Report From The Fort: Intentional From The Start

[John Bonnes]

Image courtesy of © Mike Watters-Imagn Images

FORT MYERS—There’s a festivity to the day that pitchers and catchers report. It’s not just empty romanticism. The vast majority of the people who have dedicated their lives’ labor to baseball—players, coaches, staff, and yes, even beat writers—love the game, and its return lifts spirits.

But it’s also an opportunity to set a tone. The tone new Twins manager Derek Shelton wanted to set was one of intentionality—specifically, intentionally doing the little things, because he’s seen them matter in the biggest moments. He demonstrated that to his players.

“Shelton mainly focused on two plays that happened in the playoffs this past year: [pitching defensive plays] that didn’t get done,” pitcher Bailey Ober said when asked about Shelton’s message to the pitchers. “Basically said this can decide games. Here's two examples, on the highest stakes. We’re going to treat Day One and the days going forward like that’s what’s on the line when we’re out there getting outs and fielding our position.”

If that sounds old-school, well, that was certainly part of the inspiration.

“I had a very strong conversation with a guy whose number is retired at my press conference," said Shelton when asked why he chose to emphasize it on the first day. "It really impacted me. I’m talking about TK [former Twins manager Tom Kelly]. Making sure it was highlighted from the first meeting, the first conversation, the first practice—yeah, I think that kind of took me over the edge. Honestly, I’d be crazy not to take advice that was passionate and heartfelt from someone who loves the Twins, so I kind of took it to heart.”

Shelton doesn’t come across as a fire-and-brimstone type. He’s more friendly uncle than drill sergeant. But he also has enough experience to know that over these next few weeks, he has a chance that may not come again: to establish a culture that can lead to success.

“I think overall the way we want our culture to be set up—the intentionality—which goes back to the point of how we go about our work,” Shelton said. It’s clear he, at least, is being intentional about this opportunity and his work.

New Bullpen Pieces

All season long—really, since last season's trade deadline—fans have wondered what the Twins would do to supplement their bullpen. Over the last two days, the Twins have added two experienced veterans to their bullpen picture. On Wednesday, they signed Liam Hendriks, a former All-Star closer coming back from elbow issues, to a minor-league contract. He should arrive in a couple of days, and the Twins say he’s healthy and ready to go.

“Everything’s been positive,” Shelton said. “He’s healthy, and he’s in a situation where he’s coming into camp to compete.” Hendriks is also part of Australia’s World Baseball Classic team.

They also made a trade Thursday for veteran left-handed reliever Anthony Banda. He likely slots in as the second left-hander in the Twins bullpen, behind Taylor Rogers but ahead of Kody Funderburk.

To make room for Banda, the Twins designated Jackson Kowar for assignment. Kowar spoke Thursday morning about how much he liked the situation in camp, especially because his spring-training locker sat next to Ober’s, a friend dating back to high school. Now, the Twins hope he’ll clear waivers and remain in the organization, giving them a chance to see whether a second year removed from Tommy John surgery helps him rediscover the feel for his changeup.

Mick Abel’s Control

Pitcher Mick Abel, whom the Twins acquired at last year’s trade deadline as part of the Jhoan Duran deal, reestablished himself as a prospect by tackling his biggest issue: command. In 2024, his walk rate was an ugly 5.2 BB/9. Last year, he cut that to 3.7—still a bit high, but playable with his electric stuff. As a result, his ERA dropped from 4.13 to 2.20 over the same span.

So what adjustments did he make? Abel insists it was more about the adjustments he didn’t make.

“I think a lot of it was confidence-based,” he said. “They just kind of let me loose, and they’re like, ‘Hey, do whatever you need to do. We’re not going to do anything mechanical. We’re not going to do anything with pitches.’ And being able to go through a full offseason of work and not having to think about where my arm is at in my arm motion—I’m like, ‘All right, screw that.’ That’s very gracious. Let me do that, and it’s how it should be.”

His plan this year is similar. If he can consistently pitch like he did late last season, including a final start in which he threw six scoreless innings and struck out nine against those same Phillies. there’s at least one rotation spot in camp that is legitimately up for grabs.

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If You're Here....

If you're lucky and/or smart enough to be attending spring training, one of the Twins' better events is coming up on Monday. On President's Day every year, the Twins open up Hammond Stadium for fans the same day that the hitters show up for spring training. There is a health fair (i.e a chance to get a lot of swag), but it's also a chance to watch the team up close. Kids can play in the outfield in the afternoon. This year, the healthcare fair has a new offering: free EKGs for kids, because Florida now requires them for kids playing athletics. Of course, if you have read Twins Daily's Ultimate Spring Traiing Guide, you already know all about this, as well as the best time to visit, how to interact with the players, and the best breweries in town. Hope to see you here soon. 

