Today’s informal workout was highlighted by the arrival of backup catcher Mike Redmond and his non-stop chatter.

“Let’s see how the first swing of spring goes,” Redmond said as he stepped into a batting cage. Seconds later, his cricket-style swing sent a flip throw by Brain Buscher to what would have been right field. “Just like riding a bike.” Redmond said.

Redmond, Buscher, Matt Macri, Carlos Gomez, Toby Gardenhire and others later took batting practice on a back field. But Redmond ended up on an adjecent field chatting away with Kevin Slowey and Glen Perkins as they went through long toss drills.

The sun was something Redmond hadn’t seen in awhile, and his pale skin showed it. He spent the offseason in Washington, worked out at Gonzaga and went outside one time all offseason to play catch with Jeremy Affeldt when the temperature reached 35.

I’ve seen two Twins players who definitely look bigger than last season. One is Justin Morneau. The other is Brian Buscher.

Buscher spent the offseason doing boot camp-style workouts that have given him a more muscular look. Let’s see how it translates on the field.

Gomez worked out Saturday as his father looked on. Twins manager Ron Gardenhire told me that Gomez’s job with the Mets was to mess with teammates and keep things loose on the bench, which he does with the Twins.

“He calls me Santa Claus,” Gardenhire said. 

Among the riveting subjects discussed behind the batting cage today were boot camp workouts, fishing, batted balls hitting birds, golf, the cost of diapers in the USA vs the Dominican Republic and Plato, Mn.

 Yes, Plato. Twins minor league field coordinator Joel Lepel is from there, and reads this blog.

“You looking for something to write in your blog?” Lepel asked. “Tell  everyone at the coffee shop in Plato I said hi.”

 The popular Lepel has thrown batting practice and hit grounders to players this week as everyone gears up for real workouts next week.

A couple observations:

Matt Macri looks like someone who should be able to drive the ball well. This would be a good year for him to start doing it.

Infielder Steven Tolleson looks like a player. Sometimes its easy to tell the prospects from the major leaguers during these workouts. Tolleson fits right in. I’m sure it helps that his father played in the majors. He’s coming off of a nice Arizona Fall League stint during which he batted .383 and is moving up the list of the Twins’ top prospects. He’s one player I want to see in spring games.

 I been asked by baseball blog czar Howard Sinker to let everyone know that there’s a Star Tribune Twins Facebook page. For more information go here.

This entry was posted on Saturday, February 14th, 2009 at 1:02 pm and is filed under Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.