Friday, September 1, 2006
AUGUST GRADES
Good morning everybody! Thank you again for stopping by the site. I figured that since it took me more than a week into August to get you the team's July Grades that I would get you the August grades on the first day possible. I will get to those, however, first I want to discuss briefly the moves that the Twins made last night.
TWINS ACQUIRE NEVIN
Last night, the Twins made a big move in an attempt to win the AL Wild Card race and get into the playoffs. They acquired Phil Nevin and cash from the Chicago Cubs for a player to be named later. The Twins have had little success from the DH role this season. Nevin will likely be the DH most every day in September. The #1 overall pick from the 1992 draft will be playing for his seventh big league club. He represented the San Diego Padres in the 2001 All-Star game. He is a quality, veteran right-handed bat. For the season (split between Texas and the Cubs), Nevin has hit .245/.321/.456 with 21 homers and 64 RBI. I would think that he will bat 7th, although he could bat 6th as well. He should solidify the Twins lineup. I really like this move by the Twins!
To this point in the season, Twins DHs have hit a combined .263/.310/.364 on the season with just five home runs. Rondell White and Jason Kubel have combined for just over 61% of the DH at bats, and they have hit just .194. The .263 average is probably not a true representation as Joe Mauer has hit .480 in 50 at bats as a DH. Phil Nevin should definitely help the position. It also means that the Twins will still not have to have Mike Redmond DH too often. And, in a bind, Phil Nevin can catch as well. He also could play some 1B to allow Justin Morneau to DH.
CALL UPS
As I predicted yesterday, Alexi Casilla will be playing in a Twins uniform in September. Casilla, Scott Baker and Chris Heintz will be promoted to the Twins before tonight's Twins-Yankees game. I thought that Casilla should be added to the playoff roster, but from what I have seen and read, the moves will be made today. To be on the post season roster, they would have had to been called up last night. Of course, there are loopholes to these rules as well.
TWINS SALVAGE A WIN FROM ROYALS
I know that so many are disappointed that the Twins lost two out of three from the Royals, but it needs to be put into some perspective. Here is a perfect example to illustrate what happens in baseball. Johan Santana was great yesterday, striking out 11 to earn his 16th win of the season. He gave up a home run to Esteban German. Johan Santana, the best pitcher in baseball, gave up a home run to Esteban German, one of the weakest hitters in baseball. Likewise, the Twins, one of the better teams in baseball, lost two out of three to the Royals, the worst team in baseball. I know that doesn't make anyone feel any better, but big picture, the Twins enter their series with the Yankees just 1/2 game behind the White Sox in the Wild Card race.
By the way, how dominant was Pat Neshek? Did anyone else raise an eyebrow when Neshek was brought into the 8th inning of a 1-run game? With Juan Rincon's recent struggles, I couldn't help but wonder if Neshek has passed Rincon as the 8th inning guy. My assumption is that it hasn't happened yet. Rincon is too proven over a longer period. However, having a second 8th inning option is not a bad thing at all!
Let's just get to the grades, right?
THE PITCHERS
THE STARTERS
SCOTT BAKER
(1 start, 3.1 Innings Pitched, 0-1 with a 18.90 ERA, 1 walk, 1 strikeout, 2.40 WHIP, .450 Opponent Average, 2.7 K/9)
Baker came back up and got just one try with the Twins. He was good through three innings, but then he got shelled in the fourth. He will be back this weekend to start against the Yankees. He has completely dominated at AAA, and he is ready for the big leagues. He just needs to know that he's on the team so he can try to relax. It is hard to give a grade based on one start. (see Liriano below)
August Grade: D-
July Grade: D
June Grade: Minors
May Grade: B+
BOOF BONSER
(5 starts, 27 Innings Pitched, 1-3 with a 5.00 ERA, 5 walks, 27 strikeouts, 1.41 WHIP, .319 Opponent Average, 9.0 K/9)
Bonser was given a shot at a rotation spot as well. He had a mediocre start, was sent down for a short while, and he was quickly returned. Since that time, he has been very good. He has kept the team in games. He has been able to give five or six quality innings in each start. I like the strikeout rate and the K:BB ratio. The record isn't really indicative of how he has pitched.
