Park

[GP830]

He's played in 3 of the 4 games so far and has blasted 2 Park Bangs and a slew of hits. Sure seems like the Twins are giving him every opportunity to show he belongs and he's doing everything he can to prove it. 

 

I read somewhere that he had mentioned that he'd spent the offseason preparing for the MLB fastball. Maybe someone with a trained eye can watch his at-bats and determine if that's true or not. At this rate however, I can see him going north with the team if Vargas doesn't do some seriously heavy lifting to cement his role, as it's been nothing but the Park Show so far.

 

I also believe he plays a better, more athletic first base than Vargas and his RH swing could play well with Mauer in a true platoon situation. 

 

I just wanted to mention it, as I haven't seen much said yet about his performance yet. He seems to be forcing the Twins hand, and has created a nice epilogue to his DFA last month. 

[Squirrel]

I agree they need to give him opportunities to show what he can do and to see if last year truly was a learning curve/injury problem. It would be nice if we really have a sleeper on the rise. However ... it is still waaaaaaaaaaay too early to know any of that. Pitchers in ST are still getting up to speed; and at this stage, the team is also seeing prospects and minor leaguers, so ... once we get into the latter part of March, then we can know a little better.

 

But I do agree that he plays first better than Vargas, imo.

[bluechipper]

Isn't it 3 Park Bangs now?

 

I'm leaning towards Park as the DH over Vargas.

[stringer bell]

Way too early to make decisions. Remember Luke Hughes?

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Remember Luke Hughes?

Nope. 

[Squirrel]

 

Nope. 

Exactly.

[Vanimal46]

From today's Fangraphs chat:

1:09

Gary: Is it really that much of an uphill battle for Byung-Ho Park to get back on the roster? The Twins can’t love paying $9M to a minor leaguer.

 

1:09
Travis Sawchik: Park deserves another look

[Brock Beauchamp]

*look at calendar*

 

Yep, still February 27th.

[Squirrel]

 

*look at calendar*

 

Yep, still February 27th.

Exactly.

[EddieMatthews]

 

Way too early to make decisions. Remember Luke Hughes?

Don't remember Luke Hughes either.  Too many unmemorable outfielders passing through that revolving door in the past 5 years.

 

I agree that it's too early to make this decision.  Hitters will not see a lot of MLB pitching until mid March. Lots of prospects and hopefuls throwing fastballs and stretching out their arms right now.

 

Having said that, it is a lot of fun to see Park park the ball in CF bleachers.  When he connects, the ball flies a log way.

[James]

But great springs always lead to great regular seasons, right....RIGHT?

[sthpstm]

One of the reasons you can't make decisions off of spring training statistics: the competition. Check out the pitchers off whom he's had his hits and you may temper your enthusiasm.

If he does this in a few weeks off of quality ML pitchers, that's another story.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Don't remember Luke Hughes either.  Too many unmemorable outfielders passing through that revolving door in the past 5 years.

Hahahahah.

 

Luke Hughes was not an outfielder and he was out of the system five years ago, IIRC. If not five years, close to it.

 

Apparently you really have forgotten about Luke Hughes.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Now that he is off the 40-man roster, Park's not just competing against the other 1B/DH guys in camp, though -- he's competing will all of the other non-roster guys.

 

Breslow and Vogelsong will probably make strong cases based on our pitching and their opt-outs.

 

Gimenez could make a case for backup catcher, especially if they want Murphy and Garver to get more frequent reps in AAA.

 

So I still think Park is ticketed to Rochester to open the season, almost regardless of what transpires this spring.

[Pardon My Dinger]

 

Hahahahah.

 

Luke Hughes was not an outfielder and he was out of the system five years ago, IIRC. If not five years, close to it.

 

Apparently you really have forgotten about Luke Hughes.

Longer than five, I'm pretty sure. I don't think he was here past 2011. 

[Willihammer]

So, Park's dongs, are they coming against fastballs?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

So I still think Park is ticketed to Rochester to open the season, almost regardless of what transpires this spring.

As it probably should be. Spring Training is such a bad indicator of regular season performance.

 

The numbers shouldn't be a factor; if the front office sees a radically different approach and the ability to hit 95mph fastballs, then he should get consideration. Whether he hit four or 14 homers shouldn't be the deciding factor.

[Mike Frasier Law]

 

Hahahahah.

 

Luke Hughes was not an outfielder and he was out of the system five years ago, IIRC. If not five years, close to it.

 

Apparently you really have forgotten about Luke Hughes.

 

 

 

http://www.twincities.com/2011/03/27/luke-hughes-leads-twins-hitters-in-spring-training-but-hes-sent-back-to-minors-for-now/

 

I'm so glad I'll never have to read a paragraph like this again:

 

Hughes, 26, led the Twins this spring in home runs (six), RBIs (15), slugging percentage (.567) and total bases (37) while playing every infield position, yet it wasn’t enough to supplant Matt Tolbert as the team’s heir apparent utility infielder.

[Dr. Evil]

I think GP830 realizes it is still very early and he can express his excitement thus far without people stating the obvious for him.

[jctwins]

Brendan Harris had a really good Spring Training once. That was fun.

 

 

[nicksaviking]

 

So, Park's dongs, are they coming against fastballs?

 

Pffffft! Pretty sure this was meant for the game thread.

[DaveW]

I think it's been established that park has 80 power against dudes throwing down the middle 92 mph or less

 

I will temper expectations until pitchers start throwing somewhat hard.

 

If park could come out and be a 30 HR guy he would be some really really nice trade bait, so I am definitely pulling for him.

[ScrapTheNickname]

 

I think GP830 realizes it is still very early and he can express his excitement thus far without people stating the obvious for him.

You're being too logical. This is a feisty crowd who wants it both ways and neither way either. 

[USAFChief]

I think Park hasa real chance to help the Twins. He was a monster in Korea. I hope he gets an opportunity. I still think there's room for him, Mauer and Vargas in a three headed 1b/DH rotation.

[ashbury]

"stringer bell"

Way too early to make decisions. Remember Luke Hughes?

 

"Pardon My Dinger"

Nope.

 

"ChiTownTwinsFan"

Exactly.

 

You three should be on the stage.

[snepp]

 

You three should be on the stage.

 

The rest of us certainly have the peanut gallery covered.

[terrydactyls]

Seems like some of you would be happier if Park struck out every at bat. Geez, lighten up and have some fun while the games don't count.

[bird]

 

Nope. 

 

 

Good point.

[Thrylos]

There are a few encouraging signs, for example:  His biggest issue last season was allegedly catching up to MLB fastballs.  His HR today was off a 96 mph fastball.

 

That said:  Vargas, Park, Grossman.   Pick 2.  That's pretty much the equation and it is too early to solve.  Broken record, but Vargas leaving for 2+ weeks to play for Puerto Rico is not doing himself a favor.

[Doomtints]

Park had a really good ST last year too. None of this counts.