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Hicks leading candidate for CF job.

Alex

By Alex
in Minnesota Twins Talk

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Alex Draft Eligible

Alex

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Posted
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Sounds like Hicks is front-runner for the starting CF job.

 

I'm not excited about this for several reasons; however, the options are probably slim.

 

Was the last successful player called up from AA by the Twins Joe Mauer?

 

Edit: Here's a copy of the Tweet:

 

 

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress

Twins GM says Aaron Hicks leading candidate to secure CF job in camp and leapfrog AAA

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ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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Sounds like Hicks is front-runner for the starting CF job.

 

I'm not excited about this for several reasons; however, the options are probably slim.

 

Was the last successful player called up from AA by the Twins Joe Mauer?

 

Source?

Alex Draft Eligible

Alex

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Uh...I think it's clear that Mastro is the favorite, at least to begin the season.

 

My fault for not including the tweet originally. I assumed it would be more universal information, especially as Nick Nelson retweeted it later.

DaveW All-Star

DaveW

Old-Timey Member
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Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

 

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

 

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

 

Who is saying they're against it?

Alex Draft Eligible

Alex

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Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

 

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

 

 

I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

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I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

 

I'm with this. Hick's history has been as a slow-adjuster before he demonstrates mastery at a particular level. Even if he meaninglessly has a ST line of .450/.550/.950 there's absolutely no harm in waiting a couple weeks or even a tad bit longer, and plenty to gain in service time and confidence- and competence-raising. Once he's called up, I'd like to see it as a permanent move with no possibility for a return trip back for more "seasoning", like last year's fiasco with Dozier.

ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

 

Hunter would have been waiting a long time...In three of Hicks' five full seasons in the minors, he had OPS of at least .829. Hunter never had a full season in the minors with an OPS in the '800s. Hicks is a former first rounder, #14 overall, with 5 seasons in the minors. Time to take of the damn kid gloves already

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
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A week from now Ryan will have a totally contradictory quote. Something like: Twins GM looking for exprienced vet to man CF to start the season # foot in mouth

 

Beat me to it, if someone took every one of Ryan's quotes to the bank, just since September, they would have been flat-broke by the Spring Opener.

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Hunter would have been waiting a long time...In three of Hicks' five full seasons in the minors, he had OPS of at least .829. Hunter never had a season in the minors with an OPS in the '800s. Hicks is a former first rounder, #14 overall, with 5 seasons in the minors. Time to take of the damn kid gloves already

 

With that much invested in him, I would think kid gloves would be mandatory.

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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Worry for me is his plate discipline. If he can show that he can lay off the low and outside slider and the high fastball in spring training, then maybe he's ready.

 

ST is practically predictively meaningless as the "final determinant" for promotion or not.

ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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With that much invested in him, I would think kid gloves would be mandatory.

 

I think it's the other way around...if he was good enough to draft that high, it shouldn't take him 6, 7 years to make the show. The kid has never had an OBP below .353 in any pro season. He's a plus defender. It's time.

ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

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Worry for me is his plate discipline. If he can show that he can lay off the low and outside slider and the high fastball in spring training, then maybe he's ready.

 

 

Sounding more and more like Hunter...

twinsnorth49 St Paul Saints

twinsnorth49

Old-Timey Member
Posted
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The only thing most people are arguing is, whether or not it makes sense to give away a year of service time for a couple of extra weeks with the big club, in a season that is going nowhere fast. Why is this so crazy?

ThePuck First Round Pick

ThePuck

Provisional Member
Posted
Posted
The only thing most people are arguing is, whether or not it makes sense to give away a year of service time for a couple of extra weeks with the big club, in a season that is going nowhere fast. Why is this so crazy?

 

That's the argument that makes sense...

nicksaviking MVP

nicksaviking

Community Moderator
Posted
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I'd prefer to wait, not only because of service time but because Hicks has been a slow starter in the past. I'm not convinced this team wouldn't panic if he started with a low BA even if he had a strong OBP. I have a feeling they don't put as much weight in the latter of the two stats.

Oxtung First Round Pick

Oxtung

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I may be in the minority but I really hope Benson wins the job out of ST. It would create another trade chip at some point if he can succeed and since this seems to be his last real chance....

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
I think it's the other way around...if he was good enough to draft that high, it shouldn't take him 6, 7 years to make the show. The kid has never had an OBP below .353 in any pro season. He's a plus defender. It's time.

 

The kid gloves treatment that has proven to be a good strategy, for an extra 2 week or possibly a little more time, it won't hurt his long-term value to the team, possibly help him and most definitely, the club, financially---- and--- won't make any difference on his short-term value to the team

TheLeviathan MVP

TheLeviathan

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted

Do what's right for Hicks and his development into a cornerstone of the franchise. Whatever that is, doesn't matter about service time, do it. I trust the Twins on assessing their prospect readiness, it's one of their strongest qualities as an organization.

Alex Draft Eligible

Alex

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Hunter would have been waiting a long time...In three of Hicks' five full seasons in the minors, he had OPS of at least .829. Hunter never had a full season in the minors with an OPS in the '800s. Hicks is a former first rounder, #14 overall, with 5 seasons in the minors. Time to take of the damn kid gloves already

 

Interesting comparison.

 

In AAA at 22 Hunter posted an .891 OPS in around 100 AB. Hunters's first two seasons were not impressive in the majors. His third season he crushed the ball and but still posted an OPS below .800 thanks to poor plate discipline and had an OPS + of 80. It's hard to say what would have happened with more seasoning, but the Twins certainly didn't get much out of his first three seasons.

 

Also, it's a minor point but one of Hick's season's above .800 was 45 games in the rookie league.

 

Look I'm not saying keep him down for the whole season, and if they start him I certainly hope he does well but some PAs in AAA wouldn't hurt, for multiple reasons.

Alex Draft Eligible

Alex

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Do what's right for Hicks and his development into a cornerstone of the franchise. Whatever that is, doesn't matter about service time, do it. I trust the Twins on assessing their prospect readiness, it's one of their strongest qualities as an organization.

 

 

I don't know. Their assessment of Dozier's readiness and putting Parmelee on the roster to start the season last year didn't work out that well.

jokin Wichita Wind Surge

jokin

Old-Timey Member
Posted
Posted
Interesting comparison.

 

In AAA at 22 Hunter posted an .891 OPS in around 100 AB. Hunters's first two seasons were not impressive in the majors. His third season he crushed the ball and but still posted an OPS below .800 thanks to poor plate discipline and had an OPS + of 80. It's hard to say what would have happened with more seasoning, but the Twins certainly didn't get much out of his first three seasons.

 

Look I'm not saying keep him down for the whole season, and if they start him I certainly hope he does well but some PAs in AAA wouldn't hurt, for multiple reasons.

 

This. This is not so hard, people.

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