JeffB

Thanks Seth for this interesting angle on some of the prospects. Great idea to interview their old coach!

This is just Ricky being Ricky!!!

We all know that if the Twins bring him back, he'll fizzle and we'll be disappointed. If he signs elsewhere, he'll do great and we'll be disappointed. Sigh.

Whether Norris or someone else, I like the idea that the Twins might look to add MLB-ready starting pitching. Relying on their arms in the minors in order to be "competitive" in 2014-15 is iffy. On a related note, where might our surplus of prospects be that could be used for such an arm? That scares me.

I was 10 years old in 1985 and remember calling RD "The Meatball King" for giving up so many HRs apparently. 1984 (epic collapse) was my first year following the Twins closely...so painful.

So, if 2014-17 is the next era in Twins baseball, is Gardy the right guy to lead this incoming crop of rookies? Part of me thinks yes, and part of me thinks no. What do you think?

Game 3, 2009 ALDS vs. Yankees (last game in Dome). Twins were on a roll, ready to take the lead when this happened:

It just seems so out of character for Gardy/Ryan to hand a starting position, and leadoff spot in the lineup, to a young top prospect. Do we have a recent example? It seems like all young Twins prospects languish on the many Rochester-Minneapolis round trips before becoming a regular in the lineup.

Priceless! Those memories as a kid are worth more than the amount you might get reselling it.

But isn't Span a piece of the near-future since he's affordable and a known quantity? There's no guarantee Benson, Hicks, Plouffe, Tosoni are locks for starting OF.

How long do you think Sano stays at Beloit this summer? Would they promote him to Ft Myers quickly or conservatively? I need to get down to Beloit asap to see this lineup.

Good stuff Ryan. I saw you pitch in Beloit last year on Twins night. You were dealing it that night. Good luck this year! (And I too have been to a work meeting in Worcester. Much easier drive than into Boston.)

Parker, thanks for the analysis and images. I've been casually interested in pitching mechanics recently as you and other bloggers have posted detailed video, images and articles. Can you point out some images or articles online that show proper mechanics or counter examples to the inverted-W or inverted-V?

What I read from Morneau's quotes is that he's tired of the long process of working hard only to face another long and uknown recovery process.

@Teflon Yeah, I like Provus a lot after hearing him call Brewers games here in WI. @denarded Zumaya, me too. He could be a diamond in the rough. @Seth Let me know when you come to Beloit and we'll have a meetup. Sorry to have missed you on your trip last year. Ah, hope abounds in spring!

For good reason, most Twins fans have low expectations and lots of questions going into the 2012 season. I am no different. However, I do have a handful of interests that will keep me watching and following the Twins and their farm system this season: 1. Ryan Doumit and Josh Willingham - These two hitters have the ability to make the Twins' lineup a very productive one. I enjoy seeing new faces in Twins' uniforms, and I sure hope these two produce more like Shannon Stewart and Jim Thome rather than Tony Batista and Craig Monroe. 2. Miguel Sano at Beloit - I live only 50 minutes from Beloit, so I will be sure to catch a few games there again this season to see Sano and possibly also prospect-studs Levi Michael (SS), Eddie Rosario (2B), and Corey Williams (RP)...maybe also Max Kepler (OF). 3. The return of Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano - If the Twins are to have success, Baker and Liriano need to regain their top form. And their top form is rather impressive. 4. The return of Joe Mauer - It can't get any worse than 2011. 5. The AL Central - Will the Tigers' huge (financial and otherwise) pay off? Will the Indians and Royals take the next step forward? Will the White Sox self-implode? And then there's that new 1B with the Angels... 6. Starting pitching prospects - Who will be the next wave of Twins' starters? There seems to be a gap in the system between readily available candidates and top prospects in the lower rungs of the farm system. Can Liam Hendricks emerge as an effective big league starter this season? Can Kyle Gibson and David Bromberg return from their injuries sometime this season to provide hope for the future? Will Matt Bashore and Madison Boer move up in the system?

For good reason, most Twins fans have low expectations and lots of questions going into the 2012 season. I am no different. However, I do have a handful of interests that will keep me watching and following the Twins and their farm system this season: 1. Ryan Doumit and Josh Willingham - These two hitters have the ability to make the Twins' lineup a very productive one. I enjoy seeing new faces in Twins' uniforms, and I sure hope these two produce more like Shannon Stewart and Jim Thome rather than Tony Batista and Craig Monroe. 2. Miguel Sano at Beloit - I live only 50 minutes from Beloit, so I will be sure to catch a few games there again this season to see Sano and possibly also prospect-studs Levi Michael (SS), Eddie Rosario (2B), and Corey Williams (RP)...maybe also Max Kepler (OF). 3. The return of Scott Baker and Francisco Liriano - If the Twins are to have success, Baker and Liriano need to regain their top form. And their top form is rather impressive. 4. The return of Joe Mauer - It can't get any worse than 2011. 5. The AL Central - Will the Tigers' huge (financial and otherwise) pay off? Will the Indians and Royals take the next step forward? Will the White Sox self-implode? And then there's that new 1B with the Angels... 6. Starting pitching prospects - Who will be the next wave of Twins' starters? There seems to be a gap in the system between readily available candidates and top prospects in the lower rungs of the farm system. Can Liam Hendricks emerge as an effective big league starter this season? Can Kyle Gibson and David Bromberg return from their injuries sometime this season to provide hope for the future? Will Matt Bashore and Madison Boer move up in the system?