Spring Training Game #12
The Twins picked up another win this afternoon, beating the Marlins 4-2. Some quick thoughts:
1.) Kevin Slowey finally put together a solid outing, going 3 scoreless innings while allowing 6 hits and striking out 3 without walking anyone. I'm a little concern about the number of hits -- two per innings is too many -- but he was able to get out of trouble and picked up a fair number of K's. Phil Humber, meanwhile, picked up 2 more scoreless innings today to continue his excellent spring. While I consider him to be behind Slowey, Blackburn, and Perkins in the battle for a spot in the rotation, there's no question that he's been excellent this spring (in games that count, anyway), and he belongs in the conversation as well.
2.) Carlos Gomez went 0-for-3 while Denard Span went 1-for-1 and stole a base and Pridie went 1-for-1 as well. Can the phenom hold onto his advantage, or will Span (or Pridie) come up and steal it from him? We aren't going to know until the last week of camp, I would guess, but it sure is fun to follow day-to-day.
3.) Randy Ruiz went 1-for-3 today (which qualifies as a bad day for him with the spring that he's putting together), but the one hit was a big one -- a three RBI double that provided the winning margin for the team. I seem to say it every day, but keep your eyes on Ruiz.
4.) Another day, another Brendan Harris 0-fer. If you have two choices at 2B, and neither is hitting, you go with the guy who provides plus-defense, right? Am I wrong here? I realize that the sample size is still small, and I accept that Harris is a better hitter than he's showing (and a better hitter than Punto, for that matter), but having seen a bit of Harris' defense this spring, I'm actually starting to lean in Punto's direction. Feel free to bash me in the comments on this if you must . . .
5.) My guess is that Tommy Watkins will be cut within the next week. He's done nothing offensively (0-for-3 again today) and I still think that he looks like he gained weight in the off-season. Watkins callup last year was a great story, but I don't think it's going to be repeated in 2008.
Today's Big Winner: Kevin Slowey
Runner-Up: Phil Humber
Today's Big Loser: Tommy Watkins
Runner-Up: Brendan Harris
1.) Kevin Slowey finally put together a solid outing, going 3 scoreless innings while allowing 6 hits and striking out 3 without walking anyone. I'm a little concern about the number of hits -- two per innings is too many -- but he was able to get out of trouble and picked up a fair number of K's. Phil Humber, meanwhile, picked up 2 more scoreless innings today to continue his excellent spring. While I consider him to be behind Slowey, Blackburn, and Perkins in the battle for a spot in the rotation, there's no question that he's been excellent this spring (in games that count, anyway), and he belongs in the conversation as well.
2.) Carlos Gomez went 0-for-3 while Denard Span went 1-for-1 and stole a base and Pridie went 1-for-1 as well. Can the phenom hold onto his advantage, or will Span (or Pridie) come up and steal it from him? We aren't going to know until the last week of camp, I would guess, but it sure is fun to follow day-to-day.
3.) Randy Ruiz went 1-for-3 today (which qualifies as a bad day for him with the spring that he's putting together), but the one hit was a big one -- a three RBI double that provided the winning margin for the team. I seem to say it every day, but keep your eyes on Ruiz.
4.) Another day, another Brendan Harris 0-fer. If you have two choices at 2B, and neither is hitting, you go with the guy who provides plus-defense, right? Am I wrong here? I realize that the sample size is still small, and I accept that Harris is a better hitter than he's showing (and a better hitter than Punto, for that matter), but having seen a bit of Harris' defense this spring, I'm actually starting to lean in Punto's direction. Feel free to bash me in the comments on this if you must . . .
5.) My guess is that Tommy Watkins will be cut within the next week. He's done nothing offensively (0-for-3 again today) and I still think that he looks like he gained weight in the off-season. Watkins callup last year was a great story, but I don't think it's going to be repeated in 2008.
Today's Big Winner: Kevin Slowey
Runner-Up: Phil Humber
Today's Big Loser: Tommy Watkins
Runner-Up: Brendan Harris
Labels: Spring Game Recaps, Spring Training 2008
posted by JST @ Monday, March 10, 2008
5 Comments:
At Mon Mar 10, 05:17:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Harris should still be the starter. It's only spring training.
At Mon Mar 10, 09:09:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Punto will get it, but it's a shame that Alexi Casilla isn't weighing more heavily in the 2B conversation.
At Mon Mar 10, 09:38:00 PM ,
neckrolls said...
2 of the hits Slowey gave up were bunts, and one of those was because Harris forgot to cover first base. I'd rather see Casilla or Punto get the 2B job over Harris at this point.
It's a little silly how enamored some folks are of Gomez' skills (Joe C), when he's making as many miscues as good plays so far this spring. Span and Pridie are both quietly outplaying him.
At Tue Mar 11, 08:08:00 AM ,
Unknown said...
Blackburn is getting his first start Thursday. Slowey is still up in the zone. All fly-outs and strikeouts. He can get away with that against Florida but we saw what happened against the Red Sox. Still it seems like Gardy would still like to seem him make the team. Blackburn needs to be good Thursday.
At Tue Mar 11, 01:33:00 PM ,
Anonymous said...
Another 0'fer for Nicky P. It's got to go to Harris or Casilla. 2 hits for Everett, it sure would be nice if he could hover around .260. It is always funny to here people rip a pro for not being able to play and then he comes in and outplays a bunch of the AAA wannabes (Span, Casilla, Gomez). I guess .255 at the majors is better than .265 at Rochester. Still early but I bet he outplays them.
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