Article: Twins 3, Orioles 0: Speed, Speed, Everywhere Speed

[John Bonnes]

The Minnesota Twins have emphasized chasing power arms with high speed gun numbers in recent year. However, different types of speed stood out in today’s 3-0 exhibition road win over the Orioles.

 

Things started fast when Byron Buxton hit a leadoff double fueled by his amazing speed. It was Buxton’s second hit this spring and his first extra-base hit. He also put a charge into another pitch to the left field gap later, but the gusty wind, blowing in, made it nothing more than a long fly ball.The Twins keep demonstrating they hope Buxton’s speed also applies to his developmental timeline. In their six spring training games, Buxton has four of the starts in center field, and the other two have been split one apiece for Danny Santana and Max Kepler. This is clearly not a competition, or at least not yet. It’s Buxton’s job to lose, and the Twins hope that Buxton shows them enough to bring him north with the team. It’s not at all clear that he has so far. He struck out in four of his first five at-bats and is 2-10 this spring with no walks.

 

Speedy was also the adjective best used to describe the pace of the game early. Before the game was an hour old, the Twins were already batting in the fifth inning. That’s when Oswlado Arcia used his speed to move himself around the bases on a stolen base and passed ball and scored the Twins first run. This is the second time in two days I’ve had to talk about Oswaldo Arcia’s speed, but I just checked : no sign of four horsemen anywhere to be seen.

 

That game’s pace was driven by Phil Hughes who speedily dispatched nine Orioles hitters in ten plate appearances. He struck out nobody, but only gave up one hit, to Adam Jones. Trevor May followed him and struck out the side in the fourth inning, though he struggled with his command more in the fifth and beginning of the sixth. He still managed to retire seven and leave the game with only one hit and no runs.

 

We saw more speed from an unlikely source: Miguel Sano. He scored from first base on a Trevor Plouffe ground ball double down the third base line. He also started in right field, but really didn’t get to showcase that surprising speed much; the only fly ball he had to catch was hard hit but hit almost right at him.

 

While we’re beating this speed theme into the ground, I’ll add a couple more. Left-handed reliever Randy Rosario made very quick work of closing out the sixth inning, getting Adam Jones to fly out to center field and then made left-handed slugger Chris Davis look helpless for the third out. I think that’s his first action this spring. Relief pitcher Ryan Pressly showed quick reflexes when he fielded a drive right up the middle, and then threw to first base promptly to pick off a runner for an inning-ending double-play. Finally, minor league shortstop Engelb Vielma came in late and displayed his speed, effortlessly legging out a standup triple in the ninth inning.

 

Really, all that was missing was one of those power arms, like reliever Nick Burdi or Alex Meyer. Never fear, with split squad games tomorrow, their turn should come around, uh, quickly.

 

Some Slower Notes

Left-handed reliever Fernando Abad pitched the seventh inning for the Twins. Abad is a minor league signing who struggled last year after having success previously and is one of the better candidates to break camp as the Twins left-handed relief specialist.

 

It’s the first time I’ve seen him, and he throws hard enough, but what struck me was his softest pitch. He threw a couple of 74 mph offspeed pitches (I think a curve ball) that locked up two batters and got him ahead in the count to each batter.

 

It’s Spring Training For Me, Too

Finally, I should mention that I learned something new. In the eighth inning, one of the Twins backup catchers hit a run-scoring double. I didn’t realize until I looked him up that Juan Centeno is a new addition to the organization who is 26 years old and has had a dozen or so games in the majors each of the last three years. He’s not one of the three catchers on the 40-man roster, so it will be an uphill battle for him to make an appearance with the Twins this year, but it’s nice to see him making a good impression.

 

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[Parker Hageman]

It’s the first time I’ve seen him, and he throws hard enough, but what struck me was his softest pitch. He threw a couple of 74 mph offspeed pitches (I think a curveball) that locked up two batter and got him ahead in the count to each batter.

