VIDEO: Three Storylines to Follow in Spring Training

[Matthew Lenz]

Spring Training is under way and there are three main storylines to key in on ahead of Opening Day.

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[JD-TWINS]

Well, this is senseless, but gotta do it…………probably my 15th push over the last 3 months in Twins Daily for Nick Gordon.

Been ill his entire pro career until 2022. Gained 25 lbs last year. Got much stronger!  Played OF for first time in his career.

65 starts in LF - 33 starts in CF…….my assumption is he plays 40-45 games in CF & another 75-80 in LF, all v. RH pitching. His year long stats in ‘22 got him a .272 BA & 28 doubles in 405 AB’s. If he can DH some &/or play some 1B and get his AB’s up over 500 he’ll hit 35 - 40 doubles……not a lot of guys in the game doing that! Not Joey Gallo nor Max Kepler.

I see 40 - 50 games of Gallo - Gordon - Kepler v. RH starters. (% of games started…..31%)

Taylor plays v. LH pitching in the OF - mostly CF. Other than those 40 games I see him as a pinch runner - pinch hitter - late inning Defense guy. A back-up! Insurance, with experience & defensive talent with decent splits against lefties. (28%)

Gallo spends 40 games in LF - 40 games in RF - 20 games at 1B - 20 games at DH……maybe a handful in CF. (77%)

Kepler plays 115 games in RF. (71%)

Buxton plays 75-80 games in CF - 50 games at DH. (80%)

Gordon plays 40 games in CF - 75 games in LF - at DH 5 games.(74%)

CC plays SS 130 games & DH’s 10 times. (86%)

Miranda plays 10 games at DH - 115 games at 3B - 10 games at 1B. (83%)

Solano plays 20 games at 2B - at DH 10 times - at 1B 20 games. (31%)

Polanco DH maybe 15 times - 2B 120 games. (83%)

Kirilof plays 110 games at 1B - at DH maybe 10 games.(74%)

Vazquez - 65% ……Jeffers 35% ……both get a few tries (10 total) at DH v. LH pitching.

Farmer gets 30 games at 3B - 20 games at 2B - 32 games at SS. (51%)

Larnach is up at some point due to injuries or lack of performance……20 games at DH & 40 games in LF. (37%)

% of games started:

STARTERS……Buxton @ 80% - Vazquez @ 65% - Kirilof @ 74% - Polanco @ 83% - Miranda @ 83% - Correa @ 86% - Gordon @ 74% - Kepler @ 71% - Gallo @ 77%

BENCH….Jeffers @ 35% - Farmer @ 51% - Taylor @ 28% - Solano @ 31% - Larnach @ 37%…..good rest provided to others and able to play mostly against positive splits!!

Gotta think Lewis will detract starts from a guy or two on this roster by August/September.