2020 Is a Whole New Ballgame For Rocco Baldelli

[Cody Pirkl]

2019 was an incredible year for the Minnesota Twins, especially rookie manager Rocco Baldelli. Rocco brought in a player centered, calming environment and took home AL Manager of the Year honors. With the 2020 season in jeopardy of being severely shortened however, he has an opportunity to show off that he’s an even better manager than he gets credit for.Rocco Baldelli’s management style aims to refrain from pushing player’s physical limits and keeping them fresh. Rocco regularly gave starters the day off and made the most of the depth the roster had accumulated. Unavoidable injuries popped up down the stretch, but for the most part, the Twins were able to avoid late-season production declining en route to the AL Central title.

 

Everything seemed to work out perfectly, until the ALDS that is. The offense being a nonfactor was a likely result of the injuries sustained toward the end of the year. It was the pitching usage however where Baldelli’s mettle was tested as a rookie manager. When it came to big-time situations in game 1, Rocco Baldelli trusted pitchers like Zack Littell and Cody Stashak, seemingly in an attempt to preserve pitchers like Trevor May and Taylor Rogers for key situations. Those situations would never present themselves after game 1 unfortunately. The game got away from the Twins, and May and Rogers wouldn’t throw a meaningful pitch in the series.

 

I don’t say this to bring up bad memories, but rather to point out the one true beef you may have with Rocco Baldelli as a manager is that at times he can be too conservative. A 162 game season is the perfect season length to choose spots to save your bullets, and Baldelli’s management style in year 1 was perfect for it.

 

As Ted Schwerlzer pointed out earlier this week, an 81 game schedule severely drops the Twins playoff chances. The Twins are built to outlast the rest of baseball, but that depth just isn’t as impactful when the longevity needed from your stars is reduced. Every impact player that’s kept off the field in favor of a utility or backup player becomes less about keeping them healthy months from now, and more about the chances of winning that game being reduced. Not to mention that each game is that much more meaningful.

 

I think that Baldelli’s first taste of the postseason provided him with plenty of learning opportunities. His game management in the regular season was all you could ask for, but it takes more than the average baseball fan believes to flip that switch on your entire process that’s brought you success. While a season cut in half is less dire than a best of 5 against the Yankees, it would still require a shift in the philosophy that Baldelli used in 2019. That being said, all of baseball will be making that shift, and I think Baldelli’s lessons learned in the ALDS will prepare him to be a bit more aggressive in a shortened schedule. What do you think?

 

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[mikelink45]

This is a very thoughtful and interesting post. It really does take a different strategy and approach depending on the length of the season. Part of the issue will be if they try to crowd the games into a short span without the normal off days for travel that are part of the 162 game season. Many of the things that we want to see are only going to be answered when we finally see the season plan unfolded. As a person who is seen his work disappear I can tell you that my planning for the year changes weekly and all I can do is try to anticipate what might happen. The same will be true for the twins. but it appears as if they have a very thoughtful and coordinated front office through field management and that is the best thing we can ask for.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

 

 As a person who is seen his work disappear I can tell you that my planning for the year changes weekly and all I can do is try to anticipate what might happen. The same will be true for the twins. but it appears as if they have a very thoughtful and coordinated front office through field management and that is the best thing we can ask for.

Mike, Sorry about your work. We're all in this together. I was saying this to my clients before Ring Central's ads started popping up on my screen. But no matter who coined this phrase, I feel in many ways it applies to all of the Twins Daily family. I'm glad we have this website. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

This is a very thoughtful and interesting post. It really does take a different strategy and approach depending on the length of the season. Part of the issue will be if they try to crowd the games into a short span without the normal off days for travel that are part of the 162 game season. Many of the things that we want to see are only going to be answered when we finally see the season plan unfolded. As a person who is seen his work disappear I can tell you that my planning for the year changes weekly and all I can do is try to anticipate what might happen. The same will be true for the twins. but it appears as if they have a very thoughtful and coordinated front office through field management and that is the best thing we can ask for.

good luck Mike, and good advice. Flexibility is key for all of us, including Rocco

[jimbo92107]

Let's remember that every other team is in the same boat the Twins are in. Also remember that the Twins set a major league record for home runs last year. Is that stout troop of loggers suddenly gone? No, says I, 'tis been bolstered by a new, rowdy 3rd baseman with the attitude of a hockey player. N'ery a powder puff in the lineup, and most of 'em can jack a baseball farther than I can hit a 5 iron...or could, when I could swing a club...

 

As I peer through my nearly closed window blinds, shotgun at the ready, there are no zombies in sight. Nor a revenuer, or mailman. It's quiet, I tell you, but then I notice there's nobody else in the room. Whom am I addressing? Has it been that long? I slink back into my darkened kitchen, taking stock. Plenty of oatmeal, and the ice trays are full. I'll be just fine. The store room is stacked floor to ceiling with toilet paper, because, well, you know. Gunshots in the distance...cops must be clearing the beach again. 

 

I wash my hands thoroughly, while singing a Canadian folk song:

 

When will my love deskend from heaven?

When will my love rrreturn to me?

Can't ya see?

If I must wait (duh-duh du duh duh)

At the gate (duh-duh du duh duh)

Of heavennnn

Then I'll stand by-eeee

In the sky-eeee

For theeeee....

 

Typically sung by a Canadian Mountie, on his brave steed, atop of a wind-swept mountain ridge, overlooking a vast forest of lonely blue-grey pines. Starts at the lowest note you can sing, ends with the highest. Test of lungs and larynx. 

 

I end up coughing. Is it the virus? No, just that damn high note. 

 

Getting a bit stir crazy around the old Jim-bode. I might just crack the door a whit, see if any laser dots decorate the furniture...clever humans...

 

Baldelli can figure this stuff out. He's a smart dude. 

[Cody Pirkl]

 

As a person who is seen his work disappear I can tell you that my planning for the year changes weekly and all I can do is try to anticipate what might happen.

I'm sorry to hear that, Mike. I think we're all in uncharted waters here and are being forced learn as we go and do the best we can. I appreciate your interacting with all of our content and hope that TwinsDaily can give you some kind of respite in these crazy times. Wishing you the best.

[Melissa]

Sorry to see that, Mike. I'm working remotely myself, a couple of days a week, but I was already only a part-timer anyway.

 

I agree with your take on how we really won't know much until the season schedule is released (if we have a season).