Why I Like Ben Revere

Since someone asked on another thread, here's a few things that I've appreciated about Ben Revere.

Blazing speed in a lineup full of slow chuggers. We know Target Field isn't going to be a Home Run park, so it's silly to put all our hopes on power hitters.

Highlight reel catches. It's nice to see the twins on the top 10 BEST plays, instead of the worst

A willingness to throw himself fully into every play. Remember when he hit the ground on a sliding catch so hard he broke his belt?

A toughness and drive to play everyday. This is a kid who BROKE HIS FACE and was back playing in a manner of weeks. So many people whine and complain about how the Twins are all wusses and take a week off for a hangnail and whatnot. This is a kid that should be held up as an example for the rest of team.


Does he have a cannon for an arm? No. Is he a power hitter? No. Has he proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he'll never be a great hitter? Absolutely not. He's 24. He hasn't even played a full season at the major league level. You can teach better hitting techniques. You can teach guys to take better routes to flyballs. You can teach guys the "charging catch" move and other tricks to help lessen the impact of a weaker arm. You can't teach speed. You can't teach a guy to throw his whole body into a play, and get up smiling.

Ben Revere, my favorite Twin in 2012. I'm hoping for him to build off his strong finish to 2011 and get his OBP up closer to his minor league career numbers. #Hope

Count me in the Ben Revere fan club. He has hit at every minor league level, and I expect him to hit for a high average in the major leagues as well. I was surprised in game two against the Orioles that Gardy did not have Revere trying to steal second base after he singled. You have to let him play havoc with the other team in order to help spark this team offensively. I hope Gardy keeps Ben in the lineup.

Given what they have, he's fine. And, determination counts. Never knocked him, like the speed. It's the Jamey Carroll move I'm already sick of.

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Originally Posted by spideyo

Since someone asked on another thread, here's a few things that I've appreciated about Ben Revere.

Blazing speed in a lineup full of slow chuggers. We know Target Field isn't going to be a Home Run park, so it's silly to put all our hopes on power hitters.

Highlight reel catches. It's nice to see the twins on the top 10 BEST plays, instead of the worst

A willingness to throw himself fully into every play. Remember when he hit the ground on a sliding catch so hard he broke his belt?

A toughness and drive to play everyday. This is a kid who BROKE HIS FACE and was back playing in a manner of weeks. So many people whine and complain about how the Twins are all wusses and take a week off for a hangnail and whatnot. This is a kid that should be held up as an example for the rest of team.


Does he have a cannon for an arm? No. Is he a power hitter? No. Has he proven beyond a shadow of a doubt that he'll never be a great hitter? Absolutely not. He's 24. He hasn't even played a full season at the major league level. You can teach better hitting techniques. You can teach guys to take better routes to flyballs. You can teach guys the "charging catch" move and other tricks to help lessen the impact of a weaker arm. You can't teach speed. You can't teach a guy to throw his whole body into a play, and get up smiling.

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lol... Where were all you guys when I was getting beat up over my support for Ben Revere in that other thread... lol... I coulda used the support. lol.

I agree with everything you say. This team needs players who are giving it everything they have. Put a couple of these guys in the lineup and it starts to rub off and bingo... culture change.

Another thing... Guys who break their face for the team will put fans in the seats.

I like Revere a lot. If he can hit .250 I will be happy. He may not get on base a lot or end up scoring runs, but he certainly saves runs with his speed in the OF. Also, how can you not like a guy who is clearly having fun being a Major Leaguer.

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Originally Posted by drbob524

I like Revere a lot. If he can hit .250 I will be happy.

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I won't be happy, but I won't be disgusted either. Revere won't be able to stay in the big leagues on his speed alone, so he's gotta pick up another way to contribute. It'll never be his arm strength because apparently he has the weakest arm in the league, so he's gotta get that AVG up. He's gotta be more than just a .250 hitter.

I do like watching him play. He's definitely one of the more exciting players to watch on this team right now.

He does have to get his average up a bit, but I think the most important thing he has to do is raise his OBP. I know that harder to do when pitcher are not afraid to throw you strikes because they know you won't take them deep, but he has to be able to get one base more. Showing these pitchers that you can hit a line drive into the gap and get doubles and triples with ease, then they'll start helping you walk a bit more assuming he doesn't swing at their junk.

Why I like Ben Revere? In addition to what else has been said, the guy treats every day playing professional baseball like it's his last. Always has a smile on his face, interacting with the fans, etc. You'll never see him jog to first, either.

Yes, that doesn't excuse a low OBP or a bad arm, but I'll cheer for a guy like Revere a lot harder than I would a better, more complete player who is a jerk.

For the most part last year, Revere knew he was going to be in the line-up for most contests. I hope he adjusts well to not playing everyday and he can continue to produce on the field. The Twins offense could use him on-base more. We will see what happens in the coming days.

Plus he has a great smile/attitude but I don't know how far that is going to get him on the field

I like Revere a lot and hope he out produces what I think he can. He certainly seems to try and play the right way. His defense and speed can be valuable to a team. I just don't think his skill set is one you typically see as a starting corner outfielder on a championship level team, and I want the Twins to endeavor to field a championship level team. Where I get frustrated is when people want to compare him to Kirby Puckett, while the size and attitude might translate, Revere hasn't driven the ball like Puckett did when he came up since low-A ball. It's not a skill he's likely to acquire at this point.

Why I like Revere.
1. Noodle arm
2. Lack of power
3. Speed is his game, if he pulls a hammy or quad he is as worthless as Gardy as a manager.

He's always enjoyable to watch as a fan. Ben plays the game with pure joy. He'll scrape claw his way to first base any way possible. If he's able to find his way to a .350 OBP, he'll turn into a nice every day OF.