Seth Stohs

Over the next two weeks, we’ll be writing about some of the biggest topics of the Minnesota Twins' spring training. Some of those are position battles. One such ‘battle’ fans will be playing close attention to in 2014 is one that was pretty big in 2013. Who will go into the 2014 season as the Twins starting centerfielder? Though you will likely read about this being a three man race for the job, it is likely really just between two players. That said, the player who may get the most attention at the position is a fourth option.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] LOOKING BACK Before we start thinking about 2014, let’s take a look back to one year ago. The Twins had traded Denard Span and Ben Revere. By the time of Twins Fest, the Twins' front office was touting Aaron Hicks as ready to take over. Sure, they also often said that Joe Benson, coming off micro-fracture surgery, and Darin Mastroianni would also be competing for the job. However, there was little to no question who would open the season as the Twins starting centerfielder. It was called a competition through spring training. Since it was called a competition there had to be a winner, and there was no question who won that challenge. Aaron Hicks hit like crazy in the very small sample size of spring training. In 73 at-bats, he hit .370/.407/.644 (1.051) with six doubles, a triple and four RBI. He also was three for three in stolen base attempts. Darin Mastroianni played pretty well too, but he entered the regular season with an ankle injury that cost him the majority of the year. Benson struggled, as was expected after missing much of the 2012 season. He hit just .151/.286/.283 (.569) with two doubles, a triple and a home run. After continued struggles, Benson was DFA'd and claimed by the Texas Rangers. He signed a minor league contract with the Miami Marlins this offseason. Of course, what fans remember much better than the spring training stats of Hicks are the numbers he put up in the regular season. He hit just .192/.259/.338 (.597) with 11 doubles, three triples and eight home runs. He certainly flashed some talent. How about the game against the White Sox when he stole a home run with his glove and hit a home run from both sides of the plate? Or, how about the throw in Yankees Stadium to nail a runner at third base? However, for the most part, it was a disappointing season for Hicks. In August, the Twins received Alex Presley from the Pirates in the Justin Morneau trade. He made 28 starts for the Twins to end the season and hit .283/.336/.363 (.699) with four doubles, a triple and a home run. Presley has struggled in parts of four seasons in the big leagues. Overall, he has played in 232 games and hit .264/.304/.411 (.715). In 733 minor league games, he has hit .292/.352/.437 (.789). LOOKING TO SPRING Let’s start with the obvious. Wilkin Ramirez is likely not in competition for the starting centerfield job. He may be competing for the 25th man on the roster, but it’s fair to say he won’t be the Twins starter. Also, Darin Mastroianni may be involved in the competition this spring, but ultimately, he’s fighting for a fourth (or fifth) outfield job after being designated for assignment during the offseason. The big question for Twins fans (and frankly, the front office) has to be; what does Aaron Hicks have to do this spring to win the centerfield job? Think about it. If he puts up the remarkable spring statistics he did a year ago, will he win the job? What are the intangibles that manager Ron Gardenhire will need to see for him to get the job. Hicks certainly has the potential and the tools to be a very good, all-round outfielder. He may never hit for average, but he has shown an ability to get on base. He does have extra base power. He plays tremendous defense and has a very strong arm. The Twins certainly have not given up on him. He gained ten pounds this offseason in an attempt to get stronger. He did not play winter ball which allowed him to clear his head and rest his body. He should come to camp strong. We know he will be either the Twins starting centerfielder or the Rochester Red Wings starting centerfielder. He will not be a backup at this stage of his career. The Twins brass need to determine what is best for him, long-term. However, the incumbent right now is Presley. Though he hasn’t shown a lot in the big leagues, his minor league career implies he could become a decent player. Specifically, he has shown an ability to get on base, and he has shown some extra- base pop. He is a solid defender, though certainly not in the class of Aaron Hicks. He probably profiles more as a fourth outfielder than a starter. That’s probably what he is with the Twins as well. He is likely the favorite for opening day starter, but at the end of the day, he is most likely a stop-gap. He is a place-holder maybe for Aaron Hicks who should come up sometime in 2014 and get another shot. He is also, in the big picture, a stop-gap till Byron Buxton arrives. Oh, Byron Buxton… He will also be at big league spring training this year. The consensus #1 prospect in all baseball is the talk of minor league baseball. The question with him is not IF, but WHEN. When will Buxton come up to the Twins, and just how great can be become. Of course, we also need to remember he has just a half-season of High-A ball under his belt. He is likely to start the season in New Britain, but a midseason promotion to the Twins is not out of the realm of possibility. In spring training, he will be looking to make an impression on the coaching staff. SUMMARY This will be an interesting competition to watch. As noted, I really believe it is a two-man race between last year’s opening day centerfielder (Aaron Hicks) and the incumbent for the job (Alex Presley). Ask yourself the question I did above: What do you think Aaron Hicks needs to do, or needs to show, to be the starting centerfielder? Presley is out of options, and he’s a solid outfielder, so he appears to be a shoo-in for the opening day roster, but should he be the starter? And, ultimately, how long will Twins fans have to wait for Byron Buxton. Buxton could force Hicks to a corner outfield spot and Presley to the role of backup outfielder again. How do you see this position battle playing out throughout the spring?

