Before Sunday’s game, the Twins stand at 36-26, which means they’ve gone 14-14 the past month. Considering half the infield is on the DL and that stretch included a road trip to New York and Boston, that’s not bad. There are now 100 games left in the season. Here’s what it takes to hit 90, 95, or 100 wins:
90 wins: 54-46 (.540)
95 wins: 59-41 (.590)
100 wins: 64-36 (.640)
90 wins still looks likely to me, with a shot at 95. I just don’t see 100 wins.
I am far less excited about the Twins’ draft than seemingly everyone else. 1st round SP Alex Wimmers is about as good as he will get – there’s not a lot of upside here. Comparisons to Radke seem fair, but I’d rather roll the dice on a possible #1 starter instead of settling for someone that projects as a back-of-the-rotation guy. Would love to see the Twins add some power arms instead of finesse guys.
2nd round pick Niko Goodrum sounds like an amazing athlete. Unfortunately, one of the reviews I read says he struggles “making contact” at the plate. Last I checked, that’s a rather important attribute for a batter! It sounds like he has raw power, so this kid strikes me as the second coming of Rob Deer or Dave Kingman.
3rd round pick Pat Dean is another 90mph SP, albeit left-handed. It’s hilarious he’s compared to Glen Perkins. Dean sounds like a wonderful kid and smart pitcher, but he’s had elbow problems. Yikes.
4th round pick Eddie Rosario is the one I like. Apparently, the rest of the world compares this kid to Bobby Abreu, and Rosario is the best hitter to come from Puerto Rico since Abreu. I would be THRILLED if Rosario put up the major-league numbers Abreu has – he’s been a terrific player.
I have loved the Twins with my whole heart as long as I’ve been alive, which is 51 years and counting, but… could we PLEASE draft some high-end middle-infielders early in a draft some time? It seems we specialize in collegiate control pitchers and toolsy high-school outfielders. I swear we draft these kids as trading chips for infield help!
Rookies in the infield… Valencia looks ready to me. He needs to stay in The Show. Plouffe hasn’t embarrassed himself, but like a cooking pot roast, isn’t quite ready yet. Still, wouldn’t you rather have those two in the field instead of Tolbert and Harris? It’s time to dump Harris’ contract. Nice guy, tries hard, but there are 200 millions Americans that fit that description, and they don’t get to play in the majors either. Tolbert is just awful. At the 3/13 spring training game in Clearwater against the Phillies (gorgeous day, beautiful ballpark), Tolbert had one error, but should have had three – he dropped two infield flies. Seriously? And pulled an oh-fer at the plate. He looked grossly mismatched. Again, just not major league material. Which brings me to…
Gardy, can I hit 2nd in the lineup? I swear, I won’t do worse than Tolbert or Plouffe! (Although Plouffe has proven he CAN lay down a bunt.) Honestly, put Punto 2nd if you have to – at least he has a decent OBP. The idea behind table-setters is to have guys on base for St. Joe and More-NO. Managerial 101.
Finally… The Franchise has returned! Liriano has looked superb recently. What a talent! He will take us to the promised land.
Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Random Thoughts. Show all posts
Sunday, June 13, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
Random Thoughts - 4/15/10
The Franchise started slowly today, but finished REALLY strong. If you’re in a fantasy league, pick up or trade for Francisco Liriano now, before the price gets too high.
It’s awesome for MLB to retire #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. I’m OK with having Jackie Robinson day every year. But do we really have to have every player wear #42? Instead, can we have a ceremony or tribute before the game? Maybe wear an arm patch? It’s kinda tough to tell who’s in the game without a lineup card if everyone is wearing the same number. Drives me nuts.
Gopher hoops signing of 6’10”, 300# center Maurice “Mo” Walker is (literally!) huge. Highest-rated recruit in this class so far. Everyone keep their fingers crossed we can land 5-star PG Cory Joseph. I’ll drink the Kool-Aid. I think he’ll be a Gopher.
The primary reason for tonight's post: Tim Tebow and CBS Sports jackass Pete Prisco.
I’m the father of two students currently attending Florida State. My cousins attended Florida State. My sister got her Master’s degree from Florida State. No one from my family has ever attended the University of Florida. I am a Seminole fan, and not a Gator fan. I have zero allegiance toward the University of Florida or their teams. I have ample reasons to despise the Gators. That being said…
I’m a big fan of ex-Gator Tim Tebow and I freely admit it.
