Ted Schwerzler

Over the winter Twins fans clamored for starting pitching. After losing to the Yankees in the Postseason again, a constant bugaboo was deemed the source of weakness. Needing an ace, the Twins sought out some arms. Swinging a deal for Kenta Maeda was nice, but it may be Rich Hill that represents the haul. Sure, he’s 40 years old but try telling Nelson Cruz that’s a milestone anyone should care about. The reality is that Hill has both been often hurt and often good. Good probably isn’t even a fair assessment, he’s been downright great. His 3.00 ERA dating back to 2016 is the 6th best mark in Major League Baseball. He’s coming off a season in which he posted an outstanding 2.45 ERA across 13 starts for the Dodgers, and he hasn’t had a year with less than double-digit strikeouts per nine innings since 2012. In a world where velocity is king, Hill laughs at the notion. He flips his fastball up there at an average of 90.6 mph, and that’s not much of a decline considering the peak was 92.9 mph in 2012 with the Red Sox. He’s learned to live with what he has, and there’s very little surprise in how he’ll attack you. Last season Hill utilized just two pitches. His four seem fastball was chosen 52% of the time while his big breaker was utilized at a 45.8% clip. The velo change on that curveball is staggering, dropping 15 mph all the way down to an average of 74.5. It’s not that those two types of pitches are anything special, but it is that when they derive from Hill’s hand, they’re nothing short of majestic. Hill’s fastball spin ranks in the 91st percentile, but it’s the bender that gets the love here. The curveball has an average spin rate of 2919 RPM, or 4th best among pitchers that threw at least 300 of them a season ago. It’s in the 95th percentile across the league, and it’s why Hill’s hard-hit rate is an elite 98 percentile tally. That curveball is a thing of beauty in and of itself. With a combined 12 inches of vertical and horizontal movement above league average, barreling it remains one of the league’s toughest tasks. It’s why a hitter can step in and know they have just two pitches to look for, but still be frozen on a meaty fastball right down the gut. You might argue there’s nothing flashy about what Hill does on the mound, and that’s probably a fair assessment. There is a level of intrigue or a mystique feeling about how he competes, however. The stuff may lull you to sleep but being that dominant by going virtually against the grain is something we don’t see in baseball anymore. Minnesota brought Hill in to bolster a rotation down the stretch. Now he’ll work right from the jump and could end up being the heart of it. When the dust settles, he’ll look to add onto his 53 Postseason innings, and those that add onto the 15 he’s pitched in the World Series could certainly culminate with a ring. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

On the heels of the home opener Rich Hill will take his talents to the mound for the first time this season. Originally slated to miss the beginning of the year, a global pandemic allowed him ample opportunity to be on the mound from the get-go.LAST GAME RECAP MIN 6, STL 3: Donaldson Breaks Out, Early Offense Leads to Another Twins Win QUESTION OF THE DAY What has been your favorite Player’s Weekend nickname? TODAY Cardinals at Twins, 7:10 pm CT Betting Lines: MIN -1.5, -185, 10.0 O/U Twins: Rich Hill, LHP (info below via Baseball Savant) Download attachment: Rich Hill.PNG As you can see from the data provided by Baseball Savant, there’s a lot of things Rich Hill does at an elite level and really only one where he comes up short. This is a guy that hasn’t averaged over 90 mph on his fastball in a season since 2016. He doesn’t use velocity to blow it by you, and his bender gets tossed roughly 45% of the time. Hill’s bugaboo has always been health, but he’s made at least 12 starts in each season dating back to 2015. He’s with the Twins in hopes of winning a World Series, and with over 50 innings of Postseason work under his belt the experience is absolutely there. Although velocity has become king in recent years Hill lulls batters to sleep with his off-speed stuff. He doesn’t generate a ton of whiffs, but the soft contact keeps him ahead and last season he posted a career best 49% ground ball rate. Keeping the opposition off balance allows him to slip an 89-mph fastball by, and it’s more than apparent this is a veteran who knows his stuff and how to get the most from it. Cardinals: Daniel Ponce de Leon, RHP (info below via Baseball Savant) Download attachment: DPL.PNG Thrust into the rotation Ponce de Leon will make his first Start since September 1 of last season. He's worked in a hybrid role for the Cardinals each of the past two seasons both starting and relieving, but has posted just 48 and 33 innings respectively. Without a ton of velocity, Ponce de Leon does generate his fair share of strikeouts. His bugaboo since debuting in the majors has the inability to avoid free passes and last year that resulted in a 4.8 BB/9. He's also susceptible to the longball, and that obviously is more problematic against power hitting lineups. LINEUP NEWS & NOTES — More positive tests came down the pipeline for the Marlins. They have now had 17 positive tests, or more than half of their 30-man roster. They were already trying to find ways to supplement their active players and now will be facing an even larger uphill battle. — A ton of schedule shuffling took place today as the Marlins were put on a suspended timetable as they await a cleaner bill of health. No other teams found new tests, and Major League Baseball will push on for now. — We’re already dealing with a season of unprecedented proportions and changing on the fly is something MLB did on Opening Day with the Postseason. Buster Olney brought forward a strong suggestion recently in regards to organization of record credibility. There’s going to be games cancelled and postponed. With a shortened timeframe to actually get them in, trying to make them all up is probably a losing proposition. — Today's scheduled starter for the Cardinals goes on the shelf needing surgery on his right elbow. St. Louis is apparently looking at external options to fill their rotation as well. AROUND THE AL CENTRAL CLE 4, CWS 3 (Gm 1) CLE 5, CWS 3 (Gm 2) DET 4, KC 3 Standings 1. CLE 4-1 2. MIN 3-1 3. DET 3-2 4. KCR 2-3 5. CHW 1-4 SEE ALSO 9 Thoughts from 9 Innings of a Home-Opening Win Paving a Path, Women in Baseball: Kate Townley 5 Reasons Nelson Cruz is a Good Bet to Win the AL MVP Click here to view the article

Thanks for the kind words. Have a few yet to go that I'm really excited about!

