Mastrionni 2B trial?

[John Bonnes]

An .800+ OPS in the middle infield? Pinch me, I must be dreaming! I don't expect him to keep stay above .800 obviously, but I have long thought the same thing and I think it's worth a try. He played there once this season for the Twins and has a little work in the minors there too. If he can manage a .960 Fielding % while staying fast and hitting well count me in.

 

800 OPS nothing - if he can manage a .340 OBP and turn a DP, I'll be thrilled.

[TheLeviathan]

So when I posted this a few weeks ago....everyone just didn't know who Mastro was or what?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

So when I posted this a few weeks ago....everyone just didn't know who Mastro was or what?

 

RiverBrian is clearly not the first person to think about it.

[TheLeviathan]

So when I posted this a few weeks ago....everyone just didn't know who Mastro was or what?

 

RiverBrian is clearly not the first person to think about it.

 

Was just joking because we're rehashing pretty much the same convo....

[Guest USAFChief]

Obviously haven't seen Mastro play 2b, but my gut tells me if he was able to play the position at an acceptable level, he would never have been moved to the OF in the first place. Capable middle infielders aren't moved to the OF very often.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Obviously haven't seen Mastro play 2b, but my gut tells me if he was able to play the position at an acceptable level, he would never have been moved to the OF in the first place. Capable middle infielders aren't moved to the OF very often.

 

yeah pretty much this... the other thing is that what he's doing with the bat is being done in a very small sample size. Some guys can be decent hitters when they aren't playing every day, but are pretty lousy when they are.

[DaveW]

Obviously haven't seen Mastro play 2b, but my gut tells me if he was able to play the position at an acceptable level, he would never have been moved to the OF in the first place. Capable middle infielders aren't moved to the OF very often.

 

Especially not in low A ball.

 

AAA or the majors if the team is currently stacked with MI at the major league level? Sure, but in low A ball there is zero reason to unless the guy just doesn't have the ability.

 

Also apparently he takes grounders before every game, basically he appears to be an emergency option at 2B (much like Cuddyer last year). It only takes one missed double play or botched play a game to basically reverse any sort of good will you did offensively.

[Reginald Maudling's Shin]

What is the urgency here? Mastroianni is a good 4th outfielder, not a guy whose bat needs to be in the lineup every day.

 

Just wait a couple years until Eddie Rosario is ready.

[cr9617]

Throwing junk at the wall and hoping something sticks.

[Riverbrian]

What is the urgency here? Mastroianni is a good 4th outfielder' date=' not a guy whose bat needs to be in the lineup every day.

 

Just wait a couple years until Eddie Rosario is ready.[/quote']

 

I wouldn't call it urgency... Call it a little experiment... I think Mastro has shown in his limited playing time that he can play. I'd like to see him get some more at bats. Toss him in at 2nd and see if it works. He doesn't have to be the starting 2B from here on out... It can be become another option for the team and him and that's all.

 

Besides... If... The organization OF situation is as strong as others are saying. He's about to be over run by Arcia, Hicks, Benson, Kepler, Buxton in the near future. A little 2b ability could help dodge that bullet.

 

If he works out and I admit the clues don't suggest that he will work out. It's a long shot... He was moved by Toronto for a reason and Gardy hasn't utilized him yet. Those are clues but let's see... Give him a game or two... If it doesn't work... Move on...

 

I wouldn't do it against a pennent chasing team like the Tigers but against the Mariners... A team that is chasing nothing like the Twins... Why not... I'd like to see him start a game or two in Seattle this weekend.

 

The guy has done alright thus far... His Speed is legit and he can hit. 2012 should allow for some experimentation with a player like Mastro.

[Craig in MN]

Darin Mastroianni hasn't shown that he is a capable 4th OF. Not in 100 ABs. He is great defensively, but his minor league track record is not exactly stellar. If it was, the Twins' wouldn't have stuck him at AA to start the year, and they wouldn't have wasted time with Clete Thomas and Eric Komatsu first. THAT is why the Blue Jays didn't care to keep him around. Because one dimensional players are a dime a dozen. He is playing way over his head right now, and if he can keep that up...if he's really turned a corner....then they've got something. Do people really think he's established himself as anything yet?

 

I don't care how many OF prospects they have coming up...they are still going to need a 4th OF, and they aren't going to bring the prospects up to sit on the bench 5 days a week. And having a decent 4th OF gives them a cushion for when they think about trading Span or Revere in the offseason. Let them see if Mastroanni is that. Otherwise, Revere has to be that. Or they need to get a newer version of Erik Komatsu. How exciting is that? Right now I'm sort of excited about the idea of a Parmalee/Mastroianni platoon next year in RF. What's wrong with that? If they are going to try putting any one in a harder position defensively, it should be Parmalee. If that's the case, then they need a defensive replacement there.....who could that be? Hey Mastroianni fits the bill perfectly, so far. Lets try that out!