Delmon

[felde]

Having a pretty decent spring so far. While that doesn't mean much, where did everyone go that wanted him run out of town?

[jamiche]

A guy playing a corner outfield position who can't field and can't throw needs to have a big bat. We haven't seen the big bat.

The conventional wisdom is that the Twins have a plethora of outfielders, but I don't see it. It is somewhat analogous to the basketball gophers: they have a lot of bodies, but no standouts. Cuddy had one good year but did nothing before and nothing since. Go Go is really raw. Kubel can't play in the field. Only Span gives me some confidence (and not a lot). That's why Delmon is still on the team.

[felde]

A guy playing a corner outfield position who can't field and can't throw needs to have a big bat. We haven't seen the big bat.

The conventional wisdom is that the Twins have a plethora of outfielders, but I don't see it. It is somewhat analogous to the basketball gophers: they have a lot of bodies, but no standouts. Cuddy had one good year but did nothing before and nothing since. Go Go is really raw. Kubel can't play in the field. Only Span gives me some confidence (and not a lot). That's why Delmon is still on the team.

My point was he is showing a bigger bat than almost anyone else on the team so far this spring.

And he has no arm? (Identifying the Elite Arms in the Game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2909515), Lost Art of the Outfield Assist (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/13/SPM512NDSJ.DTL&type=printable)) He was third among all outfielders in assists last season, and first among LFs.

It isn't often an argument is made so contrary to actual truth, but please feel free to buttress your claim.

[TruthTeller]

My point was he is showing a bigger bat than almost anyone else on the team so far this spring.

And he has no arm? (Identifying the Elite Arms in the Game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2909515), Lost Art of the Outfield Assist (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/13/SPM512NDSJ.DTL&type=printable)) He was third among all outfielders in assists last season, and first among LFs.

It isn't often an argument is made so contrary to actual truth, but please feel free to buttress your claim.

Jammer is Mr Positive.

[rrjackIII]

I know its Spring Training and I know Delmon was working on 'pulling the ball', but grounding into 4 DP's in one game might be a bit much. Just for the heck of it why not try to loft the ball out of the infield after 3 GIDP's? Just a thought.

[jamiche]

My point was he is showing a bigger bat than almost anyone else on the team so far this spring.

And he has no arm? (Identifying the Elite Arms in the Game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2909515), Lost Art of the Outfield Assist (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/13/SPM512NDSJ.DTL&type=printable)) He was third among all outfielders in assists last season, and first among LFs.

It isn't often an argument is made so contrary to actual truth, but please feel free to buttress your claim.


I stand corrected on his arm strength but you have to admit that his fielding is an adventure. The Twins need more production out of that position than 12-13 homers a year.

[monk10]

I have been down on Delmon, but I have always admitted it is from the fan sitting on the coach perspective. It appears he doesn't get himself in good defensive situations to benefit the team. The times when the ball is hit at him, that is when he can show off his arm strength. I enjoy the Twins b/c I like the way the play defense.

[Omega015]

My point was he is showing a bigger bat than almost anyone else on the team so far this spring.

And he has no arm? (Identifying the Elite Arms in the Game (http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/columns/story?columnist=crasnick_jerry&id=2909515), Lost Art of the Outfield Assist (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/09/13/SPM512NDSJ.DTL&type=printable)) He was third among all outfielders in assists last season, and first among LFs.

It isn't often an argument is made so contrary to actual truth, but please feel free to buttress your claim.

I will just say that Soriano typically is toward the top for OF assists as well, but nobody would argue he's a good left fielder.

I think you have to keep Young if for no other reason than you gave up a lot for him and you have to at least give it a chance to pan out.

[felde]

I will just say that Soriano typically is toward the top for OF assists as well, but nobody would argue he's a good left fielder.

I think you have to keep Young if for no other reason than you gave up a lot for him and you have to at least give it a chance to pan out.

I wasn't mentioning the assists to prove he has the best arm. Even though it does allow for some idea of his arm strength, my point was that EVEN THOUGH managers around the league (as quoted in the first article) know he has a strong arm, he STILL manages to be among the league leaders in assists- something that doesn't always happen (as you point to Soriano). That's pretty good, in my book.

