Any surprises out of spring training?

[jctwins]

Things that won't surprise me...LEN3 writes that Sano "looks great" and Mauer says he had a better off-season than he's had in a long time and feels better than he has in a long time because of it.

[Vanimal46]

Don't expect this to happen, but I would be very surprised if both Perkins and Hughes came back 100% healthy this spring. 

I think 1 or 2 bullpen arms surprises enough in spring training to earn an opening day spot, if not move up on the call-up list. Rooting for the sidearm tosser Hildenberger and Melotakis. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

A.Jose Berrios dominates and earns a starting spot.

 

B.Stephen Gonsalves has a strong spring and looks enticing for the #5 spot

 

C.Fernando Romero looks dominant and makes it hard to keep him in the minors

[wsnydes]

 

 Also Palka who I think will push Grossman out of the roster.

 

 

I'd love to see this unless it means that Palka sits on the bench like Grossman would be.  If he pushes and splits time with Rosario, I'd be all for that.

[Mike Sixel]

Phil Hughes to the bullpen, where he dominates next year. That would be both a surprise, and my plan, unless he comes out throwing flames....

[Seth Stohs]

 

It is make or break time for Wheeler, Baxendale, Wimmers,,  Hildenberger, Melotakins and Jones.  They have been around a long time. It would be time for them to rise or move on.  The really should be one to rise and have people swear that Ryan was the only thing holding them back.    Goodrum beating out Danny Santana

 

I'm not sure why it's make or break time for them. Maybe for Wimmers since he was up and taken off the 40 man. He'll be in the same position as he was last year. Baxendale and Wheeler weren't added to the 40 man roster or invited to big league spring training. Hildenberger is 25-26, but there's no rush, especially after ending last season on the DL. He's been in the org less than 2 years. Melotakis has two option years left. He's exactly where Chargois was a year ago at this time, so he's doing fine after his TJ recovery. Zack Jones had shoulder surgery in September, so not much he can do in 2017. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Fun topic. I suspect Park will force his way on to the 25 man.  I think the Twins would like Palka to push Grossman.  Not sure though if Palka would be better off getting at bats every day and bringing that K rate down a bit.

 

I like Hildenberger though as a darkhorse to make the pen.

 

Palka is pretty much in the same category as AB Walker a year ago. They'll definitely want to get his AAA K-rate down.

 

Hildenberger isn't invited to big league spring training. He's not making the Opening Day roster. 

[markominne]

 

I think Byungho Park, with his surgically repaired wrist, is gonna surprise people. The guy didn't come over here to play at Rochester.

I'm pretty sure that that wasn't Nishioka's intent, either....

[Thrylos]

 

 

Hildenberger isn't invited to big league spring training. He's not making the Opening Day roster. 

 

He might be.  Last year they had a total of 23 non-roster invitees.  This year they committed to 16.  Also, several players will be in the WBC, so I suspect about 10 names or so (and about 4 of them Cs) to be added to the NRI list.

[Thrylos]

 

A.Jose Berrios dominates and earns a starting spot.

 

With the Twins allowing him to pitch for PR in the WBC, this would be almost impossible.

[laloesch]

 

Nothing against Haley, as I haven't seen him pitch, but if those things happen, then we are going to be pining for the days of a 103 loss team... 

 

I was about to say i've read some prospect reports about him and are not impressed.

[FormerMinnasotan]

With the Twins allowing him to pitch for PR in the WBC, this would be almost impossible.

Oh yeah, I forgot that...oops sorry

[lecroy24fan]

Someone not currently on the roster or with an invite will make the team. Probably a free agent.

[jud6312]

I'm saying Jake Reed makes a serious push to make the opening day roster ... chances helped a lot if Perkins and/or Hughes aren't fully recovered.

[The Wise One]

 

I'm not sure why it's make or break time for them. Maybe for Wimmers since he was up and taken off the 40 man. He'll be in the same position as he was last year. Baxendale and Wheeler weren't added to the 40 man roster or invited to big league spring training. Hildenberger is 25-26, but there's no rush, especially after ending last season on the DL. He's been in the org less than 2 years. Melotakis has two option years left. He's exactly where Chargois was a year ago at this time, so he's doing fine after his TJ recovery. Zack Jones had shoulder surgery in September, so not much he can do in 2017. 

At what point does a prospect differentiate between integral  part of a club and a spare part?   They can stay on as spare parts.  The make is counting on them to be a back of bullpen pitchers rather than arms.

[Doomtints]

 

At what point does a prospect differentiate between integral  part of a club and a spare part?   They can stay on as spare parts.  The make is counting on them to be a back of bullpen pitchers rather than arms.

 

When it comes to the names mentioned, we have been hearing about them for so many years now that they all seem like spare parts. These names are really not enough if the Twins want to be taken seriously. 

[Taildragger8791]

 

I'm saying Jake Reed makes a serious push to make the opening day roster ... chances helped a lot if Perkins and/or Hughes aren't fully recovered.

 

I'm guessing Reed will be given more seasoning in AAA, but I could see this one happening. That would be a pleasant surprise.

 

No chance on Burdi, he missed essentially the entire season and has yet to prove himself at AA. Not sure why people are looking at him as anything more than a lottery ticket for 2017. Even if he's fully healthy he still has a crazy high walk rate to get under control (almost 7 per 9 at AA).

 

Berrios is the one I have my eye on. Realistic opportunity for him to surprise. Same for Park, although I'd take a good ST performance from him with a big grain of salt. He could come out mashing against ST pitchers operating with restrictor plates on. His real test will come in-season.

 

Health of Hughes/Perkins could be a big one, since I currently expect both to be hobbled and limited.

 

The competition between Garver and JRM could result in a pleasant surprise. Hopefully one of them takes the backup job and runs with it instead of having someone back into that spot.

 

I'm not going to consider anything from Sano & Buxton as training camp surprises because they should be expected to produce at this point. Same for Mauer, who will likely feast on early-season pitching again.