Tom Kelly Field is a great place for #MNTwins fans to watch workouts. pic.twitter.com/x21tIGHSnF
— Dustin Morse (@morsecode) February 27, 2016
The Minnesota Twins held their first full-squad workouts of the season Saturday, which marked Byung Ho Park‘s first official workout with the team.
And the Korean slugger made a strong first impression on manager Paul Molitor, the Star Tribune reports.
“It was my first look at him face-to-face as far as watching his swing,” Molitor according to MLB.com. “He’s got a lot of really positive things, obviously timing is off, it is for everybody right now, but it’s good to see him out there working. I think he’s adjusting and fitting in really well.”
Molitor will be deciding whether Park needs more in-game work or practice work to help nail down his timing against Major League pitchers, the Star Tribune says.
Here's video of Byung Ho Park taking live BP against Michael Tonkin pic.twitter.com/eSTKE4ZgN6
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 27, 2016
Saturday also marked Torii Hunter’s first day as a member of the Twins’ spring training staff, with the Pioneer Press noting he immediately made his presence felt.
Jose Berrios threw his live BP in front of Torii Hunter and LaTroy Hawkins, who were clearly impressed. Hunter wowed by movement of pitches.
— Rhett Bollinger (@RhettBollinger) February 27, 2016
The recently retired outfielder offered tips and advice to those in batting practice, the paper says, and helped train Miguel Sano as he transitions to right field, as well as mentor Byron Buxton.
Other highlights from Saturday:
Hall of Famer Rod Carew got a little surprise from the Twins Saturday – when he walked into training camp, the players, coaches and staff were wearing pink t-shirts with the “Heart of 29” logo – Carew’s new heart-health charity.
He spend the day observing Twins hitters and occasionally offered some tips, the Star Tribune reports.
PHOTO BLOG: #MNTwinsST February 27. https://t.co/0VkZhpEN4L pic.twitter.com/4rmUtGb3fT
— Twins Photography (@TwinsPics) February 27, 2016
Reliever Casey Fien missed Saturday’s workouts because his wife gave birth to the couple’s second child. The baby boy, named Shane Maddux, weighed 6 pounds and was 20 inches long, MLB.com says.
Fien was back with the team Sunday:
Proud papa Casey Fien returned to the #MNTwins clubhouse this morning. Teammates still busted on him for coming in late.
— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 28, 2016
The Twins put together a video of highlights from Saturday’s full-squad workout:
