Hammond Happenin

Bob Sacamento · February 22, 2017

Bob on his way to the backfields, sack lunch and camera gear in tow.

You have no idea how close this is! Exchange the satchel for a bookbag and it's dead on!

Halsey Hall · February 22, 2017

That's pretty funny, and very close! Say Bob did you happen to see any of the mass confusion at Field 4 and the one next to it yesterday? My buddy is the grounds keeper on 4 and said he never seen anything so bad in this organization since it's been here. To many new coaches and no plans. There was a list of who was supposed to be on each field. Well that didn't hold to well. And live bp but the pitchers didn't know the order. When one got done the coaches yelled Pressly you up. Heck he hadn't even warmed up. So he hit the pen to get some warmups in while everyone stood around the field waiting. Then when he was done the same thing happeded to the next pitcher. Just a big mess. My buddy asked the keeper on the next field what happened there and he said the same thing, no one knew what was supposed to be happening.

Someone is supposed to have the duty of writing out these drills for the entire spring, every coach having a copy, on all the fields and follow it, with times. Other years the coaches kept checking watches. Who blew this major assignment?

I missed the last 5 days spending time very sick in the Golf Coast Hospital but got released this afternoon, having caught the dreaded Flu A bug that brought Afib and more to the forefront. They did great work but I'm way slowed down.

Thrylos · February 22, 2017

I missed the last 5 days spending time very sick in the Golf Coast Hospital but got released this afternoon, having caught the dreaded Flu A bug that brought Afib and more to the forefront. They did great work but I'm way slowed down.

Get well soon! Wishing you the best

NoCryingInBaseball · February 23, 2017

Glad to hear that you're better Halsey! Missed your observation posts!

Taildragger8791 · February 23, 2017

I missed the last 5 days spending time very sick in the Golf Coast Hospital but got released this afternoon, having caught the dreaded Flu A bug that brought Afib and more to the forefront. They did great work but I'm way slowed down.

If we hear about a flu bug taking out the whole team this weekend I think we know who to point the finger at...

tarheeltwinsfan · February 23, 2017

.

I missed the last 5 days spending time very sick in the Golf Coast Hospital but got released this afternoon, having caught the dreaded Flu A bug that brought Afib and more to the forefront. They did great work but I'm way slowed down.

I hope you are feeling better soon Halsey. I'll be there Friday night and Sat and Sunday. Hope to meet you and some of the other writers and contributors.

GP830 · February 23, 2017

That's pretty funny, and very close! Say Bob did you happen to see any of the mass confusion at Field 4 and the one next to it yesterday? My buddy is the grounds keeper on 4 and said he never seen anything so bad in this organization since it's been here. To many new coaches and no plans. There was a list of who was supposed to be on each field. Well that didn't hold to well. And live bp but the pitchers didn't know the order. When one got done the coaches yelled Pressly you up. Heck he hadn't even warmed up. So he hit the pen to get some warmups in while everyone stood around the field waiting. Then when he was done the same thing happeded to the next pitcher. Just a big mess. My buddy asked the keeper on the next field what happened there and he said the same thing, no one knew what was supposed to be happening.

Someone is supposed to have the duty of writing out these drills for the entire spring, every coach having a copy, on all the fields and follow it, with times. Other years the coaches kept checking watches. Who blew this major assignment?

This must've been Plouffe's job in previous years.

Bob Sacamento · February 23, 2017

That's pretty funny, and very close! Say Bob did you happen to see any of the mass confusion at Field 4 and the one next to it yesterday? My buddy is the grounds keeper on 4 and said he never seen anything so bad in this organization since it's been here. To many new coaches and no plans. There was a list of who was supposed to be on each field. Well that didn't hold to well. And live bp but the pitchers didn't know the order. When one got done the coaches yelled Pressly you up. Heck he hadn't even warmed up. So he hit the pen to get some warmups in while everyone stood around the field waiting. Then when he was done the same thing happeded to the next pitcher. Just a big mess. My buddy asked the keeper on the next field what happened there and he said the same thing, no one knew what was supposed to be happening.

