Unassuming Twins well-armed

BY TOM POWERS
Pioneer Press

Sometimes, the Twins have such a small-town aura about them that they might as well be based in Mayberry.

I forget the direct numbers to the team offices at the Metrodome. So I'll dial the main switchboard and say: Terry Ryan. Or: Jim Rantz. That's it, no identification or anything. Next thing I know...

"Hello?"

Might as well lift the receiver and say, "Howdy, Sarah, get me Carl Pohlad."

I was telling Rantz just yesterday that he has to screen these calls better. I could be some disgruntled bleacher bum calling to curse him out. I could be an obscene caller intent on a little heavy breathing.

"Nah," Rantz said with a laugh. "We don't hide."

It's hard to envision anyone getting through to the Yankees' executives so easily. The operators at Yankee Stadium probably dispatch bomb-sniffing dogs to a caller's house before even considering putting him through to the first of 72 secretaries.

The Twins do things differently. Sometimes they seem a little screwy, and sometimes they seem absolutely brilliant.

About six years ago, Ryan came to the conclusion that he never was going to be able to afford a big-time free- agent pitcher. So he began to stock the farm system with young arms via the draft, lower-level signings and trades.

"In the draft last year, 11 out of our first 13 picks we took pitching," said Rantz, the director of minor league operations. "Over the 50 rounds, we take about 50 percent pitchers."

The results have been extraordinary. Call it a combination of good scouting, proper development and blind luck, but the Twins are sitting on the biggest stockpile of arms in their history.

Rantz, who has been with the Twins in some capacity since 1961, says he has never seen anything like it.

"I don't recall anything like this," he said. "It's all started to surface at the same time."

The Twins have five pitchers at Class AAA Rochester, N.Y., who could be in the majors next season. But there's more to it.

"We got a wall behind them of 19- and- 20-year-olds, and they're really good," said Rantz.

He then proceeded to rattle off half a dozen names that I've never heard of but probably soon will.

They have so many quality arms in the system, Rantz said, that the coaches give pep talks to keep the pitchers from getting discouraged by the logjam.

Oh and by the way, these minor league clubs are losing a lot of 2-1 games, just like the Twins.

"It's been an objective of this organization for the last half-dozen years to firm up the pitching," Ryan said.

Ryan actually was talking on another line when I called. Perhaps he was dealing with a fan who called him directly to complain about the mustard at the concession stands.

So vice president and assistant general manager Billy Smith picked up: "Terry Ryan's office."

Telemarketers must have a field day with these fellows.

Anyway, Ryan then quoted former general manager Andy MacPhail on the theory of pitching prospects.

"Andy used to say to you guys that if you've got 10, five might make it and two might be good," Ryan said.

Yeah, but how often do you have 10?

"Not often," Ryan agreed.

Said Rantz: "Look at some of the awards these guys are winning. (Boof) Bonser leads the International League in strikeouts. (Francisco) Liriano leads all of minor league baseball in strikeouts. (Scott) Baker leads the International League in ERA.

"(Adam) Hawes leads the Appalachian League in ERA. (Travis) Bowyer set a club record for saves at Rochester..."

Great, when can we trade a half dozen of them for a hitter?

"Usually, when you have an abundance, you can spin off and fill other needs," Ryan said.

Let's hope he spins furiously during the offseason.

Seriously, this is a rare collection. J.D. Durbin, once considered the top minor league pitching prospect, had a rough spring and dropped about eight spots in the pecking order of call-ups. One misstep can prove fatal.

Rantz noted that the organization is beginning to emphasize middle infielders. I don't know exactly what type of progress is being made on that front. Maybe I should call the director of scouting.

"Howdy, Sarah, get me Mike Radcliff. And then put me through to Goober."