Thursday, August 10, 2006
JULY GRADES
Good morning everybody! Thank you again for stopping by the site. Well, it's already the 10th of the month, and because of my travel schedule and forgetfulness, I am just getting to the July grades for the Twins. The Twins got a nice win last night and are now leading the Wild Card in the AL, but for today, let's take a quick look back at July.
Let's just get to the grades, right?
THE PITCHERS
THE STARTERS
SCOTT BAKER
(2 starts, 11.1 Innings Pitched, 1-1 with a 7.15 ERA, 2 walks, 10 strikeouts, 1.68 WHIP, .352 Opponent Average, 7.9 K/9)
Baker returned to the Twins and was allowed two starts. In each, he actually did well for the majority of his time on the mound. However, in each case, a bad inning was his downfall. The strikeouts are good. He actually got a win, but the second start was bad enough (again, one inning), that he was sent back to Rochester... again.
July Grade: D
June Grade: Minors
May Grade: B+
BOOF BONSER
(1 starts, 3 Innings Pitched, 0-1 with a 12.00 ERA, 4 walks, 4 strikeouts, 2.67 WHIP, .500 Opponent Average, 12.0 K/9)
Bonser got just one start before he was returned to Rochester. I think that the big reason is the four walks in three innings, although the .500 batting average against might be another reason.
July Grade: D-
June Grade: C-
May Grade: B+
FRANCISCO LIRIANO
(6 starts, 41.2 Innings Pitched, 4-1 with a 1.51 ERA, 13 walks, 55 strikeouts, 0.84 WHIP, .228 Opponent Average, 11.9 K/9)
Liriano was again amazing in June. He averaged almost seven innings a start. The strikeouts were terrific. The ERA, WHIP, incredible. It was a near-perfect month for Liriano.
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A-
BRAD RADKE
(5 Starts, 28 Innings Pitched, 2-1 with a 4.18 ERA, 1 walk, 12 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP, .298 Opponent Average, 3.9 K/9)
It was actually an up-and-down month for Radke. I like his walk/strikeout numbers and that helps his WHIP. The ERA is high, but he had a couple of very nice starts. He is showing some veteran savvy, pitching through pain and making big starts as well.
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
JOHAN SANTANA
(6 Starts, 38 Innings Pitched, 3-1 with a 4.74 ERA, 12 walks, 36 strikeouts, 1.27 WHIP, .329 Opponent Average, 8.5 K/9)
Santana really had a rough month. Sure, he had a nice 3-1 record, but that ERA is not good, not up to the Santana numbers we expect. The walks were a little high, and that opponent batting average is not in line with what we are accustomed to seeing from Santana.
July Grade: B-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: C-
CARLOS SILVA
(6 Starts, 28.1 Innings Pitched, 3-1 with a 6.67 ERA. 6 walk, 16 strikeouts, 1.80 WHIP, .385 Opponent Average, 5.1 K/9)
Another example of why a pitcher should not be judged on W-L record alone. Silva was horrible. I read in other places where he is starting to find it. No, not at all. The offense just shows up for him. That ERA is terrible. He even walked more than usual while opponents still knocked the ball all over the ball park against him!
July Grade: D
June Grade: B-
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
THE BULLPEN
JESSE CRAIN
(10 Games, 14.2 Innings Pitched, 1-1 with a 1.84 ERA, 4 walks, 12 strikeouts, 1.09 WHIP, .279 Opponent Average, 7.4 K/9)
For the second straight month, Crain was terrific. The strikeouts are about where they probably should be, but all of the other numbers are very good. He is quite important to the Twins bullpen.
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D-
April Grade: D-
WILLIE EYRE
(5 Games, 6.1 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 15.63 ERA, 2 walks, 1 strikeouts, 2.37 WHIP, .486 Opponent Average, 1.4 K/9)
I hate even talking about it any more, but Eyre should have been sent down to minors a couple of months ago. The numbers in his stat line that bother me the most are the first two. He simply is not getting innings. The rest of the bullpen has been terrific, so Eyre gets inconsistent innings. A month in Rochester, working every other day is just what he needs. He is a good pitcher, it just isn't showing here.
