2011 MLB Preview: Assessing Utility Options For The Minnesota Twins
As the Minnesota Twins prepare to head down to Fort Myers for spring training, they'll be doing so without utility infielder Nick Punto for the first time in seven years. Last week Punto signed a one-year deal with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Punto was a favorite of much of the Twins Territory faithful, and while his productivity was never much to speak of (with the exception of 2008 when he batted near .300), he still managed to make a good living in Minnesota.
Still, Punto's productivity declined in 2009 and 2010 as he failed to reach a .240 average each season.
The lack of productivity allowed the Twins to make an easy decision in declining Punto's $5 million option for 2011.
With Punto's departure, the team will have to decide which of these players will fill the void. And while a few of these players will certainly be a part of the Twins' 25-man roster, others will have to prove their worthiness in Fort Myers, Florida.
Chris Parmelee: First Base/Right Field
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After a successful start to the season in Class A Fort Myers, 2006 first-round draft pick Chris Parmelee made the most of his promotion to Class AA New Britan.
Parmelee batted .275 and hit safely 113 times in 111 games. The numbers dipped from the .338 average that he started the season with, but the team has to be impressed with his ability to transition to a higher level of competition.
Parmelee has played both first base and right field in the minors and could prove to eventually be an asset for the team.
With the depth of outfielders the Twins have available, Parmelee's best bet to make the club may unfortunately be the potential for Justin Morneau's failure to recover from the concussion that ended his 2010 season. Even that may be a long shot with Michael Cuddyer's ability to transition to the infield when needed.
Luke Hughes: Second Base
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Luke Hughes has been a part of the Minnesota Twins organization since 2002 when he was signed as a free agent from Australia.
During his eight seasons in the minor leagues, Hughes has compiled a .270 batting average, while driving in over 300 runs in 598 games.
Hughes got a brief opportunity to make his name known with the Twins, as he played in two games with the team in April of last year. Hughes would make an immediate impact, hitting a home run in his first Major League at-bat.
It will likely be Hughes' defensive ability that will give him a shot at more face time in the Majors. He has garnered a career .951 fielding percentage (.972 at second base).
Matt Tolbert: Third Base
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Matt Tolbert has seen consistent activity as a Twins utility player for the past three seasons.
Since first reaching the Major League level in 2008, he has played in 160 games with the Twins, batting .246 and driving in 43 runs in the process.
Tolbert's most consistent activity came in 2009 when he played in 71 games. Throughout the three years Tolbert has spent time in the Minor Leagues, but has always been one of the first call-ups made.
As a defensive player, Tolbert is a solid utility infielder. He has a career .986 fielding percentage at second base, while fielding .943 at third base and .980 at shortstop.
With Nick Punto's departure and the swapping of shortstop J.J. Hardy to the Orioles in exchange for pitching help, it's likely that Tolbert will be on the opening day roster as the team's main utility infielder.
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Trevor Plouffe: Shortstop
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While his first peek at the Major Leagues may not have been impressive as he had hoped, Trevor Plouffe should still have confidence in his ability to work his way onto the Minnesota Twins 25-man roster.
Plouffe batted just .146 in 22 games with the Twins in 2010. It wasn't expected that he would see any time with the Twins in 2010, but the plans were changed when J.J. went on the disabled list.
Between the acquisition of Tsuyoshi Nishioka and the team's commitment to install Alexi Casilla as an everyday middle infielder, it's unlikely that Plouffe will end up with the team in April barring an extremely impressive performance in spring training.
Still, Plouffe is a viable option for the team if they're in a pinch and looking for a strong defensive infielder.
Jason Repko: Left/Right Field
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After outfielder Jason Repko was released by the Los Angeles Dodgers just before the start of the 2010 regular season, the Minnesota Twins didn't waste any time in snatching him up.
Just a week later he signed with the Twins and would make an impact in his first season with the team. Repko was a solid back up option for the team due to both his strong defensive and ability to play anywhere in the outfield.
His offense was relatively weak in 2010, as he batted .228 while driving in nine runs in 58 games. His overall performance was impressive enough for the organization, as the Twins signed Repko to a one-year deal for $600,000.
While there will be some competition for the backup outfield spots, it's likely that Repko will be a moderately consistent contributor to the Twins in 2011.
Joe Benson: Center/Right Field
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Joe Benson may not have been as highly touted in 2010 spring training as other outfielders, such as Ben Revere or Aaron Hicks, but Benson spent much of the 2010 season ensuring that people would soon know him.
During his 123 game stint in Single-A Fort Myers and Double-A New Britan, Benson hit 27 home runs, driving in 61 runs.
Benson's positive performance in the Arizona Fall League will certainly give him confidence heading into spring training, as he has since earned a place on the Twins 40-man roster.
The way the outfield is shaping up, the Twins' current depth in the outfield may keep Benson in the minors for another season or two.
But if the outfielder is able to turn some heads during spring training, it's likely that he'll get some strong consideration before the team finalizes it's opening day roster.
Ben Revere: Center Field
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Ben Revere spent the majority of the 2010 season with class AA New Britain, batting .305 in 94 games. Revere proved to be an asset on the basepaths, stealing 36 bases in 49 attempts.
Revere's September call-up was in itself almost a miracle. Not because of his ability, but because just a month earlier, on Aug. 3, a 95-mph fastball broke a bone in Revere's face.
His time with the team in September certainly showed that he is still a work in progress, yet the Twins still seem confident that Revere will be a contender for one of the last spots on the roster in 2011.
In a review of some of the top talent in the Twins' farm system, Minnesota Twins blog Hitting the Foul Pole noted that while Revere may have a certain amount of speed and slap hitting ability, he may be more valuable as trade bait rather than a building block for the team's future.
Drew Butera: Catcher
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The 2011 season began with Drew Butera as a stop-gap solution for the back up catcher position.
The team had been planning on using Jose Morales as the backup to Joe Mauer, but an injury to Morales would put those plans on hold.
Butera would get his fair share of chances behind the plate in 2011, playing in 49 games. His offensive prowess was lacking, as he batted south of .200 and drove in only 13 runs.
He did however manage to gain a positive rapport with the pitching staff, and was even dubbed the unofficial catcher for newly re-signed pitcher Carl Pavano.
With the team's decision to trade Morales this offseason, it's apparent that at least for now the plan is to keep Butera in his backup role.
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