Rantz keeps Twins harvesting talent http://www.twincities.com/mld/twincities/sports/baseball/9725719.htm Posted on Wed, Sep. 22, 2004 Tom Powers Watching a minor league baseball game with Jim Rantz is a unique experience. Rantz, the longtime Twins farm director, could find a silver lining in Hurricane Ivan. His perpetual optimism was put to the test during the dark days of the mid- '90s, however. Once, the two of us were watching a Class AAA game at Portland, then a Minnesota affiliate. The motley crew of Twins', uh, prospects looked terrible. Yet Rantz would point to a slow-footed, bespectacled outfielder and declare, "He's got a lot of upside." Or he would single out a shortstop who appeared to be suffering from some sort of balance disorder and say, "This kid is a real hustler." Finally, even Rantz's sunny mood darkened when the team brought in a jittery, emaciated-looking relief pitcher. This fellow, when he threw the ball, led with his elbow, which tucked in close to his body. Then he followed through with his wrist. It looked as if someone had gotten right in his face and he was trying to slap him on top of his head. I cocked an eyebrow and looked at Rantz. And for the first and only time in my life, I heard Rantz utter a discouraging word. Even he couldn't sugarcoat this one. "Not a prospect," he said flatly. I was shocked. "If you ever see him with the Twins," he added with a chuckle, "we've got problems." Three months later, this fellow was pitching at the Metrodome. Badly. The Twins had problems. "We went through some tough times," Rantz said Tuesday, laughing at the recollection. "There's no doubt about it." I promised Jim I wouldn't mention the pitcher's name. He doesn't want to insul him. Twins fans would just groan and maybe break out in a rash if they saw it in print anyway. Fortunately, he wasn't around long. Ten years later Minnesota's player development system is the envy of baseball. It took a while to rebuild. But three straight division titles are a tribute to the Twins scouting and minor league personnel. They continue to draft and develop the right players. As important, they scout other teams' young players and always are looking to pry the good ones free. Remember that Johan Santana, Lew Ford, Cristian Guzman and Kyle Lohse, to name a few, were swiped from other organizations when they were very young. Sometimes it is highway robbery. "I don't just pick these names off a sheet of paper," general manager Terry Ryan said. "You have to give credit to the scouts that recommended them. "Cal Ermer on Lew Ford. Larry Corrigan on Kyle Lohse. Jose Marzan on Santana." One reason the Twins have excelled at developing players is the stability within the organization. Mike Radcliff is in his 11th year as scouting director. That's the longest tenure of any scouting director in baseball. Rantz has been at his post since 1986. Capable managers and coaches are moved onward and upward as they gain experience. "Every scout has his territory. Every scout is accountable," Rantz said. "Our minor league managers have to write up reports, not just on their own people, but on the ones they play against. Terry reads every one of them." Marzan, who strongly recommended Santana, was managing in the Midwest League at the time. "Now if you look at our major league staff," Rantz said, "they've all come up through our system, too. Gardy, Scott Ullger, Rick Anderson, Newmie, Stellie, Jerry White, the trainers... " Rantz says it is his goal to send three or four players to the majors every year. Nothing is more satisfying than drafting a kid, developing him and then watching him become a solid major leaguer. Of course, being Minnesota Twins the staff loves a good bargain, too. Twins scouts had their eye on Garrett Jones, a left-handed hitting first baseman, when he was in the Braves organization. After three non-descript seasons, Atlanta let him go. The Twins pounced on him. His first two seasons in the Minnesota system didn't amount to much. Then, bang! "Last year he hit 31 home runs in double-A," Rantz said. "He had a breakout season. He's still only 23 years old." After the Twins clinched on Monday night, the calls came in. Ryan, Gardenhire and team president Dave St. Peter all called Rantz to say thanks for the contribution. Rantz's minor league staff and Radcliff's scouts are the real heroes of three straight division titles. There isn't even one pitcher in the minors these days who throws like he's flicking a homer hankie. --

※ 发信站: 批踢踢实业坊(ptt.cc) ◆ From: 140.112.251.104