Saints’ Jermaine Palacios gets another outfield look in 5-1 win over Indianapolis

In relation to his tenure within the Twins’ group, infielder Jermaine Palacios appeared destined to be remembered because the participant traded to Tampa Bay for beginning pitcher Jake Odorizzi in 2018.

But right here he’s again within the group on the age of 25 as a member of the Saints. And through the previous week, he was greater than prepared to take one for his outdated/new group.

Lamenting the lifetime of a Triple-A supervisor early within the Saints’ just-concluded sequence with the Indianapolis Indians at CHS Subject, supervisor Toby Gardenhire talked about sooner or later having 5 outfielders, the following day having two.

With Trevor Larnach and Kyle Garlick referred to as up by the Twins and Jake Cave sidelined with a sore again, Gardenhire had no alternative however to get inventive.

Enter Palacios.

He’s primarily a shortstop and an excellent all-around athlete, so Gardenhire felt snug calling on him. As well as, Palacios performed a number of video games within the outfield in winter ball following the 2020-21 season.

“The laborious half about it’s we haven’t been capable of have batting apply exterior (because of the chilly), so he hasn’t been capable of go on the market and take fly balls,” Gardenhire mentioned. “So to have the ability to go on the market and do an honest job was fairly essential.”

Palacios performed left subject on Saturday, when he needed to take care of roaring and swirling winds. He didn’t give you two pop flies that even an skilled outfielder would have discovered difficult.

However he didn’t let that have an effect on him on the plate, the place he went 4-for-4 to boost his common to .345. Palacios was hitless in three at-bats in Sunday’s 5-1 win over the Indians whereas having fun with an uneventful day in proper subject.

“It was loopy (Saturday),” Palacios mentioned. “The wind was hitting me within the face, and the ball would simply go anyplace. I attempt to separate protection and offense and simply preserve engaged on it and simply do what I can do. Wherever they put me I’m going to do my greatest.”

Palacios initially signed with the Twins as a global free agent in 2013 out of Venezuela. He returned to the group as a free agent previous to final season.

He mentioned he had a suggestion from two different groups. He determined to return again to the Twins on a one-year deal as a result of it was the primary group to offer him an opportunity, and since he felt he was handled nicely.

“We liked him after we had him right here earlier than he was traded,” Gardenhire mentioned. “Once we had the possibility to get him again everyone was actually excited. He’s a very good shortstop, however we take pleasure in having a number of actually good shortstops on this group. However he’s nearly as good as anyone on the market.”

Palacios probably will see time at third and second base this season, which he mentioned is ok with him.

“When you can play shortstop, I believe you possibly can play anyplace,” he mentioned.

Palacios performed for Double-A Wichita in 2021, batting .259 with 19 residence runs and 54 RBIs, displaying energy for the primary time as an expert.

“I simply tried to hit the ball more durable,” he mentioned, “and the house runs got here. I hope I can proceed to do it. I’ll proceed to attempt to hit the ball laborious, and no matter occurs, occurs.”