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In this Get to Know 'Em podcast, I chatted with former Twins right-handed pitcher Anthony Slama. The reliever put up some of the most impressive numbers in the Twins system for years and finally got the big-league call in 2010. He pitched in seven games for the Twins. Find out what he's up to these days and all about his career.Anthony Slama grew up in southern California and attended Mater Dei High School. He went to UC-Riverside before spending his junior season at the University of San Diego. The Twins made Slama their 39th round draft pick in 2006. He didn't immediately sign. Instead, he signed before the 2007 draft, one of the final players to be a draft-and-follow. Upon signing, he started putting up remarkable statistics. 2007: Elizabethton/Beloit: 14 saves, 1.71 ERA, 31.2 IP, 49 strikeouts. 2008: Ft. Myers: 25 saves, 1.01 ERA, 71.0 IP, 110 strikeouts 2009: New Britain/Rochester: 29 saves, 2.67 ERA, 81.0 IP, 112 strikeouts. 2010: Rochester: 17 saves, 2.20 ERA, 65.1 IP, 74 strikeouts. In mid-July, he received The Call. His big league career lasted just seven games over two seasons. He fought some injuries.He spent some time in independent leagues, in Mexico and in the Dodgers organization. He hung up the cleats, but he has kept himself busy the last few years. He and his wife have welcomed two children into the world. He has worked in and owned a couple of businesses. His new venture is really exciting. He began 3 Week Beast, an online strength and conditioning training program. It is designed for boys and girls from ages 11 to 18, though if you're older, it is still a great workout program. Slama used his history and lessons learned from coaches and trainers from his past, along with his own research and learning, to develop the program. Website: Just $9.99 Instagram: 3weekbeast YouTube Channel: 3weekbeast It was a lot of fun catching up with Anthony Slama for this 40ish minute podcast interview, and I really think that you will enjoy it as well. If you haven't listened to a previous Get to Know 'Em podcast, this is the one to listen to. http://traffic.libsy...thony_Slama.mp3 You can subscribe to the Get to Know 'Em podcast on iTunes. or follow Libsyn for new episodes here as well. Please leave ratings or feedback. And did you know that you can listen to the Get To Know 'Em podcast by asking Alexa to "Listen to the Get To Know 'Em Podcast." PAST EPISODES Episode 1: Get to know Niko Guardado (Actor and son of Eddie Guardado) Episode 2: Get to know Pat Dean, Brent Rooker Episode 3: Get to know Royce Lewis, AJ Achter Episode 4: Get to know Devin Smeltzer Episode 5: Get to know Jaylin Davis, Tyler Wells Episode 6: Get to know: Travis Blankenhorn, LaMonte Wade Episode 7: Get to know: Matt Wallner (and Ten Minutes with Tyler Wells) Episode 8: Get to know: Caleb Hamilton, Austin Schulfer, Nick Anderson Episode 9: Get to know: Andy Young, Billy Boyer (and Ten Minutes with Tyler) Episode 10: Get to know: Wesley Wright (Twins Pro Scout) Episode 11: Get to know: John Manuel(Twins Pro Scout) Episode 12: Get to know: Marshall Kelner(Mighty Mussels broadcaster) Episode 13: Get to know: Dick Bremer (Twins broadcaster, author) Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Not registered? Click here to create an account. To stay up to date, follow Twins Daily on Twitter and Facebook. Click here to view the article
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Anthony Slama grew up in southern California and attended Mater Dei High School. He went to UC-Riverside before spending his junior season at the University of San Diego. The Twins made Slama their 39th round draft pick in 2006. He didn't immediately sign. Instead, he signed before the 2007 draft, one of the final players to be a draft-and-follow. Upon signing, he started putting up remarkable statistics. 2007: Elizabethton/Beloit: 14 saves, 1.71 ERA, 31.2 IP, 49 strikeouts. 2008: Ft. Myers: 25 saves, 1.01 ERA, 71.0 IP, 110 strikeouts 2009: New Britain/Rochester: 29 saves, 2.67 ERA, 81.0 IP, 112 strikeouts. 2010: Rochester: 17 saves, 2.20 ERA, 65.1 IP, 74 strikeouts. http://traffic.libsyn.com/sethstohs/GTKE_Podcast_Ep14_Anthony_Slama.mp3 In mid-July, he received The Call. His big league career lasted just seven games over two seasons. He fought some injuries.He spent some time in independent leagues, in Mexico and in the Dodgers organization. He hung up the cleats, but he has kept himself busy the last few years. He and his wife have welcomed two children into the world. He has worked in and owned a couple of businesses. His new venture is really exciting. He began 3 Week Beast, an online strength and conditioning training program. It is designed for boys and girls from ages 11 to 18, though if you're older, it is still a great workout program. Slama used his history and lessons learned from coaches and trainers from his past, along with his own research and learning, to develop the program. Website: Just $9.99 Instagram: 3weekbeast YouTube Channel: 3weekbeast It was a lot of fun catching up with Anthony Slama for this 40ish minute podcast interview, and I really think that you will enjoy it as well. http://traffic.libsyn.com/sethstohs/GTKE_Podcast_Ep14_Anthony_Slama.mp3 If you haven't listened to a previous Get to Know 'Em podcast, this is the one to listen to. http://traffic.libsyn.com/sethstohs/GTKE_Podcast_Ep14_Anthony_Slama.mp3 You can subscribe to the Get to Know 'Em podcast on iTunes. or follow Libsyn for new episodes here as well. Please leave ratings or feedback. And did you know that you can listen to the Get To Know 'Em podcast by asking Alexa to "Listen to the Get To Know 'Em Podcast." PAST EPISODES Episode 1: Get to know Niko Guardado (Actor and son of Eddie Guardado) Episode 2: Get to know Pat Dean, Brent Rooker Episode 3: Get to know Royce Lewis, AJ Achter Episode 4: Get to know Devin Smeltzer Episode 5: Get to know Jaylin Davis, Tyler Wells Episode 6: Get to know: Travis Blankenhorn, LaMonte Wade Episode 7: Get to know: Matt Wallner (and Ten Minutes with Tyler Wells) Episode 8: Get to know: Caleb Hamilton, Austin Schulfer, Nick Anderson Episode 9: Get to know: Andy Young, Billy Boyer (and Ten Minutes with Tyler) Episode 10: Get to know: Wesley Wright (Twins Pro Scout) Episode 11: Get to know: John Manuel (Twins Pro Scout) Episode 12: Get to know: Marshall Kelner (Mighty Mussels broadcaster) Episode 13: Get to know: Dick Bremer (Twins broadcaster, author) Please share your thoughts in the comments below. Not registered? Click here to create an account. To stay up to date, follow Twins Daily on Twitter and Facebook.
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The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Beloit Snappers are both going to the playoffs in the Midwest League. Which one will go as first-half champ will be soon determined. The big news in the Twins farm system on Thursday, however, involves a significant transaction. The Twins signed RHP Cody Eppley. Not a major signing, though he did pitch in 59 games out of the Yankees bullpen a year ago. The bigger news, for Twins fans of recent years, is that Anthony Slama has finally been freed. The Twins released the 29-year-old right-hander who has been a strikeout machine since signing with the team after his 2007 college season.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Slama has been a favorite of those of us who follow the minor leagues and believe in the value of things like ‘ability to miss bats’ and dominance at all levels equating to big league opportunity. Here is what I wrote in the 2013 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook about Slama: If ever there was a case of The Numbers versus The Scouting Reports, it might be Anthony Slama. It might even be a case where neither side is wrong. The numbers are undeniable. Since signing with the Twins as a draft-and-follow early in 2007, Slama has dominated at every minor league level. In Low A, he posted a 1.48 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP with a 14.4 K/9. In High-A, he posted a 1.01 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and a 13.9 K/9. In AA, he had a 2.48 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a 12.8 K/9 rate. He has now been in AAA since late in the 2009 season, and in 123 AAA games, he has posted a 2.27 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and still 11.1 K/9. In 2012, he recorded the 100th save of his minor league career, so he has pitched primarily in late-inning, game-on-the-line situations throughout his career. On the other side, however, most scouts question his ability to be successful in the big leagues. Some say that he has a deceptive motion that big league hitters will quickly adjust to. He may not have a good out-pitch against left-handed batters. Although his minor league stats are clearly better against right-handed, they are still very good versus lefties as well. He walks too many. In the upper levels of the Twins minor league system, he has averaged about one walk every other inning, which is too much and doesn’t bode well upon moving up. Despite the crazy strikeout numbers, he does not have a dominant fastball. At his peak, Slama’s velocity topped out at about 92 mph. In 2012, Slama rarely reached 89 mph with his fastball. Slama has pitched seven innings in seven big league games (5 in 2010, 2 in 2011). To be fair, Slama was pitching very well through the season’s first two months in 2012. In a game against Norfolk, he was hit in the leg by a comebacker off the bat of former MVP Miguel Tejada. A week after the game, the swelling came down and an x-ray showed a broken fibula which kept him out of action for nearly two months. Without that injury, maybe Slama would have had an extended tryout with the Twins. Slama is a very hard worker who has put in the time, and he has experienced the success at every level of the farm system to warrant an extended opportunity. If