Two weeks ago, I had thought the Women in Baseball series had reached its conclusion. I’d spoken with four wonderful people that shared great insight regarding their place in the game and how they’d arrived. Then an opportunity to dive into the subject matter with the Minnesota Twins presented itself.While women are vastly underrepresented throughout the game, it’s also worth noting that talented individuals are present in virtually every organization. The Minnesota Twins aren’t an exception here. Kate Townley was immediately offered up as someone to highlight and having been a part of Twins Territory now for nearly 15 years there’s no stopping her impact with the club. Paving a Path Part 1: Britt GhiroliPaving a Path Part 2: Melanie NewmanPaving a Path Part 3: Rachel LubaPaving a Path Part 4: Emily WaldonTownley graduated with a degree in Human Development and put that to work initially in a position focused on Minor League Administration for the Twins. She dabbled as an Administrative Assistant within Scouting and has since taken the title of Director, Baseball Administration with the club. Having seen a significant amount of baseball with Minnesota and through the eyes of a woman, a conversation seemed like a perfect opportunity to get her perspective. Twins Daily: You've been with the Twins for nearly two decades and while you were an athlete your sport was basketball. What drew you to baseball and how did you know Minnesota was the right fit? Kate Townley: In full transparency I wasn’t specifically drawn to baseball at first. Right out of college I would have loved a job in basketball, mainly because I was most familiar with that sport. But I was looking for any job in sports, to be a part of a team again, and at the time the Twins were one of the few organizations that paid for internships, so I applied. Once I got into the organization though, I quickly realized how much I was I was going to like working in baseball and specifically working for the hometown team. It felt like a family right away. TD: In your roles since joining the Twins organization you've dealt with the minors, scouting, and major leagues. What does your title actually mean you do, and how has your role evolved in the time you've spent with the organization? KT: Titles can always be a little confusing since the responsibilities vary from team to team, so here’s my best explanation. I compose all Major and Minor League contracts / agreements for players and staff. I administrate all Major League contracts, tenders, player transactions, waivers, and maintain our Club’s 40-man roster. I prepare, submit, and maintain all Major League budgets. I oversee the Baseball department purchasing for both front office and the Major League team with the assistance of our Home Clubhouse Manager. I’m part of the team that works on our Arbitration process, and I handle some of the negotiations with players. Most recently, I have been tasked with leading our Diversity and Inclusion initiatives specifically in the Baseball department but also expanding into our Front Office practices. My role throughout the years has changed quite a bit but it still just revolves around making sure things get done and that the ship runs smoothly. I’ve been on the administrative side of things my whole career; I guess now I’m just leading a lot of those areas. TD: Women in baseball, and sports in general, has become more of a front and center topic in recent years. You've been doing this for a while, how has the minority representation changed over the years and how do you feel accountable for what opportunities come to the next generation? KT: I think we’ve seen a very small change as it relates to women working specifically on the baseball ops side of our industry. I think the biggest and most visible changes have been the few females we have seen get field staff positions, because those have been real firsts for baseball. We at the Twins are proud to say that we hired the first ever full-time female strength coach, Andrea Hayden, at the Major League level, and you’ve seen others like Alyssa Nakken with the Giants at the ML level, but we’re still so far from where I think we need to be for female representation under the Baseball umbrella. We need to see more women in front office, scouting, performance, and coaching roles. We specifically need to see more women get opportunities at leadership positions. As with many industries, women for a long time assumed only roles that would be associated with secretarial or administrative type work and although those roles are hugely important to keep everything running smoothly, we have yet to see a real change at the top where decisions are being made. This is where my accountability comes into play. I believe it’s part of my responsibility to continue to strive for more in my career and to lift and encourage other women do to the same. To that point, I’m excited to say on August 13th we will be hosting our second round of a Twins Diversity Roundtable that will feature women with roles within Baseball Ops in order to highlight their contributions and give them a platform. TD: Having been with Minnesota for so long you've seen a lot of change. How has the front office and positions you've held been influenced by new voices and how have your positions been impacted over the years. KT: I have seen a lot of change in my career and I would be lying if I said I didn’t benefit from the change at the top of our group. I have a deep respect for our previous baseball leadership, but I will say when Derek Falvey and Thad Levine came on board was when real change happened specifically for me and my career. I had been working on the administrative side of the Minor Leagues for about 10 years and had not had much movement from a responsibility or title perspective until they joined. About a year into their time with the Twins I found myself transitioning from the Minor League side of operations to the Major League side and being given more ownership of certain areas. They challenged me to learn the arbitration process, tasked me with mastering the ML rules, encouraged me to lead our Diversity and Inclusion efforts, gave me a seat within some of our decision-making processes and changed my title to Director. I’ve been invigorated by these new challenges and look forward to seeing how my role will evolve even further. TD: We've seen hurdles come to light much more publicly in recent times when it comes to women in sports. Was that something you ever considered when venturing down this career path, and how did you convince yourself that this was the right choice and there was no stopping you? KT: It never occurred to me to not get into sports because of the possible difficulties I would face being a woman in this industry. I’ve always been passionate about sports, and my parents taught me at a very young age that you have to do what you love no matter how hard it may be. I’m a competitive, stubborn person so even if I knew all the obstacles I might face I still wouldn’t have backed down. It fueled me knowing that there weren’t many women working on the baseball side of things when I first started and knowing that I can be a part of changing that landscape continues to fuel me. TD: What about the Minnesota Twins have made them the perfect employer and an organization that you've chosen to stick with all of these years? KT: I tend to pride myself on being passionate and caring for others, and the Minnesota Twins embody those same characteristics. The organization has always felt like a family and everyone, starting from Ownership down truly care about people and doing good within our community. Lots of people say when they get into the work force that they want to do something they are passionate about and that makes them excited to go to work each morning, I’m lucky enough to say both of those statements came true for me. I legitimately wake up most mornings excited to get into work, because I get to be surrounded by great people from the front office all the way through our coaching staff and players. We may be known as a baseball team, but we’re much more than just what you see on the field on TV. We’re a family. TD: When looking at what you've accomplished and sending a message for who may come after you, what would be some of the best advice you could give to a female looking to get into this arena? KT: I would tell her she’s fully capable of doing anything she puts her mind to, to lead with confidence, and get out of her own way. Just because our industry doesn’t have a large representation of women right now doesn’t mean it’s not possible and it absolutely doesn’t mean there’s not a need for it. I think women bring a unique perspective to professional men’s sports and I would tell a young woman to embrace that and drive from that perspective. TD: Let's wrap with this, 2020 has been weird in so many different ways. What are you most cautious about as it relates to a great Twins team repeating as AL Central champs, and what are you most looking forward to? KT: Currently I would say I am most cautious about the season being cancelled again. I think our team is poised for another great season, no matter how truncated it is, but we can’t control the virus and I worry for our players’ health and safety. On the flip side, if we can keep everyone healthy, I’m really looking forward to showing people that last year wasn’t a fluke. It was incredible to watch how our team came together last year. We did have a lot of talent but more importantly, we had comradery. We had a group of individuals who came together as one team because of great leadership and a shared goal to succeed. They had each other’s backs, and I think it will be fun to watch that play out again this year. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

