April 17, 2009– The Twins entered 2009 with a packed outfield. Now that the season is underway, here’s a look at how each of their potential outfielders are starting off the 2009 campaign and what to expect going forward. The stats are for all games through April 16th.
Denard Span - 2009 stats: 12-for-41, 4 R, 1 HR, 6 RBI, 3 SB, .293 BA, .4o8 OB, 7 BB, 7 Ks
Out of nowhere, Span had a spectacular 2008, and his sophomore campaign should at least equal that effort. More likely, he’ll improve upon it. Span sees the most pitches and takes the most walks of the group, and is now locked in as the Twins’ leadoff hitter. Span is living up to expectations so far this year, and he’ll see everyday playing time all season long. Playing 6 games in leftfield, 3 in center and 3 in right, Span is the most versatile fielder of the group.
Michael Cuddyer - 10-for-42, 5 R, 5 RBI, .238 BA, .283 OBP, 3 BB, 10Ks
After being injured much of last year, Cuddyer is off to a slow start this year. He was hot in spring training, swinging a solid bat, but that hasn’t translated to regular season success. After his break-out 2007, manager Ron Gardenhire will take his time with Cuddyer, and he should be a regular in the Twins lineup everyday. Cuddyer has been penciled in as the 4th and 5th hitter in the Twins’ lineup, and this will give him a lot of opportunities to contribute. Cuddyer has played 8 game in right and started 2 games at DH.
Carlos Gomez -3-for-29, 4 R, 2 SB, .103 BA, .133 OBP, 1 BB, 9 Ks
3 for 29 is as bad as it gets. The young speedster is still very unpolished and he deservedly lost his position as the Twins’ leadoff hitter. Unless his eye and plate discipline improve, Gomez could be looking at a lot of pinch running situations this season. With more proven options ahead of him, he’s going to be the Twins’ odd man out all season long, mostly coming in as a defensive replacement. In the lineup, he hasn’t batted earlier than 7th, and with the emergence of Span, his leadoff days are over for now. When Gomez plays, he plays center, his natural position, having seen time in 9 games there so far this season.
Delmon Young - 4-for-27, 2 R, 1 HR, 4 RBI, .148 BA, .148 OBP, 0 BB, 9 Ks
After placing second in 2007’s Rookie of the Year voting, Young had a very disappointing 2008. Many have predicted a bounce back year for Young in 2009. Perhaps the worst fielder of the group, he still has a lot of upside and the Twins hope he lives up to his high expectations. This year’s slow start, along with a huge decrease in power, aren’t helping his cause any. Gardenhire will continue to give him at-bats, hoping that somewhat regular playing time leads to Young falling into a groove, but there are going to be growing pains along the way. Young and Gomez will split time for the immediate future, as Gardenhire tries to figure out who will be less detrimental to the team’s production. Delmon has played 6 games in left and 1 at DH.
Jason Kubel - 7-for-31, 2 R, 1 HR, 5 RBI, .226 BA, .273 OBP, 2 BB, 2 Ks
Partially due to the logjam in the outfield, this former outfielder will be primarily used as a DH this year. This should be a full-time role for him, only taking time off to spell other players’ time in the field. Kubel also needs to prove he’s not a liability against left-handing pitching or else he’ll lose at-bats to right-handed back-ups like Mike Redmond and Delmon Young. Kubel recently batted clean-up behind Justin Morneau, and he’ll get plenty of RBI opportunities against right-handed pitchers sitting in that spot. Kubel has started at DH 8 times this season so far.
Asides from Denard Span, the young Minnesota outfielders are off to slow starts. If the Twins are going to compete this year, they need better production from their young up-and-comers, and that will only come with experience and patience. Gomez being the key piece of the Santana trade, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire will want to use his talented speedster as much as possible, but he’s not going to until Gomez proves he can handle the Major Leagues. That’s something he has yet to do. Look for Young to have a solid season with regular days off, something he can build upon next year. Right now the only locks for productive seasons are Cuddyer and Span, so look for them to put up healthy numbers all season long.
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