Thread: Benson back to New Britain

Surprised and excited to see that Joe Benson is back at New Britain and has started out 2-3 with a double. Benson has always been one of my favorites and it appears he has recovered from his injury. He's hitting well, so he might be back at Rochester soon. Benson has played in the GCL, for the Miracle in the Florida State League, for the Rock Cats in New Britain and for Rochester. If he returns to form, perhaps he can play at five levels this year.

I'd say its a pretty good chance he ends the year with the Twins. The only question is when he'll be up and how much he'll be playing.

Barring injury, I would be pretty surprised if he doesn't get another shot in September. It will be a guarantee if Span is traded.

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

I'd say its a pretty good chance he ends the year with the Twins. The only question is when he'll be up and how much he'll be playing.

Really? I think after his struggles, he's moved behind Hicks, who *should* make the 40 man if/when some guys are traded.

Sorry, RPG, I misread. If Benson outperforms Hicks (with whom the Twins are clearly being deliberate) why add Hicks to the 40 man roster until after the season?

Good news. It won't be great news until he is succeeding at AAA and the MLB level, which I expect no later than next year.

Originally Posted by Lonestar

Sorry, RPG, I misread. If Benson outperforms Hicks (with whom the Twins are clearly being deliberate) why add Hicks to the 40 man roster until after the season?

I suppose the team could wait until the offseason to add Hicks but considering how there should be open spots after some guys are traded, it's possible they might do it earlier.

Accompanying transactions: Evan Bigley promoted to Rochester, Michael Holliman put on the DL.

Hicks has had over a month of success now, but Benson has destroyed AA already with sustained success. Plus the 40 man thing and service time blah. I just think Benson still gets first crack at it.

hicks, arcia & benson will all be up in sept

I'm sure right now the Rochester fans are ripping the organization (as usual) for letting New Britain have the more exciting outfield. Hicks turnaround nearly coincided with Arcia's callup, hopefully Benson joins the motivation party.

tosoni will probably get a wk in ft myers & then back to new brit....my prediction is chris herrmann goes to roc then with an of gettin cut

kind of surprised they didn't ride the hot streak and put him back in Rochester... I'm guessing that injury was a bigger deal that what everyone was letting on.

I am excited to see what Bigley does in AAA. The Twins may find themselves turning over their outfield sooner rather than later with Bigley at AAA, and Benson, Hicks and Arcia at AA. I would love to see all four battling for a spot next spring and at AAA for those who dont' make it.

I still can't shake the feeling that Benson is the Twins best minor league OFer. Glad to see he's playing, and playing well, again.

Originally Posted by chopper0080

I am excited to see what Bigley does in AAA. The Twins may find themselves turning over their outfield sooner rather than later with Bigley at AAA, and Benson, Hicks and Arcia at AA. I would love to see all four battling for a spot next spring and at AAA for those who dont' make it.

I wouldn't get too excited about Evan Bigley, the guy has basically been a non prospect who only now has shown decent HR power at AA his third time in the league at age 25. Even with the HR "surge" his OPS is far to low at AA this year (.755) for a corner OF to get real excited about him being anything more than organizational filler down the road.

I mean I hope he continues to impress, I'm just not holding my breath.

However Benson, Hicks and Arcia should all be knocking on the door at some point in 2013, some even earlier hopefully.

Originally Posted by Badsmerf

Hicks has had over a month of success now

To be fair, he's had 2 1/2 months of success. He had a bad May and that's the only real blemish on his season. His April and June were good and so far, his July has been outstanding.

Originally Posted by SpiritofVodkaDave

I wouldn't get too excited about Evan Bigley, the guy has basically been a non prospect who only now has shown decent HR power at AA his third time in the league at age 25. Even with the HR "surge" his OPS is far to low at AA this year (.755) for a corner OF to get real excited about him being anything more than organizational filler down the road.

I mean I hope he continues to impress, I'm just not holding my breath.

However Benson, Hicks and Arcia should all be knocking on the door at some point in 2013, some even earlier hopefully.

Probably true, but people in the organization (ie Molitor) have been talking up Bigley for at least a couple of years. He won't be a star, probably not even a regular, but might be able to carve out a role for himself on the big league club.

Originally Posted by USAFChief

I still can't shake the feeling that Benson is the Twins best minor league OFer. Glad to see he's playing, and playing well, again.

Certainly has the talent to be the best OF in the system and was BA's #2 prospect in the system (after Sano) coming into the season. Nothing out of Benson/Hicks/Arcia good or bad would really surprise me.

I'd put Tosoni at AAA when ready, and use him to replace Span when traded (moving Revere to CF, and Tosoni to RF). That way they don't rush Hicks and Arcia (I cannot I believe I just typed that, but they are not 25 in AA like some others....or college pitchers in rookie ball.....). I think they want Benson to get his confidence super high, before moving him again. Maybe they just want to move Hicks, Arcia, and Benson together. Who can understand the mind of the Twins' brass?