Minnesota Twins’ Spring Training Week 1 Trends
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With a week of Spring Training in the books after yesterday’s split-squad double header, time to see who is trending in the right direction for the Minnesota Twins, and who may be playing themselves on a bus to the minors.
UP: Oswaldo Arcia. Noticeably trimmer, and faster. During today’s game as a pinch-runner, moved well from 1st to 3rd on a hard hit liner from Ryan Sweeney to right field. Arcia has made good plays defensively as well. While more patient at the plate than his prior big league appearances, he’s still struggling average-wise, but his bat is alive.
DOWN: Kennys Vargas. Looks lost at plate, nothing like what he showed in winter ball with Puerto Rico (.308, 7HR, 20 RBI in 33 games). He also lost weight, and is noticeably trimmer, but has yet to parlay that into a spot on the roster with the play of…
UP: Byung-ho Park. “Park Bang” has swung a hot and cold bat in his first week. His first 3 hits (13 at-bats) all drove in runs, including two towering home runs to left-center field (1 grand slam) that have helped inject life and power into the Minnesota Twins’ lineup. Today’s infield single showed surprising hustle as well. Park has a 1.000 OPS through 6 games this spring.
DOWN: Fringe relievers trying to make club (Aaron Thompson, Michael Tonkin, Taylor Rogers) have all been hit hard and often this Spring. Though hard to cut Tonkin with him being out of options, at this point in Spring Training it’s hard to see him making club. Especially since…
UP: Other fringe relievers pitching so well. Fernando Abad has looked great, plus he’s a lefty. Ryan O’Rourke has been lights out, and he too is a lefty. J.T. Chargois looks to be one of the first call-ups if he keeps making opposing batters look silly. Casey Fien has pitched well enough to keep his spot. Trevor May has looked nearly un-hittable. It will be a tough call for manager Paul Molitor and pitching coach Neil Allen on final bullpen cuts.
UP/DOWN: Ricky Nolasco. His first relief appearance didn’t go so well, though he did have some bad fielding help contribute to a big inning. His start in a split squad game against the St. Louis Cardinals was promising, allowing 3 hits, 0 runs, and 4 strikeouts in 3 innings.
UP: Injuries. So far (knock on wood), Twins have avoided the injury bug. Even the scary-looking play at first base with Eduardo Nunez ended up with Nunez’s “miracle recovery” and playing the very next day. Nunez too, has been blistering hot at the plate (1.129 OPS). With his versatility, he’s a shoo-in.
DOWN: Drama. So far, the starters have all pitched well, with the exception of Tyler Duffey‘s second start against Toronto. But even after surrendering the grand slam in the first inning, Duffey settled down. Tommy Milone‘s second start today (3 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 3 K’s) keeps him in line for the 4th/5th starter’s spot. No drama from any of the younger position players looking to make a surprise push to make the squad, unless you consider Juan Centeno having any chance to make the squad as a backup catcher. His 4 for 7 includes 2 doubles and a home run. Had another RBI hit today.
Danny Santana, who has been steady in the field, and a homer among his two hits, is fairly safe. He and Eduardo Nunez are versatile, playing both infield and outfield. They, with Oswaldo Arcia and John Ryan Murphy are the favorites to fill out the bench. The only drama so far is coming from a veteran looking to make a big league squad after a year off away. Non-roster invitee Ryan Sweeney is really trying to make life difficult for someone. His .929 OPS, showing both patience and power at the plate, is perhaps the only wild card of the spring. Can he force Molitor’s hand, or will an injury open up a spot for him?
Next: Minnesota Twins Lose Both Split Squad Games
UP: Brian Dozier. Picking up where he left off last season. Extra base hits and an OPS of 1.500, plus some slick plays at second base.