Seth Stohs Speaks on Sports, The Minnesota Twins, and more!

Just a few quick notes this afternoon. I’m working on another minor league report, but maybe it’ll wait until tomorrow, or next week or something. I had a couple of vacation days from work, and I’m really trying to stay away from the computer too. So, I apologize for some of the brevity, but I don’t think you have to worry too much about any impending slow down. Have a great weekend!

By the way, be sure to check out the other Twins blogs that I’ve linked to on the left. There is a lot of great content out there!

Twins 2, Blue Jays 3

Being at the ball park is always a great time! Being there with a two year old who wants to run-run-run… still fun, but a lot more work!
Being at the game when Carlos Gomez, Joe Mauer and Mike Lamb are out of the lineup is really unfortunate!
Justin Morneau is absolutely crushing the ball. Early in the game, he came up with a runner or two on and hit a long ball that was about 3 feet foul. Since the game was not on TV, many may not have seen that. However, it just keeps going back to the ‘game of inches’ thinking. Would have been an entirely different game.
Jason Kubel had a couple more hits, although I wouldn’t say that they were hit particularly hard.
Kubel probably got yelled at a bit in the clubhouse after being thrown out at the plate on a Justin Morneau bloop double. The ball landed perfectly between the SS and the LF and bounced away. Gardy said that Scott Ullger was waving Kubel around third but then clearly put his arms up to hold him. Kubel put his head down and just went, maybe not even seeing the coach, or at least not able to stop once he did. The coaching staff may blame Kubel a little there. However, they can and should also take a look in the mirror. Late innings, DH gets on base. Extra base hitter up. Close game. Alexi Casilla and Carlos Gomez on the bench. Hmmm… might have made some sense to pinch run in that situation. (Note – when the same scenario happened in the 10^th inning, Casilla pinch ran.)
Carlos Gomez was out with ‘flu-like symptoms.’ I read he wasn’t feeling well and didn’t sleep much the night before. He came into the game later. Was anyone else thinking day game after a night game… maybe young Carlos wasn’t feeling well BECAUSE he didn’t sleep much the night before. Seems a little curious. Maybe he hung out too much with Luis Castillo in New York last year too!
Maybe watching him in person is more frustrating than on TV, but seriously, Delmon, take a pitch, just, once in a while. Get a good pitch to hit, especially with runners on base and in a close game.
Scott Rolen made one of the more amazing catches I have seen live.
Craig Monroe, playing CF for Gomez, made a pretty remarkable play himself. On a line drive he came in and sprawled out to catch the ball. He got up and threw out the runner from first who was around second base already.

Any other thoughts on the Twins?

Twins Minor League Updates

Thursday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Erik Lis, New Britain Rockcats
Thursday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Tyler Robertson, Ft. Myers Miracle

ROCHESTER REPORT
Thursday - Red Wings 1, Columbus 3 – Well, Denard Span didn’t homer, but he did have two of the Red Wings six hits, and he walked once. Francisco Liriano had his best start of the year in this one. The lefty threw just 93 pitches in eight innings. He gave up three runs on seven his, but probably most importantly, he walked just one. He struck out four, but clearly there is a plan in place here. Let’s get him to work on throwing strikes. Let him see that just throwing strikes can make a pitcher relatively successful. Coupled with the better control, it sounds like Liriano was throwing a little harder too. In time, the strikeouts will increase. But, I do think it is vitally important that the Twins are extremely patient with The Franchise. Make sure he puts together a group of these types of starts or better before rushing him back.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Thursday - Rockcats 2, Binghamtom 5 (11 innings) – I think it is fair to say that Erik Lis is on a tear! He had two more doubles a day after he hit three doubles. He went 4-5 on the day. Trevor Plouffe was 2-4 with a walk and his third stolen base. Steve Tolleson went 2-5 with three stolen bases. Toby Gardenhire went 2-5 as well. Luke Hughes was back in the lineup and leading off… and he started right where he left off, with his 10^th home run. Errol Simonitsch had an appearance in Ft. Myers and this was his first AA start in a while. The tall lefty gave up five runs (4 earned) on eight hits and two walks in five innings. Kyle Aselton then gave up a run on four hits in 1.1 innings. Armando Gabino threw 2.2 shutout innings in relief. But Ben Julianel took the loss by giving up a run on two hits and a walk in his 1.1 innings.

