Justine Morneau

A few thoughts on the first homestand of the season:

*Carlos Gomez is really fast, and has the potential to be the most dynamic lead-off hitter the Twins have ever had.

*The starting pitching held its own. Livan Hernandez is just as advertised, a veteran who knows how to keep hitters off-balance and should throw into the sixth or seventh inning pretty much every game. Scott Baker, Nick Blackburn, and Boof Bonser all pitched well, but too often found themselves behind early in the game.

Continue reading "Twins First Homestand"

Joe Mauer picked up an RBI, Justine Morneau finally got a hit, a hope-stimulating opposite field single that carried with bit the bthought that his days of pulling off pitches were finally over. Gaius Baltar, rescued by a mysterious group of worshipful women, found himself wracked with self-doubt, a good thing for the normally arrogant, some would say traitorous, doctor.

Continue reading "Battlestar Twins"

Where, oh where has the hitting gone...

The Twins found a pitcher last night. Nick Blackburn, in his first major league start, went seven innings, struck out six, walked one, and gave up only one run.

Continue reading "Twins Shut-Out By Angels"

The outfield, then, shows two pluses and a question mark.

Around the infield, Justine Morneau at first has already won an MVP and established himself as the Twins best power hitter since Kent Hrbek. He's a  double plus. Joe Mauer may be the best catcher in baseball. The rest of the infield, though, is all question marks. Brendan Harris may bring more offense at second base, but he has yet to show it based on his performance in spring training. Adam Everett is a top defensive shortstop, but again, his potential offensive contributions are a real question mark. At third, Mike Lamb should provide more offense, but he's never played a full season as a regular player and it remains questionable whether he'll live up to the defensive standards the Twins usually expect from their fielders.

Continue reading "Twins And The A.L. Central"