Five players on the Twins’ current 40-man roster are considered middle infielders. Three have some major league experience.
After what many considered a break-out year last year, second baseman Brian Dozier is expected to be the starter at that position opening day. I may be a little too pessimistic, but I am not yet convinced he will be consistent enough to hold down the position for any length of time. I hope to be proven wrong, but I’m having trouble believing his power numbers are real. I’ll be very surprised if he hits as many home runs this year as he did last, and I’ll be surprised if his batting average exceeds .270 with an on-base percentage much better than .310 or so. I just think major league pitchers will figure him out and he is not talented enough to overcome that, even if he makes adjustments. I will concede on defense he played well last year and there is no reason to believe that could not continue, unless he starts getting moved around again and loses the regularity of playing one position.
Shortstop promises to be the middle infield position that will produce the most competition this spring. Pedro Florimon, the incumbent, has not hit well enough or consistently enough to be declared the starter. Eduardo Escobar has shown some potential when he has had opportunities, both at bat and in the field, but he remains an unknown for the long haul. During this off-season, the Twins signed Jason Bartlett, former Twins shortstop, who was out of baseball last year, to a minor league contract with an invitation to spring training. If he is healthy, and returns to form as a hitter, he could be a legitimate contender, otherwise he may be a candidate for the utility infielder spot.
The other two middle infielders on the roster are Danny Santana, who played shortstop at AA last year, and Jorge Polanco, who played second base at single A Cedar Rapids. Santana may have an outside chance of making the roster at shortstop, but he is much more likely to start at Rochester. Polanco is probably going to start the season at high A Fort Myers.
As of today, I predict Escobar will be the starter and Florimon the backup/utility player, because I think Escobar has a better chance of being a decent hitter and his defensive is good enough, sometimes stellar.
Before I leave this discussion, I want to mention Eddie Rosario. He has been suspended for fifty games beginning when the season opens. If that had not happened, he would be in the discussion as a possible second baseman/outfielder. Because he is out for so long, and no one knows how well he will play after his return, it will be a full year before we know if he will return to high prospect status. He had been considered the heir apparent at second base if Dozier does not cement the position. Otherwise, he will move back to the outfield and be another contender there for the future.
Middle infield is defensively a strength for the Twins, but improvement is needed and consistency needs to be demonstrated for the offensive side to be major league caliber.
Minnesota Twins Musings 