Thursday, October 6, 2005
SEPTEMBER GRADES
Good morning! Thank you again for continuing to stop by the site even after the Twins season is over. It means a lot to me. Also, be sure to remember to answer this week's Discussion Question of the Week regarding what you would do about the Twins in 2006. If you would like your thoughts posted on this site, please e-mail me.
The Minnesota Wild returned to the ice last night to open the 2005-06 NHL season against the Calgary Flames. The Wild were able to defeat the defending Western Conference champions 6-3, and are now 1-0 on the year. I was actually kind of excited to watch a little hockey last night on TV2. However, it was not on Fox Sports Net, so I couldn't. I don't mind hockey. It is just very hard to watch on TV. In person, it is great, maybe the best in-person spectator sport though. So, will I discuss the Wild here? Let me try to honestly answer that question by saying, "Maybe." That's the best I can really do. I guess I will if or when I feel like it.
The Houston Astros took a 1-0 series lead over the Atlanta Braves thanks to a solid start by Andy Pettitte and the bat of 3B Morgan Ensberg who really carried that Astros lineup all year. It doesn't look good for Braves fans as the next two starters for the Astros are Roger Clemens and Roy Oswalt!
The White Sox got down 4-0 to the Red Sox, but found a way to comeback and take a big 2-0 lead on the defending champions!
I have to admit, I went to bed before the Yankees and Indians game was over. Sorry!
One more quick note, before we get to the grades, I was just googling my own name online last night and came across this. In June of this year, Lei Zhang wrote what appears to be a final paper for a class in which he quoted me, or my site, regarding my thoughts on the RBI statistic. The paper is called The Semantic Web and a Baseball Statistics Ontology. Of course, I have absolutely no idea what it means, and I tried to read the paper, but it isn't the most entertaining of articles. I am sure that is was an A paper though! Again, I just find it amusing that my name and website appeared in someone class final paper! Actually, it does appear to be a very interesting article, a very in-depth look at many baseball statistics.
Alright, let's get to the grades. I will post the stats for September (and two days worth of October) as well as an overall grade for the players. If you have any thoughts, be sure to e-mail me.
HITTERS
BRENT ABERNATHY
(5 Games, 3-14, .214/.313/.214, 0-2B, 0-HR, 1-RBI, 0/0 SB, 1 BB, 3 K)
Well, Abernathy proved that he is replacement quality at best. He was pretty limited in September in his at bats. He was injured, and now he has the Achille's injury. He really didn't get much opportunity in September. He was dropped from the 40 man roster already on Tuesday, but the team may try to bring him back on a minor league contract again.
September Grade: D
August Grade: C-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: B+
JASON BARTLETT
(23 Games, 11-67, .164/.278/.224, 1-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 3 RBI, 2/2 SB, 8 BB, 9 K)
Bartlett had an excellent August, but really struggled with the bat in September. Two things to note though, just in an attempt to remain positive. First, I think that Bartlett put together really good at bats. Many times, he took a number of pitches, and fouled off many two-strike pitches, but ended up getting out. Secondly, and it kind of goes along the same lines, look at the Isolated On-Base Percentage at well over one. That is a very good sign for such an inexperienced player, and something that I think the Twins should feel good about.
September Grade: D
August Grade: A-
May Grade: C
April Grade: B
MICHAEL CUDDYER
(22 Games, 24-78, .308/.365/.526, 4-2B, 2-3B, 3-HR, 10-RBI, 0/0 SB, 7 BB, 13 K)
A very strong month of September for Cuddyer. I really looked like he got it at the plate. He led the team in average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage (for those with more than two at bats a game) Obviously his fielding at 3B had greatly improved in the 2nd half of the season, and he played a lot of right field in the final weeks of the season as well. Good batting average, solid walk total, and plenty of extra base power, much of which came in his three double/home run game in Oakland. But Cuddyer has hit well each of his season's in September. It gives us all hope. He now needs to take the next step and be more consistent throughout the season. He needs to not have those bad Aprils!
