Spring Training Competition Update

It’s the final day of the month, so let’s take a look at how some of the spring training competitions are playing out so far. After tomorrow’s noon game against the Marlins, the Twins will have played just a full week of games, so the sample sizes here are very small. Small enough, in fact, that I’m skipping the pitchers entirely at this point; instead, we’ll look at hitters who are making an early case for themselves and a couple who may be digging themselves early holes to climb out of. Either way, there’s plenty of time left before Opening Day.

Shortstop

It sounded like this was Florimon’s job to lose coming into the spring.

Pedro Florimon

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
4	9	8	3	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	1	1	.125	.222	.250	.472	2

Eduardo Escobar

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	7	7	0	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	.286	.286	.286	.571	2

Second Base

Twins brass would love to see Dozier take this job and run with it.

Brian Dozier

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	7	6	1	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	1	1	.333	.429	.500	.929	3

Jamey Carroll

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	8	8	1	2	1	0	0	1	0	0	0	2	.250	.250	.375	.625	3

Center Field

This is Hicks’s job long-term, but he might have to dominate to avoid a month in AAA.

Aaron Hicks

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	10	10	2	4	2	0	0	3	0	0	0	1	.400	.400	.600	1.000	6

Joe Benson

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	10	7	4	1	0	0	1	2	0	0	3	4	.143	.400	.571	.971	4

Darin Mastroiani

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
4	8	8	2	2	1	0	0	1	1	1	0	1	.250	.250	.375	.625	3

Fourth Outfielder

If Mastroianni starts, can Ramirez play CF well enough to make this a three-man race?

Brandon Boggs

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
4	10	9	3	3	0	0	1	3	0	0	1	3	.333	.400	.667	1.067	6

Clete Thomas

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	7	7	0	2	0	0	0	1	0	0	0	1	.286	.286	.286	.571	2

Wilkin Ramirez

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	7	7	2	3	2	0	0	2	1	0	0	0	.429	.429	.714	1.143	5

Third Catcher

Ron Gardenhire says he won’t necessarily take a third catcher north, but we’ll see.

Drew Butera

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
2	4	2	1	1	0	0	0	1	0	0	2	0	.500	.750	.500	1.250	1

Chris Herrmann

G	PA	AB	R	H	2B	3B	HR	RBI	SB	CS	BB	SO	BA	OBP	SLG	OPS	TB
3	4	2	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	0	2	0	.000	.500	.000	.500	0

A few notes: 1) the fourth outfielder competition becomes moot if Matroianni doesn’t win the CF job; 2) the third catcher competition becomes moot if Gardenhire carries a bench bat; and 3) young stud 2B Eddie Rosario has been absolutely tearing it up early in camp, and SS Daniel Santana has had a solid first week, but unless something drastic happens their chances of starting the season in The Show are basically nil. Stats do not include Thursday’s game.

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