Notes: Tiffee's opportunity to shine
03/04/2006
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There are plenty of young Twins players getting extra opportunities to show what they can do with 14 players in the organization leaving for the World Baseball Classic.
But no one player may benefit from the team's defections more than infielder Terry Tiffee.
With the absence of first baseman Justin Morneau and a lack of depth at third base, Tiffee will be getting plenty of opportunities to see the field due to his versatility. Through three days of Spring Training games including a split-squad set on Saturday, Tiffee has had the opportunity to start in a game every day either at third or first, including his start at third base on Saturday in St. Petersburg against the Devil Rays.
"Definitely it's something that excites me," Tiffee said of his extra time. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to play more. I'd play every day if they wanted me to. I just want to play, hit and do whatever it takes to get on the field.
With all the additional playing time, Tiffee will have a chance to prove that his troubles from last year are behind him. Last season, Tiffee hit only .207 with 15 RBIs over 54 games with the Twins. Tiffee knows that he will have to display some better performances this spring to prove that he can indeed succeed on this stage.
"After last year, I had a terrible year so I definitely want them to know that I can still play at this level," Tiffee said. "I think it was just everything. Not being used to the role of coming off the bench and lacking confidence. A lot played into it."
Part of Tiffee's struggles may have been the change from an everyday player to a bench reserve role. It wasn't something that Tiffee adjusted to easily but when he was called up again near the end of the season, Tiffee appeared to grasp the role better.
"I didn't really do very good at the beginning adjusting, and then the second time I got called up I adjusted a little better," Tiffee said. "Still it's a tough situation for me because I've never been in that situation because I've been used to playing every day in the Minor Leagues. My goal is to eventually get an everyday spot here."
When the Twins made the decision to move Michael Cuddyer from third base this past offseason, there was some discussion as to whether they might try Tiffee in the role. It was something that the 26-year-old hoped for but knew was unlikely.
"I can't expect them to give me a spot after having a terrible year," Tiffee said. "The moves they made are good for the ballclub and I understand that.
Just because he wouldn't have an everyday role once again though, doesn't mean that Tiffee is against competing for a backup role with the club this season. From what he learned last year, Tiffee feels that he could possibly bring some experience to the team and give the Twins the depth that they need.
"There are a couple of guys that can back up those spots," Tiffee said. "But with me having a bit more experience at the big league level, I think that could play out in my favor as well."
First impression: Not much is usually made of starts in the spring, but Boof Bonser's Spring Training start on Saturday meant a little more since it was his first.
"It was nice, especially since it was my first," Bonser said, with a beaming smile on his face after his outing.
Bonser had reason to smile as he threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. It was two quality starts for the Twins as Scott Baker delivered another strong performance in St. Petersburg against the Devil Rays. Baker lasted 2 2/3 shutout innings, giving up three hits and striking out two.
One of the young pitchers getting some extra time on the mound with the absence of Johan Santana and Carlos Silva to the World Baseball Classic, Bonser is trying to take full advantage of the opportunity.
The big right-hander has often been talked about as a future starter for the Twins since being acquired in the A.J. Pierzynski trade to San Francisco, along with closer Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. Bonser was 11-9 last season with a 3.99 ERA at Triple-A Rochester.
"I would like to think that I'm ready for the next step," Bonser said following his start. "My goal has been to show them that I think I'm ready and let them make the decision."
The likelihood is that Bonser won't be in the running for a starting job this season but more starting spots could open up next year, especially if Brad Radke decides to retire. Bonser will have a chance to show his improvement as he will likely have three more chances to start this spring. The payoff may not come right away, but it's something Bonser is willing to wait out.
"I'm just waiting for my opportunity," Bonser said. "It's the name of this game, putting your time in and being patient. You just have to wait for the phone to ring."
Making his mark: Jason Kubel recorded his first hit of the spring, a sinking fly down the right-field line, in the sixth inning of Saturday's game, but it was his poise at the plate that impressed some of the Twins coaches.
Kubel still has only played in the designated hitter role and has yet to display what he can do in the outfield. In his first time on the bases, he looked a little tentative but still showed that there is power in his bat.
Twins tidbits: Catcher Shawn Wooten left early on Saturday afternoon to head back to the Twin Cities to be with his wife Marissa as she gives birth. ... The Twins announced on Saturday that they have agreed to terms on 2006 contracts with six players: pitchers Baker, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and Liriano, catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Morneau and outfielder Lew Ford. The club has now signed all 40 players on its roster for the season. ... Guerrier gave up his first home run of the season, a two-run shot by Brandon Phillips, in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Indians at Fort Myers. ... The Twins will be short on pitchers over the next few days due to the split-squad games on Saturday. The starter for Monday's game is still unknown, but pitching coach Rick Anderson said it will likely be either Willie Eyre or Glen Perkins who will take the mound against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
FORT MYERS, Fla. -- There are plenty of young Twins players getting extra opportunities to show what they can do with 14 players in the organization leaving for the World Baseball Classic.
