MINNEAPOLIS (AP) -The Minnesota Twins had no other choice back in early May when they recalled Alexi Casilla, who has emerged as one the team’s steadying forces.
Nick Punto went down with a hamstring injury. And Brendan Harris got dinged up. Matt Tolbert was next to go on the DL leaving manager Ron Gardenhire with no options.
Gardenhire has long been intrigued by Casilla’s physical skills, the Dominican’s lapses in judgment or focus and penchant for turning even the most routine play into a gasp-inducing adventure aggravated the manager to no end.
That’s why Casilla did not make the team out of spring training. Things only got worse at Triple-A Rochester, when he hit just .219 with a strikeout-to-walk ratio of 1:1 more on par with a swing-for-the-fences DH than a slap-hitting middle infielder.
But with the injuries, Gardenhire gritted his teeth and sent the 23-year-old Casilla back out to second base for another chance much sooner than he probably would have liked.
Casilla’s production both in the field and at the plate has given Gardenhire one less thing to worry about in his patchwork infield.
“He actually really looks like he’s understanding the game and what it’s all about a lot more. He’s still going to have his (mistakes) … but he’s made a lot of huge adjustments in this game,” Gardenhire said. “It looks like he’s in control of the game instead of the game being in control of him.”
Casilla is hitting .302 with three homers, six doubles and 27 RBIs in 35 games this season for the big club, cementing himself as the everyday second baseman.
“I don’t worry about second base anymore,” Gardenhire said. “I worry about if I don’t play him in a game, who to play.”
Casilla’s performance in Sunday’s 5-3 victory against the Arizona Diamondbacks is a snapshot of the huge leap he has made this season.
After making an error in the third inning, Casilla didn’t let it get to him.
He came through with a two-run single and scored on a sacrifice in the Twins’ five-run fifth inning. He also made a deft base running move, pausing to get in front of Arizona shortstop Stephen Drew just as the ball passed him on the base paths to force an error.
Then he showed off the strong arm and quick feet that have made him such a prized prospect in the organization since he was acquired from the Angels in a trade for J.C. Roomer in 2005.
Casilla made a brilliant turn of a double play on a slow delivery from third baseman Brian Buster in the sixth and almost made another on a diving stop an inning later.
“I learn a lot of things last year,” Casilla said of his headache-inducing 2007 season. “That was my learning season. I think I’m a better player now. I’m more relaxed and try to make the plays.”
Gardenhire and the rest of the Twins have been trying to get Casilla to relax and slow down for two years.
Last season, he committed 10 errors in 56 games, mostly because of poor footwork and sloppy throwing fundamentals. He was also too eager at the plate, hitting just .222 with a .256 on-base percentage, 29 strikeouts and nine walks.
“You know what? That made me a better player,” Casilla said. “It made me work. I was working hard, and now here I am back.”
Hitting in the two spot behind Carols Game, the two speedsters have formed a formidable table-setting duo for Joe Mauler and Justin Morneau behind them. Both have proven to be accomplished bunters and base stealers, giving opposing pitchers plenty to think about when they take their leads from the base.
“He’s a lot more patient at the plate,” Morneau said. “He understands his role and he’s not trying to do too much. His job is to get on base and score runs.”
Casilla already has a 13-game hit streak this season and has scored 20 runs. On defense, he is making the routine plays routinely and hitting Morneau at first base in the chest much more often.
“He hasn’t taken anything for granted,” Morneau said. “I wouldn’t say (he was) lackadaisical, but it seems like he’s into every play and not assuming every play is going to be easy. He’s playing every play like it’s going to be a tough one and he’s staying focused.”
There are still improvements to be made. He has fanned 16 times this season to just 11 walks. But as long as the concentration remains consistent, Gardenhire sees big things for him.
“There’s still going to be issues and there’s still going to be things you talk to him about,” Gardenhire said. “But boy he’s made a lot of strides.”
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AP Sports Writer Dave Campbell contributed to this story.
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