Here we go

The Twins are winning games again. And this time we can say, well, "Mauer and Nishioka are about ready" because they are.  Aside from the 2012+ benefits of what has gone on in the organization, I see benefits for the here and now, and still see a 11.5 game deficit as no ultra big deal. If if were Chicago at the top, I would be more concerned. I do not expect Cleveland or Detroit to win more than 85 games.

It is good to see Alexi Casilla doing something. And it is nice to see Ben Revere getting it done as well.

Imagine what the lineup will be like when, given the diversity of the lineup, Kubel, Thome, Mauer, and Nishioka are all ready again?

The pitching is goodish again.

Prospect watch

1. Aaron Hicks (CF/RF)

AGE: 21.8. .262/.360/.378. Ok bb/k ratio. 6/10 steals.  2012 forecast: New Britain full year.

2. Miguel Sano (SS/3B/1B)

AGE: 18.1. Extended spring training.  Can't wait to see how this season goes. 2012 forecast: Beloit.

3. Tsuyoshi Nishioka (2B/SS)

AGE: 26.10. Back soon with the Twins.  Looked bewildered, but should be fine. 2012 forecast: Twins.

4. Kyle Gibson (SP)

AGE: 23.8. 3.90 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 64 K, 11 BB in 60 innings. Some inconsistency. He seems like a Scott Baker clone.  That would be a good thing this year. 2012 forecast: Twins 3-4 starter

5. Angel Morales (CF/RF)

AGE: 21.7. ulgh! injuries. Done for the year. What a tragedy for this guy. 2012 forecast: recovering from injury and spending the rest of the year at Fort Myers. Still very young.

6. Alex Wimmers (SP)

AGE: 22.7. ulgh, hopefully this is just a fluke.  Total disaster this year.

7. Liam Hendricks (SP).

AGE: 22.4. 2.75 ERA, 1.08 WHIP, 58K, 13 BB in 59 innings. Fantastic start again.  2012 Forecast: Rochester full season, threatening MLB roster.

8. Joe Benson (CF/RF)
AGE 23.3. .294/.380/.489 with still too many strikeouts. A few more walks, however, and Benson has impressed by bringing that average up.  Power is down, though. 2012 forecast: Rochester full year, September MLB callup.

9. Ben Revere (CF/LF)
AGE:23.1. Batted over .300 at Rochester. Now batting over .300 for the Twins. 2012 forecast: Twins starting LF (assuming that two of these three are gone next year: Young, Cuddyer, Kubel).

10. Oswaldo Arcia (CF/RF)
AGE: 20.1.  Was going ape like last year before getting injured but should be back by August. 2012 forecast: Fort Myers full year for the real test.

2012?

I have seen other blogs refer to the need to think soley of 2012 at this point.  I am not going to be foolish and say that I think the Twins are due for a miracle recovery, but I am not throwing away this season just yet.

By July they will be at full strenth.