Separated at Birth: Twins Buddy Boshers and Athletics Jesse Hahn

Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/21/17

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.

• Last day at Fort Myers from me, so the next Twins' Spring Training report will be from up North
• RHP Trevor May is having his Tommy John surgery today
• LHP Ryan O'Rourke will start the season in the 10-day Disabled List with elbow tightness, diagnosed as flexor mass strain.  Athletics' P Homer Baily had that condition, and this is an interesting article on it.
• The Twins released RHP Ryan Vogelsong per his request
• Looks like C Stuart Turner might be returning from the Reds.
• Kyle Gibson was good against the Phillies yesterday, pitching for 5 innings allowing 5 hits, including a HR, one walk, that one run and striking out 2.  His Spring ERA is 2.01 and WHIP 1.12 now.  Threw a variety of pitches and had good command and control.  He maxed out at 91 mph.  The Twins relievers, especially JT Chargois (8.64 ERA 2.28 WHIP for Spring), Buddy Boshers (8.59 ERA 1.91 WHIP), and Raul Fernandez (14.93 ERA 3.00 WHIP)were not that good, allowing 8 earned runs to the Philly AAA and AA players.   I cannot see Chargois or Boshers (Fernandez for that matter too, but he was never in the conversation, and, along with Jake Reed was cut after the game) to make the  Twins at this point and they both have options.  Boshers' 40-man spot might also be on jeopardy. 
• As far as the 25th man spot battle goes, Danny Santana (.256/.289/.395), Ehire Adrianza (.280/.379/.400), and Bengie Gonzales (.462/.481/.654) all played with Santana starting at LF and the other two coming in infielder substitutions.   Despite hitting the least, Santana still has the upper hand because of position flexibility and also because of the fact that Jorge Polanco (.225/.244/.550) and Miguel Sano (.229/.270/.514) have been more than adequate with the gloves in their respective positions.  This fact and the presence of Eduardo Escobar (.273/.333/.303), makes yet another middle infielder less attractive than Santana.
• RHP Phil Hughes touched 94 mph today at Astros, but pitched only 2 innings allowing 9 hits (2 HRs), 6 runs, and struck out 2.  Not very inspiring outing, but the Twins seem to feel that he is ready.
• Back field day today where LHPs Craig Breslow and Stephen Gonsalves pitched an inning a piece for the Twins' high A and A teams respectively.  Good to see Gonsalves not being bother from his shoulder issues.  He was throwing all his pitches and had good command of the curveball, which is very encouraging.  As far as other pitchers went, RHP Derreck Rodriguez (A+) sporting long hair and a goatee (not unlike that of JT Chargois) and a new cutter that sat at 84-86 had a very good day.  His high 70s curve was sharp as always and had good command of both his 92-94 mph four-seamer and 89-91 mph two-seamer.  The Twins still treating him as a starter, but I will not be surprised if he is fast-tracked in the pen.  RHP Eddie Del Rosario (A) is lanky, has a rubber arm and a nice 92-93 fastball that looks like it will break a lot of bats.  First time to see one of the newest Twins pitchers and is one to keep an eye on:  Jonny Drozd (A+) who was signed as a minor league free agent this off-season from the Yankees organization.  Tall and lanky he is throwing sidearm with a lot of deception.  His bread and butter pitch is a frisbee slider that he is throwing at any count and runs from 72-74 mph.  He supplements it by a 86-87 mph two-seamer that he has excellent control of and a 76-77 mph change up that is a third pitch.  The lefty is pitching backwards, throwing many more sliders than fastballs and uses his fastball as a change of pace or an out pitch.  Andy McIver (A+) is another talk lanky lefty, but he throws 3/4 and is much more of a traditional pitcher throwing a 88-91 mph fastball with good command and a 78-79 mph change up.
• Had the opportunity to see 5 catchers today:  On the high A side, I think that AJ Murphy will open a lot of eyes this season. He has very good bat control and squared more than a few balls this spring.  I really expect him to shoot on the prospect rankings.  Brian Navarreto is huge and a tremendous presence behind the plate.   He looks a lot like Adam Walker, but still, albeit being better in recognizing pitches than previous seasons, he has a hard time hitting his way out of a paper bag.  Mitchell Kranson whom the Twins drafted in the 9th round in 2016 from UC Berkeley looks like a catcher and he reminds me of a young Mitch Garver.  Will probably be at Cedar Rapids, but definitely someone to keep an eye on.  On the A side, two teenagers: Ben Rortverdt looks like the real thing behind the plate with good game calling and strong arm.  Passed balls/ wild pitches might give him some trouble this season.  Venezuelan Robert Molina might hit as well  as Navarreto, but he is definitely a presence when he catches.  Interesting to see him develop.
• Parting thoughts about 2 players who happen to share the same first name:  Travis Blackenhorn looks a lot like Travis Harrison of yore.  Very tentative at the plate and plays smaller than he is.  Travis Harrison on the other hand, really opened some eyes both at Hammond Stadium and at the back fields.  He came in all muscle, attacks the balls and shows the power that the Twins hoped he will show when drafted.  As of now my choice for both the Twins' minor league comeback player of the year and player of the year.  Might be in the Cities by season's end.
• Tomorrow is my travel day and will post my thoughts regarding my prediction of the 2017 Twins record some time next week.

