travis.aune

lets give him some time he was fine in his first relief appearance and lets see how he does. Whether you think it is a scholarship program or not he is going to be on the opening day roster. This is not a Twins thing this is everyone when you give someone money they most likely are going to be given the benefit of the doubt in the real games. If he i struggling in May they might rethink their position, but there is no way you commit to someone on a mlb deal and bail because they struggled in Spring Training it just is not logical.

pitches in the zone in my opinion is fools gold. If you don't throw 95 those pitches are going to be deposited in the bleachers. You can't live up in the zone, but i do think you need to take your shots. Phil Hughes is a great example he is overpowering in the early innings and caan live up in the zone. However, in the 4th-5th inning you usually lose 1-2 mph on your fastball so if you dont get the ball down your going to get hurt. Another reason Hughes was so successful was deep F-7's at target field were homeruns at Yankee Stadium. So he knew he could throw more pitches up and get away with them because of the ballpark. So really it is a combination of things, velocity, location, ballpark. The thing that I think Hughes learned last year when you start getting your fastball up then its time to mix in your breaking pitches more and just when guys are ready for that you sneak that fastball by him. I know I am rambling, but I think Trevor May is far from a finished product and think he could use a little bit more time in Rochester to figure out the things that Phil Hughes figured out last year. Just my 2 cents

I think Graham is a lock for the last pen spot unless he implodes the last 2 weeks of camp. That being said Blaine Boyer has been quite impressive as well and he has an opt out I believe march 31st. I could be wrong on the exact date, but I know he has an opt out date. What I would do is keep Graham and try to work out an agreement with Boyer to send him to Rochester, maybe a new opt out date of like June 1st. I have been quite impressed with Boyer and is someone i would like to keep in the organization.

I agree that there are few 5 tool players and it is something that is overblown because if you are a 4 tool player you have a chance to be very good. Seth I had a question for you about Roberto Gonzalez. In the picture you posted he is wearing number 18 which also happens to be the number that Oscar Tavares was wearing for the Cardinals last year. So my question is that on purpose or just a coincidence? Great article like usual and will be fun to follow these guys.

John I don't tell you this enough but you are a masterful writer who makes the reader feel like they are bathing in the sun. You are a credit to Twins Daily and I know your busy with the business part of the TD, but I think we all would agree we would love for you to write more as you are unique to everyone else that writes for you. So again thanks for making me look up flights for March, 2016.