Twins Fan From Afar



Steely Determination


[Originally published at Twins Fan From Afar]

This past spring, when I attended the Rock Cats' annual welcome home dinner, where I was seated with (a pre-Tommy John) Alex Wimmers, I purchased $5 worth of raffle tickets ...

http://www.mlbtraderumors.com/2012/1...i-casilla.html
MLBTR has Baltimore claiming Casilla off of waivers.

The fact that the Twins were awful for a second straight season admittedly diminished the amount of baseball that I watched this year, and I found it somewhat difficult to write about the Twins as the season dragged on, which is probably one of the reasons why I enjoyed covering the Rock Cats -- a winning baseball team. Still, though, it's always disappointing when the season ...



Emerging prospect Oswaldo Arcia batting late in the 2012 season

[Originally published at Twins Fan From Afar]

For the second consecutive season, the Rock Cats made it to the final game with a chance to make the playoffs. For the second consecutive ...

To think, just 5 months ago, I questioned whether Aaron Hicks had earned his promotion to AA. Of course, at that time, I was basing my concern on Hicks' less-than-impressive High-A slash line of .242/.354/.368 in 2011. Importantly, Hicks was repeating High-A that season, so I had reason to be suspicious.
Boy, was I wrong. Hicks unquestionably had a breakout season ...

The minor league season is about to wrap up. A couple teams -- E-Town and Beloit -- are headed to the playoffs, which is great for fans of the minor league system. Let's take a look at the action down on the farm.

ROCHESTER -- OFF

NEW BRITAIN 3, TRENTON 1
It still has been a solid season for the Rock Cats, but their performance in August has been dreadful. Unfortunately, they're fighting a very uphill battle for the final playoff spot. They did, however, turn in a ...

I was at the Rock Cats game this evening. It wasn't a great game for New Britain -- not nearly enough offense, and our pitchers had some trouble keeping the ball down. Terry Ryan was in attendance. I spoke to him for a few minutes, and it sounds like he plans to follow the team through its upcoming weekend series in New Hampshire, as we get closer to the date when a few players on this team might get a call-up to Minnesota (or, if the Rock Cats make the playoffs, after their playoff stint ends). ...

It feels like almost every Wednesday night when I write this, the Twins have lost, or are in the process of losing. I didn't watch or follow today's game. It looked from the highlights like Max Scherzer had a pretty good day. Oh well. Let's take a look at tonight's minor league action.

ROCHESTER 6, INDIANAPOLIS 2
Esmerling Vasquez had a great game tonight, going 7 innings, allowing only 4 hits, striking out 10 and walking 2. Deolis Guerra pitched the remaining 2 innings, giving ...

[Originally published at Twins Fan From Afar]

**Full disclosure: this post is full of hypotheticals, and is not grounded in reality**


Twins fans, can you picture Bryce Harper wearing the TC logo?



The ...

Today's Twins game was disappointing on several fronts. The Twins lost a chance for a sweep, Ben Revere failed to extend his impressive hit streak, and Tsuyoshi Nishioka continued to look ... confused at second base. Oh well. Let's take a look at the action down on the farm.

ROCHESTER 3, SCRANTON/WB 7
Shairon Martis turned in a quality start, tossing 7 innings and giving up 2 runs on 5 hits. He struck out 4 and walked 2, but did allow 2 home runs. Deolis Guerra had a tough outing. ...

Where I live, I only watch the Twins on TV when they play the Yankees, Mets or Red Sox. Last night, though I missed seeing the comeback! It was definitely great to hear that both Morneau and Carroll had 4 hits -- Morneau, especially. Let's take a look at how the affiliates performed last night.
Also, sorry this is late -- my internet was down this morning!

ROCHESTER 3, TOLEDO 1
Shairon Martis had a very solid start for the Red Wings, going 7 innings, allowing only 1 run ...

I'll be honest -- I was a little disappointed with the trade deadline. Aside from dealing Liriano, no big moves, no small moves. But if the offers weren't there, then they weren't there. But this is certainly a tough time to be a Twins fan! If you're reading this, though, you realize that there are other things to focus on besides the action/inaction at Target Field. So let's take a look at how the #futuretwins did tonight.

ROCHESTER (OFF)

NEW BRITAIN 3, BOWIE 11
...

The Twins are currently throttling the Indians. It's nice to see. Josh Willingham continues to demonstrate that he was an excellent off-season signing, and Alexi Casilla even got in on the action. Let's take a look at the action down on the farm.

ROCHESTER 5, COLUMBUS 8
Liam Hendriks had a bad start. In 5 innings of work, he allowed 12 hits, 7 runs (6 earned), walked 3, struck out 1, and allowed a homer. Daniel Turpen allowed an unearned run in 1 and 1/3 innings on 3 walks and ...

The Twins were swept by the White Sox. I didn't watch the game, but apparently this was ugly -- even by 2012 Twins standards. Luckily, there are other things on which to focus our attention, especially the Twins' affiliates. Let's take a look at the action down on the farm.

ROCHESTER 5, SYRACUSE 3
Esmerling Vasquez got the win for the Red Wings tonight, throwing 5 and 1/3 innings, and giving up 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits, striking out 7 and walking 3. Luis Perdomo tossed the ...