not, then the Twins’ “work hard and succeed and we build from within” philosophy goes out the window. Slama never really got that opportunity. When he was released on Thursday, he was 0-4 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP in 14 games. In 13.1 innings, he gave up 16 hits, walked 14 and struck out just nine. At this point, the release is completely understandable; I’m hoping that he can be healthy, find a good team and get an opportunity to return to the big leagues. With that, check out what happened in the Twins minor league system on Thursday: Rochester Red Wings 8, Gwinnett Braves 2 Box Score Andrew Albers was terrific again. In this game, the Canadian lefty gave up two runs on four hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. He improved to 5-2 with a 3.01 ERA. Luis Perdomo came on and gave up one hit over two scoreless innings. He struck out two. Chris Colabello led the offense. He went 2-3 with a walk and his 20th double. He drove in three runs. Antoan Richardson went 2-4 with a walk, his third triple, three RBI and his tenth stolen base. Doug Bernier was 2-4 with his third home run. New Britain Rock Cats, Altoona Curve Postponed by rain Ft. Myers Miracle 1, Daytona 5 Box Score Tyler Duffey was on the mound for his second Miracle start. In 4.2 innings, he gave up three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four. Nelvin Fuentes gave up two runs on three hits over the next 2.1 innings. Jose Gonzalez pitched a scoreless inning. The Miracle had just six hits. Aderlin Mejia went 2-3 with two walks. Mike Kvasnicka was 1-2 with two walks. Cedar Rapids Kernels 8, Quad Cities River Bandits 9 Box Score The Kernels clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night, but they still have a lot to play for before the Midwest League All-Star game. They are in a battle with the Beloit Snappers for the first-half division title. Coming into play on Thursday, the Kernels had a half-game lead. The Snappers split a double header on Thursday, so would the Kernels' lead increase or decrease? Things started out well. Byron Buxton led off the game with his 8th home run of the year. However, through seven innings, the Kernels were down by a score of 4-1. In the top of the 8th frame, the Kernels rallied to score seven runs and take an 8-4 lead. They maintained that lead to the bottom of the 9th. Christian Powell made his second start with the Kernels. He gave up one run in five innings despite giving up five hits and walking five. He struck out four. Alex Muren came in and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in just 1.1 innings. Tyler Jones got out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth frame. That brings us to the bottom of the ninth. Jones got the first two outs, but he walked two as well. He then got a ground ball that should have ended the game, but an error by shortstop Jorge Polanco kept things alive. Jones left the game with the Kernels up 8-7 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. There were runners on first and second, and Josue Montanez came in to replace Jones. The first batter he faced hit a two-run double that ended the game. So, with three games remaining in the first half, the Kernels and the Snappers are tied. The Kernels will play three games against Peoria while the Snappers will play three against Clinton. Please feel free to comment or ask questions below. View full article
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The Cedar Rapids Kernels and Beloit Snappers are both going to the playoffs in the Midwest League. Which one will go as first-half champ will be soon determined. The big news in the Twins farm system on Thursday, however, involves a significant transaction. The Twins signed RHP Cody Eppley. Not a major signing, though he did pitch in 59 games out of the Yankees bullpen a year ago. The bigger news, for Twins fans of recent years, is that Anthony Slama has finally been freed. The Twins released the 29-year-old right-hander who has been a strikeout machine since signing with the team after his 2007 college season.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Slama has been a favorite of those of us who follow the minor leagues and believe in the value of things like ‘ability to miss bats’ and dominance at all levels equating to big league opportunity. Here is what I wrote in the 2013 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook about Slama: If ever there was a case of The Numbers versus The Scouting Reports, it might be Anthony Slama. It might even be a case where neither side is wrong. The numbers are undeniable. Since signing with the Twins as a draft-and-follow early in 2007, Slama has dominated at every minor league level. In Low A, he posted a 1.48 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP with a 14.4 K/9. In High-A, he posted a 1.01 ERA, a 0.94 WHIP and a 13.9 K/9. In AA, he had a 2.48 ERA with a 1.19 WHIP and a 12.8 K/9 rate. He has now been in AAA