This was a great catch, hopefully the kid is ok.

Just a matter of time until his defenders use this to try to hide the fact he's a godawful hitter.

Gomez was one of my favorite Mets prospects. I hope for a quick recovery.

Just a matter of time until his defenders use this to try to hide the fact he's a godawful hitter.

That's cold.

He is a brilliant defensive center fielder, but yeah he can't hit and swings at absolutely everything. At least the Twins are now batting him 9th and not leadoff.

From the initial description, I thought it was something like this catch.

he can't hit yet. he could still develop.

One thing is consistent, the Twins keep out performing what all of the numbers geeks like us say they are supposed to do. Maybe we are wrong?

Span almost made a strikingly similar play not much later in the game. Outfielders make lots of sprints toward the outfield walls when Livan is on the hill.

Joe Posnanski keeps insisting it's because Ron Gardenhire's a guru genius, Beano.

Outfielders make lots of sprints toward the outfield walls when Livan is on the hill.

Quoted for truth.

his defenders

As a Minneapolitan I can tell you this group now officially consists of Ron Gardenhire, Bill Smith, Dick Bremer, Bert Blyleven, and my mom.

One thing is consistent, the Twins keep out performing what all of the numbers geeks like us say they are supposed to do. Maybe we are wrong?

I think perhaps many in the Sabermetric community still dont properly appreciate the value of defense and baserunning.

I maintain that Ron Gardenhire gets in the way of this team rather than helps it, though. This is a good team with a solid core of the lineup and lots of pitching and defense. If they just had some table setters at the top of the lineup they would be very, very good.

The other issue is that there is more than one way to skin a cat. You can build a successful team around contact and speed, but its a dicey proposition. It either goes really well or really poorly - based on some factors beyond your control, such as luck. Also, players like the Twins have only contribute when theyre making good contact and the balls are falling in. Building a lineup around patient hitters ends up being more consistently successful. Further, I would say the Twins model is more vulnerable to injuries. Young, speedy guys who never walk are useless when they get hurt.

The Twins are doing well because they are hitting better than they normally do with RISP:

This year, their tOPS+ with RISP is 125; MLB average is 106. 2 outs, RISP, their tOPS+ is 117; MLB average is 97.

In 2007, the Twins with RISP, tOPS+ of 110; MLB average was 106. Their tOPS+ with 2 outs, RISP, was 103, MLB average was 100.

In 2006, with RISP: Twins, 113; MLB average, 104. With 2 outs RISP: Twins, 114; MLB average, 98.

In 2005, with RISP: Twins, 114; MLB average, 106; With 2 outs RISP: Twins, 115; MLB average, 100.

Let's see if they can keep this up.

Young, speedy guys who never walk are useless when they get hurt.

??? Most players are useless when they get hurt.

I maintain that Ron Gardenhire gets in the way of this team rather than helps it, though.

Gardenhire's lineups have driven me nuts for years. Batting Luis Rivas 2nd... basically this is is MO, and we have to put up with it.

But Gardenhire also does something I really like with the bullpen. He doesn't rely so much on lefty/righty match ups, doesn't make tons of mid inning switches of his pitchers. He tends to leave pitchers in for a full inning. This is great for the fans, as it moves the game along quickly, but I wonder if it also helps the bullpen out.

In 2007, the Twins with RISP, tOPS+ of 110; MLB average was 106. Their tOPS+ with 2 outs, RISP, was 103, MLB average was 100.

In 2006, with RISP: Twins, 113; MLB average, 104. With 2 outs RISP: Twins, 114; MLB average, 98.

In 2005, with RISP: Twins, 114; MLB average, 106; With 2 outs RISP: Twins, 115; MLB average, 100.

Interesting. Is this a characteristic of contact hitting teams? Intuitively, I would expect that hitters see more pitches in the strike zone with runners on base. The fact that there RISP stats have been better than average for multiple years is interesting, and suggests that this may be more than a statistical fluctuation.

??? Most players are useless when they get hurt.

That's my fault, I was unclear. Will Caroll has talked about this before - players like that are useless with even minor injuries. Anything that affects their speed essentially destroys their value... unlike patient power hitters - who can still be 90% effective with minor injuries.

But Gardenhire also does something I really like with the bullpen. He doesn't rely so much on lefty/righty match ups, doesn't make tons of mid inning switches of his pitchers. He tends to leave pitchers in for a full inning. This is great for the fans, as it moves the game along quickly, but I wonder if it also helps the bullpen out.

I 100% agree actually. But his lineup construction is still the worst in MLB.