July Grade: F
June Grade: D
May Grade: D+
April Grade: C+
MATT GUERRIER
(Did Not Pitch)
The end of the month had Guerrier starting his rehab assignments.
July Grade: INJ
June Grade: INJ
May Grade: A-
April Grade: F
KYLE LOHSE
(9 Games, 17 Innings Pitched, 0-0 with a 3.18 ERA, 2 walks, 14 strikeouts, 0.88 WHIP, .238 Opponent Average, 7.4 K/9)
Lohse actually had a very solid month. He got consistent innings, usually in the early innings. He gave the team solid innings. Nothing spectacular, but I also think he showed why Twins fans always had hope that he could be something better. Fortunately, the best news on Lohse in July was that he was traded on the last day of the month to the Reds.
July Grade: B+
June Grade: D-
May Grade: F
April Grade: F
JOE NATHAN
(12 Games, 12 Innings Pitched, 1-0 with a 0.75 ERA, 9 Saves in 9 Chances, 4 walk, 19 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP, .271 Opponent Average, 14.3 K/9)
Nathan won the reliever of the month award for July. His numbers for the month were terrific. The 9-9 in save opportunities likely got him the award. But, if I was being incredibly nit-picky, you could argue that it was Nathan's worst month statistically (and yet, still amazing!). Another example of the Save stat being very over-rated.
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A
PAT NESHEK
(8 Games, 10.1 Innings Pitched, 1-0 with a 1.74 ERA, 2 walk, 13 strikeouts, 0.58 WHIP, .162 Opponent Average, 11.3 K/9)
We had been saying for a couple of months that Neshek should be up with the Twins. In early July, he finally got the chance, and he has been incredible in his chances. He has given up just two runs, both on solo home runs. He is a strikeout machine. He doesn't allow baserunners. I think that it is fair to say that he has been even better than expected!
July Grade: A
DENNIS REYES
(12 Games, 8.1 Innings Pitched, 1-0 with a 1.08 ERA, 1 walk, 9 strikeouts, 0.84 WHIP, .241 Opponent Average, 9.7 K/9)
But if you want shocking, check out my grades for Dennis Reyes. He has been horrible for a lot of teams in his career, but he has been simply amazing for the Twins this year. He gets lefties out, but he is also getting out righties. He is striking out hitters, throwing hard. I don't know what the difference is. Something mechanical. Knowing he only has to get one to five hitters out in an outing?
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: A-
April Grade: A+
JUAN RINCON
(12 Games, 12 Innings Pitched, 1-1 with a 2.25 ERA, 3 walks, 10 strikeouts, 1.08 WHIP, .298 Opponent Average, 7.5 K/9)
Rincon had a solid month. As you can see by the Games and innings pitched, he was usually fulfilling his role as the 8th inning guy. That means that the starter did well and that the other bullpen guys got the team to the point where Rincon could pitch the 8th and Nathan the 9th.
July Grade: A-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A-
April Grade: B-
THE HITTERS
JASON BARTLETT
(26 Games, 27-83, .325/.385/.470, 5-2B, 2-3B, 1-HR, 10-RBI, 1/1 SB, 6 BB, 13 K)
Bartlett continues to impress. I knew he could hit, and get on base and hit for some extra base hits, but to expect what he has done would have been unfair. But he just continues to do terrific at the plate. Also, he has been spectacular with the glove as well.
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
LUIS CASTILLO
(25 Games, 30-102, .294/.360/.422, 6-2B, 2-3B, 1-HR, 8-RBI, 7/7 SB, 11 BB, 11 K)
After a Rivas-like June, Castillo came back with a solid July. Although his OPS will never be real high because of his lack of power, Castillo did well. He got on base and then ran around them. He did a nice job jump-starting the lineup.
