Article: Twins 7, Red Sox 4: A Bad Day For Lightning Chasers

[John Bonnes]

Spring training is made for hope. The sunshine chases away winter’s sobriety, and dreams attach themselves to us, and we in turn attach them to others. “Is this the year of Byron Buxton’s sizzle? Oswaldo Arcia’s controlled aggression? Byung Ho Park’s power?” We look for that breakthrough year before it even starts. We are lightning chasers.Unfortunately, on the sunny fields of the Red Sox’ jetBlue Park yesterday, there was no sign of lightning. Or of storm clouds. Or even of really bad static cling. Three of the Twins players, to whom the highest of hopes are attached, started in the Twins 7-4 victory, but none looked like a magical season was imminent.

 

Byron Buxton made two of the Twins first six outs, both from strikeouts, and one of them was looking. That was reminiscent of his introduction to the majors last year, where he struck out 44 times versus just six walks in his first 129 at-bats. He did manage to leave the game on a better note, getting an RBI on a ground ball single in his third at-bat.

 

The Twins had a small rally going against Boston left-hander Henry Owens in the first inning when Oswaldo Arcia stepped up to the plate with the bases loaded and one out. Terry Ryan talked before the game about how hard Arcia worked in the offseason, how he had learned from last year and how he had been “humbled.”

 

Facing one of those nasty southpaws, against whom he has a .231 batting average and a 614 OPS in his career, was a tough test for the first at-bat of a new season. He also struck out, and finished the day 0-3 and leaving six men on base.

 

Finally, it was an inauspicious start for the Twins big free agent signing, Korean slugger Byung Ho Park. He not only went 0-3, but didn’t put a ball in play, striking out three times. He admitted he was a little revved up before the game. “I’ve got to admit, I was a little nervous,” he said after the game. “But I felt good and got the first [game] out of the way.”

 

All of this means absolutely nothing, of course. These are truly the three most meaningless at-bats of the year for these guys. They mean only what one wants them to mean, or what one has attached to them.

 

 

But the lighting chasers will need to wait another day. That’s all right; we’ve got 194 more games to dream.

 

Phil’s Belt Holder?

Phil Hughes started today’s game throwing 19 pitches over two innings and then finishing with 15 more pitches in the bullpen. He was followed by Trevor May for two innings, who everyone insists is competing for a starting pitching spot, despite his performance in the bullpen last year. It’s clear everyone understands the situation: the rotation is crowded and May would instantly become a valuable contributor in the bullpen.

 

For now, he’s on the starting pitching track. Before the game Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said he talked to May about making sure he was “stretched out” to pursue a starter’s role before he came to spring training. May thinks he’ll be pitching every fifth day or so, taking the innings behind Hughes like he did today. Or, as he said, “Holding onto Phil’s belt and walking behind him.”

 

As good-natured as May seemed to be about the situation, he also made it clear he would prefer to start. “It’s what I’ve trained my whole life to do,” said May. “Watching baseball and the playoffs and all that stuff after the season kind of lit a fire a little bit to go up and say ‘I can take the ball in Game One of the series.’ I wanna be the guy that they can hop on the back a little bit and go deep into games and then throw in the pen when they need me later.”

 

But the situation is what it is. “He is a candidate,” agreed Twins Manager Paul Molitor after the game. “[but if we have] six or seven healthy starters and they’re all performing, we’re all going to have to decide how we’re going to prioritize shaping the entire staff, not just the rotation.”

 

To me, that sounds like May is a backup plan, regardless of how he is being prepared.

 

Don’t You Forget About Me

Here was the middle of the Twins lineup yesterday. See if you can find the choice that made me raise my eyebrows, especially considering they were facing a left-handed starter.

 

3. Kennys Vargas – (SH)

4. Miguel Sano – (RH)

5. Oswaldo Arcia – (LH)

6. Byung Ho Park – (RH)

 

Byung Ho Park is projected to be the designated hitter for the MLB club, while Kennys Vargas will likely have a similar role in AAA-Rochester. But Vargas is the one batting 3^rd, and Park is batting 6^th?

 

It makes sense in that Park is seen as more of a power threat while Vargas is viewed as more of a “pure hitter”. I don’t think it means anything, other than we might not want to forget Kennys Vargas is still in this organization.

