Twins' outfielders racking up assists

Twins' outfielders racking up assists

04/20/2008
By Mike Cook / Special to MLB.com

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20080420&content_i...559690&

MINNEAPOLIS -- While growing up, Denard Span enjoyed watching Kirby
Puckett play defense.

Now, Span roams the outfield where the Hall of Famer had so much
success, and when it comes to throwing out runners, he is becoming
like Puckett.

"He just charged the ball good," Span said. "[He] would come up
aggressively throwing the ball, almost falling to his face when he
would throw the ball in."

As a group, Minnesota entered Sunday with six outfield assists, tied
for the most in the Majors with Florida and San Francisco.

"It's nice to make [runners] think twice before they go, or even [to
keep] a third-base coach from sending a runner if they know our
outfield is accurate with its throws, keeps the ball down and is
accurate with its throws," said Span, who has two assists.

Delmon Young threw out Asdrubal Cabrera on a one-hopper to Joe Mauer
in Saturday's win for his third assist of the year. Center fielder
Chris Gomez has one.

"Young has got a cannon," said manager Ron Gardenhire. "The kid in
center can throw it. [Jason] Kubel doesn't throw too awful bad. When
[Michael] Cuddyer gets back, that gives us three pretty good arms in
the outfield."

Cuddyer tied for a Major League-best 19 assists last season. He has
been on the disabled list since April 5 with a dislocated and
lacerated right index finger.

Young, who was fifth in the Majors and third in the American League
with 16 outfield assists last year, has a simple philosophy.

"I just try to get the ball in and hopefully the guy doesn't run,"
Young said. "You want to keep the runners on base. You know your job
is to go out there and play offense and defense, and you do whatever
it takes to help the team win."

While infielders work on throwing to different bases each day during
infield practice, Minnesota differs from many teams in that once a
homestand it tries to work on the long throws and things like double
plays up the middle and pickoffs.

"Catchers need to see the ball coming in, and outfielders need to work
on coming in, getting the ball and throwing it down," Gardenhire said.

Unlike Puckett, Span is not a feared power hitter, so he knows other
aspects of his game need to strike fear in an opponent.

"I'd rather throw somebody out or make a diving catch moreso than have
a base hit. It also helps your team win. ... That's just something
I've had to do because I haven't had the power to hit 20 home runs or
30 home runs, so taking pride in my defense is something a player like
me has to do."


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