SEASON PREVIEW - 3/23/02

Minnesota Twins Season Preview

Scott K. Picha
Minnesota Twins

Catcher
A.J. Pierzynski is the starting catcher and Tom Prince is the back-up. Last year Pierzynski hit .289, 7 HR and 55 RBI. Not terrible numbers for a catcher, but also not elite numbers you want from a starting fantasy catcher. Pierzynski’s fantasy value is as a back-up catcher or fill in for your injured starter. In a very large draft you may see him as a starter. Tom Prince has no fantasy value what so ever.

First Base
Doug Mientkiewicz is the starting first baseman. Last year he hit .306, 15 HR and 74 RBI. Not great numbers for a position of importance on your fantasy team. Depending on how your league is set up will affect his fantasy value. Where he does increase in value is if your league has fielding as a category. Mientkiewicz is a possible starter in a deep, large draft but in a small 10 team league, he is a back-up.

Second Base
Luis Rivas has great potential to become an elite fantasy second baseman. In his rookie year he hit .266, 7 HR and 47 RBI. But the stat that stands out was his 31 SB. Rivas was one of only a few Twins not to wilt once the season hit August. His average steadily improved from April to September. Look for Rivas to hit close to .280 with 10 HR, 70 RBI, and close to 40 SB. Fantasy value is as a starting second baseman.

Shortstop
Cristian Guzman has a chance to be in the top five for AL shortstops. He will never have the power like A-Rod or Garciaparra but will score a lot of runs, steal bases and have extra base hits (doubles and triples). Guzman hit .302 for the Twins last year and improved his extra base hits. Guzman played in 38 fewer games last year than in 2000, but still had more doubles and HR’s than the previous year. Look for Guzman to get close to 175 hits, score over 100 runs and steal 30 bases. Fantasy Value is as a starter, or in a small league could fill your utility spot, especially if you need steals.

Third Base
Corey Koskie is one of the premier third baseman in the Majors. Last year he hit .276, 26 HR, 103 RBI and also had 27 SB. Besides Troy Glaus, Koskie is the best third baseman in the AL. With Koskie’s ability to steal bases, his value may even be higher than Glaus’. Look for Koskie to improve across the board and help your team in all hitting categories. Fantasy Value is as a starter.

Outfield
Twins manager Ron Gardenhire has slotted LF Jacque Jones into the lead off spot. Jones is not your typical lead off hitter, but does bring power and speed to the beginning of the order. Jones may benefit the most from the managerial change, as he was constantly on edge with Tom Kelly. Jones is one to watch as the season progresses. Jones may become a valuable bench player for your team. Fantasty Value is to be watched. CF Torii Hunter showed he has the potential to be a star CF for years to come. Hunter hit 27 HR’s and drove in 92. One negative with Hunter is he goes through very long slumps. Hunter doesn’t slump for 2 or 3 days, he usually goes for a week and half or two. If he can become more consistent, he will be a fantasy starter. So far this spring he has been impressive. Fantasy Value is as a starter. Right Field is the one huge question mark the Twins have. Has of March 23, Brian Buchanan seems to have the support of Manager Ron Gardenhire to be the starter. Buchanan posses tremendous power, but has never been a major league regular. If Buchanan slumps, look for the Twins to turn to rookie Michael Cuddyer. Last year in Double A he hit over 30 HR’s and did not seem intimidated when he got his September call-up last year. Fantasy Value for RF is none.

Bench
The Twins bench is lead by super sub Denny Hocking. Last year he played ever position except pitcher and catcher. He could be of value to your Fantasty team as a bench player. Keep an eye on what positions he qualifies for. As of now he only qualifies at 2B and SS, but may be adding positions. Other bench players include utility man Jay Canizaro, utility/left handed pinch hitter Warren Morris (former Pirates 2B), David Ortiz, and Bobby Kielty/Dustin Mohr (OF reserves). Besides Hocking, the only other player to watch is Ortiz. Ortiz is having a monster spring and was having a pretty good year last year before breaking his wrist. Ortiz is one to keep your eye on.

Starting Pitchers
The Twins posses a strong starting rotation. The top four starters all have fantasy value. Brad Radke won 15 games last year and had a tremendous WHIP. Eric Milton may have some of the nastiest stuff around, when he is on. The one area that Milton hurts himself is the big inning. Even with that, Milton still won 15 games last year and has the potential to be a 20 game winner. Joe Mays came into his own last year. He led the Twins with 17 wins and also had a very nice WHIP. Mays may have the most upside in terms of Fantasy Value. Rick Reed is a solid number 4 starter. He is worth having on your pitching bench as a solid spot starter. Reed should be much more relaxed and at ease in the AL this year. Kyle Lohse looks to have the 5th starters spot locked up. He doesn’t have any Fantasy Value as of now, but one must always keep an eye out for sleeper pitchers.

Relief Pitchers
The only reliever on the Twins with any Fantasy Value is closer Eddie Guardado. He had a great ERA and WHIP last year, and should now add saves to his resume. If he hasn’t already been picked up in your league, grab him. Latroy Hawkins, Mike Jackson, Travis Miller, JC Romero and Jack Cressend have zero fantasy value.

Twins Fantasy Cheat Sheet
Starters: 2B Luis Rivas, SS Cristian Guzman, 3B Corey Koskie, OF Torii Hunter, SP Brad Radke, SP Eric Milton, SP Joe Mays, RP Eddie Guardado

Back-ups: 1B Doug Mientkiewicz, C A.J. Pierzynski, SP Rick Reed

Keep Your Eye On: LF Jacque Jones, RF Brian Buchanan/Michael Cuddyer, SP Kyle Lohse