The further we get into spring training, the more things we can begin to predict. While issues such as the fifth starter and the bullpen won't play out until the very last minute, that doesn't mean we can't draw some early conclusions about certain players based on their performances so far.
- Eric Hacker is nowhere near ready to make a contribution at the Major League level. His fourth appearance today was another disaster, as the two runs he allowed in his one inning of work actually lowered his ERA. In his four spring innings he's allowed 12 hits. I know it's just spring, but that doesn't mean it can't be clear when somebody isn't ready.
- Joe Nathan pitched again. He's fine. You always have to be a little wary when a guy is first coming back from Tommy John, but right now he looks find.
- Luke Hughes continued his all-or-nothing spring, going 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI...and a pair of strikeouts. He's hitting .370/.400/.778 in 27 spring at-bats, with 10 RBI and five extra base hits.
- Jason Kubel tripeled. That's not Mike-Redmond-triples-and-belly-flops-into-third-base funny, but it's up there. You can't really take anything from this event, other than the fact that we now know Kubel can make that run.
- Ben Revere got three full at-bats today. He went 0-for-3, but he's going his best to keep his swing short and to see a few pitches. It's paid off with a few early walks this spring. He won't go north with the Twins obviously, but if can prove that he's willing to take a few more walks in Rochester it'll definitely help his value.
That's all she wrote. See you tomorrow!