davidborton

In following the box scores, Twins seem to be playing a disproportionate amount of rooks (compared to other years of ST) in my experience. I wonder if the new head trainer has some doing in that. Are the core starters doing more individual physical conditioning/training off field which we don't see in an effort to build stamina/avoid injuries for the regular season? Hard to know.

It's not satire. The Twins will use Donovan over the PA system to signal and play during Baldelli's march to the mound to pull Sonny Gray in the 5th, despite the fact that a no-hitter is in progress. Asked about his early hook after the game, Baldelli was quoted as saying, "It was the 3rd time thru the order and I didn't want the White Sox to ruin the no-hitter he had going. Stats speak louder than fans."

Taking in college ball out here. Will offer scouting (sic) report on Jacob Wilson, SS at Grand Canyon. He is ranked 9th (some places 11th) best college ballplayer. Grand Canyon comes to Univ Arizona Tues Mar 7. Notes to follow. One article on him: https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/drawing-a-crowd-grand-canyon-shortstop-jacob-wilson-follows-in-his-fathers-footsteps/ db ===== "What makes Wilson so attractive in this year’s draft is an extreme contact-oriented bat that has drawn plus-plus grades from area scouts. The righthanded hitter hit an impressive .358/.418/.585 with 12 home runs in his sophomore season, followed by a strong summer stint with USA Baseball’s Collegiate National Team. It’s the elite contact skills that separate Wilson. Per Synergy, Wilson has swung and missed just 9% of the time in his 96 games with GCU, last year drawing 25 walks while fanning just seven times in 275 plate appearances. Wilson’s aversion to striking out comes in part from the influence of his father Jack, a 12-year major league shortstop and now an assistant coach at Grand Canyon. The elder Wilson struck out just 11.6% of the time..."

A fluke is an unlikely occurrence. Given that history is the best predictor of the future, I would suggest that many of Buxton's injuries are not so much 'fluke' as symptomatic of a body prone to injury. Review that "slide" into 2nd where he damaged his knee. He jumped into the bag; an "F" on the slide. Not trying to be negative. Would love to see him start 145 games. But implying injuries may end is going to lead to disappointment.

Have always loved the character aspect of Lewis from the first interview I saw. Not a doc, but two ACL surgeries for a position which requires great lateral movement, quick pivots? Not so pleased with my own pessimism.

Looking forward to be in Phoenix for 5 of the games: USA Canada England, GB Colombia Mexico Have tix to the game where the crowd will really rock, USA/Mexico. Sold out, 48,000. Anyone who has been to Dodger Stadium knows how those who are of Mexican descent bring an added spirit to the crowd. Loud and cheerful! ¡Viva Mexico!

"...But Woods Richardson's quirky mechanics can also become a source of inconsistency, leading to occasion command issues " I only saw him pitch at StP and I focused totally on his mechanics. All upper body; no legs, per se. If he trained, bulked those legs like Verlander did while out w/TJ surgery, he could add a couple of mph's to his FB and save wear and tear on his arm/shoulder.

Just 3-3 against WSox and RSox in early April? I want some of that in Vegas.

Your comment is right on. We fans, surrounding the Great Lakes, from here to Toronto are known for "sitting on their hands." Visit Dodger Stadium where many of the fans are Latino. Bamm! Visit a Univ Arizona game or Arizona State. Same thing. It is just great to be part of that kind of crowd.

Look for me, 3B side. I will hold sign up which says, "Good morning, Minnesota."

Plz add: "...active military members or veterans with a valid ID plus up to three guests half-price Diamond Box High or Home Plate View." Used to be just M-Th but I don't see that qualifier in there anymore. Your quoted prices for those sections seem to be stated lower than the Twins tix offerings. db, USAF Vietnam era vet

Replaced by Como Lake flounder.

The games promote BB thruout the world. Some of the world's best talent gets shown in venues where BB is underrepresented. Besides, I hold 5 tix in Chase Field in Phoenix in March, including the sold out event of Mex vs US; 48,000 fans.

"Trading Gio Was A Mistake..." Thank goodness someone else has now said this. Trading him for a Single A player in return so close to commencement of hot stove made zero sense. And now the log jam. I just don't get it. And I fear Miranda will continue brutal days at 3rd.

“I sort of moved my stuff into his locker at Target Field ... I just read some Grimm’s Fairy Tales to acquaint myself with his culture,” said Larnach." When I cruise TD, I look at the author. Some I breeze by but when BallsRand Is the author, I am all over it. No breezing by!

Time for me to dig in again. I was all old school until I read Law's "Smart Baseball" a few years ago. Taking it to Arizona to read again while I take in College Div I ball for a couple of months. I lean on Baseball Reference - 1st, Fangraphs - 2nd. I use Fangraphs when I really want to dig in/drill down.

When I use the term AAAA, I intend to convey a sense that while they are stellar at the AAA level, just not enough there to sustain an MLB career. No flippancy implied.

He already doesn't?

I managed compensation for 35 yrs in healthcare. While many a staff beat their path to my door demanding more pay, never did one crease my door saying, "You're paying me too much."

Very well articulated, succinctly stated. Good article, though I wish they would focus on improved drafting and solid development. Not sure that is in place.

Let's see, two pitchers named Lopez now on the staff. You do realize what this is going to do to Gladden on the radio cast, don't you? https://www.google.com/search?client=safari&rls=en&q=abbott+costello+who's+on+first&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8#fpstate=ive&vld=cid:3fb10c5a,vid:2ZksQd2fC6Y

Perfectly summed up for me. ⬆︎ "Live with ambivalence and learn to love it."

Hardest of "no's" to both of them. One beats up women and calls it consensual. The other ones cuts up his uniform in front of team mates because he doesn't like required uni of the day. Most of you played sports and understand clubhouse/locker-room milieu. Would you want them in yours? Twins have healthy one with leadership there now. Correa, Polanco, Vazquez (pitching staff development, game prep, solid attitude). Not a boat to be rocked.

I sit up in 319 for 1/2 price during the weekday games as a Vet. You guys who served -- just take your well preserved DD214 or VA card for ID. Can buy 4 tickets as a walkup.

Kernels emailed w/a list of the coaching staff. Who has any anecdotes, knowledge, observations of them? I know how to Google search but wish to hear your takes, stories, and cheers in advance of my yearly swing thru CR and Des Moines for some ball. db "Brian Dinkelman returns as the Manager of the Kernels after a successful 2022 campaign where he led the team to the Midwest League postseason for the 9th consecutive year. We are very excited to welcome Pitching Coaches Jonas Lovin and Carlos Hernandez, Hitting Coaches Corbin Day and Yeison Perez, and Strength & Conditioning Coach Blake Kretovics who will all be joining the team for their first seasons. Matt Smith and Randy Yang are returning for their second campaigns with Cedar Rapids as the team’s Trainers." https://www.milb.com/cedar-rapids (Best logo in MiLB)