FT MYERS MEMOS
Thursday - Miracle 6, Tampa 5 (10 innings) – Tyler Robertson had arguably his best start of the season. He gave up three runs on six hits in seven innings. He struck out nine and more importantly, he walked none. Jose Lugo came in and struck out the side in the eighth. Rob Delaney gave up two runs on three hits in the 9^th to blow the save. But Frank Mata got the win with a shutout inning in the 10^th. Johnny Woodard went 2-4 with his seventh double and first triple. Danny Berg was 2-3. Whit Robbins went 2-4.

BELOIT BITS
Thursday - Snappers 2, Clinton 4 – Dan Berlind started and gave up three runs (2 earned) on five hits and a walk in 4.1 innings. Steve Hirschfeld came in and struck out two in 3.2 shutout innings. Loek Van Mil allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk in an inning. Ben Revere kept his average about the same with a 2-5 day. He hit his fourth double. Ben Petsch went 2-3. Joe Benson hit his ninth double and stole his 10^th base.

Have a great weekend!

PROGRAMMING NOTE - I have today and tomorrow off from work. I will be at the Twins game at noon today. But I just wanted to let people know that I will be on am710 the Fan in Bismarck-Mandan for a segment with Jack Michaels this morning. (Note - they have a Listen Live option, so you can listen to it.) Not exactly sure what time, but probably in either the 10:00 or 11:00 hour. If I have more specific information before I head in to the Dome, I will update it here. UPDATE - It will be a segment at 10:02 this morning, so if you get a chance, be sure to listen. Then send me an e-mail and let me know you heard, and what you thought. Thanks!

Thursday, May 15, 2008

Q&A with Brian Dinkelman

Twins Minor League 2B Prospect

Good morning everyone! I thought I would wait until morning to post this Q&A with another Twins prospect that I think has a shot at getting to the big league level. Brian Dinkelman was the Twins 8th round pick in 2006 out of NAIA McKendree college where he set a lot of the hitting records for the level of competition. He really has continued to hit since being drafted by the Twins and signing. With the exception of a late-season slump last year, he has been one of the organizations better hitting prospects. He is a 2B and is solid but unspectacular with the glove. Many around the Twins organization think that he could be a solid hitter all the way up. I think that he is a candidate for a midseason promotion to New Britain if he keeps it up. Today, he answers several questions that I sent to him.

To check out the career stats of Brian Dinkelman, click here. I think you will enjoy Brian's responses. (Click here to see previous Q&As)

Let the Questions Begin!

SethSpeaks: Growing up in Illinois, who was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players?

Brian Dinkelman: St. Louis Cardinals, Albert Belle

ftp://www.sethspeaks.net/html/Dinkelmancollegebat.jpg SethSpeaks: Tell us a little bit about your high school career. Have you always played 2B, or in the infield?

Brian Dinkelman: In high school, played SS, 2B and Pitcher, set school records for wins junior and senior year as a team.

SethSpeaks: Did you play other sports or participate in other extracurricular activities?

Brian Dinkelman: Golf and Basketball

SethSpeaks: You went to NAIA McKendree College. What was it about that school that helped you decide to go there?

Brian Dinkelman: Great program, and knew I was going to come in and play as a freshman

SethSpeaks: You had a very successful four year career there, setting many hitting records for the NAIA level. What are your best memories of your college playing days?

Brian Dinkelman: Four Conference championships and being able to continue my career playing

SethSpeaks: If you weren’t playing baseball, what would you be doing? What was your major?

Brian Dinkelman: Major - Business Management... working on my dad's farm.

SethSpeaks: The Twins drafted you in the 8^th round in 2006. Had you talked to Twins scouts, and was this about where you were expecting to be drafted?

