Monday in Ft. Myers

[stringer bell]

I watched minor leaguers on the back fields yesterday culminating with two intra-squad games. Some observations--1) There are a lot of Hispanic kids in camp. There are a number of Hispanic field staff and I'm sure that is necessary with all of those young Dominicans, Venezuelans etc. 2) The ball really jumps off the bat of top prospects--Sano and Buxton both homered in their games and Sano had a couple of impressive rounds of BP. Kepler looked pretty impressive, too. 3) Youth! Probably because I'm old, but these potential players are just boys right now despite a lot of impressive size.

[stringer bell]

I also went to Port Charlotte and saw the TwinsRays game there. I went with my brother who has mobility issues. We were directed to handicapped parking across the highway and told we had to walk to the park, about a quarter mile away. Fortunately my brother had a "rascal" scooter--think of George on "Seinfeld"--but it otherwise would have taken a long time and much exertion for him to get to the park. Rant over. It was a pretty good game, few Twins big leaguers stood out but the Twins prevailed 6-4 in 10.

[Nick Nelson]

Good info. Thanks for sharing. Hope you're having fun down there!

[Guest USAFChief]

I've been to that stadium...handicapped parking is across the highway??!? That sounds...immoral, if not illegal. Holy cow.

[stringer bell]

It's Tuesday and I spent a few hours watching minor leaguers. My first question is: who is the guy with the #88 Kernals uniform? I probably should know, but I don't. Secondly, I stood next to JR for half an hour and got some nuggets to report. I'll do that in a bit.

[Squirrel]

I've been to that stadium...handicapped parking is across the highway??!? That sounds...immoral, if not illegal. Holy cow.

 

The handicapped parking fills up fast at Hammond, and then, well, good luck. It's very difficult there when dealing with someone with serious mobility issues, like my dad. But as always, have learned a few 'tricks' to get around it.

[ashbury]

The handicapped parking fills up fast at Hammond, and then, well, good luck.

 

Don't know what Florida law is like, but I would imagine if handicapped spots routinely fill, then they need to assign more, even if it ticks off people like me who have to trudge the distance across the road. As Chief said, even without the law it's just the right thing to do.

[righty8383]

Someone on Twitter mentioned that Vargas went deep of Trevor May today.

[Halsey Hall]

Secondly, I stood next to JR for half an hour and got some nuggets to report. I'll do that in a bit.

 

If you meant TR, I was right behind you. I did the same yesterday for half hour or so. Did you see that line shot that left the park in a flash by Vargas? He got a fist pump from TR after the game for that. Trevor May walked to many today in that game. AA probably beat the AAA squad.

[glunn]

I am looking forward to those nuggets from TR!

[stringer bell]

I am looking forward to those nuggets from TR!

Not much time, but here's a few (more later). He said Robertson threw the ball the best he had all spring last night. He needs to get righties out and he did with the changeup, Buxton is the fastest player they ever had "he runs with Bo Jackson". Sano doesn't move well enough at third "he's too big". Melokotas (early pick last year) will be a starter this year. When I asked if he liked his talent better this year, he said (pointing to the AA-AAA intrasquad game) "they're the same guys". When I mentioned the big guys he'd acquired in trade he said "when you talk about size, I always answer that Johan Santana is 5'11".

[Shane Wahl]

Good info. Can't wait to see the power in Fort Myers this year.

[Thrylos]

Great stuff. I will be there part of next couple of weeks. Look really forward to that. One thing to watch is the energy of the players. Would be interested to see the non-verbals in the games...

[stringer bell]

A little more from Ryan: Niko Goodrum has great tools, but isn't a great ballplayer--he needs to be much more consistent. He'll start in Cedar Rapids. Santana (the SS) isn't a big guy, but he's strong and tough. Our own AJ Petterson has a good chance to be a major league utility player. He can play second, short, third and the OF, plus he takes a good AB. Ryan likes a lot more about Buxton besides the tools. He's a good kid with the right make-up. Ryan discounted spring traiing performance (both positive and negative) and used Hermson as an example, saying that he's been terrible this spring, but he'll be fine this year. About two minutes later, Hermson left the mound with a pulled ribcage muscle or something according to Stu Cliburn.

[righty8383]

I barely consider Goodrum a prospect anymore. Maybe one more year to show us something. You should ask him about Nate Roberts. Perhaps a 4th outfielder in another year or so? I'm not sold on Hermsen having the stuff to be an effective ML pitcher. And I am NOT basing this on spring training. Hope he proves me wrong.

[glunn]

If TR believes that Sano is too big to play third base, I wonder what plan there may be to try him elsewhere. I would love to see him get a chance in right field.

[Thrylos]

Ryan discounted spring traiing performance (both positive and negative) and used Hermson as an example, saying that he's been terrible this spring, but he'll be fine this year. About two minutes later, Hermson left the mound with a pulled ribcage muscle or something according to Stu Cliburn.

 

You cannot even make it up...

[bird]

Chances are pretty good that Hermsen has been pitching with discomfort all spring.

[JB_Iowa]

Interesting notes ... Thanks.

 

The Sano comment jumped out at me, as well. So how long will they leave him at 3B?