Behind the Fence: Tyler Jay Rehabs, Balan Brothers on the Mound, and Dominicans on Parade

[Bob Sacamento]

Tommy Lasorda once said, "There are three types of baseball players: Those who make it happen, those who watch it happen and those who wonder what happens."  Extended Spring Training shows a little of all three.  This week, 2015 First Round Pick Tyler Jay was on the mound for the first time since going on the DL.  Jay threw 

 

1 IP, 0 H, 0 BB, 0 K, 1 Flyout, 2 Groundouts

10 pitches (9 strikes/1 ball),
8 fastballs;2 curveball
with a 92-94 mph Fastball.

1 FB  Strike Called
2 FB  Strike Called
3 FB Flyout 1B

1 FB Strike Foul
2 CV Strike Foul
3 FB Groundout 3B-1B

1 CV Ball Called
2 FB Strike Swing
3 FB Strike Swing
4 FB Strike Swing Groundout 2B-1B

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IMwmlcTYO9g

 

Later in the "advanced" EXST game, Vadim Balan was on the mound and was impressive showing an array of offspeed pitches with fastballs of 91-93 mph peppered in.

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

 

At the same time, his younger brother Petru Balan was on the mound in the lower EXST game.

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

 

On Saturday, the Twins and Red Sox partook in a split squad game once again, I spent the majority of my time at the lower level game watching many of the Latin players whom I hadn't seen before.  Starting the game was 21 year old (he's 22 in July) Juan Mojica,  the 6'4 righty has a strong fastball 91-93 mph and the showings of a plus curve 75-77 mph, he also dabbed a couple of low 80 changeups in there as well.  Mojica still needs to work on his pitch sequencing but it was impressive.  Despite his advanced age, Mojica didn't sign a contract with the Twins until January 2016 so he's been in the organization for only a year.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rh4o1thbPnE

 

 Following Mojica was Matz Schutte for 2 innings and then 3 innings by 20 year old Jose Martinez.  Martinez was 90-92 mph 

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

 

The one pitcher in the advanced EXST game I did watch was Mike Cederoth, this time I was able to catch video of his delivery, slow it down, and it appears as he's more of a skip-drag than a jump, still it's very unorthodox.

 

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

 

A few of the young hitters, I was able to get video of on Saturday:

 

Mario Calcano

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLbt4x2DRpk

 

Jean Carlos Arias

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hy-g0bWdanM

 

Gorge Munoz

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DxwK2yVHWq0

 

Roni Tapia

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

 

TJ White

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3hcAxGRNXU

 

Gorge Munoz, Lean Marrero, Wander Javier

 

The lower level EXST game finished early so the Latin players had time to goof around and pose for pictures while the other game wrapped up.  It's not lost on the rest of the players who the bonus baby is of the bunch, while talking to Wander Javier with the aid of Jose Martinez, there was a couple of players ribbing asking do you know how much he signed for?  Javier takes in full stride and at this point he seemingly just wants to be one of the guys.

 

Emmanuel Morel, Darling Cuesto, Gorge Munoz, Lean Marrero, Wander Javier

 

Jose Martinez and Juan Mojica

 

Matz Schutte, AJ Murray, TJ White

 

Jean Carlos Arias and Roni Tapia

 

Juan Mojica charting and gunning after pitching

 

[FormerMinnasotan]

I haven't heard anything on Lewis Thorpe lately. How's he doing? Is everything "on schedule" for him. I'm looking forward to see him in the minors at some point this year.

[Han Joelo]

Munoz looks very serious.  Thanks for the report.

[clutterheart]

Thanks for the Cederoth video.  The added movement has to make it harder for a batter to pick up the ball.  You see stuff like that and you have to wonder where that came from

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Munoz looks very serious.  Thanks for the report.

LOL yeah while other guys want to be smiles, he wanted to make sure he had a serious face.  He does for all the pictures I take for him.  Good kid, him and Wander are close and wanted a pic of just the two of them then Marrero (who is a goofball) photobombed.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I haven't heard anything on Lewis Thorpe lately. How's he doing? Is everything "on schedule" for him. I'm looking forward to see him in the minors at some point this year.