September Grade: A-
August Grade: C-
July Grade: B
June Grade: C+
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D-
JUAN CASTRO
(15 Games, 14-55, .255/.281/.400, 3-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 7-RBI, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 5 K)
Castro was kept on the disabled list until the rosters expanded on September 1. He got quite a few at bats at 3B in the middle of the month, and really he did pretty well (for him) in his time. Five extra base hits is really good. Seven RBI is not bad at all. It wasn't a bad month for Castro. Can it be good enough for some other team to want him?
September Grade: C+
August Grade: A-
July Grade: C-
June Grade: D
May Grade: A-
April Grade: C+
LEW FORD
(26 Games, 26-92, .283/.343/.326, 4-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 5-RBI, 2/3 SB, 9 BB, 13 K)
Another very good, typical Lew Ford month. Nothing spectacular, but very good. Good average, but decent on-base numbers. He led the team in runs, hits and walks. Those are good top-of-the-order things! Really, if you just take a way a really bad July, Ford was very consistent offensively the rest of the year. In the month, he was benched a time or two for different reasons, yet he played in 26 games (only Morneau played in more).
September Grade: B-
August Grade: B
July Grade: D-
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B-
April Grade: B
CHRIS HEINTZ
(7 Games, 5-25, .200/.231/.320, 3-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 2-RBI, 0/0 SB, 1 BB, 6 K)
I said numerous times that I was thrilled with the organization for calling up the 31 year old Heintz. I wish more organizations would give such a call to deserving career minor leaguers. Heintz had his second straight strong season at Rochester and really earned this promotion. Heintz's numbers in his few at bats don't stand out, but what he did is proved to me, and I think the coaches, that he is capable of a role position if anything happens to Mike Redmond next season. He was not overmatched. His three doubles were very nice. He showed an ability to hit the ball the other way. It was a good showing for the deserving Heintz.
September Grade: B-
TORII HUNTER
(0 Games)
Hunter didn't show up for a couple of months, but when he did he spouted out against his teammates, got into an altercation with Morneau, threw a punch at Morneau that missed but hit Nick Punto. Continued to brag about how he is the team's leader, yet he certainly did not show that by any of his actions. Then, when things got tough, what did he do? That's right. He left early.
September Grade: INC
August Grade: INC
July Grade: C+
June Grade: A
May Grade: D
April Grade: A-
JACQUE JONES
(24 Games, 20-92, .217/.255/.402, 3-2B, 1-3B, 4-HR, 12-RBI, 3/3 SB, 5 BB, 21K)
It was a very up and down season for Jacque Jones. Major League All-Star caliber in April and July. Replacement Level player the rest of the season. Despite his low batting average, Jones did hit for good power and drove in some runs. He just continues to not get on base much and strike out way too much. 21 was more than any other Twins player. However he tied Ford for the team lead in runs scored, and Morneau in home runs. It was also good to see him get to play some centerfield. That may make him more tradable.
September Grade: C-
August Grade: D
July Grade: A-
June Grade: C
May Grade: D
April Grade: A
MATTHEW LECROY
(20 Games, 16-63, .254/.356/.413, 1-2B, 3-HR, 10-RBI, 0/0 SB, 8 BB, 17 K)
If only... LeCroy can be so good at the plate at times. He provides a lineup with some home runs each month, and he has a knack for driving in runs. But he doesn't hit well against righties, he can't run out a double unless something strange happens, and he strikes out so frequently. But he also takes a lot of pitches, and walks. Probably is, when he is on first base, he is almost a liability.
September Grade: C+
August Grade: B-
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: D+
April Grade: A-
JOE MAUER
(23 Games, 22-89, .247/.323/.258, 1-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 3-RBI, 2/2 SB, 9 BB, 6 K)
It was definitely a rough month for Mauer. I have frequently said that I don't expect him to hit a lot of homers, but I do think he should be hitting some doubles. He didn't hit for much average, and had just the one double. Even in that rough stretch, you can see that he continued to put together good at bats and struck out less than he walked. Mauer made it through his first full season healthy, and having learned alot. He also led the league's best pitching staff.
