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RJA

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  1. RJA
    Great story, David. Stories like this and Theo's on Joey Stock are what sets TD apart from so many other sports sites--you cover the human element of the game so very well. It makes our fan experience much richer when we get these backstories. Good work..
  2. RJA
    Dean Chance was also a very colorful character. His after baseball life was very interesting. Great pitcher though, and I remember this game well. I also remember the Colavito trade with the Tigers for Kuenn when the headline in the Cleveland paper was something like "40 homeruns for 140 singles". Nice article. Thanks.
  3. RJA
    I just hope the better angels of their nature come to the forefront and both sides do what is best for baseball and the fans. Even though it is a business, I really believe most players and owners love the game. Let's hope they negotiate like they do.
  4. RJA
    Nice job as usual, Jamie. I think we could really call this the year of the pitcher in the Twins minor league system. I think everyone is hoping this is the year that one or two guys break out and show they are healthy and ready to jump to the majors. If that happens, I think a lot of us will feel much better about the long term future of the Twins.
  5. RJA
    Fantastic story, Theo. I think you captured the joy of a young athlete experiencing professional baseball for the first time beautifully. To me, these type of stories are what makes baseball such a great sport--kids from all backgrounds, all levels of amateur play, all parts of the world--chasing their dreams and experiencing the thrill of putting on the jersey. I will follow this young man closely. I wish him nothing but success.
  6. RJA
    I think if they keep Kepler, the FO will stand pat thinking that Celestino may be ready by mid summer if he continues to play well at St. Paul. If Kepler is traded, I suspect they will look for a defense first player on a minor league contract that they can call up in the event of injury if Celestino, or maybe Contreras, isn't ready. If Buxton stays healthy, I suspect they will use Gordon on those days when Buxton takes a rest. It will be interesting to see what they do.
  7. RJA
    Thanks, Seth. I saw Wallner at AFL and his power raw power was very impressive, but his whiff rate (35% there) was also a concern. This will be a big year for him. I like your patient approach to these young players. Development doesn't always follow a straight line. Sometimes players can have great skills--like these 5--and look ordinary for a couple of years but then suddenly take a giant step forward in one season like Miranda. I remember that Torii Hunter was inconsistent in the minors until he really put it all together in AAA in 2000. Before that, many people were thinking he might not ever realize his potential, but of course we know how that turned out!
  8. RJA
    More great summaries, Seth. I also love your conversations with minor leaguers. I saw Varland pitch at CR and on that day his changeup was looking good. Among the Twins pitching coaches at all levels, who is the best one at helping develop changeups? Once the lockout ends , I would have him spend some time with Varland because if he can get that going, he is going to be quite an arm.
  9. RJA
    Interesting article. Duran does have great stuff, but the lack of innings is a concern. Do you think his arm would hold up better in the pen or as a starter? He might be a guy they will look at as an opener if they do go that route this year. Lucas, what is your take on Gore?
  10. RJA
    Interesting analysis, Jamie. I agree 100% that the biggest mistake the FO has made this offseason is not dipping into the free agent pitching market. Maybe they will make a trade, but why not sign a good arm in free agency when it costs nothing in prospect capital? If they signed Wood, for example, they could then trade for a Montas type pitcher, sign Pineda and have a decent rotation which would only get better if one of the young guys is ready this spring.
  11. RJA
    Nice summaries as usual, Seth. It is nice to see three players who wear the "tools of ignorance" on the list. In some ways, I think catchers are the hardest position players to evaluate as so much depends upon their ability to improve behind the plate. But, when you start with three who have some skills with the bat, chances are one of them will develop his defensive skills enough to make the majors. Jeffers was originally in that category after all.
  12. RJA
    I have not seen Winder pitch in a minor league game as he had left Wichita for St. Paul before I got there. I would be interested in hearing from fans who saw him pitch last year as to their take on his potential and his stuff.
  13. RJA
    I think this kid could be great. I saw him once in CR in 2019 and he only pitched into the third, giving up no hits but 4 or 5 walks as I recall. But, I remember thinking he had good stuff. Then I saw him in CR last summer and he went 4 and struck out 10. He looked so much more confident and in control, and didn't walk a batter. I can't wait to try to catch him whevever he ends up this year.
  14. RJA
    Nice thoughts, Nick. I am frustrated with the lockout and the FO, and I do miss the offseason ritual of rumors and hoped for deals, and will miss baseball if it is delayed. What I have done the past 4-5 years is take in minor league games in the Twins system, spring training and the AFL, and found that I enjoy those experiences as much as the MLB games. Luckily, at least that will continue this summer no matter what happens with the negotiations.
  15. RJA
    Great contibution. Thanks for the article. It would be great to see Kirilloff at first, and I suspect we will some of the time this year, and probably full time in 23 once Sano is gone (assuming Sano doesn't have a huge rebound year). I really hope his wrist is not going to be a nagging issue his whole career.
