Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/18/17

This is the latest report of the happenings in the Twins' Spring training, and the first live from Fort Myers.   The previous one is here, and can find all 2017 Twins Spring Training related posts here.  I will be describing events of interesting in the Twins' camp as well as happenings with former Twins.  For two weeks, starting this week, these reports will be live from Fort Myers and daily and will be indicated in the title.

• On Saturday C Mitch Garver, OF Zack Granite, OF Daniel Palka, and IF Edgelb Vielma were optioned to AAA Rochester.  IF Niko Goodrum, IF Nick Gordon, IF Leonardo Reginatto, and C Dan Rohlfing were reassigned to the Twins' minor league camp. 
• LHP Tyler Jay and the Twins decided that he better move full time to the bullpen.  A great decision.  Add Burdi, and hope that one of Duffey/Chargois/Reed gets it, and will get the Twins' version of the Nasty Boys, as soon as later this season.
• The Twins hosted the Red Sox today, in a game that rotation hopeful Ryan Vogelsong started.  He lasted three innings, and needed 62 pitches to do so.  Here is a complete pitching log.  His fastball touched 87 three times and it felt that he was pitching batting practice out there and that he was a pitch away from disaster.  Yesterday I questioned whether Phil Hughes is ready to pitch in a Twins' game this coming season.  Compared to Vogelsong, he is light years away.  I just cannot see Vogelsong making the Twins right now, Culture Club or not...  In addition, the time that Vogelsong takes between pitches makes Mr Pelfrey seem lightning fast.
• Jake Reed got his fastball up to 97, and his slider was at 84-86, but he did not attack batters.  Max Kepler had to leave after the first inning because Pablo Santoval deliberately stepped on his hand after a slide.  Reed had a chance to make him pay for it or even throw a bit of chin music, giving the message that the Twins are not any more going to be a team that goes belly up easily.  Instead he was tentative and served him a 94 mph FB down the middle that was turned into a home run and opened the doors for a 5-run inning.   Trevor Hildenberger followed with an equal uffdaish appearance, featuring an 85-87 mph FB and a 75-76 mph off-speed pitch that was batting practice like.  Nick Tepesh followed and allowed 5 more runs to score.  Matt Belisle struck out the side of AAA Red Sox hitters he faced and Brian Kintzler allowed a couple of hits to them before he realized that he better get serious and close the game.  All in all a pretty horrific pitching appearance by the Twins.
• As far as the sticks went,  the Twins had a great first inning against reigning Cy Young winner Rick Porcello and quickly get up 4 runs.  Brian Dozier went 3 for 3,  Miguel Sano had a nice opposite field hit, and ByungHo Park added a couple of hits.   Danny Santana was very disappointing with the glove, not getting to a couple of balls a regular outfield could easily get to at LF, costing the Twins at least 3 runs and becoming the third out trying to steal second, albeit in a hit and run play.
• I will take another cut at the likely Twins' roster tomorrow, but the rotation spots are getting very thin with the disappointing appearance of Vogelsong and the fact that Hector Santiago will not make a single star for Team Puerto Rico and thus will be unlikely to be stretched enough to start the season in an MLB rotation.  But that was his choice, and his contract is not guaranteed.  Jason Haley will start tomorrow's game at the Jet Blue Park, while the Twins will be having minor league intrasquad games in the bag fields tomorrow, and this is where I will be.

Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/17/17

This is the latest report of the happenings in the Twins' Spring training, and the first live from Fort Myers.   The previous one is here, and can find all 2017 Twins Spring Training related posts here.  I will be describing events of interesting in the Twins' camp as well as happenings with former Twins.  For two weeks, starting this week, these reports will be live from Fort Myers and daily and will be indicated in the title.

• The Twins played at Port Charlotte today against the Tampa Bay Rays.  Phil Hughes made his latest start and was effective.   He threw 57 pitches in 5 innings and then 21 more in the bullpen.   You can see each of his pitches here.   This was the start that Hughes was supposed to go 100% with his fastball, but it sat at 88-90, touching 91 once.  He had a good command today and he mixed his pitches well to keep the Rays players guessing; he ended up with 8 swinging strikes out of those 57 pitches (14.0 %)  If this is indeed 100% for Hughes right now, the Twins need to decide whether they can think that he can embrace his inner crafty righty and be a different pitcher or whether he should start the season in the DL until his fastball reaches its pre-injury levels.  I am on the fence about it right now.
• JT Chargois who followed hit 94-96 with his fastball and 84-86 with his slider.  He was a bit out of control, esp when a Ray reached.  Have yet to see much from Chargois this Spring and I feel that he will get caught in the numbers game and will be optioned to Rochester to start the seasons.   Buddy Boshers and Alex Wimmers pitched ok, but against minor leaguers, so it is tough to judge their assignments.
• The Twins bats were alive early.  Jorge Polanco hit a line drive solo home run in the second and made every single play that was in his direction.   Brian Dozier hit a 3-run home run the following inning and that was all the offense that the Twins would need to win the game.  Max Kelper had a highlight reel diving catch early in the game.
• Interesting to see that Gene Glynn is the coach who is responsible for the outfield formation; also during the game Jeff Pickler several times seeked and talked with Paul Molitor when the Twins were hitting.
• Tomorrow the Twins will host Boston with Ryan Vogelsong starting.

Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/16/17

This is the latest report of the happenings in the Twins' Spring training, and the first live from Fort Myers.   The previous one is here, and can find all 2017 Twins Spring Training related posts here.  I will be describing events of interesting in the Twins' camp as well as happenings with former Twins.  For two weeks, starting this week, these reports will be live from Fort Myers and daily and will be indicated in the title.

• Back fields day today, but the news from yesterday is that they timed Glen Perkins' fastball at 78 mph, and he apparently has no goals or timetable for his return.
• Former Twins' LHP Logan Darnell has signed a contract with the Somerset Patriots of the Independent Atlantic League 
• The Twins were at Jupiter, hosts of the Cardinals, where Kyle Gibson put together a great performance allowing only one hit (unfortunately a home run and the only run) and a walk and striking out 5 in 5 innings.  The action was in the back fields where the Twins high A, A, and extended Spring Training teams were hosting the equivalent Rays' teams.
• My focus was at field four, where several of the Twins' top prospects played for the Cedar Rapids team against the Rays' Bowling Green team.  Number 1 prospect SS Wander Javier, who is just eighteen, held up on his own in a league that averages 3-5 years older players.  He had several good to great plays with the glove had good plate appearances.  In his first PA he would have had a sure fire triple, if for some strange reason, Toby Gardenhire, the third base coach did not put the stop sign up when Javier was half way through the third base, yet then waving him in.  Still he was out by half a foot.  Good solid contact and excellent eye for the ball.
• Other top prospects were Lewin Diaz and Amaurys Minier who split time at first base and were good with the glove.  Minier almost did the splits trying to save an errant throw by second baseman Andre Jernigan, but was not successful.  SS Joe Cronin, namesake of the franchise's Hall of Famer, played at LF today.  It will be hard for any team that has Javier on the roster to play him any place but SS.
• As far as pitching went, I was not very impressed with the starter Tyrel Breadsley, or his first reliever Hector Lujan, even though they both had nice change ups.  The third reliever, LHP Alex Robinson, was impressive.  The Twins' 5th round pick from 2015 from University of Maryland showed excellent control of a 93-95 mph fastball and a good slider and change up and struck out the side for the 5th inning.  Someone definitely to keep an eye on.  Garrett Kelly who followed flashed  a very good 89-91 two seamer and 91-94 four seamer, and a high 80s cutter, getting ground outs, but at some point his control fell off and was all over the place.
• On the other field LHP Lachlan Wells, looks like he has grown a few inches (up to 6'1" or 6'2" now) and got rid of his trademark glasses.  Pitching for high A Fort Myers, his FB was ranging from 91-92 and his supplementary stuff was working well.  There were 3 scouts there for him.  Travis Blackenhorn in the same team played second base and had a couple of tentative swings.  I noticed that his bat is very buzy in his batting stance, something that the Twins might want to look at some point.
• At the EST field Taylor Clemencia was filthy.  He was throwing a low 70s devastating curve that he supplemented with a well commanded 84-85 mph pitch that I thought was a change, but it was his fastball.  Not sure whether he is coming back from an injury, that velocity has to be monitored.  On the other hand that curve was a plus plus pitch.
• Tomorrow with drive to Port Charlotte to watch the Twins visit the Rays.

Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/15/17

This is the latest report of the happenings in the Twins' Spring training, and the first live from Fort Myers.   The previous one is here, and can find all 2017 Twins Spring Training related posts here.  I will be describing events of interesting in the Twins' camp as well as happenings with former Twins.  For two weeks, starting this week, these reports will be live from Fort Myers and daily and will be indicated in the title.

