Tuesday, July 18, 2006
Short Update
** I wrote the below posting early on Tuesday morning. However, there was a problem with my web host. I called Tuesday morning. I called again at lunch. I sent an e-mail in mid-afternoon. Here is what happened. The host put in a new server. Apparently they were having problems with 'hacking' and this new server and software should correct that. I think a quick e-mail to me might have been good so I knew what was going on, but that is alright. At some point during the night, some work must have been done because my main page was showing the June 23rd Q&A with Pat Neshek. As the morning became afternoon, I noticed that the main page was showing last Friday's Q&A with Kevin Slowey. However, my Archive page still only went back to June. I finally talked to the company and their representative told me that their backup plan was updated and they shouldn't have this problem again. However, they actually had to go into google and find all of my previous updates and repost them. Fortunately, I use Microsoft FrontPage for this page and all of my pages were on my C Drive. When I got home, I was able to copy the original files onto the network. And now... HOPEFULLY... things are fixed!
I apologize for this happening. I guess there was nothing I could do about it, but oh well. I wrote the below this morning and still wanted to get it posted. I will likely continue to show it here tomorrow as well. Thank you!
Good morning all! Very quick update this morning because there is some problem with my web host today. It's not my internet provider. They came out to my house and took care of that problem and that has been working very well since. However, I can't even get my publishing software to connect to the web host. This has only happened one other time recently, so I'm not too worried about it yet, but hopefully they take care of it shortly.
So, I am writing up some Twins Thoughts and the minor league updates now, and hopefully I will be able to post it soon. Of course, if you are reading this introductory paragraph, it means that the problems have been fixed. Last night, I wasn't even able to open SethSpeaks.net on my computer. This morning, I open it and it opens up to my June 23 posting of the Q&A with Pat Neshek. I guess if it is going to go back in time and pick an article to show people, that is a good one. Even the stats on the left of the screen were shown from that time. I explain that primarily because it is just strange.
But again, if you are reading this, it is fixed and there is no need to worry about it any more!
Last night's Twins-Devil Rays game was not on TV. So, what is a baseball fan to do when his hometown team's game is not televised? No, it's a question. I really don't know! I 'watched' part of it on CBS Sportsline, but that just isn't the same. Here are just a few thoughts.
First things first, my "Painful Weekend" article was posted on the Twins Scout.com page last night, so check it out there and be sure to check out the Comments in their Discussion Board.
Thanks to Aaron Gleeman for mentioning a couple of my Q&As on his site. He linked to my Q&As with Pat Neshek and Tommy Watkins.
Nick Punto hurt his knee in last night's game. Is it completely wrong that the first thing I asked was if he slid feet first into first base?
Scott Baker got his third win by going six innings. He gave up three runs but he flirted with trouble, especially early in the game. He gave up eight hits, but he gave up six of those in the first three innings. Of course, he worked out of those innings with the help of five strikeouts. He ended with six. He went down needing to find a way to get his pitches down in the strike zone. Obviously without being able to watch the game on TV, I really don't know if he was able to do that. But, he did provide the Twins with a quality start in his return to the rotation and got a win. It is certainly something to build on.
With Punto's injury, I think it makes it more important to go from 12 pitchers to 11. I think that Willie Eyre needs to go to Rochester and get some work in. He hasn't pitched for the Twins in almost two weeks. It will be interesting to see who comes up. My guess would be Chris Heintz for a couple of reasons. First, he could be the #3 catcher allowing Gardy to let catch Mike Redmond more often and Joe Mauer to DH. If Punto is out for awhile, Heintz has also played quite a bit at 3B the last two seasons at AAA. Shawn Wooten is another option. He has caught and played 1B throughout his career. The veteran is similar size-wise to Kevin Mench. He just isn't hitting well this year. Glenn Williams in another option. His numbers aren't very good either, but he got off to a very slow start so he has been better of late. Gleeman mentioned utility infielder Tommy Watkins as a possible call up despite poor offensive numbers throughout his career. You know how I feel about letting guys who have been in the organization for that long get a chance to play (no matter how briefly) with the Twins.
Pat Neshek impressed this guy with his shutout inning in the game last night.
Justin Morneau had another three hit game last night. He drove in two runs on a bloop single. He has just been unreal of late. Is he a .310 hitter? Probably not. However, if you look at his minor league numbers, he has always been a good 'average' hitter besides being a great power threat.
Joe Mauer went 2-3 with an intentional walk. His average is now at .375. No, I don't expect him to keep his average up that high. I do expect that it will come down some. However, when you have the approach at the plate that Mauer has with that picturesque and fluid swing and it should help keep him from going into prolonged slumps. That is why I do think that he will continue to lead the league in hitter, unless Ichiro just goes crazy!
