Did in expect to go higher in the draft than round 14? -- Marc Downie

Jeff Manship: I did. There were questions marks around me due to signability so that caused me to fall. I was upset at the time of the draft, but I feel like it was a blessing in disguise. I am very happy to be a part of the Minnesota Twins. The organization is one of the best.

How good do you think your curveball is now compared to before you had Tommy John's? -- Marc Downie

Jeff Manship: I feel like it had a little bit of a sharper break before I had surgery. I relied on it too much, though, which led to my surgery.

I would like to know what kind of coaching Twins minor league pitchers receive. At each minor league level do they have a different pitching coach with different philosophies, or are they given things to work on by the Twins. If there is direction from the Twins office, who is responsible for evaluating each player and determining what they need to work on. – Doug Lien

Jeff Manship: I have been happy with the coaching I have received. Each coach is different and has different teaching methods. Some focus more on mechanics while others deal with the mental aspects of pitching. My mechanics were never altered drastically. They would only make small adjustments. For example, when I would stride out I would land on my heel too much so I made a conscious effort during every bullpen to correct the mistake. The philosophies are similar throughout the Twins organization.

I would like to know how hard his fastball is over the course of a game -- Sue Bradley

Jeff Manship: I usually sit from around 89-93 and average 91 throughout the game.

How big is the "dead arm" we hear about? Is it the arm not being in shape…fatigue, mechanics or life? Has he ever experienced it. – Lee Kofstad

Jeff Manship: Some guys experience it and some guys don't. Luckily I never really had to deal with it during the season. The only time that I felt it was during spring training but that was just because my arm was not in its top shape. I feel that fatigue is the main reason for dead arm.

The Twins seem to have great depth in starting pitching talent right now. As somebody working up the ladder in that category, does that feel like a challenge to being successful yourself, or does it indicate an environment where developing as a pitcher is very comfortable? -- Jesse in St. Paul

Jeff Manship: I see it as more of a challenge. Everybody is striving for the same position. I don't think that I could ever become too comfortable knowing that there is so much talent around me along with all the younger talent that will join the organization in the future. That's what is so different about pro ball. Its strange that you compete against the opposing team but also against the guys sitting on the bench next to you.

As a followup, how do you feel the Twins should best use all this starting talent? Should somebody like Glen Perkins be moved to the Twins bullpen to get his arm in the majors? -- Jesse in St. Paul

Jeff Manship: It is tough to say. Often they will put guys in the bullpen to just get some experience but they want them to keep their starter mentality. I don't see it as a negative, though, if guys like Perkins are put in the bullpen.

What would you be doing if you hadn't been drafted? -- Beth Miller

Jeff Manship: I would probably be working behind a desk somewhere and not be happy about it. I have not really put too much thought into what career path besides baseball I will choose. Hopefully I will have a long and productive career in baseball.

Have you always been a pitcher? If not, what other positions did you play? If you could choose, what position would you play? -- Beth Miller

Jeff Manship: I did not even begin to start practicing as a pitcher until I was 10. I remember making the All-Star team at my little league and we needed a pitcher so I volunteered and have loved it ever since. I used to play middle infield, mainly shortstop when I was younger and a good amount of 2nd in high school. I never really like playing the infield, though. I would get more upset at myself for making an error than I would if I gave up a homerun or struck out while hitting. I attempted to play 3rd my senior year of high school but lasted about 5 games. I think I made about 10 errors. If I actually managed to field the grounder I would make an awful throw to first. Coach and I made a mutual agreement that I would give up 3rd and just pitch and DH, which was perfect because I loved hitting. If I had my choice of positions I would stick with pitching.

What was the most memorable moment for you playing baseball in 2007? -- Beth Miller

Jeff Manship: Winning the first half in Beloit was the most memorable experience.

What are your plans for the offseason? School? Training? -- Steve R

Jeff Manship: I am going to finish my degree at Notre Dame. Last year I trained at school and I will do the same again this year. The facilities here are some of the best in the country and I am still allowed to use them so I take full advantage of it.

When do you start thinking and preparing for the 2008 season? -- Ron R.

Jeff Manship: Right when the 2007 season ended I started thinking of the 2008 season. For now I am going to take a break and won't start throwing again until January. I will do some light workouts starting this week just to stay in shape. The heavier workouts don't come until late fall and winter.

Does you still feel any effects from the TJ surgery? Any irritation? Pain? Swelling? etc. – from Josh Johnson as a follow-up to his Q&A with Jeff at Josh’s Thoughts

Jeff Manship: Not really. This is the best my arm has felt. I rarely get sore or tight. The day after I pitch is usually the only discomfort that I experience and it is never bad. My arm showed that it can handle the load of a full season which is good to know. I did not know what to expect going into this year. The most innings that I had ever thrown in a season was 90 or so last year at Notre Dame. I am just happy that the surgery was a success and that I can still compete.

