Spring Training: Twins To Keep An Eye On
We are just over a month away from the Minnesota Twins returning to sunny Fort Myers, Florida to open Spring Training. While pitchers and catchers will be the first to embark on the newly renovated Hammond Stadium, the Minnesota Twins will find they have a handful of guys with something to prove before the 2015 season.
More from Minnesota Twins News
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Twins’ Joey Gallo signing
- Minnesota Twins: Grading the Christian Vazquez Signing
- Minnesota Twins: Twins jump into Top 5 in first MLB Draft Lottery
- Minnesota Twins: Byron Buxton wins 2022 Bob Feller Act of Valor Award
- Minnesota Twins: A Twins Homage to the Turkey of the Year Award
As the Twins prepare to flip the script in regards to what their team and talent on the field will be, important positional battles as well as developmental steps will be taken throughout the short few weeks of Spring Training. With a young roster, and plenty of excitement on the 40 man as a whole, there’s a few guys worth monitoring closely.
Let’s check them out:
Sep 28, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins center fielder Aaron Hicks (32) walks back to the dugout after striking out in the third inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Although he’s already debuted in the Major Leagues, maybe no one has more to prove than Hicks in 2015. Very little of what he does in Spring Training will have a significant effect on what happens during the regular season, but a few key points could determine his future.
Hicks has done it all during the Spring. He earned himself a spot in 2013 with a torrid spring, and he could play himself out of one this season. Most of his stats won’t matter, but the key will be the process. His dedication, hustle, and work ethic have been knocked; Paul Molitor will likely be looking for improvements in the mental part of his game. Spring Training will be where Hicks can springboard his minor league success to the major league level. If he is going to play in left field once Byron Buxton arrives, this spring will lay the ground work.
March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Coming off of Tommy John surgery, Sano has a highly anticipated arrival at the major league level. While Trevor Plouffe likely did enough to fend him off for now, Spring Training will give fans a glimpse into just how close Sano is to being ready for the real deal.
Injury return aside, watching Sano in Spring Training should be about his approach at the plate, and where his defensive ability stands. For the immediate future, Plouffe should have third wrapped up, with Sano’s best bet of playing time come from the designated hitter spot. If he can show a cut down on strike outs, a better command of the plate, and a heightened defensive ability, Paul Molitor will make sure to find a place for him.
Sep 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Danny Santana (39) throws to first in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
I still remain skeptical on Santana even after what he did a season ago. The fear that regression is coming probably isn’t unwarranted, the worry is to what extent. As Santana moves into the infield, he will experience some of what Joe Mauer went through a season ago. Having to focus on learning something over again, while competing at a high level in other facets of the game is no small task.
It will be worth monitoring how Santana takes to a return to the infield. Although he was smooth in centerfield last season despite being out of position, are errors going to be a cause for concern as the Twins put him back at short? Although Molitor has said he wouldn’t intend to use Santana in center, we will be monitoring whether or not he gets time in the role as a backup plan.
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins designated hitter Kennys Vargas (19) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s very hard to pull much legitimate data out of Spring Training statistics. That being said, you can bet that Vargas will be under a microscope in Florida for the Twins. After clobbering balls following his call-up a season ago, the end of the season saw a continuous slide for the rookie. It will be on him to prove there was nothing to that.
In Fort Myers, Vargas will be focused on putting the ball in play, and continuing to use that power stroke that made him such a key addition to the Twins a season ago. Should he be able to control strikeout numbers, as well as drawing a few more walks, Vargas should be able to hold off the competition from the DH spot for now.
Feb 24, 2014; Lake Buena Vistas, FL, USA; Atlanta Braves pitcher J.R. Graham (72) poses for a picture at ESPN Wide World of Sports. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Twins took Graham in the Rule 5 Draft for a reason, they intend to use him. The extent of the use is yet to be determined, and remains largely in his court. After having battled injuries, Graham will need to prove he now has a clean bill of health.
With plus velocity, there’s no doubt that Graham could be a strong asset for the Twins out of the bullpen. Should he be able to return to the form in which he was regarded prior to his injuries, the Twins may have found themselves another diamond in the rough through a Rule 5 pick. Spring Training will start to show glimpses of what to expect from Graham.
