TNLooky2015

Kepler has a .280 lifetime minor league average and hasn't even hit AAA yet. He has 41 stolen bases in 6 seasons with 13 sac flies. Santana has a lifetime .276 minor league average and has played in AAA already. He has 124 stolen bases and 23 sac flies. Hell his MLB average after two seasons is still .278 even after last season. What about Kepler's one AA season where he virtually had the same average (.322 vs .319) as Santana did in his MLB season prove your "better stick" theory? I think Santana offers more to start the season and runs faster. He also has proven he is capable of providing sac flies when needed. Things may change as May and June roll around. Are these valid points?

I wonder if Molitor will let these sluggers have a HR derby in BP one of these ST practices. It would probably draw a capacity crowd if advertised early enough. Simply put - "I was going to let them get after it with a HR derby on (_____ day)" How exciting would that be: Plouffe Sano Arcia Park Walker Vargas Dozier That would be worth the price of admission. Oh yeah - it's free

Love to see how everybody loads differently. Hands go back, hands drop, etc.. I also like that they work on the basics in defensive video. Footwork is so important.

I agree 100%. This guy can throw and is underrated when it comes to comparing him with Burdi and many other relievers. My spring surprise pitcher as well. MLB reday!

http://www.startribune.com/as-always-twins-prospect-walker-looking-to-connect/368566581/ Article from Reusse after interview from Ft. Myer

No one is ever satisfied. If he drove all his runs in during the first 5 innings but still led your team - So what? People will jump from statistic to statistic to find a flaw. If you are the best on your team in RBI you can't be all that bad. I didn't say great. We don't have any great players yet.

When do HR & RBI & XBH become an important stat line? ABW II had twice as many home runs as anyone on his highly touted minor league team [31 to 15] and 22 more than the 3rd closest teammate [9]. ABW II had 35 more RBI than the next closet teammate [71] and 52 more RBI than the next closest person after that [54]. These are really disproportionate numbers for a guy on a championship team. And even bigger numbers for a guy so declared to "probably" fail. And why he is The Most Intriguing Prospect in the system! How do these numbers relate to most elite players? ABW II is accountable for ___% of teams stat line: 17% of RBI 29% of HRs 18% of SO 14% of 2B 09% of BB 16% of XBH Paul Goldschmidt 16% of RBI 21% of HRs 12% of SO 13% of 2B 24% of BB 14% of XBH Kris Bryant 15% of RBI 15% of HRs 13% of SO 11% of 2B 13% of BB 13% of XBH Chris Davis 17% of RBI 21% of HRs 16% of SO 12% of 2B 20% of BB 16% of XBH

He just seems to have those intangibles. *HR vs #2 baseball prospect - Blake Snell (2015) 6 Hits in 15 Spring Training ABs *HR vs Matt Barnes (Red Sox) *HR vs Tommy Layne (Red Sox) *HR vs Mike Pelfrey (Twins / intra squad) *HR vs Trevor May (Twins / intra squad) *2B vs Jose Valdez (Red Sox) *2B vs Masahiro Tanaka (Yankees) That's 4 HRs / 2 2B / 5 Runs / 5 RBI / 4 SO in 15 AB. I want to see him have the opportunity to fail. That's all. I get everyone's comments. I truly do. I just want to see him fail 1st. By failing I mean Not Win. Although all the strikeouts say he should fail, something tells me he has a knack for winning. 301 Wins - 197 Loses (65% win rate). Yes 4 championships in 4 years can be explained all kinds of ways. Still the record remains the same. The Twins need Intangibles not just sabermetrics! IMO

Predicting that a person won't be able to sustain something when all they have done is sustain something (4 year history) is maddening. Sometimes what you see is truly what you see. ABW II guarantees strikeouts and lots of run production. Your argument is "I don't think he can do it --- Again" - - - ANOOOMMOOOOLY

If Walker (who is on the 40 man) outperforms Vargas; Arcia; and Park this Spring Training, would you still put Park as the opening day DH and / or Arcia and Vargas for that matter? Since none of the 4 options have proven to be a consistent performer, what would be your rationale? Walker is not looked at as a viable OF option (as a starter) so................

I agree. But when you suck - it calls for some new GM thinking / action. At this point before ST, I'm looking for near ready prospects who can get thrown into the fire for a season and learn on the job with no true expectations. And again these moves were made on January 21st. [i'm talking about the purpose of the Brewers GM moves]

I'm sure the 68 - 94 (2015) Brewers would be willing to designate for assignment a few of their current 40 man roster guys in an attempt to gain more talent. 40 MAN ROSTER BREWERS DFA MIL -Junio Guera (RHP / MN - Alex Myer (RHP) MIL - Garin Cecchini (3B) / MN - Trevor Plouffe (3B) MIL - Colin Walsh (2B) / MN - Jorge Polanco (2B) MIL - Andy Wilkins (1B) / MN - Adam Brett Walker II (OF/1B) MIL - Kirk Nieuwenhuis (LF) / MN - Oswaldo Arcia (LF) Would you have a problem designating these Brewers for our guys? Our guys are either younger or better or both. The Brewers 40 Man is designed to have a team for 2016 - not win. Nobody is sacred on their team. MIL - Jonathan Lucroy ( C) for MN - Kurt Susuki ( C) MIL - Will Smith (RP) for MN - [Gonsalves; Garver; Peterson (Non 40)] MIL - Will Middlebrooks (3B) - bonus baby for Twins This is essentially how the trade breaks down even if it wasn't formatted that way. Everything else is collateral damage for the Brewers.

..............The Brewers talk Smith first and settle for Alex Meyer; Jorge Polanco; and Oswaldo Arcia. They ask for Gonsalves, but we felt he was too much for a reliever. Once settling on the Smith Deal, we talk on Lucroy. We (Twins) start by offering Susuki and paying half his salary for 2016. Then we talk prospects and players: Gonsalves (LHP) comes back into the talks. Mitch Garver ( C) and Adam Brett Walker II (OF/1B) are added to the list along with Trevor Plouffe (3B). The Twins originally balk on Walker, but eventually agree to terms after both teams add players: Twins add Brandon Peterson (RP) and the Brewers add Will Middlebrooks (3B). DONE DEAL 4:30 pm - I call the Mets to distinguish earlier talks on Plouffe. This deal made more sense. It helps the Twins win now and allows the Twins financial flexibility to make mid season moves as needed. Brewers are building for the future and add some nice pieces for that future. They already have Zach Jones. We (Twins) even gain a MLB ready player (Middlebrooks 3B) in case Sano struggles. WIN WIN

Hey Boom Out of the 36 potential hitters on ZIP list: ABW II 4th in HRs 4th in Runs Scored 2nd in RBI 1st in K% 5th in ISO I only list these stats because this is who ABW II is and has always been. This is what makes him special and what makes him questionable. I still stay amazed that he scores runs consistently (aka = a lot more than others) and continues to have such a low OBP.

I never understand what managers truly want in their #4 hitters. ABWII hit 4th in the only year he won league MVP and posted a 20% K rate. Since then he has batted 6th and 7th and his K rates have risen. Home run numbers stayed the same however. So the bigger question may be who bats in front and behind you in the order and not, can you hit for power anywhere in order.