?

Except there are a lot of places for them to improve from breakouts among the position platers (Buxton, Kepler, Sano, Polanco, Schoop bounce back, Garver, Astudillo, even Rosario (if he sustains his first half of last year for the whole season)). The place where they could have improved by spending/trade is at starting and relief pitcher, where although they may be at the median overall, for individual pitching positions they could have improved a lot by signing a free agent.

But Ryne Harper tho.

Ryne Harper has been fantastic both in terms of the stats and the eye test this spring. Any chance he makes the team, and if not, any chance we can keep him at Rochester? Would be a shame to lose him.

100% support Buxton on this, and it seems the coaches and front office do too. I haven't heard a single iota of criticism from anyone in the organization aimed at him, and so far he's looked great in spring training. I don't understand why people want to attack a guy who was jerked around in multiple ways (both service time and constant tinkering with his swing) for finally taking control and responsibility for himself.

Transactions are based not just on demand, but also supply and price. There was very little supply for good starting pitching and a lot of supply for good hitting. You might be right as to relief pitching, where there were way more options at reasonable prices, and they didn't go for any of them.

I don't think you have any basis to conclude they prioritized that, although even if they did, it isn't like Joe Mauer and Logan Morrison killed it last year anyway . . .

I absolutely love this new defiant, angry Buxton and I think all of you criticizing him are silly and condescending. I think his humbleness was a big part of his problem. It led him to constantly tinker with his swing based on whatever the last person he spoke with told him, and so we saw he had a new one every few weeks while he was flailing at he plate. He's now taking ownership and responsibility. Good for him.

It is obviously impossible to tell much about a manager from just his first couple pre-season meetings with key players, but I really like Rocco's style and attitude and I think it will be better for the younger guys -- especially Buxton. Buxton seems like a guy who is tough on himself and very demanding. That can lead to trying too hard each at bat and not being patient and staying within his game over the medium to long run.

http://www.startribune.com/twins-shortstop-jorge-polanco-set-for-seven-year-deal/505833702/ HOLY COW. $25 million guaranteed for Polanco over 5, plus 2 options (I like those number for the Twins). Kepler up next. Rosario, Berrios and Rogers likely as well.

You are right. I'm dumb.

Because by doing so now you can potentially save a lot of money. If you believe in a player and they want to mitigate risk it can be good for both sides ex ante.

Agreed, although I really hope they offer Berrios a "fair" deal.