Spring Training: Twins To Keep An Eye On
Oct 5, 2014; Detroit, MI, USA; Detroit Tigers right fielder Torii Hunter (48) at bat against the Baltimore Orioles during game three of the 2014 ALDS baseball playoff game at Comerica Park. Mandatory Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
It’s fair to question why a major league veteran should worry about Spring Training and making key impacts, but Torii Hunter has some big shoes to fill. No, Oswaldo Arcia isn’t an irreplaceable right fielder, but the defensive hole the Twins succumbed to in signing Hunter may be.
Bringing in Torii moves Arcia to left, and gives Twins pitchers liabilities in both corner outfield spots. Hunter has graded out poorly as his career has gone on, and Target Field will do him no favors. Hunter addressed the metrics during his introductory press conference in saying that baseball is played on the field, and that he can still get to fly balls. That theory will be put to the test in Fort Myers, and he will have to continue to prove it all season long.