September Grade: C-
August Grade: A
July Grade: A-
June Grade: C
May Grade: B+
April Grade: A-
JUSTIN MORNEAU
(27 Games, 22-93, .237/.297/.430, 6-2B, 0-3B, 4-HR, 16-RBI, 0/0 SB, 7 BB, 12 K)
It actually wasn't a horribly month for Morneau. Yes, we'd like that average higher. A sub-.300 on-base percentage is horrible (even if the .060 isolated OB% is not bad). What I like are the extra base hits! He led the team with the six doubles, four homers and 15 RBI. It wasn't great, but it should give Morneau a start heading into the offseason, a little better outlook.
September Grade: C+
August Grade: D
July Grade: D-
June Grade: D
May Grade: B
April Grade: A
NICK PUNTO
(21 Games, 15-67, .224/.284/.328, 2-2B, 1-3B, 1-HR, 3-RBI, 3/5 SB, 6 BB, 15 K)
Punto continued to play pretty much every day, and why? OK, that was a rhetorical question, but it would be very interesting to hear what Ron Gardenhire's reasoning for it was. Low average. Low on-base percentage. Little power. Little speed. A few walks, but how many called third strikes? There were three in one game. Hopefully Gardy knew that the Twins wouldn't win and was just trying to prove to himself and maybe others that Punto is not an every day player.
September Grade: D
August Grade: D-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: INC
May Grade: A-
April Grade: B
MIKE REDMOND
(5 Games, 6-12, .500/.538/.667, 2-2B, 0-HR, 0-RBI, 1 BB, 0 K)
Redmond's month and season ended a little early with his foot injury. But in his few appearances, Redmond continued to show us that his signing was just great for the Twins. The numbers look incredible, but in just 13 plate appearances. Again, as he had the rest of the year, he put together good at bats, got hits, got big, timely hits at times, and did a good job defensively. The Twins could not ask for more.
September Grade: A
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A
June Grade: D
May Grade: C+
April Grade: B
LUIS RIVAS
(10 Games, 8-28, .286/.375/.429, 1-2B, 1-HR, 4-RBI, 2/2 SB, 3 BB, 0 K)
Well, Rivas spent a couple of months at Rochester and still didn't hit there. After their season was complete, he came back up to the Twins. In limited time, he actually did not do too bad, but the writing was on the wall. He played 2B when Johan pitched, I assume simply for defensive purposes. As you all know, the Twins out righted Rivas to Rochester, taking him off the 40 man roster and finally ending the Rivas Era in Minnesota. We know Gleeman is happy!
September Grade: B
August Grade: INC
July Grade: B+
June Grade: D
May Grade: D-
April Grade: D
LUIS RODRIGUEZ
(12 Games, 11-33, .333/.400/.584, 2-2B, 0-3B, 1-HR, 9-RBI, 0/1 SB, 5 BB, 1 K)
L-Rod is a good hitter. Is he a star? Not at all. But he puts together good at bats. I've been saying for two years that he does, even though I hadn't seen him play, just because of his walk to strikeout ratio. He showed that again with some consistent playing time the last week of the season. It meant a good average, good on-base percentage and some extra base hits. Putting together good at bats means that when runners are on base, you can drive them in, and L-Rod did that. Just a good showing for him, and hopefully he opened the coaching staff's eyes!
September Grade: A-
August Grade: D-
July Grade: B
June Grade: A
May Grade: B+
MICHAEL RYAN
(9 Games, 2-15, .133/.133/.133, 0-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 3-RBI, 1/1 SB, 0 BB, 2 K)
Like Rivas, Michael Ryan was let go on Tuesday too. He had his one good month in 2003, but has done nothing since. Pinch hitting, or playing once a week is not an easy role. But, it is also a role that is easily replaceable. I wish him well.
