2016 Hammond Happenings

[TNLooky2015]

 

I wouldn't say Walker is over swinging, Arcia is taking his usual hacks.  I'll tell you this, Arcia is going to be very dangerous if he can stay in the strike zone. 

Good stuff

[formerly33]

OH MY!  LOl.  Ruesse showed up a little late the other day and the players were gone.  We stood around, a few of us bs'ing.  With nothing for him to do, he interviewed me, and it's in the strib today, along with a buddy of mine.  To funny!

Okay, I gotta ask ... your name's not *really* Smith, is it?

 

// "It's a curious thing," said Tommy, "how very few people there are whose real name is Smith. Personally, I don't know anyone called Smith. But nine men out of ten who wish to conceal their real name give that of Smith. I am writing a monograph upon the subject." ~ Agatha Christie, Partners In Crime.

[Halsey Hall]

Well, you're not always 33 are you?

[BoomBoom]

Was it busy at the park today? 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Was it busy at the park today? 

heard that JR Murphy was there, should give Tommy Watkins a little breathing room since he's been catching the pitchers with himself and Swim.

[Monkeypaws]

 

Are they over swinging like so many claim?

 

Every time I've watched Walker video, he does anything but overswing. He has a nice easy swing that produces amazing power.

 

Strike zone recognition is his problem, not overswinging imo.

[Halsey Hall]

 

heard that JR Murphy was there, should give Tommy Watkins a little breathing room since he's been catching the pitchers with himself and Swim.

JR Murphy did show up Monday.  Also a few other catchers so Tommy gets a bit of a break.  Rain over night so no batting practice on the fields today, and they locked the fence so we can't get in to the bullpen at Hammond where the ML'ers throw.  Eddie Roserio also came in today.  Slowly, but surely. 

[lightfoot789]

Great stuff Halsey.  You make ST so much more fun to follow.

[Halsey Hall]

At least 15 more players showed up today.  Some catchers which will help, John Hicks was one, and probably Garver.  Max Kepler is here today also.  Pitchers did about nil.  BP was on 2 fields with all the players now. 

 

A bunch of the major leaguers asked Lepel if they could use the stadium clubhouse instead of the minor league one, that they would show up early.  He got the ok for them, and most are later than ever. 

[Bob Sacamento]

Heard a few of the front offices guys got in today too and the rest tomorrow, so be on the lookout for Terry Ryan around the complex.

[Halsey Hall]

Oh happy day!  Park put on a power display today with some traveling to the high school! There's hope.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Heard a few of the front offices guys got in today too and the rest tomorrow, so be on the lookout for Terry Ryan around the complex.

 

He's there. He did an interview there with Reusse this afternoon.

[Monkeypaws]

I lived in Arizona for some years, and spring training was fun, but never that much, because it wasn't the Twins. Hope to find the time to enjoy Fort Myers some year, it sounds really fantastic when you care about the team.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I lived in Arizona for some years, and spring training was fun, but never that much, because it wasn't the Twins. Hope to find the time to enjoy Fort Myers some year, it sounds really fantastic when you care about the team.

As someone who lives in Fort Myers year round there is nothing like Spring Training at the Twins Centurylink Sports Complex and that comes from someone who doesn't consider himself a Twin's fan. I've been to every spring training complex in the state and by far the Twins have one of the easiest access to players as well as having nice facilities.  The other club in town, Boston Red Sox, keeps JetBlue under tight raps and is restricted plus is filled with a sea of people.

[NoCryingInBaseball]

Made my way back across Alligator Alley again to Ft. Myers now that Pitchers & Catchers are in full practice mode. Most position players are also going through their respective routines….even Mauer was in practice today. The only two not at Hammond were Plouffe & Dozier. I didn’t see Sano practicing, but around 11:00 I saw him walking through the parking lot from a back Minor League field in full white uniform, I was told he was doing some publicity photo shoots.

Rained just a little. The coach pitching a batting practice group including Kepler & AB Walker yelled to the neighboring field where Brunansky was pitching to BP group made up of Buxton, Park, Arcia and D. Santana “Bruno, do we keep going” and received the answer ”if it gets any worse, maybe”. It let up and practice continued.

[Halsey Hall]

I haven't seen Nunez yet either. 

 

I asked J. R. Graham how he lost so much weight and he said he gave up pizza and beer. What kind of life can that be?

[Squirrel]

 

I haven't seen Nunez yet either. 

