Article: Report From The Fort: Twins Win in Clearwater

[Parker Hageman]

The Minnesota Twins top the Philadelphia Phillies 4-3 on Friday behind solid pitching performances and a pair of home runs from middle infielders.

 

Trevor May and Jose Berrios, both battling for a rotation spot, limited the Phillies to just one run, while Jake Reed, Aaron Slegers, Stephen Gonsalves, and JT Chargois turned in zeros in their appearances. Only Buddy Boshers was roughed up in his lone inning of work. Offensively, the Twins were lifted by home runs for two infielders, Danny Santana and Tommy Field. Outfielder Zack Granite drove home two on a single in the seventh inning to put the Twins ahead for good.

 

The Twins are back home at Hammond Stadium on Saturday. Ervin Santana will take on the Toronto Blue Jays in his second start of the spring.

 

More notes…** Trevor May fared well in his second spring start. The first batter he faced was Cesar Hernandez who May got ahead 0-2 but then misfired with a fastball up and clipped Hernandez in the shoulder. Hernandez ended up coming around to score on a sac fly by Odubel Herrera. May said later that he felt that the transition from the windup to the stretch threw him out of whack for a few batters. He recovered and allowed one single while striking out two Phillies.

 

 

May said that last season he went away from the windup because he was told by Torii Hunter and Paul Molitor that he was tipping his pitches. Prior to starting his windup, he would close his glove around the ball in his hand and hold it lower in the pocket when he threw his breaking balls and leaving it unclenched when throwing his fastball. May says he has since corrected this and hasn’t had any more issues.

 

“He was doing certain things on certain pitches,” Molitor said after his outing. “If I can see them when I’m not really trying to study that stuff then you know it’s somewhat flagrant.”

 

How is it that Molitor still picks up on these things even when he’s not on the field?

 

“Old habits die hard.”

 

** Berrios struck out four over two innings but admitted he struggled in his first inning of work. He went deep into counts and walked two. While he didn’t want to use it as an excuse, Berrios said the transition coming in from the bullpen was challenging and didn’t feel fully ready in that initial inning.

 

The Twins would like to see better command out of Berrios, have him avoid rushing his delivery and strive for more efficient innings.

 

** Miguel Sano struck out in three of his at-bats, albeit the first of which he appeared to check his swing. During Jose Berrios’ post-game presser, Sano sidled up behind the reporters. Berrios was then asked if he thought he could strike out Miguel Sano. Sano shook his head and replied “Everyone can strike me out.”

 

Molitor was not concerned about Sano’s performance so far this spring which has included seven strikeouts in ten plate appearances.

 

“I don’t think he’s recognizing spin great yet,” he said. “He's had some good swings at fastballs, just maybe a tick late. He’s got the right approach, trying to stay inside instead of trying to hit everything to left field.”

 

** Eddie Rosario made back-to-back long distance bus rides to Sarasota and then Clearwater.

 

“The schedule doesn’t always work out,” Molitor said. “I told myself I’m not going to be overly concerned about who goes on what trip. It’s about getting time for them to play. Got some at-bats yesterday, center field today, might play right field on Sunday.”

 

Molitor said that the Puerto Rico team was contemplating using him as a right fielder so the Twins manager obliged and will give him some reps on the other side of the field. He added that it was a good opportunity to try outfielders in other places in the event of an in-season injury.

 

Rosario, who has been given limited exposure versus left-handed pitching in his major league career, faced the Orioles’ side-arming lefty Donnie Hart and the at-bat went pretty much as you would expect.

 

Overall, Molitor wants to see more consistency out of the outfielder.

 

“He can get zoned in pretty good for a while then he might lose it for a day or two. I think he knows he’s trying to plan on being a more consistent player. Something that would center around his at-bats more than any other part of his game.”

 

** Back in Fort Myers, Twins prospect Mason Melotakis threw a 25-pitch bullpen without any issues. The 25-year-old left-handed has suffered an oblique strain and was listed as day-to-day. Armed with a fastball that reaches 97, Melotakis spent 2016 in Chattanooga where he worked 33 innings in relief and struck out 42.

