Notes, notes and notes.
Posted on March 3rd, 2009 – 7:50 AMBy La Velle
Don’t know if you had a chance to check it out, but the MLB Network yesterday aired the documentary. `We Are Young: A Baseball Family” a look at a couple years in the careers of Delmon and Dmitri Young.
Joe C., Jim Souhan and I watched a pilot of the film a while ago, and we came away with this observation: Their father, Larry Young, drove them hard and demanded perfection, and he became the first dad to have two sons who both were selected among the first four overall picks of the draft. The film also dealt with Delmon’s suspension for throwing a bat at an umpire and Dmirti’s battle with diabetes.
I talked to Delmon about the film on Sunday. He wanted to watch it again but there’s no cable in the house he’s staying at.
“I’ve seen it before,” he said. “They put on a good production. They followed me and my brother for a couple of years. It’s finally good for them to get it out there.”
I sure Twins fans are waiting to see the swing that Larry Young built launch a few more balls into the seats this season. Delmon tinkered with his approach during the offseason to get the most out of it. He’s more spread out in his stance, which has cut down on his leg kick and allows him to be a little quicker to the ball. Delmon told me Sunday that he thought his timing is a little off - and he said that one day after hitting three rockets against the Yanks.
Getting timing down is what spring is for. Let’s see how much Young’s approach helps him.
Gutierrez to throw
Heard last night that righthander Carlos Gutierrez, one of the Twins’ two first-round picks last year, will pitch today against the club that drafted him. Gutierrez is with Puerto Rico for the WBC.
I can’t wait to see him pitch. I watched him get knocked around during the College World Series last year and blogged my observations. The Twins have been letting me have it ever since. They better hope he doesn’t get knocked around again today!
Actually, I’m kidding a little bit. Gutierrez has a major league caliber sinker and should be in the majors within a year or two. I think the Twins are doing the right thing by making him a starter. That way, he can see a lot of hitters and work on other pitches. He still projects to be reliever but you never know if he’ll take off as a starter and become a Derek Lowe.
Third base race
I wrote about Luke Hughes in today’s ink editions. This is big year for him because other third base prospects are closing in.
Danny Valencia will start the season at Class AA New Britain but projects to be more well-rounded than Hughes.
Deibinson Romero will open the season at Class A Fort Myers. Romer drove in 10 runs in one game a couple years ago while at E-Town but missed a chunk of last season after breaking a leg while playing at Class A Beloit. He’s raw but looks very athletic at third.
And the Twins are high on fifth round pick Nick Romero, who should open the season at Beloit. Romero got lost in the shuffle last season because he was on the E-Town bomb squad but the Twins like his bat.
So Hughes needs a big year in the race to replace Joe Crede after 2009.
Speaking of the minors
Was over at the minor league complex last week, and was told that this is the preferred infield at Class A Fort Myers.
1B Henry Sanchez
2B Drew Thompson
SS Paul Kelly
3B Deibinson Romero
Romero isn’t a surprise. Kelly isn’t either. But the other side of that infield….
Thompson was a second round pick in 2005 but has had bad problems the past two seasons. This might be his last chance.
Sanchez was a sandwich round pick in 2005 who has had wrist, knee - and weight - problems. Sanchez, considered one of the best prep power hitters in the draft when taken, weighed over 280 pounds at one point last year but word is that he’s under 260 and is serious about getting his career on track. We’ll see….
And finally….
Joe C. has arrived and is fired up to get started! We’ll be tag-teaming it the rest of camp, with plenty of video updates. And it looks like I’ll be part of a live chat with Howard on Thursday. Stay tuned….
82 Responses to "Notes, notes and notes."
Thanks for the heads up on Gutierrez. So I guess if the Twins end up getting shut down in his innings of work it won’t be a bad thing. Well…maybe it still is.
With Morneau and Punto gone for a spell, what does that make the Twins “regular” lineup for now?
Span CF
Casilla 2B
Young LF
Kubel DH
Cuddyer RF
Crede 3B
Redmond C
Harris SS
Buscher 1B
???