This weekend was an absolute blast. The Minnesota Twins took the field and despite a hiccup on Saturday, looked the part of a superior team ready to assert themselves. On their off-day Monday, Major League Baseball did its best to go up in flames. I expected a rollercoaster this season, but I’m not sure this was how I envisioned it. Max Kepler started the season with a dinger, and then he went ahead and did it again. Nelson Cruz blasted his way into the record books with a seven-RBI performance on Sunday, and Rocco Baldelli’s club looked like a clear favorite in the AL Central. This week is highlighted by tough matchups with the St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians, a good measuring stick pair of matchups. As I eagerly anticipated the return of Twins baseball at Target Field today, even without fans, I couldn’t help but feel an immense level of uncertainty. The Miami Marlins now have zero idea how they’ll field a team, and the Washington Nationals want no part of player such an infected organization. Rob Manfred has said it’s not a death blow to the league, but he also hasn’t stepped up with any real plan forward. I guess all of that leaves us in this weird limbo that 2020 continues to serve up. The three days tweeting real, live, Twins action over the weekend were some of the most fun I’ve had in all the years spent doing this. It was a reprieve from the world around us, and while not sticking my head in the sand, it was a necessary getaway. The unfortunate flip side is whether or not it will all be taken away, and a matter of how abruptly. I’m not going to pretend I have any clue how to navigate these waters, or that playing baseball through a global pandemic is even an entirely possible endeavor. What I do know though, is that this Twins team has already flashed reason to believe they’ll be among the best in franchise history, and I’d hate to see that go wasted. My hope is that there’s a way forward and that some ugly situations early present an opportunity for discussion, planning, and growth. Maybe we’ll look back at this first week much like we can hope to in regards to 2020 as a whole, and just shake our heads at the absurdity we experienced. I’m not sure what lies ahead, but you best believe it will be better if Twins baseball remains a part of it. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

It wasn’t supposed to happen like this. When I went down to Fort Myers in early March to cover the Twins, I wasn’t supposed to leave under the haze of a global pandemic. My office has been closed for months. Sports have been shelved just as long. The Twins defending the AL Central crown wasn’t intended to take place in just a 60-game sprint. None of this was supposed to happen, but here we are, and we have baseball. I don’t know if we’ll get through the entire schedule. I think MLB has done a decent job making sure they have significant protocols in place. My hope is that even while a 16-team Postseason is looney, we’ll see it play out. For one day, one night, tonight, things stand still though. Opening Day presents an opportunity for everyone to begin anew. Last year’s 307 home runs hold no weight as to what takes place in 2020. The Bomba Squad and their 101 wins don’t carry over. Rocco Baldelli has won a Manager of the Year award and Nelson Cruz has gone over the hill. All of that is in the past now, and the Twins future remains bright as ever. Brimming with the best lineup in the sport, equipped with a lights out relief corps, and bolstered by a rotation chocked full of depth, this could be the year. A World Series ultimately defines a team’s season, but it doesn’t negate the quality along the way. Because the Twins didn’t bring home a ring in 2019 doesn’t take away from what they accomplished. Derek Falvey and Thad Levine haven’t been building to look back on those accomplishments however, and the step they’ve put forward this season is their best year. The roster is primed to make serious noise, and even with the oddities that will follow this year, the Twins are in as good of a position as anyone. I appreciate you all for reading, following, and trying to make it through this lull. Now we’ve got that in our rear view too, and Opening Day allows us to dive full speed ahead into what could quite possibly be the best season in Minnesota Twins history. We weren’t supposed to get here this way, but we’ve arrived, and Opening Day is just as beautiful as it’s always been. Settle in, it won’t be as long, but you can be assured it will be every bit as fun. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

We’ve made it, after such an odd offseason and even more unfortunate spring and early summer, baseball is back. While tonight represents Opening Day, Minnesota will kick off their 2020 season on Friday. 60 games takes a lot of nuance away, and puts pressure on the favorites, but who are Minnesota’s best equipped sprinters?As with virtually all things baseball, Fangraphs has us covered (if you can help them out during this time, you should.) Recently they put out 60 game rolling leaderboards for every season dating back to 1975. As you can imagine, the best players are represented often no matter what piece of the pie you slice. For example, Mike Trout has had the best 60 game stretch in five of the eight seasons in which he’s played at the big-league level. For Minnesota, it’s obvious they’d have a handful of strong performers given the 101-win total put up in 2019. Max Kepler, for example, posted the 22nd best 60-game stretch in baseball last year when he generated a 3.2 fWAR from a .990 OPS and 21 dingers from the end of May to early August. Right behind him at 23 is new teammate Josh Donaldson. His stretch included a truly nutty 1.063 OPS and 22 dingers. Nelson Cruz posted a 1.129 OPS (35th) during his hot streak, while both Jorge Polanco (42nd) and Mitch Garver (43rd) generated 2.7 fWAR. Now, they key in any season and especially in a 60-game sprint, is to have as many of these snapshots overlap as possible. The team that can generate the highest level of production, the quickest, and with the greatest number of players on that same stage is going to come out ahead this season. Obviously, we’re also dealing with a global pandemic, so good health and avoiding the COVID-related injured list is a must as well. We could take a look back at 2018 and the Twins would have a different group of contributors. With just 78 wins under their belts, it’s not surprising there would be less Minnesota names at the top. Eddie Rosario posted a 3.3 fWAR during his tear which was the 14th best stretch during that season, but the next highest contributor was Nelson Cruz at 57th overall. Beyond that, you’d need to go all the way down to 137th overall for Max Kepler’s contributions. On the pitching side of things Rocco Baldelli’s club placed two guys within the top 25. Jake Odorizzi and Jose Berrios are both tied at 2.5 fWAR. Odorizzi ran off a 12-start sample that included a 1.96 ERA and a 72/16 K/BB. Berrios posted a 2.86 ERA with a 69/12 K/BB during his hot streak. Both of those would have drawn significant Cy Young attention had the season ended at that point. Once again dropping back to 2018 tells a logical and different story. Berrios checks in at 26th overall, but the next best Twins pitcher doesn’t show up until 80th overall in the form of since-departed Kyle Gibson. No other Minnesota pitcher appeared in the top 154 results on the rolling leaderboards. That rotation included only Odorizzi as the lone holdover with Berrios. So, what can we glean from all of this given the volatility of sample sizes and year over year changes? This is probably a situation where repetition becomes the narrative. Obviously, a player like Mitch Garver isn’t going to have anything to substantiate what he did in 2019. Regression is likely in store, but the ability to produce at this high level also remains within his wheelhouse. On the flip side, elite talents such as Donaldson, Berrios, and Cruz have consistently found themselves in similar spots on a yearly basis. What the ideal scenario would be is to have as many of the consistent performers as possible. The additions of Kenta Maeda and Rich Hill add to that notion, albeit to a lesser extent. With the decked stacked in their favor Minnesota is playing a probability game with better odds. You aren’t going to find players that produce over the entirety of this 60-game slate, but if you can generate five to ten guys on the roster all peaking for a similar 25 games, that could be enough to distance yourselves from the pack. Fangraphs has shown us that the Twins have plenty of talent capable of producing at elite levels even in small samples. Now it’ll be up to those individuals to generate as much as they can, as quickly as they can, and as much in conjunction with one another as they can. That’s the goal for every organization in what will be a truly goofy year, but as far as the Twins are concerned, they have a leg up. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