 

** Glen Perkins threw a bullpen session as well on Thursday. The review from Molitor? M’eh. “I didn’t hear anything over-the-top encouraging and I didn’t hear anything alarming.”

 

** Nick Gordon, Twins Daily’s 4th ranked prospect, won the bat toss contest:

 

** Molitor shared his thoughts on how things are working out with the new members of his coaching staff.

 

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[Darius]

I'm starting to worry that we're never going to see the Sano from his rookie season again.

 

Obviously, I don't know this to be true because I don't see him off the field (Maybe someone more plugged in can straighten me out-- if there is such a person lurking): Does this guy have a work ethic issue, or what's the deal?

 

Despite being young, it seems he's always dealing with nagging soft-tissue injuries (which may have more to do with size than being in shape -- but for most it's usually the latter). He never seems to really make any progress, more steady regression since breaking into the bigs. He used to swagger around talking about breaking home run records and someday being an MVP. Now, he's cracking jokes about "everyone striking him out." At this point, he has a longer track record of injury and lacking performance (relative to what we were expecting), than he does looking like a legit franchise centerpiece.

 

Maybe I'm taking some things out of context and/or reading too much into the injuries/struggles of a second year/spring training. But, just not really feeling as great about this kid as I did 8-9 months ago.

Edited March 3, 2017 by Darius

[Walter's Whites]

 

I'm starting to worry that we're never going to see the Sano from his rookie season again.

Obviously, I don't know this to be true because I don't see him off the field (Maybe someone more plugged in can straighten me out-- if there is such a person lurking): Does this guy have a work ethic issue, or what's the deal?

Despite being young, it seems he's always dealing with nagging soft-tissue injuries (which may have more to do with size than being in shape -- but for most it's usually the latter). He never seems to really make any progress, more steady regression since breaking into the bigs. He used to swagger around talking about breaking home run records and someday being an MVP. Now, he's cracking jokes about "everyone striking him out." At this point, he has a longer track record of injury and lacking performance (relative to what we were expecting), than he does looking like a legit franchise centerpiece.

Maybe I'm taking some things out of context and/or reading too much into the injuries/struggles of a second year/spring training. But, just not really feeling as great about this kid as I did 8-9 months ago.

It's frustrating to watch him struggle, but I think in the long run he's going to very good. If he can just work hard and learn to not chase the breaking ball (which I think he's starting to), he'll be a top of the line hitter.

[theBOMisthebomb]

 

It's frustrating to watch him struggle, but I think in the long run he's going to very good. If he can just work hard and learn to not chase the breaking ball (which I think he's starting to), he'll be a top of the line hitter.

I am also starting to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that Sano may become the biggest flop in Twins history.  Man, do I hope I am wrong.  The strikeouts are disgusting and not how the game should be played.  My old school tendencies say that anyone who strikes out that much should be benched.  I have felt he is lazy after 2016 and was excited as he appeared to have come to spring training this year in shape.  Sano's career progression is a fascinating subplot to this Twins season.  I really hope he pulls through and progresses and fulfills at least a large portion of his potential.  If he flames out it will be disappointment 

#1 in Twins player development.  

[Taildragger8791]

I don't think Sano's strikeouts stem from a lack of work ethic, but they do concern me since I was hoping for improvement on that front. I'd expect that if his K's were going to get better then he wouldn't be already striking out constantly against rusty pitchers and minor leaguers throwing with restricted repertoires. Maybe he's just gotten by with his plate approach for so long that it hasn't been proven to him yet that it's an issue. And it's possible he's right, but this year will be a good litmus test on where he's at and how effective that approach can be. He's coming into his 3rd year, healthy and in shape, and at his preferred defensive position. There isn't much of an excuse to underperform.

Edited March 4, 2017 by Taildragger8791

[Halsey Hall]

It is hard to see Sano struggling to hit. He's yet to get a hit this spring, as is Vargas, and Kepler. Today Kepler stayed on the field a good half hour at least after the rest had headed off, with Chad Allen, first hitting off a tee, and then Allen tossing to him. Chad gave him a lot of positive feedback.

