Hammond Happenings 2018

[Halsey Hall]

I got here Sunday night, nothing going on Monday.  But today there was some action.  I talked with Thorpe, and mentioned I'd escaped the bitter cold. He said he had to go on the caravan and would wear layers.  Good idea.  Gibson played catch with someone.  But most of my time was watching a trainer work Sano. He had him on his back and did a lot of leg work, stretching forever.  His legs are massive! A medicine ball was also used during this. Then, as maybe 6 or 8 players had done before, the trainer had Sano pull weights. There is a harness with 2 straps that are about 12 long and at the end a round fabric of sorts. On that are strapped weights, 90 pounds for Miguel. Then he tries to run dragging that along behind him. Some of the others that did that were exhausted, with less weight. After doing that for a while, then Sano had to back up the hill, pulling the weight up, and then down and up again, over and over. 

 

He did come over and greet me, and looks in great shape this spring.  Said he was feeling good. I doubt he'll be doing those exercises tomorrow as he should be quite sore from this day.  Anyway, It's good to be here and getting back into the swing of things. 

 

I hope anyone that comes down will add their experiences to this thread. 

[Thrylos]

where was all of that going on?

[Squirrel]

Thanks, Halsey!

 

I look forward to your reports each year. It's fun to hear who's there doing what ... gets me 'in the mood' for ST!

 

I  poked around last week ... fantasy camp was going on down on the minor league fields. I didn't go down that way ... didn't really have the time. No one else was really around, but then, I didn't really hang out at all.

 

[Squirrel]

 

where was all of that going on?

My guess is the training hill ... do you know where that is? Next to the training facilities down by the minor league fields.

[Halsey Hall]

This was going on on the hill. 

[Vanimal46]

Thanks for the report Halsey! Sounds like Sano's rehab is progressing nicely. Does anyone know if the titanium rod is still implanted in his leg?

 

*cough* Heezy Batman signal *cough*

[Squirrel]

 

Thanks for the report Halsey! Sounds like Sano's rehab is progressing nicely. Does anyone know if the titanium rod is still implanted in his leg?

*cough* Heezy Batman signal *cough*

I think it's a permanent thing, yes?

[Twins33]

I think it's a permanent thing, yes?

Yeah, it's in his leg permanently.

[Halsey Hall]

I was late today, 9:30, and all was over.  I was told Phil Hughes threw as did Gibson.  Last year they played catch a lot, so same o same o. 

[Guest]

Yeah, it's in his leg permanently.

He has a special training team, who should improve his contact and speed. They’re called his Rod Crew.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I got here Sunday night, nothing going on Monday.  But today there was some action.  I talked with Thorpe, and mentioned I'd escaped the bitter cold. He said he had to go on the caravan and would wear layers.  Good idea.  Gibson played catch with someone.  But most of my time was watching a trainer work Sano. He had him on his back and did a lot of leg work, stretching forever.  His legs are massive! A medicine ball was also used during this. Then, as maybe 6 or 8 players had done before, the trainer had Sano pull weights. There is a harness with 2 straps that are about 12 long and at the end a round fabric of sorts. On that are strapped weights, 90 pounds for Miguel. Then he tries to run dragging that along behind him. Some of the others that did that were exhausted, with less weight. After doing that for a while, then Sano had to back up the hill, pulling the weight up, and then down and up again, over and over. 

 

He did come over and greet me, and looks in great shape this spring.  Said he was feeling good. I doubt he'll be doing those exercises tomorrow as he should be quite sore from this day.  Anyway, It's good to be here and getting back into the swing of things. 

 

I hope anyone that comes down will add their experiences to this thread. 

 

Always look forward to reading these reports from the back fields. I won't get down there until the 17th this year... I can't wait!

[Halsey Hall]

47 degrees this morning. 20 players worked out. Running drills now some in the batting cages.

[Halsey Hall]

I didn't recognize anyone.

[Doctor Wu]

Just seeing the title "Hammond Happenings" made me smile. Thanks for that report! It's getting closer to February and the magical smell of Spring Training is in the air. One of my favorite times of the year. I can't wait!

[Halsey Hall]

Not a  a soul here on the weekend.  .  I expect some after twins fest. 

[Squirrel]

Not a  a soul here on the weekend.  .  I expect some after twins fest.

 

It’ll really pick up this coming week ... and you’ll have to take notes to tell us everything

[Halsey Hall]

Action today.  There were a bunch of guys playing long toss when I got here.  Two were Kyle Gibson and Louis Thorpe, so back from Twins fest quickly.                                                                  

 

After that Toby Gardenhire had some infielders fielding ground balls on the half field.  Three at SS, one at 2nd, and two at first base.  Those two were Navaretto, formerly a catcher, and Nelson Molina.  They all took a lot of ground balls. 

