Tyomoth

8 starts and just 1 win and a 8.54 ERA over two seasons with the Twins, (And it's his birthday today!)

When I was nine, my older brother and I collected baseball cards. He told me that it was more fun if you chose one player to focus on. I said I'd do Kent Hrbek, but he shot that down because Herbie was his guy. This was 1984. He said, "What about that little guy that's started playing centerfield? He looks like he might be pretty good." That made me start paying attention to Kirby and it turned out that my brother was right.

The Bruno trade was one of those "I remember exactly where I was when it happened..." things for me. I was shell shocked. I liked Bruno and through a bad autograph experience, I already couldn't stand Herr. It seemed completely unnecessary to break up the heart of the team that way so close after a WS win. That '87 team was a joy to watch.

There has finally been a blip on the EKG for Mitch Garver in Fort Myers! After a dismal start, which had his average hanging around .150, Garver has put together back-to-back productive games. He is now 15/83 for a .181 average that should be on the rise. His productivity has been better than just that line. He now is tied for the lead on the Miracle with 11 RBI. So, while Garver is not living on the base paths, he's making his hits count.

So far Garver isn't lighting up the Florida State League with just a .143 average through 42 at bats. His 3 RBI does not represent the kind of production that the Miracle or the Twins are hoping to see from the young catcher. If you're looking for a bright spot, 3 of his 6 hits so far have been doubles. The kid can swing it, so expect his numbers to jump up soon.

Mitch Garver Catcher 2015 Assignment: Fort Myers Miracle Status: Active Full Name: Mitchell Lynn Garver Age: 24 (January 15, 1991) Birthplace: Albuquerque, NM Bats/Throws: R/R Ht: 6' 1" Wt: 220 Draft: Round 9 (2013, MIN) School: New Mexico Scouting Scores While Garver may not even be the top catching prospect in the organization, he opened some eyes last year at Cedar Rapids with a .298 BA along with 16 HR and 79 RBI. An offense-first catcher, he's also been getting some time at first base and outfield to help keep that bat in the lineup. He'll likely settle in for the long haul at Fort Myers this year. It will be interesting to see if that bat that clubbed well in college as well as his first year in the minors continues to grow. There is some significant sleeper potential here.

Press Passes all around!

Since I'm in Tampa, I want a Fort Myer's guy...Big Swingin' Mitch Garver.

“Excuse me, sir? Would you be so kind as to watch my bag so I can catch the coffee shop before it closes? I’ll gladly buy you a drink too.” That was roughly what a friend of mine said to a strapping young stranger at the Minneapolis airport one late night. The man agreed and while she went for coffee, he even defended her bag against her friend who arrived to pick her up. How was he to know? Upon returning my friend said to him, “You would do well as a security guard if you need a job.” “Thanks, but I have a pretty good job. I play for the Twins.” That’s a rough paraphrase of a true-life encounter with Michael Cuddyer. (This same friend had a much less impressive run-in with a certain Bronx shortstop) He didn’t stop to say, “Don’t you know who I am?” and he didn’t refuse a damsel in decaffeinated distress. He simply did as he was asked. That, in a nutshell, is why Michael Cuddyer has been my favorite player for the Minnesota Twins over the last decade. He always seems to be smiling. He mentors younger teammates. He is a fundraising rock star for local charities. When it comes to his play on the field, he frustrates a lot of fans with his high number of double plays and relentless belief that he can hit that low and outside breaking ball. But he does what he’s asked to do for his team. The problem for a raving fan like myself is that he’s now doing all of that for the Colorado Rockies. For all his faults, Cuddy was the one guy on last year’s team who went out there every day and played his heart out. While our superstars watched from the bench or the training room, he was playing the role of J.B. Weld, solidifying any spot on the field that was needed on a given day. How does a team replace someone like that? I don’t know. What this blog will be concerned with, however, is how this Twins fan will replace a man like Cuddy. He’s gone, and while I’ll always be a Cuddyer fan, I need a new favorite Twin. So, week by week I’ll examine each Minnesota Twins player to get to the heart of who they are both on the field and off of it. With luck, I’ll find another player that has the talent, heart, and charisma of the man who moved to the mountains. Think you have the answer? Feel free to contact me if you want to convince me that your favorite player should be my new favorite. I like a good argument. Life without Cuddy. Who should it be?

“Excuse me, sir? Would you be so kind as to watch my bag so I can catch the coffee shop before it closes? I’ll gladly buy you a drink too.” That was roughly what a friend of mine said to a strapping young stranger at the Minneapolis airport one late night. The man agreed and while she went for coffee, he even defended her bag against her friend who arrived to pick her up. How was he to know? Upon returning my friend said to him, “You would do well as a security guard if you need a job.” “Thanks, but I have a pretty good job. I play for the Twins.” That’s a rough paraphrase of a true-life encounter with Michael Cuddyer. (This same friend had a much less impressive run-in with a certain Bronx shortstop) He didn’t stop to say, “Don’t you know who I am?” and he didn’t refuse a damsel in decaffeinated distress. He simply did as he was asked. That, in a nutshell, is why Michael Cuddyer has been my favorite player for the Minnesota Twins over the last decade. He always seems to be smiling. He mentors younger teammates. He is a fundraising rock star for local charities. When it comes to his play on the field, he frustrates a lot of fans with his high number of double plays and relentless belief that he can hit that low and outside breaking ball. But he does what he’s asked to do for his team. The problem for a raving fan like myself is that he’s now doing all of that for the Colorado Rockies. For all his faults, Cuddy was the one guy on last year’s team who went out there every day and played his heart out. While our superstars watched from the bench or the training room, he was playing the role of J.B. Weld, solidifying any spot on the field that was needed on a given day. How does a team replace someone like that? I don’t know. What this blog will be concerned with, however, is how this Twins fan will replace a man like Cuddy. He’s gone, and while I’ll always be a Cuddyer fan, I need a new favorite Twin. So, week by week I’ll examine each Minnesota Twins player to get to the heart of who they are both on the field and off of it. With luck, I’ll find another player that has the talent, heart, and charisma of the man who moved to the mountains. Think you have the answer? Feel free to contact me if you want to convince me that your favorite player should be my new favorite. I like a good argument. Life without Cuddy. Who should it be?

Revere best serves the Twins by assuming a position on the trading block. Span has very similar abilities with the added ability to draw a walk. You simply can't have an outfield with two spray-hitting speedsters who can't throw. I'd rather see Willingham in left, Span in center, Plouffe (or other contending youngster with a bit of pop in his bat) in right and a new addition to the bullpen via trade.