You're the Farm Director!

by John Sickels on May 4, 2006 4:13 PM EDT in News Comment 40 comments

Inspired by this diary thread, let's do our first You're the Farm Director! for 2006.

You are the farm director of the Minnesota Twins.
At what point do you promote Matt Garza to Double-A?

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my answer

My answer:

I don't believe in promoting pitchers to the next level until they have 10 starts at their current one. I would hold to that rule for just about everyone.

So I would assess Garza after 10 starts. If he is still pitching like this, then I would promote him to Double-A.

by John Sickels on May 4, 2006 4:18 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Garza

Yesterday 5/8 versus 1st place St Lucie 8 innings 4 hits 1 run 1 walk 9 k's retired the last 11 guys he faced.

by beach64 on May 9, 2006 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Saw him Monday nite at St. Lucie. Solo HR from a hot batter was only run. 8 IP 1 run 4 H 1 W 9 K.
Retired the last 11 he faced, 6 on strikes. Great command. Even mixed in a few changes. Threw in low 90's, and the scout I talked to said, almost reverently, "He has a beautiful motion". OK, keep him here a few more starts, but no need to wait till mid-season.
TL

by TedLukacs on May 10, 2006 7:58 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

100 IP

I like 100 IP if I'm going to draw a line in the sand for a starter. There's no real reason to rush him to AA now.

After 100 IP he'll have nearly a 1/2 year lefty in AA... If he dominates there, you'll still be relatively sure you have a representative sample for AAA consideration for 2007.

I just don't think there's that much to accomplish by moving him any earlier. At A ball he can still be put in situations... Let's throw inside corner for awhile... let's throw some more curveballs, etc.

I am reminded of the immortal words of Socrates, who said, "I drank what?"

by kings33 on May 4, 2006 4:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as a twins fan

I would like to see Garza moved now. If he can continue to rake at AA in 10 or so starts, move him up to AAA. He could be the 3rd best starter for the Twins by next year, emphasis on the 3rd.

by joeywyen on May 4, 2006 4:38 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

as a twins fan

I would like to see Garza moved now. If he can continue to rake at AA in 10 or so starts, move him up to AAA. He could be the 3rd best starter for the Twins by next year, emphasis on the could.

by joeywyen on May 4, 2006 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Keep him there

Whether it's 10 starts or 100 IP it doesn't matter to me. I like the concept of setting a standard for the organization on the minimum time at a level, announcing it to (at least) the promotable players, and standing by it barring extrordinary circumstances such as injury or trade.

When a guy goes "Garza" on a league, use it as a opportunity to really refine another pitch and/or pitching sequences. He obviously can shut the hitters down with what he has right now. Make that the fall back approach, but focus on prepping him for the next level with better alternative pitches/sequences.

by Jaerbesan on May 4, 2006 4:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Big leagues, end of May

Garza's throwing well right now. I say give him two or three starts with the big league team and see what happens. If he's primed, he can make his first home start against Boston before interleague play starts.

by StickRat on May 4, 2006 4:49 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

another issue

At what point do you rearrange the team's rotation? Yes, the offense has been bad, putting up a line of .252/.307/.369, and scoring 4.1 runs per game. But the starting rotation is what's really killing this team. (Allowing 5.9 runs a game.) Is it too early to shake things up, giving Boof Bonser some starts (terrific last year & even better now in the IL), and sending Silva & Lohse somewhere else?

by Azteca on May 4, 2006 5:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Time's a wastin'

I say trade Lohse and Silva right now. That way Liriano and Garza can start right away. I'm tired of watching prospects being in a league for more than 3-4 weeks. Boring!

Garza's young, shiny, new exciting. Let's move him up now. As long as we move him as fast as possible he will appease my short attention span.

At least until I can get excited about the next one.

Now, what about Slowey?

by stjp5 on May 4, 2006 5:12 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

ASAP

I see no reason to keep him at A ball if he's absolutely destroying the league.

Plus, Radke will be gone after this year most likely, Lohse stinks, and Silva can't get anyone out anymore, so it would be nice if we could have him in the mix for a starting job next year.

by Justin & Joe on May 4, 2006 5:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No minimum

Every pitcher is different. I think if a kid is absolutely dominating every start, then there is no point in keeping him there. Move him up and see what he can do until he is stumped. Then keep him there until he is ready for the next step up.

by yoda1 on May 4, 2006 5:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Garza

As I said in the diary thread, Garza's total innings pitched are a bit of a concern. If that is caused by his not pitching deep into games, then he needs to work on that before they move him up.

The other issue is the Twins need to create a spot for him in New Britain. With the weather the way it has been in New England they are having a hard time keeping the five guys they have. Harben got hurt and they had to use him as a reliever when he cam back to get him in a game.

by TT on May 4, 2006 6:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Create a spot for him?

Last I checked, Nick Blackburn and Errol Simonitsch are occupying two rotation spots.

by Sulla on May 5, 2006 6:57 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

wow

i can't believe people are clamoring for garza to be starting for the twins. he's in freaking A ball, and they have a flotilla of more advanced pitching prospects. if you want to kick both lohse and silva out of the rotation, that's okay, but the next guy to get the call (after liriano) should be boof bonzer. then durbin. then perkins, harben and jones, who are already in new britain.

it's not like matt garza is the greatest pitcher to ever pass through the FSL. he's a good prospect off to a hot start. a little perspective, people.

by jpahk on May 4, 2006 6:59 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not Durbin.

by Justin & Joe on May 4, 2006 7:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, he's in A-ball ...

But so was Nuke Laloosh when he was called up.

by StickRat on May 4, 2006 8:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

totally agree with you there

i totally concur, and i dont even know what a flotilla is, but after i look it up i will assume i still agree with you

by SoCalSoxFan on May 4, 2006 9:54 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

agree

I agree with jpahk.

by John Sickels on May 4, 2006 7:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Garza

His innings pitched per start is a little low because he only went an inning or a little more in one start since he was hit in the back by a throw from an infielder. Not exactly how it happened but they played it safe and removed him.

I'd say give him until the end of May then if he still is dominating send him up to AA to face more advanced hitters.

by murraygd13 on May 4, 2006 9:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Garza

Garza's 6 starts and 31 innings are a little skewed. He got drilled in the back by his own player on a play at home in the 2nd inning earlier this year.

I had posted on another board the following

"I would let him pitch 2 games against the East teams (St Lucie, Daytona and Palm Beach are coming up). If he does well there move him up. That would be 8 starts and about 45 innings. Only problem is who is moving out,up or down to make room. I wouldn't put Kevin Slowey far behind Garza in moving up either."

Also I have a comparison of 2005's first 10 pitchers taken in the draft.

Brian
Fort Myers Miracle Ramblings

by beach64 on May 4, 2006 9:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

shave

As soon as he shaves his Taliban-like mustache, I would promote him. He's going to be a good one.

by grandslam on May 4, 2006 9:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

No Hurry

Garza did not have a very good college record. Good but not amazing at R and A. Now 22 years old at A+. I'd keep him down at A+ for another month. If he can dominate like he has, then its time to see what he can do against better hitting. Otherwise there is no hurry and he can play at A+ most of this season, AA most of 2007 as a 23 year old, AAA in 2008 at 24. MLB 2009 at age 25 at which point, if hes capable, he should be ready to dominate.

by jaguar2490 on May 5, 2006 12:25 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Adjustments

I'd generally keep a pitcher at a level long enough for him to face some of the teams at least twice. That way you can judge if he's truly dominant, or doing well just because the hitters have never seen him before.

by DrBGiantsfan on May 5, 2006 1:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Work on Stuff

I also think there's merit to telling a kid he's not moving up no matter what to take the pressure off and encourage him to work on additional pitches or different approaches.

by DrBGiantsfan on May 5, 2006 1:09 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'd move

The Twins might need him and/or Slowey to compete for a rotation spot next year. Time to give him a little nudge.

by Sulla on May 5, 2006 6:48 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Experimenting

encourage him to work on additional pitches or different approaches.

Does it really work that way? I would think if a pitcher is dominating the league with the approach and stuff he has, the last thing you want is him starting to experiment out of boredom. It seems to me that is just teaching bad habits.

I had forgotten about him getting hit in the back. If you add four or five innings to his total the innings don't look like a problem.

Last I checked, Nick Blackburn and Errol Simonitsch are occupying two rotation spots.

I think Simonitsch is a legitimate prospect, which means Garza is the fifth starting prospect on a team which hasn't really needed five starters very often. Making sure all five stay on regular schedules might be tough. At this point, Simmonitsch is the only starter averaging over 5 IP per start.

by TT on May 5, 2006 9:08 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Kubel and Bartlett

The Twins need to bring up Kubel and Bartlett right now. Put them in RF and SS respectively. Wasting time with Ford/Cuddyer/Castro as everyday players only wastes Hunter/Stewart/Santana. Seriously, when Santana's contract expires will he remain a Twin? nope, not with all the pitchers coming up, even remembering TINSTAAPP.

So, for the organization, what is better, let Bartlett and Kubel hit well at AAA, while the big club struggles and eventually loses? or bring them up soon so they can get used to Major League pitching? Even if you don't win this year with that strategy, you will be much better prepared for next year. Certainly, the current strategy isn't working. When you lose 1-0 at home TO THE FREAKIN' ROYALS, something is wrong.