July Grade: A-
June Grade: D-
May Grade: B-
April Grade: A-
MICHAEL CUDDYER
(26 Games, 28-105, .267/.307/.457, 7-2B, 2-3B, 3-HR, 21-RBI, 0/0 SB, 6 BB, 27 K)
Maybe Cuddyer will never hit for a high average. But, he is doing a very nice job in that cleanup spot. It wasn't a great month for Cuddyer. He did not walk enough to justify all of the strikeouts, but 12 extra base hits is nice and he seemed to come up big in RBI situations.
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B
May Grade: A
April Grade: B+
LEW FORD
(DNP - Oblique injury)
Ford missed the entire month. He is in an extended rehab in Rochester.
July Grade: INJ
June Grade: D
May Grade: C
April Grade: D+
TORII HUNTER
(12 Games, 14-42, .333/.404/.548, 1-2B, 1-3B, 2-HR, 6-RBI, 0/0 SB, 3 BB, 9 K)
Hunter was playing pretty well, but then in mid-month, he was injured with a broken bone in his foot and had to be put on the DL for 15 days. He came off of the DL on July 31. One has to wonder if he would have been dealt had he stayed healthy.
July Grade: B
June Grade: B
May Grade: A
April Grade: D-
JASON KUBEL
(17 Games, 12-52, .231/.245/.346, 0-2B, 2-HR, 6-RBI, 0/0 SB, 2 BB, 7 K)
After an amazing June, Kubel was rather pedestrian in July. He was experiencing a lot of pain in both knees after the all-star break and is only now feeling better.
July Grade: C-
June Grade: A
May Grade: C-
April Grade: C-
JOE MAUER
(22 Games, 24-82, .293/.385/.451, 2-2B, 1-3B, 3-HR, 18-RBI, 0/1 SB, 13 BB, 5 K)
A ho-hum month for Mauer. The .293 average just doesn't look great for a guy hitting .365. However, you have to like that he is still getting on 38.5% of the time. He drove in some runs and took walks. He really is doing a great job behind the plate too.
July Grade: A-
June Grade: A
May Grade: A
April Grade: A-
JUSTIN MORNEAU
(26 Games, 41-100, .410/.430/.700, 5-2B, 0-3B, 8-HR, 23-RBI, 0/1 SB, 5 BB, 8 K)
The best player in the league? I know. David Ortiz. Travis Hafner. Anyone else? For the second straight month, Morneau was terrific. His batting average continues to rise, and the power is finally showing. It's fun to watch him swing the bat. I also like seeing how he adjusts within an at bat, particularly with runners on base. He may be Joe Vavra's greatest work!
July Grade: A
June Grade: A
May Grade: B
April Grade: D-
NICK PUNTO
(17 Games, 37-99, .374/.432/.515, 8-2B, 3-3B, 0-HR, 15-RBI, 5/8 SB, 10 BB, 15 K)
How much longer until we all jump on the Punto bandwagon and stop asking when it will come to an end. No, he's not going to his .374 every month, but he shows a great eye, and his approach at the plate is so much better. Because of the bottom of the order production, Punto has also come through with RBI. And, he is playing an excellent 3B.
July Grade: A
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A-
April Grade: C-
JOSH RABE
(7 Games, 10-23, .435/.458/.696, 0-2B, 0-3B, 2-HR, 6-RBI, 0/1 SB, 1 BB, 7 K)
Finally! Josh Rabe took advantage of the opportunity given to him because of so many OF injuries for the Twins. He has hit for average and shown power. Although his walk to strikeout rate doesn't show it, he seems to have a good approach at the plate!
July Grade: A
MIKE REDMOND
(8 Games, 7-32, .219/.212/.313, 3-2B, 0-HR, 3-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 4 K)
I can't remember the last month that Redmond had a disappointing month like this. When a guy plays just eight games a month, you would expect one like this once in a while. I'm not worried. I don't think Redmond is either since he signed a nice two year extension during the month too.