August Grade: C+
July Grade: D-
June Grade: C-
May Grade: B+
MATT GARZA
(4 starts, 21.1 Innings Pitched, 1-3 with a 5.06 ERA, 6 walks, 15 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP, .315 Opponent Average, 6.3 K/9)
Garza made his highly anticipated big league debut this month. It didn't go well, at all. However, since that start, he has been better in each subsequent start including eight innings of two-run ball this week against the Royals.
August Grade: C
FRANCISCO LIRIANO
(1 start, 4 Innings Pitched, 0-1 with a 9.00 ERA, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts, 2.50 WHIP, .500 Opponent Average, 11.3 K/9)
When the season ending grades come out, just remember that this month's grade is based on one start that he should not have made. Injury to his arm cost him the whole month and really slowed the Twins momentum. That tells us all just how good and how important he has been to the team's success this season.
August Grade: D
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A-
BRAD RADKE
(5 Starts, 29 Innings Pitched, 3-1 with a 2.48 ERA, 4 walk, 17 strikeouts, 1.10 WHIP, .276 Opponent Average, 5.3 K/9)
Guts. Radke pitched incredibly despite pitching through a lot of pain. It finally caught up to him last week and he has missed one start already and will be skipped again this weekend. He had another cortisone shot. But what a month! Great ERA, WHIP, and K:BB ratio. He even was credited with Wins. Just an excellent month for Radke!
August Grade: A
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
JOHAN SANTANA
(6 Starts, 42 Innings Pitched, 4-0 with a 2.36 ERA, 8 walks, 47 strikeouts, 0.86 WHIP, .227 Opponent Average, 10.1 K/9)
Santana pitched spectacularly all month. Yesterday was as good a start as he has had all year. It wasn't just the strikeouts, it was the intelligence. Twice he had runners on 3B with less than two outs. Instead of just pitching to the next guy, he worked it smart to get to lesser hitters, who he struck out. He is the best pitcher in baseball for so many reasons, not just his left arm.
August Grade: A
July Grade: B-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: C-
CARLOS SILVA
(5 Starts, 29 Innings Pitched, 1-3 with a 6.52 ERA. 7 walk, 7 strikeouts, 1.72 WHIP, .386 Opponent Average, 2.2 K/9)
Last month, Silva was 3-0. However, his 'other' numbers were all essentially this month, but his record was just 1-3. Again, that tells us the importance of the Win stat. In this case, Silva has been equally poor each of the last two months. There is really no good reason for him to remain in the starting rotation.
August Grade: D
July Grade: D
June Grade: B-
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
MIKE SMITH
(1 Start, 3 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 12.00 ERA. 3 walk, 1 strikeouts, 2.67 WHIP, .500 Opponent Average, 3.0 K/9)
I spoke adamantly about Smith's treatment. He had a poor start in Kansas City early in the month where he had little control. Ron Gardenhire bashed him, and he was sent down soon after. He was not even given a second start. I don't think that is right. First, I thought Gardy should have had a one-on-one chat with Smith and told him he needed better control. Then Smith should have been given one more start. He hadn't been in the big leagues for 3+ seasons, so I'm sure his adrenaline was flowing! But, it is very likely that Smith will not get another chance with the Twins and could be taken off the 40 man roster.
August Grade: D-
THE BULLPEN
JESSE CRAIN
(10 Games, 13.1 Innings Pitched, 1-0 with a 3.38 ERA, 4 walks, 11 strikeouts, 1.05 WHIP, .275 Opponent Average, 7.4 K/9)
For the third straight month, Crain was terrific. The strikeouts are back up, and all of his peripheral numbers are excellent. He has definitely reclaimed a more prominent role in the Twins strong bullpen.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D-
April Grade: D-
WILLIE EYRE
(9 Games, 17.1 Innings Pitched, 1-0 with a 1.56 ERA, 3 walks, 7 strikeouts, 0.92 WHIP, .243 Opponent Average, 3.6 K/9)
Eyre, to me, was one of the big stories of the month. I had been saying he needed to be sent down so he could work some consistent innings. Well, he stayed up, but for the first time in a Twins uniform, he got some consistent innings and he showed us just how good he can be. Sure the strikeouts are low, but so are all of the other numbers that matter. Great month for Eyre!
