The Twins Revolving Door: Shortstop
Sep 21, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Danny Santana (39) throws to first in the fifth inning against the Cleveland Indians at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Rempel-USA TODAY Sports
2015:
Enter this season, the Twins are looking at one of two players to start for them at shortstop this season. While Danny Santana appears to have some competition in Eduardo Escobar, it should be presumed that Santana will end up with the role. Last season for the Twins, Santana showed flexibility in playing centerfield as well, but it is shortstop where he makes the most sense.
At any rate, Santana hit .319/.353/.472 in his first season in the majors. He tripled seven times and homered seven times as well. Santana drove in 40 runs while swiping 20 bases. He was easily an asset on the offensive side of the game. Each of those numbers ranks amongst the highest in comparison to where the Twins have found their starting shortstops at recently.
Heading into 2015, there has to be some excitement about the position. Santana could prove to be the future answer until the emergence of top draft pick, Nick Gordon, a few years down the road. While his average will regress some, he is still light years ahead of the teams past shortstops when it comes to offense.
Looking back through the list, only J.J. Hardy has been a true major league caliber shortstop on both sides of the ball throughout his career. If the Twins didn’t deal him for a bucket of balls known as Jim Hoey, we may not be looking that this revolving door. At any rate, they did, and Danny Santana looks to be the stopper that halts the door from spinning.
Next: Does Danny Santana Really Have Competition?