 

Speed Thrills

In his third at-bat, after two strikeouts, Buxton tried laying a bunt down the third base line. It didn’t work; it eventually rolled just foul. But a couple of things struck me about it.

 

First, it was a great bunt. It nearly stayed fair and even without his blazing speed, most ballplayers could have turned that bunt into a hit. With his speed, it was never in doubt. The only hope was that it would go foul.

 

Second, lord is Buxton’s speed fun to watch. I hope he adds that bunt partly because it can be a weapon, especially against a third baseman like the Red Sox’ Pablo Sandoval. But I mostly hope he adds it because it is so damn fun to watch him turn a dribbler into a TKO. By the time Buxton is one-third of the way down the first base line, everyone knows it’s hopeless. The rest of the play is the world’s fastest victory lap.

 

Today’s reminder that it’s spring training for everyone

Newly acquired catcher John Ryan Murphy faced a pop fly in the fourth inning. To track it, he flung off his mask – directly at his own feet. As he stumbled backwards to successfully catch it, he damn near literally stumbled on the mask. It looked like Twins third baseman, Eduardo Nunez, the home plate umpire and the next Red Sox batter all gave him a bit of a hard time about it.

 

For The Lighting Chasers

Or maybe we were just looking the wrong way for lightning.

 

One youngster had a hell of a game. 22-year-old Jorge Polanco, who has already had a few very short stints with the major league club, had a home run and a double in his three at-bats, driving in two runs. So long as everyone remains healthy, he’s essentially competing for a utility infielder spot and will play all around the diamond. He started at second base today.

 

Could he get that 13^th position player spot? I suspect, unless he gets a chance to play regularly – maybe not as a starting position player but at least someone who they want to sub regularly - the Twins will assign him to Rochester to continue to develop. Still, it’s nice to see him continue to make a good impression. Depth always plays a role in the AL Central.

 

Mid Season Patience

And finally, we should mention that Miguel Sano also played even though he was credited with zero at-bats because he walked three times. His patience seems to be in midseason form. Our patience, on the other hand was tested: the much anticipated first play in right field will need to wait because no hits went his direction today. We may not need to wait long. Molitor suggested he might have Sano in tomorrow night’s lineup as well.

 

Click here to view the article

[Brandon Brooks]

Jorge Polanco was certainly the most fun to watch today. Sure, seeing Sano work every count to 3-2 before taking his base is a great appetizer, but Polanco's powerful stroke was the entree in a fun all-around meal. Baseball is back! We have box scores again!

[theBOMisthebomb]

What would Buxton's time be in the 40 at the NFL Combine?

[ThejacKmp]

 

Byron Buxton made two of the Twins first four outs, both from strikeouts, and one of them was looking.

 

Erroneous.

 

Buxton made the first out, Arcia the second, Park the 3rd. Murphy made the 4th out striking out in the second. Tovar made the 5th out right after that via ground out. Buxton made the 6th out.

 

[gopherman23]

What would Buxton's time be in the 40 at the NFL Combine?

Probably in the mid 4.3 range.

[tcarlic]

 

Erroneous.

 

Buxton made the first out, Arcia the second, Park the 3rd. Murphy made the 4th out striking out in the second. Tovar made the 5th out right after that via ground out. Buxton made the 6th out.

 

 

Really? Is two out of the first six really that much better.  Lighten up, dude.

[John Bonnes]

You're right ThejacKMP - it should been six outs. Or "an out in each of the first two innings." Don't know where I got 4 from.

[bluechipper]

 

What would Buxton's time be in the 40 at the NFL Combine?

4.23

[Brock Beauchamp]

John, did you catch the velo on Hughes' fastball today?

[sploorp]

 

Baseball is back! We have box scores again!

Hurrah for box scores!!

[h2oface]

Ha. Some things don't ever seem to change, even in Spring Training. Twins' pitchers manage all of 3 strikeouts, while the hitters are in mid-season form with 11 K's

[jokin]

 

Mid Season Patience
And finally, we should mention that Miguel Sano also played even though he was credited with zero at-bats because he walked three times. His patience seems to be in midseason form. Our patience, on the other hand was tested: the much anticipated first play in right field will need to wait because no hits went his direction today. We may not need to wait long. Molitor suggested he might have Sano in tomorrow night’s lineup as well.

Click here to view the article

 

Great summary. One minor exception, Sano was HBP in his third PA.