His football accomplishments are remarkable. A couple high school state championships (and drubbings of our local high school team). A couple national championships at Florida. A Heisman Trophy. Better collegiate passing statistics than Peyton Manning. You’ll hear Tim Tebow mentioned in any discussion involving “greatest collegiate player ever”. Regardless of whether you or I believe he’s a legitimate NFL quarterback, several NFL clubs do - most mock drafts have Tebow selected somewhere in the late-first to mid-second round. Yet this kid is nothing short of vilified by a lot of people, including certain members of the press. Why? Because he’s a squeaky-clean winner? We have a need to tear down a real hero?
Tebow is a model citizen, solid student, strong leader, and excellent teammate. His work ethic and desire to learn and improve border on legendary. By the ripe old age of 20, Tebow had done significant missionary work as well as raise money for worthy charitable causes. Tim Tebow is an extraordinary young man, and deserving of our respect, appreciation, and admiration. I hope he’s wildly successful in the NFL.
So what the hell is wrong with Jacksonville-based CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco? Check out his Tweets on @PriscoCBS. For the past few weeks, he averages an anti-Tebow tweet every other day or so. Why? Did he ignore your autograph request? Did he crush your alma mater in football? Seriously, with the thousands of players in college and pro football, why the hyper-focus and sophomoric ridicule of an outstanding young man from your hometown? Pete Prisco: Zero clue and zero class.
Finally… (Despite the small sample set,) with a 7-3 start, consecutive series wins AT the Angels, AT the White Sox, and home against the Red Sox, you just have to believe the Twins are a very legitimate World Series contender. Pitching, hitting, and defense all look great. This could be a very special season.
It’s awesome for MLB to retire #42 in honor of Jackie Robinson. I’m OK with having Jackie Robinson day every year. But do we really have to have every player wear #42? Instead, can we have a ceremony or tribute before the game? Maybe wear an arm patch? It’s kinda tough to tell who’s in the game without a lineup card if everyone is wearing the same number. Drives me nuts.
Gopher hoops signing of 6’10”, 300# center Maurice “Mo” Walker is (literally!) huge. Highest-rated recruit in this class so far. Everyone keep their fingers crossed we can land 5-star PG Cory Joseph. I’ll drink the Kool-Aid. I think he’ll be a Gopher.
The primary reason for tonight's post: Tim Tebow and CBS Sports jackass Pete Prisco.
I’m the father of two students currently attending Florida State. My cousins attended Florida State. My sister got her Master’s degree from Florida State. No one from my family has ever attended the University of Florida. I am a Seminole fan, and not a Gator fan. I have zero allegiance toward the University of Florida or their teams. I have ample reasons to despise the Gators. That being said…
I’m a big fan of ex-Gator Tim Tebow and I freely admit it.
His football accomplishments are remarkable. A couple high school state championships (and drubbings of our local high school team). A couple national championships at Florida. A Heisman Trophy. Better collegiate passing statistics than Peyton Manning. You’ll hear Tim Tebow mentioned in any discussion involving “greatest collegiate player ever”. Regardless of whether you or I believe he’s a legitimate NFL quarterback, several NFL clubs do - most mock drafts have Tebow selected somewhere in the late-first to mid-second round. Yet this kid is nothing short of vilified by a lot of people, including certain members of the press. Why? Because he’s a squeaky-clean winner? We have a need to tear down a real hero?
Tebow is a model citizen, solid student, strong leader, and excellent teammate. His work ethic and desire to learn and improve border on legendary. By the ripe old age of 20, Tebow had done significant missionary work as well as raise money for worthy charitable causes. Tim Tebow is an extraordinary young man, and deserving of our respect, appreciation, and admiration. I hope he’s wildly successful in the NFL.
So what the hell is wrong with Jacksonville-based CBS Sports writer Pete Prisco? Check out his Tweets on @PriscoCBS. For the past few weeks, he averages an anti-Tebow tweet every other day or so. Why? Did he ignore your autograph request? Did he crush your alma mater in football? Seriously, with the thousands of players in college and pro football, why the hyper-focus and sophomoric ridicule of an outstanding young man from your hometown? Pete Prisco: Zero clue and zero class.
Finally… (Despite the small sample set,) with a 7-3 start, consecutive series wins AT the Angels, AT the White Sox, and home against the Red Sox, you just have to believe the Twins are a very legitimate World Series contender. Pitching, hitting, and defense all look great. This could be a very special season.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Random Thoughts - 3/1/10
First Spring Training game in 3 days... Thank God!
