Posted by andrew on January 20, 2010 under Andrew | 
While we sit and wait for some meaningful news to float out of the Twins’ offices in Target Field, anticipating the future is one of the best ways to pass time.
As we saw last week, the Minnesota Twins have no shortage of elite outfield prospects. From the stars like Aaron Hicks and Ben Revere to the lesser-known Joe Benson, Angel Morales, Max Kepler, and Rene Tosoni, there is plenty of outfield talent in the Twins’ system.
Most of these guys are still quite a ways away from breaking into the major leagues, but by 2012, the Minnesota outfield could conceivably be bursting at the seams.
Currently, Denard Span and Michael Cuddyer are the best outfielders on the active roster, with Delmon Young and Jason Kubel close behind. Cuddyer is nearing the end of his contract, and will most likely finish his career with the Twins before Hicks reaches the Bigs. And Kubel is obviously better-suited for the role of a designated hitter.
That leaves Span and Young as the outfielders of the future, along with the hordes of minor league talent. Will all of these prospects find regular playing time? If so, where?
Most probably, Revere will be an offensive-minded corner outfielder with average defense. Hicks should be above-average both offensively and defensively, which makes him an ideal candidate for center field. Morales and Benson also have great defense, but their size and power may eventually push them to a corner. Tosoni’s lack of defense will relegate him to a corner, while Kepler is a complete wild card as this point.
(As a side note, you won’t necessarily see these guys playing in their designated/predicted spots this year in the minor leagues. I’m sure Hicks will get some time in the corner, while Revere, Morales, and maybe even Tosoni could get some reps in center field.
As a minor-leaguer, Span played almost exclusively in center field, but had to learn a corner position when he was promoted to the Twins because of the presence of Carlos Gomez. Hopefully Minnesota learned their lesson.)
The estimated-times-of-arrival for these players vary. Revere and Benson will beat Hicks and Morales to the major leagues by a year, Tosoni could be a September call-up as early as this season, while Kepler’s primary objective should be to finish his junior year of high school.
Outside of Tosoni, none of these prospects should be ready by the 2011 season, which very well could be Cuddyer’s last. Minnesota will most likely be forced to deal with an extremely crowded outfield for the 2012 season.
Span will most likely be shifted to the corner position opposite Revere, while Hicks will roam center field in Target Field in 2012. Admittedly, I have no idea what will happen with Young during these upcoming years. He could very well use the momentum he finished the 2009 campaign with and exceed all expectations, but he could just as easily fall flat on his face.
I do know, however, that not all prospects will pan out as expected. The scenario I just presented (an outfield of Revere/Hicks/Span) leaves out Morales, Benson, and Tosoni.
While they have serious issues to work out (strikeouts for Morales, left-handed pitchers for Tosoni) they are incredibly talented and could be potential trade chips.
This over-crowded outfield is certainly a good problem for the Twins. If one prospect gets injured or simply doesn’t live up to expectations, another one will be waiting in the wings.
What will the Minnesota outfield look like in 2012? Which top prospect am I too high on? Which one am I under-valuing? Be sure to let your voice be heard in the comment section!
Tags: Aaron Hicks, Angel Morales, Ben Revere, Delmon Young, Denard Span, Jason Kubel, Joe Benson, Max Kepler, Michael Cuddyer, Minor Leagues, outfield, Rene Tosoni
Posted by John on March 3, 2009 under John |
If three is company, then four is a crowd! Entering the 2009 season the Minnesota Twins have a crowded outfield. With four players vying for three starting spots the competition this spring will be fierce.
Between Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer and Delmon Young manager Ron Gardenhire has what I would refer to as a “good problem.” All four of these players offer their own unique set of strengths and weaknesses, and the Twins should feel lucky to have all these different pieces to their 2009 equation.
So who will be starting on Opening Day, April 6th, against the Seattle Mariners?