since late in the 2009 season, and in 123 AAA games, he has posted a 2.27 ERA, a 1.16 WHIP and still 11.1 K/9. In 2012, he recorded the 100th save of his minor league career, so he has pitched primarily in late-inning, game-on-the-line situations throughout his career. On the other side, however, most scouts question his ability to be successful in the big leagues. Some say that he has a deceptive motion that big league hitters will quickly adjust to. He may not have a good out-pitch against left-handed batters. Although his minor league stats are clearly better against right-handed, they are still very good versus lefties as well. He walks too many. In the upper levels of the Twins minor league system, he has averaged about one walk every other inning, which is too much and doesn’t bode well upon moving up. Despite the crazy strikeout numbers, he does not have a dominant fastball. At his peak, Slama’s velocity topped out at about 92 mph. In 2012, Slama rarely reached 89 mph with his fastball. Slama has pitched seven innings in seven big league games (5 in 2010, 2 in 2011). To be fair, Slama was pitching very well through the season’s first two months in 2012. In a game against Norfolk, he was hit in the leg by a comebacker off the bat of former MVP Miguel Tejada. A week after the game, the swelling came down and an x-ray showed a broken fibula which kept him out of action for nearly two months. Without that injury, maybe Slama would have had an extended tryout with the Twins. Slama is a very hard worker who has put in the time, and he has experienced the success at every level of the farm system to warrant an extended opportunity. If not, then the Twins’ “work hard and succeed and we build from within” philosophy goes out the window. Slama never really got that opportunity. When he was released on Thursday, he was 0-4 with a 13.50 ERA and a 2.25 WHIP in 14 games. In 13.1 innings, he gave up 16 hits, walked 14 and struck out just nine. At this point, the release is completely understandable; I’m hoping that he can be healthy, find a good team and get an opportunity to return to the big leagues. With that, check out what happened in the Twins minor league system on Thursday: Rochester Red Wings 8, Gwinnett Braves 2 Box Score Andrew Albers was terrific again. In this game, the Canadian lefty gave up two runs on four hits in seven innings. He walked one and struck out six. He improved to 5-2 with a 3.01 ERA. Luis Perdomo came on and gave up one hit over two scoreless innings. He struck out two. Chris Colabello led the offense. He went 2-3 with a walk and his 20th double. He drove in three runs. Antoan Richardson went 2-4 with a walk, his third triple, three RBI and his tenth stolen base. Doug Bernier was 2-4 with his third home run. New Britain Rock Cats, Altoona Curve Postponed by rain Ft. Myers Miracle 1, Daytona 5 Box Score Tyler Duffey was on the mound for his second Miracle start. In 4.2 innings, he gave up three runs on six hits. He walked one and struck out four. Nelvin Fuentes gave up two runs on three hits over the next 2.1 innings. Jose Gonzalez pitched a scoreless inning. The Miracle had just six hits. Aderlin Mejia went 2-3 with two walks. Mike Kvasnicka was 1-2 with two walks. Cedar Rapids Kernels 8, Quad Cities River Bandits 9 Box Score The Kernels clinched a playoff spot on Wednesday night, but they still have a lot to play for before the Midwest League All-Star game. They are in a battle with the Beloit Snappers for the first-half division title. Coming into play on Thursday, the Kernels had a half-game lead. The Snappers split a double header on Thursday, so would the Kernels' lead increase or decrease? Things started out well. Byron Buxton led off the game with his 8th home run of the year. However, through seven innings, the Kernels were down by a score of 4-1. In the top of the 8th frame, the Kernels rallied to score seven runs and take an 8-4 lead. They maintained that lead to the bottom of the 9th. Christian Powell made his second start with the Kernels. He gave up one run in five innings despite giving up five hits and walking five. He struck out four. Alex Muren came in and gave up three runs on four hits and a walk in just 1.1 innings. Tyler Jones got out of the seventh and pitched a scoreless eighth frame. That brings us to the bottom of the ninth. Jones got the first two outs, but he walked two as well. He then got a ground ball that should have ended the game, but an error by shortstop Jorge Polanco kept things alive. Jones left the game with the Kernels up 8-7 with two outs in the bottom of the ninth. There were runners on first and second, and Josue Montanez came in to replace Jones. The first batter he faced hit a two-run double that ended the game. So, with three games remaining in the first half, the Kernels and the Snappers are tied. The Kernels will play three games against Peoria while the Snappers will play three against Clinton. Please feel free to comment or ask questions below.
