Spring training musings:

1.  Normally I don’t put a whole lot of stock in spring training games, the results, individual performances, etc.  But I have to tell you that this spring training has been a very upbeat one for the Twins.  They have a better than .500 record (13-10) and there was a stretch where the Twins won 6 straight games.  The starting pitching has been absolutely sensational and the bullpen pitchers have been pretty sharp themselves.  And there was a handful of rookies appearing in their first-ever spring training camp that made a lasting impression. OF Ben Revere was particularly impressive and RHP Anthony Slama also pitched very well.  And OF Juan Portes is still with the team and will travel to the Twin Cities even though he is going to be reassigned.  Slama will also be a part of eight or nine players coming North to the Twin Cities for the Cardinal games.  Revere will probably start out at AA New Britain, and maybe the same for Portes.  Slama will be the closer at AAA Rochester.  Keep your eye on them during the early season.

2.  OF Jacque Jones was told he won’t be a member of the Twins 25 man roster to start the season, but Jacque will report to AAA Rochester to begin play with the Red Wings.  If the Twins need another outfielder at anytime during the season, more than likely Jones will get the call.  He has had a very nice spring, but there just wasn’t any room for him on the roster.  The Twins will call on Alexi Casilla to play some outfield if needed, but for now the Twins outfield roster will include Michael Cuddyer, Denard Span, Delmon Young, and Jason Kubel.  Casilli has struggled some in playing outfield in spring training games but oufield coach Jerry White has been working with him daily and Casilla has improved.

3.  If I was to list one of the top three highlights of spring training (later on I will do a top ten), I would definitely talk about Michael Cuddyer’s spring.  He has been hitting .500 or better all spring, leads the team in hits and at-bats and has played just great all spring long.  I am sure he will carry it over to the start of the regular season.  In a pre-season publication (Sporting News) Cuddyer was listed as the “most under-rated” player in the game, and they sure got that right.  What a valuable man to have on the team.  He plays everyday, helps break up the dominated left-handed hitting line-up of the Twins, and is without a doubt the clubhouse leader on the team.  How fortunate the Twins are to have Michael Cuddyer on the team.  He’s a very valuable man to have.

That’s all for today folks.  Wednesday I will list the top ten highlights of spring.

“Touch ‘em All,”

JG

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