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[Parfigliano]

Stressing fundamentals.  I like it.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Hello John and Twins fans. I am loading my baseball glove, my autographed Tony O tee shirt, my sun screen and my wife and coming to spring training March 7 through the 14th. We look forward to this trip every year. We will call my former infantry platoon leader and have lunch with LT and Anne at their country club. We 4 will talk about our children and grand children, our health and about long ago days and nights in the Korean DMZ, when we were soldiers once, and young. On other days my wife and I will eat seafood at Salty Papa's (fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops, coleslaw and hush puppies, with a cold brew and another meal at Mission BBQ, where an olive drab duce and a half, sits in front of the restaurant and where I will get pork ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce plus collard greens and some sweet potato casserole. My wife, Jeannie and I will visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is a 1.2 mile boardwalk through a swamp where, when we walk slowly and look closely, we will see and hear alligators, snakes, owls, herons, frogs, and many birds. We will also go to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve at sunset to watch the water birds (Roseate Spoonbills,, giant pelicans, cranes, plus eagles, ospreys, etc.) flying in to prepare for the night. Large fish frequently leap from the water into the air, leaving huge splashes behind.  We will see 3 Twins' baseball games. Fun stuff. Nachos, covered with runny cheese and jalapenos, washed down with Killebrew Root Beer. We will cheer especially loudly for our fellow North Carolinians. But my favorite part of the trip is watching morning Twins'  practices. Pitchers practicing fielding drills of throwing the ball to first base. Pitchers running to first base to catch a throw while running. The cracks of the bats at various batting cages. The sharp smacks of 3  fastballs, one after the other, as they land almost simultaneously into in three  catchers' waiting gloves, from 3 pitchers 60 feet 6 inches away, lined up 12 feet apart on 3 side by side practice pitchers'  mounds. The players are boys again, working, laughing and learning. Some are intent. Most are relaxed. As they walk from the different practice fields, they talk with the fans. One of my favorite memories was being able to ask Rod Carew the secret of bunting. He said: "Listen to the sound the ball makes as it hits the bat."  I thanked him and walked away feeling like I had discovered the secret of life.  Hurry spring.

[CRF]

We might suck to high Heaven this season, and it's way too early to know if Shelton will be any good, but I already like him WAY better than Baldelli. 

[Over The Hill Again]

25 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Hello John and Twins fans. I am loading my baseball glove, my autographed Tony O tee shirt, my sun screen and my wife and coming to spring training March 7 through the 14th. We look forward to this trip every year. We will call my former infantry platoon leader and have lunch with LT and Anne at their country club. We 4 will talk about our children and grand children, our health and about long ago days and nights in the Korean DMZ, when we were soldiers once, and young. On other days my wife and I will eat seafood at Salty Papa's (fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops, coleslaw and hush puppies, with a cold brew and another meal at Mission BBQ, where an olive drab duce and a half, sits in front of the restaurant and where I will get pork ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce plus collard greens and some sweet potato casserole. My wife, Jeannie and I will visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is a 1.2 mile boardwalk through a swamp where, when we walk slowly and look closely, we will see and hear alligators, snakes, owls, herons, frogs, and many birds. We will also go to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve at sunset to watch the water birds (flamingos, giant pelicans, cranes, plus eagles, ospreys, etc.) flying in to prepare for the night. Large fish frequently leap from the water into the air, leaving huge splashes behind.  We will see 3 Twins' baseball games. Fun stuff. Nachos, covered with runny cheese and jalapenos, washed down with Killebrew Root Beer. We will cheer especially loudly for our fellow North Carolinians. But my favorite part of the trip is watching morning Twins'  practices. Pitchers practicing fielding drills of throwing the ball to first base. Pitchers running to first base to catch a throw while running. The cracks of the bats at various batting cages. The sharp smacks of 3  fastballs, one after the other, as they land almost simultaneously into in three  catchers' waiting gloves, from 3 pitchers 60 feet 6 inches away, lined up 12 feet apart on 3 side by side practice pitchers'  mounds. The players are boys again, working, laughing and learning. Some are intent. Most are relaxed. As they walk from the different practice fields, they talk with the fans. One of my favorite memories was being able to ask Rod Carew the secret of bunting. He said: "Listen to the sound the ball makes as it hits the bat."  I thanked him and walked away feeling like I had discovered the secret of life.  Hurry spring.

Wow I’m pretty jealous that sounds amazing. Thanks for sharing. And thank you for your service to our country. 

[GNess]

You only  get one chance to make a first impression.

