The 5 Most Encouraging Stats and Trends from Twins Spring Training So Far

[Parfigliano]

21 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

He didn't know Cole was injured when he stood in the box like a seasoned vet.  Squaring him up twice is a nice bonus but more important is that he took very high quality at bats against him.  He's following his pattern of struggling in his first taste of a new level then getting comfortable and being good.  Being healthy helps too.

I have less concern with Lee than almost anyone on the roster.

I heard Gil is hurt too

[PatPfund]

Spring training stats are not meaningless, they simply have a different context than regular season stats, especially the first half of ST when you are working on things, or when healthy vets are just preparing for the season (like Lopez).

France is a former All-Star trying out/showcasing himself not just for the Twins, but for other teams in general, and the fact that he even has the health to slam pitching around the way he has is a great thing (because the background talent is already MLB-proven). I think the Twins have a great lineup addition, and what could prove to be a big trade deadline asset.

I'm pretty excited Julien's bat looks like it is coming back, but he has been absolutely brutal in the field. He's likely going to St Paul to work on that, which should concern the young man, because the wide-open door that was there for him last spring is rapidly closing with Brooks Lee already on the team, and Luke Keaschall in the offing. (Eddie might be another trade chip if he gets off to a good start with the Saints.)

And maybe it is just the games I've seen (are the Twins ever going to televise a home ST game?), but Festa had a great first outing, while the other times have been the opposite of him 'pounding the strike zone'. He has labored pretty badly to throw strikes, which may not show up as walks this spring (where people are getting hits in 3 ball counts), but do show in his pitch totals. (Can't find game logs, but pretty sure he threw 60 pitches in 2.1 innings against the Red Sox.) He really could use more AAA time with the specific mission to get more outs on fewer pitches.

Edited March 11, 2025 by PatPfund
Mis-hit post before last paragraph

[tarheeltwinsfan]

10 hours ago, ashbury said:

Living your best life.  I'm jealous.

I just retired 2 months ago after 52 years as a trial lawyer. It was a grind. But retirement is wonderful. 

[annismark]

my favorite stat...batters have the fewest strikeouts of all teams.

[stringer bell]

On 3/10/2025 at 11:30 AM, ashbury said:

Exit velocity against a motley collection of opponents may or may not have greater meaning than the traditional Spring stats, though.

Lee homered against a major league pitcher in the Yankee game (don't remember if it was Cole or a top reliever). Yeah, it is early and putting up numbers against minor leaguers isn't the same. However, it's better to be good than not. 

[tony&rodney]

For those interested in any trades with the Yankees, there are a few things to know. Aaron Judge is too expensive and has a full no trade contract. Other than Judge, the only two Yankees worth anything are Jazz Chisholm and Austin Wells. Neither will be traded. The Yankees do not have a single prospect worth discussing, so forget the Yankees unless you think Falvey is laying groundwork for a new job. I don't think so. Forgetaboutit.

[Hubie29]

 

If I remember correctly, Pablo had pretty ugly ST numbers last year also. Don't think it's going to reflect much on how he pitches once the season starts. 

My point is 3.91 career ERA is not ace worthy.  If others think of him as an ace, get ace return for him while you can

[IndianaTwin]

20 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

…. Also I saw a beautiful large Bard Owl at dusk at Six Mile Cyprus Slough,…

To be a Shakespeare Owl or not to be, that is the question. 

[TFRazor]

12 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

To be a Shakespeare Owl or not to be, that is the question. 

Is that from Owlthello?

[twinstalker]

On 3/10/2025 at 5:09 PM, Hubie29 said:

My thoughts exactly. Cole out for the year. Perfect timing to trade Lopez to the Yankees for a haul. Wins 40% of his starts last 2 years. This is not ace material. 

Exactly what would that haul be?  Their farm is junk right now, their consistently overhyped prospects are failing now before they can trade them.

And your metric (40% win-rate) is awesome, it's what I use, too, but it leads me to wonder: why would the Yankees want someone who only wins 40% of his games when they can go out and get someone who wins 50% of his games.  Help me out here.

[USAFChief]

13 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

To be a Shakespeare Owl or not to be, that is the question. 

I think the question is: "Hoo's on first?"

[TFRazor]

2 hours ago, USAFChief said:

I think the question is: "Hoo's on first?"

I don't know

[Hubie29]

3 hours ago, twinstalker said:

Exactly what would that haul be?  Their farm is junk right now, their consistently overhyped prospects are failing now before they can trade them.

And your metric (40% win-rate) is awesome, it's what I use, too, but it leads me to wonder: why would the Yankees want someone who only wins 40% of his games when they can go out and get someone who wins 50% of his games.  Help me out here.

Lombard, Vargas, Jones, Dominguez. Couple young pitchers to take a flyer on. Maybe the Yankees feel like alot of posters and think he is ace or #2 material, that's all I'm saying. We can easily replace his 21M with a younger guy. Get something while you can. I am not Falvey or Zoll, they can figure it out.  Not good enough to suffocate the youngsters. 

[ashbury]

4 hours ago, TFRazor said:

Is that from Owlthello?

Owl's Well That Ends Well

The Hunting of the Shrew

Much Ado About Hooting

Romeo and Juliet, or The Tragedy of Two Young Lovers Who Happen To Be Owls

[TFRazor]

3 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Owl's Well That Ends Well.

The Hunting of the Shrew.

Much Ado About Hooting.

Romeo and Juliet, or The Tragedy of Two Young Lovers Who Happen To Be Owls

The Hooting of the Shrew lol

[tarheeltwinsfan]

17 hours ago, IndianaTwin said:

To be a Shakespeare Owl or not to be, that is the question. 

Opps. "Barred". My bad.