Minnesota Twins 2015 Monthly Highlights
As the 2015 season is set to get underway for the Minnesota Twins, there is some warranted buzz around this year’s team. As the past four seasons have been filled with 90 loss seasons, the Twins look to turn the page towards a fresh start. In 2015, much more winning should take place, and the season will be highlighted by some big moments.
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Looking ahead at the schedule for the upcoming year, a handful of months throughout the campaign should provide some pretty big storylines for the Twins. Whether it be call ups or awards being handed out, the Twins should find plenty to provide excitement to Twins Territory.
While it’s hard to pinpoint the storyline for each month of a long season, let’s take a look at a couple of the bigger predictions.
April: Aaron Hicks Impresses Again
If you remember correctly, it was a strong spring training (and the trades of both Denard Span and Ben Revere) that pushed Aaron Hicks from Double-A straight into the starting lineup. While offensive numbers during Spring Training don’t translate to major league success (again see Hicks’ 2013 season), another strong showing should be in store for the Twins potential centerfielder. Hicks has to put things together at the major league level this season if he’s going to factor into the Twins future plans. Having progressed through the farm system last season should have him doing just that.
May: Alex Meyer Debuts In The Rotation
I think Alex Meyer has a very good shot at making the 25 man roster out of Spring Training for the Twins. If nothing else, the 25-year-old has little left to prove at the Triple-A level, and that alone could be the reasoning for his inclusion. Tommy Milone likely starts the season as the 5th starter, but Meyer should factor into the equation early, and May is as early as it gets.
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman
Eddie Rosarioagainst the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
June: Eddie Rosario Sees Target Field
Of all of the predictions, this one is probably the most aggressive. The converted infielder brings a lot to the Twins however. Out of the gate, Eduardo Nunez is going to be the Twins second utility player alongside Eduardo Escobar. That said, Rosario provides significantly more upside. He likely would be a candidate to start this season with the Twins if not for a suspension that hamstrung his 2014 season. Rosario has much more ability in the outfield than Nunez, and is an offensive asset. Whether through injury necessity or promotion, I think Rosario debuts sooner than expected.
July: Phil Hughes Is Named An All Star
Last season, Phil Hughes had a record breaking season when it came to his strikeout to walk ratio. While it may be hard to him to match those numbers, he should be expected to be better as a whole. It wasn’t a fluke that Hughes was so dominant for the Twins last season. Getting away from Yankees Stadium was a huge benefit, and Hughes was actually better on the road than at Target Field in 2014. He should be more consistent throughout the season as a whole in 2015, and he looked the part of a Cy Young candidate at points last season. Look for him to make an appearance during the midsummer classic in Cincinnati.
August: Welcome Miguel Sano To The Big Leagues
Trevor Plouffe bought himself plenty of leash a season ago. The twins third basemen looked improved defensively, and held his own at the plate. Coming back from an injury, he will likely have some rust to knock off at the beginning of the season. Regardless, Miguel Sano should make his Twins debut before the end of the summer. Whether the debut comes in the form of designated hitter at bats at the expense of Kennys Vargas, or through third base, Sano won’t stay down through August. With a major league ready bat, the Twins will immediately benefit from Sano’s power.
September: Byron Buxton Takes Over In Center
At this point, it’s fair to assume Buxton’s timeline is somewhat up in the air. Had he not dealt with injuries throughout the 2014 season, expecting him to be the Twins Opening Day centerfielder would have been realistic. I think September is a fair timetable considering my belief that Aaron Hicks puts some things together. Should there be injuries in the Twins outfield, Buxton could find himself making a debut even sooner than September. At any rate, it’s fair to assume that once he surfaces with the Twins, he won’t be going back to the farm.
The Twins have plenty of things to monitor over the course of the 2015 season, and if any of these predictions come to fruition, there will be plenty of excitement that follows as well.
Next: Projecting The Twins 25 Man Roster