July Grade: C-
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A
April Grade: A
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
(10 Games, 1-15, .067/.176/.067, 0-2B, 0-HR, 0-RBI, 0/0 SB, 2 BB, 0 K)
I just don't feel right grading L-Rod. He just is not getting any consistent at bats. Punto, Bartlett and Castro are all playing so well that he is just not getting consistent at bats.
July Grade: F
June Grade: B+
May Grade: F
April Grade: A
RUBEN SIERRA
(2 Games, 0-2, .000/.00/.000, 0-2B, 0-HR, 0-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 1 K)
Was so bad in his two at bats that he was quickly released.
July Grade: F
June Grade: C-
April Grade: D+
SHANNON STEWART
(9 Games, 9-33, .273/.314/.333, 2-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 4-RBI, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 5 K)
Stewart came back, played in a few games, and then he was hurt and likely out for the year. Thankfully, Gardy didn't play him much in the field and did not bat him leadoff. I think he has been done for two years. It's too bad that the Twins didn't trade him early this year!
July Grade: C
June Grade: INJ
May Grade: D+
April Grade: A-
TERRY TIFFEE
(4 Games, 1-9, .111/.222/.111, 1-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 0-RBI, 0/0 SB, 0 BB, 2 K)
Again, the play of the starting infield made playing time too limited to evaluate Tiffee in any way. Reason for the D-... it was a nice double?!
July Grade: D-
June Grade: B
JASON TYNER
(17 Games, 22-67, .328/.357/.343, 1-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 7-RBI, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 6 K)
I don't think anyone should be surprised with what Jason Tyner has done. This is the type of player he has always been. No, he won't hit .330, but he has always taken pitches and put the ball in play. He has a quick bat and is very fast. He just puts together good at bats and deserves the roster spot.
July Grade: A
RONDELL WHITE
(14 Games, 19-51, .373/.407/.608, 3-2B, 0-3B, 3-HR, 10-RBI, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 6 K)
The injury situation in the Twins OF made it necessary to cut short White's rehab assignment, but when he came back, he came back with a vengeance! He has three homers in just two games and was hitting everything hard. Of course, he is still not 100% healthy, so he is not playing much at all.
July Grade: A
June Grade: F
May Grade: D
April Grade: F
So, there are my July 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.
The Twins got a very nice 4-3 win over the Detroit Tigers last night to take 2 out of three in the series. With the White Sox loss at the hands of the Yankees, the Twins find themselves atop the AL Wild Card race going into their four game series against the Blue Jays starting tonight.
Justin Morneau hit a Joel Zumaya triple-digit fastball a long way last night for an 8th inning, two run home that gave the Twins the deciding runs. It was significant in that Morneau became the first Twins player to hit 30 homers since Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunansky and Kent Hrbek each did it in 1987. Think about that. That was when the Twins won their first World Series! I was 12! That's something like 5th or 6th grade! That is a long time! With the same swing, Morneau passed the 100 RBI mark on the season as well. The man is quite simply putting together a truly amazing season!
The homer took starter Johan Santana off of the hook. As good as Santana is, he has not been great since the All-Star break (WBC excuse anyone?). The biggest disappointment has been that he has been homer prone in big situations.
In the mail yesterday, I got my new Baseball America. It was their annual Best Tools issue. Several Twins made the rankings.
Joe Mauer was named the best hitter and the second best defensive catcher.
Luis Castillo was named the best defensive second baseman (which must mean that the 2B crop in the AL this year is pretty horrific!)
Torii Hunter was named the 2nd best defensive outfielder (another reputation nod)
Johan Santana was named the 2nd best pitcher in the AL while Francisco Liriano ranked #3 in the same category.
Santana was named as having the best changeup, and Liriano was credited with the best slider.
