2003 Minnesota Twins Preview Part 1

This is Part 1 of a 3 part article previewing the 2003 Minnesota Twins. Part 1 will deal with their positional players, Part 2 with Pitching and Part 3 will take a look at some of their top Minor League talent.

The 2002 Minnesota Twins lost to the eventual World Series Champions, Anaheim Angels, in the ALCS. Even though it was a great your for the penny pinching Twins, it could have been a lot better. Only Torii Hunter and Jacque Jones had above average offensive years. Many Twins regulars like Cristian Guzman, Korey Koskie, Doug Mientkiewicz and Luis Rivas, had subpar offensive seasons. With an improved offense, the Twins should match and even better their 2002 record. Stats are in this order: Games, Runs, Hits, HR, RBI, TB, SB, OBP, AVG

C-AJ Pierzynski
Pierzynski made his first All-Star team in 2002. After a great first-half, Pierzynski cooled off in the second-half of 2002. He, however, did manage to keep his average at or above .300 for the entire season. That is a big plus for a catcher. For this reason, Pierzynksi is a top 10 Fantasy catcher. He will not hit a lot of HR’s, but should be a solid contributor in other categories. Fantasy Spin: Don’t worry if Pierzynski is your starting fantasy catcher. A .300 average and 60 RBI’s are solid numbers at that position.

2002 Stats
Games- 130
Runs- 54
Hits- 132
HR- 6
RBI- 49
TB- 193
SB- 1
OBP- .334
AVG- .300

1b-Doug Mientkiewicz
Mientkiewicz had a disappointing 2002 season. He is arguable the best fielding first baseman in baseball. But he is not your typical power hitting 1st baseman. The one area that Mienkiewicz does excel in his OBP. He draws a ton of walks, and if the Twins can find someone to hit behind him, could score quite a few runs. 2003 is a make or break season for Mientkiewicz. The Twins have a wonderful 1st base prospect by the name of Justin Morneau, who should be ready for the 2004 season. With the Twins always looking to save salary, Mientkiewicz may not be around in 2004 if his offensive numbers don’t increase dramatically. Fantasy Spin: Mienkiewicz is a back-up, at best, on your fantasy squad.

2002 Stats
Games- 143
Runs- 60
Hits- 122
HR- 10
RBI- 64
TB- 183
SB- 1
OBP- .365
AVG- .261

2b-Luis Rivas
Rivas was injured for a good portion of the 2002 season. When Rivas did make it back into the lineup, he didn’t seem like the player he was in his rookie year. Rivas had a wrist injury, that never seemed to heel completely. Rivas is one to watch for in 2003. Rivas is the first product of the Twins Venezula Academy. Each off season Rivas plays winter ball in Venezula, and with the unrest this winter, he did not get much action. Surprising, the Twins are actually happy about this. They feel it will give Rivas’ injured wrist that much more time to heel. Rivas brings a lot to the table offensively. He has great speed and some pop in his bat. Rivas’ fantasy value is greatest in Keeper Leagues. In a regular fantasy league, Rivas would probably be the 8th – 10th best 2nd baseman. Fantasy Spin: Rivas could reap huge rewards for a fantasy player who takes a chance on him. He should be worth a starting spot in leagues with 12 or more teams.

2002 Stats
Games- 93
Runs- 46
Hits- 81
HR- 4
RBI- 35
TB- 124
SB- 9
OBP- .305
AVG- .256

3b-Corey Koskie
Besides all the pitchers getting hurt in 2002, Koskie was probably the biggest disappointment in 2002. After hitting 20+ HR’s and 100+ RBI’s in 2001, Koskie slumped to almost half in each category. For the Twins to be successful in 2003, Koskie must return to his 2001 form, when many in baseball thought he would be a 3b star for many years to come. Koskie could either be a fantasy star at 3b, or just an average fantasy player. Fantasy Spin: Be leary about Koskie. If you do choose to pick Koskie, be sure to have a quality back-up.

2002 Stats
Games- 140
Runs- 71
Hits- 131
HR- 15
RBI- 69
TB- 69
TB- 319
SB- 10
OBP- .368
AVG- .267

SS-Cristian Guzman
Besides Torii Hunter, Guzman possess the most pure talent on the Twins. But, that doesn’t always translate onto the field. Guzman has improved his batting average each year of his career. However, his stolen bases have been declining of late. Guzman is one of the fastest players in baseball. Watching him leg out a triple is one of the great sights in baseball. If he could learn to run the bases properly, he could easily steal 50+ bases. Guzman is no where near the level of A-Rod, Garciaparra, and Tejada, but can be a solid fantasy player on your team. Fantasy Spin: If you don’t get your hands on one of the big SS’s, don’t hesitate to take Guzman.

