Puckett's Pond

Talk to Contact: Flummoxed by Ron Gardenhire

Paul Pleiss — Sat, 18 May 2013 17:30:40 +0000

Episode 38 of the Twins baseball podcast, Talk To Contact (@TalkToContact), is now available for download via iTunes or by clicking here.

Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

This week Cody and Eric dive into the poor pitching management of Ron Gardenhire, Joe Mauer‘s hit-streak amid a season filled with strike-outs, and then we discuss the possibility of seeing Kyle Gibson in a Twins uniform and the outside shot of a 6-man rotation in Minnesota.

We name our Twins hitters and pitchers of the week, and then go Down on the Pond and talk about Low-A Cedar Rapids Kernals first basemen Dalton Hicks.

We finish up the podcast talking about beers from Europe and making a trip Around the League (including a fabulous Korean bat flip).

Only an hour of fun this week, but we’ll be back next week with a special patriotic Talk to Contact in honor of Memorial Day.

You can follow Cody on Twitter (@NoDakTwinsFan) or read his writing at NoDakTwinsFan. You can follow Paul on Twitter (@BaseballPirate) or read his writing here at Puckett’s Pond. And of course, you can find Eric on Twitter (@ERolfPleiss) and read his writing at Knuckleballsblog.com

Big Statisticles: Batters Up

Brian Johnson — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:43:59 +0000

It’s been a while since I’ve been to the pond, and I’m sorry for that. It’s been even longer since Big Statisticles has made an appearance, and I’m even sorrier for that. I’m back on the wagon though and vow to bring more fantasy baseball to you beautiful Twins fans. You will have to bear with me and stomach some analysis of AL Central foes, but if you’re chasing that virtual fantasy trophy, hopefully the following can be of some use to you. I’m on a bit of a hot streak to start the season, so take a look at some players worth grabbing as we head into waiver weekend.

OF Dayan Viciedo, CHW (31.2% owned)

Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

An alumnus of the Birmingham Barons, Viciedo is a player whose ownership percentage would be in the 90’s if not for sustaining an injury only two weeks into the season just as he was heating up. Now over a week removed from the DL, the man they call “The Tank” in Chicago, has reached safely in five of his last seven games while swatting two HR and tallying six RBI. To the casual eye, his line of .288/.329/.530 is appealing, but his real value to the White Sox thus far is reflected in his wRC+ (124) and wOBA (.346); both of which are just a tier below what is produced by the game’s elite. You just can’t find greater power potential (with proven ability to hit for modest average [.283 minors] / [.264 majors]) on the wire right now. When healthy, this Cuban import packs the power of a laced Cohiba, and I’d set his floor for the remainder of the season at 20 HR.

OF Michael Brantley, CLE (33.6%)
Here’s a guy that’s never excited me much, but looking across the landscape, he’s one of the more intriguing options out there. After boosting his previous year’s average from .266 to .288 in 2012, Michael is quietly swatting a cool .303 in the bottom-third of the red-hot Indians lineup. Having recorded at least one hit in 18 of his last 22 games, his R and RBI totals aren’t where you’d like them to be, but if he keeps hitting at this rate, there’s no reason Terry Francona won’t dump the struggling Asdrubal Cabrera (.232) from the three spot and give Brantley better opportunities somewhere near the top of the order. He has decent speed (12 SB in 2012) and is tough to strike out (exceptional career 12.2 K%); so yeah, basically I need to take notice (as should you) of this seemingly solid 26-year old ballplayer that has shown improvement at each step of his young pro career. Best case scenario: Brantley sees a major boost in production somewhat similar to what Jean Segura has enjoyed since his promotion towards the top of the totem pole. Worst case scenario: buy a sixer (or a case) and head back to the drawing board with me next week.

1B Yonder Alonso, SD (36.2%)

May 3, 2013; San Diego, CA, USA; San Diego Padres first baseman Yonder Alonso (23) hits a two-run home run during the fifth inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-USA TODAY Sports

Not long ago, Alonso was ranked as Cincinnati’s top overall prospect, but a certain mainstay at first base (goes by the name of Votto) made young Yonder very marketable and very available once his game began to round into form. Prior to the 2012 season, the Reds traded their blue chip prospect to San Diego (along with some other parts) in exchange for Mat Latos, and now the Padres are ready for some healthy returns on their steep investment. Alonso’s 10.0 BB% and .348 OBP exhibit his above-average ability to get on base , and I’d say it’s an encouraging sign that he hit below .290 on only one stop across four years in the minors. Yonder didn’t jump off the page as a rookie last year (.273/9/62/3), but right now he is on pace to close 2013 around .270/15/85/8. Coming from a guy currently entrusting Ike Davis, that’s some cheap production at the corner spot I would kill for. Factor in that Petco Park isn’t the pitcher’s paradise it once was, and I’d consider this premature post-hyper a pretty good gamble right now.

SS Didi Gregorius, ARZ (33.1%)
With his.407 AVG through April 26, Didi was set to become the bee’s knees, but a short trip to the DL calmed the excitement around the 23-year old rookie. He has since returned and is now hitting second for the surging D-Backs. Although his AVG should drop near his career mark (minors) of .267; Arizona believes they have an everyday player that is ready to contribute now. Didi doesn’t provide much power but has decent speed, and his stellar play in the field has secured him the job at shortstop. I’m not convinced he can remain fantasy-relevant this season, but at this point, he’s worth a flier if you need a change at middle infield.