 

Questions, so many questions.

 

1) If Buxton proves not to be ready, is Santana automatically the opening day CF?

 

2) How bad did Park look at the plate on his 3 Ks.... Nishioka bad?

 

3) Does Park look like he has a "major league" body and swagger at the plate?

 

4) What is the percentage chance that Park starts out the season in AAA, with Arcia and or Vargas going north instead?

 

5) Other than Murphy's bonehead mask miscue (a little disconcerting, but only the first game, to be sure), what do you think of Murphy's presence behind the plate?      The Ks weren't exactly piling up for Twins pitchers today.

 

6) Assuming that the Twins look to move Plouffe at some point during the season, should they receive an attractive offer, is there any chance that the Twins are considering Polanco as his replacement at 3rd rather than Sano?

 

7) I thought Hughes looked a little stiff and slow in the preseason media workouts that I've viewed, any signs that he's still nursing the same nagging injury stuff that hampered him in 2015? Those first two innings sound efficient and encouraging, I know it's just his first appearance, but does he look on pace, "so-far-so-good", for the "good every-other-year" type of year in 2016?

Edited March 3, 2016 by jokin

[Paul Pleiss]

 

Really? Is two out of the first six really that much better.  Lighten up, dude.

facts matter. even in the spring.

[Paul Pleiss]

 

2) How bad did Park look at the plate on his 3 Ks.... Nishioka bad?

While I think it's a great idea to ask exactly how bad those three K's looked (first two swining), I cringe every time Park and Nishi are mentioned together, even if in this situation it's only to bring up images of the seemingly lost Nishi at the plate.

[h2oface]

 

7) I thought Hughes looked a little stiff and slow in the preseason media workouts that I've viewed, any signs that he's still nursing the same nagging injury stuff that hampered him in 2015? Those first two innings sound efficient and encouraging, I know it's just his first appearance, but does he look on pace, "so-far-so-good", for the "good every-other-year" type of year in 2016?

 

I had to chuckle reading the MLB articles as Bollinger uses "Ace" in his sub-headline (and also misreports that Sano had three walks), and new guy Ian Browne writes "ace Phil Hughes". You know, no matter what Hughes does in ST, I expect his April to be the usual awful, as only once in his whole career has he performed well the opening month of the season, and that includes his "ace" year in 2014. ST might not be the indicator you are looking for. We might have to wait until May to find out.

Edited March 3, 2016 by h2oface

[ThejacKmp]

 

Really? Is two out of the first six really that much better.  Lighten up, dude.

 

I don't think it was negative at all. It was just a correction of something that was obviously false. At the time it was written, people couldn't watch this game if they weren't there in person or get a play by play so it does stand correcting.

 

You appear to be the one who is the one who should lighten up. :-)

 

P.S. I don't think it's a concept of better, not sure why you put it that way. Is striking out twice much different if you make the first two outs of a game or if everyone else is out in between you? Either way, you struck out twice. I guess you could argue that the strikeouts were rally killers but I don't think that's what the post author was getting at (and in fact, you could argue that makes it more pivotal to correct the four to a six since the four makes it seem like Buxton was killing rallies when in fact, he struck out to lead off and with two outs and just one guy on base). Just food for thought.

[Brock Beauchamp]

While I think it's a great idea to ask exactly how bad those three K's looked (first two swining), I cringe every time Park and Nishi are mentioned together, even if in this situation it's only to bring up images of the seemingly lost Nishi at the plate.

Never mind the fact that Nishioka didn't strike out that often, roughly once every six times he went to the plate.

[jokin]

 

I had to chuckle reading the MLB articles as Bollinger uses "Ace" in his sub-headline (and also misreports that Sano had three walks), and new guy Ian Browne writes "ace Phil Hughes". You know, no matter what Hughes does in ST, I expect his April to be the usual awful, as only once in his whole career has he performed well the opening month of the season, and that includes his "ace" year in 2014. ST might not be the indicator you are looking for. We might have to wait until May to find out.

 

The problem is Hughes was said to have worked harder in the offseason to be ready this year. A little less unproductive weight off his body-frame, a little less stiff-looking in workouts (he looks like his back is still aching) and a little more zip returned back to his ST pitches are still worth looking for as indicators that perhaps he's past last year's health and funk issues- even if he doesn't start getting it rolling until May- as is his career MO.