Despite being right-handed, you’ve actually been more effective against lefties than righties at Fort Myers (BAA: .245 vs. .288). Any idea why? Do you pitch them differently? -- James M

Jeff Manship: I do throw lefties differently. I tend to throw them more change-ups and less sliders. It seemed that my sinker had less movement when trying to come in to righties versus staying away from lefties so that could have been a factor. I also felt that I left too many sliders up to righties which resulted in avoidable hits.

Another interesting split. You’ve been terrific on the road (4-0, 2.39, .208), not so good at home (3-5, 4.08, .310). Any idea why? -- James M

Jeff Manship: I actually noticed that myself and wondered what my deal was. I was happy to know that my last start was in Dunedin. I wish I knew why I had better numbers on the road, but I really do not know.

Do you think it's kind of funny that your ex-teammate Jeff Samardzija signed for so much money with the Cubs when you were the ace of that Notre Dame staff? -- Marc Downie

Jeff Manship: I wish I could negotiate for that kind of money but my only talent is baseball. Jeff is a very gifted athlete so he had plenty of bargaining power. I am happy for Jeff that he was able to sign such a big contract.

Do you keep in touch with Jeff S.? Have you got a friendly wager on who gets to the Show first? -- James M

Jeff Manship: Yes I do still keep in touch with him. It is good to see that he is doing well in AA. No wager has been made. I am going to assume that he makes it first. From what I hear he will most likely be in the bigs at some point next year.

I live in Ft. Myers and know about the heat and humidity. and the storms that may occur each evening. Has your training (physical and mental) changed since the promotion from Beloit? -- Tom Anderson

Jeff Manship: It is a big adjustment dealing with the heat. I probably sweat the most that I ever have in my life this season. I had to be mentally tougher and not wear myself out. It is easier to get away with throwing long innings in Beloit but in Ft. Myers your strength is sapped if you stay on the mound too long. I went through plenty of rosin trying to keep my hands and the ball dry. The physical training did not change too much. I still worked out the same but was soaked with sweat afterwards. The rain never bothered me. The occasional rainout was nice since we rarely get days off.

Can you explain the differences between the Midwest League and the Florida State League, and what adjustments did you find you had to make, if any? -- Jeff N.

Jeff Manship: The main thing that I noticed was that hitters were more patient. They rarely ever swung at breaking pitches early in the count so it was imperative that I throw it for strikes. In addition, guys don't swing at as many bad pitches. They are looking for a certain pitch in a certain count so there is less room for error.

If you could play the role of ‘scout’, what would your scouting report of Jeff Manship be? -- Kevin Q.

Jeff Manship: Solid breaking pitches, needs to continue to develop the change-up, good control in Beloit but it seemed to slip a little in Ft. Myers, good life on 2-seam fastball.
I still feel that there is a lot that I need to work on the make it the bigs. I need to control the running game better and get ahead of hitters more often.

If you don’t mind, can you also give us your pitching teammates from 2007 that showed:  - Kevin Q. (Jeff Manship's responses in Red)

Best Fastball - Zach Ward or Eddy Morlan
Best Curveball - Cole Devries
Best Changeup - Errol Simonitsch
Best Slider - Tyler Robertson
Best Control - Jay Rainville

And with the hitters:

Best Power Potential - Chris Parmelee
Best Plate Discipline - Steve Tolleson
Best Base Runner - Joe Benson or Steve Tolleson
Fastest Runner - Joe Benson

Do you know the entire Notre Dame fight song? -- Karl B

Jeff Manship: Of course. It is the best fight song in college.

Is it mandatory for all incoming Notre Dame students to watch Rudi? -- Karl B

Jeff Manship: I am pretty confident that almost everyone has seen Rudi before going to Notre Dame and if they haven't someone will make them watch it within the first week they are there. Surprisingly I haven't watched it once since I have been at school here.

What was it about Notre Dame that drew you to attend there? -- Karl B

Jeff Manship: The education was the main factor that made be decide on Notre Dame. I realize that baseball is not going to be my career forever. Acquiring a degree from a prestigious university like Notre Dame will last forever and open many doors for me in the future. I also liked the amount of history at the school. Many people wondered why I left Texas and its climate for the miserable conditions in South Bend but it was worth it. I guess it is good that I have experienced pitching in frigid weather now that the Twins are building an outdoor stadium.