Thinking about Tubby's team... 4 years ago in the Monson era, 17-11, 8-8 B10, on the bubble for the NCAA tournament -- would have sounded like heaven. Our expectations have certainly grown. Three 1-point losses and two OT losses -- turning those into wins makes this team 22-6. We're THAT close - and without Nolen, Royce, or Mbakwe. IF (and I mean IF) we can win at Michigan and then clobber Iowa at home, we have a very legit shot at the Dance.
Pam Borton on the other hand... OMG, what a train wreck. Can't recruit. Can't coach. This year's team was pegged for 3rd in the B10, and an NCAA bid was a given. Instead, they finish last in the freakin' conference with an overall losing record. Maturi, get off your ass and dump this fool. There have to be mid-major coaches who have earned their stripes that would love a shot to return the Gophers to glory.
Tough weekend for Gopher baseball. Good thing we're not in the Big East: three games, three losses. Pitching looks pretty good. Hitting, not so much. Maybe the Twins can send McCallum back for another year?
Yeah, it sucks to lose to Canada in the Gold Medal game. But they absolutely kicked our asses in overtime. Bastards. Ryan Miller -- you have a new fan. What a monster tournament!
I coached Iowa Hawkeye LB AJ Edds in 10-year-old baseball. Good 1B, but not much of a hitter. My eldest daughter was the best hitter on that team - had the game-winning RBI that snapped a 2-year winning streak for a team with Purdue basketball player Mark Wohlford. Helluva league -- it also had Eastern Illinois QB Drew Kiel and Indiana QB Dustin Kiel. Not bad for a southern Indiana town of 35,000. Nostalgia... ain't it great?
Lake Mary, FL girls won the 6-A state basketball championship. Again. They don't rebuild -- they reload. Recruit watch: Orange Park HS 6'4" post player Katherine Zander. Soft touch inside or outside. Handles the ball, leads the break. Nice passer. Only knock: too soft. But she'll be a damn good D-1 player somewhere.
12 days until I see the Twins against the Phillies!!!
Thinking about Tubby's team... 4 years ago in the Monson era, 17-11, 8-8 B10, on the bubble for the NCAA tournament -- would have sounded like heaven. Our expectations have certainly grown. Three 1-point losses and two OT losses -- turning those into wins makes this team 22-6. We're THAT close - and without Nolen, Royce, or Mbakwe. IF (and I mean IF) we can win at Michigan and then clobber Iowa at home, we have a very legit shot at the Dance.
Pam Borton on the other hand... OMG, what a train wreck. Can't recruit. Can't coach. This year's team was pegged for 3rd in the B10, and an NCAA bid was a given. Instead, they finish last in the freakin' conference with an overall losing record. Maturi, get off your ass and dump this fool. There have to be mid-major coaches who have earned their stripes that would love a shot to return the Gophers to glory.
Tough weekend for Gopher baseball. Good thing we're not in the Big East: three games, three losses. Pitching looks pretty good. Hitting, not so much. Maybe the Twins can send McCallum back for another year?
Yeah, it sucks to lose to Canada in the Gold Medal game. But they absolutely kicked our asses in overtime. Bastards. Ryan Miller -- you have a new fan. What a monster tournament!
I coached Iowa Hawkeye LB AJ Edds in 10-year-old baseball. Good 1B, but not much of a hitter. My eldest daughter was the best hitter on that team - had the game-winning RBI that snapped a 2-year winning streak for a team with Purdue basketball player Mark Wohlford. Helluva league -- it also had Eastern Illinois QB Drew Kiel and Indiana QB Dustin Kiel. Not bad for a southern Indiana town of 35,000. Nostalgia... ain't it great?
Lake Mary, FL girls won the 6-A state basketball championship. Again. They don't rebuild -- they reload. Recruit watch: Orange Park HS 6'4" post player Katherine Zander. Soft touch inside or outside. Handles the ball, leads the break. Nice passer. Only knock: too soft. But she'll be a damn good D-1 player somewhere.
12 days until I see the Twins against the Phillies!!!
Saturday, February 20, 2010
Random Thoughts
Random thoughts... Twins will finish 91-71 in 2010. Tubby will keep his 20-win streak alive in the NIT. I will blog the 3/13 spring training game from behind the 1B dugout with 6 members of my fantasy baseball league.
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