Article: Tuesday Notes From Sarasota: Round-Trippers Abound

[Nick Nelson]

The Minnesota Twins offense flexed some big-time power today at Ed Smith Stadium, spring home of the defending AL East Champion Baltimore Orioles.

 

Eduardo Escobar hit a grand slam, while Eduardo Nunez, Trevor Plouffe and Kennys Vargas all chipped in homers as well in a 10-9 victory.* Phil Hughes had his best outing of the spring -- an efficient effort that saw him cruise through four frames on only 44 pitches.

 

Outside of an opposite field homer by Chris Davis that barely sneaked over the wall and inside the foul pole in left, Hughes was almost perfect. He tallied a pair of strikeouts, freezing the opposing hitter with backdoor cutters on both occasions.

 

* Hughes has been working on adding a changeup to his repertoire this spring, and threw a few during today's game but wasn't all that pleased with them.

 

"It was terrible," he said. "I threw maybe two that leaked arm-side and maybe another two that bounced in the dirt. It's just about getting repetitions with it and getting more comfortable and seeing if I can add that as a fourth pitch for me that'll be effective."

 

Of course, Hughes experienced plenty of success last year while rarely using that pitch -- he said he threw only a handful all season -- so if he doesn't gain enough confidence to make it a featured offering it won't be the end of the world.

 

"It's not like a pitch that I necessarily need to have, but if it can be another weapon for me, that'd be great."

 

* On Sunday, the Twins took an early lead behind a strong performance from their starter, only to watch that lead deteriorate once handed to the bullpen. That happened again today.

 

"The game kind of lost its sanity in the middle," Paul Molitor said. "We had trouble getting outs. They were putting up crooked numbers and we were trying different people out there to see how they would respond."

 

Despite the struggles of Brian Duensing, Mark Hamburger and Michael Tonkin, the Twins were able to hang on and win. Blaine Boyer came in and got the last four outs to seal up a one-run victory.

 

The 33-year-old Boyer, who came out of retirement and had a solid season with the Padres last year before signing a minor-league deal with the Twins this past January, seems like a longshot to win a spot in the Twins bullpen but he is making an impression.

 

"I like that he's aggressive, he's not afraid to use his fastball, and he's got enough velocity," Molitor said. "It was good to see him pitch well."

 

"He's got that veteran presence about him, he doesn't panic," Terry Ryan said of Boyer. "He's got pretty good spin on a ball, he's got pretty good velocity. He's in the mix here."

 

Boyer averaged 93 MPH with his heavily featured fastball last year in San Diego and he's been right around that number this spring.

 

* Eddie Rosario got another start today, this time in left field, and once again he made the most of it. He had perhaps the best at-bat of the day for the Twins, falling behind 0-2 against Bud Norris before fouling off several pitches and then hooking a liner that rolled to the wall in right field and motoring around the bases for a triple.

 

"That was a really good at-bat. He fought off some tough pitches," Molitor said. "I liked that he didn't hesitate around second. The guy ended up bobbling the ball and he was already full stride, so that was good to see. He had good at-bats again today."

 

Rosario continues to stay relevant in the center field battle, although Aaron Hicks got the start there today and performed well, drawing a pair of walks at the plate and making a tremendous diving grab in the outfield.

 

* With four home runs today, the Twins ran their Grapefruit League count to 14. That's just two short of last year's spring total.

 

* I've had a hard time understanding what the Twins see in Eduardo Nunez, who started at DH today. He wasn't very good last year, even by his standards, so I was surprised when the club elected to tender him a contract during the offseason.

 

I asked Ryan before today's game for his thoughts on Nunez, and the GM rattled off several things he likes about the 27-year-old.

 

"He's got skills," Ryan said. "He's got surprising power, he can really throw and run, he's got versatility, he's a veteran, he can steal a bag."

 

Sure enough, Nunez launched a two-run homer over the fence in left-center during the game, demonstrating the "surprising power" that Ryan was referring to. It was one of three hits on the day for the likely utility man.

 

* Speaking of Nunez, if you're looking for a chuckle, you should check out this piece published today by Ben Lindbergh of Grantland, titled "Baseball's Secret Scandal: The Player Who Hits Popups on Purpose."

 

The tongue-in-cheek article focuses on Nunez's historical penchant for chasing high pitches and hitting infield fly balls. It's lengthy (like everything at Grantland) but entertaining and illuminating, and worth the read if you've got time.

 

For what it's worth, none of Nunez's three hits today came on infield flies.

 

Click here to view the article

[jokin]

Most unlikely February 2015 headline prediction that could now come to pass:

 

Boyer Bolsters Bullpen

[Shane Wahl]

Nunez does not have power and is not really a veteran either. He can't play defense well anywhere. So . . . 

[jokin]

 

Nunez does not have power and is not really a veteran either. He can't play defense well anywhere. So . . . 

 

After last year's early season fiasco with multiple CF waiver losses, plus the simple fact that Florimon, Bartlett and Kubel had no business being on the opening day roster, the Twins made certain that they have plenty of extra "veteraniness" going into 2015-  

 

First- of course, "The Accidental Shortstop", Escobar,

 

Second- "The Claimed Clingers", Nunez, Schafer,

 

Third-  "The Butera of the Outfield", Robinson, and,

 

Fourth- of course, "The 40 Year Old OF Version",  Hunter.

Edited March 19, 2015 by jokin

[jokin]

 

Nunez does not have power and is not really a veteran either. He can't play defense well anywhere. So . . . 

 

And not to leave out the "panic-free" veterans   and all of their "presence" on the pitching staff:

 

 

Ryan on Blaine Boyer pregame: "He’s been around, so he’s got that veteran presence about him. He doesn’t panic."

 

Edited March 18, 2015 by jokin

[ashbury]

 

Second- "The Claimed Clingers", Nunez, Schafer,

Wasn't Nunez acquired by trade, not waiver claim (assuming that's what you meant)?

[jokin]

 

Wasn't Nunez acquired by trade, not waiver claim (assuming that's what you meant)?

 

He was traded after he was placed on waivers.

[ashbury]

 

He was traded after he was placed on waivers.

*shrug* That's how trades occur sometimes. He wasn't claimed for free.

[SydneyTwinsFan]

I thought we got him for my Adopt-a-Prospect last year - Miguel Sulbaran.

 

Maybe I should embrace Nunez as this year's Adopt-a-Journeyman

[Greg Logan]

I had this awesome ****ting-on-Nunez session with a bunch of Yankees fans in the stands today. And of course it ended 30 seconds before his homer.

[Greg Logan]

Also, Robinson looks like a middle schooler standing next to Matt Weiters.

[jokin]

 

*shrug* That's how trades occur sometimes. He wasn't claimed for free.

 

Did anyone say he was?

[wagwan]

C'mon Nick!  I'm reading the same thing here that I am reading in the Trib. Show us the Twins Daily different stuff

[ashbury]

 

Did anyone say he was?

"The Claimed Clingers". He was lumped in with Schafer.

[Platoon]

It occurred to me that when someone says Nunez has "surprising power", it's like when someone tells me "you're suprisingly intelligent"! All it means is that he doesn't use his power, and I must not use my brain!

[troyhobbs]

So are all the Nunez haters in the Chris Hermann for 25th man camp?  The guys (Hermann) career OPS is worse than Pedro Florimon's, that's not the kind of "versatility" I'd want on my bench and you don't want your prospects sitting the bench either so why not Nunez?

[nicksaviking]

So Stauffer had an ERA+ of 96 and Boyer was at 94 last year.  Stauffer had an FIP of 3.02 to Boyer's 2.93, all while playing for the same team.

 

Yet because the Twins got a wild hair to offer Stauffer guaranteed money while Boyer was only offered a minor league deal, Stauffer is all but a lock to get a job while Boyer is likely out of luck?  I could do without either guy, but this just doesn't  seem sound like very sound decision making to me.

Edited March 18, 2015 by nicksaviking

[DocBauer]

No energy to continue fighting for Nunez as an ok player for the end of the bench. So while Polanco will probably make him obsolete by next season, for now, if my choice is throw Nunez to the wolves, or embrace him as a solid/decent 25th man option..."Yaa Nunez!"

[jokin]

 

"The Claimed Clingers". He was lumped in with Schafer.

Because he was "claimed" by the Twins when he was in limbo after the Yankess DFAd him, and then he was traded to the Twins.

Edited March 18, 2015 by jokin

[Otto von Ballpark]

 

So are all the Nunez haters in the Chris Hermann for 25th man camp?  The guys (Hermann) career OPS is worse than Pedro Florimon's, that's not the kind of "versatility" I'd want on my bench and you don't want your prospects sitting the bench either so why not Nunez?

Why not another real outfielder instead of Nunez?

 

A second backup infielder, who brings nothing more to the table that your first backup infielder, isn't terribly helpful.

 

And if the plan is "sometimes we want to use our backup infielder in the outfield", that's not a good thing either!

[troyhobbs]

 

Why not another real outfielder instead of Nunez?

 

A second backup infielder, who brings nothing more to the table that your first backup infielder, isn't terribly helpful.

 

And if the plan is "sometimes we want to use our backup infielder in the outfield", that's not a good thing either!

Sure that'd be fine but do they have another OF that's worth rostering that wouldn't be better off developing and playing every day in the minors? I could really care less about Nunez but am surprised how strongly he's disliked on this forum since he's likely not going to play much and is better than most of the bench players the Twins have ran out there in recent memory.

[Dance with Disco Dan]

 

I could really care less about Nunez but am surprised how strongly he's disliked on this forum since he's likely not going to play much and is better than most of the bench players the Twins have ran out there in recent memory.

 

 

I know you aren't defending the Eduardo Nunez experience, but the real surprise is that he is not disliked more on this forum.  Or, better for the Twins, disliked more by the front office.  I hope he has a great season but he should not be on a major league team.  He is not a "glove man" at any position and his career OPS is .684 with an OPS+ of 86 so he is not a "bat man" either. Last season he had a .271 OBP which is not surprising given that his walk rate was the lowest in the American League.  Our good friend Delmon "I'm Swinging" Young had a walk rate 70% better than Nunez' and (lest you think Delmon has turned over a new leaf) Delmon had the 13th worst walk rate.  Not good.

 

Yesterday's Grantland piece taught us that the combination of Eduardo's swing mechanics and pitch selection has made him a EXCEPTIONAL outlier in the very damaging art of popping up.  Like a "Go deep .... no keep going .... keep going, I'll tell you when to stop" outlier.  

 

Start with the fact that the slash-line for infield fly balls (less than 160 feet from home) in MLB last year was  .021/.021/.026. Bottom-line, pop-ups are caught.  Then consider the fact that the average batter hits 27 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs (infield and regular flyballs being separate, non-overlapping categories).  Our guy Eduardo hits 70 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs.  This is bad.  Eduardo hits flyballs (of any kind) 34% of the time which is league-average BUT more than twice as many of those flyballs are infield flyballs than league average.  And since the expected outcome of an infield flyball is .021/.021/.026, you can see the problem.  Just for perspective, the next worst pop-up artist hits 53 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs.  In other words, in this regard, Eduardo is 33% worse than the next worst who himself is 98% worse than league average.  

 

It's amazing he produces what he does (which should earn him no roster points).

 

 

[jimmer]

'It's amazing he produces what he does (which should earn him no roster points).'

 

We award him no roster points, and may God have mercy on his soul :-)

[Platoon]

I am not sure what Nunez brings to the team? He is not specialized in any particular talent except HLPB (Helmets Lost per Base)! He seems to look more athletic than his athleticism produces. Nothing good really happens when he is out there. If I was going to leave the other Eduardo as the utility guy, then it's time to part ways. I deeply regret having to say this, but due to the current roster construct, I would have EE, Schafer, Pinto, Hermann on the bench, and Hicks getting his last look in CF.

[ashbury]

Stringer and I were idly watching today's game at Hammond, where Nunez bobbled a ball hit to him but managed to recover in time to toss it to second for the force. Stringer is a Nunez backer, I am a Nunez skeptic, and we both had our say about that play. What we managed to agree on is that Nunez seems to have the athleticism and so forth, but somehow manages (in Stringer's phrase) to be less than the sum of his parts.

[troyhobbs]

 

I know you aren't defending the Eduardo Nunez experience, but the real surprise is that he is not disliked more on this forum.  Or, better for the Twins, disliked more by the front office.  I hope he has a great season but he should not be on a major league team.  He is not a "glove man" at any position and his career OPS is .684 with an OPS+ of 86 so he is not a "bat man" either. Last season he had a .271 OBP which is not surprising given that his walk rate was the lowest in the American League.  Our good friend Delmon "I'm Swinging" Young had a walk rate 70% better than Nunez' and (lest you think Delmon has turned over a new leaf) Delmon had the 13th worst walk rate.  Not good.

 

Yesterday's Grantland piece taught us that the combination of Eduardo's swing mechanics and pitch selection has made him a EXCEPTIONAL outlier in the very damaging art of popping up.  Like a "Go deep .... no keep going .... keep going, I'll tell you when to stop" outlier.  

 

Start with the fact that the slash-line for infield fly balls (less than 160 feet from home) in MLB last year was  .021/.021/.026. Bottom-line, pop-ups are caught.  Then consider the fact that the average batter hits 27 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs (infield and regular flyballs being separate, non-overlapping categories).  Our guy Eduardo hits 70 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs.  This is bad.  Eduardo hits flyballs (of any kind) 34% of the time which is league-average BUT more than twice as many of those flyballs are infield flyballs than league average.  And since the expected outcome of an infield flyball is .021/.021/.026, you can see the problem.  Just for perspective, the next worst pop-up artist hits 53 infield flyballs for every 100 regular flyballs.  In other words, in this regard, Eduardo is 33% worse than the next worst who himself is 98% worse than league average.  

 

It's amazing he produces what he does (which should earn him no roster points).

I still think he's better than Hermann but whatevs