•  First full day at Fort Myers yesterday and the Twins had the day off and that was completely off.  No practices, no bullpens.  Off off.
• There is a new look at the minor league park of the camp.  The drainage river pebbles have been replaces with turf and there is a new fence that would allow locking of the fields off, something that was previously impossible.  Also, by each bench there are now massage tables, another new thing this season.
•  Attended some minor league batting practice and noticed a few of the players: OF  LaMonde Wade, OF Travis Harrison and IF Louis Arraez, all added bulk this off-season. OF  Edgar Corcino who was signed a couple off-seasons ago from the Frontier league looks like a monster and made some solid contact, his batting stance is a bit busy though.   So did C AJ Murray.  
• Cardinal 70 of C70 at bat had his annual playing pepper off-season series for each team, and today was the Twins' turn.  Several Twins bloggers, including myself, answered several questions about the Twins off-season and 2017.  You can read it here.
• When thinking about who will make the team one needs to consider that the following Twins' players are out of options: Ehire Adrianza, Eduardo Escobar, Robbie Grossman, Jorge Polanco, Danny Santana, and Michael Tonkin.
• The Twins hosted the Cardinals today and LHP Adalberto Mejia has a masterful start in front of an all time record attendance.  He scattered 4 hits in 3-2/3 innings, struck out 8 and left a scoreless game.  His fastball was ranging from 91-94 mph, and his slider and changeup were working very well, as one can tell from the swings and misses.  Jake Reed, Brad Kintzler, Ryan Pressly, Craig Breslow, Tyler Rogers preserved the shutout in the bullpen.   Tyler Duffey, in the minor league fields had a good couple of innings following by a disasterous one.  It is time that the Twins pull the plug in the hopes that he can be a starter and let him relieve full time.  He can be a dominant one.
• The offense scored 8 runs.  BuyungHo Park and Matt Hague who are competing with Kennys Vargas for one 1B/DH spot each had a hit and raised their team best OPS to 1.307 and 1.495 respectfully.  Will not be surprised if Hague ends up wining that spot.  All this guy does is hit.

News and Notes from the Twins Spring Training: 3/13/17

This is the latest report of the happenings in the Twins' Spring training.   The previous one is here, and can find all 2017 Twins Spring Training related posts here.  I will be describing events of interesting in the Twins' camp as well as happenings with former Twins.  For two weeks, starting this week, these reports will be live from Fort Myers and daily and will be indicated in the title.

• The Tigers' closer, Fransisco Rodriguez and Royals starting catcher Salvador Perez both were injured in the same WBC play.   Interesting enough, Perez was injured by sliding Royals' teammate, former Twin,  Drew Butera who now might have gained him a starter's job.
• Twins LHP Hector Santiago came in relief with one out in the 4th inning in their WBC game against Mexico.  His fastball was between 86 and 89 mph, a few ticks below his 91.4 mph last season average.  He threw 42 pitches, a bit under the 60 he was slated to throw for the Twins at this point.  He pitched 2-2/3 innings allowing 4 hits and 3 runs (1 earned) striking out 3.
• Twins RHP Phil Hughes started at home against the Orioles Sunday.  He pitched 5 innings, allowed 6 hits and a walk and struck out 4.  Three of those hits were HRs and allowed 4 earned runs.  His FB was up to 92, which is encouraging, since in the past he said that he will not throw 100% until his next appearance.  Will be interesting to see the velocity and results then.  The 3 gopherballs were not encouraging.  Craig Breslow was effective in relief, but penciled in closer Brandon Kintzler was not, allowing a couple hits and a run.  Jorge Polanco hit a grand slam in the game, and Brian Buxton and Miguel Sano had a double each, Buxton also had a home run.  Good to see the young Twins' bats getting warmed up as the opening day approaches.
• Ryan Vogelsong started the split squad game at Pittsburgh.  He pitched 2-1/3 innings, allowed 4 hits and 3 earned runs and struck one a batter.  He mentioned that he preferred the starting routine and felt better as a starter.   He was up to 89 mph. At that game Daniel Palka got his team leading 9th walk of the Spring and had his first home run.  Matt Hague who is fighting for a 1B/DH position with Kennys Vargas (who had his first game with Team Puerto Rico in the WBC Sunday, also on Sunday had a walk and was hit by a pitch in 5 PAs) and ByungHo Park, went 3 for 4 with 3 doubles.  LHP Taylor Rogers pitched 2 scoreless innings allowing a base on balls and striking out a batter.
• Jose Berrios pitched on Sunday in the WBC against Italy after 11 days rest and the rust showed:  He walked the first batter he faced and allowed a HR to the second batter he faced, before he was done with the inning.  Other than a HR to Drew Butera, his second inning was clean, and then set down ten in a row.  His fastball was at 91-93 mph and his breaking ball was really biting and induced swings and misses.  He threw 62 pitches in those 5 innings, allowing  2 Hits, a walk and 3 earned runs, while striking out six.
• Looks like Ervin Santana might pitch for the Dominican WBC team in the next phase.  He will start next Tuesday's game against Puerto Rico instead of pitching to minor leaguers in camp.
• One reporter predicts that the Twins will win the 2017 World Series.
• First cuts: The Twins optioned LHP Mason Melotakis to AAA, RHPs Fernando Romero and Felix Jorge and LHP Randy Rosario to AA, and assigned LHP Stephen Gonsalves and RHP Aaron Slegers to their minor league club. 
• I am officially in Fort Myers and the next week or so expect daily live correspondence from the Twins' major and minor league club.  Make sure that you follow my twitter @thrylos98 for updates