Without even mentioning Ervin Santana’s gem to start the season, the Twins provided plenty of reasons to get excited for the season with a 7-1 win over the Royals on Opening Day. Here are our top
1. Miguel Sano’s power
His power has never been questioned, but it’s been inconsistent through his first year and a half in the big leagues. Let’s hope he can hammer pitches all season like he did in the opener.
The home run he hit went off the bat at a whopping 113.8 mph, making it the hardest hit ball through two days of the season, according to MLB.com.
This is the hardest hit ball of 2017 (so far). pic.twitter.com/S4v5XuHYwI
— Parker Hageman (@ParkerHageman) April 4, 2017
2. Byron Buxton’s defense
Buxton will undoubtedly provide a season’s worth of defensive gems like the two diving catches he made Monday.
And then he added this fantastic quote: “Us outfielders have this thing where nothing falls but raindrops,” Buxton said, via Rhett Bollinger.
The next step is providing some offense, which he didn’t do in an 0-5 day at the plate as the No. 3 hitter.
3. Bottom of the batting order
Even though Buxton did nothing at the plate, the bottom of the lineup is something to get excited about. New catcher Jason Castro had two hits and a walk to lead the bottom four of the order. Jorge Polanco had two hits and got on base three times while Max Kepler and Eddie Rosario each had a hit – Kepler’s was a key bunt single in a six-run seventh inning.
It’s still way too early to tell what kind of impact Castro will have on the pitching staff, but holding the Royals to two hits and one run is a fantastic sign of the potential that exists.
4. Matt Belisle in the bullpen
The Twins waited until February to add bullpen help in free agency, but that patience might pay off big time in the form of right-hander Matt Belisle. The 36-year-0ld pitched above his career norm last season with a 1.76 ERA in 40 appearances with the Nationals, and he picked up where he left off with a 1-2-3 eighth inning in the opener.