We’ve finally made it and baseball is back in just a matter of days. The Minnesota Twins will kick off this 60-game sprint in Chicago, and they’ll look to distance themselves from a team looking to prove they’re ready. I put out a 162-game projection back in February, but with so many logistical changes and update is necessary. I don’t foresee any changes in the positioning among the teams from where I had them at the beginning of the year, but we’re obviously only going to play roughly one-third of the games now. There’s significantly more volatility involved, and it will play against Minnesota more than any other club. That said, here’s how the division shakes out this season, and in parenthesis what the PECOTA projections are for each team in this scenario: Minnesota Twins 36-24 (35-25) There’s no argument to be made that Minnesota isn’t the best team in this division. They have arguably the best lineup in baseball and aren’t far behind with their bullpen. The rotation is cemented in depth and there’s plenty of candidates to be a top-tier arm as well. Josh Donaldson is a massive addition and having Rich Hill from the jump should be a nice boost. The Twins have stiffer competition in the White Sox this year, but it’s hard not to see the Indians having taken a step backwards. Cleveland Indians 32-28 (32-28) While it won’t be long before Chicago overtakes Cleveland, I’m not sure it happens in 2020. Cleveland still has an awesome rotation at the top with Mike Clevinger and Shane Bieber. Clevinger is already a health risk though, and Carlos Carrasco’s return is a question mark. Save for Francisco Lindor and Jose Ramirez, there’s also concerns about star power in the lineup. Should this club stumble out of the gate, maybe Lindor gets moved at the deadline. Chicago White Sox 31-29 (31-29) I’m all in on Luis Robert, he’s going to be a stud. What his career ends up being remains to be seen, and while I think he could break out right away, there’s still plenty more that needs to go right for the White Sox. Lucas Giolito faded at times in 2019, and neither Dallas Keuchel nor Gio Gonzalez are impact pitchers anymore. Yasmani Grandal is a huge addition, but someone had to supplement the flash in the pan that was James McCann a year ago. The Southsiders will be knocking at the door soon, and the shortened season helps their chances, but give it one more year. Kansas City Royals 24-36 (25-35) Down here you’re really competing for the best of the worst, and I’m not certain what way these final two shake out. It’s my belief that the Royals slide will be less drastic than the volatility of the Tigers prospects. Kansas City isn’t good, and they aren’t exciting either. There are some pieces here though that can squeak out enough to stay out of the bottom spot in the division. Detroit Tigers 22-38 (26-34) I’m really excited to see what Casey Mize, Tarik Skubal, Alex Faedo, and Riley Greene can do. Unfortunately, none of those guys will be on the Opening Day roster, and while watching Miguel Cabrera chase down records is fun, there’s nothing else of note here. I don’t think Ron Gardenhire is the right guy to push a prospect-laden team forwards as that’s where he ended his tenure with the Twins, so he may see his way out around the time new faces make their debuts. In case you missed it, here’s how I have the yearly awards and Postseason shaking out as well: Award Winners and World Series Victors For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

Go back to 2009 and you’d find a rookie on the Boston Red Sox making his debut as a top-100 prospect with an electric fastball. That was Daniel Bard. In that same year, his brother Luke was drafted out of high school but would go to college and sign with the Twins as a first round pick three years later. Fast forward to today and the story just starts getting good.Coming in as a first round pick, Luke was a highly sought-after prospect out of Georgia Tech. His brother had established himself as an elite setup man, and Minnesota hoped they found someone cut from a similar cloth. Luke’s best season in the Twins organization was unquestionably 2017 when he owned a 2.76 ERA and 13.6 K/9 at Double and Triple-A. Unfortunately, he wouldn’t be given an opportunity at the big-league level that year and never debuted in Minnesota. 2018 followed with his first big league action coming for the Los Angeles Angels, and it was followed by 49 innings of solid work a year ago. As he embarks on his third Major League season, there’s plenty of excitement both for and around him this year. His brother Daniel, who last pitched in the majors seven years ago has made the Colorado Rockies Opening Day roster. Luke calls guys like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani teammates. On his own, he’ll be looking to bolster a bullpen that has World Series aspirations in a division chasing down the Houston Astros. Catching up with him before the season starts, I wanted to pick his brain on a handful of different topics: Twins Daily: Take us back to 2012. You're drafted in 42nd overall by the Twins out of Georgia Tech, you've got a brother in the big leagues, and jumped up 15 rounds from your high school selection. What's going through your head and how much do you have to prove? Luke Bard: It really was a dream come true. I think all players coming out of college don’t realize how tough professional baseball is. The season is three times longer, strike zones are smaller, and hitters are just better. Having had a brother make it to the big leagues so quickly with immediate success maybe made me have too high of expectations on myself. Injuries certainly did not help but there is definitely a lot to prove baseball wise from the time you’re drafted to the time you are ready to be in the big leagues. I’ve learned that lesson over the years and am grateful to still be doing what I love. TD: Fast forward to 2017 and you are at Double-A Chattanooga striking out everyone. You put up great numbers and earned a promotion to Triple-A. The Twins were in contention that year, but any resentment or disappointment you didn't get to debut with your drafting organization? LB: I had always envisioned myself playing in the major leagues for the Twins, but God had other plans. After the 2017 season I felt pretty confident I could pitch in the big leagues. When I wasn’t put on the 40-man roster that offseason I was pretty disappointed but was equally as excited when the Angels gave me a chance. Having been with Los Angeles for my 3rd season now I can’t imagine being anywhere else. TD: You've now pitched in the majors for two seasons with the Los Angeles Angels. What has the difference been like between the organizations, and how has your approach and game changed facing the best of the best on a nightly basis? LB: I will always be grateful to the Angels for believing in me and giving me a shot. I have really enjoyed my time here and can’t say enough good things about everyone in the organization and the culture they’ve created. The big leagues are tough though, and you can do everything right but still fail. It’s about finding ways to be consistent, durable, and competitive every outing for 162 games. It’s definitely a grind but that’s what makes it so enjoyable. TD: Speaking of the Angels, what's it like to have a front row seat to Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani. Are we watching the best ever, and the closest thing to a Babe Ruth comparison in today's game? LB: I probably take it for granted because I just see them as regular guys. But I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t awesome. Definitely something I will tell my grandkids about one day. TD: I know you're a dad and have a family so going back to the game in weird circumstances is undoubtedly tough during 2020. How did you stay sharp during the layoff, and how do you expect the 60-game sprint to change how you both prepare and contribute this season? LB: Unfortunately, I am away from my family right now with all the Covid issues. I miss them like crazy but am glad it’s just for 60 games. Thank God for FaceTime. I’m sure teams will go to the bullpen early if need be similar to playoff games. I hope the shorter season will make games even more intense and I think it could be just what baseball needs from a fan’s perspective. TD: Your brother just made the Colorado Rockies Opening Day roster after having not pitched in the big leagues since 2013 as a 28-year-old. What is that like for you as a fan of his, and how did he get back? LB: To say I’m proud would be an understatement. He’s been through hell and back baseball wise and is still here seven years later competing on the biggest stage. The determination he’s shown is unmatched and somebody needs to make a movie about it haha. TD: Let's wrap with this, what do you see as the best avenue for you to take the next step in 2020, and what are you looking forward to in a season that will be rivaled by none other? LB: I think just getting a defined role that I can settle into would help me. Other than that, just execute when called upon. At the end of the day it’s usually the guy that executes better that wins. It is easier said than done but makes for a simple way to look at it. I’m looking forward to hopefully playing playoff baseball. We’ve got a great team with some of the game’s biggest stars and I’m looking forward to seeing how it all plays out. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

There’s a difference between what you’d like to see and what is likely to happen. The Twins get no benefit by placing Kirilloff or Larnach in a reserve role to accrue service time, especially with Buxton healthy. Bailey isn’t here to pitch long relief, and Wisler signed a major league contract. It’s never my intention to write something solely for the purpose of a debate or to cause consternation.

