Joe Crede makes his Spring Training debut tomorrow. Brian Buscher is taking that time to set the benchmark for the new third baseman’s production.
Buscher started at first base against the Cincinnati Reds on Thursday, perhaps giving him another avenue to make the roster. At the plate, he went 2-for-2 with a two-run homerun. He’s gone without a hit in only one plate appearance so far this spring. With so much talk about pitchers being far ahead of hitters this time of year, Buscher seems locked in. His replacement, AAA Rochester first baseman Brock Peterson, didn’t do too bad either with a grand slam in the eight inning.
I read reports when players were first arriving at camp that Buscher looked like he had hit the weight room hard during the offseason. Early on, it seems like he has taken that motivation to a new level. It’s understandable, considering he went from a platoon-but-promising role at third to quite possibly a full time starter at Rochester. And let’s keep in mind, just as I’m sure Buscher has: Rochester, New York can be just as cold as Minnesota during the early parts of spring. And they don’t have a dome.
For me, this just adds to the quality of the Crede signing. The bench gets deeper and a determination to stay on that bench follows.
Go Twins!
