Players really seem to regress if they don't play. Santana and Escobar both had great springs, and both had a pretty darn good 2014, too. Santana's was even better than Escobar's. If by a "lengthy minor-league record of mediocrity" it means hitting around .270, then I think that applies to both of them as well. They both have similar numbers so far in 2015. I think we give Santana a bit of slack here. It wasn't his fault that he could play a slightly below average center field and that no one else seemed to be able to do better, and hitting .320ish was hard to take out of the lineup. I don't know that he needs to hit lead off all the time, though. But let's face it. Most of the Twins' batters are hitting like Danny Santana is right now and around the Mendoza line. May as well give then all a chance to settle in. That or replace them all. I don't see how the Twins are focused on playing strong defense behind their pitchers. If that were the case, the outfield would be all different people, and the first baseman would be a bit more practiced as well.