September Grade: D
August Grade: C+
July Grade: C
June Grade: C
SHANNON STEWART
(14 Games, 12-59, .203/.230/.322, 3-2B, 2-3B, 0-HR, 4-RBI, 0/1 SB, 2 BB, 11 K)
Another rough month in a rough season for Stewart. He ended up shutting himself down because of the shoulder injury he sustained a month earlier on a solid catch against the wall in left. But this month was much like particularly his second half of the season. Poor batting average. Not enough walks, especially for a leadoff hitter. And few extra base hits. He also again struck out way too many times, uncharacteristically. Twins fans should hope two things if he is back next season. First, that his struggles were really attributable to his injuries. And second, it is a contract year for him, so he'll come back ready to have a big year next year.
September Grade: D+
August Grade: B-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: B+
May Grade: A
April Grade: B-
TERRY TIFFEE
(9 Games, 5-26, .217/.234/.261, 1-2B, 0-3B, 0-HR, 2-RBI, 0/0 SB, 3 BB, 1 K)
Tiffee got about five or six straight starts at 3B late in the month, and really, he didn't show much. Defensively, he was fine, but offensively, he just has not made the adjustments to the pitching. Throughout his minor league career, he was not one to walk much, but he could always hit, and he just has not done much hitting all season. I can see the Twins dropping him from the 40 man roster too, hoping that he would re-sign with them to a minor league contract. He could still be a decent role player, it just did not happen this year.
September Grade: D+
August Grade: C
July Grade: C
June Grade: D-
May Grade: D-
April Grade: B+
JASON TYNER
(17 Games, 18-56, .321/.367/.375, 1-2B, 1-3B, 0-HR, 5-RBI, 2/2 SB, 4 BB, 4 K)
Tyner came up on September 1 with Francisco Liriano. Gardy's need for speed got him up a few days before the other call ups. But Tyner did well in his brief time. He played all three outfield positions well. And he actually even hit. He did exactly what he should do. He put the ball in play, he took walks without striking out much, he didn't pop up or try to do too much. He had the 12 game hitting streak. He stole a couple of bases. If he makes the team as a 5th outfielder, I have no problem with that. If Gardy wants to start him frequently, then that is not good!
September Grade: A
PITCHERS
THE STARTERS
SCOTT BAKER
(6 starts, 33.2 Innings, 2-2 with a 4.01 ERA, 10 walk, 17 strikeouts, 1.28 WHIP, 4.54 K/9)
Baker's first month as a member of the starting staff was generally pretty good. He pitched well with a decent ERA, a decent WHIP, and a couple of wins. He also showed that there is still much improvement ahead of him, we hope. In say that, I still believe he is ready to start for the Twins now, but am also excited because he can still get better. His strikeout rate should move up a little bit, maybe to six or seven per nine innings. I think his walk total will likely drop a little too. But he did show the team a lot.
September Grade: B-
August Grade: A
July Grade: A-
May Grade: A
FRANCISCO LIRIANO
(6 games-4 starts, 23.2 Innings, 1-2 with a 5.70 ERA, 7 walk, 33 strikeouts, 1.10 WHIP, 12.55 K/9)
I keep reading about how some are disappointed in Liriano's pitching performance for the Twins. I am perplexed. In 23.2 innings, he struck out 33 and only walked seven! That is remarkable! Yes, his ERA was not good, but most of that was from a rough start against a frustrating A's team. Are there things he could work on? Absolutely! And control of his fastball is paramount to any success he will have. But we all saw that final start he made when he did have the control of the fastball, just how dominant he was. His status as a top prospect remains the same, or even higher. Baseball America rated him as the Best Prospect in the AA Eastern League and also the #2 prospect in the AAA International League (to Delmon Young).
September Grade: B
KYLE LOHSE
(5 starts, 22 Innings, 1-1 with a 4.50 ERA, 8 walks, 14 strikeouts, 1.54 WHIP, 4.85 K/9)
Lohse had a bit of a rocky month, I think it is fair to say. He had a couple of good starts, but he also had the two inning, five run start that he was pulled from and then he took a bat to Gardy's office door. I can understand his frustration, but I also think that it was the straw that broke the proverbial camel's bat is terms of his career with the Twins. His numbers this year were decent. But they were not even as good as The Big Two (Baker and Liriano), and he can command some big money next season.
