Thread: Berardino: You can't help but root for Mastroianni

I defy you to read this Pioneer Press story about Darin Mastroianni and not end up rooting for the guy. First, because he's just a spiteful SOB:

"They said I wasn't good enough to get drafted, and I got drafted," Mastroianni said. "Then I wasn't good enough to play Double-A. Then I couldn't play the outfield. You just stop listening to it. I don't use it for fuel; I just don't care. I've heard it for so long, it's just not a big deal."

But also, because he's our best chance to see a Minnesota Twins with a straight steal of home. He stole three his senior year in college, two of which were in critical games. But the majors....

Mastroianni has yet to attempt to steal home in pro ball, mainly because the Twins never let him, but also because pitchers rarely work out of the full windup with his speed on third. However, he's clearly itching to try it again, especially with legendary swiper-of-home Rod Carew in camp as a special instructor.

I want this to happen so bad. And then I want a Parker Hageman gif fest breaking it down.

Minnesota Twins: Speedy Darin Mastroianni keeps proving doubters wrong - TwinCities.com

ok ok
a couple points here:

a. another Twins' instructor is also a legendary home stealer (Paul Molitor, 10 - Carew has 17). And the also legendary Babe Ruth has 10 (hope that tells you some)

b. In the last 5 years I thought that 2 Twins will get the green light to do that (and both faster than Mastro) : Carlos Gomez and Ben Revere. They did not. But that was beam me up Scottie and stop sign Liddle at 3b. Let's see what Vavra will do..

I do love Mastro's base-stealing aggressiveness. I feel like it's been ages since we've had a guy like that.

50 SB's if he sees 600 plate appearances?

Originally Posted by mnfanforlife

50 SB's if he sees 600 plate appearances?

dude had 21 in 163 plate appearances last season....

I'd say 50 is plausible if he gets 400 PAs.... doubt it will happen though

Definitely like the guy. I really hope that he gets 250 PA's every season as a reserve. I really hope he doesn't 600 PA's as a starter. I also really liked Nick Punto but people ragged on him because he was a starter out of necessity. In a different role he would have been liked much more. the same will likely be true of Mastro.

> Mastroianni has yet to attempt to steal home in pro ball, mainly because the Twins never let him

I doubt many readers of TwinsDaily would be misled, and a minor point at most, but Darin spent 2007-2011 in Toronto's system and only 2012 in Minnesota's.

I asked Darin today about playing 2nd base. He played there in college. He said he'd played a little second in the minors and about a half dozen games at AAA. It's not for him. He said the other guys were so much better than he is. So that settles one thought I'd had.

I like him a lot, just hope he plays well enough to warrant it.

Originally Posted by DJ Smith

I asked Darin today about playing 2nd base. He played there in college. He said he'd played a little second in the minors and about a half dozen games at AAA. It's not for him. He said the other guys were so much better than he is. So that settles one thought I'd had.

I debated whether to bring this up, but maybe it's worth pointing to my 2012 Adopt-A-Prospect thread for Darin, which contains various nuggets like his transition from 2B to outfield:
http://twinsdaily.com/adopt-prospect...stroianni.html

I did not update it after he was brought up, so your information about the outcome of his 2B experiment at Rochester is not found there.

I kind of wonder if this is the org spin piece essentially saying he has the job.. Given the season is likely lost, letting him hold the place warm until one of Hicks or Benson shows they are ready in Rochester isn't a bad idea.

There is just something about Macaroni that I have liked since he came up last year. I think it's that fact that he is not a "moneyball" guy or someone the stat heads will get excited about. Since I'm an old school guy I look at him and I see a "ballplayer". I don't know why, but maybe even a little Dan Gladden in him The Twins so desperately need some of these kind of guys to offset the pretty boys. Laugh if you want, but the Team was a heck of a lot more successful with guys like Punto and Redmond on the team. Even if they drove you statheads nuts.