On Sunday, Minnesota Twins pitchers and catchers reported to Hammond Stadium. On Monday morning, they held their first official practice of the 2014 season. Finally, after a long, cold offseason, we have actual baseball to talk about. Opening Day is still about six weeks away, but over the course of spring training, we will attempt to project the Opening Day Twins 25 man roster.[PRBREAK][/PRBREAK] Today will be version 1.0. Obviously a lot can happen over the next weeks, including injuries and acquisitions, so this list will change from week to week. As a player becomes a given (in my opinion), I will highlight them in red. Check out my projections, and then let’s discuss. Be sure to add your projections too. Catchers (2): Kurt Suzuki, Eric Fryer Joe Mauer is now a first baseman. Ryan Doumit was traded. Kurt Suzuki was signed. Josmil Pinto had a nice September debut. So, how is this going to play out? Suzuki is going to be on the big league roster. Will he back up Josmil Pinto, or will he start? When Suzuki is named the primary catcher, will Ron Gardenhire be able to get Pinto enough playing time to justify a spot for him on the roster? To me, the competition is between Chris Herrmann and Eric Fryer for that backup spot right now. Infielders (5): Joe Mauer, Brian Dozier, Trevor Plouffe, Pedro Florimon, Eduardo Escobar The starting infield has not been in question all offseason, and that remains the situation as spring training begins. Mauer will be just fine at first base. Dozier will attempt to show that the changes he made in late May showed us what he really can do. Florimon showed that he is one of the game’s best defensively middle infielders. It’s a big year for Trevor Plouffe with the impending arrival of Miguel Sano. However, he’s pretty safe for Opening Day. As for the utility infield spot, Escobar will likely compete with James Beresford, Doug Bernier and Jason Bartlett for the utility job. Since Escobar is by far the youngest of the group, and he’s out of options, he’s easily the favorite. The other guys will be competing for the 25th roster spot with several others. Outfielders (6): Josh Willingham, Alex Presley, Oswaldo Arcia, Darin Mastroianni, Jason Kubel, Chris Parmelee Things are much less certain in the outfield than they are in the infield. The only given is Josh Willingham, who will likely be the team’s left fielder. I think that the bat of Oswaldo Arcia puts him on the roster, and I think he’ll primarily play in right field. Centerfield will be an interesting positional battle for the Twins in 2014 spring training. Aaron Hicks again has all the potential, but after his struggles in 2014’s regular season, what will he need to show the coaching staff this spring to begin the regular season with the Twins? Alex Presley came on and, although he has struggled in the big leagues with the Pirates, he has always shown good on-base skills in AAA. Darin Mastroianni was removed from the 40 man roster this offseason, but he has a shot to make the Opening Day roster. Finally, the Twins acquired Jason Kubel on a minor league contract. I want to put his name in red, but I figured I’d wait just a little bit. He likely will be the primary DH and could spend some time in right field as well. Chris Parmelee, also out of options, could compete with some infielders, Chris Colabello and others for that final roster spot. Starting Pitchers (5): Kevin Correia, Ricky Nolasco, Phil Hughes, Mike Pelfrey, Scott Diamond The Twins went into free agency and were very aggressive. They signed both Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes before December. Mike Pelfrey was brought back in December. Those three will join Kevin Correia who was clearly the Twins most consistent, solid starting pitching throughout the 2013 season. That leaves one open spot. As we all know, Sam Deduno, Vance Worley and Scott Diamond are all out of options. I think that Diamond goes into spring training as the leading candidate of that group, especially if Deduno starts the season on the DL. The two that do not receive the 5th starter job will also have a chance to stick around in the bullpen. Kyle Gibson is also in the running for the job, though the fact that he has two option years remaining may actually hurt him. However, I believe he will make more starts for the Twins than the three that are out of options. Prospects Alex Meyer, Trevor May and Sean Gilmartin will all get a good look this spring, and Meyer (and possibly May) will likely make starts for the Twins throughout the season. Bullpen (7): Glen Perkins, Jared Burton, Brian Duensing, Casey Fien, Anthony Swarzak, Caleb Thielbar, Ryan Pressly The first five spots are set, pending injury or trade. Glen Perkins is the closer. Jared Burton, Casey Fien and Brian Duensing are the set-up men. Anthony Swarzak was terrific in long relief in 2014, so will he stay in that role or be given more high-leverage situations. I’m assuming that they will have seven bullpen arms. Based on 2013, Caleb Thielbar and Ryan Pressly should be givens as well. However, the fact that Scott Diamond, Sam Deduno and Vance Worley are out of options while Thielbar and Pressly have two options remaining means that at least for now, I can’t change their font to red quite yet. Matt Guerrier may be in the equation as well, though it may completely depend upon his health. Michael Tonkin has a chance to be a solid big league reliever, but he’s got two options and hasn’t really had much success above AA, so he should start in Rochester. What are your thoughts? What does your roster look like?