But no one player may benefit from the team's defections more than infielder Terry Tiffee.
With the absence of first baseman Justin Morneau and a lack of depth at third base, Tiffee will be getting plenty of opportunities to see the field due to his versatility. Through three days of Spring Training games including a split-squad set on Saturday, Tiffee has had the opportunity to start in a game every day either at third or first, including his start at third base on Saturday in St. Petersburg against the Devil Rays.
"Definitely it's something that excites me," Tiffee said of his extra time. "I'm glad to have the opportunity to play more. I'd play every day if they wanted me to. I just want to play, hit and do whatever it takes to get on the field.
With all the additional playing time, Tiffee will have a chance to prove that his troubles from last year are behind him. Last season, Tiffee hit only .207 with 15 RBIs over 54 games with the Twins. Tiffee knows that he will have to display some better performances this spring to prove that he can indeed succeed on this stage.
"After last year, I had a terrible year so I definitely want them to know that I can still play at this level," Tiffee said. "I think it was just everything. Not being used to the role of coming off the bench and lacking confidence. A lot played into it."
Part of Tiffee's struggles may have been the change from an everyday player to a bench reserve role. It wasn't something that Tiffee adjusted to easily but when he was called up again near the end of the season, Tiffee appeared to grasp the role better.
"I didn't really do very good at the beginning adjusting, and then the second time I got called up I adjusted a little better," Tiffee said. "Still it's a tough situation for me because I've never been in that situation because I've been used to playing every day in the Minor Leagues. My goal is to eventually get an everyday spot here."
When the Twins made the decision to move Michael Cuddyer from third base this past offseason, there was some discussion as to whether they might try Tiffee in the role. It was something that the 26-year-old hoped for but knew was unlikely.
"I can't expect them to give me a spot after having a terrible year," Tiffee said. "The moves they made are good for the ballclub and I understand that.
Just because he wouldn't have an everyday role once again though, doesn't mean that Tiffee is against competing for a backup role with the club this season. From what he learned last year, Tiffee feels that he could possibly bring some experience to the team and give the Twins the depth that they need.
"There are a couple of guys that can back up those spots," Tiffee said. "But with me having a bit more experience at the big league level, I think that could play out in my favor as well."
First impression: Not much is usually made of starts in the spring, but Boof Bonser's Spring Training start on Saturday meant a little more since it was his first.
"It was nice, especially since it was my first," Bonser said, with a beaming smile on his face after his outing.
Bonser had reason to smile as he threw two scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. It was two quality starts for the Twins as Scott Baker delivered another strong performance in St. Petersburg against the Devil Rays. Baker lasted 2 2/3 shutout innings, giving up three hits and striking out two.
One of the young pitchers getting some extra time on the mound with the absence of Johan Santana and Carlos Silva to the World Baseball Classic, Bonser is trying to take full advantage of the opportunity.
The big right-hander has often been talked about as a future starter for the Twins since being acquired in the A.J. Pierzynski trade to San Francisco, along with closer Joe Nathan and Francisco Liriano. Bonser was 11-9 last season with a 3.99 ERA at Triple-A Rochester.
"I would like to think that I'm ready for the next step," Bonser said following his start. "My goal has been to show them that I think I'm ready and let them make the decision."
The likelihood is that Bonser won't be in the running for a starting job this season but more starting spots could open up next year, especially if Brad Radke decides to retire. Bonser will have a chance to show his improvement as he will likely have three more chances to start this spring. The payoff may not come right away, but it's something Bonser is willing to wait out.
"I'm just waiting for my opportunity," Bonser said. "It's the name of this game, putting your time in and being patient. You just have to wait for the phone to ring."
Making his mark: Jason Kubel recorded his first hit of the spring, a sinking fly down the right-field line, in the sixth inning of Saturday's game, but it was his poise at the plate that impressed some of the Twins coaches.
Kubel still has only played in the designated hitter role and has yet to display what he can do in the outfield. In his first time on the bases, he looked a little tentative but still showed that there is power in his bat.
Twins tidbits: Catcher Shawn Wooten left early on Saturday afternoon to head back to the Twin Cities to be with his wife Marissa as she gives birth. ... The Twins announced on Saturday that they have agreed to terms on 2006 contracts with six players: pitchers Baker, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier and Liriano, catcher Joe Mauer, first baseman Morneau and outfielder Lew Ford. The club has now signed all 40 players on its roster for the season. ... Guerrier gave up his first home run of the season, a two-run shot by Brandon Phillips, in the sixth inning of Saturday's game against the Indians at Fort Myers. ... The Twins will be short on pitchers over the next few days due to the split-squad games on Saturday. The starter for Monday's game is still unknown, but pitching coach Rick Anderson said it will likely be either Willie Eyre or Glen Perkins who will take the mound against the Pirates in Bradenton, Fla.
Source: http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
<< Home