Confidence!

 I referee high school basketball during the winter, and it's generally not as bad as you might think, from a verbal abuse standpoint. One of my favorite parts of the game is listening to coaches talk to their players, hearing the relationships and development, and the personalities that go into generating a well rounded player and person. 

I was at a game between a couple of smaller charter schools that weren't especially talented, but very spirited. Their coach was very encouraging, and very chatty with his players, and came to their defense often. One play that sticks out in my mind was early in the shot clock, their point guard launched what would have been a logo three pointer, had the court had a logo. Based on everything I had seen to this point, the shot was ill-advised. 

The coach, instead of giving a tortured "NO!" where the average coach would, upon seeing the shot, just shouted "CONFIDENCE!"  

I don't remember if the basket went in, honestly, but the proclamation has always lived in my brain, and whenever I see or hear the word, that is how it is uttered in my brain. What does that have to do with anything?

Confidence is the reason why the Twins are running out journeymen relievers and bench players. Despite what prospect watchers might have you believe, there isn't really a prospect banging down the door, demanding a call up. The top hitting prospect still with the Saints is Emmannual Rodriguez, whose OPS hasn't been able to surpass that of Mickey Gasper or Johnny Pareda in St. Paul. The numbers are good, but why burn through confidence in meaningless games, especially if the developmental profile might not quite be there yet. 

The pitchers people want to see are almost all starters. I think in this case, the Twins just want to keep pitchers stretched out, rather than having them come up and pitch a few innings of relief. There is a good chance the Twins will need more young starter next year.