The Twins have one bad mama Slama in their farm system. He's Class A Fort Myers righthander Anthony Slama, a 39th-round pick from the University of San Diego who is ripping up the Florida State League.

Slama entered Saturday 3-0 with a 0.40 ERA and 17 saves. In 44 2/3 innings, he has struck out a whopping 75 batters while walking only 13. His fastball hits the low 90s in miles per hour, but his money pitch is a hard slider that overpowers hitters.

At 6-3, Slama is imposing on the mound and is an intense competitor.

He's also 24 years old, so why isn't he at Class AA New Britain?

"It still might happen," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues. "It would kill that Fort Myers club because they don't have another closer. We're trying to get guys some innings and spread it out a bit. But he is good enough to go to Double-A."

Slama formed a one-two punch early in the season with righthander Robert Delaney, who saved 13 games at Fort Myers before being promoted to New Britain, where he had a 2.08 ERA through five games as a setup man. Lefthander Ben Julianel had 16 saves at New Britain, but he's 28.

Move Julianel to Class AAA Rochester? There are already three lefthanded relievers there, and the Twins aren't going to release a lefty. This is why a farm director's job isn't easy.

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