Twins Trying To Make Oswaldo Arcia A Complete Hitter

Good article.  I'd like to know if history shows Sano and Walker (2 of the better minor league sluggers)  having the same problems as they move thru the system.  If they do - How many guys on the team can you have with the same problem.  Or does that just make you more dangerous down the line up.  Thought process being somebody is going to drive in runs each night because everybody can't be off on the same day.  And when they are on ....................................................

They've brought it up on the broadcast before, and you can see it in in the second clip, that Arcia has been starting with his hands at his shoulders and dropping them as the pitch is delivered.  It's not nearly as evident in the first clip.

Thanks for another great article, Parker.

I've been wondering about the subject of why these types of seemingly detectable flaws are being "discovered" for the first time once they hit the big leagues, after having spent many years in the system. I'm thinking about Vargas being coached on footwork for a few hours by Tom Kelly as an extreme example of why I have this question in my head: Why the hell are these guys-Pinto, Arcia, Vargas, etc.- coming up here with purportedly correctable flaws? What have the instructors at the lower levels been up to?

Sure wish we could get someone to really grill Brad Steil or someone on this subject.

My main issue with Arcia is his apparent unwillingness to get away from flying open and thinking every pitch is a fastball inside.  Every left handed hitter should throw nothing but breaking balls away until he stops swinging at them.  Sure he is still young but this has been going on for awhile.  If he wants to be dead pull he needs to look for only inside pitches and leave the away pitches alone and take them.

Good thing he is giving Vargas hitting advice.......I like the potential that our lineup has and they have scored a lot of runs this year...however, they strike out way too much, which is one reason they tend to be inconsistent.  Arcia is the poster child for this problem and he, along with several of his teammates are going to have to figure it out.

 

 

There's probably a ton of reasons for this ranging from poor coaching to the fact baseball is a continual game of adjustments, and that continues into the majors to the fact that they are probably working on other things as well. The other issue as I see it is that the players are already having success at AAA, which makes it more difficult to work on that aspect for no other reason than that they don't see the need. It's one thing to tell them they need to work on something, but when they are destroying AAA pitching, it's harder (I think at least) to develop those better habits b/c their flaws aren't being exposed regularly.

 

Also of note, Arcia and Vargas are pretty young and have been moved through the system quicker... When that happens, you can expect less finished products as they are relying more on their raw talent than on the things they can correct.

This makes sense. Although I remain skeptical that a significant part of the problem might stem from not being forceful enough in requiring guys to make adjustments in advance. And I noticed the announcement today that Bill Springman, roving minor league batting coach, has been let go. I also wonder if another factor is too few Latin American coaches in the system. Just a wild guess here that maybe we're seeing some signs that the Twins are going to be more open to some turnover in the future. Maybe just wishful thinking as well.

 

 

There's probably a ton of reasons for this ranging from poor coaching to the fact baseball is a continual game of adjustments, and that continues into the majors to the fact that they are probably working on other things as well. The other issue as I see it is that the players are already having success at AAA, which makes it more difficult to work on that aspect for no other reason than that they don't see the need. It's one thing to tell them they need to work on something, but when they are destroying AAA pitching, it's harder (I think at least) to develop those better habits b/c their flaws aren't being exposed regularly.

 

Also of note, Arcia and Vargas are pretty young and have been moved through the system quicker... When that happens, you can expect less finished products as they are relying more on their raw talent than on the things they can correct.

Agreed on both counts. If a player is destorying lower level pitching, it's easy to fall into "if it ain't broke" line of thinking. Either that means coaches don't notice the issue(s) because the results are still good or (more likely) the players don't really see a need to change UNTIL they find their old tricks don't work.

The age of Vargas and Arcia (and their rapid climb to the bigs in their final minor league years) could have a lot to do with it as well. Either they haven't had a lot of time to spend with the lower level coaches or they have just been thrust onto a big stage and reverted towards their old habits.

Either way, I'm not at all concerned about Arcia. He's young and he has talent. With time and practice, he'll improve.

That's like the Mauer "Quick Swing" that the family sold.  I tried it with Kenny Mauer feeding the ball.  Instead of coil and uncoil, he said "cock" and "fire".  After a few tries, boy did it work.  Sure wish I'd of had that thought when I was a kid. 

Good read.

I'd add Santana as another guy who generates surprising power with almost no leg kick to speak of.