Twins Flex Depth Muscles in Latest ‘Intrasquad’ Matchup

Photo: David Berding-USA TODAY Sports

We were treated to another Minnesota Twins intrasquad scrimmage Friday afternoon, and it was a perfect day for baseball! From getting to see our favorite players to the prospects continuing to impress, there is a lot to dissect.



CHACIN STRUGGLES

With Jhoulys Chacin getting the nod to start for the Minnesota Twins in blue, it was supposed to be an opportunity for him to prove himself as a starting option. Unfortunately it was beyond a rough outing for Chacin. After Jake Cave singled in the first run of the game, it became a mess.



Chacin finished with 2 earned runs, 3 walks, and 3 strikeouts while only throwing 50 pitches. This isn’t a good sign for the veteran pitcher’s chances of making the team. After signing a minor-league deal with the Twins this offseason, the hope was for him to perform well enough to be a starting alternative.

Chacin has an opt-out clause that allows him to leave the team five days prior to Opening Day (which is on Sunday), and he may decide to leave the team after struggling to perform.



BAILEY DAZZLES…THEN FIZZLES

As for the white wearing Minnesota Twins team, Homer Bailey got the start and initially played well. He began the game with three innings of no-hit baseball. But it went south relatively quickly after that, as Mitch Garver led off with a double in the third followed by a two-run double by Ehire Adrianza.



It didn’t get better when prospect Brent Rooker took him deep to tie the game 3-3. Bailey finished his outing with four earned runs in only 4.2 innings. The early positive signs were there as seen by his no-hitter through the first few innings.




PROSPECTS CONTINUE TO MASH

While pitching wasn’t elite for most of the game, the prospects continued to build their hype. Not only did Rooker homer, but Alex Kirilloff also went deep to the opposite field. Kirilloff’s home run came off Michael Pineda, who saw some time even while preparing to serve the rest of his suspension.

With Rooker and Kirilloff homering, they have shown that the Bomba Squad is built for the long-term. This also includes Trevor Larnach reaching base in five of his last six plate appearances and Travis Blankenhorn reaching in his last four.

This is especially impressive when considering both are drawing walks and showing signs of what their patience could be at the next level.




ARRAEZ INJURED

As for the rest of the club, Adrianza registered 4 RBI while Jorge Polanco also went deep later in the game. Even LaMonte Wade Jr. drove in two with a double. But the biggest story outside of the prospect performances was Luis Arraez.

The potential-.400 hitter came up limping after sliding into second. Initially, Twins Twitter freaked out…and rightfully so. But thankfully the Twins released a statement saying he is day-to-day with right knee soreness.

Hopefully he is ready to go for Opening Day, which is only a week away, but that week should provide enough time to rest and be ready.




The Blue team eventually won 8-6. The early signs from this intrasquad game is that the organization is deep from top to bottom. With prospects continuing to impress and the veteran hitters looking in mid-season form, the Twins can easily make it back to the postseason.



Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

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