Patrick has an article on the way the innings in ST have been distributed so far. It tweaked my interest because it touches on some of the same questions I have had, albeit in a different vein. I can understand his questions about the evaluation process, more so in the Buxton than Sano situation. Buxton I think is still in the air. Sano is in RF, done and finished. But why isn't he getting endless reps during games. He's getting the Christian Ponder Treatment, treated as the veteran he isn't. And we know how that worked out. It's going to be ugly out there, you might as well get some of the ugliness out of the way. He also touches on Arcia and Park. Anyway it's an interesting read, by a long time baseball guy!

 

http://www.startribune.com/will-twins-sano-buxton-park-plan-pay-off-evidence-still-sketchy/372298631/

Edited March 17, 201610 yr by Platoon

Good article and I hope the second half of spring training is different to answer some of these questions.  Playing Buxton, Sano, Park and Arcia should be the priority and if it hurts the feeling of the veteran FA's, then so be it.

What kind of "endless reps during games" are you expecting?

What kind of "endless reps during games" are you expecting?

Shading his eyes, spitting seeds, and endlessly repeating, "I can play third, I can play third, I can........"

The antithesis is that spring training performances prove very little, except that Aaron Hicks would be an All-Star centerfielder in 2013. Better to start the season with proven players on the Twins and prospects proving themselves ready at AAA and AA.

You want to give every player the chance they deserve. And spring training is more about stats. You face such a wide variety of hitters and pitchers, many who you won't face during the season. Each at bat, be it a hit or a miss, is analyzed at how the player handles themselves at the plate, figuring out pitches and such. Same with the throwers, how they approach each batter and mix their stuff, have control of their stuff. Under consultation, players are still trying different things to see if something else could work. But you should give your future as much of a tryout as possible before turning to the other guys. And remember, you are doing nothing but getting in reps during spring training, playing pick-up ball if nothing else.