Report From The Fort: Royce's Work, Simeon's Slider & A Right-Handed Bat Battle

[John Bonnes]

Image courtesy of © Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

FORT MYERS - The Twins kicked off their spring training Grapefruit League season with a home opener against the crosstown rival Red Sox. Besides the disconcerting news about Joe Ryan's scratched start, here are some other things the nearly 8000 fans at Hammond saw:

Royce’s Work Paying Off
In the first inning, Royce Lewis made a nice play on a bouncing ball up the third base line, reminding everyone that, despite his offensive struggles last year, he at least put to rest some concerns about his defense at third base. 

Then, in the fifth inning, his throw to first base was wild and resulted in an error. 

This last week on Twins Daily’s Live show from Fort Myers, I was asked if it was possible that Royce Lewis would grade out as the second-best defender on the Twins this year, behind only Byron Buxton. I don’t think that’s unlikely at all. That’s partly damning of the Twins' overall defensive level, but I also think that the work he put in last year paid off and will continue to do so. 

The work he put in this latest offseason around his swing looks like it might pay off, too. He drilled a 96-mph fastball from southpaw Payton Tolle into left-center field to give the Twins a 1-0 lead in his first at-bat.

Simeon’s Splitter
Simeon Woods Richardson finished the year with a 4.04 ERA over 23 starts, his second year of providing solid production in the rotation. But while he clearly tired late in the season in 2024, he finished the 2025 season with a 2.33 ERA in September. This coincided with him leaning into his splitter more. It looks like he plans to do the same this season.

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[Thumbs Down Guy]

I find it odd that this is posted on diamond centric where fans from other teams cannot read the entire article, unless it is to familiarize them with a caretaker format and that it may be an opportunity for them and their teams.

Hope you are successful, and best of luck!⚾️⚾️🏟️⭐️👍👍👍

[terrydactyls]

Because I am not a caretaker, I only saw a little of this article.  But...

Then, in the fifth inning, his throw to first base was wild and resulted in an error. 

The throw wasn't wild, it was low.  It was also a very feeble effort by the first baseman.  But, who cares, defense isn't important.

[stringer bell]

8 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

Because I am not a caretaker, I only saw a little of this article.  But...

Then, in the fifth inning, his throw to first base was wild and resulted in an error. 

The throw wasn't wild, it was low.  It was also a very feeble effort by the first baseman.  But, who cares, defense isn't important.

Yeah, it looked like the first baseman (Wagaman) should have at least blocked the throw. 

I would think that Martin should be looked at as more than a short side platoon bat. If he is able to get on base at a decent clip and be a factor on the bases, he would bring skills that are lacking in most of the lineup, especially if his improved defense later in the season is not a mirage.

 

[LA Vikes Fan]

Agree with you on Martin, He was by far the best of the young players in last year's August/September tryout camp. He should get a shot this year playing everyday to see if his .374 OBP from last year can stay above .350 and he can get his SLG from .365 to at least .380-.400. Add his above average LF defense to that roughly .725-.750 OPS and you have a starting OF, particularly if he can steal 25 plus bases at an 80% plus clip (last year he was 11-15, 12-15 would be 80%). He was much more than a short side platoon bat or 4th OF last year in 50 games/156 ABs. Maybe last year was a mirage, but let's find out. We aren't going to find out if he plays 2-3 days a week. Hit him in the leadoff or 9 hole. Get him out there 5 days a week and see what we got.   

I don't know why the assumption here is that Larnach is the starting LF. We've seen that movie and it ends badly because he cannot field the position. I get that he was resigned at 4.7M(?). So what? Make him the LH DH with Bell at 1B and Wallner in RF or trade him for whatever prospect you can get. As of the end of last year, Martin brought more to the table IMHO. 

[Maybe Next Year]

17 hours ago, terrydactyls said:

Because I am not a caretaker, I only saw a little of this article.  But...

Then, in the fifth inning, his throw to first base was wild and resulted in an error. 

The throw wasn't wild, it was low.  It was also a very feeble effort by the first baseman.  But, who cares, defense isn't important.

Hey, what more can you expect when every writer of most every article on this site want to jettison Lewis, Lee, Wallner, Jeffries etc. etc..., Of course they aren't going to provide the entire picture.