A question for the staff — do enough people watch the video reports when going to a newspaper site? I prefer the written reports. Much easier to scan and read than sit and watch the screen. No offense to the guys who produce them, because it’s the prevailing thought in newspapers today. But do enough people watch them to make the expense worthwhile?
nice one len 3;
“He still projects to be reliever but you never know…”
interesting idea using a late 1st round pick on a relief pitcher. time will tell.
amtrek: I know if there’s a video report I want to watch, I’ll click the video link and listen while I do other stuff on my PC.
It’s handy in that regard.
I’ve only watched the video’s a few times. I generally like to read the reports.
Lavelle, if Crede performs well this year for us and stays healthy, what do you think the chances are the Twins try to resign him? Or do you think Hughes or Valencia will be ready to make the jump and fill the hot corner for the next 5-6 years?
Rather, do you think the Twins will be ready to hand the position over to one of those young bucks? Obviously they do not think the answer lies with Brian Buscher or Brendan Harris.
Does anyone know what happened to Torii Hunter? He hasn’t played at all in ST.
I think with 10-11 potential arbitration cases and Joe Mauer’s inevitable extension, the Twins will let Crede go after this season and have someone inexpensive there.
The words, `resign,’ and `Boras client,’ don’t mesh.
Joe C. will post the lineups - HIS FIRST ENTRY OF CAMP. WHOO HOO!!!
Great report, La Velle. Thank you for your efforts.
Considering what kinds of demands Crede had prior to signing, I can’t imagine his price range would be reasonable enough to consider resigning if he has the kind of year the Twins hope.
amtrekman, Syd, others:
About the video reports. The audience for them grows by the week. I expect startribune.com videos will draw more than 200,000 page views this month.
People have different preferences and the web allows us to give them options about how they get their news. Blogs, video and live chat are tools that have been added to our repertoire — and we’ll continue to figure out the best ways to use ‘em.
Speaking of live chat, I’ll be hosting one with La Velle at noon on Thursday. Hope you’ll be there.
Howard Sinker
sports coordinator
startribune.com
that Fort Myers infield would mean Singleton moves up to New Britain.
Where does he play in New Britain? Dinkelman is the 2b. Would the Twins move Singleton to Shortstop? (in an interview with Seth, both Singleton and Valencia said they wanted to play together at 3b and SS)
Also, if that is the preferred Fort Myers infield, then Parmelee becomes an outfielder (as opposed to being the 1b in Ft. Myers, and Leveret as DH). Parmelee Benson and Revere in the outfield…what happens to Tosoni? Does he move up too?
I’ve never watched a video, largely due to personal preference. It would be nice if the videos had transcripts or accompanying stories.
With that Fort Myers infield, there will be a small black cloud directly over the infield on the sunniest of days…
T-
I agree. If Crede has a monster year he will be out of the Twins’ price range on the market next year. If he breaks down and only plays half the season, they won’t bring him back. It’s a one year signing that will hopefully provide a bridge to the long term solution from the minors.
I think if the Twins or Crede anticipated returning for 2010 they would have included an option year of some sort.
could also be a middle ground with crede, if he plays fairly well and stays fairly healty, likes it here and the market stays weak for big contracts maybe he stays another year. a lot of things can happen with so many bodies, harris, buscher, hughes, valencia and crede all in the mix. lets hope it’s a problem because they are all playing well and not all sucking. it would be nice to have 3b fixed for a few years instaed of a ??
If Crede makes a triumphant return this year, I’m sure he will want a multi-year contract. Twins would have to be willing to bring him back in 2010 and 2011, at least.
When does Reusee report to camp? I think the Gophers will be glad to see him down in Flordia.
Just think, ggg, when Crede signs elsewhere, the Twins get those draft picks you covet…
Thanks La Velle!
Once at a page I read everything and sometimes watch the videos. Some of the videos can be pretty illuminating.
I agree that Crede is a one year deal. Sure hope he prices himself out of our range.
Where does he play in New Britain?
