We are expecting cuts either today or tomorrow. The belief was that they would move some bodies this morning, but there were presentations over at the minor league complex that manager Paul Molitor had to attend. We'll see if they do it this afternoon or decide to wait until tomorrow.
At that presentation, Jose Berrios and Max Kepler received their minor league pitcher and player of the year awards. The Arizona Fall League players who was on the title-winning team were honored. Stuff like that.
Here some observations from recent days in camp.
Jorge Polanco can hit but his defense needs to tighten up. He made some throws on Friday that made the first baseman work harder than he should have. Molitor said Polanco seems to be guiding the ball over toward first instead of throwing it.
It's easy to see during drills why Engelb Vielma is so good. His hands are faster than anyone's in camp. If he continues to improve his hitting, look out.
People I've talked to seem convinced that Byron Buxton will break camp with team, but he's 3 for 18 so far. Defense will not be a issue. But it would be nice if he would get on base more often to put his electric pace in play. I've set the floor at a .260 average for him. I think he gets off to a slow start but picks things up the second half of the season.
Max Kepler has played a lot of center field in camp. Looks like Molitor is making sure he has options in case of injuries, and that makes sense. Kepler moves well and is 4-for-15 in the field. He has a nice, smooth swing and looks like a kid ready for his big league shot. Look for him to open the season at Rochester but would be high in the pecking order if the Twins need to grad an outfielder. ``He can play center," Twins GM Terry Ryan said. ``There are people who have more range and can throw a little better. But if you are looking for a guy who can go out there and make the plays, he can track a ball, gets good jumps, takes good routes and has a feel for that position. Out of the three, that's not his best position but he can play it."
As of this morning Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar, Joe Mauer, Byung Ho Park, Trevor Plouffe, Eddie Rosario and Danny Santana have yet to draw a walk in spring training games. Others, like Miguel Sano, are working counts full and taking their walks. Different hitters work on different things, but is that a concern? ``It doesn't matter to me but it matters to some people," Ryan said. ``There are certain guys that should track pitches and be a little selective. There are also guys that need to get after it. Especially guys who can drive the ball out of the ballpark. Those guys are going jump at something. I'm not opposes to walks. I'd rather have a guy draw a walk than swing at crap. There are some guys who come in here and want to take a lot because they want to see pitches they want to track the ball, they want to get their bearings. There are other guys who come in here and start swinging before the ball is out of the (naughty word) pitchers hand. Those are guys who normally don't have a history of walking, and they should."