We’ve made it, we have finally made it. The long-running national nightmare seems to be nearly over. On Friday night we will have a Twins baseball game that counts. Back in late June I projected the 30-man Opening Day roster for Minnesota. A few changes have been made and it’s time for an update. While Summer Camp has been relatively uneventful for the Twins, there have been a few key developments. Thankfully, Byron Buxton’s injury scare doesn’t seem like it will hold him back. Luis Arraez also tweaked his knee but when then immediately all systems go. Miguel Sano got a late start due to COVID-19 tests despite being asymptomatic, but he’s been back for a few days now as well. Only Nick Gordon and Willians Astudillo remain on the COVID related Injured List for the Twins. The former was never likely to make the Opening Day roster, while the latter definitely opens up a spot for Rocco Baldelli. Having just requested his release, rotation candidate Jhoulys Chacin also generates an opportunity for someone. Let’s get into who should be expected to make the club: Catchers (2): Mitch Garver, Alex Avila No surprises here. Astudillo is still looking to generate two negative COVID-19 tests which makes him ineligible to participate. With a catcher being available every night on the three-man taxi squad, carrying two to open the year is just fine. Infield (6): Miguel Sano, Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Josh Donaldson, Ehire Adrianza, Travis Blankenhorn If there’s a guy that benefits from Astudillo’s absence, it’s probably Travis Blankenhorn. I loved what he could’ve provided during regular Spring Training, and think his skillset translates perfectly to a year needing depth. He can play second and third base while also having some outfield flexibility. The bat has pop and while he’s not a top tier prospect, there’s plenty of talent to contribute at the big-league level. Outfield (6): Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Jake Cave, Marwin Gonzalez, LaMonte Wade Jr. This group adds one to it in the form of LaMonte Wade Jr. He’s had a strong Summer Camp and is showing that he’s more than just an on-base machine. Minnesota doesn’t have a true replacement in centerfield outside of Max Kepler, but both Cave and Wade should rotate in on the corners prior to any activation of the top prospects. Designated Hitter (1): Nelson Cruz As has always been the case, this one is as easy as it gets. Minnesota’s leader is ready to go following a very strong Summer Camp Rotation (5): Jose Berrios, Kenta Maeda, Jake Odorizzi, Rich Hill, Homer Bailey No changes here from the original group, but Jake Odorizzi slides back at least a spot in the rotation due to back stiffness. He’s going to have his last Summer Camp appearance shifted, and he’ll likely be moved off the Saturday game in Chicago. Bullpen (10): Taylor Rogers, Trevor May, Sergio Romo, Tyler Duffey, Zack Littell, Tyler Clippard, Matt Wisler, Cody Stashak, Randy Dobnak, Devin Smeltzer This group decreased by one with me no longer including Lewis Thorpe. I think the goal would be to have him throwing regular pens and staying stretched out at the alternate site in St. Paul. He was the first rotation option jettisoned during original Spring Training, and both Dobnak and Smeltzer are ahead of him still. Would have been nice to include Chacin as depth, but he’s miscast as a long reliever anyways. There you have it, your 2020 Minnesota Twins. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

He's best suited statistically in LF, but I think he ends up being the 1st man up when it comes to a logic based analysis at 1B. However, here's to hoping Miguel doesn't miss time.

Well, it’s true, I’m still awful at getting in the comments so apologize for that. Thank you all for reading, each and every one of these. I guess I didn’t know what I was setting out to do, but felt like these were women I’ve gotten to know and their stories are important. They all provided amazing interviews, and I’m glad they trusted me with their stories. This has been a super weird offseason, but there’s more to baseball than just what takes place between the lines. Thank you all again.

