Notebook: Twins Sellouts and Prospect Peril

[Ted Schwerzler]

Just one day after full squad workouts commenced there was some bad news on the prospect front, and some great news as it relates to fans clamoring for baseball.Royce Lewis Tears ACL

 

Much like plenty of top Twins prospects before him, Royce Lewis was hit with devastating news following concerns during his intake screening. Knee discomfort led to an MRI and ultimately it revealed he had a torn ACL. The 2021 season is over for Minnesota’s prospect before it began. Mentally the road back is a grind, but if there’s someone prepared to take it head on, there’s no doubt it’s Royce.

 

 

Spring Training Tickets Go Fast

 

 

Minnesota had already sold a number of Spring Training tickets to season ticket holders, but the remaining allotment went on sale to the public this morning at 10am CT. By 10:30 they had sold through what was left over. All tickets were sold in pod arrangements of two or four allowing for social distancing and additional safety measures. It’s not surprising that fans would be excited to get back in a ballpark after a year away, and the hope is that the trend can continue when the team returns to Target Field in April.

The Twins will host roughly 2,400 fans per game at Hammond Stadium this spring. A 25% capacity at Target Field would be right around 10,000 fans per game.

 

Both the Twins and Saints are looking towards the regular season attendance and the hope would be that they can have fans as soon as Opening Day. That remains to be seen however and would require further concessions from the Governor.

 

Odorizzi Sorting Through Suitors

 

It was my stance that Jake Odorizzi was potentially the best free agent starting pitcher on the market not-named-Trevor-Bauer this offseason. He’s still unsigned but that could soon be coming to an end. It sounds like the Phillies are in play as are the Los Angeles Angels. With clubs now having started full squad workouts and an intake process following a contract, I’d think someone would want him joining camp sooner rather than later.

 

 

Dancing Cavemen?

 

You thought Jake Cave’s beard was the best development to come from the offseason had by the Twins outfielder. You thought wrong. Dustin Morse caught another Twins impromptu dance session during a lift, and well, Cave dropped it low here.

 

 

Bulked Up Buck?

 

 

Maybe it's the tale as old as time, but Byron Buxton bulked up this offseason. He's always been more slender and wiry, but the beat writers took notice of his frame and it appears he's added something like ten pounds of muscle. Already having been repositioned through the Twins analytics staff, Byron is looking to spend more time on the field in 2021. If that happens, he'll be in the MVP discussion.

 

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[Squirrel]

This will be the first ST in 21 years I will not attend ... c'est la vie.

[Doctor Gast]

Thanks, Ted for being our eyes and ears there at camp. Keep up the good work. Optimistic that Buxton can be that MVP.

[ashbury]

I hope Byron's added muscle will finally be the key to him laying off the outside breaking stuff in the dirt.

[Trov]

I am wondering when Lewis tore his ACL if it was found on screening from knee issues coming in.  It means he tore it before and was doing things on it without getting addressed.  He does not need to get it repaired and some athletes have had careers without them.  Hopefully this does not take away his potential defense down the road. 

[Shaitan]

If Odo signs in PHI, I guess it's the ultimate test if he's learned how to reduce his HR ratio.

 

I think he's a really good pitcher. But I also don't think that's a good stadium for him.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I am wondering when Lewis tore his ACL if it was found on screening from knee issues coming in.  It means he tore it before and was doing things on it without getting addressed.  He does not need to get it repaired and some athletes have had careers without them.  Hopefully this does not take away his potential defense down the road. 

 

Royce said it was a little sore doing some side-by-sides while working out. Nothing much. Then he slipped on some ice in Dallas during their bad weather. Happened somewhere in there. 

[jkcarew]

 

I hope Byron's added muscle will finally be the key to him laying off the outside breaking stuff in the dirt.

Not thinking it will do anything to maintain his differentiating range in CF as he approaches age 30 either. About the last guy on the team that I thought “getting in better shape” was a key needed to unlock improvement. But then again, who knows. It’s almost spring time.

[Trov]

 

Royce said it was a little sore doing some side-by-sides while working out. Nothing much. Then he slipped on some ice in Dallas during their bad weather. Happened somewhere in there. 

I did read that after I posted my question.  Thank you though.  I was more worried he had it torn for awhile and was just pushing through possibly causing other issues.  I know when I tore mine I could not walk for a few days or my knee would just buckle and I would fall down.  I had no doubt it was tore the moment I did it.  My cousin on other had did not know the first time he tore his because he was walking on it not problem.  He tore his a second time just throwing a ball I watched it happen and it was crazy he threw a ball and was like huh my knee hurts I can barely walk.  So crazy how that little ligament can be such a pain. 

[BD57]

good luck on "concessions from the Governor."