August Grade: A
July Grade: F
June Grade: D
May Grade: D+
April Grade: C+
MATT GUERRIER
(9 Games, 14 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 1.29 ERA, 2 walks, 6 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP, .298 Opponent Average, 3.9 K/9)
Guerrier came back and really pitched well. He just added to the Twins already strong bullpen. He broke out that terrific curveball and pitched some important innings.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: INJ
June Grade: INJ
May Grade: A-
April Grade: F
JOE NATHAN
(11 Games, 11 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 6 Saves in 7 Chances, 2 walk, 11 strikeouts, 0.64 WHIP, .175 Opponent Average, 9.0 K/9)
Joe Nathan was wonderful again in August. I just don't understand why he gets so little acclaim. He walks few, allows few hits, seemingly only gives up runs in non-save situations (except that Dye home runs, of course). he's the best in the game.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A
PAT NESHEK
(12 Games, 15.1 Innings Pitched, 2-0 with a 0.59 ERA, 2 walk, 24 strikeouts, 0.59 WHIP, .167 Opponent Average, 14.1 K/9)
Unbelievable. Just look back again at the walk to strikeout rate, and the K/9. Opponents don't hit him at all. Not even the lefties! The Twins couldn't have asked for any more than Neshek has given, and in yesterday's game, he was brought in for the 8th inning of a one run game!
August Grade: A
July Grade: A
DENNIS REYES
(15 Games, 12 Innings Pitched, 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 4 walks, 13 strikeouts, 0.67 WHIP, .186 Opponent Average, 9.8 K/9)
Reyes got his contract and came out with a poor outing. But again, just look at his numbers. 0.00 ERA? More than a K an inning. Reyes was incredible and certainly deserved the deal he got!
August Grade: A
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A-
April Grade: A+
JUAN RINCON
(13 Games, 10.1 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 5.23 ERA, 2 walks, 11 strikeouts, 1.74 WHIP, .375 Opponent Average, 9.6 K/9)
It was a rough month for Rincon. He was hit hard. He didn't walk many, but he seemed to fall behind a lot of hitters and it really hurt him. I'm not worried about him. As Aaron Gleeman mentioned, the 8th inning isn't his alone any more as Gardy is mixing and matching a bit too much. But, Rincon will be fine!
August Grade: C-
July Grade: A-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A-
April Grade: B-
THE HITTERS
JASON BARTLETT
(28 Games, 33-94, .351/.408/.436, 8-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 7-RBI, 3/5 SB, 7 BB, 6 K)
For the third straight month, Bartlett has more than lived up to even my high hopes for him. Gets hits. Gets on base. He is playing a good shortstop. I won't even use the name "Juan Castro" in this summary, but Bartlett has done everything asked of him, and now he should be living in the security of his own position.
August Grade: A
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
LUIS CASTILLO
(26 Games, 39-111, .351/.387/.387, 2-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 8-RBI, 6/8 SB, 7 BB, 14 K)
Castillo had a very solid month in August for the Twins. He got on base 38.7% of the time, which is very good. Of course, his batting average accounted for 35.1% of that, so he wasn't taking pitches like a typical leadoff guy. It was a good month for Castillo, the veteran piranha! Hopefully his ankle injury is not too serious and he can get back on the field soon.
August Grade: A
July Grade: A-
June Grade: D-
May Grade: B-
April Grade: A-
MICHAEL CUDDYER
(28 Games, 33-106, .311/.398/.594, 10-2B, 1-3B, 6-HR, 24-RBI, 0/0 SB, 13 BB, 28 K)
Now that is a month! His OPS is just under 1.000! In the month, Cuddyer hit for average and hit for power. Look at that. As has been the case most of the year, most of his hits have been for extra bases. 17 of his 33 hits in August went for extra base hits. Yes, he takes too many pitches sometimes and he strikes out a lot, but productivity like this is hard to not like!