September Grade: C
August Grade: A-
July Grade: D+
June Grade: C-
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D
JOE MAYS
(6 games-2 Starts, 14.2 Innings, 0-1 with a 10.43 ERA, 5 walks, 5 strikeouts, 1.98 WHIP, 3.07 K/9)
I hated to see Mays in the rotation, even just for those final two starts. I feel bad for him. He worked so hard to get back, and he just had nothing. No velocity, no movement. He was just throwing batting practice and hoping. The incredible thing about his September numbers is that they DO include a four shutout inning relief appearance! I hope that Mays can rest and rehab this offseason and come back with someone and be healthy and get into another rotation!
September Grade: F
August Grade: D-
July Grade: D
June Grade: C+
May Grade: B
April Grade: B
BRAD RADKE
(4 Starts, 21 Innings, 1-2 with a 6.86 ERA, 2 walk, 9 strikeouts, 1.48 WHIP, 3.86 K/9)
After a good start, it came out that Radke's shoulder has been bad all year. By September, the Twins were all but eliinated from the playoffs, and Radke kept pitching until it became official. He then shut it down and missed his final two starts. It was not a good month for Radke, but it is certainly not indicative of what he is still capable of. Just look back at his grades in July and August when the Twins tried to make a push.
September Grade: D+
August Grade: A
July Grade: A
June Grade: C-
May Grade: B+
April Grade: B-
JOHAN SANTANA
(6 Starts, 43 Innings, 3-1 with a 1.67 ERA, 9 walks, 43 strikeouts, 0.84 WHIP, 9.0 K/9)
We keep being told that the Cy Young Award is supposed to go to the best pitcher in each league. If that were truly the case, Santana would be bringing home his second consecutive Cy Young Award next month. Santana was really good throughout the year, far more consistent than he was a year ago. But again, he was incredible the last two months of the season. When he doesn't win the Cy Young Award, he can blame old-fashioned thinking voters and the Twins hitters. But having seen how Santana is, my guess is that he won't blame either and will try to come back even stronger next season. How scary is that?!
September Grade: A
August Grade: A
July Grade: B+
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B
April Grade: A-
CARLOS SILVA
(2 Starts, 8 Innings, 0-2 with a 5.63 ERA. 1 walk, 3 strikeouts, 1.33 WHIP, 3.38 K/9)
To even grade Silva for September really is not at all fair. In his final start of the year, he gave up five runs to the Indians in just one inning. He left the game and his season was over. His meniscus was finally giving out on him and he has now had surgery. His first start of the month was seven innings again. His season was historical in terms of the number of walks. No one in over a century had walked so few per nine innings.
September Grade: C-
August Grade: A-
July Grade: A-
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B+
April Grade: A
THE BULLPEN
TRAVIS BOWYER
(8 Games, 9.2 Innings, 0-1 with a 5.59 ERA, 3 walks, 12 strikeouts, 1.34 WHIP, 11.17 K/9)
Bowyer really scuffled in Rochester the last month or so of the season. After such a dominant start, it appeared that the hitters were catching up to him. We had heard that he didn't have a second or third pitch. He still earned his call up. He made his major league debut in a less than ideal situation. In his final outing, he gave up five runs (on three homers) in just one inning. Before that outing, his ERA was 1.04. So, the 5.59 ERA is not really a true indication of how impressive he was. The strikeout rate is great. And he was able to limit the walks. His second and third pitches still need work, and I'm sure he'll get that in the AFL this month.
September Grade: B-
JESSE CRAIN
(12 Games, 15 Innings, 3-1 with a 3.60 ERA, 3 walks, 3 strikeouts, 0.87 WHIP, 1.80 K/9)
Another very good month for Crain. Great walk numbers. Excellent WHIP. Three late-inning wins. He was really effective. His lack of strikeouts is still just amazing to me. It is amazing thought because he does not get hit hard. In his final outing, he gave up three runs. The first two baserunners that reached got on with a broken bat infield single and a broken bat bloop single. There was a lot of that when Crain pitched. I just feel that his stuff is too good to not accidentally get more strikeouts.
