Schwarber and Sano

[DaveW]

With Schwarber out for the season with the ACL UCL tears, does this make any of us more worried about the Sano in the OF expierment?

[USAFChief]

I didn't realize ACL/UCL tears were contagious.  

[Danchat]

Yes, I am more concerned for Sano. However, if there's gonna be a collision in the outfield, then I'm gonna be more concerned for Buxton. (that's a joke, I'd be concerned for both, of course)

[Pardon My Dinger]

Just surprised this is plan A and all. Especially given this bit of perspective.

[glunn]

 

Yes, I am more concerned for Sano. However, if there's gonna be a collision in the outfield, then I'm gonna be more concerned for Buxton. (that's a joke, I'd be concerned for both, of course)

I hope that Molitor has made it clear that it would be better to let the ball drop than for those two to collide.  In a worst case scenario they could both be injured and they are too valuable to risk for one catch.

[Kwak]

HMM, Morneau got his first concussion (in baseball)  when he was beaned in the BB box.  The second sliding into 2nd base, and a third turning to catch a pop-fly at 1B--(somewhat similar to what happened to Koskie though he was at 3B).  So, your fears are wasted--injuries can happen anytime, anyplace.  Players have been hit by balls and bats in the dugout too!

[jimmer]

 

I hope that Molitor has made it clear that it would be better to let the ball drop than for those two to collide.  In a worst case scenario they could both be injured and they are too valuable to risk for one catch.

I think he made that clear when he decided to put Sano in RF to begin with.  Defense, not a priority.

[Seth Stohs]

This happened to Jason Kubel when he was a Top 50 (overall) prospect in baseball, and he was an Outfielder. These things (unfortunately) happen. No more concerned than I was 2 days ago.

[jimmer]

funny thing is, I'm pretty sure Schwarber is like 30 pounds lighter, right?  In any event, Schwarber's injury doesn't make me any more concerned about Sano.  I've been concerned about him (and our team defense) since the move.

[Seth Stohs]

On my twitter feed (Follow me!), I posted this question as a poll... 

 

 

 

[Cap'n Piranha]

Schwarber's injury does not make me more concerned about Miguel in the field.  The number of outs that will become singles, singles that will become doubles, and runners that will go from first to third and second to home concerns me.

[Shaitan]

Put him at C. Nobody gets injured there.

[sane16]

I think he made that clear when he decided to put Sano in RF to begin with.  Defense, not a priority.

Oufield defense, not a priority.

Infield defense and team offense were the priority.

[Jham]

It certainly doesn't change the odds of a Sano injury, but it sure does make the worst case scenario a little easier to imagine.  So yeah, I'm a bit more worried, but it's not just Schwarber's injury.  Of course, experience in the outfield helps prevent collisions, and Sano has demonstrated his lack of experience.  He doesn't look very natural out there even for his size, and he hasn't seemed dedicated to losing weight which makes me wonder if he'll ever look comfortable out there.  The harder he has to work to simply track the ball, the less he can pay attention to thing like walls and Doziers.  On the plus side, he's looked pretty cautious out there, on the negative side, that's often when guys get hurt.

[Pardon My Dinger]

funny thing is, I'm pretty sure Schwarber is like 30 pounds lighter, right? In any event, Schwarber's injury doesn't make me any more concerned about Sano. I've been concerned about him (and our team defense) since the move.

Weight is not an issue. Having an immensly promising/important hitter playing whatever the hell position isn't manned because he's young and athletic is the concern.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I didn't realize ACL/UCL tears were contagious.  

 

 

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBpwIDgJGCs

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

I hope that Molitor has made it clear that it would be better to let the ball drop than for those two to collide.  In a worst case scenario they could both be injured and they are too valuable to risk for one catch.

 

When in Doubt, Let it Bounce ^TM

[Willihammer]

Answer,  yes. Its only a matter of time before this exact scenario takes place in RCF.

[TheLeviathan]

A guy with limited experience and instincts and natural fit at ANY position creates significant risk. So, yeah, this is concerning hug Schwarber just reinforces the first point.

[DaveW]

 

I didn't realize ACL/UCL tears were contagious.  

They aren't, but it's kinda funny how they suddenly happen at a higher rate when you are forcing a guy to play a position he shouldn't be playing in the first place/has never played in his career....

 

Car crashes aren't contagious as well, but if someone has a 6 pack of beer prior to driving suddenly those chances become slightly higher....(sort of like sticking a guy out in the OF who hasn't played there before/isn't built to play in the OF) it's really playing with fire when you don't have to.

[DaveW]

 

 

This happened to Jason Kubel when he was a Top 50 (overall) prospect in baseball, and he was an Outfielder. These things (unfortunately) happen. No more concerned than I was 2 days ago.

Yes they "happen" but they will/can/do happen a lot more when you have people in the OF who don't know the position playing out there.

 

Kubel's injury was just bad luck, no doubt, but look at how much that injury set him back career wise. That should have been warning enough.

[Thrylos]

Wonder how many people are unwilling to fly after a reported plane crash.

 

Not that different than this situation.

[jimmer]

 

Weight is not an issue. Having an immensly promising/important hitter playing whatever the hell position isn't manned because he's young and athletic is the concern.

Weight is an issue and for as athletic as we keep being told he is, it hasn't really shown on the field.  At the plate, for sure, but not anywhere in the field.

[Pius Jefferson]

More curious if Sano getting use to the outfield will have any negative effect on his hitting. 

[jimmer]

 

Oufield defense, not a priority.
Infield defense and team offense were the priority.

I noticed how much of a priority IF defense was with the same infield as we had last year (and only one position above average).  Can also tell how much of a priority offense was with us still not having a leadoff type, and 3 starting position players who should be batting 9th.

[Willihammer]

 

Weight is an issue and for as athletic as we keep being told he is, it hasn't really shown on the field.  At the plate, for sure, but not anywhere in the field.

Athletic "for his size." You know, compared to the other 275 pounders (Fielder, Sandoval, etc)

[sane16]

I noticed how much of a priority IF defense was with the same infield as we had last year (and only one position above average).  Can also tell how much of a priority offense was with us still not having a leadoff type, and 3 starting position players who should be batting 9th.

The SUBJECT was Sano in RF.

That hurts OF defense, but HELPS IF defense (Plouffe>Sano) and HELPS Offense (Sano>Arcia).

If you choose to ignore context, you may have a point.

[Ncgo4]

HMM, Morneau got his first concussion (in baseball)  when he was beaned in the BB box.  The second sliding into 2nd base, and a third turning to catch a pop-fly at 1B--(somewhat similar to what happened to Koskie though he was at 3B).  So, your fears are wasted--injuries can happen anytime, anyplace.  Players have been hit by balls and bats in the dugout too!

Really? By this logic I should let my grand children put on a cape and jump off the top bunk like superman because...well they could get hurt anywhere. The fact is Sano is too big to play the outfield, maybe the biggest ever and it's an unwise and unecessary risk.

[Platoon]

Oufield defense, not a priority.Infield defense and team offense were the priority.

The Twins lenghtly list of fly ball pitchers will be able to attest to that.

[twinssporto]

A few nights ago I watched Sano run in at full speed to catch a short blooper in right field.  When he dove for the ball I literally held my breath.  Watching a 275 pound guy roll and fall like that is not very comforting.  If anyone watched that and doesn't think he will break a wrist, fracture a rib or tear an ACL are only in denial.  I love this guy but right field is not for him...