Someone is supposed to have the duty of writing out these drills for the entire spring, every coach having a copy, on all the fields and follow it, with times. Other years the coaches kept checking watches. Who blew this major assignment?

I missed the last 5 days spending time very sick in the Golf Coast Hospital but got released this afternoon, having caught the dreaded Flu A bug that brought Afib and more to the forefront. They did great work but I'm way slowed down.

I believe you are referring to Groundskeeper John, good guy, but no I'm only out there Friday and Saturday. Even still there were issues then with the live bp and warming up the pitchers and the comings and goings of the hitters. Joe Vavra was the one leading the drills over there (along with Chad Allen, Artega and Hawkins) and it was not the smoothest. In the instance I saw Kintzler wanted to be told when he had two minutes before his turn in live bp so that he could warm up in the pen. Needless to say that did not happen. What you described about Pressly was what I saw too. Hopefully it works itself out as things start to get in motion. In the past years, the Twins have printed off a daily itinerary for the fans in the clubhouse office where you can get rosters and schedules as well.

Get well soon DJ, see ya Friday hopefully!!

Seth Stohs · February 23, 2017

Weird question... I don't get there this early.... is it normal for the MLBers to be using the back fields during these early days of camp? When I've been there, they are solely on Hammond Stadium, Tom Kelly Field and the one other practice field over there. I didn't realize the MLBers did stuff over there even now.

Halsey Hall · February 23, 2017

Yes, they use those fields also, and even when games start there will be some on field 4 down there during the games. The way I see it they waste way to much time with all these players. It's not needed and many shouldn't be here. I can see extra catchers but that's it. 62 players in a short camp when only 45 tops should do it. So there's really not much time to work with what's likely to be the 40 man roster.

tarheeltwinsfan · February 23, 2017

Thanks for the reports guys. I'll look for you, Halsey and Bob, Saturday morning. What time does practice start on Saturday morning? I'll be at the Friday night game, but am more excited about wandering from field to field and from batting cage to batting cage.

Bob Sacamento · February 23, 2017

Thanks for the reports guys. I'll look for you, Halsey and Bob, Saturday morning. What time does practice start on Saturday morning? I'll be at the Friday night game, but am more excited about wandering from field to field and from batting cage to batting cage.

Saturday practice usually begins around 9am and with a game starting at 1pm at JetBlue (down the street 5 miles), look for quite a few MLB players to stay "home". All too often the "starters" don't travel with the team with the BoSox being in town that ebbs and flows. Just a FYI, parking is free on days when the Twins play road games but if they are home and play a day game expect to pay to park OR know where Bob Sacamento parks for free

I can't wait for the MiLB ST to start getting in full slate!

youngtwinsfan · February 23, 2017

Does anyone know if there is anywhere on TV or computer to watch these games?

Thrylos · February 23, 2017

Does anyone know if there is anywhere on TV or computer to watch these games?

MLB.tv for subscribers

Halsey Hall · February 23, 2017

Thanks for the reports guys. I'll look for you, Halsey and Bob, Saturday morning. What time does practice start on Saturday morning? I'll be at the Friday night game, but am more excited about wandering from field to field and from batting cage to batting cage.

I doubt I'll be there, still recovering in hotel room. They like to free up rooms in the hospital as soon as possible, so I'm on my own with a ton of bottles of meds. I'm hoping to get there next week. Have fun!

Bob Sacamento · February 23, 2017

I doubt I'll be there, still recovering in hotel room. They like to free up rooms in the hospital as soon as possible, so I'm on my own with a ton of bottles of meds. I'm hoping to get there next week. Have fun!

Well I'll take some pics and video for ya tomorrow and Saturday!! You know if we just wheeled you around in a wheelchair, might get some sympathy from the players!