[The Great Hambino]

After all the Yakety Sax plays Twins pitchers made trying and failing to throw the ball to first base in the early portion of last year, pitchers fielding their position doesn't sound like a bad area to focus on in day one of camp

[TJSweens]

45 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Hello John and Twins fans. I am loading my baseball glove, my autographed Tony O tee shirt, my sun screen and my wife and coming to spring training March 7 through the 14th. We look forward to this trip every year. We will call my former infantry platoon leader and have lunch with LT and Anne at their country club. We 4 will talk about our children and grand children, our health and about long ago days and nights in the Korean DMZ, when we were soldiers once, and young. On other days my wife and I will eat seafood at Salty Papa's (fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops, coleslaw and hush puppies, with a cold brew and another meal at Mission BBQ, where an olive drab duce and a half, sits in front of the restaurant and where I will get pork ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce plus collard greens and some sweet potato casserole. My wife, Jeannie and I will visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is a 1.2 mile boardwalk through a swamp where, when we walk slowly and look closely, we will see and hear alligators, snakes, owls, herons, frogs, and many birds. We will also go to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve at sunset to watch the water birds (flamingos, giant pelicans, cranes, plus eagles, ospreys, etc.) flying in to prepare for the night. Large fish frequently leap from the water into the air, leaving huge splashes behind.  We will see 3 Twins' baseball games. Fun stuff. Nachos, covered with runny cheese and jalapenos, washed down with Killebrew Root Beer. We will cheer especially loudly for our fellow North Carolinians. But my favorite part of the trip is watching morning Twins'  practices. Pitchers practicing fielding drills of throwing the ball to first base. Pitchers running to first base to catch a throw while running. The cracks of the bats at various batting cages. The sharp smacks of 3  fastballs, one after the other, as they land almost simultaneously into in three  catchers' waiting gloves, from 3 pitchers 60 feet 6 inches away, lined up 12 feet apart on 3 side by side practice pitchers'  mounds. The players are boys again, working, laughing and learning. Some are intent. Most are relaxed. As they walk from the different practice fields, they talk with the fans. One of my favorite memories was being able to ask Rod Carew the secret of bunting. He said: "Listen to the sound the ball makes as it hits the bat."  I thanked him and walked away feeling like I had discovered the secret of life.  Hurry spring.

Awesome man! We used to make that trip every year too. Then we moved down here. Ian aside, life on the beach is great. Sunsets over the gulf never disappoint. Spring training is still special. That's when hope springs eternal.

[Blyleven2011]

Shelton will be good for the team , emphasize all the traditional ways to play good baseball  , Shelton will be better for the players to ...

As 1 poster already said ,I like him more than Rocco already  , can Shelton get these players to play a more competent  , more exciting game , the only answer is , he has  nowhere to go but UP ...

[Rhyno006]

Love that TK was at Shelton's opening presser and love even more Shelton listened to and was inspired by him. There is nothing worse to me than seeing a MLB team make a slew of errors in any given game. Just one of the areas the Twins needed to improve. Ok and after reading tarheelstwinsfan post above, I'm officially wanting to get down to ST one of these years very soon!

[nicksaviking]

Ok, now I’m sold on Shelton. Looks like he’s filling in for Carson on The Tonight Show circa 1975.

Could fluff up the chest hair a tad more though.

[The Great Hambino]

14 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Ok, now I’m sold on Shelton. Looks like he’s filling in for Carson on The Tonight Show circa 1975.

Could fluff up the chest hair a tad more though.

I liked him when he was The Most Interesting Man In The World for Dos Equis

[OregonTwinsFan]

Ahhh! Spring training. I can smell it from here.

[IndianaTwin]

3 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Hello John and Twins fans. I am loading my baseball glove, my autographed Tony O tee shirt, my sun screen and my wife and coming to spring training March 7 through the 14th. We look forward to this trip every year. We will call my former infantry platoon leader and have lunch with LT and Anne at their country club. We 4 will talk about our children and grand children, our health and about long ago days and nights in the Korean DMZ, when we were soldiers once, and young. On other days my wife and I will eat seafood at Salty Papa's (fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops, coleslaw and hush puppies, with a cold brew and another meal at Mission BBQ, where an olive drab duce and a half, sits in front of the restaurant and where I will get pork ribs slathered in tangy BBQ sauce plus collard greens and some sweet potato casserole. My wife, Jeannie and I will visit the Six Mile Cypress Slough Preserve, which is a 1.2 mile boardwalk through a swamp where, when we walk slowly and look closely, we will see and hear alligators, snakes, owls, herons, frogs, and many birds. We will also go to Ding Darling Wildlife Preserve at sunset to watch the water birds (flamingos, giant pelicans, cranes, plus eagles, ospreys, etc.) flying in to prepare for the night. Large fish frequently leap from the water into the air, leaving huge splashes behind.  We will see 3 Twins' baseball games. Fun stuff. Nachos, covered with runny cheese and jalapenos, washed down with Killebrew Root Beer. We will cheer especially loudly for our fellow North Carolinians. But my favorite part of the trip is watching morning Twins'  practices. Pitchers practicing fielding drills of throwing the ball to first base. Pitchers running to first base to catch a throw while running. The cracks of the bats at various batting cages. The sharp smacks of 3  fastballs, one after the other, as they land almost simultaneously into in three  catchers' waiting gloves, from 3 pitchers 60 feet 6 inches away, lined up 12 feet apart on 3 side by side practice pitchers'  mounds. The players are boys again, working, laughing and learning. Some are intent. Most are relaxed. As they walk from the different practice fields, they talk with the fans. One of my favorite memories was being able to ask Rod Carew the secret of bunting. He said: "Listen to the sound the ball makes as it hits the bat."  I thanked him and walked away feeling like I had discovered the secret of life.  Hurry spring.

