Tuesday, August 15, 2006

TWINS THOUGHTS

Twins Minor League Reports

Q&A with Juan Portes

Beloit Snappers 2B/OF Prospect

2004 Twins 15th Round Draft Pick

Good morning to everyone! Hey, the Vikings were on Monday Night Football last night. They played Randy Moss and the Raiders. I had it on for most of the second half. That just reminds me that I am putting together this year's NFL "Expert" Picks panelists. If there are any players in the Twins organization reading this that have any interest in participating, please send me an e-mail and let me know. Thanks!

The primary focus of today's blog entry is another Q&A with a Twins minor league player. If you would like to see what other Twins prospects and more I have had Q&As with, please be sure to look at the end of this Q&A. Today, I need to thank Juan Portes, a second baseman, third baseman and outfielder for the Beloit Snappers, for taking the time to answer some questions for us! I really hope that you all enjoy the Q&As.

Juan Portes was drafted by the Twins in the fifteenth round of the 2004 draft out of his high school in Malden, Massechusetts. He signed quickly and reported to the GCL Twins. He got into 44 games in Florida and hit .327/.380/.530 with six doubles, two triples a homer and 20 RBI. In 2005, he moved up to Elizabethton where he helped the team to their Appalachian League championship. There, he hit .286/.349/.494 with 13 doubles, a triple, 12 homers and 39 RBI. He has had a frustrating 2006 season. He began the season on the Disabled List because he broke a finger slipping on some ice in the locker room. When he has played, he has spent his time all over the diamond for the Beloit Snappers. Through last Friday, he was hitting .228/.275/.305 with six doubles, three triples and a home run. He has had a couple of other minor injuries that have kept him from consistent playing time. He is definitely known for his bat and playing all the different positions on defense has to be tough for him.   

I'm sure you don't want to read any more background. Check out his minor league numbers and other information here. Let's just get to the Q&A! Thank you to Juan Portes for taking the time to answer these questions. I hope that you will enjoy it too. If you have any comments for me or Mr. Portes, please e-mail me, and I will try to answer your questions or forward them on to him and see if we can get you an answer.

Let the Questions Begin!

SethSpeaks: Growing up in Massachusetts, who was your favorite team (I have a guess!), and who were some of your favorite players to watch?  

Juan Portes: Minnesota Twins

SethSpeaks: Tell us a little about your high school career. Did you play other sports as well? 

Juan Portes: Attended Malden High School.  I didn’t play other sports.

SethSpeaks: The Twins took you in the 15th round in 2004. Had you talked to the Twins' scouts much, and where were you expecting to be drafted?

Juan Portes: I communicated sometimes.  I expected to go under the 10th round.

SethSpeaks: Had you not signed with the Twins, what would you be doing today? How difficult was your decision to sign rather than go to college?

Juan Portes: Attending school.  Not really hard, I just wanted to play.

SethSpeaks: Who were some of the coaches or people that have helped you get to this point in your career?

Juan Portes: My parents.

SethSpeaks: What was the adjustment to pro baseball like for you?

Juan Portes: Very hard but I’m still hanging in there.

SethSpeaks: How would you describe yourself as a player? What are your strengths, and what areas would you say you most have to improve upon?

Juan Portes: Good player.  Learn very fast.  Still have to learn the game.

SethSpeaks: You are in your first full season year in Beloit. What would you say the biggest adjustment is between the Appalachian League and the Midwest League?

Juan Portes: Learn to hit off speed pitches. 

SethSpeaks: You have missed time this season with several freakish injuries. How frustrating has that been for you? How are you feeling health-wise now?

Juan Portes: Frustrating because I wanted to play but I’m healthy now.  So just working hard.

SethSpeaks: You have always been known for your bat more than your glove. And now this year, you have played several positions already. That has to be very difficult. Which position are you most comfortable with, and which position does the team see your future at?

Juan Portes: Outfield.  Leftfield.

SethSpeaks: What is the best part, so far, about a career in baseball?

Juan Portes: Very nice career doing something I love.

SethSpeaks: Favorite book?

Juan Portes: Juiced

SethSpeaks: What are your goals for the rest of the 2006 season?

Juan Portes: Bring batting average up. 

SethSpeaks: What do you think it will be like to put on a big league uniform in a regular season for the first time?

Juan Portes: Dream come true.

Juan, thank you very much for taking the time to answer these questions.

 

Do you have any thoughts or questions for Juan Portes or me? If so, please feel free to e-mail me.

 

If you would like to read any previous Q&A's, here is a checklist:

7/14/06 - Q&A with Kevin Slowey (Your Questions) (Twins Pitching Prospect, now with New Britain)

6/30/06 - Q&A with Caleb Moore (Twins Catching Prospect at Ft. Myers)

6/28/06 - Q&A with Erik Lis (Twins First Base Prospect at Beloit)

6/23/06 - Q&A with Pat Neshek (Your Questions) (Twins Relief Pitching Prospect, closer in Rochester, now in Twins bullpen)

5/30/06 - Q&A with Trevor Plouffe (Twins minor league infielder at Ft. Myers)

5/12/06 - Q&A with Paul Kelly (Twins minor league shortstop at Beloit)

5/9/06 - Q&A with Brian Duensing (Twins minor league pitcher started season at Beloit, now in New Britain)

5/5/06 - Q&A with Matt Garza (Twins minor league pitcher who is now with the Twins after starting season in Ft. Myers)

5/2/06 - Q&A with Kyle Waldrop (Twins minor league pitcher at Beloit, now at Ft. Myers)