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The Minnesota Twins just announced that they have optioned Kyle Gibson and Caleb Thielbar and also reassigned Anthony Slama, James Beresford and Kyle Knudson to minor league camp. Gibson has really struggled in big league games this spring after a flashy start. Of course, this is no surprise in his return from Tommy John surgery although many thought[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] that he would have a chance at making the Twins starting rotation. More important than where he starts the season, Gibson's arm is feeling good. His velocity is back. He is throwing a very sharp slider. His control is not as impeccable as it typically has been, but that isn't completely unexpected. Gibson is going to have his innings monitored, but that is not the reason for starting the season in Rochester. He needs to get work. He needs to be more consistent. There is little question that he will be fine. He will be up with the Twins in the not-so-distant future. Thielbar was one of the surprise adds to the 40 man roster. Plucked from the St. Paul Saints late in the 2011 season, Thielbar pitched in Ft. Myers, New Britain, Rochester and the Arizona Fall League in 2012. He struggled this spring, but he does have a strong arm, and if needed, he could come up in 2013. Anthony Slama struggled this spring as well. In each of his outings, he threw a lot of pitches, struggled with control and command and was hittable. He'll go back to Rochester, probably be the closer, hopefully put up Slama-like numbers and get one more shot with the Twins during the season. He does become a minor league free agent following the season. James Beresford impressed with his glove, as always, this spring with the Twins. His first big league camp was interrupted by his appearance with Australia in the WBC. He has played three infield positions very well. Last night, he launched a solo home run for the Twins. He had just one home run in his professional career coming into the game, a home run in 2010 in Beloit. But, he has been able to add weight this offseason, a goal of his, and he has made some adjustments, so 2013 should be an interesting year for him. Kyle Knudson went to high school in Minnesota and played for the Minnesota Gophers in college. He was invited to spring training to help catch bullpens, but also to gain exposure with the big league coaching staff. He handled himself well behind the plate, and finally healthy, he should put up decent offensive numbers in 2013. He'll likely start the season in Ft. Myers. According to the press release, the Twins now have 51 players in camp (24 pitchers, six catchers, 11 infielders, and 10 outfielders.
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The Minnesota Twins just announced that they have optioned Kyle Gibson and Caleb Thielbar and also reassigned Anthony Slama, James Beresford and Kyle Knudson to minor league camp. Gibson has really struggled in big league games this spring after a flashy start. Of course, this is no surprise in his return from Tommy John surgery although many thought[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] that he would have a chance at making the Twins starting rotation. More important than where he starts the season, Gibson's arm is feeling good. His velocity is back. He is throwing a very sharp slider. His control is not as impeccable as it typically has been, but that isn't completely unexpected. Gibson is going to have his innings monitored, but that is not the reason for starting the season in Rochester. He needs to get work. He needs to be more consistent. There is little question that he will be fine. He will be up with the Twins in the not-so-distant future. Thielbar was one of the surprise adds to the 40 man roster. Plucked from the St. Paul Saints late in the 2011 season, Thielbar pitched in Ft. Myers, New Britain, Rochester and the Arizona Fall League in 2012. He struggled this spring, but he does have a strong arm, and if needed, he could come up in 2013. Anthony Slama struggled this spring as well. In each of his outings, he threw a lot of pitches, struggled with control and command and was hittable. He'll go back to Rochester, probably be the closer, hopefully put up Slama-like numbers and get one more shot with the Twins during the season. He does become a minor league free agent following the season. James Beresford impressed with his glove, as always, this spring with the Twins. His first big league camp was interrupted by his appearance with Australia in the WBC. He has played three infield positions very well. Last night, he launched a solo home run for the Twins. He had just one home run in his professional career coming into the game, a home run in 2010 in Beloit. But, he has been able to add weight this offseason, a goal of his, and he has made some adjustments, so 2013 should be an interesting year for him. Kyle Knudson went to high school in Minnesota and played for the Minnesota Gophers in college. He was invited to spring training to help catch bullpens, but also to gain exposure with the big league coaching staff. He handled himself well behind the plate, and finally healthy, he should put up decent offensive numbers in 2013. He'll likely start the season in Ft. Myers. According to the press release, the Twins now have 51 players in camp (24 pitchers, six catchers, 11 infielders, and 10 outfielders. View full article
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- kyle gibson
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