Article: Spring Training Report - 3/16/2014: Dueling Aces and MILB games

[Thrylos]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php/2754-Twins-Spring-Training-Report-from-Fort-Myers-3-16-2014-Dueling-Aces-and-MILB-games

[drock2190]

Nice report! Good to hear Hicks did well.

[Dman]

Nice to hear Alex looks really good this spring. I wonder how long the Twins will be able to keep him in AAA before it becomes obvious they need to make a spot for him on the MLB team?

[bird]

Great report, thrylos, thanks. I agree, I do not want to watch Kubel and Bartlett play this summer, and I cringe at the thought of watching Presley on an every day basis.

[Halsey Hall]

Nice to hear Alex looks really good this spring. I wonder how long the Twins will be able to keep him in AAA before it becomes obvious they need to make a spot for him on the MLB team?

 

Meyer may start in NB this year. I mentioned to Gene Glynn the other day how his starting rotation will be better than last years Twins rotation.

[Halsey Hall]

Great report, thrylos, thanks. I agree, I do not want to watch Kubel and Bartlett play this summer, and I cringe at the thought of watching Presley on an every day basis.

 

The wind was howling yesterday, probably a steady 35 mph with gusts over 40, but Kubel launched a bunch of balls clean out of the park in bp yesterday. Gardy threatened to put him on the bus tommorrow if he kept loosing balls. Kubel said he was trying to go to left!

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

Good report Thrylos...I agree with you...why are the Jasons (Kubel and Bartlett) still around. Stick a fork in them, they are done.

[Dantes929]

" Kubel said he was trying to go to left! " I don't recommend trying to go to left any more than trying to pull the ball. Hitting a baseball can be as counterintuitive as golf. A right hander does not hit a golf ball to the left by opening up his stance , hips and shoulders. That is actually the recipe for a big slice. In baseball its a recipe for weak ground balls pulled and short pop ups the other way because of the bat lagging behind. Hitters should be thinking hit up the middle and let their natural power swing pull the ball by meeting it slightly in front on a middle/in pitch. When Cuddyer, Kubel, Young, and Valencia tried to pull the ball they had terrible results. Curve balls and sliders on the outside made them look silly. My two cent theory on hitting.

[bird]

The wind was howling yesterday, probably a steady 35 mph with gusts over 40, but Kubel launched a bunch of balls clean out of the park in bp yesterday. Gardy threatened to put him on the bus tommorrow if he kept loosing balls. Kubel said he was trying to go to left!

 

Love your contributions, Halsey. Thanks for taking the time! Just wondering if Kubel avoided the strikeouts during bp.

[Seth Stohs]

I assumed that Meyer would start at AA New Britain. I just think it makes sense.

 

As for Kubel and Bartlett, and especially Kubel, there's too much track record to worry about 2-3 weeks of struggles at the beginning of March with irregular at bats. Don't want to just give up on them right away. Maybe they spend a month in Rochester and are ready in May. Wouldn't be a bad thing.

[Dave T]

A fine report, Thyrlos. Very interesting, and concise too! Seth, please take note! :-)

[twinsfan34]

Again, fine reporting Thyrlos.

 

Totally on board with you on Kubel and Bartlett. Time to let them go. Or at best...send them to AAA where maybe they get their swings on line and hit .330+ to earn a MLB call up.

 

Hicks has looked great...only seen 4 games (on TV) but the Box Scores are pretty solid when I haven't been watching. Then the Defense...he's already a borderline GG defender.

 

Presley sucks...

 

I'm more hopeful from your report that Hicks will make the MLB roster and should be starting.

 

Also more hopeful we'll see Alex Meyer sooner than later. My feeling is when Alex Meyer pitches, it will be Alex Meyer vs Alex Meyer, that is, he will more likely beat himself (through mistakes, control issues) than the other team beating him with his stuff being on.

[Seth Stohs]

A fine rreport, Thyrlos. Very interesting, and concise too! Seth, please take note! :-)

 

Note taken.

[Lonestar]

I assumed that Meyer would start at AA New Britain. I just think it makes sense.

Why does this make sense?

[Ncgo4]

Hicks, after yesterday's 4 for 4 performance, certainly has to have sewn up the CF starting position.

 

As to Kubel and Bartlett, they were dropped by previous teams for lack of performance. Nothing, and I mean nothing, has left room to suspect anything else is forthcoming. I just do not understand Gardy's penchant for sticking with the familiar, even when they no longer produce. It's not like he's putting his sons-in-law out on the street. These guys have made fortunes. It's just, IMHO, time to begin the transition to the next generation.