A Good Day For Liriano
Posted on March 2nd, 2008 – 11:28 AMBy La Velle
Just watched Francisco Liriano throw batting practice this morning and saw a noticeably different pitcher.
He was allowed to throw harder today, which was tough luck for the hitters. I remember seeing a pop fly into short left field but nothing hard hit. Brendan Harris just stood in the batter’s box and didn’t even think about swinging. Everyone behind the batting cage - including manager Ron Gardenhire and pitching coach Rick Anderson - was encouraged.
“That was outstanding,” Anderson even said.
Liriano threw all his pitches but really worked on his change up. After the 10-minute session, Liriano wanted Anderson’s input on if his change up looked like his fastball. It was a normal spring training discussion between pitcher and coach and no questions on how his surgically-repaired left elbow felt.
Liriano will throw another batting practice session on Tuesday and could make his spring training debut either Thursday or Friday.
Gardenhire and Anderson hopped in a car after Liriano’s session and drove to the other side of town to meet the team as it prepared to face Boston at City of Palms Park.
39 Responses to "A Good Day For Liriano"
Good news. I’m more encouraged about Liriano this year since he’s had more time to rehab than the average first year back from Tommy John surgery.
Here is our opening day starter. But maybe not until next year. We will see. Thanks La Velle.
(drooling)
Knott a chance that would be caught! 
I know its not worth crying over spilt milk, but man, if Liriano’s really going to dominant, is there a single media outlet that wouldn’t have picked the twins as world series favorites if we still had Santana for one more year. I understand, it would have been risky, and the reward for keeping him would have been a one year window to win it all, but man, what a year it would have been. And in my opinion, one ring is worth five to ten years of average play any day. Now the best that we can hope for is a performance like last year. Potential, with one great starter, and a lot of unprovens.
Way to go Coco!!
Man, if Span could get a hit off Bucholtz I wonder why the Twins would have wanted him?
twins rough bucholtz up
liriano will be a force this year twins will surpise
The pitching wasn’t the thing that held the Twins back last year (or even in the playoff years). It was the offense. Even with Johan the Twins would be hard pressed to match up with Detroit.
Oh great one Punto.
FYI: Game is on NESN again this afternoon. Also, the Yankees v. Phillies game is on YES.
Spring Training baseball on the big screen baby!
pretty quiet over here today also…seems craig chased all away from joe c…..oh well, twins are doing well today…punto having a nice day …know that irks alot of fans..i myself think punto is great..although i wouldnt start him, but what a great backup……well LEN3..whats your impression of livans first outing…not bad, but one pitch and we know thats going to happen….that one strikeout with the slow curve was silly …what a pitch…..
Punto still hasn’t learned to work the count. His last AB-first pitching swinging to a flyball.
Joe C. is at the game, I’m not. I covered the Liriano batting practice session and now I’m watching George Toma pick pebbles out of the infield dirt and college softball teams invade the field for group photos - normal spring training stuff.
Shaun….your obviousley having a hard time understanding the game of baseball. Pitching and defense will get you wins well before offense will. Take a look at all of the first place teams last year and think about their pitching staffs. You can win with good pitching and defense and no offense, but you won’t win with offense and no pitching.
Make sure to give us a detailed recap of that LEN III!
Scott…
Yes, you got it. I just woke up yesterday and decided to start watching baseball. Then I took a hat, put the logos of all 30 MLB teams in the hat, and picked the Twins out so I had a team to cheer for.
I had no idea that you didn’t need offense to win. So I guess when the Twins pitcher only gives a run or 2 that will mean what?
LEN3…what are your thoughts on the Bears losing Berrian to the vikes..?think the vikes way over paid??
Toma picking pebbles?? think maybe id go to the game…lol… maybe theres more to that story………..
Of the 8 playoff teams last year:
4 were in the top 10 in MLB for lowest team ERA (Red Sox, Cubs, Indians, and Diamondbacks). Twins were also in the top 10 but not in the playoffs as we all know.
4 were in the top 10 in MLB in fielding % (Rockies, Red Sox, Phillies, and Yankees). Twins were 13th overall.