Live Fort Myers Report from the Twins Spring Training: 3/20/17

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.

• Nick Burdi pitched a perfect inning last Wednesday.  
• Kennys Vargas was 2 for 5 with a walk, a home run and three strikeouts for Team Puerto Rico in a WBC game Saturday.
• Ervin Santana started for the Dominican Republic against the US last Saturday.  He pitched 2-2/3 innings, threw 68 pitches, allowed six hits, including a HR, 4 earned runs and struck out two hitters, taking the loss.
• Former Twins RHP Pat Light was cut by the Pirates and was assigned to their minor league camp. 
• The Twins battle for the last 2 spots still remains interesting.  Hector Santiago has not pitched more than 2-2/3 innings for Puerto Rico and will be used from the pen in tonight's game against the Netherlands.  Jason Haley did not pitch very well on Sunday at the Rex Sox,  lasting two innings, allowing 5 hits, including a HR, a walk, and 4 ERs.  He struck out 4 in those 2 innings.  On Monday at the Blue Jays Tyler Duffey went 5 innings, allowing only 4 hits and a walk, striking out 2 and dropping his Spring ERA down to 3.86.  At the same game Adalberto Mejia followed, pitching 4 innings allowing 3 hits (including a HR,) 2 walks and 2 ER, while striking out 5.  His ERA is now at 1.88.  These 4 pitches, in addition to Jose Berrios who might start the WBC final for PR, are in battle for the last 2 rotation sports for the Twins.
• ByungHo Park and Miguel Sano had long HRs today and Dunedin, but so did Mitch Garver at the back fields that was my focus of the action for the last two days, and attracted Twins Brass including Favrey, Levine, Antony, Steil, etc.  News from the back fields:
• Pitching Notes:  RHP Ryan Eades, who dropped from my top 50 prospect list, was the biggest surprise today (and, yes, Tyler Jay was also pitching.)  The 25 year old former second roung pick in 2013, sported shoulder long hair and a big fastball that was sitting at 94-96 mph that he supplemented with a low to mid 80s changeup.   He looks like he is making the transition to a reliever, but that fastball was very surprising.  The command is not as crisp as it should be, but this is his second ST week.   Tyler Jay who the organization fast tracked by deciding that he will be a full time reliever was throwing 92-94 with the fastball that was hitting spots and inducing ground balls that was supplemented with a very good, 79-81 mph curve that was missing bats and was commanded very well.  Bit of rust, but still early in the ST.  A few relatively new to organization players also pitched:  23 year old Tyler Fox who was signed as an undrafted free agent last season was hit pretty hard yesterday and was serving bombs to the Cedar Rapids hitters.  34 year old Jim Miller who was acquired as a minor league free agent this off-season was ineffective for Rochester, topping off at 89 mph and trying to get outs with off-speed pitches that was sitting from the high 60s to low 70s.  However fellow minor league free agent signee this off-season, 28 year old lefty Matt Tracy was pretty impressive starting for Rochester: He was an imposing figure on the mount featuring an 89-91 mph fastball and a very good 80-81 mph change that induces swings and misses, having 4 strikeouts in 2 innings.  Very composed and excellent command and control.  He might pitch for the Twins this season, if this continues.  Alan Busenitz (of the Nolasco and Meyer trade fame) throws a 93-95 mph fastball and a low 80s curve and the 26 year old looked pretty promising today.  26 year old Dominican Confesor Lara who was singed late last season from the independent leagues as an injury fill in looks like a worth while work in progress.  He throws a very heavy sinker at 91-93 mph that induces plenty of swings and misses that he supplements with a mid 80s off-spead offering that needs some work.  But that singer is a good base to make him a suitable reliever, if he develops a secondary pitch.
• Other than the Fort Myers (and maybe Rochester, pending opt outs) team, it looks like that the full season minor league teams of the Twins will be excellent this season, with the bats at Cedar Rapids and the arms in Chattanooga leading the way.  A Burdi, Jay, Curtiss pen in Chattanooga has the possibility of being one of the most lethal ever at any level.
• Tomorrow the Twins are hosting the Phillies and I will be following this action.

Predicting the Twins 25-man Roster - version 3.0

Right before I came to Fort Myers, I published by second prediction regarding the Twins' 25 man roster.  That was:

Starting Pitchers (5)
Ervin Santana
Kyle Gibson
Phil Hughes
Trevor May
Hector Santiago (*)

Relievers (7)
Brandon Kintzler
Ryan Pressly
J.T. Chargois
Matt Belisle
Craig Breslow (*)
Taylor Rogers (*)
Justin Haley

Catchers (2)
Jason Castro (*)
Chris Gimenez

Infielders (5)
Joe Mauer (*)
Brian Dozier
Jorge Polanco (#)
Miguel Sano
Eduardo Escobar (#)

Outfielders (5)
Byron Buxton
Max Kepler (*)
Eddie Rosario (*)
Robbie Grossman  (#)
Drew Stubbs

25th man (1)
Danny Santana (#)

Now after Trevor May's injury, the rotation and the bullpen look mostly like this:


Starting Pitchers (5)
Ervin Santana
Kyle Gibson
Phil Hughes
Adablerto Mejia (*)
Jose Berrios 


Relievers (7)
Brandon Kintzler
Ryan Pressly
Matt Belisle
Craig Breslow (*)
Taylor Rogers (*)
Justin Haley
Hector Santiago (*)

The important data point is that Santiago has been used exclusively out of the bullpen for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC and will not be ready to start.  If ready to start, he will likely take Berrios' position who I think has been bypassed in the depth charts by Mejia at this point. 

Here are how the position players look like:

Catchers (2)
Jason Castro (*)
Chris Gimenez

Infielders (5)
Joe Mauer (*)
Brian Dozier
Jorge Polanco (#)
Miguel Sano
Eduardo Escobar (#)
ByungHo Park

Outfielders (5)
Byron Buxton
Max Kepler (*)
Eddie Rosario (*)
Robbie Grossman  (#)

25th man (1)
Danny Santana (#)

One change here: Park over Stubbs.   Park and Kennys Vargas, along with Matt Hague are fighting for a rotation spot and Park is definitely ahead at this point with Vargas at the WBC.  For the 25 man spot the battle is between D. Santana, Stubbs, Ehire Adrianza and Bengi Gonzales.  Santana seems to be ahead as far as the Twins preferences go, at this point.