Following a spring in which he struck out 33 and walked just five opponents, for three straight starts Francisco Liriano has failed to demonstrate much command over the strike zone. After posting a 49.2% first-pitch strike rate in 2011, the worst mark in baseball, the Twins left-handers has come out of the gate attempting to best that by throwing a first-pitch strike just 42.9% of the time. Meanwhile, as the rest of the league has peppered the strike zone with bullets 49% of the time ...
It just happens to take two pitchers to make that one Ace. Between Carl Pavano's mindset, and Francisco Liriano's stuff, we actually do have that one Ace. Pavano demonstrated on Monday that he has that bulldog mentality that an ace needs, to decide that he is going to go out, compete, and get some outs for his team. Liriano demonstrated on Tuesday that he is one of the most mentally fragile picthers in the league, that is yet to learn how to handle adversity. If we could somehow combine them ...
With no Scott Baker in the fold, and with an ineffective Francisco Liriano, the future of the Twins' rotation is dubious, at best [Originally published at Twins Fan From Afar] You all know the story by now: Last night was not a good ...
Updated 04-18-2012 at 10:48 AM by Twins Fan From Afar
Original post from North Dakota Twins Fan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ There are less than two months left until the MLB Draft and this means clubs are starting to get a picture of who the top prospects are going to be when it comes to selection time. Many of the top baseball writing sites have started to put together their initial lists of who are the best players available ...
This has been a few years in the making, and until now I have been completely against it because his value as a starter seemed so immense when he was on, but now it is time to move Francisco Liriano to the bullpen. Here are the reasons: 1. Aside from 2010, he has been marginally good to pretty bad as a starter for the past 4+ seasons. 2. Starters who move to the bullpen generally throw harder given that they are amped up for one or two innings as opposed to 6-9. ...
After watching their lineup get decimated by injuries last season, the Twins were hoping they'd have better luck keeping position players healthy in the new campaign. So far, so good in that regard. There have been no broken bones, no bilateral leg weakness, no reemergence of concussion symptoms. Unfortunately, pitching has been a different story. The Twins lost Joel Zumaya, their projected top right-handed setup option, and Scott Baker, their potential No. 1 starter, before either ...
Twins look like themselves at Yankee Stadium tonight, losing 8-3. Liriano has an awful outing and talk has started of what to do if he doesn't turn it around. Down on the farm teams go 3-2 (Beloit had doubleheader after yesterday's rain out). Nishioka gets 3 hits (all singles) and 1 walk. Sano goes deep for the 5th time, and Chris Colabello has a 2nd straight great game at the plate for New Britain. 3 HR in the last 2 game. At age 28, he's obviously not a prospect, but interesting story ...
Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- Here is this week's installment, tax deadline edition: Public service announcement: If you have not filed your taxes yet, uncle Sam gives you till midnight tonight to do soTwins' OF Josh Willingham, after he was named Twins' position player of the week here, was officially named AL player of the week.The Twins finally win the opening game of a series in Yankee Stadium. Last time they accomplished that feat it ...
Earlier this spring I listed 10 mid-lower tier prospects to watch this year as I expected breakout seasons from each of them. This is an update on eight of them (Nate Roberts is on the DL and Angel Mata is in extended spring training) as well as an introduction to two more players off to strong starts this season. BELOIT: JD Williams, OF (Age: 21.5, SH): Williams is off to a slow start with the bat, but is still getting on base. Stats: 26 AB, .115/.324/.154, 1 2B, 0 3B, ...
As Nick wrote yesterday, as the M&M Boys go, so go the Twins. On Monday night in the Bronx, Joe Mauer went 3-4 with a walk, two doubles and a stolen base. Justin Morneau had two hits, including a long home run. Jamey Carroll and Ryan Doumit also had multi-hit games in a game in which all nine Twins starters had at least one hit. Carl Pavano had a rought first inning, but was able to turn things around and give up just three runs in seven innings. Brian Duensing and Matt Capps each threw a scoreless ...
Is tonight the night where Liriano puts it together?? [Originally published at Twins Fan From Afar] CC Sabathia is down. In two starts this season, he has 0 decisions. In 12 innings pitched, he's given up 16 hits, 9 earned runs, 2 home runs and ...
This week I will focus on the in-conference games, discussing each series, and how some draft prospects performed. Minnesota vs. Northwestern: The Gophers swept the Wildcats 2-1, 2-1, and 6-0 in the weekend series. Friday's game featured the dominance of pitcher T.J. Oakes, who gave up 1 run in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 7 without giving up a walk. In the second game of the series, D.J. Snelten picked up where Oakes left off. Snelten went 7 2/3 innings, giving up only ...
Original post from North Dakota Twins Fan ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ In the final weeks of spring training, the Twins made a few adjustments to their line-up to align themselves for the start of the 2012 regular season. As part of these moves, Josh Willingham moved from right field to left field, Justin Morneau was going to be the full-time designated hitter, and Chris Parmelee was slated ...
Updated 04-17-2012 at 02:19 PM by Cody Christie
After getting swept at home against Texas, Twins go on the road and win in New York. Of course. M & M boys put up big game, now the team needs to put up consecutive games like that. Down on the farm, teams go 2-1. Beloit gets rained out, New Britain remains in 1st place after scoring 5 in the 11th to win. Today's Recap: Minnesota Twins 2012 Season Day-by-Day ...
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