Mastroanni

[Brock Beauchamp]

Atleast Gardy has let him play and hasn't jerked him around like so many rookies of the past.

Yeah, that's something. I'd hate to see Carroll take playing time from Dozier in what hasn't been anything more than a lost season since early May.

[TheLeviathan]

Its pretty rare to see poeple move from OF to middle IF. My guess is if Mastro had the defensive chops to stick at 2b be would never have been moved to OF in the first place. Fielding ground balls is tougher than catching fly balls. Thats why most major leaguers were SS's somewhere in their past but keep getting moved to easier positions as they enter pro ball or move through the minors.

 

Could Mastro give you an inning or two, maybe a game, without killing you? Yeah probably. Thinking he can learn to play 2nd base full time at this point? Extremely doubtful.

That's the most likely situation, so I agree. I guess I was just curious if anyone had heard, read, or had other information. Players get shuffled around in the minors not always because it fits them best, but because of organizational strengths/weaknesses.

 

I'd like to see him get some spot innings there in September, just to see what his chops actually are. No high hopes, just an option that could help this team.

[greengoblinrulz]

wouldnt say there is NO shot as Gardy played Brian Dinkelman alot last Sept after not playing alot of infield the past couple yrs.

However, Id say its more likely that Dozier will play some 2B with Escobar at SS.

[stringer bell]

mass-troy-onni seems to have one plus tool--speed combined with the skills to be quite the base stealer. I don't think he could develop to be an asset as a hitter, but I wouldn't shed tears if he played some second base in order to get into the lineup more often. Am I the only one that is not impressed with his defense in the outfield? I've seen him misplay several balls and drop a not-difficult catch in a small amount of time. He doesn't seem to have a big arm either. Repko was a very good defensive outfielder but couldn't hit much and didn't have quite enough speed to be a real threat on the bases.

[DPJ]

wouldnt say there is NO shot as Gardy played Brian Dinkelman alot last Sept after not playing alot of infield the past couple yrs.

 

Gardy was just looking for enough bodies to make a lineup at the end of last season.

[jeffk]

Don't think his bat will hold up as a starter anywhere, but he's looking like a quality 4th OF and a very nice RH complement to Revere.

I don't know about his past or projected future, but this year his 104 OPS+ pegs him as a dead-average hitter, which would play pretty well as a starter at 2B - particularly with what we've been fielding there for the last few years.

[diehardtwinsfan]

.890 OPS with pluys defense!!!

He's shown flashes of talent... It's probably a bit early to give up. I don't remember anying saying plus defense... or .890 OPS, but he could top out above average with the bat and play average defense... He has the track record, and it isn't as if he's blocking anyone. Let the kid play.

[TheLeviathan]

He's shown flashes of talent... It's probably a bit early to give up. I don't remember anying saying plus defense... or .890 OPS, but he could top out above average with the bat and play average defense... He has the track record, and it isn't as if he's blocking anyone. Let the kid play.

The only problem is that sometimes you hurt a kid's future by continually allowing him to fail. Right now Dozier isn't succeeding at much of anything, so confidence can start to become an issue. As has been said here already - he's not even doing the things he normally does right.

[BrentMpls]

I really enjoy seeing him run the bases

[TheLeviathan]

I really enjoy seeing him run the bases

Yeah, when's the last time we had a guy this aggressive? Gladden?

[Brock Beauchamp]

Yeah, when's the last time we had a guy this aggressive? Gladden?

Chad Allen.

[Brandon]

maybe he could go to instructional league after the season to work on 2b. that is probably better than using major league games to determine if he can play 2B. If he shows some promise then next season he starts out as a 4th OF backup 2b pinch runner and can continue to show he can hit and work on 2nd base then he could go back to instructional league and win 2b job in 2014. That would be a more realistic progression unless he is fielding ok and hitting over .300 at the breake next year.

[Riverbrian]

TR said in his weekly Sunday interview that Mastroianni is the first guy at the park and he faithfully takes grounders everyday.

 

He has done a nice job in the lineup and has earned some playing time. I'm a fan. I like players who play hard.

 

His stats are decent... He helps the team when he plays... He works hard in the games... He's working hard pre game for the possibility of 2B... Yeah... You reward that.

 

He's blocked in the OF. I'm not sure why Gardy has waited this long. He must not be sharp taking those grounders.

 

If Gardy won't play him at 2B... At the very least.. Span Revere and Doumit could sit an extra game or so to get Darin in the lineup a hair more.