Twins Option Six Pitchers To Minor League Camp

Unlike I was once told that ST performances don't count (in relationship to the battle of the LH job last season). Evidently related to that, Baldelli thought he was right because he brought Cave w/ him after breaking camp (Cave had an horrendous ST) at the same time lying that he was taking the best. I still beg to differ, ST performances do count. I hope Winder continue to improve and make the active roster.

While Spring training (this year even more than others) the SSS don't mean much, it still can be barometer for how ready guys are.  I know guys are just building up especially the first few weeks and I suspect since Spring training is only going to be a few weeks some players won't quite be ready for the start of season.  There will be some spring training that moves into the regular season so to speak.  

Still I was hoping to see Sands, Vallimont and Strotman perform better than they did in their first chances this spring.  It doesn't mean they can't have great season's yet but it does seem to indicate they are not ready as well. Then you kind of have the surprise soft tosser lefties in Thorpe and Smeltzer who have looked good in their first few chances.  Even the always over looked lefty Bryan Sammons had a clean inning of spring work.  Yes these are miniscule sample sizes but they still tend to make you feel good or bad about a players progress.  

Still some spring training left and lot's of season left.  Just really, really hoping that pitching pipeline actually spits out a few good arms that can help the big club this year.

1 hour ago, stringer bell said:

Hasn't it been determined there will be 28 to start the season? That was the announcement that accompanied the "ghost runner" news.

That's true.  28 players until May 2.

No big surprises here.  Balazovic and Sands need some AAA experience and were never likely to make the roster.  Likewise, Strotman didn't show that well last year, so we knew he was headed to AAA.  Henriquez is being presented with a AAA challenge, so they obviously think he has potential and could move up quickly.  Vallimont and Enlow were never in the picture this year.  I think they threw Strotman and Sands into games early in ST as they wanted them to get their feet wet, but knew they were destined for St. Paul.  No reason to be down on any of these guys.  They will get more opportunities.

3 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Spring training numbers/stats don't really matter, with the exception of some back-roster role players or pitchers. And then those stats mean absolutely nothing as it relates to regular season performance. 

 

Thank  you Seth for drawing me back in a little, I agree that In general spring training are not important. It's for locked in veterans to hone their skills, I know that, Yet in the battle for LF last season, IMO if (prospect) Kiriloff had better ST stats he should have been awarded LF over (vet 4th OF) Cave and Broxton (vet, 5 tool player) had shown he was far superior over Cave in every category should have been selected at least 4th OF. Cave should not have been considered as a locked in, has been my point.

I’m a big fan of Winder and hope to see him with the Twins this year. That said, I expect to see him optioned to St. Paul unless the Twins are unable to make any trades for a fifth starter.

Generally speaking, spring performance doesn't matter as the sample size is too small....especially a shortened one such as this.  With analytics regime in place, the FO already knew what their roster was going to look like on opening day barring trades or injuries.