Bobby Cuellar (and Ricardo Ingram before him) favors a musical chairs approach. Assuming that Tolleson is in Rochester, Singleton will probably rotate between 2B, SS and a couple of outfield spots (Pretty much what Tolleson did last season)
[…] Velle has more spring jottings in his latest blog post, so be sure to check that out. We’re also contemplating our first video effort — that […]
bof, doubtful he would make an a status maybe b. i think they base that on last 2 yrs and with only 90+ games lasy year he’d have to have a monster year.
were you really impressed with all the 1st picks we’ve had?
I was kinda thinking the same thing on Crede, just kinda threw it out there.
I am hoping Valencia tears it up this year and is ready to get his shot come next spring.
However, if he is not ready, are the Twins willing to go back to the platoon, garbage fielders?
Also, what does anyone think it will take to lock Mauer up long term? Obviously the Twins will re-up his contract as he is the Lord Jesus Christ to our organization, but what do you think he will fetch? 5/80? More? Less?
Hughes needs a Koskie-like turnaround at third if he’s to hold off the competition. Like Koskie, he’s a good athlete, but he never played a lot of baseball, let alone third base, until relatively late in life. Valencia’s been playing ball year round for 20 years. The little footwork and throwing issues are baked into his muscle memory. He doesn’t have to think about how to get outs, he can just relax and get outs. Hughes has to think about what the coaches are telling him on every play. He can take 100 ground balls a day for a whole season and still look mechanical doing it. I wouldn’t be surprised if the two switch places this year as Hughes struggles with consistency defensively and Valencia makes all the plays. Offensively, I actually prefer Valencia. He doesn’t have as much power, but he’s more polished–fewer strikeouts, better situational hitting.
Let the Cred thing play out and see how he performs this year. An average year and the Twins may re-sign him. A monster year and he will demand a multi-year, high dollar contract.
So we will see how it plays out. Interesting……
I am Topp Dogg.
Henry Sanchez would be a huge leap of faith. He’s been going backwards the last 3 years: Beloit in 2006, in Elisabethton in 2007 and in GCL in 2008 (having a total of 50-60 bad PAs the last 2 years). And they think that he will be able to jump 3 levels? Unless they are projecting Parmalee at New Britain, he almost has to be at Ft. Myers at this point…
[…] few links from around the Twins Nation: LaVelle Neal’s lasted entry discussing Delmon Young and some notes from around the […]
I watched “We are Young” last night. Thought it was very well done. Some interesting edits, re: the Rays organization. Hindsight being 20/20 and all.
I kept expecting Pat Benetar to start singing for some reason.
Just me? Yeah, I thought so. 
the Twins would be wise to give Parmelee lots of reps at 1b. He is actually very good there. I have seen him play 1b for Beloit. He played the position very well.
Parmelee could replace Kubel in the lineup in a few years…and could give Morneau a rest once in a while…
Parmelee at Low-A Beloit:
YEAR BA
2006 .227
2007 .239
2008 .239
Call Em - if we’re being honest, I’m sure Parmelee will get a lot of reps at 1B. I mean, how much do we really expect Henry Sanchez to play?
Carlos Gutierrez what a waste of a first round pick! Should be out of baseball in a couple years. IMHO
“Carlos Gutierrez what a waste of a first round pick! Should be out of baseball in a couple years. IMHO”
Based on??
I wish todays game was on TV I’m curious as to who’s playing for team Puerto Rico this year does anyone know?
I watched part of that special on the Young brothers last night. I don’t know how I feel about the younger Young, but I’ve always been a big fan of Dmitri. I saw a game once where he was a double short of the cycle, so he hits a ball in the gap, and legs out another triple. He had his problems, but he is as unselfish of a player as there is. It’s a shame the way he got treated by the Tigers.
“I’m curious as to who’s playing for team Puerto Rico this year does anyone know?”
Check the lead-in on JoeC’s blog.
Speaking of Ft Meyers, The center Fieder/catcher E Tintor, What is the deal with him? I thought he was projected to have a big upside.