1B Chris Carter, HOU (23.6%)
I can’t confirm that it’s true, but Chris Carter is definitely the spawn of Pedro Cerrano. Both are always a threat to go deep when they step in the box, but more often than not, the pitcher prevails and another K is hung from the rafters. For the non-Major League fans (heaven help you), it’s quite simple. Carter’s astronomical 25.4% HR/FB and .275 ISO coupled with his ghastly career 34.1 K% and .215 AVG make him the ultimate boom or bust candidate. His HR power is very real but it will come at a major cost to your team’s AVG. It’s going to be a roller coaster ride all season for Chris in terms of add/drops, but he’s on pace for 35 HR and that’s nothing to scoff at. So if you’re willing to punt AVG at any point, you better lock this guy up for the long haul.

OF Oswaldo Arcia, MIN (15.0%)

Apr 23, 2013; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Oswaldo Arcia (31) hits a three run home run in the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-USA TODAY Sports

The legend of Oswaldo Arcia began during a B-game in spring training last year, when the then-20-year old, who was on nobody’s radar (much less the Twins’), launched a 450-foot homer to the opposite field in left. The blast looked like it came off the bat of Mark McGwire (yes, the juiced version), and Minnesota’s GM, Terry Ryan, immediately knew he had something special on his hands. The internal organizational buzz only continued to build as Arcia went on to post a line of .320/.388/.539 (with 17 HR and 98 RBI) between High-A and Double-A ball in 2012.

This past March, Arcia came to Ft. Myers ranked as Baseball Prospectus’ 60th overall prospect, and it was believed he had a good shot to break camp with the big club, but an intercostal strain dampened those plans. It didn’t take long to slug his way out of Triple-A Rochester and make it to the show though. After only 10 games, he was hitting .394/.474/.727 and had 3 HR and 8 RBI to his name. Since the rocky start following his promotion on April 15, it appears Arcia has successfully transferred his skill-set to the pros (.340/.354/.532 in May) and he has been getting regular AB between right-field and DH. Even though he has cooled a little in the last week, I believe his short-lived days of riding the bus in the minors are over. This could be a very sneaky power play as the 22-year old inches his way towards the heart of the Twins’ order.

OF Eric Young Jr., COL (2.3%)
The recent injury to Michael Cuddyer (bulging disk, 15-day DL) has paved the way for regular AB for Young atop the potent Rockies lineup until the end of May (at least). He can be a terror on the base paths, which was evidenced last year when he swiped 14 bags in 174 AB and registered an insane 8.3 speed score. Eric doesn’t have a ton of professional experience (711 AB), but he has proven ability to get on base (career .297/.388 in the minors) and also took a giant leap by raising his average (in equivalent AB) from .247 in 2011 to .316 in 2012. If you feel the need for speed, then Young is an immediate must-add; but don’t be surprised if he thrives in his everyday role and his ownership seriously spikes.

Checking in on Former Twin Randy Ruiz

Ben Noble — Thu, 16 May 2013 22:05:18 +0000

A Bronx native, Randy Ruiz was taken by the Mets in the 36th round of the draft out of high school, but instead chose to play baseball at Bellevue University, the previous year’s winner of the NAIA World Series. He led the team in home runs in 1999, was subsequently signed by the Reds as a non-drafted free agent, and spent the next nine seasons toiling in the minors for seven different organizations.

Signed by the Twins as a minor league free agent in the offseason heading into 2008, Ruiz made his MLB debut on August 1 of that year when fellow former Twin Craig Monroe was designated for assignment. In his first game, he went 1-3 as the designated hitter in a 4-1 victory over Cleveland, leaving the Twins 61-48 and tied with the White Sox for the Central lead.

Last we saw him…

Ruiz struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning of the following game, then went on a seven-game hitting streak and finished the month hitless in just one of the games in which he started. When Michael Cuddyer finally returned after missing a month due to a broken foot suffered during a rehab assignment with AAA Rochester, Ruiz had just three more plate appearances the rest of the season. The Twins finished the 2008 season with a one-game playoff loss to Chicago.

What he’s been up to since

The Twins released Ruiz in December of that year, and Toronto signed him to a minor-league deal two weeks later. He began the season with the AAA Las Vegas 45s, and proceeded to hit .320 with 25 home runs and 43 doubles, earning the PCL MVP and an August call up to the Blue Jays when Alex Rios was claimed off waivers by the White Sox. He hit home runs in his first two games up, and finished his MLB season with 10 in 33 games. The following season, Ruiz made Toronto’s 25-man roster out of spring training, but got just 40 at bats before being asking for and receiving his release in May in order to sign a more lucrative contract with the Tohoku Rakuten Eagles of the JPPL.

Ruiz spent the rest of 2010 and all of 2011 with the Eagles, then returned last year to play stateside in AAA for the Arizona Diamondbacks organization. Again, Ruiz left the US midway through the season to play in Japan, this time with the Yokohama DeNA BayStars of the Japan Central League.

What he’s doing now

Once again, Ruiz returned to the United States to begin the season, only to find himself playing in a foreign league. The White Sox signed Ruiz this spring, and he hit a double in his lone spring training at bat before being released a week before the season began. This time, instead of playing out the season in Japan, Ruiz has recently shown up in Mexico with Veracruz. In what is basically AAA ball, the 35-year-old is hitting .333/.489/.636 through 11 games on the season.