BRADENTON, FLA - I'm here, and it's chilly. If you're coming to the Twins-Pirarates game today, dress appropriately.
The Twins' bus pulled up a few minutes ago, so I'm waiting to hear the explosion out of Rocco's office from whatever trap Derek Shelton left for him.
Here are a couple leftovers from Baldelli after last night's game, a 16-0 thrashing of the Golden Gophers.
On the quality of the at-bats: "Our guys in general, they had good at bats. When they got pitches to hit we saw some pretty good swings. Started out, Royce hits a ball good. You see Larnach hit a ball really good. We'll take it. These first few games, you are getting your feet under you. You are reminding yourself of the speed of the game. Trying to just find some positives. Every guys is just trying to find a couple of positives and what's going on out there. And that's pretty much it. There's not a lot of evaluation going on this early in camp. It's been awhile since these guys have played a game."
On expectations for the prospects in camp: "They're always going to be learning and watching and paying attention to the guys. But also finding their place among these other guys who are older and more experienced. Because you certainly want them to continue to observe and learn, and you always hear about eyes open, ears open, and picking up everything you can. But these guys are also getting closer to the big leagues. And when they arrive we want them to maintain that but also have the self-confidence to know that they can play at this level and they're not here just to please, they're here to go out there and perform and be one of 26."
On Matt Wisler's breaking ball: "He can really spin the ball and it even stands out at the highest level and I think for him throwing the fastball over the white and throwing strikes with that pitch but also certainly relying on his offspeed stuff, his breaking pitches, those are the strengths there."
Here are today's lineups for the REAL start of the Grapefruit League season. First pitch is scheduled for 12:05 p.m. central
Twins
Luis Arraez, 2B
Willians Astudillo, C
Jake Cave, RF
Trevor Larnach, DH
LaMonte Wade, Jr. LF
Royce Lewis, SS
Gilberto Celestino, CF
Zander Wiel, 1B
Jack Reinheimer, 3B
Devin Smeltzer, LHP. Sean Poppen, Zack Littell, Cody Stashak and Edwar Colina also on the list to pitch.
Pirates
Guillermo Heredia, CF
Bryan Reynolds, DH
Adam Frazier, 2B
Josh Bell, 1B
Cole Tucker, SS
Jacob Stallings, C
Phillip Evans, 3B
Socrates Brito, RF
Jared Oliva, LF
Mitch Keller, RHP