Ron Gardenhire was named the third best manager.
To see how some of the Twins minor leaguers ranked, check out the minor league notes. (a couple of the names are with the Twins now)
Johan Santana is now 13-5 with a 3.24 ERA. Definitely Cy-Talk worthy!
Luis Castillo is 13-27 over his past five games. He has had two four hit games and a three hit game. He also had three stolen bases last night to give him 17 on the season.
Did you hear... Matt Garza is starting on Friday night!! His mound opponent will be the incredibly overpaid AJ Burnett.
Any other thoughts on the Twins, Tigers, White Sox, Yankees, Red Sox or Blue Jays? E-mail me, or leave some Comments below.
Tuesday SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Doug Deeds, New Britain Rockcats
Tuesday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Patrick Bryant, Elizabethton Twins
In Baseball America's Best Tools rankings for the minor leagues, the following Twins prospects appeared:
JD Durbin was named as having the Best Breaking Ball in the International League.
Pat Neshek was the Best Reliever in the IL.
In the Eastern League, Matt Garza was said to have the Best Control.
Garza also showed up as having the Best Breaking Ball in the Florida State League and Kevin Slowey was named as having the Best Control.
Alexi Casilla was named the Fastest Baserunner, the Best Defensive 2B and the Most Exciting Player in the Florida State League.
ROCHESTER REPORT
Wednesday - Red Wings 6, Pawtucket 3 - Luis Maza went 2-3 with a walk and a triple to help Rochester to the win. Alex Romero and Lew Ford were each 2-4. Ford had a double. Jason Miller started and went the first six innings. He gave up three runs (two earned) on six hits and a walk. He struck out five. Kevin Cameron went the final three frames for the win. He gave up just one hit and walked none, and he struck out four.
NEW BRITAIN NEWS
Wednesday - Rockcats 9, Erie 8 – Trent Oeltjen went 2-5 with a game-winning, two-run double in the bottom of the 9th. Doug Deeds went 4-4 with his 31st double and a triple. Garrett Guzman had two doubles in four at bats. Alexi Casilla and Danny Matienzo each had two hits. Brian Duensing gave up eight runs in the first four innings, but just four of them were earned. Justin Olson went three shutout innings before Jay Sawatski struck out three in two shutout innings for the win.
FT MYERS MEMOS
Wednesday - Miracle 6, Vero Beach 5 – The top two hitters for the Miracle did their jobs! They each went 3-5. Brandon Roberts had two doubles while Trevor Plouffe had a double and a triple. David Winfree, Deacon Burns and Caleb Moore each went 2-4. Oswaldo Sosa started and had an unusual outing. In 4.1 innings, he gave up three runs on four hits. He struck out four. However, he walked eight batters. Danny Powers came in and got the win. He went 2.2 innings and gave up a run on a hit. He walked none and struck out six. Tim Lahey went the final two innings for his eighth save.
BELOIT BITS
Wednesday - Snappers – No Game Scheduled.
ELIZABETHTON UPDATE
Wednesday - E-Twins 2, Bristol 7 – Garrett Olson and Michael Lysaught each went 2-4. Danny Valencia hit his 5th homer. However, starter Sean Land gave up seven runs (5 earned) on seven hits and a walk. Patrick Bryant came in and was perfect over 4.1 innings.
GCL TWINS REPORT
Wednesday - GCL Twins 6, GCL Reds 5 – Joe Benson has been in a bit of a slump of late. However, in this game, the Twins 2006 2nd round pick went 2-5 with his 5th triple and his 4th home run. Mark Dolenc and Juan Delgado each had two hits as well. Omar Alcala gave up five earned runs over just three innings. Jeff Manship came in for two shutout innings. Luis Carreras got the Win with his three shutout innings. Brad Tippett struck out two in his shutout inning to record his 10th save.
Thanks again for stopping by this site. If you have any questions, comments or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.