Positional Battles: What Happens In The Twins Outfield?
Oct 23, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; St. Louis Cardinals center fielder Shane Robinson (43) catches a foul ball against Boston Red Sox second baseman Dustin Pedroia (not pictured) during the fifth inning during game one of the MLB baseball World Series at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Robinson has spent the entirety of his five-year major league career in the St. Louis Cardinals organization, the Twins signed him to a minor league deal this offseason. Coming into Spring Training, Robinson will be on the outside looking in, and his biggest competition likely remains for the fourth outfield spot against Schafer.
His career .231/.303/.308 line substantiates the reasoning behind the Twins bringing him into the fold. A year ago, Danny Santana was forced into the outfield due to lack of depth entering the season. While Robinson isn’t going to hit at a rate high enough to allow the Twins to view him as an asset, he may play himself into the outfield rotation as a defensive replacement. Although he was responsible for being six runs worse than average a season ago, in 2013, Robinson was five runs better than average across 99 games for the Cardinals.
Much like Schafer, there is little for Robinson to lose in terms of ground. With a strong spring, and showing that he can be counted on as a defensive asset, he could overtake the former Braves waiver claim.