Robbie Grossman tells Gladden he only needs 10 Spring Training at bats

[jctwins]

During today's radio/TV simulcast Gladden and Provus were bantering about getting at bats.

 

Apparently Robbie Grossman told Gladden he only needs ten at bats to prepare for the season.

 

It was left to lie without much discussion.

 

If this is true, Molitor is failing the culture of work ethic that Gardy let slip so badly, and Robbie should be on a bus to Rochester when the club heads North.

 

 

[ashbury]

You can work hard without getting into many games. I don't read much into the comment.

[Nine of twelve]

With Morrison signing on that may be all the at bats he'll get.

[Roaddog]

I don't think it's a huge deal. When I played, albeit not at this level, I never stopped hitting.

[jctwins]

It says something, though, that there isn't a list of "stupid things you don't say when talking to the radio guy".

 

 

[nicksaviking]

I don't think unrealistic over-confidence in one's own abilities and one's work ethic are necessarily tied together.

[old nurse]

One would hope that it would take only a couple games to get up to speed. Grossman's comment could lead one to believe that he actually worked out over the winter.

[jctwins]

 

One would hope that it would take only a couple games to get up to speed. Grossman's comment could lead one to believe that he actually worked out over the winter.

 

There is no way these guys are working out against MLB level pitching. 

[Dantes929]

I think Robbie is underrated.    He has a .371 OBP on a team  that was starved for OBP in 2016 and was a big reason the Twins were 3rd in the AL in 2017.     I've known guys that can arrive at a gym and start playing basketball at a high level and others that need 20 minutes of stretching.  Everyone is different. Morneau had some horrible ST years and apparently needed the reps because he did quite well to start those seasons and others hit right from the get go.    Maybe Grossman faces Hunter Greene every day pitching from 50 feet during the off season.   I suspect his days as a Twin are numbered but I think he has been a really good player for us.

[old nurse]

 

There is no way these guys are working out against MLB level pitching. 

If you can hit you do so. After a few years in the majors it is not like he ha never seen major league pitching before.

[gunnarthor]

Frankly, those were similar comments to what the people on mlb.tv were saying. ST is for pitchers, hitters can get back in the flow very quickly.

[jud6312]

10 ABs from Robert equates to, what, 3 or 4 actual swings?

[Brock Beauchamp]

 

10 ABs from Robert equates to, what, 3 or 4 actual swings?

Hahah, well played.

[yarnivek1972]

There is no way these guys are working out against MLB level pitching.

There are such things as pitching machines. Is it the same? No. But that’s what the 10 ST ABs are for.

[USAFChief]

 

I don't think unrealistic over-confidence in one's own abilities and one's work ethic are necessarily tied together.

Well of course you don't think so.  We already know that.

[gocgo]

To me, Robbie G will have a tough time fitting in on any team.  He does a lot of little things right.  Has quality at bats, etc.  The problem is that he's a liability in the field compared to the other guys we have to roam the outfield.  At the same time, he's not a bat to bring off the bench when looking for some pop...like a typical DH or pinch hitter.  So, given that you have Esco to fill that role of pinch hitter with decent wheels, Granite to fill the 4th OF role and pinch run, etc... the only shot that I see for Robbie G depends on Sano's possible suspension.  If Sano gets suspended, Esco moves to 3rd and Robbie may find a roster spot.  Should be interesting.

 

Remember the days when we went into spring training with a lot of IF's?  IF this guy can come back from injury, IF this guy can build on last season, IF this guy can figure out big league pitching, etc...not a ton of IF's this year and that's really nice.  I sense an air of confidence with this team.

[yarnivek1972]

To me, Robbie G will have a tough time fitting in on any team. He does a lot of little things right. Has quality at bats, etc. The problem is that he's a liability in the field compared to the other guys we have to roam the outfield. At the same time, he's not a bat to bring off the bench when looking for some pop...like a typical DH or pinch hitter. So, given that you have Esco to fill that role of pinch hitter with decent wheels, Granite to fill the 4th OF role and pinch run, etc... the only shot that I see for Robbie G depends on Sano's possible suspension. If Sano gets suspended, Esco moves to 3rd and Robbie may find a roster spot. Should be interesting.

 

Remember the days when we went into spring training with a lot of IF's? IF this guy can come back from injury, IF this guy can build on last season, IF this guy can figure out big league pitching, etc...not a ton of IF's this year and that's really nice. I sense an air of confidence with this team.

At first I thought you were saying when the Twins started with a lot of infielders. I remember seasons early in Gardy’s tenure when the opening day roster featured 4 or 5 middle infielders. Not even exaggerating. Gardy’s very first opening day roster featured Cristian Guzman, Luis Rivas, Denny Hocking, Jay Canizaro and the extremely forgettable Warren Morris, aka WaMo. After all, the key to a successful roster is 4 weak hitting second basemen.

[Halsey Hall]

10 at bats, how's that going for him?

[wsnydes]

 

There is no way these guys are working out against MLB level pitching. 

Why not?  MLB level pitchers don't work out in the offseason?  They don't face MLB level hitters in the offseason?

 

I don't see any reason why this wouldn't happen.  It's not likely to be the every day regimen, but to write it off completely is a bit presumptuous I'd say.

 

Lots of players work out together in the offseason.  It would seem reasonable to go against live MLB caliber pitchers/hitters every now and then.

