Miami Palms Blog

  MINNEAPOLIS – The Miami Palms began their 2020 campaign on a chilly Minnesota evening, and while they showed some pop at the plate, they couldn't keep up with the hometown Twins, falling 8-4 at Target Field. Jarod Lantz struggled out of the gate, surrendering four runs on eight hits in just three innings of work. The right-hander couldn't keep Minnesota’s bats in check, allowing a two-run blast to Miguel Sanó in the third inning that put the Twins ahead for good. “I just wasn’t sharp today,” Lantz admitted. “Fell behind in too many counts, and they made me pay for it.” Offensively, Miami flashed some power of its own, with Brett Gardner, Chris Korb, and Jaspero Gonzalez each launching home runs. Despite their efforts, the Palms couldn’t string together enough sustained offense against Kenta Maeda, who pitched seven strong innings, allowing just two runs while striking out seven. Manager Scott Hatteberg remained optimistic despite the loss. “We saw some good things,” Hat...

 MIAMI—The sun is setting on another spring training in South Florida, and for the Miami Palms, it marks the transition from preparation to performance. After an offseason that brought tweaks to the roster and refinements to the coaching staff, manager Scott Hatteberg and his club are ready to embark on a pivotal campaign. "I like where we’re at," Hatteberg said after the team’s final exhibition game. "We got our work in, we stayed healthy for the most part, and I think we have a pretty good sense of who we are heading into the season." A Rotation Taking Shape The Palms' rotation is anchored by Manny Parra and Jarod Lantz , who both turned in strong springs. Parra, in particular, looked sharp, flashing improved command that could take his game to another level. Dylan Bundy, Erick Fedde, and Blake Johnston round out the staff, though questions remain about consistency at the back end. Johnston showed flashes of brilliance but also struggled with efficiency, an ...

 The Miami Palms made a key offseason change behind the plate, bringing in veteran catcher Matt Wieters to replace Yasmani Grandal. While Wieters isn't the All-Star he once was in Baltimore, the 33-year-old still provides valuable experience, leadership, and power at the catcher position—something Miami hopes will stabilize the pitching staff and provide occasional offensive punch. 2019 Performance In 2019, Wieters appeared in 67 games , slashing .214/.268/.435 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in just 183 plate appearances . His .704 OPS was respectable for a part-time backstop, showing that he can still contribute with the bat in a limited role. Strengths Power Behind the Plate – Despite limited playing time, Wieters clubbed 11 homers, showing he still has some pop, especially from the left side of the plate. Veteran Leadership – With over a decade of experience, he provides a steady presence for the pitching staff, helping guide a mix of young and veteran arms. Defensi...