Notebook: Long Ball Powers Twins to Win in Port Charlotte

I know, I know it is just spring training and it means nothing but my bleeding heart can’t let it go.  So meaningless first impressions of todays game are as follows.

I thought Thorpe did a nice job today he had a walk and hit a batter but he gave up no hits and no runs. After the slightly wild first inning it looks like he might live up to the early season hype.

Rooker and Garlick with homers and Cave with a double all say high to Alex Kirilloff with extra base hits.  Letting him know there will be competition for left field this spring.  Larnach had a rough day but we are only two games in.

Arraez was doing his normal routine, 1 hit, one walk, no K’s day, only to be outdone by possible Sire of Fort Meyers, Andrew Romine who went 2 for 3 today and out OPS’d Arreaz.

Jeffers got a hit but also left three guys on base early on in the game. The surprising Blankenhorn showed a good eye at the plate with two walks.  Maybe there is hope for a good utility guy there yet.

I know the conditions this early in the season are not ideal but Minaya with three walks did not help himself today.  He has time to turn it around but golly gee wiz he is in the basement right now.  At least Andrew Vaquez is back and although he didn’t have his K stuff today he made quick work of it with a double play ball.  Nice job Andrew good to see you back.

He’s real wild one; Mr. Anderson might need the matrix to keep his ball in the strike zone.  Wes Johnson has his work cut out for him.  He has to throw strikes to get guys out so hopefully there is vast improvement soon.

Jax did what Jax does pitch to contact and get guys out.  Not sure if he can continue to make that work but he has done well to this point so here’s hoping he continues to roll.

And finally who the heck is Luke Farrell?  He got three K’s in his one inning of work and he put himself on the Sire for Fort Meyers map and I didn’t even know he was on our team.  Pretty dominant inning of work so will be keeping my eye on him hoping this wasn’t peak Ferrell and it is all downhill from here.

That is what my heart says.  My brain says I am full of it and none of this matters at all.

Battle between Rooker and Garlik? Nope. Not unless Rooker spikes himself somehow. It's Rooker AND Kirilloff with only Arraez on the infield bench, OR, an extra infielder and ONE of Rooker and AK to BEGIN the season. Garlik is depth to begin the season.

WAY, WAY too early to worry about any of the "extra" 5-7 bullpen options brought in to make any opinion. I'm just happy and excited that I can look at that many arms who have a chance to potentially contribute. It wasn't so long ago that the AAA pen was filled with guys to just help the AAA team. No BS, Anderson, Hamilton, etc, there is a collection of arms mostly 25-27yo that could work with Johnson and Twins instructors/coaches and actually improve and "find themselves" and contribute. That's where depth comes from. Remember a year ago when people were asking "who the hell is this Wisler guy"?

So now we have 5-7 guys who could be "that guy" but we made a huge mistake letting him walk? Not sure that's true at this point.

My worst fears may be realized as Minnesota's minor-league cast offs may help rebuild the White Sox and Tigers into competitive teams. 

Meanwhile, here's Harpo Marx playing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

The biggest puzzle in the Odorizzi saga is the Los Angeles Angels.  With a strong lineup and defense they have failed to make the playoffs for years because of pitching, but have done almost nothing in FA signings to fix this.  Odorizzi is an instant upgrade and yet they sit back.  

Beyond Ohtani they have Heaney, Cobb, Quintana, Canning and Bundy.  Odorizzi would be number 2 or 3 in that rotation. 

So where did Blankenhorn start? Not at 1B, but at single? Who the heck is the proof reader these days SMH

I could care less how meaningless everything is right now.  I know the best 9 will be on the field come opening day, minus Arraez.  I love seeing the videos.  Keep them coming.  So much fun to see updates popping up on my phone from the games.

I like Vanimal's Thorpe theory.  Seems like we push top prospect power pitchers to the bullpen with barely any innings logged in The Show (Graterol, Romero, Duran whisperings), but we absolutely extinguish every avenue for others before putting them in the pen, such as Duffey, Rogers, May.

Good news about Megan Ryan at the Strib! I have enjoyed her excellent reporting about the Gophers the last couple of years.

My worst fears may be realized as Minnesota's minor-league cast offs may help rebuild the White Sox and Tigers into competitive teams. 

 

Meanwhile, here's Harpo Marx playing Take Me Out to the Ballgame.

 

 

The Marx brothers were all supremely talented, but none more so than Arthur.