Article: Change is a challenge Tyler Grimes has embraced

[Steven Buhr]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2092-Change-is-a-challenge-Tyler-Grimes-has-embraced

[Seth Stohs]

I have to admit, I watched Tyler Grimes play shortstop the last two years in Beloit and was not impressed. I briefly chatted with him Opening Weekend this year in Cedar Rapids and when I was there 10 days ago, I interviewed him as well. He was completely different than I thought he would be. He was very nice. He was very thoughtful in his responses and answered everything. He also is a great athlete who can be a plus defender behind the play. He mentioned to me that he has absolutely no interest in going back into the infield and loves catching. Loves being involved in every play. This is a tremendous article on Grimes.

 

The Kernels have had several players move up to Ft. Myers, but there is still a lot of talent there. Grimes, along with Adam Walker, Jorge Polanco, Niko Goodrum, Travis Harrison, Max Kepler, JO Berrios, Mason Melotakis remain. That alone is more talent than most minor league teams can boast. They are fun to watch and yes, I still recommend making that trek south to watch the Kernels!

[ashbury]

Tyler just turned 23, so he's not exactly young for his league. He's putting up good numbers on offense, and if he's a plus on defense then he's got a chance. He basically can't afford a stumble in any future seasons as he works his way up the organizational chain. Definitely fun to root for him, going forward.

[James]

Great article! This was a fantastic read.

 

I have read about Grimes for the past few years, and it didn't click for me that he had switched positions. I hope he keeps making progress as a catcher. I think it's also pretty great that the Twins saw potential for him to be more effective at a different position and give him a shot at it. Keep up the good work Tyler!

[jorgenswest]

Thanks for the great article.

 

In talking about defense, the first thing that Jake Mauer commented on was his ability to receive the ball and particularly the low pitch. The second was calling the game. I found that encouraging. Those skills are so much more critical than throwing out runners trying to steal or even blocking a wild pitch. If it was first in his mind, it must be a priority I training catchers as they come through the system.

[Seth Stohs]

Tyler just turned 23, so he's not exactly young for his league. He's putting up good numbers on offense, and if he's a plus on defense then he's got a chance. He basically can't afford a stumble in any future seasons as he works his way up the organizational chain. Definitely fun to root for him, going forward.

 

I think sometimes we all worry about age too much. I acknowledge when I do a Top 50 Propsect list, age to level of competition is a factor. However, for MLB purposes, it isn't very important. It's even less important when a guy switches positions. I don't think anyone thinks that Grimes is a future big league all star, so who cares if he comes up at 25, 26 or 27 to be a backup. And, who knows, he could come up at 27 and be a starter until he's 32!

 

It's like the Colabello thing. Yes, he's 29, but if he is a solid big league first baseman for the next 2-4 years, who cares?

 

I think this move has been great for Grimes, and hopefully he continues to improve. When I talked to him, he talked about stretching differently and needing to be able to move differently. That's not necessarily natural and it will just take time. I'm encouraged by his pitch receiving and by his arm. He's a terrific athlete and hopefully it goes well for him!

 

The reality is that something like 85-90% of minor leaguers have that 'stumble' and don't make it, but like you said, it's going to be fun to root for a guy like Tyler.

[B Richard]

Thanks a lot for this article, it's great to read about some of the guys who don't get a ton of attention. I know I'll be paying a lot more attention to the name "Grimes" in the CR boxscore now

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Outstanding article...like others I will be rooting for Grimes to get to the show...if only for a month or two...he is certainly putting in the time.

[Steven Buhr]

Thanks, all. I'm glad you enjoyed the article.

 

I've enjoyed sitting down for interviews with every Kernels player I've had the opportunity to talk to one-on-one, but Grimes really was a pleasure to talk to. We actually talked way too long for me to include everything we discussed. As with Seth, he did talk about his need to work on flexibility, etc., and we talked more about his family, his tattoos (which are all testaments to family members), and a number of other things. Just far too much to get all of it in to one article that still turned out to be longer than most.

 

Again, I'm glad a number of you enjoyed the read. Tyler and hundreds of guys like him are, to me, what minor league baseball is all about. They work so hard to overcome some pretty daunting odds and everybody has a story.

[rickyriolo]

A really nice read into minor league baseball. Thank you SD Buhr

[orangevening]

If he was on the big league club Grady would call him "Grimy" of course