Article: Packed Friday Notebook From Ft. Myers

[Nick Nelson]

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php/2770-Packed-Friday-Notebook-From-Ft-Myers

[Thrylos]

Great stuff! Just a nitpick:

 

Michael Tonkin is the best relief prospect in the organization

 

By no means, in any way. He might be the closest to the majors and better than pitchers like Pressly and Fien, but he is not the best relief prospect in the organization.

[DocBauer]

Unlike a few others, I have been very impressed overall with Herrmann and what he has done in the minors as well as with the Twins. When I have watched him, I've seen a solid C. And at the plate, even though he hasn't done anything special at the ML level yet, he hasn't looked out of place either. I absolutely see him as an above or well above average athletic backstop who does a nice job behind the plate, can fill in decently at another 2 or 3 spots, and who will be a decent LH hitter with solid contact and OB, with some gapper and occasional HR power.

 

But his time is next season, or later this year. Pinto has done nothing this ST, or last season, but prove he is anything but ML ready! His arm is quality, his defense is OK and improving, and there hasn't even been a whisper from coaches or pitchers to indicate he is poor behind the dish. Even Gibson, I believe it was, commented the other day he allowed a HR after shaking off Pinto's call. And his bat is definitely ready, with a ton of potential.

 

Gardy has commented how he doesn't want to uncover his DH "potentially" by using him as a DH on occasion. But lest we forget, he DID "risk" that very, very rare option several times a few years ago when he had Mauer AND Redmond in the lineup to get his best bats n the lineup. Gardenhire has been generally effusive in his praise of Pinto, and is not dumb. He knows what he has in Pinto, and what he can do with him and Suzuki.

[jokin]

Ron Gardenhire was unhappy with what he considered premature reports that the team has settled on Kyle Gibson as the fifth starter, insisting that no final decision has been made.

 

What do you make of this? Is LEN3 now on the naughty list, or just his source for bad timing? I have long thought that Diamond ends up in the pen, it sounds like you're hearing the same type of thing down there, too?

[Halsey Hall]

Thielbar pitched 2 innings in the minor league game and excelled. No hits, and 4 k's as I remember. Florimon had 3 ab's and no luck, 2 k's. Someone with the initials HH mentioned to Gardy he should put Mauer in the leadoff position or he'll never get pitched to with Willingham behind him. His response was "everybody's got a lineup for me".

[Dman]

Unlike a few others, I have been very impressed overall with Herrmann and what he has done in the minors as well as with the Twins. When I have watched him, I've seen a solid C. And at the plate, even though he hasn't done anything special at the ML level yet, he hasn't looked out of place either. I absolutely see him as an above or well above average athletic backstop who does a nice job behind the plate, can fill in decently at another 2 or 3 spots, and who will be a decent LH hitter with solid contact and OB, with some gapper and occasional HR power.

 

But his time is next season, or later this year. Pinto has done nothing this ST, or last season, but prove he is anything but ML ready! His arm is quality, his defense is OK and improving, and there hasn't even been a whisper from coaches or pitchers to indicate he is poor behind the dish. Even Gibson, I believe it was, commented the other day he allowed a HR after shaking off Pinto's call. And his bat is definitely ready, with a ton of potential.

 

Gardy has commented how he doesn't want to uncover his DH "potentially" by using him as a DH on occasion. But lest we forget, he DID "risk" that very, very rare option several times a few years ago when he had Mauer AND Redmond in the lineup to get his best bats n the lineup. Gardenhire has been generally effusive in his praise of Pinto, and is not dumb. He knows what he has in Pinto, and what he can do with him and Suzuki.

 

Doc I am with you on Herman. I watched him last year and thought he did OK as well. He might not be a superstar but he seems very solid to me. He certainly would be a good bench player and I wouldn't count him out as potential starter as he is a gamer.

[jokin]

Thielbar pitched 2 innings in the minor league game and excelled. No hits, and 4 k's as I remember. Florimon had 3 ab's and no luck, 2 k's. Someone with the initials HH mentioned to Gardy he should put Mauer in the leadoff position or he'll never get pitched to with Willingham behind him. His response was "everybody's got a lineup for me".

 

Good one, Halsey.

[ashbury]

"everybody's got a lineup for me".

 

Said, every manager ever born.

 

Love it.

[Dantes929]

The ONLY reason not to bat leadoff is his speed. Who wouldn't want a .406 OBP guy with gap power leading off? Who wouldn't want their best hitter getting the most at bats?

[jokin]

The ONLY reason not to bat leadoff is his speed. Who wouldn't want a .406 OBP guy with gap power leading off? Who wouldn't want their best hitter getting the most at bats?

 

I'm with you and Halsey on this one, and have been since Hicks flopped in the leadoff role last April. In answer to your second question, see the response to Halsey's inquiry for further guidance.

 

At this point in time of Spring Training, who offers better protection behind Mauer- Dozier or Willingham? Close to a Hobson's Choice- but I'd lean towards Dozier. And who hasn't had a demo yet this spring for the spot in front of Mauer? They've even given some recent reps to Kurt Suzuki, Jason Kubel, and today, Jason Bartlett in the 2-spot. Kind of a cluster any which way you look at it. And as much as one would be tempted to give Hicks another shot at leading off, it would seem prudent to slow-play that thought, given what happened a year ago. The "safe" choice (prediction, not my personal choice) for opening day is the likely order of Presley, Dozier, Mauer, Willingham, Kubel/Arcia, Plouffe, Kubel/Arcia, Suzuki, Florimon. If Hicks makes it, I think everyone moves up one spot in the order and they insert Hicks in the 8-spot.

[zchrz]

The ONLY reason not to bat leadoff is his speed. Who wouldn't want a .406 OBP guy with gap power leading off? Who wouldn't want their best hitter getting the most at bats?

 

I think its more about who would be hitting in front of him, I would much rather have two decent batters in front of him than Suzuki and Florimon.

[tjsyam921]

What do you make of this? Is LEN3 now on the naughty list, or just his source for bad timing? I have long thought that Diamond ends up in the pen, it sounds like you're hearing the same type of thing down there, too?

 

My guess would be that they don't want other teams to think they're down on Diamond. Therefore reducing any trade value.

[Dantes929]

I think its more about who would be hitting in front of him, I would much rather have two decent batters in front of him than Suzuki and Florimon.

Its not more about who would be hitting in front of him. Its COMPLETELY about who hits in front of him. Span and Hudson hits in front of him then fine. Just Span hits in front of him. Fine. I am actually suggesting that Suzuki and Florimon bat in front of him. Just in the 8 and 9 spot. There is no reason to give .290 OBP guys more at bats. There is every reason to give .400 OBP guys more at bats.

[Dantes929]

Prior posts notwithstanding I am ok with Hicks batting leadoff. Part of his problem last year was facing two of the top guys in the major leagues to start the season and losing some confidence. If he faces Sale this season at least he can do it right handed.

[Jim H]

There are arguments that make sense, to bat Mauer in any of the first 3 spots in the order. I like him in the 3rd spot(over the 1st spot) because over the course of the season he will get many more opportunites(quite possibly around a 100, but at least 50) to hit with men or man on base. Since he is the best hitter on the team with runners in scoring position, it makes sense to me to give him those opportunities.

 

Batting him first would mean slightly more AB's for Mauer and more chances for the people behind him to drive him in. That would make more sense to me if there were a true #3 hitter on the team.

[ashbury]

I think its more about who would be hitting in front of him, I would much rather have two decent batters in front of him than Suzuki and Florimon.

 

Yeah, but just think of the fat pitches Suzuki and Florimon will get, with Mauer coming up behind them to protect them.

[jokin]

I think its more about who would be hitting in front of him, I would much rather have two decent batters in front of him than Suzuki and Florimon.

 

A certain manager is still experimenting and has Suzuki hitting #2 just in front of Mauer in the lineup today against the Yankees, again:confused:.

 

I actually wouldn't mind seeing a lineup with Mauer leading off, with Hicks and Santana (when they're finally deemed "ready') hitting just in front of him at 8 and 9.

[jimbo92107]

I like the photo...tending to the temple.

 

Aaron Hicks, y'all! This is the year, when he steps up and starts bangin. I can just feel it!