Have I mentioned that tonight's pitching matchup is amazing! Two of the top three left-handed pitchers in baseball will go head-to-head. Francisco Liriano has been incredible as a starter for the Twins. However, he is coming off a tough start. Scott Kazmir has been with the Devil Rays since 2004, and he is still just 22 years old! He is second in the AL (to Johan Santana) in strikeouts. Should be a fun game to watch. Should be a fun game to scout pitches!! Be sure to check back tomorrow when hopefully I will have an analysis of the two starters.
That's it for today. Pretty brief thoughts, but since I don't even know if I will be able to post them today, it will just have to be enough. Any thoughts on the series, please let me know! Send me an e-mail, or leave Comments below.
Monday SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Edward Ovalle, Beloit Snappers
Monday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Kyle Waldrop, Ft. Myers Miracle
Here are the weekend updates. If you have any thoughts on the Twins system, please e-mail me.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Monday - Red Wings 4, Syracuse 5 - The almost completely depleted Red Wings are still being very competitive, but in this game, players were switching positions and it was a very difficult situation, I'm sure. Matt Ford started and in just 3.2 innings, he gave up four runs (3 earned) on six hits and two walks. He struck out three. Henry Bonilla went the next 2.2 innings and gave up a run. Beau Kemp then went the final 2.2 innings without allowing a run. Erubiel Durazo went 2-4 with his fourth double. Tommy Watkins went 2-4 with his second double and three RBI. Kevin West was 2-4.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Monday - Rockcats 8, Reading 7 (10) – Brian Duensing made his first AA start in this game. He went 5.2 innings and gave up four runs (3 earned) on eight hits and two walks. Tristan Crawford went the next three innings and left the game with two on and two out in the bottom of the 9th. Levale Speigner came in and on his first pitch, he gave up a three run homer that tied the game. However, in the Top of the 10th, Alexi Casilla doubled in the winning run and Speigner pitched a scoreless 10th inning. Matt Tolbert went 2-4 with his ninth double, third homer, two walks and two RBI. Scott Whitrock went 2-4 with his eighth double, two stolen bases and his 12th stolen base. Danny Matienzo went 1-3 with two walks and his 12th homer
FT MYERS MEMOS
Monday - Miracle 6, Dunedin 4 – Kyle Waldrop made his first Florida State League start and he got the Win. He gave up four runs (3 earned) on seven hits and two walks. He struck out two. Ryan Callahan gave up a hit and struck out two batters. Chris Schutt came in and got the final four outs for his fourth save. Brian Roberts remains hot as he went 2-4 with a walk and his 33rd stolen base. David Winfree went 2-5 with his fifth double, first triple and two RBI. Brock Peterson went 2-4 with two RBI. Erold Andrus hit his third homer.
BELOIT BITS
Monday - Snappers 10, West Michigan 4 – Edward Ovalle had a big game, leading the Snappers to a big win. He went 3-5 with two doubles, his eighth home run and two RBI. Erik Lis was 3-5 and hit his 11th homer. Toby Gardenhire went 3-3 with a walk. Paul Kelly went 2-4 with his 21st double and fourth triple. Drew Thompson and Tarrence Patterson were each 2-5. Eli Tintor hit his fifth home run. Jose Cordero got the start. He gave up two runs (just one earned) on four hits but three walks in four innings. Danny Vais got the win. He gave up a run over three innings on a home run. He walked four. David Shinskie gave up a run in his inning. Yohan Pino pitched a scoreless inning.
ELIZABETHTON UPDATE
Monday - E-Twins 11, Johnson City 3 – Garrett Olson had a great game. he went 4-5 with a double and two RBI. But Danny Berg may have stolen the show. He hit his first two home runs of the year and drove in six runs. Brian Kirwan picked up his second win. In six innings, he gave up two runs on three hits and three walks. he struck out four. Patrick Bryant went a scoreless inning. Brandon McConnell gave up a run in his inning, and then Aaron Craig pitched a scoreless ninth despite two hits and a walk.
GCL TWINS REPORT
Monday - GCL Twins 8, GCL Red Sox 12 – Deibinson Romero went 3-5 with his first triple, second homer and four RBI. Joe Benson and Matt Betsill went 2-4. Juan Delgado hit his first homer and drove in three runs. Curtis Leavitt started and went four innings. He gave up five runs on eight hits and five walks. He struck out three. Loek Van Mil gave up five runs (4 earned) on seven hits and a walk in just two innings. Wright gave up two runs on three hits and two walks in just one inning. Carlos Garcia then struck out three in his two innings.
Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.
|