Hosken Bombo Disco · February 23, 2017

That's pretty funny, and very close! Say Bob did you happen to see any of the mass confusion at Field 4 and the one next to it yesterday? My buddy is the grounds keeper on 4 and said he never seen anything so bad in this organization since it's been here. To many new coaches and no plans. There was a list of who was supposed to be on each field. Well that didn't hold to well. And live bp but the pitchers didn't know the order. When one got done the coaches yelled Pressly you up. Heck he hadn't even warmed up. So he hit the pen to get some warmups in while everyone stood around the field waiting. Then when he was done the same thing happeded to the next pitcher. Just a big mess. My buddy asked the keeper on the next field what happened there and he said the same thing, no one knew what was supposed to be happening.

This is interesting.

GP830 · February 23, 2017

This is interesting.

Isn't it though? How do these things happen?

Twins33 · February 24, 2017

Does anyone know if there is anywhere on TV or computer to watch these games?

Here's a link to what's going to be on tv:

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/schedule/broadcast/index.jsp?c_id=min

gil4 · February 24, 2017

You have no idea how close this is! Exchange the satchel for a bookbag and it's dead on!

Ditch the bookbag for this and you'll be rockin' the back fields in style in just two days (with prime shipping)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7NUJJB/ref=twister_B01JLE316U?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

Bob Sacamento · February 25, 2017

Ditch the bookbag for this and you'll be rockin' the back fields in style in just two days (with prime shipping)

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01M7NUJJB/ref=twister_B01JLE316U?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

You start the kickstarter to pay for it and I'll wear it!

Out on the backfields this morning was quite docile as the big league boys were taking it off. Instead the minor leaguers were in full force. On one field taking BP were Lewin Diaz, Edgar Corcino, and Max Murphy hitting some deeps shots over the wall. Lewin has lost some of that "baby fat" that scout's were talking about and is starting to visibly add muscle to his large frame. His left handed swing is pretty and the ball just jumps off his bat. Keep an eye on this kid as he could propel up the Twins' prospect rankings by season's end. Edgar Corcino was not a slouch at the plate either putting good wood on the bat. Trey Cabbage and his fellow draftmate Travis Blankenhorn got in a few good strokes as well. While over on the next field were newly drafted Ben Rortvedt, Andre Jernigan, as well Dominic Blanco, Rainis Silva, and Robert Molina. Practice finished early as they rolled it to the door cage and weight room drills

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb3KCp8OYAM

nytwinsfan · February 25, 2017

You start the kickstarter to pay for it and I'll wear it!

Out on the backfields this morning was quite docile as the big league boys were taking it off. Instead the minor leaguers were in full force. On one field taking BP were Lewin Diaz, Edgar Corcino, and Max Murphy hitting some deeps shots over the wall. Lewin has lost some of that "baby fat" that scout's were talking about and is starting to visibly add muscle to his large frame. His left handed swing is pretty and the ball just jumps off his bat. Keep an eye on this kid as he could propel up the Twins' prospect rankings by season's end. Edgar Corcino was not a slouch at the plate either putting good wood on the bat. Trey Cabbage and his fellow draftmate Travis Blankenhorn got in a few good strokes as well. While over on the next field were newly drafted Ben Rortvedt, Andre Jernigan, as well Dominic Blanco, Rainis Silva, and Robert Molina. Practice finished early as they rolled it to the door cage and weight room drills

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

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nb3KCp8OYAM

Wow Diaz looks massive. And you are right Bob, he looks to have noticeably more muscle and less fat than a year or two ago.

Bob Sacamento · February 25, 2017

Wow Diaz looks massive. And you are right Bob, he looks to have noticeably more muscle and less fat than a year or two ago.

Diaz is going to be a really big boy and he's already a big boy. He was listed at 6'4 250lb last year and he just turned 20 years old in November. If you think he's massive now just imagine what that turns into within the next 3 years as he physically matures. He looks like he took conditioning more seriously this offseason than in the past.

nytwinsfan · February 25, 2017

Diaz is going to be a really big boy and he's already a big boy. He was listed at 6'4 250lb last year and he just turned 20 years old in November. If you think he's massive now just imagine what that turns into within the next 3 years as he physically matures. He looks like he took conditioning more seriously this offseason than in the past.