[Drew]

Ahhh I love Spring Training! I heard Mitch Garver tied his shoes withOUT making the bunny run around the tree. How will this impact his ability to react to offspeed pitches?

[GM64]

To me, Robbie G will have a tough time fitting in on any team.  He does a lot of little things right.  Has quality at bats, etc.  The problem is that he's a liability in the field compared to the other guys we have to roam the outfield.  At the same time, he's not a bat to bring off the bench when looking for some pop...like a typical DH or pinch hitter.  

 

He reminds me a lot of Randy Bush -- who was an important piece on some very good teams.  Bush  slugged a bit better, had a little worse OBP -- had a 102 OPS+ (101 for Grossman), and hit only left-handed.  I think Grossman is victim of his era.  There were 14 (or even 15, but mostly 14) hitters on a MLB team during Bush's time.  There was room for someone who was just a professional hitter and a fringe adequate fielder.  Grossman is not at all a bad 14th piece -- can pinch hit, CAN play the field, though not well.  CAN play a larger role for a couple weeks if necessary, etc. But there is no 14th piece.  

[ewen21]

 

During today's radio/TV simulcast Gladden and Provus were bantering about getting at bats.

 

Apparently Robbie Grossman told Gladden he only needs ten at bats to prepare for the season.

 

It was left to lie without much discussion.

 

If this is true, Molitor is failing the culture of work ethic that Gardy let slip so badly, and Robbie should be on a bus to Rochester when the club heads North.

I don't like the comment.  Do you WANT TO play baseball or what?

 

I don't care if it is misplaced confidence, him being straight up, whatever.  This is not the kind of lackadaisical kind of stuff I need to hear from a player whose sole mission is to walk.  Yay Robbie!  He is a horrendous fielder (almost a danger to others out there), he can't run, he isn't all that great a hitter.....  HIs career WAR is 2.3 after over 1,600 plate appearances.  

 

The next thing I want to hear about him is simply....

"Grossman cut."

 

No elaboration required.

 

And I agree with you.  I think a mantra a lot of Twins players need to stop repeating is, "not trying to do too much".  What is wrong with doing something extra?  The way some of the players on this team toss that phrase around is starting to get irritating.  As if it is a horrible thing expending a little extra energy.  Heaven forbid you might be seen "trying to do too much!!"

What could be more horrible than that??

[Doomtints]

I only need 9 at bats.

 

[ashbury]

I only need 9 at bats.

I just realized - with Walks being a big part of Grossman's offensive game - maybe he means he wants 75 PA and plans on only 10 of them being AB.

[jctwins]

 

I don't like the comment.  Do you WANT TO play baseball or what?

 

I don't care if it is misplaced confidence, him being straight up, whatever.  This is not the kind of lackadaisical kind of stuff I need to hear from a player whose sole mission is to walk.  Yay Robbie!  He is a horrendous fielder (almost a danger to others out there), he can't run, he isn't all that great a hitter.....  HIs career WAR is 2.3 after over 1,600 plate appearances.  

 

The next thing I want to hear about him is simply....

"Grossman cut."

 

No elaboration required.

 

And I agree with you.  I think a mantra a lot of Twins players need to stop repeating is, "not trying to do too much".  What is wrong with doing something extra?  The way some of the players on this team toss that phrase around is starting to get irritating.  As if it is a horrible thing expending a little extra energy.  Heaven forbid you might be seen "trying to do too much!!"

What could be more horrible than that??

 

At least one person here seems to get it.

 

This is a team culture issue. Say stuff like this when you've won a world championship.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

At least one person here seems to get it.

 

This is a team culture issue. Say stuff like this when you've won a world championship.

In my humble opinion I think you are misreading the situation. I heard that comment also and I don't think Grossman sounded cocky or lackadaisical at all. That's kind of how he is. Like others have said, pitchers need spring training more than the hitters. The way playing time is divvied up in spring, 10 at bats (or thereabouts) may mean two weeks' worth of games. That could be Grossman's way of saying he's ready by mid-March, which doesn't sound so far-fetched.

 

And actually, Gladden did circle back a couple innings later to say "no way a player only needs 10 at bats"

[Shaitan]

 

Frankly, those were similar comments to what the people on mlb.tv were saying. ST is for pitchers, hitters can get back in the flow very quickly.

 

Tell that to Kendrys Morales.

 

I kid. I mostly agree.

[Shaitan]

I take very little that's said between the players and the on-air talent seriously, especially if it's said off camera and later referred to.

 

These guys are basically teammates. They travel and work together everyday. There's a lot of context left out.

[jctwins]

 

In my humble opinion I think you are misreading the situation. I heard that comment also and I don't think Grossman sounded cocky or lackadaisical at all. That's kind of how he is. Like others have said, pitchers need spring training more than the hitters. The way playing time is divvied up in spring, 10 at bats (or thereabouts) may mean two weeks' worth of games. That could be Grossman's way of saying he's ready by mid-March, which doesn't sound so far-fetched.

And actually, Gladden did circle back a couple innings later to say "no way a player only needs 10 at bats"

 

Well I did miss Gladden circling back, and I took his reaction and transferred it in part to mine.

 

I get what's being said here, but I think there is an arrogance that has crept into the vernacular of way too many of these guys that are getting paid a king's ransom to play a child's game.

[h2oface]

I think the comment means absolutely nothing. He could have said something totally different the next day. But it looks like he will need more than 12, as he is yet to get a hit after 12 ABs.