None of these guys like to fail and are doing all they can think of to get it ready, it's not easy.

[Kwak]

 

I am also starting to get a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that Sano may become the biggest flop in Twins history.  Man, do I hope I am wrong.  The strikeouts are disgusting and not how the game should be played.  My old school tendencies say that anyone who strikes out that much should be benched.  I have felt he is lazy after 2016 and was excited as he appeared to have come to spring training this year in shape.  Sano's career progression is a fascinating subplot to this Twins season.  I really hope he pulls through and progresses and fulfills at least a large portion of his potential.  If he flames out it will be disappointment 

#1 in Twins player development.  

Fear not about the #1 flop in Twins history--Eddie Bane and Adam Johnson are arm-wrestling for that distinction.

[Dantes929]

If I remember correctly, Morneau was a huge flop in a couple spring trainings and there were the same kind of rumblings.     I am encouraged that Sano is in shape and refuse to consider any results in the first 3 weeks as indicative of anything.   Still really hoping that three of the guys in the rotation this year are Santana, Berrios and May.    I know its not super important that they start the season that way but it would be nice for a change to have it happen that way.

[tobi0040]

Sano will not flop. His combo of power and ability to walk is too much for a flop.

 

Adam Dunn on the low end.

[beckmt]

Too early to worry about Sano.  Encouraged that  May looked good, still too early but a good sign.

[HitInAPinch]

 

If I remember correctly, Morneau was a huge flop in a couple spring trainings and there were the same kind of rumblings.     I am encouraged that Sano is in shape and refuse to consider any results in the first 3 weeks as indicative of anything.   Still really hoping that three of the guys in the rotation this year are Santana, Berrios and May.    I know its not super important that they start the season that way but it would be nice for a change to have it happen that way.

Over the off season, Sano has drastically changed his body shape.  I'm guessing that it may take Sano some time to get his mechanics in order.

[mikelink45]

Sano is a great story and I look forward to having him get back on track which I think he will.  Still - I hate strikeouts.  I do not care about the sabermetric BS that K's are not a big deal - they are.  Like other posts I still wish there was a Latino coach to work with our southern players and to communicate in the most effective way.

[Parker Hageman]

 

Sano is a great story and I look forward to having him get back on track which I think he will.  Still - I hate strikeouts.  I do not care about the sabermetric BS that K's are not a big deal - they are.  Like other posts I still wish there was a Latino coach to work with our southern players and to communicate in the most effective way.

 

Southern like Brian Dozier?

 

They do have Rudy Hernandez on staff as an assistant hitting coach. 

[Boom Boom]

I like the comment frim Sano. It sounds like he's aware of what he needs to improve upon.

 

IMO it would be worse if he gave the standard "I'm not worried, I'm just working on some things. Once the season starts I'll be fine" response. Sano's definitely got some limitations but I don't believe that a lack of confidence is one of them.

[Jham]

Molitor likes that he's staying inside the ball and striking out 70% of the time... Either he see his half-empty/full glass is overflowing, or he's meddling with a young hitter again.  Sano has always had power to all fields and the ability to use all fields.  He's late on the fastball as well.  Staying inside the ball will only make him later.  Focus on timing and catching the ball in front where you can see the ball better and drive it, and yes, pull it.  

If this is a work-ethic issue, the team should have known about it.  There's been grumbling for a long time. If it's the case, they need to fix it fast or trade him for pitching before his value dips.

[jorgenswest]

Why does there have to be any issues? It is a tiny sample of spring at bats.

[BoofBonser]

Baseball on TV wooooooh!!!

[diehardtwinsfan]

For guys who have no worries about making the team, ST is about working on things. I am hoping that this is what is going on with Sano right now. He's not walking up to the plate looking to do whatever, he's walking up to the plate to work on a specific weakness in his game.

[Circus Boy]

Gotta admit, "everyone can strike me out" is funny.

[Mr. Brooks]

Why does there have to be any issues? It is a tiny sample of spring at bats.

This. It's practice games. They mean nothing.