LaVelle E. Neal III (@lavelleneal) 's Twitter Profile
LaVelle E. Neal III

@lavelleneal

La Velle E. Neal III is the newest Star Tribune sports columnist.

ID: 54933341

linkhttp://www.startribune.com/sports/twins/blogs/Twins_Insider.html calendar_today08-07-2009 15:46:37

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LaVelle E. Neal III (@lavelleneal) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Twins lose 2-1 thanks to poor offense and a ball that got stuck in a glove. But they have won six of their last nine games and hook the Rockies coming out of the break. Little margin for error, but still time to scramble into the postseason picture.

OptaSTATS (@optastats) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins has 21 home runs, 17 stolen bases and has not been caught stealing. He’s the first player in MLB history to have at least 20 HR and 15 SB without a CS at the All-Star break.

Byron Buxton of the <a href="/Twins/">Minnesota Twins</a> has 21 home runs, 17 stolen bases and has not been caught stealing.  

He’s the first player in MLB history to have at least 20 HR and 15 SB without a CS at the All-Star break.
LaVelle E. Neal III (@lavelleneal) 's Twitter Profile Photo

And remember, you draft for talent not need. And many shortstops end up moving elsewhere. Trevor Plouffe, Michael Cuddyer, Miguel Sano, Royce Lewis, Dan Gladden,etc began at SS.

Phil Miller (@millerstrib) 's Twitter Profile Photo

The Twins have selected RHP Riley Quick of Alabama with their competitive-balance pick, No. 36 overall, in the MLB amateur draft. His slot value: $2.69 million. Twins’ next pick is No. 54.

LaVelle E. Neal III (@lavelleneal) 's Twitter Profile Photo

This will be an interesting one, as he has plus pitches but has had TJ surgery. Twins have had success with mid-draft guys but they must like him at this spot. And Conor Preillip [sp] also was Roll Tide and ended up with the TJ club

MLB (@mlb) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Here is the order for the first round of the T-Mobile #HRDerby 👀 1. James Wood, Nationals 2. Brent Rooker, Athletics 3. Junior Caminero, Rays 4. Oneil Cruz, Pirates 5. Byron Buxton, Twins 6. Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees 7. Cal Raleigh, Mariners 8. Matt Olson, Braves

Phil Miller (@millerstrib) 's Twitter Profile Photo

MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred says bidders to buy Twins backed off when it became evident Justin Ishbia was “the leader in the clubhouse,” but now that he’s out, Manfred is “confident that a transaction will take place,” presumably soon.

LaVelle E. Neal III (@lavelleneal) 's Twitter Profile Photo

Feel free to correct me 1. Buxton should have been in the swingoff. 2. Rooker was replaced by McKinstry in the game but was part of the swingoff. 3. So Judge could have been in the swingoff? I can't explain it here but I was distracted during some of this. Missed something?