[FiveStarFan]

I know its Spring Training and I know Delmon was working on 'pulling the ball', but grounding into 4 DP's in one game might be a bit much. Just for the heck of it why not try to loft the ball out of the infield after 3 GIDP's? Just a thought.

I'm not defending hitting into 3 DP's in one game but what you failed to mention was that his other at bat in that game he homered...Just saying

[Big Play]

All players have bad days Delmon just had one of those bad days.

[nasa35]

delmon is a disaster. Smith has no clue how to run a baseball team. We're on the downswing until we get a new GM.

[rrjackIII]

I'm not defending hitting into 3 DP's in one game but what you failed to mention was that his other at bat in that game he homered...Just saying

Yes - true he hit one out that day - but it was 4 GIDP's not 3 and he was hitting the ball hard and Gardy was sort of makin fun of it. It might have been a TWINS record if it was a regular season game.

Just saying, for your own good, hit the ball in the air to avoid the bench abuse after you've already hit into 3 GIDP's.

I hope Delmon has a great year. I was looking forward to his arrival last year. Some baseball numbers statistician compared his numbers at a similar stage in his early career IIRC to Ty Cobb. (Oh Well.)

I have one image problem with Delmon however that is tough to overcome. I believe it was the first midweek afternoon game of the year last year. I was sitting behind the plate with beer and peanuts. Delmon was in left. Gardy came out to change pitchers. Delmon dropped to one knee while the new pitcher warmed up. Come on. I don't recall seeing that in any level of baseball except little league. I know I should get over it and I am just about there - especially since it is SPRING. GO TWINS! - GO DELMON! Hit it out.

[Schnoodler]

delmon did talk about it. he said he is trying to pull it as part of his training. Ground balls are an inevitable outcome. he said even the homer had top spin on it. it's just like a pitcher throwing pitches in the wrong situation because he needs more game time reps with it. I think we're reading way too much into it.

[Dr.Don]

Spring Training breeds Life Eternal...What happens in ST determines everything. Delmon hits a HR and grounds into 4 DP's. Big Deal. Redmond might be our catcher fulltime, Big Deal. Gads...all is gloom and doom, and we still have a couple of weeks before the opener. I say..."Go St.Paul Saints". Beat the poop out of the Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks.

[GophersInIowa]

I have one image problem with Delmon however that is tough to overcome. I believe it was the first midweek afternoon game of the year last year. I was sitting behind the plate with beer and peanuts. Delmon was in left. Gardy came out to change pitchers. Delmon dropped to one knee while the new pitcher warmed up. Come on. I don't recall seeing that in any level of baseball except little league. I know I should get over it and I am just about there - especially since it is SPRING. GO TWINS! - GO DELMON! Hit it out.

Are you serious? I see guys doing that all the time. Not a big deal. Now if he was sitting on his behind or laying down, that would be different. I know I've seen Ichiro do that before and I don't think anyone can question how hard he plays.

[rrjackIII]

Are you serious? I see guys doing that all the time. Not a big deal. Now if he was sitting on his behind or laying down, that would be different. I know I've seen Ichiro do that before and I don't think anyone can question how hard he plays.

It was the 1st time I've seen it except little league. I should prolly pay closer attention.

[MN Gopher Fan]

I'm predicting a good year out of Delmon...so i took him in like round 24 of my fantasy draft, haha...but he'll be much better this year i believe

[Schnoodler]

Del hit his third dinger of the spring today.

[monk10]

Officially, Gomez committed eight errors, the same as Twins left fielder Delmon Young, but Dewan's system shows that Young's defense cost 11 runs last season, ranking him last among left fielders.

Does this validate my perception?

[felde]

Does this validate my perception?

I have no idea what "Dewan's system" is, so... hard to say.

[monk10]

I just want to be the first to coin the Delmon Young Experiment (c) monk10

When you make an obviously bad trade, and you have to continue to ride it out hoping for some slim chance it isn't as bad as it is.

[Schnoodler]

you know it's going to go just like his bro. we'll finally give up on him, and let him go, and then he'll blow up some place else when he matures.

Given that he isn't going to turn into a power threat most likely, he seems a little redundent and expendible. it's still way early in the season. But it's how it's looking.

Oh well.