Edited March 4, 2016 by jokin

[Squirrel]

The problem is Hughes was said to have worked harder in the offseason to be ready this year. A little less unproductive weight off his body-frame, a little less stiff-looking in workouts (he looks like his back is still aching) and a little more zip returned back to his ST pitches are still worth looking for as indicators that perhaps he's past last year's health and funk issues- even if he doesn't start getting it rolling until May- as is is career MO.

He didn't look at all stiff when I saw him pitching a bp session on Monday at the park. And our pitching coach seemed pleased based on his comments.

[jokin]

 

 

Never mind the fact that Nishioka didn't strike out that often, roughly once every six times he went to the plate.

 

It was a question of ineptitude and futility being exposed for all to see, not comparable K-rates.

 

A heralded Japanese League batting champ in a better league who ended up looking like a woefully overmatched slap hitter (in 2011 led MLB at his position by a wide margin in his oppo field contact rate (40%) and virtually tied at the top with nearly a 60% GB rate) and entirely out of place in MLB.

 

Now we have another heralded slugger from a lesser league, hopefully the Twins scouted Park better than Nishi- can he hit presumably superior breaking stuff, lay off the sliders off the plate... and still keep his timing on a regular dose of 95MPH+ FBs? And how would they know it for sure, if he can?

[jokin]

 

 

He didn't look at all stiff when I saw him pitching a bp session on Monday at the park. And our pitching coach seemed pleased based on his comments.

 

Thanks for the update.  That's great news, although I would expect nothing less from Allen in support of his staff. The times I saw him working out in February he looked like he might have trouble even touching his toes.

 

Obviously, a bounce-back year akin to 2014 is going to be a critical component in the Twins success in 2016. Did you hear any word on if his velo is bouncing back, as well?

[Squirrel]

Thanks for the update. That's great news, although I would expect nothing less from Allen in support of his staff. The times I saw him working out in February he looked like he might have trouble even touching his toes.

 

Obviously, a bounce-back year akin to 2014 is going to be a critical component in the Twins success in 2016. Did you hear any word on if his velo is bouncing back, as well?

Nope. Didn't hear anything on that but I'll wait to see what the reports are on that toward the end of ST. I think it's too early to sound the alarms on that just yet. But certainly toward the end of March I'll be concerned if it hasn't ticked upward a bit.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

It was a question of ineptitude and futility being exposed for all to see, not comparable K-rates.

 

A heralded Japanese League batting champ in a better league who ended up looking like a woefully overmatched slap hitter (in 2011 led MLB at his position by a wide margin in his oppo field contact rate (40%) and virtually tied at the top with nearly a 60% GB rate) and entirely out of place in MLB.

 

Now we have another heralded slugger from a lesser league, hopefully the Twins scouted Park better than Nishi- can he hit presumably superior breaking stuff, lay off the sliders off the plate... and still keep his timing on a regular dose of 95MPH+ FBs? And how would they know it for sure, if he can?

I could just as easily compare Park to a Cuban hitter and come up with the same (non) answers. He's had all of three plate appearances. How he looked his first day on the job is kinda irrelevant, especially when steeped in a negative comparison of a wildly different player.

 

Park was a risk, we all know it. He's also a comparatively cheap risk.

[Squirrel]

I could just as easily compare Park to a Cuban hitter and come up with the same (non) answers. He's had all of three plate appearances. How he looked his first day on the job is kinda irrelevant, especially when steeped in a negative comparison of a wildly different player.

 

Park was a risk, we all know it. He's also a comparatively cheap risk.

He's another one id have to wait before ringing any alarm bells. There is going to be an adjustment period and we're just gonna have to wait a bit. He got a nice hit tonight and an rbi. Something to build on.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

He's another one id have to wait before ringing any alarm bells. There is going to be an adjustment period and we're just gonna have to wait a bit. He got a nice hit tonight and an rbi. Something to build on.

I fully expect Park to struggle for up to half a season before making an adjustment, provided he's capable of making a successful adjustment.

[Squirrel]

I fully expect Park to struggle for up to half a season before making an adjustment, provided he's capable of making a successful adjustment.

Absolutely. But I like what I'm reading about how he's trying to get to know his teammates. He wants to get there and the off field and the behind the scenes stuff can matter.