Front Page: Taking the Twins to the Gridiron

[Ted Schwerzler]

College football is officially underway, and while the NFL is slogging through the meaningless exhibition slate it is nearly to the point that games count. While plenty of baseball players are world-class athletes and hitting a round ball with a round bat at the velocities we see today remains arguably the most impressive athletic feat, it’s worth wondering what some of these guys would look like on a football field. We know that Joe Mauer had the chops to be an All-American college quarterback, and a guy like Dave Winfield was drafted by his hometown Minnesota Vikings. What if we tried to fill out some key spots with the current Twins roster?Jonathan Schoop- QB

 

Initially I wanted to make Max Kepler out to be a Minnesota version of Michael Vick. Quick and left-handed, the profile certainly fit. If we’re going with a big body in the pocket, and arm strength out the wazoo, the choice here is obvious. Schoop has an absolute howitzer for an arm, and it’s shown often while turning double plays with Jorge Polanco. He may tend to get a bit long sometimes for a football throw, but the force at which the ball leaves his hand would challenge Brett Favre in a finger breaking contest.

 

Jorge Polanco- RB

 

Something about the man nicknamed “Chulo” strikes me as elusive. Polanco isn’t fast as much as he is quick. Shorter in stature at 5’11” Polanco is still plenty muscular and looks the part of a guy who could either evade or run through an opposing tackler. He has good feet that have helped him immensely during his time at shortstop, and you can bet he’d be all in on the idea of getting loose.

 

Byron Buxton- WR

 

The guy who may be the most fun to see run down the sideline is none other than center fielder Byron Buxton. His elite speed may not translate as easily in pads, but you can bet he’d be a nightmare for most cornerbacks to keep up with. He’s got exceptional hands with a glove on, and well, receiver gloves are virtually super glue today anyway. Buck played QB in high school and the arm strength that allows him to uncork 90+ mph from center would work in the pocket as well. I’d be a bit afraid of his stature being a downfall, but the jumping and sprinting ability on full display is something you could sign me up for.

 

Miguel Sano- TE

 

Sneaky athleticism for a big-bodied guy, Sano could be something of a matchup problem. He’s got some height to him, and the size would work well for boxing opposing defenders out. Imagine him wreaking havoc in the red zone or getting even a moderate head of speed before rumbling down the field and throwing a big block. Linebackers may have an opportunity to keep him in check but defending secondaries would be well overmatched.

 

Eddie Rosario- SS

 

Delivering the boom is something that seems like Rosario would live for. Swinging with reckless abandon at the dish could be replicated while patrolling the secondary. He’d likely get more than a few flags thrown his direction after lining up the big hit, but you best believe the celebratory dances would be legendary.

 

Nelson Cruz- K

 

If there’s a nickname more appropriate than Boomstick for Cruz in baseball, then using that same moniker as he swings his meaty right piece makes all the sense in the world. I have no idea if Cruz can kick, but I’d imagine he’s put a soccer ball in goal at least once. Even if the range topped out at 20 yards, the power stemming from the Boomstick appendage would be must-see television.

 

Who else do you envision as a Twins player hitting the gridiron, and what are some of the positions you’d put guys at?

 

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[ashbury]

Big Mike Pineda is a large, large man. Defensive tackle. He's probably not fast, but once he breaks through and gets a head of steam, no opposing QB will want anything to do with him.

 

CJ Cron is my center. Slower than molasses, but he's big and strong looking.

 

Kyle Gibson is a linebacker. Maybe not quick enough, but his height gives him a good vantage of how the play is developing.

[theBOMisthebomb]

La Tortuga as a fullback and NFL folk hero on kickoff and punt return coverage teams.

[ewen21]

 

Big Mike Pineda is a large, large man. Defensive tackle. He's probably not fast, but once he breaks through and gets a head of steam, no opposing QB will want anything to do with him.

 

CJ Cron is my center. Slower than molasses, but he's big and strong looking.

 

Kyle Gibson is a linebacker. Maybe not quick enough, but his height gives him a good vantage of how the play is developing.

Gibson as a linebacker?  He has the aggression of a stoned giraffe!  LOL

[ashbury]

Gibson as a linebacker?  He has the aggression of a stoned giraffe!  LOL

MLB. Mellow Line Backer.

 

I don't think the premise of this article is that the resulting football team would be, you know, actually good. Imagine Buxton taking a hit early in his route - one play, Injured Reserve for the rest of the season. That sort of thing.

[operation mindcrime]

I think Sano should be a Defensive End!

[MMMordabito]

Marwin Gonzalez at Free Safety - He has to roam around and cover for the others.

 

(Stretch Here, but ... ) Trevor May at Linebacker - All that talking to himself makes me sometimes think he's got the crazies like Romanowski

[AlwaysinModeration]

Taylor Rogers is the punter. Cruz is probably on the defensive line along with Sano and Pineda.

 

Berrios is strong and agile. He’s my starting RB. I think Polanco is either a DB or Safety.

 

I like Buxton and Kepler both split out wide as wide receivers.