One week from today the 2020 Major League Baseball season is expected to get underway. With substantial testing protocols and fanless action, this will be a season unlike any other. It isn’t the first baseball season to get started this year though. That honor belongs to the American Association.Here in Twins Territory, the independent baseball league should be recognizable immediately due to the success of the St. Paul Saints. CHS Field is a gorgeous park nestled next to the highway 94 and highway 52 split, home to the 2019 Champions. It's currently being used as the satellite location for the Minnesota Twins. Much like the NBA plans to do, the American Association created a bubble model to go forth with their season using regional hubs. Playing as the defending champs, St. Paul will look to defend their title with all games in 2020 being played in Sioux Falls, SD. In an effort to dive more into the American Association, the St. Paul Saints, and the path paving the league is going in 2020, I connected with a journalist synonymous to Indy Ball. Chelsea Ladd, founder of Dugout Dish and contributor to both Pitcher List and Prospects Live, is among the best resources in the nation when it comes to baseball off the beaten map. It was a fun conversation, and here’s what she had to share: Twins Daily: First off, let's get to know you. What's Chelsea Ladd's story with baseball, and how did covering Indy Ball become your sweet spot? Chelsea Ladd: I grew up around baseball. I was actually born during an Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos game. My mother was in labor and my father, who is a die-hard Braves fan kept hoping they would get through one more inning before I arrived. He jokes that he won twice that night — he became a girl dad and his Braves won. I played softball from fourth grade until my senior year of high school. I’m left-handed and despite wanting to be the female Mike Piazza, I started pitching in sixth grade. I grew up a Mets fan even though I grew up two hours away from Busch Stadium. Back when I was younger, ESPN didn’t have much softball coverage, so I leaned on baseball. At the age of 10, I made a promise to myself that I would be on Baseball Tonight when I grew up. I lost that promise along the way but last year I found it again. I went through skin cancer at 19 and my softball career was completely over at that point; then a divorce in 2018 and the death of my dog in March of 2019. After the death of my dog, my anxiety was at a very high point. He passed-away traumatically in my family’s home and my love for baseball and writing was a grieving technique. The first professional baseball game that my parents took to me to was an Evansville Otters game — a team within the Independent Frontier League. I have always had a love for independent baseball. The grind that these men go through to play the game they love is incredible. The talent within each league is remarkable and my end all goal with covering indy ball is to get these guys noticed — to give them the kind of recognition they truly deserve. TD: You created your main platform Dugout Dish roughly one year ago. What spawned the site, and what do you see as the next evolution in coverage from here? CL: Dugout Dish is officially a year old as of July 11 and I could not be prouder. As mentioned before, I used writing and baseball as a way to grieve the loss of my family dog. I wanted to be able to promote the game and share my love. My dream as a young girl was to be able to be in the baseball industry and I finally took the leap to getting that dream back. As far as coverage, I’ll be branching into more independent baseball and MiLB coverage in the future. With Indy and MLB returning, expect a lot of this type of content on the site. I’m credentialed with indy teams and a minor league team. TD: The NBA is returning through a centralized bubble model, but they aren't the only league. The American Association is using regional hubs as well. How has that worked and how has it made the game different? CL: So far, the regional hubs for the American Association have worked very well. There was a brief moment when the Milwaukee Milkmen had to postpone a game due to two players testing positive. The team has since been tested and everyone has since been negative. It has not made the game much different from what I have seen. Of course, rules are in place to keep everyone safe during this uncertain time but in the first few weeks back, everything is going smoothly. I spoke with Commissioner Schaub earlier in the month and the main goal and motto for this season is, “For the Love of the Game.” TD: With a physical presence in Missouri and Kentucky, what can you tell us about covering the St. Paul Saints from afar. What are some of the highlights from AA ball in general? CL: While many baseball fans often do not know what independent baseball is, many know who the St. Paul Saints are. The entire organization is truly a blessing to the independent baseball community. Of course, there are rumblings of the Saints becoming an affiliate to the Twins — which would be incredible for the organization. Sadly, the men who play for the team would more than likely have to search for a new home if that were to happen. A few guys worth keeping tabs on: Ryan Zimmerman, Troy Alexander, Chris Chinea, Mikey Reynolds, and Matt Solter. Across the league, teams are showing up and showing out. The Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks recorded 13 strikeouts against the Chicago Dogs. The Sioux Falls Canaries are leading the standings, as of the weekend, they were leading with five game winning streak. Right now, it is the perfect time for someone to become a fan of the American Association. What Joshua Schaub and his league are doing is truly inspiring for many. You can purchase a subscription to watch the games, an indy ball version of MLB.tv without blackouts. Other leagues are doing the same — despite the Frontier League cancelling the season, the GM of the Washington Wild Things has formed a four-team league that includes the Black Sox Professional Baseball team. Each game is streamed for fans to view. TD: As Major League Baseball prepares for a return, how does that shift your coverage, and what expansions into big league and prospect narratives are you excited about? CL: I’m ultimately excited about Dylan Carlson under the lights at Busch Stadium. The opportunity to see younger guys who might have had to wait to play if we were having a normal 162-game season. My coverage on Dugout will not shift much thankfully because I currently cover all levels of professional baseball. But it’ll be nice to have fresh information on MLB teams for Dugout’s content. TD: How has dealing with a global pandemic challenged your baseball coverage, and what has it forced you to change. Keeping a job within the industry during this time is no doubt difficult. What has helped you to stay creative? CL: I went from three jobs in February to one in March due to COVID-19. I freelanced for my town’s newspaper, worked and wrote for a local radio station, and as tech at an eye surgeon’s office. As of right now, I’m only working at the radio station, but I have been blessed with the opportunity. I went from having my entire summer planned where I would be spending my time between Marion, Illinois, Washington, Pennsylvania, Evansville, Indiana, Springfield, Missouri and St. Louis, Missouri to spending my summer in Kentucky and virtually covering games for the teams still playing this summer. I’ve added multiple series to my website to stay fresh and have at least one post weekly. I have In the Press Box, In the Dugout, Swinging into History and Women Who Inspire. I have also kept my podcast going with new episodes — I have had guest appearances by Jessica Kleinschmidt and a few friends within the baseball community. TD: As you've grown your platform to now include bylines at Pitcher List and Prospects Live, what are some of your future goals? What's next for you and Dugout Dish? CL: My goal has always been to eventually write for Major League Baseball. It has been a dream of mine since childhood and I can only hope that one day, it comes true. As I’ve dove into the baseball industry more, I realized a lot of my heart belongs to Minor League Baseball and Independent Baseball. Any way that I can promote the game and help the guys who might not get recognition, actually get recognition, that’s something I cherish. That’s one of my ultimate goals at the end of the day. Indy ball and Minor League ball deserve so much and if I can be a part of that, I’ve done my job. TD: Let's wrap with this, assuming baseball does return in its full (but modified) capacity, what are you most looking forward to this season. Is there a particular narrative or story you're anticipating playing out? CL: I would love to see the season run as smooth as it possibly can despite the odds against it. As far as a narrative or story, I am excited to see how small market teams and teams that are often quickly out of the running for October baseball do with a 60-game schedule. Follow Chelsea and check out her work here. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

I don't disagree with you at all if this is game 20 we're talking about. I think to throw Rooker or Kirilloff in on Opening Day for what could be a very brief absence by either player would be a mistake. Maybe less so if this team could afford them the acclimation process or had 162 games to work with.

There’s no denying that the Minnesota Twins are one of baseball’s most exciting teams. Their bullpen should rank among the league’s best, and the lineup is one that provides envy to virtually every other group out there. Kicking off a weird 2020 season though, they may need to make some changes. When Byron Buxton went down in a heap after tracking a fly ball on Monday night the worst was feared. Fortunately, it’s just a mid-foot sprain, and while that may have some lingering effects, there’s still reason to believe the recovery could be sooner rather than later. Unfortunately for the Twins, their starting first basemen is uninjured but has yet to show up to Summer Camp. Miguel Sano received a positive test diagnosis upon returning to Target Field. Quarantined and awaiting two negative COVID-19 tests before his return, the runway to ramp up for the season is running out. The Twins travel to Chicago in five days, play an exhibition against the Cubs in six, and open their 2020 campaign against the White Sox in eight. Calling a return that quickly rushed would be putting it lightly. So, where does that leave us? Let’s tackle the more probable scenario, who plays first base? That answer should be relatively straightforward with utility man Marwin Gonzalez sliding in. MarGo has started 154 games at first base in his career and has logged over 1,400 innings there. He’s still best suited in left field, but there really isn’t a position besides shortstop that he’s overly stretched in. Certainly, Sano’s bat would be preferred, but having Marwin trend back towards the .900 OPS he compiled while listening to the trash can would be a nice resurgence. Assuming Buxton isn’t back for Opening Day, or even a few games thereafter, Gonzalez is actually piece of that puzzle as well. Sliding Max Kepler to center and filling a corner spot with the utility man makes a ton of sense. With him already in the lineup, the next turn would logically be Jake Cave. While LaMonte Wade Jr. has a strong on-base presence, Cave is the more complete player. He should be avoided in center but has a good enough bat to play on the corners. Last season Cave finished with an .805 OPS, but what’s even more impressive is having done that after bottoming out at a .615 OPS prior to a May demotion. From his mid-June return through the end of the year he posted an .855 OPS. In 141 plate appearances from July 7 onward he generated a very nice .964 mark. The bat may be inconsistent, but it’s plenty capable. Both of these should be relatively short-term scenarios. For Sano, we see the effects of COVID-19 and what the virus is going to do to this season. A player with no symptoms tests positive and costs the team their services over a specific stretch of games. In a 60-game season, that missed time could be catastrophic, especially if said player is Josh Donaldson or Jose Berrios. On the Buxton side, contingency plans in the outfield remain a must for Minnesota. Unfortunate and unlucky as he is health wise, any absence by Byron will need to be evaluated in the short and long term. Immediately a Cave or Wade replacement makes sense. Knowing that him being out of the lineup opens a corner spot, both Brent Rooker and Trevor Larnach could then find themselves in the mix for a more prolonged absence. Let’s hope we aren’t discussing these scenarios too long into 2020, and their realities are few and far between. Minnesota has a shot at the World Series this year, but they’ll need all contributors for as much time as necessary. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