Would be nice to see Diaz, Kirillof, Blankenhorn, Rortvedt and Baddoo all starting out in Cedar Rapids and Ynoa, Lachlan Wells, Balazovic, and maybe (knock on wood) Lewis Thorpe in the rotation. Should be a fun team with a lot of upside potential.

Bob Sacamento · February 26, 2017

I made it out to Hammond Stadium early this morning and caught the minor league pitchers out on Field 2, guys like Tyler Wells, Jordan Balovic, Clark Beeker, Juan Gamez, Mike Thefanopolous were out warming up their arms before heading back inside for the weight room.

The big leaguers came out a little later than usual but that is to be expected with a day game following a night game on the road. Alot of the bigger name stars stayed behind guys like Mauer, Buxton, Kepler, Sano, Rosario, and Dozier. The infielders took some infield drills with the pitchers, while the outfielders worked on routes, Afterwards, they broke up into groups and hit the cage under the stadium followed by taking live bp off of rubberarmed Joe Vavra.

All of it ended with bunting drills, which was a little different than usual. Not only was Coach Sam Perlozzo specifically working on bunting for hits but bunting against the shift that so many teams use on players like Dozier and Sano. It shouldn't be a shocker that Sano was not exactly a great bunter, but Vargas made him look like Brett Butler. Surprisingly, Dozier laid down a few beauties and was talking with Perlozzo about bunting for hits this season when being shifted on. On the other hand the guy I'd expect to be the best bunter was mediocre at best in Byron Buxton. The biggest shocker was Max Kepler, he won the competition with the perfect bunt as Perlozzo said, a ball between second and first that dies just at the end of the grass.

Here are a few pictures and video, Enjoy!!

Tommy Watkins hitting grounders to the minor leaguers

Byron Buxton warming up for live bp

Dozier, Hunter and Mauer around the cage

Miguel Sano and Joe Mauer at 1B

Miguel Sano fielding grounders at 1B

Miguel Sano Bunting

Twins past and future, Tony Oliva and Miguel Sano

Jorge Polanco Bunting

Byron Buxton Bunting

Kennys Vargas Bunting

Max Kepler Bunting

Max Kepler winning Bunt

Rosario standing over Max Kepler's winning bunt

Kepler's bunt on the grass

Rosario trying to blow Kepler's ball into the infield

Brian Dozier bunting

Brian Dozier hat tipping the crowd after their cheers of his 4 for 4 bunts

Sano Bunting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KpeC8DkFjpE

Buxton Bunting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lhx30z9H6

Brian Dozier Bunting

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XtPoW8Y0vXk

Halsey Hall · February 26, 2017

Terry Ryan was in attendance on opening night.

Thegrin · February 26, 2017

I love this thread. Thanks to all who bring us these pictures and insights.

Mike Sixel · February 27, 2017

It's a win for the other team every time a 30HR guy bunts, imo.

Thegrin · February 27, 2017

It's a win for the other team every time a 30HR guy bunts, imo.

I agree. Particularly after watching those pathetic bunt attempts.

Bob Sacamento · February 27, 2017

It's a win for the other team every time a 30HR guy bunts, imo.

In most cases, I agree. With Dozier it's an attempt to keep the shift more honest on him, one of the drills was setup for the bunt to where a second baseman would be played typically if not for playing a pseudoSS with the shift on. I do recall the Cubs' Rizzo pulling this off a few times last year with no one playing 3B, even in the playoffs.

With Sano, you might be able to here Coach Perlozzo saying with Miggy bunting, "think sacrifice you never know" and getting a few chuckles with players/fans.

On Buxton bunting, believe it was Perlozzo saying, "it's hard to bunt with two hands around your neck"

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