7 were in the top 10 in MLB in runs scored (Yankees, Phillies, Tigers, Red Sox, Rockies, Angels, and Indians). Twins ranked 25th.
Just food for thought, but if anyone should be able to tell you the Twins lack of OFFENSE is what hur them against the Angels in 2002, the Yankees in 2003 and 2004, and the sweep at the hands of the A’s in 2006 (and Hunter’s lovely defense which led to that inside the park HR).
You need a balance to win in baseball, not just 1 or 2 of the other. And if you don’t have that balance (like the Twins being 25th in runs scored last year) you probably not make the playoffs.
Thanks for the update Lavelle. How do Gomez and Young look so far? The Twinks could surprise a lot of people this year if Francisco continues improvement. How about Berrian to the VIKES!!!
From 30 degree Northern MN,
North Nickel
Nice hit Pridie.
Sad:
As much as I would’ve loved to have Johan team with Cisco, it wasn’t going to happen - it’s to the point of being spilled milk now.
Regarding the offense-defense discussion…would you rather pay money for a player who pitches only every five games, or a position player who plays every day? The Twins did the right thing in putting up money for Morneau and Cuddyer instead of Santana; do you think pitching and defense will get you wins before offense will? Take a look at Santana’s last 10 decisions in 2007, then get back to me (I’ll give you a hint: his losses were 4-3, 3-2, 2-1, 3-2, etc.).
Thank you Sam for a logical response.
Liriano = Johan Version 2.0
Some of the big market “contenders” would love to have the depth to pitching the Twins possess. Someone will also give the Twins our next 3rd baseman for Nathan before the trading deadline. Twins will be better than expected this year. Will contend in 2009. Twins will draw 3,000,000+ fans in 2010 when they will win the division. That’s what my crystal ball predicts. Hope it’s in focus. 
I hope we hang on to Nathan a little too long and either get another 5th-3rd rotation starter or let him leave and become a free agent.
It is so peaceful here. I went to Joe C’s blog, and it’s been CRAIGED to death. We need to call an exterminator.
How many seats does the new Twins stadium have? Because if they can get 50K per game they could draw 4 million in 2010.
Here is a short video I shot of Liriano’s side session on friday (29 Feb) not the BP lavelle is talking about, will try to get the tuesday session as well.
He was just warming up at that point in time because his arm angle was terrible, his foot was not planinting well, but watching that rock fly from his hand is almost religious… God that kid has talent.
I’m pretty sure that the capacity of the new stadium is just short of 40K, or right at that. It was going to be 42K, then then knocked some off, I believe.
LENIII-
Can you Update us on the status of Alejandro Machado. I know he was Rule V last year and got hurt. Do we have to trade for him, or is he ours now?
Craig needs to be banned from everything. He’s a serious drag on these blogs.
We had to offer Machado back to Washington to take him off the 40-man, which we did, and they said “no thanks” so we were able to send him through waivers and he’s ours for good. Some speculate that part of the Speigner trade included an agreement to do that. But that was never confirmed. Anyway, he has to be added to the 40-man again if they decide to being him north. The Twins will have one more slot for a nonroster invitee like Machado when they add Mijares to the 60-Day DL at the end of spring.
Who is this Craig guy?
It won’t make too much difference if some of the Twins players have good years or not. Manager Ron Gardenhire will increase the team’s losses by remaining uncertain about both the starting pitching rotation and the starting position players throughout the entire season. He can’t refrain from constantly manipulating the lineup.
Ron Gardenhire will not be able to refrain from constantly manipulating the team lineup and pitching rotation, which will keep the team near the cellar of the division throughout the season.
Mack is whack.
Gardy’s weakness is loyalty to veterans which delays him from playing younger players.
Guys like Lohse, Ponson, Ortiz, Punto, Batista Rondell, etc were given too many chances to reverse their seasons after their performances (or skills) diminished. He should manipulate the lineup and rotation earlier than he does.
Mack,
Who was the Twins manager when they won 4 divisions in 6 years?
It must have been Gardy’s brilliant Twin brother.