 

 

He spins a huge slow curve but also has a floater of a changeup that averaged 72 MPH last year. In fact, he allowed this sweet home run to Stephen Drew on a 67.2 MPH pitch that sounded like a gun shot off his bat: http://baseballsavant.com/popup/video.php?video_id=241942083

[Brock Beauchamp]

He spins a huge slow curve but also has a floater of a changeup that averaged 72 MPH last year. In fact, he allowed this sweet home run to Stephen Drew on a 67.2 MPH pitch that sounded like a gun shot off his bat: http://baseballsavant.com/popup/video.php?video_id=241942083

We just found Sano's pitcher for this year's Derby.

[stringer bell]

Centeno interests me simply because he hits left handed. The other four catchers (Suzuki, Murphy, Hicks and ) all hit right handed. He hasn't had a heavy work load in the minors and hasn't really hit that well, so I presume he is an OK receiver, but I don't know that. So far, he has hit well this spring and if he hits well in the minors, he could be a candidate if an injury occurs.

[Halsey Hall]

Rosario has pitched before this spring. He looks good, who knows he could make a late season appearance for us.

[Blake]

Is Arcia on a mission? 

 

I've long thought Arcia could be a good outfielder but speed and Arcia in the same sentence? 

 

Is the Florida sun getting to you, Mr. Bonnes? Are you feeling well? Remembering to hydrate?

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Is Arcia on a mission? 

 

I've long thought Arcia could be a good outfielder but speed and Arcia in the same sentence? 

 

Is the Florida sun getting to you, Mr. Bonnes? Are you feeling well? Remembering to hydrate?

 

He needs to be.  He was a break out pick last year and had a season that most would rather forget.  Granted, there was an injury here, but hopefully he's realized that he has a much better chance of making the team if he's playing a good all around game.  The real question is going to be who sits if Arcia earns a spot.   Sano won't be sitting.  Do they move Rosario to CF, or do they finally trade Plouffe?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Is Arcia on a mission? 

 

I've long thought Arcia could be a good outfielder but speed and Arcia in the same sentence? 

 

Is the Florida sun getting to you, Mr. Bonnes? Are you feeling well? Remembering to hydrate?

 

It's been well reported here and elsewhere that Arcia chose not to play winter ball in Venezuela so that he could work with the Twins training staff in Ft. Myers. Pictures of him showed that he is much stronger than he was previously. We'll see what happens in season, but probably for the first time in his career, his work ethic can't be questions.

[Blake]

 

It's been well reported here and elsewhere that Arcia chose not to play winter ball in Venezuela so that he could work with the Twins training staff in Ft. Myers. Pictures of him showed that he is much stronger than he was previously. We'll see what happens in season, but probably for the first time in his career, his work ethic can't be questions.

Well, considering kidnapping is considered a vocation in Venezuela, staying in Ft Meyers might have been prudent to begin with.

 

Anyway, it makes one wonder who the odd man out might be in the outfield. 

 

I think some skepticism was warranted, because how many times have we heard about someone "working out diligently" and "in the best shape of their life" only to see the same old same old?

Edited March 8, 2016 by Blake

[gunnarthor]

 

 

Anyway, it makes one wonder who the odd man out might be in the outfield. 

I'm ok with a "too much talent" problem.

[Blake]

 

I'm ok with a "too much talent" problem.

You and me both. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Well, considering kidnapping is considered a vocation in Venezuela, staying in Ft Meyers might have been prudent to begin with.

 

Anyway, it makes one wonder who the odd man out might be in the outfield. 

 

I think some skepticism was warranted, because how many times have we heard about someone "working out diligently" and "in the best shape of their life" only to see the same old same old?

 

At the end of the day, he can work out as much as he wants, but right or wrong, at this point he has to produce. He'll be a bench bat to start the season, pending injury, so that makes it even tougher to get into a rhythm. Age and potential are on his side. Playing time may not be. 

[Blake]

 

At the end of the day, he can work out as much as he wants, but right or wrong, at this point he has to produce. He'll be a bench bat to start the season, pending injury, so that makes it even tougher to get into a rhythm. Age and potential are on his side. Playing time may not be. 

I'm going to stipulate that Arcia proves that he is a plus outfielder and can really run.