Hello Terry Ryan. Hello!

by dbimberg on May 5, 2006 10:11 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

K & B

The Twins need offensive help.

Kubel will be there but he is coming off injury so letting him play daily and get back up to speed isnt a bad thing.
Bartlett is there for defense. Is he really that bad at D? The question is does his offense make-up for real defensive problems at short-stop...I havent seen it for sure.

by jaguar2490 on May 5, 2006 11:29 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kubel should play everyday..

Kubel should play everyday in the Majors. I don't have a huge problem with him at AAA for a few more weeks, but assuming he doesn't tank then he needs to be up because he is better than the alternative.

Bartletts defense isn't that bad, I don't think. His offensive upgrade over Castro would be a big benefit. Plus, I think Castros defense is overstated, somewhat.

With the Twins needing offense, get the guys up who can do it. Otherwise, Hunter will spend his last year(or 2 months?) in a Twins uni and watch the team majorly struggle... what a waste of the big bucks...

by dbimberg on May 5, 2006 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Actually

most defensive metrics showed that Bartlett was better or equal to Castro at just about everything last year. I know for a fact Bartlett has better range, and god knows he has a batter bat. I do wonder if Gardy knows that though, the fool...

by AucklandGM on May 5, 2006 1:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the word on Bartlett

very good range (which is why he rates well in FRAA), but poor hands, and awkward routes

by Azteca on May 5, 2006 1:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

thanks...

for the defensive info on Bartlett.

I'll reiterate a question I put in another thread. Is it time for Ryan and Gardy to go?

by dbimberg on May 5, 2006 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I would say Gardy needs to go for sure

but I'm not sure about Ryan. He's done a decent job in the past, but I don't know if Gardenhire has too much influence in the roster decisions or if Ryan just isn't that great anymore, or was overrated in the first place. He is still great at managing the farm system, getting good returns for trading vets, and running the drafts, but when it comes time to graduate all the talent, they have fallen flat on their faces lately.

I've heard managers don't have much effect on a team's W-L, but sometimes I really wonder with Gardehire. He has an irrational love for veterans, and chokes the prospects that come up with his ridiculously short leash. He denies or ignores the existence of platoon splits, and bats his subs in the same spot in the lineup oftentimes, despite their ability (or lack thereof) to hit well enough to be deserving of that spot. His excuse for Bartlett being sent to AAA to work on "leadership skills" is the most pathetic managerial lie I have ever heard. If he is fired, I will run into the street yelling and screaming and then proceed to party like it's 1999.

by AucklandGM on May 5, 2006 4:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ryan..

has done well as a farm director.. as you state. He did that before, too, right?

But, like you I doubt the Twins ability to get the most out of their prospects. Sure, Mauer is fine but is the the exception for the position players? Hopefully Kubel isn't wrecked, and the same for Bartlett.

If the manager doesn't make much difference in W-L, then why not hire me at the minimum? I'll work pretty cheaply and would push for Bartlett and Kubel... :)

by dbimberg on May 5, 2006 5:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Don't let facts get in the way

Like the inconvenient fact that Cuddyer is hitting better in the major leagues than Kubel is at AAA.

Or the inconvenient fact that Bartlett has made twice as many errors at AAA as Castro has in the major leagues.

Or the reality that the Twins problem has been their pitching. Tonight it was Lohse and then Nathan. It tough to win when you battle back to a one run deficit and your closer turns into three. Until last night, Silva had not given up fewer than 5 runs in any of his starts. Radke was only slightly better. And even before Nathan's performance tonight, the bullpen had struggled right along with the starters.

The Twins basic strategy has always been to rely on pitching an defense. That only works if you have the pitching.

And frankly for all the problems with their pitching or their offense, the most tiresome thing about the Twins is their fans.

by TT on May 6, 2006 1:07 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah Seriously

Why would you bench Cuddyer, who is your best hitter right now in favor of Kubel? That makes no sense. It's not like Cuddyer is Mienkiewicz. Come on people.

by yoda1 on May 9, 2006 5:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Garza

Here's an interview with Matt Garza at http://www.sethspeaks.net/
It sounds like Garza is a stand up guy and he seems to understand his craft.

by joeywyen on May 5, 2006 10:26 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bannister

I heard a couple of preseason interviews with Brian Bannister while driving through NYC and I decided he knew what was up and was ready...

by jaguar2490 on May 5, 2006 11:21 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Garza

They should move him to A-ball any time after the June draft. When guys are signed and assigned is the logical time to move him anyway. Keep Garza in AA for the rest of the year, unless he's just so dominating that they have to bring him up in September. But more realistically, he'll be up in Sept '07.

by Oden on May 7, 2006 7:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs