Behind the Fence EXST: JT Chargois on the mound and Chris Anderson in action

[Bob Sacamento]

Florida sun and baseball in April I can't complain, on Friday I was able to catch the first half of the Twins vs Red Sox Extended Spring Training game before going into the office.  The game was started by RHP Moises Gomez who went 3 innings and struck out three, his fastball was 92-94 mph with good movement and a slider 83-85 mph.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AhaLBQCFKJk

 

Gomez was relieved by RHP JT Chargois.  JT pitched 1 1/3 IP throwing 25 pitches and yielding 2 K. His fastball velocity was 94-96 mph, topping at 97 while his slider was 84-86 mph.  He was a little wild, he apparently was pitching with shoulder soreness in spring training and was trying to hide it.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_0PqaZ0chs

 

Lineup for Friday 4/14/17 at JetBlue

 

 

I took video of 19 year old switch hitting OF Humber Maldonado, who stands at 6'4 200lbs and hails from San Pedro de Marcois, DR (home of many great baseball players -Sosa, Alf Soriano) getting his first look in the States.  I talked to him a little bit on Saturday as well as Mario Calcano (6'4 215 20yo Dominican) through translation by Roni Tapia and Jean Carlos Arias.  The new Latin players absolutely loved the Twin Minor League Prospect and wanted to know if they were in there. I had to tell them not until they reach the GCL.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bsBw8T90u8 

 

2015 draft pick 16 rounder OF Lean Marrero

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgJacNeFQHU

 

 

On Saturday, the Twins hosted the Sox on Bill Smith Field at Centurylink SportsComplex where newly signed Chris Anderson got the start.  Anderson went 3ip, giving up 1 er, 2 hits, 1 bb, 2 k.  His fastball velocity sat at 91- 93 mph with a slider 83-85 mph, a changeup 77-79 mph. In the 3 innings, he threw  50 pitches, 32 of which were strikes.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lRqaXH-qp-8

 

He was followed up by 2016 draft 28th Rounder LHP Matt Jones who threw, 2 ip and striking out 3 k.  Jones' fastball was 84-88, sitting 86-87 with good movement. His curveball was plus at times with a slow looping 72-74  mph. He also flashed a passable 76-77 change and 78-79 mph slider 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KYSTtM8Aokw

 

Then 2014 draft 13th rounder RHP Zach Tillery whose fastball was 92-93  and slider was 84-85.  Tillery looked very good in his limited action.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iu42ZRKvcMs

 

Then 2016 draft 31st rounder pick RHP Juan Gamez, converted catcher, who fastball was  90-92 and slider was 76-79

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9RArsiiJOQA

 

Lastly was Blair Lakso, undrafted free agent 2016, who was probably the most impressive of the bunch for the day. His fastball sat 92-94 mph with a hard biting slider84-86

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_HBCd-Y1ir8

 

 

The game was 3-2 in the 7th before Bradley Strong came up and belted a 2 run triple just out of the reach of the centerfielder.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kydGT5Ay9FI

 

 

2016 7th Rounder Matt Albanese hitting

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY7W61K86Cg

 

2016 draft 22nd Rounder OF Hank Morrison

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tkojr9_MUfs