Report from The Fort: Twins 10, Braves 7, Mahle Returns, Julien Homers

[John Bonnes]

FORT MYERS - Tyler Mahle is back, Edouard Julien goes yard (twice), but some injuries affect the lineup.

The Twins triumphed over the Atlanta Braves, 10-7, in Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Tuesday afternoon. It was Tyler Mahle's first game since shoulder fatigue shut down his 2022 season, but his stuff looked great, with velocity exceeding last year's average fastball velocity. The Twins jumped on an early lead thanks to two infielders - Edouard Julien and Willi Castro - who are likely slated for St. Paul. But the postgame talk with manager Rocco Baldelli revealed some injuries that were reflected in the game's lineup. John Bonnes has the details from the game.

 

 

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[PDX Twin]

Just curious: Is TD abandoning the written word? I love reports from Spring Training, but I hate listening rather than reading.

[jkcarew]

Interesting that Julien didn’t play anything other than 2B all year last year…no OF, no 3B…nothing but second. Seems like another indication that the club feels he’s very limited defensively. But if he’s going to be a 25-30 HR guy (which seems somewhat realistic based on current trajectory) can he be also considered as a potentially solid defensive first baseman? If I was FO, I would sell high on one of Miranda, Lee, Lewis, Martin, Julien, Gordon, or Polanco in the next 16 months. Honestly, maybe two. Even if one of these is considered the 1B of the future, that makes 7 names for 4-5 roles: 1st, 2nd, 3rd, infield utility, outfield utility. Kirilloff would be an 8th name. I know depth is a good thing and injuries can be counted on. Still, seems like this isn’t maximizing capital. Not urgent yet, can see how Lewis/Kirilloff respond…but I think things look much differently next year at this time.

[Schmoeman5]

Today's game was interesting in the sense that Julien looks like he could be forcing the Twins hand. If he keeps hitting and it looks like he works the counts well, I believe he has a real shot at making the club coming out of Florida. I'm not talking about the 2 homers. But he looks like an Arreaz replica with more pop. So where does he fit? I don't know. But a potential. 300 hitter with a high OBP will find a spot. Because as of right now, who is the Twins leadoff hitter? Buxton should be in the2-3 spot. Kepler is not a leadoff hitter. I know it's early ST but if he keeps tearing it up, that 26 man roster heading north could be a lot different than most anticipate. JMHO

[ashbury]

1 hour ago, PDX Twin said:

Just curious: Is TD abandoning the written word? I love reports from Spring Training, but I hate listening rather than reading.

I tend to avoid podcasts and the like, too, but an aggressively edited two-minute video was hardly a deal breaker for me in this case.  

[Doctor Gast]

I love Julien & Martins trajectory. With all the base running training we had it's kinda disappointing that there has only been 4 SB attempts in 5 games, 3 successful. This is where we need to really break loose & let things fly in ST.

[Omgbenji]

1 hour ago, PDX Twin said:

Just curious: Is TD abandoning the written word? I love reports from Spring Training, but I hate listening rather than reading.

I sincerely hope not. It’s tiring how so many outlets are going to video. I just want to read a lot of times. Also, hard to watch and listen to video at work and would rather just read. 

[Nashvilletwin]

I hope I’m still around to see Julien (like several others) when the FO finally let’s him play for the varsity team. Who knows when that will happen. In the meantime I will try to stay awake with all the one year rentals comprising our roster.

[PatPfund]

I try not to be a hater, but, yeah, I hate the new vague injury language. Larnach has a 'lower body injury' and that might indeed be concerning. A pulled hip flexor, a ruptured hamstring, a torn ACL, a fractured femur, a broken toe, a damaged Achilles, and a dislocated ankle could all be called 'lower body injuries'. So could a hangnail, bunyons, regular sore muscles, or a leg bruise.

On the words/video front, I prefer words by far. But getting a few videos that give a little extra taste of Spring Training to my wintry eyes and ears is a nice addition. 

[stringer bell]

The injuries to Larnach and Miranda are concerning, of course. I'm sure that in Spring Training, the Twins aren't going to take any chances with anyone. 

Any complaints about having competent veterans on board bring me back to last year when the not-ready Wallner plus Cave, Celestino and Contreras were playing regularly in the outfield. I'd much rather have major leaguers playing and if the prospects come through, they will get their chance. 

If Rocco can get the veterans at-bats where they have the best chance of success, they will be fine, but I doubt the club will suddenly believe they are foundations of the team. There is a jumble of young, ready or nearly-ready position players without clear places where they will play. It's up to the field staff and front office to handle this, but the time is in the future. Goodness, guys like Kirilloff and Larnach haven't established themselves and a bad season could change the opinion of Miranda and Gordon. 

[Han Joelo]

Yeah, I was a daily reader but the newer formatting here is tough.  Does not play well on an iPhone due to so many pop-up videos, and Safari doesn't think it's safe so I have to click through warnings on my laptop.  Kinda miss the simpler times.  Will search out a box score on MLB.com.

