As Spring Training is now in full swing, there are many of the same faces around Twins camp but this team that has high expectations year after year, had a large turnover considering those expectations. With Orlando Hudson, Jesse Crain, Matt Guerrier, Brian Fuentes, Jon Rauch, Randy Flores, Ron Mahay, Clay Condry, J.J. Hardy, Nick Punto, and Brenden Harris all departing during the off season, there is some major holes to fill in the bullpen, the middle infield and questions about the rotations viability.
Here is a early look into the 2011 Minnesota Twins depth chart:
Catcher
- Joe Mauer
- Drew Butera
With the off-season trade of Jose Morales to the Colorado Rockies, the Twins are set behind the plate in 2011. Joe Mauer will anchor the position as he begins his 8-year, 184 million dollar contract. Mauer will continue his dominance in the hitting department, hitting .327 for his career with 3 batting titles and 4 Silver Slugger awards. Mauer did have minor off-season surgery on his left knee that should be no big deal according to Mauer and he will be ready for April 1st. Drew Butera is not a comparable in hitting but is a good second option to handle the pitching staff when Mauer needs a break. Butera was also dubbed Carl Pavano’s personal catcher in 2010 and will continue those duties this season.
First Base
- Justin Morneau
After his concussion in mid-July that kept in out of the rest of the season, Justin Morneau has been taking part of all spring training activities and has not had anymore symptoms from the concussion. He has stated that he will not participate in the first 4 or 5 games of the spring and should be full go on April 1st.
Second Base
- Tsuyoshi Nishioka
- Alexi Casilla
- Matt Tolbert
- Luke Hughes
With Nishioka starting at second so far this spring it looks like the slick fielding, slap hitter will earn that spot before long. Alexi will most likely get the shortstop position. Matt Tolbert is still fighting to keep a roster stop as he continued to move back forth between the big club and triple-A in 2010. Luke Hughes is also plays third baseman and maybe a good right handed bat off the bench.
Shortstop
- Alexi Casilla
- Tsuyoshi Nishioka
- Trevor Plouffe
It is Alexia Casilla’s job to lose as Ron Gardenhire has given him a second chance at a starting position. Casilla had the same opportunity years ago and coughed it with poor defense. Casilla also will finally return to natural position after second base for most of the last three years. He has a strong arm and is solid with his glove. The biggest test for Casilla will be at the plate. Trevor Plouffe may be a wild card in this but he is still considered the shortstop of the future at the age of 24.
Third Base
- Danny Valencia
- Luke Hughes
Danny Valencia was given the third base job about half through 2010 and he never gave it up. In 85 games he hit .311 with 18 doubles, 7 home runs and 40 RBI. This spring he has been named the starting third baseman by Ron Gardenhire and we’ll see if he can continue to post numbers like 2010 in his sophomore campaign. Danny said in recent interview that he intends on treating it like he still has to earn a spot on this team. He has also shown good ability in the field. Luke Hughes has the potential to be a starting third baseman as well, this could put pressure on Danny to continue develop into a premier player. If Hughes can stay healthy look for him to come off the bench as hard hitting right-handed bat to take on the left-handed specialist.
Outfield
- Micheal Cuddyer
- Delmon Young
- Denard Span
- Jason Kubel
- Jason Repko
- Ben Revere
This is considered the deepest area of the field for Twins. Micheal Cuddyer is heading into a contract year and as long as Morneau stays healthy this season Cuddyer will continue his major role as the Twins everyday right fielder. Delmon Young had a breakout year in 2010 and looks to continue that this season. Young led the team in hits, doubles, and RBIs. Young will be slotted as the everyday left fielder. Denard Span had a disappointing 2010 at the plate and in the field. Span looks to return to form starting his third full season as the Twins center fielder and lead off hitter. He will have to improve his batting average and on-base percentage to keep the lead off role. Jason Kubel will most likely see some time in both left and right field, but will primarily DHing. Kubel had a solid 2010 but will need to continue to increase his production as a veteran in the league. Both Jason Repko and Ben Revere are looking for backup out fielding duties both show good speed and fielding abilities. Revere is considered a top prospect for Twins and may need to some more time to mature.
Starting Rotation
- Carl Pavano
- Fransisco Liriano
- Scott Baker
- Brian Duensing
- Nick Blackburn
- Kevin Slowey
The starting rotation for the Minnesota Twins has a small mathematical problem 6 people trying to fit into 5 spots. Carl Pavano has solidified himself as quality innings eater and Liriano still shows the he has ace worthy stuff. The problem come in when talk about the 3,4, and 5 spots as there is no clear pitch taking leaps and bounds over another. Brian Duensing has a inside track being left handed and was 10-3 with a 2.62 during the regular season in 2010. Scott Baker has proven moderate to good success at this level and doesn’t seem likely to miss out on the 2011 rotation. Nick Blackburn has had his struggles and even was sent to triple-A in the middle of the year due to his poor outings but has a good sinker and can get grounders with the best of them when he is on. Kevin Slowey has had a tough road after deciding to get wrist surgery in the middle of the 2009 campaign. The surgery ended a fantastic start to the season with a 10-3 record. Slowey has never completely returned to form and maybe trade bait at the end of spring training.
Bullpen
- Joe Nathan
- Matt Capps
- Jose Mijares
- Alex Burnett
- Jeff Manship
- Glen Perkins
- Scott Diamond
- Pat Neshek
- Dusty Hughes
- Anthony Slama
At the top of this list you might have two of the best closers in the American League in Matt Capps and Joe Nathan. With Joe Nathan continuing his full recovery from Tommy John surgery it is great for the Twins to have a insurance policy like Capps. A typical Twins 7th, 8th, and 9th might look like Mijares, Capps, then Nathan, but it things don’t go quite as planned the rest guys need to pick up slack. On which guys will be filling this roll your guess is as good as mine. Jeff Manship might their best long innings guy as he is still a potential starter in this league. The rest will be battling for positions on the 25-man roster. It also looks like that Twin will lose either Scott Diamond or Glen Perkins at the end of spring. Diamond is a rule-5 draft pick and if doesn’t make the team he will be shipped back to Atlanta. Perkins is out of options and cannot be sent down to triple-A without going through waivers and probably will be picked up by another team if he has a half way decent spring. The Twins will take 6 or 7 relief pitchers up north will them.
This team has a very solid core of players and will continue to a top the Central division race. Look for the Twins to go as far as the starting pitching takes them, this will alleviate the need for a stellar bullpen.
Twins Notes
- Twins are 2-2 in Grapefruit Leagues action so far.
- Four starters have yet to take the field Joe Mauer (knee), Justin Morneau (concussion), Micheal Cuddyer (wart), and Delmon Young (turf toe).
- Luke Hughes has two home runs early this spring.
- Danny Valenica had two doubles and two RBIs in Wednesday’s afternoon tilt against the Pittsburgh Pirates.
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Being born and raised in Minnesota it was easy to grow into an avid sports fan of the local teams. With a passion for baseball the Minnesota Twins have become his favorite team and topic to write and talk on a frequent basis. 