August Grade: A
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B
May Grade: A
April Grade: B+
LEW FORD
(9 Games, 3-19, .158/.158/.158, 0-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 3 K)
Ford missed much of the month injured and rehabbing in Rochester. When he did play, he did very little, as you would expect from someone who hasn't played much in a while and doesn't get consistent at bats. It appears that Jason Tyner is now the starting left fielder with Ford acting as the fourth or even fifth outfielder.
August Grade: D
July Grade: INJ
June Grade: D
May Grade: C
April Grade: D+
TORII HUNTER
(28 Games, 27-106, .255/.301/.491, 5-2B, 1-3B, 5-HR, 16-RBI, 0/1 SB, 4 BB, 27 K)
Hunter had a solid, but very typical month for him. Below average batting average, not much for walks, and some decent power. Lots of strikeouts though. The ankle had to have been affecting him throughout the month. We see it in his defense that he is far from 100% All things considered, this is probably as good as we could have hoped for from Hunter this month. Also remember that he hit the five homers over a six game period.
August Grade: C
July Grade: B
June Grade: B
May Grade: A
April Grade: D-
JASON KUBEL
(16 Games, 7-46, .152/.235/.217, 3-2B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 5 BB, 13 K)
After an amazing June, Kubel was rather pedestrian in July. He was pretty much bad in August. He just is not healthy. He isn't taking the same types of at bats. He can't run. He doesn't seem to be driving the ball. The DL might be the best place for him right now.
August Grade: D
July Grade: C-
June Grade: A
May Grade: C-
April Grade: C-
JOE MAUER
(23 Games, 24-87, .276/.375/.448, 5-2B, 2-3B, 2-HR, 16-RBI, 1/1 SB, 15 BB, 7 K)
Wouldn't we all like to have a 'bad' month like this. His average dipped into the realm of league average. His on-base percentage was still very good, and he had enough extra base hits to keep his OPS over .800. Yes, his average is dropping, but his VORP continues to rise because his drop is right in line with the average big league catcher at this point in the season. So, although he is really struggling right now, he is just fine yet.
August Grade: B+
July Grade: A-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A-
JUSTIN MORNEAU
(28 Games, 30-102, .294/.388/.490, 8-2B, 0-3B, 4-HR, 22-RBI, 1/2 SB, 15 BB, 10 K)
We always talk about a player continually improving, getting better every day. If that was the case, there is not much room for improvement in what Morneau did in June and July. He had another strong month of August. I like that his walk total was higher than that strikeout rate. Morneau is an MVP candidate for good reason!
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: B
April Grade: D-
NICK PUNTO
(24 Games, 26-95, .275/.349/.363, 5-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 10-RBI, 3/4 SB, 12 BB, 15 K)
It wasn't as strong as July, but Punto was again very solid in August. The average came back down a little bit, but I really like that Isolated Discipline. We don't expect a lot of power from Punto, but he did hit his first homer. The walks and strikeout totals remain close. Very solid month for Punto.
August Grade: B
July Grade: A
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A-
April Grade: C-
JOSH RABE
(9 Games, 4-21, .190/.227/.381, 1-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 1 BB, 3 K)
Rabe didn't play as much in August as some players came back, so it's not real easy to judge his performance for August. He showed why I think he can be a solid big leaguer, but he also showed a few reasons why he is not looked upon as an every day player. He was sent back down to Rochester late in the month but will be back in September.
August Grade: D
July Grade: A
MIKE REDMOND
(7 Games, 10-26, .385/.467/.462, 2-2B, 0-HR, 5-RBI, 0/0 SB, 2 BB, 1 K)
Redmond had his first sub-par month as a Twin in July. Despite very limited and inconsistent playing time, he continues to hit and for some reason hit out of the 3-hole. He does great behind the plate and is just the perfect backup catcher. The 3-4 yesterday only improved an already strong month.
August Grade: A
July Grade: C-
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A
April Grade: A
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
(10 Games, 8-22, .364/.417/.409, 1-2B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 2 BB, 2 K)
July was a bad month for L-Rod. He showed again in August why I think he is a solid big leaguer. He puts together quality at bats most every time. He is more of a singles hitter. He doesn't go outside the strike zone too often. He has a solid glove. He is a solid reserve player.