Enjoy Crede this year - assuming he makes a positive impact. If he has a “come-back player of the year” type season, Boras will ask for the moon and want to set up Crede for one more huge payday. Credit Boras for being good at what he does, but that of course won’t mesh with what the Twin’s Brass will allow as we all know. Should be an enjoyable last year in the dome.
sane,
Parmelee at Low-A Beloit:
YEAR BA
2006 .227
2007 .239
2008 .239
foul.
You know better that using BA to make an argument 
(you can actually make a very strong argument against Dunn using BA)
2006 (GCL 154AB/Beloit 22AB): .273/.369/.500
2007 (Beloit): .239/.313/.414
2008 (Beloit): .239/.385/.496 (age 20)
in 2007 at 19 he was young for Beloit, but last season he outgrew Beloit. He should be in Ft. Myers to start the season.
Sane,
I read an article where Bobby Cox was raving about his young raw prospect Freddy Freeman. I did not know this but he did have a spring training invite by Atlanta even though he was just in low A last year. I think you can read it on the Braves web site if you like.
thrylos 98,
You forgot to mention he’s K’ed over 32% of his AB’s. But yes he should be in Ft. Myers.
by the way, what were Dmitti’s “problems” that got him the boot in Detroit?
thrylos98, JA,
Parmelee’s age is the only number that got higher at Beloit in three years.
I guess .239 BA is a not enough reason to stop his promotion.
Four years in Beloit would have made him a Wisconsin resident.
sane,
Parmelee had an .881 OPS last season in Beloit. Not good enough?
I also have not watched a video, and agree that it would be nice to have a transcript. This is, after all, an online newspaper. Thanks for all the great work!
Nice call LENIII… Gutierrez gave up 2 runs to the Twins…
thrylos,
Yeah, that’s good enough for a promotion.
if you saw Parmelee play last year in Beloit, you would know why he struck out so much…and walked so much.
Nobody pitched to him…that simple!! He got impatient in every game I saw (He hit a 440 foot bomb on a 3-0 pitch in one game)..he could have walked every time up. I will say it again. Nobody pitched to him all season long.
If he wanted, he could have walked twice every single game. But he was too impatient…because the kid loves to hit. He needs protection in a lineup. Ozzie Lewis and Deibinson Romero were supposed to provide that …they failed miserably..so they moved Benson down..and he too failed..so nobody was ever forced to pitch to Parmelee…and then he had the injury..end of story
Dimitri violated a Leyland rule (of which there are thousands)–he didn’t wash his hands after peeing or something.
hahahahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahaahhahahahahhahahahhahahhahahahhahahahha.
hahahahahahahhahahahhahahahhahahaahhahahahahhahahahhahahhahahahhahahahha.
call em as i see em, are you parmelees mom? He must be the greatest hitter in the history of baseball if he could walk twice a game. Bonds had over 200 one year and thats not even close to twice a game.
bobert,
thanks for your insightful and mature contribution to the discussion. Are you quite certain I “meant” the two walks a game literally? Or maybe I was using hyperbole to illustrate a point…fortunately, those with opposable thumbs were able to discern the difference.
Bonds who?
So you’re not his mother? I knew what you meant, but its still a little over the top. Most pitchers in low-A cant locate well enough to pitch around a guy. If they could they wouldnt be pitching there. You dont get pitched around at that level. You could simply have said that he is overly aggressive and needs to learn the strike zone, just like most power hitters his age. Im sure he will be a good player down the road, but you got a bit out of control in his defense.
Bobert makes a good point. That post makes you sound in love with Parmalee.
he is overly aggressive and needs to learn the strike zone, just like most power hitters his age
Tt is not an age thing. It is a hitting style thing. Have a look at Adam Dunn’s stats:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/d/dunnad01.shtml
does he need more patience? Just a different type of hitter
If he hits 40 homeruns a year for several years Ill apologize thrylos. Lets see him get out of A ball first.