Having said that, you guys still are the greatest.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Thanks for the update.  My preference is generally for printed words but the little videos are a nice changeup from the usual fare.  I would prefer some other background than walking around the outside of the stadium . . . maybe turn around and make a video with the game in the background? 

The Larnach injury could be concerning (or not, as they don't tell you the severity or nature of the injury).  Hopefully it is nothing serious and he'll be back at it in a day or two.

[ashbury]

It occurs to me that there might be a bias toward readers rather than video watchers in these comments, because the readership gravitated here in the first place.    Bonnes could be reaching a new audience.

[David HK]

Add me to the old school reader brigade, I keep meaning to watch the video logs when not at work, but haven't remembered to do so thus far.  

Nice to see a familiar name in the box today- Mike "Gulfa" Tonkin, long-time Twins AAAA pitcher.  Man, he's a bulldog still plugging away, and I wish him well. (Even tho we lit him up a bit today).  From Japan to DR to Mexico, to the Long Island Ducks, and now with the Braves, he's been all over the world, working hard to keep his dream alive.  Hats off to him.

[Riverbrian]

8 hours ago, ashbury said:

It occurs to me that there might be a bias toward readers rather than video watchers in these comments, because the readership gravitated here in the first place.    Bonnes could be reaching a new audience.

Back in 1965 at the Newport Folk Festival. Bob Dylan backed by the the Paul Butterfield Blues Band went electric for the very first time. 

Nearly 100,000 people who were expecting "The Times They Are A-Changin" were upset that the times were indeed a changin. 

Bob Dylan Electric? How dare he. 

[Squirrel]

Geeeeeeez … a 2-minute video clip and with the comments here you’d think every offering is video. I don’t know about you all, but I can’t get through every written article and every written comment, so I appreciate a 2-minute clip from time to time. Podcasts are a different thing. Those I don’t always have time for because they are waaaaaaay longer. Some users like the video, so there is video on the site. But there is and will always be way more written word to read. Get over it already.

@John Bonnes and @Nick Nelson, thank you for all the ST coverage in whatever format you deliver it for those of us who can’t be there … although I was fortunate to be there for a bit and am returning on Friday … but you guys have the access and give us way more info. Thank you!

[DJL44]

11 hours ago, Rod Carews Birthday said:

maybe turn around and make a video with the game in the background? 

That would be a "rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of this game, without the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball"

[whitsbrain]

I appreciate the video updates and assume they give Mr. Bonnes more time to relay as much news to fans as possible without having to reserve time to hammer away on a keyboard.  I prefer to read, especially when stats are relayed, but understand it's most valuable to use the "right tool for the job".  Keep those video updates coming!

[Rod Carews Birthday]

28 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

That would be a "rebroadcast, retransmission, or account of this game, without the expressed written consent of Major League Baseball"

Oops!  Oh yeah.  Forgot about that!  

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I have enjoyed the audio/video reports from the fort and I'll be there for a week starting this Sunday. I'll be looking for John Boones walking around the stadium during the game, talking to himself. If I see John doing that, I'm going to jump in front of the camera to say hello to all you TD readers, er, watchers. By the way, somebody (cough, cough, Eddie Julien) contacted me and asked me to check on Jorge Polanco's status for him. I haven't seen where Polanco has played in a game yet. I may have missed it, if he did, but I have an excuse. I have been practicing walking around my house, recording into my phone, while the Twins have been playing. I'm in training for my spring training video reports from the fort. 

[chinmusic]

These 2 minute clips  are perfectly appropriate for spring training, and Bonnes does it well.

Keep it up!

[Whitey333]

I too prefer reading the articles.  But I do find the videos informational and entertaining as well.  Keep them up.  I'm not a fan of podcasts however.  But I realize I'm in the minority there.  I always turn to TD for my twins information.  Keep up the good work!!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

6 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I have enjoyed the audio/video reports from the fort and I'll be there for a week starting this Sunday. I'll be looking for John Boones walking around the stadium during the game, talking to himself. If I see John doing that, I'm going to jump in front of the camera to say hello to all you TD readers, er, watchers. By the way, somebody (cough, cough, Eddie Julien) contacted me and asked me to check on Jorge Polanco's status for him. I haven't seen where Polanco has played in a game yet. I may have missed it, if he did, but I have an excuse. I have been practicing walking around my house, recording into my phone, while the Twins have been playing. I'm in training for my spring training video reports from the fort. 

Sorry Mr. Bonnes. I misspelled your name.

[Cris E]

I'm a reader, not a watcher. If the info is important put it in the description of the vid, but sound is not compatible with work.

[Shaitan]

I understand the value of multimedia, but please identify the medium in the headline, at minimum.

Personally, I'm never going to watch these. I prefer to keep the sound off while using devices and I don't find watching people talking to their phones to be interesting.