Minnesota Twins Daily Morning Dip: Rule 5 Fireballer
Minnesota Twins Daily Dip, January 31st, 2018
Welcome to the January 31st edition of the Daily Dip, your daily piece of news and notes here on Puckett’s Pond, offseason edition. You’ll find the most recent news of the Minnesota Twins organization, stories from around the game, and links to any information you may want to know about the Minnesota Twins or baseball as we work our way through the hot stove season!
Minnesota Twins Organizational Scores
Australian Baseball League Update
The playoffs begin on Friday, with Sydney eliminated, but Brisbane, pursuing their third straight ABL title, will host Melbourne.
Player Stats:
Todd Van Steensel, Sydney – 6.2 IP, 12.15 ERA, 2.70 WHIP, 4/9 BB/K
Aaron Whitefield, Brisbane – .292/.364/.425, 106 AB, 2 HR, 10 SB, 13/29 BB/K
Dominican Winter League Update
Tigres del Licey and Aguilas Cibaenas split a double header on Tuesday, tying the championship series at 3 games apiece. None of the Twins representatives for either team played in either game.
Player Stats:
Tyler Kinley – Tigres del Licey – 19 IP, 0.47 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 11/32 BB/K
Adalberto Mejia – Gigantes del Cibao – 21 IP, 3.43 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 8/15 BB/K
Kennys Vargas, Aguilas Cibaenas – .222/.311/.407, 54 AB, 2 HR, 7/20 BB/K
T.J. White – Gigantes del Cibao – .000/.000/.000, 14 AB, 0/5
Minnesota Twins news and notes
Kinley wants to prove he belongs
Tyler Kinley, the Twins’ Rule 5 pick this season is very intent on proving that he belongs in the major leagues with his powerful two-pitch offering.
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: 2022 Year in Review for Twins Baseball
- Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
Notes from around baseball
- Ranking double-play duos
- Brewers in pursuit of Yu
- Former GM Towers passes away
- Gordon hoping speed will help move to CF
- Cora humbled by visit to Puerto Rico
- Thome’s late career a model for Miggy to finish career strong?
- A-Rod, J-Lo pose for pics together
- Showalter sure of Machado at SS
- Brinson meets hero Pierre
- Avila and Diamondbacks come to agreement
- Owner Meetings unlikely to change pace of play
- Teams selected for National High School Invitational
- Gwynn once predicted pitch and location of a hit
Next: Would Dozier extension be wise?
One Last Thing
Right-hander Tyler Kinley was the Minnesota Twins Rule 5 selection in December. He turns 27 today.
Kinley is primarily known for his big fastball and power slider, but also some significant issues with his control. He has been pitching in the Dominican Winter League this winter, and he has been absolutely killing it, with a 0.47 ERA and 32 strikeouts over 19 innings.
The competition will be tough for Kinley to make the team with veteran free agent reliever signings of Fernando Rodney, Addison Reed, and Zach Duke to add to a young bullpen.