3rd Base

I will be continuing my series on the Twins position by position look into the Twins organization. Today i will be moving onto the 3rd base position hope everyone enjoys it and let the comments continue. I am very excited about this position because we have some of the best talent in the whole system at this position so enjoy.

Twins

• Mike Lamb- Mike signed with the Twins as a free agent over the winter to solidify the 3rd base position while some of our younger prospects work their way up. This is the 3rd organization for Mike after previously playing for Texas and Houston before joining the Twins. The Twins signed him to a 2 year contract with a team option that could keep him here till after the 2010 season. Mike is a career .281 hitter in 852 games so he is a very solid hitter. His problem is he has not gotten the chance to get regular at bats and thats why he was attracted to the Twins. After going through the nightmare season last year with Nick Punto the Twins jumped at signing a professional hitter. I look for Mike to have a good year this year for the Twins i look for somewhere betwee .270-280 with about 20 hr and 80-85 rbis. I really think Mike has found a home in Minnesota and will be a pleasure to watch for the next 3 years.

Rochester

• Brian Buscher- Brian has been up and down with the Twins the last couple seasons and does a lot of things well. Last season he showed flashes of being a good quality 3rd baseman. But, like a lot of young players he has lacked consistancy to be at the major league level. Another thing he really needs to work on is his defense because honestly its not very good. The good thing about him is he can hit and because of that i expect to see Brian up with the Twins at some point this season. If he can continue to hit and work on his defense i think he can be a quality backup for the Twins in the years to come.

New Britain

• Luke Hughes- Luke is a very solid 3rd baseman he does a lot of this right and doesnt make a lot of mistakes. Defensively he is very strong and offensively he is getting better ever year. He signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2002 and slowly and surely has worked his way up to New Britain. Honestly, I think he is a solid player but not a great player and with the guys that are behind him he could get passed up, but that should not take away from the fact he is a good player that possibly if he keeps working could make the majors as a utility man.

Fort Myers

• Daniel Valencia- I am super excited about Daniel like i said I believe he is the future 3rd baseman for the Twins. He was drafted in the 19th round in the 2006 draft and since then he has dominated everywhere he has been. He has a nice glove at 3rd and man can he hit he is a career .297 hitter who is fast and can hit for average and hit for power. I really believe the sky is the limit for this kid if he continues to do what he has already done and keep developing as a hitter. I am really excited about him and i think we have found the 3rd baseman of the future.

Beloit

• Deibinson Romero- He is another guy i am really high on he has an excellent glove and a really good bat. Deibinson is a career .315 hitter that knows how to hit and if he can continue to develop like he is he will be outstanding and challenge Valencia for the starting 3rd basemen job with the Twins in a few years. Deibinson was an undrafted free agent in '04 and has gotten better and better every year and if that continues look out. The only thing i would like to see out of him is a little more power he has only hit 9 career home runs but i also think that will come. Deibinson Romero is definately someone to keep your eye on and dont be surprised to see him in a Twins uniform in a few years.

Thursday, April 10th

I am going to start a new daily update piece. It is very similiar to what Seth does with his tidbits from every level. I am really getting into following the minor leagues and i thought it would be cool to write about things going down in the minors. It will be a little different than Seth's so hopefully you all enjoy it.

Red Wing Wrap
Norfolk 7 Redwings 2

• POG for the Red Wings
• Brian Buscher-Brian had a good game going 2-4 with a HR and 2 rbi's to be the Red Wing player of the game.
• Brian Duensing had a tough luck outing giving up 6 runs with only 1 of them earned. He should be ok not worried about him.
• Hope its not a trend but the Red Wings have 6 errors in the last 2 games they need to pic it up.
• Today: Rochester at Norfolk 11:15am Phillip Humber tries to get off the schnide after a tough first start.

New Britain Business

New Britain 4 New Hampshire 3

• POG: Ryan Mullins- Ryan put together 6 solid innings to get his first win of the season. He went 6 innings and gave up only 2 runs.
• The Rock Cats continue to struggle with the bats
• Ben Julianel struggled in the 9th but found a way to get the job done and pick up the save.
• Brock Peterson hit his first HR of the season hopefully one of many
• Today the Rock Cats have the day off before they head to Portland to take on the Sea Dogs

Fort Myers Musings

Fort Myers 9 Clearwater 3

• POG: Johnny Woodard- Johnny got his first hits of the season to go 3-6 with 2 rbi's.
• Jeff Manship had another outstanding start giving up 3 runs in 5 innings while getting his body into shape.
• Daniel Valencia is showing he is a man among boys at this level scoring 2 more runs and walking 2 times. Won't be long before he will be promoted to New Britain.
• Today the Miracle finish up their series with Clearwater with Phenom Deolis Guerra getting the start. Game time is 6 PM in Clearwater.

Beloit Beat

Beloit 1 Peoria 0 game 1

Peoria 4 Beloit1 game 2

• POG: Steven Hirschfeld- Steven went 5 shutout innings in his first start of the season to get his first win. He only gave up 3 hits and walked 2 while striking out 3.
• The Snappers bats continue to struggle
• Chris Parmalee had a hit in 3 at bats he is someone to keep a watch on