 

I asked J. R. Graham how he lost so much weight and he said he gave up pizza and beer. What kind of life can that be?

Still leaves donuts and champagne.

[Hrbowski]

 

I haven't seen Nunez yet either. 

 

I asked J. R. Graham how he lost so much weight and he said he gave up pizza and beer. What kind of life can that be?

Graham might make a good politician since he actually gets things done.

[spinowner]

 

I haven't seen Nunez yet either. 

 

I asked J. R. Graham how he lost so much weight and he said he gave up pizza and beer. What kind of life can that be?

One time my dad's doctor told him the secret to weight loss is not to eat anything that tastes good.

[Squirrel]

 

One time my dad's doctor told him the secret to weight loss is not to eat anything that tastes good.

Yeah, and how well did that work out for him?

[Halsey Hall]

Plouffe showed up today.

 

Really a strong south wind this morning, with storms this afternoon.  With that wind I knew balls would be leaving the fields so went back behind the fences in left.  The new balls for spring training have an Interstate shield on them with FL in the center and 2016 Spring training on the top.  Neat balls, and I wanted some. Where I was it's really hard to track them with trees blocking most views.  I had picked up a couple when BAM, I took one in the gut. It then hit a car mirror and a big hunk of it landed at my feet as I doubled over.  I have stitches now, or seams on my belly.  Also some of these cool spring training balls. 

 

There's a new building out there this year towards center field and a few workers stood there and picked up a half dozen or so, and someone hit one on the roof! 

[Dr. Evil]

I sure wish i was down there lounging and hanging around the park.

[spinowner]

 

One time my dad's doctor told him the secret to weight loss is not to eat anything that tastes good.

 

 

Yeah, and how well did that work out for him?

We don't know if it would work or not. He never followed the recommendation.

[Halsey Hall]

Interesting note, no Mauer sightings today.  Watched Santana, Mastro and Buxton take bunting drills and Buxton really put on a show.  If he could bunt like that in a game he'd never have to swing and still hit .500. I was impressed!

[spinowner]

 

Interesting note, no Mauer sightings today.  Watched Santana, Mastro and Buxton take bunting drills and Buxton really put on a show.  If he could bunt like that in a game he'd never have to swing and still hit .500. I was impressed!

Bunt 'em where they ain't!

[Halsey Hall]

Today was the most organized day, lasting til after 1pm instead of around 11:30. They are doing more drills, taking live batting practice etal. Hughes was the first pitcher on the field I was at, followed by Small, and saw Nolasco later on the other field throwing pb. Also the stadium field was used for the first time. Something going on all over the place, and players hustling to and fro.  Hughes will start against Boston wednesday. 

[Tovar12]

 

Bunt 'em where they ain't!

I believe Carlos Gomez set a Twin's record for bunt (infield) singles in his rookie year.  Wish Buxton would do more of this to utilize his speed.

[Halsey Hall]

Late start this morning as physicals were given.  After a while all the players were on the stadium field and a lot of formal instruction given. They did everything from outfielders fielding the ball at the fence and the relays home to charging singles and throwing home, with the pitchers being a cutoff man. Balls to right, the left fielder backing up 3rd. Run downs were practiced, hot boxes, etc. finally they broke off and used 3 fields for bp and live bp.  Vargas hit 2 out of the park off Perkins I was told. 

 

The pitchers throw live bp every two days now, about 40 pitches the first time out and then up to 60 the second.  Only one more day of practice before the first game. I don't know why they start so late. 

[Squirrel]

Late start this morning as physicals were given.  After a while all the players were on the stadium field and a lot of formal instruction given. They did everything from outfielders fielding the ball at the fence and the relays home to charging singles and throwing home, with the pitchers being a cutoff man. Balls to right, the left fielder backing up 3rd. Run downs were practiced, hot boxes, etc. finally they broke off and used 3 fields for bp and live bp.  Vargas hit 2 out of the park off Perkins I was told. 

 

The pitchers throw live bp every two days now, about 40 pitches the first time out and then up to 60 the second.  Only one more day of practice before the first game. I don't know why they start so late.

 

I looked for you but didn't see you. Where were you spying from?

 

Noticed Torii out there working with the outfielders.

 

Fun day.

[nicksaviking]

When someone gets a radar reading on Hughes feel free to report. Velocity surely won't peak yet, but to me, seeing if Hughes' velocity rebounds from last year's troubling 89-91 is going to be an under reported but very important thing to see develop this spring.