Behind the Fence: Brusdar Graterol shines, Mo Gomez gets stretched, Minier crushes a HR

[Bob Sacamento]

 

With an extra day off from the office, where better to spend a Monday morning than the ballfield.  On Memorial Day, the Twins took on the Rays in a split squad game at Centurylink Sports Complex.  Starting in Game B was Brusdar Graterol while Moises Gomez started Game A.  While Mo had a strong outing, the pitching star of the day was 20 year old Brusdar Graterol.  Graterol missed all of regular season last year while rehabbing from TJS, he started to show flashes before injuring his hand and had to restart it back up.  On Monday, Brus came out of the gate throwing heat, hitting 100 once and 98 three times to the first two batters he faced.  In the two innings he threw 31 pitches, 19 for strikes, his fastball was 95-100 mph averaging 97 with good movement.  His secondary pitch was a frisbee slider that he threw 79-84 mph and had the Rays hitters buckling their knees and swinging wildly.  Graterol still needs to work on his command and stamina, he looks to go 3 IP his next outing.  His next outing is slated this weekend against the Red Sox with a possible matchup against LHP first rounder Jason Groome.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NitwR1NtDVw

 

Starting the advanced game (Game A) was RHP Moises Gomez.  Mo doesn't have the fastball nor the secondary that Brusdar has but makes up for it with better command.  Gomez went 4 innings, with a fastball around 91-93 mph with sinking action and a slider 77-81 mph that was off and on in the outing.  His changeup is coming along but still needs alot of work.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Pp60tyWYYQ

 

 

At the plate,  Amaurys Minier showed off some HUGE power with a homer to right centerfield.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rZL37EtQ0I

 

Trey Cabbage focuses on his hitting skills since moving off the hot corner

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VHiq8DuJ72U

 

Dane Hutcheon works a quick bat

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sY2gdebyu1s

 

Isaiah Aluko at the plate

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJCs5c7dScY

 

 

Wander Javier shows off his quick wrists

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rPOX1j61VxI

 

 

Wander Javier and Gorge Munoz