With this being the final installment in the Women in Baseball series I wanted to make sure we could wrap it with a nice bow. Moving from a beat writer to a broadcaster and then an agent, Emily Waldon represents something reflective of a perfect combination. One of the biggest names in the industry, she’s more than paving a path.Similar to Britt Ghiroli before her, Waldon contributes to The Athletic. While Ghiroli works the Nationals beat, Waldon is called upon for prospect and Tigers related content. She’s a prospect guru, knowing the entire farm as well as the national landscape, and she’s become a voice for the under-represented minor leaguers across the sport. Emily has long been putting her stamp on the game of baseball and has put out quality coverage for the last handful of years. It was on March 15, 2019 that things exploded however, and all behind the headline reading, “I can’t afford to play this game.” Her status has since exploded, and she’s only continued to raise the bar. Paving a Path Part 1: Britt GhiroliPaving a Path Part 2: Melanie NewmanPaving a Path Part 3: Rachel LubaExtremely busy, I was grateful for the opportunity to grab a quick conversation with her: Twins Daily: A Michigan girl turns professional Detroit writer. Was that always the goal? Was it always baseball? Was the hope always the Tigers. What does your path into the sport look like? Emily Waldon: My path would be considered highly unorthodox in comparison to the way most people get into journalism or player evaluation. I didn’t have the internships or the college degree, and it wasn’t until I realized what I was really passionate about that I wondered if I could make my writing into anything. I had always been a writer because I was extremely shy as a kid. It was an outlet for me to express what I was thinking and feeling. My step into baseball was a fairly simple one. I had grown up in a baseball family, and it was a game I knew well. The thought of being able to spend more time around it made it a pretty simple decision. TD: There's very few national writers that know a system as well as you do. While covering prospects is something you broke in doing, and scouting is part of your background, the Major League club is equally as much in the wheelhouse. Was it a conscious decision to be so knowledgeable across an entire organization? EW: It’s funny, I never had any aspirations to cover Minor League Baseball or prospects. My first year was 2015 and that was not a year where the Tigers farm system was anything remotely close to being worth discussing. It ranked among the bottom in the whole league, and there weren’t any major names to think of. When I started covering Single-A West Michigan people wondered who I was and why I was doing it, and on top of it I was a woman in this odd role. It was somewhat of divine timing as I jumped into prospect coverage a touch before a lot of people did. Not only was I in a niche part of the industry, but here comes this girl that knew baseball but was learning the ins and outs of journalism on the fly. I realized while covering the Midwest League, and being a workaholic when it comes to passions, I need to cover the Tigers from top to bottom. That led to my networking skills pushing me all over the system. I got to know the staff, scouts, players, and families. I was always around in some capacity and being exposed into the minor league scene it eventually transitioned into me doing national coverage. TD: Seeing you take on projects outside of the Tigers organization, it's clear your creativity is only limited by the subject matter. How much time do you put into preparing for a national story? What highlights your creative process? EW: I think this really comes down to utilizing my contacts and network. My goal when I travel is to always try and make some sort of new connection. I want to get my name out there and have people know what I’m about. My reputation and integrity are the driving forces behind what I do. I want people to know above all else, I will follow through. I don’t want people to see me as a girl in baseball. I want people to know me for my work, and nothing more. Say for example I want to write up a story about Royce Lewis, I can utilize my connections to find out who I need to know. Is that coaches, scouts, front office people, whoever it is I want to get the fullest perspective so I can bring the player to the most attainable viewpoint for fans reading my work. TD: It's not unexpected that you'd have ties with so many minor leaguers given your prospect background. Was the goal always to act as an advocate? When did you see your platform could be useful for more, and why did you decide that providing a voice was necessary? EW: I think it really became a thing in 2017, my third year, as I had been deeply immersed in that lifestyle (MiLB) and thought, “there is so much here that’s not being talked about.” I know there had been people before me writing about certain topics, but the national attention hadn’t been there yet. When the “I can’t afford to play this game” piece dropped in 2019 I was flying to Arizona for Spring Training and remember being terrified. I thought, “what did I just do? Is the league going to blacklist me?” Then I realized that I brought facts to the surface, and the hope was fans would understand everything these players endure and how hard they work to get to the majors off the field as well. TD: Women are far less represented in baseball than men. How do you go about not letting that impact the work you do, and does it fuel an additional emphasis to pave a path for others? EW: I think any time, in any industry, that you’re in a minority there’s an opportunity for you to make an impact. It’s up to you whether that impact is positive or negative. I think there’s been opportunity to reflect on how many women were just like me in that they really love baseball, but the industry skews towards it being abnormal. The idea that women don’t really do this, why would I do it? That creates plenty of second guessing, especially for those looking to break into the game. When I share my experiences with other young women I say, “nobody gets to derail you but you, you’re the only person that gets to call the shots about your pursuits.” I’m so thankful to have been raised by parents that never told me I couldn’t do something because I am a woman, but instead instilled that integrity and application in my work would allow me to do whatever I wanted. It’s been cool to see other young ladies make pursuits of their own and share their stories with me. My hope is other girls will have the courage to do the same. TD: What about The Athletic helps to set your work apart? It has quickly grown into a sports juggernaut, and some of the most powerful female voices in sports call it home. What about the outlet aligned with where you wanted to be professionally? EW: My favorite thing about The Athletic is they cultivate creativity when it comes to sports writing and they don’t require you to do cookie-cutter type work. Being somewhat of an outlier with my unique background, The Athletic gave me a voice to be not only a woman in baseball, but also one that covers prospects and does player evaluation. It’s such an empowering feeling, and it allows me to pitch ideas and come up with creative ways to approach stories. Having an editor in Emma Span, who is a legend in her own right, she is someone that has always spoken life into my career. Those are the types of voices I hope I can become one of for the next generation. Having someone like Emma in my corner has really inspired me to keep going. TD: While baseball was shelved and we struggled with the relationship provided to us by the sport, what did you do to keep busy? Any go to hobbies away from the game that provided a good reset? EW: It definitely was a challenge, and I think everyone has been challenged with finding their own outlets throughout 2020. For me personally, fitness was the biggest thing. I got back into running every day and fine tuning some of my eating habits. Getting back into that workout routine helped to keep my head clear just because there’s so many thoughts about what’s going to happen next. Focusing on mental health is such an important factor. I know firsthand what that battle with anxiety can feel like, and my hope is that while I’m trying to inspire others through baseball, if you struggle with anxiety or depression I want to listen and encourage there as well. Knowing that you’re never alone is a big thing, other people can always relate. Follow Emily and check out her work here. Thank you for reading through this Women in Baseball series, hope you enjoyed it! MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article