I'm sorry, what did you say you are doing? I got distracted when you said "fried seafood platter with shrimp, flounder and scallops..."

Have fun! 

[TJSweens]

53 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

I liked him when he was The Most Interesting Man In The World for Dos Equis

When Derek Shelton flirted with danger, danger got clingy

He once parallel parked a train....

[IndianaTwin]

44 minutes ago, The Great Hambino said:

I liked him when he was The Most Interesting Man In The World for Dos Equis

Training for being The Most Interesting Manager In The World for Los Twins?

[Danchat]

4 hours ago, CRF said:

We might suck to high Heaven this season, and it's way too early to know if Shelton will be any good, but I already like him WAY better than Baldelli. 

He's been a manager for 5+ years and 750 games, feels odd to be saying that it's "too early" when he has an extensive track record.

[miller761]

If I am the manager I would have TK at spring training everyday he wants to attend. I am old enough to remember TK's teams and their fundamentals. You very seldom saw a throw to a wrong base or an overthrow of a cutoff man. If there was a physical or mental mistake there was nothing done at the time of mistake. But it was taken care of behind the playing field and in some cases the player was not in lineup next day. Under Rocco it was very hard to watch sometimes. Baseball is a game where the most talented team may not win on a given day. a kind bounce here, a mistake at a bad time by the other team can give an inferior team a win. This happens more often than you think during a season and can make a big difference in how much success a team has. I look forward to a season when I see a Twins team bunt, move runners over, get a runner in from 3rd with less than 2 outs, make the correct throws in the field and just make all the normal plays for your position. If Shelton can accomplish that fans will start showing up again because we are winning mor than we are losing. 

[jmlease1]

15 hours ago, miller761 said:

If I am the manager I would have TK at spring training everyday he wants to attend. I am old enough to remember TK's teams and their fundamentals. You very seldom saw a throw to a wrong base or an overthrow of a cutoff man. If there was a physical or mental mistake there was nothing done at the time of mistake. But it was taken care of behind the playing field and in some cases the player was not in lineup next day. Under Rocco it was very hard to watch sometimes. Baseball is a game where the most talented team may not win on a given day. a kind bounce here, a mistake at a bad time by the other team can give an inferior team a win. This happens more often than you think during a season and can make a big difference in how much success a team has. I look forward to a season when I see a Twins team bunt, move runners over, get a runner in from 3rd with less than 2 outs, make the correct throws in the field and just make all the normal plays for your position. If Shelton can accomplish that fans will start showing up again because we are winning mor than we are losing. 

There's some rose-colored glasses going on here; you certainly had some botches on the fundamentals on some of the late TK teams especially as the overall talent level declined. (there were some rough stretches with guys like Lawton, Kelly, Brede, etc) It's like with Gardy's squads, who were praised as being fundamentally sound and for "playing the right way" for years even when the performance on the field didn't reflect it. 

I think you'll also be disappointed if you expect this team to intentionally trade outs for bases by bunting runners over. (seriously, what is the obsession that people have around here with MOAR BUNTING?) It's not going to score more runs, win more games, or put butts in seats.

[C-Gangster]

On 2/13/2026 at 9:31 AM, CRF said:

We might suck to high Heaven this season, and it's way too early to know if Shelton will be any good, but I already like him WAY better than Baldelli. 

I like Shelton too but I've always had a soft spot for Rocco Balldeli (He gave me a autographed baseball with a personal note on it). Didn't always agree with his managerial tactics. But the impact he made as a person and on the community will never be forgotten. But I am excited for the Shelton era. Also one thing I really appreciate is we have had bad managers statistics wise but I don't think we've ever had a maneger that did not make a positive impact on the players or community.