Where the Twins can make a real difference. Learning to speak Spanish.

[DocBauer]

Initially, when the Twins organization blew up the front office and went an exciting and entirely different direction with Falvey and Levine being named the new front men for our beloved Twins, there was much debate and speculation about who they were, where they came from, what their philosophies might be in regard to everything from scouting and drafting to milb development to building a larger and better sabermetrics division to management of the ML roster.

 

There was even debate and angst over Molitor and his coaching staff in regard to changes or wholesale blow up of said. And we are so fixated now by 40 man rosters and rule 5 selections, (which seldom amount to much in the grand scheme of things, history has taught us this) ànd any potential Dozier or E Santana trades, and any additional FA signings, that I feel we are losing touch with what may be most important to the rebirth and redirection and rebuild of the Twins franchise.

 

What takes place off the field of play.

 

It would appear, from where they came from and what they did in their previous organizations, as well as comments they have made concerning growth within the Twins franchise, to a few coaching changes, (pending to a degree), and some early changes and announcements, that this new FO tandem embraces change and forward thinking. But there is one very crucial area I have not heard nary a whisper about for some time. And it was an issue that we here at TD discussed at some length two years ago when Molitor replaced Gardenhire. And it's a key topic, IMO, that needs to be addressed going forward. When you are a smaller to mid market sports entity...I don't care if it's building a college football or basketball team or rebuilding a MLB team...you can be a follower, or you can be an aggressive trendsetter. But being a forward thinking trendsetter almost always gives you an edge. And there is an area of opportunity that the Twins have absolutely missed out on the past few years that simply must be addressed going forward...as a trendsetter franchise.

 

The Twins need to learn to speak Spanish.

 

Back in the day, the Twins had some Cuban and Central and South American talent and influence. (Think Oliva, Carew and others) In more recent history, with other franchises already heavily established in the Dominican Republic, the Twins branched out in the more virgin territory of Venezuela, with scouting, signings, and academies. They also have a strong presence in Puerto Rico the past several years. And we've heard some pretty positive things about the scouting, coaching, relationships and facilities the Twins have built up in these areas.

 

And the Twins organization has an amazing facility in Ft Myers that seems to match just about any organization in baseball. And I think we should be proud of that. It is a state of the art facility, beautiful in appearance and opportunity, for Twins milb players to enjoy, live and work. And we've heard the Twins spend a good deal of time and effort working with Latin players there learning English and basic American culture.

 

But is that it? Is that where it ends?

 

For an organization who's recent milb talent has included...(SSS only)...the likes of Rosario, Sano, Polanco, Berrios, Vargas and many others...that's it? You give lessons in English and teach teenagers how to order a fast food meal? Come on!

 

When Molitor was named manager two years ýears ago, we all practically demanded at least one Latin coach on staff. What did we get? ONE guy, Glynn I believe, who could speak Spanish. Forget special ST invites, who was the last actual ML Twins coach of any sort from a Latin background? Am I missing someone when I say Tony Oliva from the early 80's? Because I don't think I am.

 

Reviewing milb coaching staffs for the Twins various affiliates in 2016 I find:

 

AAA Rochester: Not one Latin coach.

 

AA Chattanooga: Ivan Artesia, pitching coach.

 

A+ Ft Myers: Henry Bonilla, pitching coach.

 

A Cedar Rapids: JP Martinez, pitching coach. He is actually from Louisiana.

 

Elizabethtown: Luis Ramirez, pitching coach.

 

GCL Twins: Virgil Vasquez, pitching coach, from Santa Barbara, CA and Javier Valentine, hitting coach.

 

So from the ML level on down...even the given of short staffs at the milb level compared to the ML level...the Twins has exactly ZERO Latin coaches at the ML level and AAA Rochester, and 1 at AA, A+, and at each rookie level.

 

Credit where it is due, at least 3 of the Latin coaches were pitching coaches.

 

Maybe, even as a rabid Twins fan, I've fallen out of touch the last year or two, but I used to know all the Twins milb roving instructors. Memory does fail, but not sure I can name a single one the past few years but Rasmussen as roving pitching coach. Not a knock on him, but where is this organization ultimately headed? Is there some restriction on instructors and milb roving instructors that I am not aware of? (Not full time milb staff) If not, then why not duplicate instructors? Why can't the Twins be pro-active and have dual milb instructors for pitching, hitting, infield, outfield, catching, and be a step ahead in player relations and development? Why can't the FO be aggressive in these choices as well as the final piece to Molitor's "rebuilt" staff for 2017?

 

The Twins, for several years now, have been trying to scout, sign and develop players globally. But players from Europe and Australia, for the most part, share common language and similar cultures. But as an organization, if the Twins really want to be smart and forward thinking, they need to concentrate so much harder on the Latin influence they have been bringing in to the organization. They need to learn Spanish.

[Intramural Legend]

I thought the ML team has two guys that speak Spanish in staff? Rudy Hernandez and Eddie G?

[goulik]

I thought the ML team has two guys that speak Spanish in staff? Rudy Hernandez and Eddie G?

That was my first thought as well, Not to say there couldn't be improvement. Considering the number of Latin players in the organization and professional baseball as a whole, having some cultural Liasons seems appropriate.

[Squirrel]

Dozier speaks Spanish as well, but he may not be long on the team.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I thought the ML team has two guys that speak Spanish in staff? Rudy Hernandez and Eddie G?

 

I don't think Guardado speaks Spanish. He's from California, and I don't think he's spoken Spanish. If so, he's done it by his own learning.

 

Two years ago, the front office started taking Spanish classes. I don't know where that ended up, but that's certainly a positive. 

 

Out of curiosity, are there any organizations that teach their players Spanish, or make it a requirement?

[Vanimal46]

I know what the Twins coaching staff is getting for Christmas!!! 

http://www.timberdoodle.com/v/vspfiles/photos/680-Spanish-2.jpg

[DocBauer]

I'm almost positive Guardado does not speak Spanish, though he could know bits and pieces simply being from California.

 

I just really think the Twins are missing out on a golden opportunity here. Teaching Spanish to personnel is a good move. But more roving instructors who can communicate with Latin ballplayers, and maybe a Latin coach at each level, (not that I want them around only because of such), could go a long way toward assisting the Twins Latin prospects in not only their development, (communication), but might also assist in feeling less isolated in the culture in which they find themselves.

 

And what about young Central American FA? How much better would they feel about signing with the Twins if they see it as a progressive organization taking positive steps to welcome them, assimilate and coach them?

[Mike Sixel]

It boggles the mind you could be this dependent not only on Spanish speakers, but people with a Latin culture, and that your team is nearly devoid of leadership that understands that culture better.....let alone the language. 

[Intramural Legend]

 

I don't think Guardado speaks Spanish. He's from California, and I don't think he's spoken Spanish. If so, he's done it by his own learning.

 

Two years ago, the front office started taking Spanish classes. I don't know where that ended up, but that's certainly a positive. 

 

Out of curiosity, are there any organizations that teach their players Spanish, or make it a requirement?

 

At least according to this article  Eddie speaks Spanish, and helps Paul when necessary.