FORT MYERS, FLA. – Hall of Famer Bert Blyleven, a special assistant in Twins camp; Bob McClure, a senior adviser to player development; and Pete Maki, the team's new minor league pitching coordinator, compared notes Wednesday as groups of pitchers entered and exited the bullpen at CenturyLink Sports Complex.
Other pitchers bounced between one field where they worked on fielding drills, and another where they worked on signs. The key was to keep moving and not stand around, one goal of the new schedule crafted by bench coach Derek Shelton.
None of these people was around as coaches a year ago. Neither was Joel Skinner, the new manager at Class AAA Rochester, who threw batting practice to catchers. Or Tanner Swanson, the new minor league catching coordinator. And there's Garvin Alston, the new major league pitching coach.
The first spring training workout of pitchers and catchers often is spent trying to figure out what new players are in camp. This year for the Twins, the turnover among the major and minor league coaching staffs is obvious. If you count Justin Morneau, who will be a special instructor for the first time this spring, there are 10 coaches in camp who were not around last year.
"I used to worry a lot about pitchers and catchers and first day, full squad," Twins manager Paul Molitor said. "Now, mostly the angst comes from introducing people. I have a lot of people to introduce on Sunday. There's a lot of new coaches out there."
Throw in the complement of nonroster invitees, 40-man roster additions and free agents, and uniforms are being read like name tags at receptions or fundraisers. In this case, the Twins are getting to know people who will play a role in trying to get them back to the playoffs after last year's wild-card berth.
The first workout seemed to move to a different beat than in past seasons. Maybe because of Sheldon's schedule. Maybe because of the new blood on the staff.
Or maybe because of speakers set up around the complex.