September Grade: B
August Grade: C+
July Grade: D
June Grade: A-
May Grade: A
April Grade: B+
MATT GUERRIER
(7 Games, 18.1 Innings, 0-0 with a 2.45 ERA, 5 walks, 13 strikeouts, 1.31 WHIP, 6.38 K/9)
Guerrier ended an excellent rookie season with another quality month. He came out of the bullpen for long appearances in both of Joe Mays' late season starts and did great. It would have been nice to see him get a win, but we all saw exactly what he can do. Really, did he have more than the one really bad outing the whole season?
September Grade: A-
August Grade: C+
July Grade: C
June Grade: A-
May Grade: B
April Grade: B
TERRY MULHOLLAND
(7 Games, 8 Innings, 0-0 with a 0.00 ERA, 3 walks, 2 strikeouts, 1.00 WHIP, 2.25 K/9)
Mulholland fought a back injury the last couple of months of the season, but he really pitched well through it. He did not see many crucial situations in his few outings, which is probably good. But he didn't give up a run, and his other numbers are ok, despite the lack of strikeouts. Will that be his final month in the big leagues. I suspect someone will invite him to spring training, and if so, good for him and them.
September Grade: A-
August Grade: A-
July Grade: D
June Grade: D-
May Grade: A-
April Grade: D
JOE NATHAN
(12 Games, 11.2 Innings, 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA, 9 Saves, 1 walks, 20 strikeouts, 0.86 WHIP, 15.43 K/9)
Nathan was incredible in the second half of the season. Really, the only thing keeping him from getting a straight A was two blown saves. But just look at his save total, but particularly look at that 20:1 strikeout to walk ration. That is incredible. So is his strikeouts per nine innings. He really just had the one bad outing when he blew a save against the Rangers, but he was due for one of those. I would put Nathan up against any other closer in the game!
September Grade: A-
August Grade: A+
July Grade: A
June Grade: D
May Grade: C-
April Grade: A
JUAN RINCON
(14 Games, 13.2 Innings, 0-2 with a 2.63 ERA, 5 walks, 18 strikeouts, 1.32 WHIP, 11.35 K/9)
Rincon threw about every other game for the month. Apparently he was set to have some bone chips removed from his elbow this week as well. Bu he was good again. Good ERA. Great strikeout to walk ratio, although the walks are a little high. But he brought his strikeout rate up again to. He returned to dominant in the last couple of months of the season.
September Grade: B+
August Grade: A-
July Grade: B
June Grade: B+
May Grade: C+
April Grade: B+
JC ROMERO
(9 Games, 8.2 Innings, 1-0 with a 7.27 ERA, 4 walks, 6 strikeouts, 1.38 WHIP, 6.23 K/9)
Gardy and Romero may have cleared the air after Romero showed up the manager for taking him out of a game in which he hit two left-handed hitters, but it is probably not a coincidence that he didn't see the pitching mound the rest of the season. Too many runs, too many inherited runners scored, too many walks, too many base runners. Romero has shown time and time again that he is a head case. He wants to be traded, and I think it would be best for the Twins too!
September Grade: C-
August Grade: B-
July Grade: C+
June Grade: B-
May Grade: B
April Grade: B+
So, there are my September Grades for the Minnesota Twins. Again, 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.
I will try to keep updated on how the six Twins minor leaguers are faring in the Arizona Fall League:
After homering twice in the first game, Garrett Jones went 0-2 with a walk and two strikeouts yesterday.
Matt Moses made his first appearance. He played 3B and went 1-2 with a walk.
That is it for me for today. I will be back tomorrow with your thoughts on the 2005 Twins. If you have any questions or comments, or ideas for future postings, please e-mail me.