August Grade: A
July Grade: F
June Grade: B+
May Grade: F
April Grade: A
JASON TYNER
(26 Games, 28-92, .304/.333/.348, 2-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 4-RBI, 3/4 SB, 4 BB, 8 K)
Tyner continued to play most every day. He deserved it, hitting over .300. For the type of hitter he is, I know I would like to see more walks. We know there won't be a lot of power, but that is alright too. Remember, he had the chance for a cycle earlier in the month against the Blue Jays, needing only a homer off of BJ Ryan. He has again proven that he is a big league fourth outfielder type. He is above AAA, and his limitations make him a reserve, rather than an every day player. That said, he isn't going to hurt a team much either if he does have to start some.
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A
RONDELL WHITE
(8 Games, 4-28, .143/.143/.357, 1-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 3-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 6 K)
Another rough month for White. He spent much of it on the Disabled List again, and when he did come back and play, he just didn't do a lot. He had the homer yesterday, but that was really the lone positive in the month.
August Grade: D-
July Grade: A
June Grade: F
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
So, there are my August Grades for the Minnesota Twins players. I would love to hear you thoughts or comments on any of them. Please feel free to agree or disagree and let me know why. Send me an e-mail.
Thursday SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Joe Benson, Beloit Snappers
Thursday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Yohan Pino, Beloit Snappers
ROCHESTER REPORT
Thursday - Red Wings 5, Buffalo 3 (14) - Chris Heintz likely heard before the game that he would be moving up to the Twins after the game, so he wanted to leave Rochester on a high note. He went 3-4 with a walk. Glenn Williams was 2-5 with a double. Andres Torres was 2-6 with a walk. Terry Tiffee was 2-7. Tiffee drove in two runs in the top of the 14th with a single. Peter Munro started and gave up a run on four hits and two walks in 5.1 innings. Beau Kemp came in and gave up a run in his 2.1 innings. Bobby Korecky gave up one run in his 3.1 innings. Kevin Cameron improved to 3-1 with three shutout innings.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Thursday - Rockcats 3, Reading 6 – When I saw that Alexi Casilla was not in the Rockcats lineup, I figured he was called up. The team still got good production out of the top of their lineup as both Trent Oeltjen and Denard Span each went 2-5. Oeltjen stole his 23rd base. Tristan Crawford got the start. He went five innings and gave up only an unearned run. He walked none and struck out five. David Shinskie then gave up five runs (4 earned) on three hits and a walk. Colby Miller walked three, but went 1.2 shutout innings.
FT MYERS MEMOS
Thursday - Miracle 2, Sarasota 6 – Oswaldo Sosa took his first FSL loss (4-1). In 7.1 innings, he gave up four runs (3 earned) on five hits and two walks. He struck out five. JP Martinez gave up a run on two hits and a walk in just 2/3 of an inning. Robert Delaney, up from the GCL team, gave up a run in his inning. Brandon Roberts and Trevor Plouffe each went 2-4. Erold Andrus hit his fifth homer.
BELOIT BITS
Thursday - Game 1 - Snappers 1, SW Michigan 0 – In something you don't see every day, SW Michigan starter Wade Davis threw a no hitter... and he lost. In the fourth inning, Yancarlos Ortiz led off with a walk. He stole second and went to 3B on a throwing error. Dwayne White then knocked him in with a sacrifice fly. Yohan Pino improved to 14-2 (1.91 ERA. He went five shutout innings, allowing just four hits and two walks. Adam Hawes got his first save with two shutout innings.
Thursday - Game 2 - Snappers 2, SW Michigan 5 – The Snappers had just six hits in this game, and Joe Benson went 4-4. Eduardo Morlan started and went five shutout innings. He gave up three hits, walked two and struck out six. Armando Gabino pitched the sixth. He gave up five runs on three hits and two walks.
ELIZABETHTON UPDATE
Thursday - E-Twins/Danville – Game 1 of the Appalachian League Championship Series was postponed because of rain.
Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.