 

Wasn't the knock against him a perceived (or very real) lack of success against left-handed pitching?

 

Also, what do you think of the possibility of a right field platoon in order to bring Sano along slowly? 

 

To be honest with you I did not expect Arcia to emerge like this. It makes for a fun Spring Training, does it not?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

I'm going to stipulate that Arcia proves that he is a plus outfielder and can really run.

 

Wasn't the knock against him a perceived (or very real) lack of success against left-handed pitching?

 

Also, what do you think of the possibility of a right field platoon in order to bring Sano along slowly? 

 

To be honest with you I did not expect Arcia to emerge like this. It makes for a fun Spring Training, does it not?

I'm (incredibly) skeptical Arcia will ever be a plus outfielder. I'd be thrilled with "competent".

 

His struggles against lefties is very real and very common amongst young (and many old) left-handed hitters. But that's not a death sentence... 70% of MLB pitchers put their glove on their left hand.

[Vanimal46]

I'm all for Arcia making a push to get more playing time. Other than last year's epic failure, he showed that he can mash RH pitching. As long as he doesn't regress to his boneheaded ways in the OF, I'll be rooting for him to get some time in the lineup. 

[Loosey]

 

He needs to be.  He was a break out pick last year and had a season that most would rather forget.  Granted, there was an injury here, but hopefully he's realized that he has a much better chance of making the team if he's playing a good all around game.  The real question is going to be who sits if Arcia earns a spot.   Sano won't be sitting.  Do they move Rosario to CF, or do they finally trade Plouffe?

If Arcia proves it on the field Danny Santana or Eduardo Nunez may have be seeing their last days as Twins.  Too many talented outfielders in the organization to string him along (Kepler, Rosario, Sano, Arcia, Buxton).  IIRC Santana is out of options as well and just might be a wasted roster spot when it comes down to it at the end of the day.

 

But Arcia needs to show he can be that guy before that happens.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm going to stipulate that Arcia proves that he is a plus outfielder and can really run.

 

Wasn't the knock against him a perceived (or very real) lack of success against left-handed pitching?

 

Also, what do you think of the possibility of a right field platoon in order to bring Sano along slowly? 

 

To be honest with you I did not expect Arcia to emerge like this. It makes for a fun Spring Training, does it not?

 

Don't expect him to be a "plus" outfielder, but he certainly can be solid. His range could improve to a little below average.

 

Yes, he hasn't hit left-handed pitching. That was one of a few knocks.

 

I think that Sano will and should play every day. Now, there may be days that they let Sano DH and Arcia can play RF, but there will be no platoon involving Sano.

 

Remember, it's only like 13 plate appearances for him right now, and a couple of nice plays. Certainly encouraging, but let's see how it goes.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I think Arcia's best chance to receive playing time revolves around Park struggling to adapt to MLB pitching, particularly breaking balls.

 

Which isn't a knock on Park, it shouldn't surprise anyone if it takes him some time to adjust to a new country, new league, and better pitchers.

[Halsey Hall]

If there's any platooning to be done with Arcia it will be with Park. I say Arcia is a lock to make the team, Park isn't.

[Blake]

 

Don't expect him to be a "plus" outfielder, but he certainly can be solid. His range could improve to a little below average.

 

Yes, he hasn't hit left-handed pitching. That was one of a few knocks.

 

I think that Sano will and should play every day. Now, there may be days that they let Sano DH and Arcia can play RF, but there will be no platoon involving Sano.

 

Remember, it's only like 13 plate appearances for him right now, and a couple of nice plays. Certainly encouraging, but let's see how it goes.

Seth, thank you for taking the time to respond. I appreciate it.

[sane16]

Pitching Matchup for Tuesday's SS game against the Cardinals.

Who do you want to bet on based on 2015 stats?

 

Michael Wacha Cardinals 17-7 3.38 30games 30GS 181.1IP 153K 1.21WHIP

 

Ricky Nolasco Twins #@$%^&@#$%^&@#%$^&@#$%^&*&^%$$##@*&^%$#@@#$%^&&^&