Gomez offers electrifying speed and incredible defense. The centerpiece of the blockbuster Johan Santana trade with the New York Mets, the flashy Gomez had a roller coaster year during his first season in Minnesota. The Twins will need Gomez to practice discipline and find some consistency in 2009: STARTER
Before 2008 Span was starting to look like a promising prospect who would never live up to his potential. After a .294/.387/.432 season Span finds himself a Major League starter that can play great defense at all three positions in the outfield. Unless 2008 was a fluke and Span struggles, he will grab a lot of at bats as the leadoff hitter in 2009:STARTER
Cuddyer’s 2008 season can be described as nothing less than a disappointment. Injuries limited Cuddyer to just 71 games and a measley .249 average and 36 RBIs. The rightfielder has never come close to matching his breakout year in 2006 and will need to rebound in 2009 to avoid being trade deadline trade bait: BENCH
For the entire offseason Young heard his name in various trade rumors and then didn’t hear his name when Ron Gardenhire mentioned the other three outfielders as his starting crew on the Twins Caravan in Fargo, ND. If you ask me, Gardy was just trying to motivate Young and the kid is ready to prove he is the real deal. Look for Young to build on his strong second half numbers in 2008 and become a big contributor for the 2009 Twins: STARTER
No matter how the lineup shakes down, the Twins will have the luxury of having too many bats in 2009.
This article can also be found at Baseball Digest.
Posted by twinsmvb on October 13, 2008 under John |
As the postseason truly begins to heat up and the bitter tie breaker loss to the Chicago White Sox slowly cools off, it’s time to start my favorite part of the season… the offseason!
This is the time where rumors fly, speculation lifts, and we fire up what has now become known as the Hot Stove! How is ESPN so powerful that it can just make up terms for certain times of year in the sports calendar???
It is my favorite time because I get to live out my teenage, well and current dream, of being the Twins General Manager. The time where we get to tell Bill Smith everything we think he should do and then criticize everything he does after it is complete. Now I’ve already heard lots of Twins rumors and have read many different names already been tossed around, but I want to start with something we know. The Twins have a crowded outfield!
Between Carlos Gomez, Denard Span, Michael Cuddyer, Delmon Young, and Jason Kubel the Twins do not have enough at bats. There are four positions (LF,CF,RF,DH) and five players who all make the case to be everyday players. Part of me thinks they should just keep all five guys for depth, injury possibility, and if anyone struggles, but then I think of our holes as shortstop and thirdbase and how maybe one of these outfielders could be the piece to move to fill our own puzzle.
I know the initial idea is to simply move Michael Cuddyer back to thirdbase and we kill two birds with one stone. Figuratively, Cuddy being one stone and crowded outfield and thirdbase vacancy being two birds! But I think the Twins organization has been quite clear of their desire not to do this and I think it is definitely one of those easier said then done circumstances.
I feel confident in saying that the Twins will not move Carlos Gomez or Denard Span. Gomez was the centerpiece of the Johan Santana deal and despite some ugly moments in 2008, his defense and speed alone are enough to keep him on. Span became a huge spark plug that showed incredible leadoff hitter potential, web gem defense, and good speed on the bases. Although, based on Span erratic Minor League track record I think now is the best time ever to trade this kid, but alas I think both of these guys will be in Fort Myers come next February.
I really don’t want to waste my time proving while Jason Kubel should not be traded. So I’m not going to. I hope the Twins would not make a foolish move like this and so I’m just going to tell myself they won’t. So that leaves us with Delmon Young and Michael Cuddyer.
Both have reasons to stay and to leave. Young was the centerpiece of the Matt Garza deal and it would appear as giving up early if we moved him in a deal. The second year player struggled in the first half but came alive in the second half of the year to post decent numbers at best, but showed more hints of a potentially great hitter. Yet Young often appeared as if he didn’t care too much and I’ve read rumors he “didn’t fit in” too well in the Minnesota clubhouse which is the nice way to say no one really likes him.
Michael Cuddyer’s 2008 campaign was nothing short of a bust due to injury. He played in just 71 games and hit .249 with 36 RBIs. Cuddyer have a great arm in rightfield and is certainly one of the faces of this team. He plays the game hard and is a good guy, but we all know nice guys finish last. On many plays made by Span this season I thought to myself, “Self, there is no way Cuddyer would have made that play!” Plus, we all know Cuddy hit .284 with 24 HRs and 109 RBIs in 2006, but we all should know that he’s never since come close to that!
It will be difficult to move Cuddyer with two remaining years on his 3-year $24 million deal plus his value is way down after missing so much time. I don’t really want to move Delmon and see him go hit .300/20/100 for some other club, but he clearly would bring more value in return. Only time will tell. You know who I think is the odd man out… but who do you think should be moved in this crowded situation?