 

As they finished, Trevor May came out and did long toss with a trainer, then ran when finished throwing. 

 

 

Something interesting.  There were 3 of us observers today, a friend photographer, and a scout who's around alot.  He had heard May was progressing nicely. 

 

When May was done Sano came out and played catch with a trainer, or coach.  After a while he had enought and went into the weight room.  The scout told us that both the trainer and the coach make reports on everything they are involved in.  If a player isn't putting out the report may read 80%.  If a player doesn't care to do a drill, that is recorded also.  Some guys work to hard and are told to cut it down and others don't do enough.  It's all documented.  My friend mentioned he heard Buxton was one who did as little as possible, and the scout confirmed that, and said everyone knows that with all these reports. 

 

Learn something new everyday it seems. 

 

 

Oh also, catchers worked on blocking drills in the batting cages. 

[bunsen82]

Its amazing how much god given talent Buxton has.  Minimal effort and great outcomes defensively, improving outcomes with the bat.  Will the effort change or remain the same, and is the new Twins front office willing to put up with that.  Very interesting. 

[Squirrel]

 

Its amazing how much god given talent Buxton has.  Minimal effort and great outcomes defensively, improving outcomes with the bat.  Will the effort change or remain the same, and is the new Twins front office willing to put up with that.  Very interesting. 

Yeah, as Buxton ages, I'm wondering how that will change. While the sheer talent he possesses gets him a good distance right now, I'm wondering when the realization will hit that that alone won't get it done as he gets older. 

[GP830]

That’s dissapointing hear. First I’ve heard that about Buxton.

[ashbury]

First I’ve heard that about Buxton.

Then you haven't read Halsey before.

[Halsey Hall]

Many minor leaguers out again this morning, stretching, throwing and then some taking ground balls. Lewin Diaz was at first base, he's a sizable fellow.  Later for the first time a mound was used as Navaretto caught Trevor May who was limited to 20 pitches.  When asked about his return date he said mid May. A coupe others who mentioned their names were Blayne Enlow and Ryley Widell, both low minors pitchers. 

[Thrylos]

 

 

 

Those two were Navaretto, formerly a catcher,

 

Is it confirmed that Navaretto will not catch any more?  Because the only thing he has going for him is his glove at catcher.  He cannot hit his way out of a paper bag...

[Halsey Hall]

No, not confirmed.  Maybe they are looking at another position for him. 

[Doctor Wu]

 

Yeah, as Buxton ages, I'm wondering how that will change. While the sheer talent he possesses gets him a good distance right now, I'm wondering when the realization will hit that that alone won't get it done as he gets older. 

True, nobody likes a slacker or a player who thinks he's "above" getting advice or putting in more of an effort. I have no idea what the full story could be, I just hope it's not some sort of bad attitude or laziness thing.That said, I'd rather see Buxton keeping some of his energy in "reserve" for the regular season and not going full throttle in spring training. Seeing how he has this tendency to bounce off outfield walls (not to mention the turf) I won't mind seeing him pace himself in February and March.

[Halsey Hall]

Much the same today with a few new drills.  One, they had the pitching machine on the field and it shot high fly balls to the outfielders,  It's always fun to watch that machine shoot the balls way up in the air. After the outfielders were done, they did the same thing with three catchers.  One whom only caught about half.  It was pointed out how to hold the glove. 

 

 

Then Sano came out and took ground balls at third.  It may have been is agent with him that told us that was the first time since August.  After that he went to the hill for more work, most which was in the sand pit. 

[prouster]

True, nobody likes a slacker or a player who thinks he's "above" getting advice or putting in more of an effort. I have no idea what the full story could be, I just hope it's not some sort of bad attitude or laziness thing.That said, I'd rather see Buxton keeping some of his energy in "reserve" for the regular season and not going full throttle in spring training. Seeing how he has this tendency to bounce off outfield walls (not to mention the turf) I won't mind seeing him pace himself in February and March.

I think the second half of your comment makes the most sense. The first half doesn't line up with what we saw last year, when he overhauled his swing mid season at the ML level. There are also reports out there describing the work he puts in on defense during the offseason. So, I'm not worried about his effort.

[Halsey Hall]

My original post was to point out how these things are documented, and it was well known that Buxton had slacked off.  Last season he turned a corner and was much better in training and with the fans. So no need to be concerned with his effort. 

[Halsey Hall]

I asked Navaretto about that this morning, and he said they just like him to take ground balls, plus it's fun. 

[Halsey Hall]

The pitchers mound got used for the second time today, with Zach Little throwing, followed by Trevor May.  I heard there are 27 more players going to show up on Monday.  Kiriloff again took ground balls at first base this morning.  Other than that, just the usual drills today.