Spring Training - Game 17 - vs Marlins - 3/17/12

[Jim Crikket]

Hollimon is 3-3 today and Nishioka is 0-2.

Hughes also got collared. 0 for 3 and a K.

[Jim Crikket]

Hollimon gets his 4th hit... this one right-handed.

[Fanatic Jack]

Jim,

 

I think Hollimon has a legitimate shot if he keeps playing this well.

[Jim Crikket]

Jim,

 

I think he has a legitimate shot if he keeps playing this well.

I put up a post this morning where I mentioned that Hughes and Nishioka are still the most likely utility players to make the team, but that Hollimon has stood out and that if he keeps hitting the way he has, he could force the Twins to make a very difficult decision. Gladden mentioned that TR made the trip and is watching the game today. Hollimon certainly certainly has had to have made an impression on Ryan today. That said, he still has to keep doing what he's doing because he can't afford to give them a reason NOT to keep him.

[Jim Crikket]

Matt Maloney with another perfect inning with one K. Still has a perfect 0.00 ERA.

[Jim Crikket]

Sounds like a perfect bunt for a base hit by Revere. If he can learn to do that, it makes him a helluva lot more valuable. Adds a SB and that drag bunt becomes the same as a double.

[Fanatic Jack]

For all those Revere haters who say he has no power, everytime he gets on base it's like a double or triple with his speed. He is a very valuable player to the team if he can get on base more often and learn how to bunt.

[Jim Crikket]

For all those Revere haters who say he has no power, everytime he gets on base it's like a double or triple with his speed. He is a very valuable player to the team if he can get on base more often and learn how to bunt.

That's the big "if." His speed doesn't help if he can't get on base more. Learning to bunt for a base hit is critical for him. It forces infielders to play him in, which also makes it easier to slap a ground ball through the infield.

 

I don't know how anyone can "hate" Revere... he seems like such a great guy... but it's fair to question whether he'll ever be enough of an offensive bat to start regularly.

[Jim Crikket]

I'm not sure I've ever heard of a team issuing an intentional walk in Spring Training. Ozzie has his guy give a free pass to Hollimon in the 9th inning. Leave it to Ozzie.

[Jim Crikket]

Matt Maloney gets a second inning of work. Gives up a bloop hit, but erases it with a double play. Collected another K, too. Twins win 5-2.

[Seth Stohs]

Best part of spring training are the great stories.

 

Came into camp and the story was how Nishioka would perform... Hollimon has been the story.

Came into camp hearing so much about Sean Burroughs and Steve Pearce, and it's been Aaron Bates that has been impressing.

When camp started, everyone hated that Maloney was on the 40 man roster... now we're wondering how we can get him into more situations.

Some had given up on Manship and he's been terrific.

 

I love spring training and the new chance that it is for everyone, from the start, to those coming back from injury, to the non-roster invitees. Hope is a beautiful thing!

[Fanatic Jack]

Seth, I agree with you it's been fun to watch...Do you think Michael Hoilliman has a legitimate chance to make the roster or is it just fun talk..He had to win a few points today with a great game and Ryan watching.

[Seth Stohs]

Seth, I agree with you it's been fun to watch...Do you think Michael Hoilliman has a legitimate chance to make the roster or is it just fun talk..He had to win a few points today with a great game and Ryan watching.

My opinion is that he is now officially in the discussions. It is likely he'll get a few more starts in an attempt to get him more at bats against big league pitchers and see how he does. Like Jim Crikket said earlier, you really can't win a job in the first couple of weeks, but now as players move down and his ABs come against better players, we'll see how he does. Odds may still be a little long, but he's giving the Twins an alternative, which is good. Plus, Hollimon obviously has some talent. He has played in the big leagues before (limited, but still, he's done it). And, I'm also a big believer in, once you have good success in AA, anyone can play in the big leagues as a role player if given an opportunity. Hollimon, as a utility player, could be just fine.

 

And, secondly, it is fun talk, a great story!!