Originally Posted by Doc Freiermuth

There is just something about Macaroni that I have liked since he came up last year. I think it's that fact that he is not a "moneyball" guy or someone the stat heads will get excited about. Since I'm an old school guy I look at him and I see a "ballplayer". I don't know why, but maybe even a little Dan Gladden in him The Twins so desperately need some of these kind of guys to offset the pretty boys. Laugh if you want, but the Team was a heck of a lot more successful with guys like Punto and Redmond on the team. Even if they drove you statheads nuts.

Oh wow! Punto and Redmond lead Twins to success!

MSN Entertainment -

heck of a catch

Originally Posted by John Bonnes

I defy you to read this Pioneer Press story about Darin Mastroianni and not end up rooting for the guy. First, because he's just a spiteful SOB:



But also, because he's our best chance to see a Minnesota Twins with a straight steal of home. He stole three his senior year in college, two of which were in critical games. But the majors....



I want this to happen so bad. And then I want a Parker Hageman gif fest breaking it down.

Minnesota Twins: Speedy Darin Mastroianni keeps proving doubters wrong - TwinCities.com

Maybe if Masto is on third with a guy on first, and the pitcher tries a pickoff. That's how Bryce Harper did it.

Originally Posted by thrylos98

ok ok
a couple points here:

a. another Twins' instructor is also a legendary home stealer (Paul Molitor, 10 - Carew has 17). And the also legendary Babe Ruth has 10 (hope that tells you some)

b. In the last 5 years I thought that 2 Twins will get the green light to do that (and both faster than Mastro) : Carlos Gomez and Ben Revere. They did not. But that was beam me up Scottie and stop sign Liddle at 3b. Let's see what Vavra will do..

Stealing home seems like it relies a whole lot more on aggressiveness and base running smarts than just straight speed. I don't think Gomez had the discipline to pull it off. Revere probably could have pulled it off, and it wouldn't surprise me to see him stealing like crazy over in the national league. If the season starts tanking, they should just let Mastro steal whenever he wants.

Originally Posted by spideyo

I don't think Gomez had the discipline to pull it off.

Seconded. I wouldn't have attempted it with Gomez for the same reason. Did he have the giddy-up to pull it off? No doubt. http://zkonedog.files.wordpress.com/...pg?w=502&h=325 but still...

Last summer I read somewhere around these parts that Mastroianni was relentless in his pursuit of base stealing knowledge during his minor league career. I wouldn't mind having him around for that reason, given his attitude and the influx of young, (hopefully) open/receptive young ballplayers around to pick up on the way he carries himself and strives to be better-- whether he starts or not.

While stealing home is an exciting and memorable play, its value is pretty inconsequential in terms of wins. I mean, Carew maybe added an extra 15 runs scored over his career. And as others have alluded, very few ballplayers have the combination of quickness, speed, aggressiveness, judgment, and instincts to be greenlighted like HOF's Carew or Molitor were to steal any base at any time, including home. So, the thought that Liddle or Ullger or Vavra even enter into it as a variable is completely laughable.

Originally Posted by birdwatcher

While stealing home is an exciting and memorable play, its value is pretty inconsequential in terms of wins. I mean, Carew maybe added an extra 15 runs scored over his career. And as others have alluded, very few ballplayers have the combination of quickness, speed, aggressiveness, judgment, and instincts to be greenlighted like HOF's Carew or Molitor were to steal any base at any time, including home. So, the thought that Liddle or Ullger or Vavra even enter into it as a variable is completely laughable.

I continue to insist that Hicks will not be called until after the super 2 cutoff. Mastroianni and Clete til June. Then Hicks and Mama Mastroianni's Ragu for the rest of the year

Originally Posted by Doc Freiermuth

There is just something about Macaroni that I have liked since he came up last year. I think it's that fact that he is not a "moneyball" guy or someone the stat heads will get excited about. Since I'm an old school guy I look at him and I see a "ballplayer". I don't know why, but maybe even a little Dan Gladden in him The Twins so desperately need some of these kind of guys to offset the pretty boys. Laugh if you want, but the Team was a heck of a lot more successful with guys like Punto and Redmond on the team. Even if they drove you statheads nuts.

I don't think that he (punto) actually drove statheads nuts. He drove most fans nuts because he was put into a role (starting) that he shouldn't have been in.