Brian Dinkelman: Yes, I had talked to them. I expected to go later.

SethSpeaks: You signed quickly and reported to Elizabethton What was the adjustment to pro ball like for you?

Brian Dinkelman: Having to play everyday and being ready to play for months day after day.

SethSpeaks: You and your teammates had an excellent season. What are your recollections of that team and that season?

Brian Dinkelman: We came together well as a team quick and was able to make a run into the playoffs. Now many of us are still working our way up the system together.

SethSpeaks: Last year was your first full season, and you played great in Beloit and made the All-Star team before being promoted to Ft. Myers. Can you describe the differences between the Midwest League and the Florida State League

Brian Dinkelman: Consistency of every player, and the weather of being so hot everyday that would be so physically tiring.

SethSpeaks: Who were/are some of the people who are most instrumental in helping you get to this point in your career?

Brian Dinkelman: Parents and my coaches throughout my career.

SethSpeaks: How would you describe yourself as a player. What would you say are your strengths, and what areas do you feel you need to most improve on as you advance?

Brian Dinkelman: Ability to get on base and hit, need to work on my defense and be more consistent.

SethSpeaks: I think that one of your best attributes is your ability to get on base. Can you talk a little bit about your thought process going into an at bat? Are you thinking about taking pitches so you and your teammates see what a pitcher has, getting a good pitch to hit, or does it vary from at bat to at bat?

Brian Dinkelman: Just being able to have good at bats every time and the situation determines the thought process of an at bat, and giving teammates a chance to see what the pitcher has.

SethSpeaks: What were some of your goals coming into the 2008 spring training, and what did you do over the offseason to prepare?

Brian Dinkelman: Being ready to start season prepared and keep working up the system.

ethSpeaks: You’re off to a fast start with the Miracle this season. Is the goal to advance to New Britain sometime this season, or just to keep improving?

Brian Dinkelman: Both, improve every day and try to move up a level if a spot opens up.

SethSpeaks: What are your hobbies away from the baseball field?

Brian Dinkelman: Fishing and golfing, hunting

SethSpeaks: Favorite Baseball Movie?

Brian Dinkelman: Major League

SethSpeaks: Favorite Baseball Book?

Brian Dinkelman: The Natural

SethSpeaks: What will it be like to put on a Twins uniform for the first time in a regular season game?

Brian Dinkelman: Great feeling knowing you have done what you have always wanted to do.

A thank you goes to Brian Dinkelman for taking the time to answer these questions. If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to put them in the comments below, or e-mail me and I will try to get a response. Have a great day!

Wednesday Night, May 14, 2008

Wednesday Game Notes

Quick notes on the Twins loss to the Blue Jays and all of the Twins minor league games. I will be back later with a Q&A with another Twins minor leaguer, so you'll want to check that out as well.

And, I know you'll read about it in the minor league section, but how about we all give a little bit of credit where credit is due! Denard Span has really taken off of late, really since he went back down to Rochester after his couple of weeks in April with the Twins. This afternoon, he hit his third home run of the season. It was his third game in a row with a home run. If he hits another homer tomorrow, he will be the first player in Red Wings history to homer in four straight games. In 21 games (so admittedly just 81 at bats) with the Red Wings, Span is now hitting .358/.458/.531 with five doubles and three homers. He also has 13 stolen bases in just 15 attempts. In other words, he has done everything for the team, and more importantly, he has done everything that the Twins could have hoped for. After all of the bashing he has had to endure (And read!), you can't help but feel good for him!
Also, I would be remiss to not mention that the Phillies Chris Coste went 4-4 yesterday against the Braves to help his batting average jump from .291 to .339. He gets to play with arguably the most pure hitter in baseball, Chase Utley, and arguably the least pure hitter in baseball, Ryan Howard.
If you have a few minutes, be sure to head over to Twinkie Town and read Jesse's Q&A with Rob Antony, the Twins assistant GM.