Everything looks to be on course, I haven't heard otherwise around camp. Still on limited pitch counts though.

[Seth Stohs]

I knew they were working on TJ White's stance and such, but that's very interesting. He's not as wide spread (Which I personally think is good), but that hand movement is new too. 

[bird]

Bob, your reports are so much fun to read! Thank you.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Bob, your reports are so much fun to read! Thank you.

Thanks, apparently the Twins coaching staff watches my YouTube channel for the prospect videos.  I had RHP Juan Gamez and Coach Virgil Vasquez come up to me after the game asking if I got video of Gamez on the mound as he was trying a new delivery point and they use my video.  I arguably have more video on some of their prospects than they do especially on the GCL level.

 

Well enjoy them while you can, as I'm traveling next week to look at a practice partnership in Portland, Oregon so Fort Myers, might just become my winter home.

 

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thanks, apparently the Twins coaching staff watches my YouTube channel for the prospect videos.  I had RHP Juan Gamez and Coach Virgil Vasquez come up to me after the game asking if I got video of Gamez on the mound as he was trying a new delivery point and they use my video.  I arguably have more video on some of their prospects than they do especially on the GCL level.

 

I didn't realize that during their games down there, the Twins have various cameras around the field, including one somewhere in CF so that they can watch video of pitchers, etc.  Someone told me that down there this year. So, I'm  surprised they wouldn't have had anything.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Well enjoy them while you can, as I'm traveling next week to look at a practice partnership in Portland, Oregon so Fort Myers, might just become my winter home.

 

And... Nooooooo!!!!!!

[Mike Sixel]

 

Thanks, apparently the Twins coaching staff watches my YouTube channel for the prospect videos.  I had RHP Juan Gamez and Coach Virgil Vasquez come up to me after the game asking if I got video of Gamez on the mound as he was trying a new delivery point and they use my video.  I arguably have more video on some of their prospects than they do especially on the GCL level.

 

Well enjoy them while you can, as I'm traveling next week to look at a practice partnership in Portland, Oregon so Fort Myers, might just become my winter home.

 

I just moved to Portland 11 months ago. It's a great place to live if you like doing stuff outside, and a great food scene.

[Halsey Hall]

TJ White is quite the character, just watching him you hope the best for him, he has a good time. From what I've seen his defense needs to be tightened up some though. 

 

Great to see these photos, Bob, as it's 34 degrees here, I left to early.

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I just moved to Portland 11 months ago. It's a great place to live if you like doing stuff outside, and a great food scene.

I lived there for five years nearly a decade ago, went to Chiropractic School out there and worked at a clinic for one year.  I loved it to a point (Saturday Market, no sales tax, free tram in Downtown, liberal AF) but there is only so many hipsters and millenials a man can tolerate  It's a different breed/type of people out there in the Northwest that's for sure.  Which says alot as I've lived in Florida for the past five years.  Despite the stupid amount of money the offer is, I'm not sure I can leave the weather in sunny SWFL though, I'm at the point now where anything under 60 is frigid plus the lack of baseball might drive me insane.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I lived there for five years nearly a decade ago, went to Chiropractic School out there and worked at a clinic for one year.  I loved it to a point (Saturday Market, no sales tax, free tram in Downtown, liberal AF) but there is only so many hipsters and millenials a man can tolerate  It's a different breed/type of people out there in the Northwest that's for sure.  Which says alot as I've lived in Florida for the past five years.  Despite the stupid amount of money the offer is, I'm not sure I can leave the weather in sunny SWFL though, I'm at the point now where anything under 60 is frigid plus the lack of baseball might drive me insane.

 

good thing you weren't here for my first winter then......

 

and, the city is (I am told) different than it was, but we just moved into the city, and it is millenial heavy

[Bob Sacamento]

 

I didn't realize that during their games down there, the Twins have various cameras around the field, including one somewhere in CF so that they can watch video of pitchers, etc.  Someone told me that down there this year. So, I'm  surprised they wouldn't have had anything.

When they play at JetBlue, their video interns slack or don't come along. But yes at home they have cameras at times around the field (Depending on the backfield) and have a few video interns (who have assignments of various things to record).