Major League Baseball is going to try its hardest to play a 60-game season in 2020. Starting on July 24, the Minnesota Twins will look to repeat as AL Central Division champs, and this time they’ll hope the Postseason run is a bit longer. If Rocco Baldelli’s club is going to take that next step, they’ll need a big contribution from staff ace Jose Berrios. For the past few years, I’ve wondered about the possibility of Berrios winning a Cy Young. Certainly, there’s plenty of strong competition, and Gerrit Cole now being with the New York Yankees likely makes him the frontrunner. Berrios’ own chances haven’t been thwarted by the opposition in recent years as much as they’ve been of his own doing. Coming into 2020 Bovada lists Berrios as a middle-of-the-road candidate with 14/1 odds. Despite two consecutive All-Star game appearances, the Puerto Rican has never garnered a Cy Young vote. For that to change consistency will be key and avoiding a late-season fade is a must. In a 60-game sprint though, should that even be a fear? Over the offseason Minnesota reworked Berrios’ training plan and helped to institute goals resulting more in endurance with season-long stamina in mind. June has routinely been Berrios’ best month, but August comes with a career 5.96 ERA in 21 starts, with another mediocre 4.64 ERA mark across 20 in September/October. Last season Jose was strong out of the gate, saw a brief two game speedbump, then dialed in before his routine slowdown. What if the Twins can capture just that middle ground in the year ahead? Minnesota obviously plays the beginning of its traditional seasons in less than sweltering heat. That didn’t seem to hamper Berrios in 2019 however, as he posted a 2.97 ERA across his first six starts. By start eight he was back down to a 2.53 ERA prior to an ugly outing against the Angels. Focusing on a snapshot of the mid-summer months of June and July, Jose put together a double-digit dipping of 10 outings that would turn plenty of heads. Across ten starts from June 6 through July 31 the Minnesota hurler owned a 2.23 ERA with a .609 OPS against. He had a 61/16 K/BB in 64.2 IP. It was also the only two-month stretch of the season that he went back-to-back starts without allowing a homer more than once. The question for Wes Johnson to help solve is how can both the pitcher and the team extract that exact performance. There’s a ton of differences that 2020 will present due to playing a season during the midst of a global pandemic. While it’s a positive to have nice weather out of the gate, there won’t be any room for tune up type outings. Summer Camp has provided intrasquad action but will only feature one exhibition game and given the proximity to the Opener, Berrios would be unlikely to pitch. As a fast starter, maybe the best of all worlds can come together for Jose and he’ll be able to provide the calming presence a true ace brings to the mound. Whether or not that results in a Cy Young will be determined by a whole host out outside factors. Focused only on the guy wearing number 17 for Minnesota, it’s hard to see this shortened season as a negative. We may not yet figure out if the new training tactics bear fruit without the rigors of a traditional 162-game marathon, but the hope would be that there aren’t questions about declining velocity or uncertain effectiveness. The Twins pitching staff in its entirety is now better than it’s ever been, and it’s time for the smiling 26-year-old to lead the charge. For more from Off The Baggy, click here. Follow @tlschwerz

For the first time since March 11 we have a live Twins baseball game. While it’s still just an intrasquad exhibition, that’s not much less than what Spring Training contests boil down to. At this point we’re calling it Summer Camp, and with the season quickly approaching, Minnesota is dealing with a whole new set of circumstances.The only constant we have been given in 2020 is change. There’s no level of expected consistency, and we can ultimately bank on a new set of perceived norms on what feels like an hourly basis. While that all is true relative to the world around us, the Minnesota Twins have dealt with a vast amount of change as well. Once the dust settled on the ugly public labor negotiations, and teams reconvened at their home ballparks 9 days ago, we began barreling towards a 2020 Major League Baseball season. There are new rules (universal DH, international rules for extra innings), an adjusted calendar, and an all-out sprint to the finish. Specifically, for Rocco Baldelli’s club though, what has changed? Maybe most importantly is that the Twins will have Rich Hill on the mound to begin the season. Rehabbing from offseason surgery, he was not slated to be back until early July. With the season having yet to get underway, Hill will be in the rotation at the outset. That likely eliminates someone such as Devin Smeltzer, Lewis Thorpe, or Jhoulys Chacin from that opportunity, but make no mistake, Hill is elite. Download attachment: Capture.PNG Although it’s velocity that often draws the focus in today’s game, Hill works around that being his lone deficiency. When healthy, he’s been among the most dominant starters in the game. He came to the Twins wanting to win a World Series, and now he’ll have opportunity to contribute out of the gate. He’s made at least 12 starts in every season since 2015, and that’s about the runway he’ll have leading up to the Postseason. Over the winter Derek Falvey and Thad Levine landed a big fish in signing Josh Donaldson. With him on the roster Minnesota’s plan was to move Miguel Sano across the diamond to first base. That remains the goal but may not be the reality for Opening Day. Despite being asymptomatic, Sano has tested positive for COVID-19 and is currently on the IL awaiting two negatives tests before being eligible to return to action. Sano looks primed for a huge year, and a slugger with his power could make a lot of hay in a shortened sprint of a season. Unfortunately, with just 14 days left until Opening Day it’s becoming increasingly less likely he’ll be in the lineup. Minnesota could turn to Marwin Gonzalez or even give Brent Rooker a look out of the gate. When the Spring Training festivities were shut down there remained question as to whether or not Byron Buxton would be ready to go. He was slow playing a rehab process and looking to get back to 100% health. Now multiple months removed, he’s as healthy as he’s even been, a 2nd time father, and ready to rock. As Nick Nelson recently outlined Buxton’s elite athleticism and tools could be a massive source of excitement in a nightly sprint of a season. Health has always been the bugaboo for the Twins talented outfielder, but his bat has begun to come around, and he should be expected to contribute in a big way for 2020. There was a decent expectation that Minnesota would make a move at the trade deadline. That now falls on August 31 and will provide a bit more clarity for the front office prior to a move. Michael Pineda ha 36 games left on his suspension giving him 24 games to contribute. With Hill being in the mix from the get-go, and Kenta Maeda helping to bolster the quality of the group as a whole, what kind of an arm the Twins covet could be up in the air. Obviously, all of this comes with the uncertainty that we have no idea what health or production will look like, but the additional evaluation process certainly can’t hurt the Twins. There’s going to be little opportunity to run away with a division in this type of season structure but making sure you’re ready to fire your best bullet each night of the Postseason is a must. Falvey and Levine have built a winner here but adding a key piece that could put them over the top would be a nice venture. Should we get to Opening Day and should the season commence, it will all boil down to baseball as usual. There won’t be fans, and there’s going to be an extreme amount of oddities surrounding the year as a whole, but the Minnesota Twins are well positioned to defend their 2019 Division Championship just as they were in March before everything went sideways. Lots has changed, but that certainly remains the same. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email Click here to view the article