Twins 5, Blue Jays 6

Nothing like putting your team in a hole right away... Five batters into the game, Boof Bonser gave up a grand slam to Matt Stairs and the Twins were down 4-0. Now the Twins were able to get three runs in the bottom of the first inning against Roy Halladay, but giving up that many in the first inning, consistently, is just not a good thing. Brad Radke used to give up one or two runs every first inning, it seemed. Greg Maddux and a lot of good pitchers have done the same thing. However, Boof has given up big runs in the first inning too many times. Even though he gave up just one more run over the next five innings. It is commendable that he came back well, but something needs to be done about that first inning. I don't think weight loss has much to do with that.
Justin Morneau's tear has continued, and in this game, he finally hit his seventh home run of the year, a two run homer in the first inning to cut the Jays lead in half.
Jason Kubel was back in the lineup and he crushed two doubles, both to the opposite field. It was good to see him just sit back and drive the ball the way he did, rather than lunging so much. Speaking of Kubel, Aaron Gleeman wrote a great article called Imprison Kubel? that is worth the read.
It was good to see Alexi Casilla back in the Twins lineup. And, after seeing a couple of the throws he made to first base, his arm is reminiscent of former Cubs SS Shawon Dunston. He has an absolute rocket for an arm. As for Casilla's struggles, it is hard for people to remember that he is just 23 years old. He will make mistakes. I feel partially responsible for people being disappointed in Casilla. Two years ago, he started the year in Ft. Myers (Hi-A). At the All-Star break, he moved up to AA. He moved up to the Twins on August 31st of that year to essentially be a pinch runner. Many, myself included, made the assumption that he was ready for the big leagues. The fact was the he had about six weeks of time above A ball when he came up to the Twins. So, when he began 2007 in Rochester, we were disappointed, and yet, he probably should have started the season back in New Britain. It was truly a case where our expectations were simply too high for a guy with so little experience. I still believe that Casilla can become a solid top of the order type of hitter and a good defensive player at the big league level. But if it takes a year or two, that is alright.
Am I the only one who is happy about how demonstratively upset Carlos Gomez was after he got out in the bottom of the 9th. He was clearly upset about the second strike called by the umpire, on a pitch the was clearly low, and maybe outside too. I absolutely love the fire he has and that he isn't afraid to show it. So many in baseball are just robots, so it's nice to see his energy.

Any other thoughts on the Twins? Again, I will be in attendance this afternoon when Glen Perkins takes on Dustin McGowan and the Blue Jays in the final game of the series. If you happen to see me, say hi!

Twins Minor League Updates

Wednesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day – Denard Span, Rochester Red Wings
Wednesday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day – Michael Tarsi, Beloit Snappers

ROCHESTER REPORT
Wednesday - Red Wings 10, Columbus 7 – As mentioned above, the story for the Red Wings has been Denard Span. In this game, he went 3-4 with his fifth double, third homer, a walk, four runs scored and two RBI. He has been incredible! Howie Clark went 3-4 with two doubles. Garrett Jones was also 2-4, with two doubles, and a walk. Jason Pridie was 2-4. Brian Duensing was solid to start, but the sky fell on his day in a hurry. The lefty went 4.2 innings and gave up five runs (2 earned) on nine hits and two walks. Carmen Cali improved to 3-0 despite allowing a run on two hits in 1.1 innings. Julio DePaula got a hold when he gave up just one run on one hit and one walk in 1.1 innings. Tim Lahey then picked up his fifth save. He struck out three in 1.2 perfect innings.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Wednesday - Rockcats 2, Binghamtom 5 – In case you've missed it, Erik Lis has been on fire of late too. In this game, he went 3-3 with three doubles and now has 11 on the season. He is up to .272 after a horrific start to his season. David Winfree hit his ninth homer and drove in the two Rockcat runs. Oswaldo Sosa falls to 1-3 with this loss. He gave up five runs on nine hits and four walks in 5.2 innings. Jason Miller came in and struck out four in 2.1 scoreless innings.

FT MYERS MEMOS
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