4/28/06 - Q&A with David Winfree (Twins minor league infielder at Ft. Myers)

4/25/06 - Q&A with Josh Rabe (Twins minor league outfielder at Rochester, now with Twins)

2/24/06 - Q&A with Tommy Watkins (Twins minor league infielder at New Britain)

2/20/06 - Spring Training Q&A (Part 2) (Several Twins and former Twins answer questions about spring)

1/3/06 - Q&A with Chris Coste (Phillies backup catcher and my former college teammate)

11/29/05 - Q&A with Chris Brown (former Twins 1B prospect, spent 2005 in Beloit)

11/25/05 - Q&A with Seth (your questions for me)

11/23/05 - Q&A with Pat Neshek (Twins Relief Pitching Prospect, added to 40 man roster, 2006 in Rochester, now with Twins)

11/15/05 - Q&A with Jeff Dooley (the voice of the New Britain Rock Cats)

11/8/05 - Q&A with David Dorsey (local writer for The News-Press in Ft. Myers, FL)

10/25/05 - Q&A with Mark Sheldon (former Twins Beat Reporter for MLB.com)

10/18/05 - Q&A with Kevin Slowey (another top pitching prospect, Twins 2nd round pick in 2005, now in New Britain)

10/11/05 - Q&A with Wes Holtsclaw (local writer for the Elizabethton Twins)

10/5/05 - Q&A with Eli Tintor (Minnesota-native, catching prospect who played 2005 in E-Town, 2006 in Beloit)

7/28/05 - Q&A with Jim Mandelaro (local writer for the Rochester Red Wings)

2/28/05 - Q&A with Pat Neshek (Minnesota-native, reliever prospect who played 2005 at New Britain)

12/17/04 - Q&A with Alexander Smit (Holland-native, pitching prospect spent 2005 between Beloit and E-Town)

Twins Thoughts

Here is a quick look at the upcoming pitching matchups for the four game series at home against the Cleveland Indians.

Any thoughts on the series, please let me know! Send me an e-mail, or leave Comments below.

Do you have any thoughts on the Twins, the Indians, the AL Central, the playoffs, or anything else? If so, send me an e-mail, or post some Comments below.               

TWINS MINOR LEAGUE NOTES

SethSpeaks Player of the Day - David Winfree, Ft. Myers Miracle

SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Kyle Waldrop, Ft. Myers Miracle

Beloit 1B Erik Lis was injured in the 1st inning of last Friday's game and it is uncertain how much time he will miss.

If you have any thoughts on the Twins system, please e-mail me.

ROCHESTER REPORT

Monday - Red Wings 0, Ottawa 3 – Jason Miller started and fell to 2-7 although he pitched well. He gave up just two runs over five innings. He allowed six hits, a walk, and he struck out four. Beau Kemp gave up a run on three hits and a walk. He struck out four in two innings. Bobby Korecky pitched one scoreless frame. Andres Torres was 2-4 with a walk. Quinton McCracken and Glenn Williams each went 2-4.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS

Monday - Rockcats – No Game Scheduled.

FT MYERS MEMOS

Monday - Game 1 - Miracle 2, Jupiter 1 - Kyle Waldrop was skipped in his previous turn, but he came back looking as strong as ever. Waldrop went all seven innings. He gave up a run on six hits and a walk. He struck out three. The offense managed just three hits, but two of them, a Trevor Plouffe single and a David Winfree two-run homer both came in the seventh inning.

Monday - Game 2 - Miracle 3, Jupiter 0 - David Winfree had another homer in the second game. Erold Andrus was 2-2 with a double. It was pitching by committee in this game. Jeff Manship came from the GCL team to start. He struck out three in two shutout innings. JP Martinez went the next two innings. Tim Lahey pitched the fifth and sixth. Danny Powers struck out three in a perfect 7th inning for his sixth save.

BELOIT BITS

Monday - Snappers 1, Quad Cities 7 – Zach Ward was 7-0 with the Reds organization. He won his first Snappers start. After giving up five runs on six hits and a walk in five innings last night, he has now lost two in a row. Jose Cordero gave up two runs in his three innings. Frank Mata pitched a scoreless inning. The offense managed just three hits. Toby Gardenhire had a triple.

ELIZABETHTON UPDATE

Monday - E-Twins 9, Burlington 5 – Brian Dinkelman was 2-4 with two home runs and six RBI to help the E-Twins to a win. Steve Singleton was 3-4 with a double. Danny Berg went 2-4 with a walk and a triple. Danny Valencia, Greg Yersich and Rich Sojo each had two hits as well. Sean Land got the win by going 5.2 innings. He gave up a run on six hits. He walked four and struck out four. Brandon McConnell then gave up four runs in one inning. Justin Staatz and Danny Hernandez threw a combined 2.1 shutout innings.  

 

GCL TWINS REPORT

Monday - GCL Twins 8, GCL Red Sox 9 (10)  – Chris Parmalee continues to put up strong numbers. He went 3-5 with his seventh double, fourth triple and three RBI. Matt Lawman and Deibinson Romero each had two hits and a walk. Juan Delgado was 2-5. Michael Allen started and gave up five runs (4 earned) on seven hits. He walked none and struck out seven. Robert Delaney gave up three runs in two innings. Jose Acosta pitched a shutout inning. Brad Tippett took the loss as he gave up a run in the 10th.

Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? I would love any input, or ideas to make it better. Thanks! E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.

Let me know what you think.  Send me an e-mail, or let's talk about it in the Comments here. That is it for today!

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