It he hits over 40 homeruns in a big league season, you can compare him to Adam Dunn. Lets start with him getting out of A ball
bobert, I am not saying that he is Dunn or close to being. All I am saying is that those guys have similar styles. (That said last year Parmelee hit 14 HRs in 226 AB. This projects to 40 in 650 AB)
sorry for the double post, computer is being whacky
Well Id love that in the lineup, but lets hope he can hit the ball the other way. If not we will release him, the redsox will pick him up, and he will dominate baseball for 5 years. Oh wait that already happend
thrylos….never use at bats to project numbers. If a guy starts, games played is better to project. Parmelee walks a lot it would take him 1.5 years to get 650 abs
in one game last year, Parmelee had 5 plate appearances…he had a 3 ball count in all 5 plate appearances. In that game no other Beloit player had a 3 ball count twice.. and no other Beloit player drew a walk.
coincidence? are you quite certain bobert, that pitchers at that level cannot pitch around a guy like Parmelee. Because I saw this type of thing happen several times last year.
I get your arguments…I am not the president of the Parmelee fan club…but I did see him play many many times…and I am guessing that few on this board have seen him play even once.
my point was simple…did not think it would cause such a stir..I simply said, that Parmelee did not get much to hit…as a result, he got impatient…he could have walked more than he did…and he walked a lot.
but if you would prefer to think less of Parmelee…fine…suit yourself. I was simply offering an opinion anyway…and we all know what that is worth
call em as i see em, you looked that stat up? That is just plain strange, good luck to Parmelee, and to you.
Hideki Matusui was intentionally walked four straight plate appearances during the Japanese national high school baseball tournament. He hit 63 HRs as a senior (but they play pretty much year-round over there).
bobert,
Just curious, how often do you see Parmalee play live?
Regards,
WJ, what the heck are you talking about? Dragon, Ive seen him play ZERO times. However I dont trust the scouting reports of people that comment on these blogs.
Bobert, questio scouting reports all you want, but his stats can’t be questioned. An OPS close to .900 warrants a promotion.
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“Most pitchers in low-A cant locate well enough to pitch around a guy….You dont get pitched around at that level’
High school pitchers are fully capable of pitching around the single superstar hitter on the opposing team and it happens all the time.
How good do you think that the 2nd best hitter on Delmon Young’s (or Jason Kubel’s or Mark Trumbo’s or Robert Stock’s or Sean Burrough’s) HS team was in comparison to the best hitter listed above?
Every pitcher that faced Camarillo HS (CA) was told “Don’t let Delmon beat you”.
Pitching around superstar hitters is necessary for survival and it’s done successfully (and sometimes unsuccessfully) nearly every day.
pitching around hitters is actually very easy:
(don’t try it at home, but feel free to try it in a park near you) Get your pitching grip, shove the ball down your palm, pitch (times 4). Done deal. Little league, beer league, minor league, big leagues.
Pun-terrible Watch
1-10 with the Twins
0-3 with Italy
1-13 overall
Nice start. Only in America can a guy like this get paid $4.5 million smackers.
“1-13 overall..Nice start. Only in America can a guy like this get paid $4.5 million smackers”
In 2006 and 2008, Punto had 797 at-bats and batted .290 and .284.
But we should ignore those 797 at-bats and use 13 at-bats AT THE START of SPRING TRAINING, to make an evaluation.
Only in America does an idiot get his most stupid thoughts published.
sy, that is so good! You can almost be forgiven for name-calling…
birdof prey,
No name-calling.
It was just an observation directed at the general human condition.
Mr Brasky is indeed guilty of extremely selective sampling of data to support his point.
But, so is sy…who should really include LNP’s 2007 season if he’s going to include 2006.
Or better yet, add career stats too.
USAFChief,
My point was that Punto was/is capable of good years as a counterpoint to 1-13 sample.
That is why I singled out his two good years.
If my contention was that Punto IS A bad/average/good/excellent hitter, then 2007 or career numbers would have been relevant.
I will continue to point out what a horrible signing this was as long as Punto is on the roster.
