Monday, 14 March 2011

The United Nations

When you look at the title, you would probably wonder, why I am talking about the United Nations?

The United Nations is Group 5 in the Minnesota Twins Spring Training workout groups, it's a name we gave ourselves. There are only 7 pitchers on our group, and 6 different nationalities are represented. These are Australian, Canadian, South African, American, Dominican and Venezualan.

Time for roll call

Canada - Kyle Orr - RHP
Kyle was a 4th round pick by the Los Angeles Dodgers in 2006 MLB Draft. He was originally signed as 1st basemen and spent 4 years in the Dodgers minor league system. After being released by the Dodgers in 2010, he played for the Victoria Seals in the Golden Baseball League the eventually signed with the Twins with an invitation to Spring Training. In the next few days Kyle will throw to live hitters for the first time in 5 years.

South Africa - Hein Robb - LHP
Hein was signed by the Twins out of the European Baseball Academy in 2008. At the age of 16 he represented South Africa at the World Baseball Classic. He made his professional debut with in the GCL against the Rays in 2010.

United States - Tyler Herr - RHP
Tyler was a 44th round pick by the Minnesota Twins in the 2009 MLB Draft. He is the tallest of our group standing at 6"8 and also has the biggest feet in our group, and in the organization, with size 18's. He made his professional debut in 2010 in the GCL striking out 23 in 21.2 innings.

Dominican Republic - Luiz Nunez LHP
Luis was signed out of the Dominican Republic, he's the smallest in the group standing at 5"11, but weighs 196lbs, so he is a small ball of muscle. He appeared in 19 games in 2010 with the GCL Twins.

Venezuala - Cesar Ciurcina - RHP
Cesar was a starting pitching for the DSL Twins in 2008 and 2009, in 2010 he made his first trip stateside. He posted a 2.91era while winning 5 games in 12 starts for the GCL Twins.

Australia - Mark Trau - RHP
Mark signed out of the Major League Baseball Australian Academy in 2009. After spending most of his career as a two way player, he focused more on his career as a pitcher while playing for NSW at the U18 Nationals in January 2009. He attended Extended Spring Training in 2010 and stayed for the GCL season, throwing 11 innings.

And of course, I am the 7th member of the United Nation.

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