Hector discusses BB

[Platoon]

So the Twins acquire a pitcher leading the league in walks, and having a nice, but non Cy Young year. He comes to the team that is more walk adverse than almost any in baseball, and miraculously walks no one in two games, but gets completely hammered since arriving. Yet another coincidence? Below is LEN3's report on Santiago after the game last night. My question, is if we detest walks to such an extent, why would we acquire a noted "walker"? And are we yet again trying to remake another player into our image and likeness? From LEN3:

 

WHAT'S UP WITH SANTIAGO?: Who is this impostor wearing Hector Santiago's uniform? This is not the man who was 6-0 with a 1.78 ERA in June. On Saturday, Santiago grooved pitch after pitch to Royals hitters, making them feel good about themselves again. Apparently, Santiago has joined the Twins and has since decided to address the number of batters he's been walking. He was leading the league in walks at the time of the trade. He's altered his delivery with the goal of improving his command. It seems to have altered his mental approach as well. ``That aggressive mentality where I let it fly and kind attack the hitters, I have a little blockage in there right now where I'm trying to control the zone and make everything over the plate,'' he said. ``It's kind of put me in a spot where I'm worried about throwing more strikes and not worried about getting guys to chase or making some pitches where they have to come to me.'' This is interesting. On one hand, if you can't work on things during a losing season like this one, when can you? On the other hand, he was winning when he was walking guys.He's eligible for arbitration after the season, and wins equal $$$$$. I wonder how long he's willing to risk wins to figure out how to be successful without walking batters?

[Old Twins Cap]

Any clues on his "swing/miss" percentages" since joining the Twins?

 

 

[Boom Boom]

Not being a great Rally Monkey mind, I couldn't say what it was that Hector had out in Los Angeles of Anaheim that he doesn't have now.

 

However, considering he was traded for a year-plus of Ricky Nolasco and noted bust Alex Meyer... well, I think it's safe to say that the Rally Monkey wasn't doing us a favor by sending us this guy.