Sep 27, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Minnesota Twins starting pitcher Ricky Nolasco (47) pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Last season was nothing short of abysmal for the former Miami Marlins ace. Nolasco was brought over on the largest free-agent contract ever offered by the Twins, and he did nothing short of falling flat on their investment. A season removed, and more time to settle in, it’s time for Nolasco to turn it around.
Although never a dominant pitcher in the National League, he was incredibly serviceable and should be expected to return to that form. Much of the talk a season ago was that Nolasco pitched much of the season at less than 100% health. With time on his side, and rest as his weapon, Spring Training will be about Nolasco looking like the sharper, more refined pitcher he was known to be when the Twins signed him.
Sep 5, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins catcher Josmil Pinto (43) at bat against the Los Angeles Angels at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Kurt Suzuki was an absolute surprise for the Twins a season ago. After being an afterthought free-agent acquisition, he went on to play in the All Star game, and be a key contributor with his bat. Thanks to that, as well as his own defensive deficiencies, Josmil Pinto spent much of the 2014 season playing for the Rochester Red Wings in Triple-A. 2015 should be a different story.
Not only is it very realistic to expect a regression to normal for Suzuki, but Pinto by all accounts, has the bat to make up for it. Having hit well in Venezuelan Winter Ball, Pinto will need to continue to bring his bat to the ballpark on a daily basis. Known as somewhat of a liability behind the plate. Pinto will need to make significant strides during Spring Training to make sure he offers the Twins an asset both at and behind the plate.
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Eddie Rosario against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
If there’s a surprise player that is able to edge into the Twins outfield, you are now looking at him. Arguably my leading candidate to turn in a Danny Santana kind of season in 2015, Rosario possess the ability to play outfield at the major league level. After returning from his suspension, his 2014 season didn’t go as planned, but it’s time to get back on the horse.
With Hicks slated for center, and Arcia pegged for left, the role of Rosario immediately is unclear. With that in mind however, there’s no doubt he possesses a higher upside than depth options like Jordan Schafer and Shane Robinson. Should Rosario be able to look strong at the plate, as well as contribute defensively in left field during Spring Training, he could become an option sooner rather than later.
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s fair to question why a major league veteran should worry about Spring Training and making key impacts, but Torii Hunter has some big shoes to fill. No, Oswaldo Arcia isn’t an irreplaceable right fielder, but the defensive hole the Twins succumbed to in signing Hunter may be.
Bringing in Torii moves Arcia to left, and gives Twins pitchers liabilities in both corner outfield spots. Hunter has graded out poorly as his career has gone on, and Target Field will do him no favors. Hunter addressed the metrics during his introductory press conference in saying that baseball is played on the field, and that he can still get to fly balls. That theory will be put to the test in Fort Myers, and he will have to continue to prove it all season long.
Nov 4, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins manager Paul Molitor addresses the media at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
Paul Molitor
Although not a player anymore, there’s no way you can leave Molitor off of this list. In taking over for Ron Gardenhire, it may not be so much what he does different, but instead what he doesn’t do the same. While Gardy had a good run for the Twins, many of his tactics, teachings, and coaching moves ran dry with the organization as his time came to an end.
In Fort Myers for Molitor, it will be about establishing his way of doing things, keeping what works, and moving on to other things that push the team forward. At this point, it seems that a no-nonsense approach can be expected, but to what level sabermetrics, shifts, drills, and baserunning nuances are used is still up in the air. Understanding Molitor this spring will help us to be able to prepare a groundwork for the season ahead.
Looking at the landscape of the players discussed, it is fair to say that the Twins have plenty of storylines to monitor as Spring Training begins to get underway. With plenty of young talent, and others looking to further cement their position, the fire on each gameday should be heightened to a certain extent.
Make sure to stay tuned to the news out of Hammond Stadium in anticipation of what is to come.
Next: Seven Hot Twins Predictions For 2015
More from Puckett's Pond
- Minnesota Twins: 2022 Year in Review for Twins Baseball
- Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
- Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
- Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
- Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason