Thread: Hicks leading candidate for CF job.

Sounds like Hicks is front-runner for the starting CF job.

I'm not excited about this for several reasons; however, the options are probably slim.

Was the last successful player called up from AA by the Twins Joe Mauer?

Edit: Here's a copy of the Tweet:

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress
Twins GM says Aaron Hicks leading candidate to secure CF job in camp and leapfrog AAA

Uh...I think it's clear that Mastro is the favorite, at least to begin the season.

Originally Posted by Alex

Sounds like Hicks is front-runner for the starting CF job.

I'm not excited about this for several reasons; however, the options are probably slim.

Was the last successful player called up from AA by the Twins Joe Mauer?

Source?

If we wait a while by starting Mastro we keep player control for one more year, right? Is it May 7th that we have to wait for?

Originally Posted by ThePuck

Source?

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress
Twins GM says Aaron Hicks leading candidate to secure CF job in camp and leapfrog AAA

It only requires a couple of weeks in the minors, so middle of April.

Originally Posted by mnfanforlife

Uh...I think it's clear that Mastro is the favorite, at least to begin the season.

My fault for not including the tweet originally. I assumed it would be more universal information, especially as Nick Nelson retweeted it later.

Originally Posted by Alex

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress
Twins GM says Aaron Hicks leading candidate to secure CF job in camp and leapfrog AAA

Thank you

Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

Who is saying they're against it?

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

Why is everyone so against this? I get the whole service time issue but people need to relax, if Hicks really is the real deal it is highly likely the Twins will lock him up years before he ever hits free agency anyways.

If Hicks has a good spring training and earns the job you give him the job, if he struggles, then send him down for a bit, if he kicks ass then it's a great "problem" to have in regards to service time. I'd prefer the youngsters get as many at-bats this year against ML pitching so we can go into 2014 as strong as possible.

I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

Worry for me is his plate discipline. If he can show that he can lay off the low and outside slider and the high fastball in spring training, then maybe he's ready.

Originally Posted by Alex

Brian Murphy ‏@murphPPress
Twins GM says Aaron Hicks leading candidate to secure CF job in camp and leapfrog AAA

A week from now Ryan will have a totally contradictory quote. Something like: Twins GM looking for exprienced vet to man CF to start the season # foot in mouth

Originally Posted by Alex

I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

I'm with this. Hick's history has been as a slow-adjuster before he demonstrates mastery at a particular level. Even if he meaninglessly has a ST line of .450/.550/.950 there's absolutely no harm in waiting a couple weeks or even a tad bit longer, and plenty to gain in service time and confidence- and competence-raising. Once he's called up, I'd like to see it as a permanent move with no possibility for a return trip back for more "seasoning", like last year's fiasco with Dozier.

Originally Posted by Alex

I just don't see the reason to call him up to start. I always like to see a player force the move rather than organization force the move. I also think if a player isn't really ready for the majors time up is mostly wasted.

Hunter would have been waiting a long time...In three of Hicks' five full seasons in the minors, he had OPS of at least .829. Hunter never had a full season in the minors with an OPS in the '800s. Hicks is a former first rounder, #14 overall, with 5 seasons in the minors. Time to take of the damn kid gloves already

Originally Posted by nicksaviking

A week from now Ryan will have a totally contradictory quote. Something like: Twins GM looking for exprienced vet to man CF to start the season # foot in mouth

Beat me to it, if someone took every one of Ryan's quotes to the bank, just since September, they would have been flat-broke by the Spring Opener.

Originally Posted by ThePuck

Hunter would have been waiting a long time...In three of Hicks' five full seasons in the minors, he had OPS of at least .829. Hunter never had a season in the minors with an OPS in the '800s. Hicks is a former first rounder, #14 overall, with 5 seasons in the minors. Time to take of the damn kid gloves already

With that much invested in him, I would think kid gloves would be mandatory.

Originally Posted by DelawareTwinsFan

Worry for me is his plate discipline. If he can show that he can lay off the low and outside slider and the high fastball in spring training, then maybe he's ready.

ST is practically predictively meaningless as the "final determinant" for promotion or not.

Originally Posted by jokin

With that much invested in him, I would think kid gloves would be mandatory.

I think it's the other way around...if he was good enough to draft that high, it shouldn't take him 6, 7 years to make the show. The kid has never had an OBP below .353 in any pro season. He's a plus defender. It's time.

Originally Posted by jokin

ST is practically predictively meaningless as the "final determinant" for promotion or not.

Ours for sure.