Game Thread: Twins @ Pirates Final Spring Training Tuneup!

[wsnydes]

Today is the final spring tune up before the Twins head north to KC!

 

[wsnydes]

Mahle with a good first inning.

[stringer bell]

I suppose the only players who made the trip are the ones going to KC. That means we'll mostly see major leaguers for the Twins. Probably the most important thing to watch for in the exhibition finale is Mahle's velocity. I saw 93 in the first inning. Let's keep everyone healthy today!

[CRF]

Yes...let's hope Mahle has a good game and doesn't have any issues. Good to see his velo staying up. Hope everyone gets through the game today with no injuries. Bring on KC!

[wsnydes]

4 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I suppose the only players who made the trip are the ones going to KC. That means we'll mostly see major leaguers for the Twins. Probably the most important thing to watch for in the exhibition finale is Mahle's velocity. I saw 93 in the first inning. Let's keep everyone healthy today!

Perhaps most importantly, his velocity has been pretty consistent from what I've seen.  To me, that's a good sign that we're seeing the velocity game to game and pitch to pitch.

[wsnydes]

Anyone know how they calculate "perceived velocity"?

[CRF]

2 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Anyone know how they calculate "perceived velocity"?

That's a term for old guys like me, when they think about how fast they used to do things. 

[wsnydes]

4 minutes ago, CRF said:

That's a term for old guys like me, when they think about how fast they used to do things. 

So, does that make the perceived part how fast you think you did things in the past, or how fast you're doing things now based on how quickly you used to do said things? 😁

[CRF]

3 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

So, does that make the perceived part how fast you think you did things in the past, or how fast you're doing things now based on how quickly you used to do said things? 😁

Yes.

[stringer bell]

23 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

I suppose the only players who made the trip are the ones going to KC. That means we'll mostly see major leaguers for the Twins. Probably the most important thing to watch for in the exhibition finale is Mahle's velocity. I saw 93 in the first inning. Let's keep everyone healthy today!

Guess I was wrong about extra players. Bremer said yesterday that the team was flying from Bradenton to KC.

[stringer bell]

Mahle is at 51 pitches. That's about where Lopez, Gray and Ryan were when they were removed from their last ST starts. I wonder if Rocco lets Mahle go for another inning.

[tony&rodney]

Mahle looks decent, certainly a good #4 pitcher. Twins fans should be excited to see what this starting rotation can accomplish this season.

On the other hand, Joey Gallo doesn't seem to be on much in the games I have seen this March. Has anyone seen positives from Gallo's play?

[CRF]

1 minute ago, tony&rodney said:

Mahle looks decent, certainly a good #4 pitcher. Twins fans should be excited to see what this starting rotation can accomplish this season.

On the other hand, Joey Gallo doesn't seem to be on much in the games I have seen this March. Has anyone seen positives from Gallo's play?

I don't really like Gallo in the #1 spot. I know he walks a lot, but I think he should be hitting way down in the order.

[stringer bell]

1 minute ago, CRF said:

I don't really like Gallo in the #1 spot. I know he walks a lot, but I think he should be hitting way down in the order.

Gallo is a veteran player. I think his production should be watched starting on Thursday. If he struggles as he did last year, well....it's a one-year contract.

[wsnydes]

Just now, stringer bell said:

Gallo is a veteran player. I think his production should be watched starting on Thursday. If he struggles as he did last year, well....it's a one-year contract.

I think he was signed more for his defense than his offense.  If he regains his power stroke, that's just a bonus.

[tony&rodney]

Just now, stringer bell said:

Gallo is a veteran player. I think his production should be watched starting on Thursday. If he struggles as he did last year, well....it's a one-year contract.

Agree with this thought. My concern is if Gallo continues to flail for more than 100 at bats. While I am hoping that Gallo finds success, particularly with runners on base, I do think the Twins need to be proactive if he is just repeating last year.

[stringer bell]

Well, only the last two position players on the varsity are in the game. Mahle is done after a nice four innings of work. I guess I can reorganize my sock drawer now. 

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, stringer bell said:

Well, only the last two position players on the varsity are in the game. Mahle is done after a nice four innings of work. I guess I can reorganize my sock drawer now. 

Always good to be organized to start the season.  

[Mike Sixel]

8 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

I think he was signed more for his defense than his offense.  If he regains his power stroke, that's just a bonus.

Which makes it odd he's at first, IMO....

[wsnydes]

7 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Which makes it odd he's at first, IMO....

I agree entirely.

[FlyingFinn]

Whatever happened to Michael Helman? Some of us wanted to see him with the Twins in September last year (plays many positions, decent batting average, 40 stolen bases, and pretty good on defense if I have that correct). Is he injured as I'm not sure he's batted even once this spring in a Twins game? He is on the Saints roster.

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, wsnydes said:

I agree entirely.

Like, "anyone" can play first, but Gallo is elite in the OF (on D). I just don't get it. 

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Like, "anyone" can play first, but Gallo is elite in the OF (on D). I just don't get it. 

Exactly.  

I assume that Polanco's injury plays into that to an extent, but I still don't get it.  It'll be interesting to see what happens when Kirilloff comes back.  I'd rather see Larnach or Wallner in LF than Gallo unless Gallo is hitting.  Short of that, which I don't see happening anyway, I'm not sure what value Gallo has aside from a 4th outfielder.

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Exactly.  

I assume that Polanco's injury plays into that to an extent, but I still don't get it.  It'll be interesting to see what happens when Kirilloff comes back.  I'd rather see Larnach or Wallner in LF than Gallo unless Gallo is hitting.  Short of that, which I don't see happening anyway, I'm not sure what value Gallo has aside from a 4th outfielder.

I have more confidence in a Gallo bounceback than you.....but hope the leash is short if he's not hitting and Wallner is crushing AAA.

[wsnydes]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

I have more confidence in a Gallo bounceback than you.....but hope the leash is short if he's not hitting and Wallner is crushing AAA.

With the price tag on Gallo, I wonder how they'll approach him if he's not hitting.  Especially if Larnach and/or Wallner are crushing.

[FlyingFinn]

11 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

With the price tag on Gallo, I wonder how they'll approach him if he's not hitting.

$11 million pinch runner and defensive replacement off the bench, waiting for an injury to get him another chance would be my guess through the middle of July. Not sure they are going to give up on him before that.

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

$11 million pinch runner and defensive replacement off the bench, waiting for an injury to get him another chance would be my guess through the middle of July. Not sure they are going to give up on him before that.

Barring significant struggles, I don't see him being released before the break either.  It will be interesting though if there are one or two young guys pushing him off the roster.

[Major League Ready]

4 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Like, "anyone" can play first, but Gallo is elite in the OF (on D). I just don't get it. 

I think it's a matter of getting Gallo reps at 1B with Kirilloff out,  He probably gets used a lot at 1B which he has not played for 3 or 4 years.  Also, with Larnach looking good, he and Kepler have the corner OF spots covered.   I just hope he is not just good enough to hang around.  Give us 2021 Gallo or have Larnach and Wallner force the Twins to trade him by the deadline.  

[tony&rodney]

The Twins have to pull the plug on players who are finished. A failure to act decisively could cost them the division. Last year it was Duffey. This year?