  16. RJA
    My favorite memory of Matthew is when TK said Matthew was in the lineup on a particular day as the Twins were facing a knuckleball pitcher and he wanted "all of his softball players" in the lineup as they had a better chance against the knuckleball. Matthew was a delightful and fun guy. Doesn't he look like a guy who would have fun in a softball league, especially sipping brews after the game?
  17. RJA
    Thanks, Seth. Nice summaries. I am especially intrigued by Cano. He can be lights out one night and walk the bases full the next. I imagine the team has tried everything to harness his control, but if only they could, he could be a big part of the bullpen. Otherwise, I fear major league hitters will tee off on him when he keeps falling behind in counts. He is one of those "if only" guys. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays to you and your daughter.
  18. RJA
    Thanks for the article, Matt. ZIPS does confirm a lot of what we already know, and unfortunately a lot of it is not good. Miranda might be a real find, but we need more than one year to verify that. Still, we can be hopeful. tony&rodney is right, Gleeman and Bonnes, and Hayes, are stunned that the Twins made no effort to sign a free agent pitcher. So am I. Maybe the plan is to try to trade Arraez and Kepler, or some prospects, for an arm, but those available are only 1 or 2 years away from free agency and we know the Twins won't likely extend them. A free agent would have been locked up for 3-5 years. Maybe they think Martin can replace Arraez as he has some of the same traits and is much better defensively. Still, looks like it could be a long season. I hope I am wrong.
  19. RJA
    I saw Palacios play at Cedar Rapids in 16 or 17 and thought he looked great. When I did my minor league trips this past summer, I saw him at Wichita. In both cases, I was impressed with him defensively--good range, enough arm, and good instincts. And, he hit well when I saw him. However, I know 5 games over a period of 4 years isn't enough to form an intelligent opinion. But, I am curious Seth if you think he could hold his own in the majors? Thanks for the write ups.
  20. RJA
    This is a very good series, Cody, thank you. I am not sure I see a big surplus here, at least for this year, especially if Kepler is traded. I am not sure who would patrol the third outfield spot next to Buxton and Kirilloff. Jack Cave, Kyle Garlick, and Derek Fisher are not the answer. Rooker has significant defensive issues and has yet to prove he can hit major league pitching. Maybe he just needs more at bats, but then again maybe he one of those AAA players who can't make the leap. Larnach I still believe in, but I doubt he will spend much of this year in the majors--I hope I am wrong. Wallner is going to need time to develop. If they try instead to trade Rooker or Larnach for pitching they will be trading them at their lowest value. Plus, if they trade either Larnach or Wallner they will really have issues in 23 as I suspect Kirilloff will go to first base once Sano leaves, leaving two outfield positions open. If Kepler is traded, who do you see being the Twins four outfielders this year? Again, thanks for your great articles.
  21. RJA
    Great exchange guys. I began collecting cards in the 50's (yes I am an old guy) and fell out of the hobby in the late 80's and 90's when the mass produced cards, error cards, etc. turned me off. Starting to get back in it. Will miss Topps sure. Happy holidays.
  22. RJA
    At this point, I don't think either of us will convince the other. I bet there is one thing we could agree on: let's hope that Lewis turns out to be a superstar at shortstop and that our budget minded Twins have to decide whether to extend him for 200 million! I don't doubt your commitment to the Twins or your baseball knowledge. Reasonable people can disagree. I hope you and your loved ones have a wonderful holiday season. Yes, get to the AFL. It is even better than spring training methinks.
  23. RJA
    I neglected to mention this is a great article, Lucas. Fantastic analysis. I do think Larnach has someone to work with as there are a lot of great hitting coaches that don't work for the MLB teams. I can't imagine he is not working on figuring things out with his old college coach, or another consultant. Actually, didn't Buxton actually say he finally improved his approach by listening to somebody outside of the Twins system?
  24. RJA
    I have to disagree again. If you are suggesting that there were not conversations between the Twins and the AFL officials, that is simply incorrect, as the Twins indicated a willingness to have him play around the diamond. I was actually at the ballpark there in the fall and heard the manager discussing the situation with some scribes. He indicated that the Twins welcomed having Lewis play multiple positions as they wanted to see how his athleticism played out around the diamond. He said he might play him at short a couple of games, but the Twins were interested in seeing him in the outfield and third base. I never said they didn't plan to play him at short, I said they were interested to see him at the other position or positions to evaluate his ability to play other positions IF shortstop didn't work out. I don't think you realize what goes on behind the scenes in the AFl concerning how prospects are played. I love being down there in the fall for that reason--you get access to players and coaches, and can pick up info even better than at spring training which is a close second. We have to agree to disagree.
  25. RJA
    He is a smart kid, so hopefully he is spending the off season working with someone who can help him adjust. But, this situation is a good reminder about prospects--there are no guarantees. Actually, I had a baseball scout tell me once that if you have three good prospects coming up through your system, once they reach the majors, one will end up as good as you thought, one will end up even better, and one will never reach his potential. If you look at the Twins, for every Polanco and Buxton, there is an Arcia, Kepler or Sano.
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