Twins defense thus far

[DocBauer]

OK, it's only 5 games, but until Sano had a bad day today, error-less ball thus far with solid play and more than a couple of defensive gems from almost everyone on the roster, including Sano. Anyone surprised? What are you seeing, expecting thus far?

[stringer bell]

I have thought that the outfield of Rosario, Buxton, Kepler would be excellent and it has been. Two balls the Twins hit today--one by Dozier and the other by Buxton would have been caught by the current Twins outfield (I think). In the infield, I think Mauer and Dozier are fine. I'm going to worry about Sanó when he's in the field, but he has appeared comfortable. Both Gimenez and Castro look like capable defenders behind the plate. That leaves shortstop--I have thought Polanco is really deficient as short, but so far he's been very good and make all the plays. He's the biggest surprise in my book.

[Thrylos]

Not sure that I like the short playing OF.  That triple was preventable if Buxton was playing at regular depth...

[Dr. Evil]

Defense looks good in my book. I think Sano will get better as he gets MLB games under his belt. Too bad last year didn't provide that.

[DJSim22]

Huge improvement that is more sustainable than the pitching improvements imo.  Getting back to stressing defense is what I've been asking for.

[stringer bell]

I'm probably shorting Mauer in evaluating the defense so far. He made a trio of tough catches in a strong wind in Chicago. I don't think many (if any) AL first sackers catch the toughest one. In addition Mauer has made the scoops and was heads-up on one play when the pitcher wasn't going to beat the batter/runner to first.

[Brock Beauchamp]

Sano isn't getting in his own way right now, which is close to a best-case scenario in my eyes.

[DaveW]

 

I'm probably shorting Mauer in evaluating the defense so far. He made a trio of tough catches in a strong wind in Chicago. I don't think many (if any) AL first sackers catch the toughest one. In addition Mauer has made the scoops and was heads-up on one play when the pitcher wasn't going to beat the batter/runner to first.

IMO Mauer has always been under-rated for his defense at 1B, I don't think it's a stretch to say he is in the top 1/3rd in the majors.

[DaveW]

 

Sano isn't getting in his own way right now, which is close to a best-case scenario in my eyes.

Yeah, he looks fine IMO. 

[gunnarthor]

It's early but the OF defense looks even better than I thought it'd be and Polanco/Sano don't look horrible. 

[snepp]

 

 and Polanco/Sano don't look horrible. 

 

Damning with feint praise, but I'll take it as well.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Defense looks good in my book. I think Sano will get better as he gets MLB games under his belt. Too bad last year didn't provide that.

 

Agreed. That said, the Sano rundown play was distressingly bad. Mostly because it was a little league play  and speaks to not getting the basics of the game. You HAVE to run that play back to third base. And you have to get lumbering Sano out of the play and let guys like Polanco take over. I'd be upset if I saw that in a high school or legion ball game.

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

Agreed. That said, the Sano rundown play was distressingly bad. Mostly because it was a little league play  and speaks to not getting the basics of the game. You HAVE to run that play back to third base. And you have to get lumbering Sano out of the play and let guys like Polanco take over. I'd be upset if I saw that in a high school or legion ball game.

Yeah, that was pretty painful and the sort of mistake Sano shouldn't be making after all those innings at third in the minors.

 

Drive the runner back to the previous base, don't let him advance.

 

With that said, it was one play. Hopefully he learned his lesson. I'm far more interested in seeing him make the routine plays and can discard a one-off blunder as just that.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Yeah, that was pretty painful and the sort of mistake Sano shouldn't be making after all those innings at third in the minors.

 

Drive the runner back to the previous base, don't let him advance.

 

With that said, it was one play. Hopefully he learned his lesson. I'm far more interested in seeing him make the routine plays and can discard a one-off blunder as just that.

 

Yeah, his range has been okay and he's looked relatively athletic. I just hope a coach or player who speaks Spanish was working with him on that play before the game Sunday. He's got to know that, especially as people seem to be dropping sac bunts more often.

 

It also has to do with the situation. He acted like there was a runner on first two and you're trying to end that play early to limit that runner advancing instead of a situation where time is on your side - the runner's going to get tired and do something dumb, MLB defenders should win that 99/100. Throw it to Castro and let Escobar take over on the back end.

[ThejacKmp]

 

Yeah, that was pretty painful and the sort of mistake Sano shouldn't be making after all those innings at third in the minors.

 

Drive the runner back to the previous base, don't let him advance.

 

With that said, it was one play. Hopefully he learned his lesson. I'm far more interested in seeing him make the routine plays and can discard a one-off blunder as just that.

 

Also, I was at that game and it's hard to go too far saying how deflating that play was - a real momentum changer. The Twins were down 2-0 but the White Sox made a mistake and were going to lose a guy at third with nobody out. That's a huge play to help out a young pitcher. Mejia didn't make it out of that inning and while it's his job to bounce back, it's hard no to think about how much better he might have done without that deflating moment. 

 

I think we've seen the Twins seem to take energy from outfield defense - important to remember the opposite is true as well.