2002 Stats
Games- 148
Runs- 80
Hits- 170
HR- 9
RBI- 59
TB- 240
SB- 12
OBP- .292
AVG- .273

OF-Jacque Jones
Jacque Jones was the biggest offensive surprise in 2002. He started the year by hitting a lead-off HR in KC, and never slowed down. Jones is a free swinger who will swing at anything, at anytime, thrown by anybody. He make you jump for joy one swing, and make you cry the next. Torii Hunter got all the press in 2002, but Jones’ numbers were actually better. Jones bettered Hunter in Runs, Hits, TB, OBP, and AVG. There is talk of moving Jones to the middle of the lineup, but the Twins don’t really have anyone else to lead-off, so Jones will more than likely lead-off to start 2003. Fantasy Spin: Jones would be a wonderful pick as a third outfielder late in drafts. He is worthy of being a starting OF on your fantasy team.

2002 Stats
Games- 149
Runs- 96
Hits- 173
HR- 27
RBI- 85
TB- 295
SB- 6
OBP- .341
AVG- .300

OF-Torii Hunter
Hunter will always be remembered for taking a HR away from Barry Bonds at the 2002 All-Star Game. Hunter has always been a gifted defensive player, but the last 2 years, he has begun to grow as an offensive player. Hunter was an MVP candidate for the first ¾ of the 2002 season. However, he slumped the last portion and fell out of contention. If Hunter can become more selective and patient at the plate, there is no reason he can’t be a 30+ HR and 110+ RBI man for years to come. He just signed a large contract extension this off-season, so the pressure will be on him to post huge numbers. Fantasy Spin: Hunter is worthy of a starting OF spot on any fantasy team.

2002 Stats
Games- 148
Runs- 89
Hits- 162
HR- 29
RBI- 94
TB- 294
SB- 23
OBP- .334
AVG- .289

OF-Michael Cuddyer
Cuddyer spent a good portion of the 2002 season at Triple A Edmonton. Cuddyer has what the Twins need the most: Power. For this reason, Cuddyer will go into Spring Training as the leading candiate to win the RF job. Cuddyer is not the best defensive OF, but the Twins are willing to sacrifice that if he can produce offensively. If Cuddyer can’t the Twins have no shortage of qualified OF players. Fantasy Spin: Cuddyer is only worthy of a final round flyer at first, but is one to keep an eye on as a free agent pick up. Cuddyer has tons of value in Keeper Leagues.

2002 Stats (Twins, AAA)
Games- 41,86
Runs- 12,70
Hits- 29,102
HR- 4,20
RBI- 13,53
TB- 48,NA
SB- 2,12
OBP- .311,NA
AVG- .259,.309

Bench-Bobby Kielty
Kielty is probably the best Twins lead-off man. He has a great eye and had a tremendous OBP in 2002. Kielty will see more time this season as a DH. The Twins let David Ortiz go, so Kielty will pick up some of those at-bats. Kielty can also play all 3 OF spots, and will be a key member of the Twins 2003 squad. Fantasy Spin: Do not draft, but watch as the year goes on and see how many At-Bats he gets.

2002 Stats
Games-112
Runs- 49
Hits- 84
HR- 12
RBI- 45
TB- 140
SB- 4
OBP- .405
AVG- .291

Bench-Dustan Mohr
Mohr is a great defensive OF. Mohr spent the first-half of the 2002 season as the starting RF. However, as the season went on, he lost more time to Kielty and Cuddyer. Most teams would love to have Mohr as a fourth OF, but the Twins are loaded at this position and there have been some rumors of him being traded during Spring Training. Fantasy Value: No value

Bench-Denny Hocking
Hocking is the Twins super sub. Hocking has player virutally ever position the past 2 seasons. He is an average defensive player and is adequate offensive, but his hustle and fiery spirit is what keeps him at the Major League level. Fantasy Spin: No value

Bench-Tom Prince
Prince is the back-up to starter AJ Pierzynski. Prince is a veteran to has helped the many young pitchers the Twins have. Prince is a decent back-up, but with Matthew LeCroy expected to make the team, Prince may become expendable. LeCroy is a natural catcher, even though his defensive skills have a lot to be desired. Prince will probably stay with the team this year, but then have to find a new employer. Fantasy Spin: No Value

Bench-Matthew LeCroy
LeCroy is the wild card for the 2003 Twins. LeCroy has tremendous power, and with David Ortiz released, is penciled in as the regular DH. LeCroy will likely hit 4th or 5th in the Twins lineup. If the players ahead of him get on base, LeCroy has the potential to put up big numbers. He probably isn’t worth drafting initially, but keep your eye on him. LeCroy may also get enough appearances at 1b and C to qualify there as well. If that happens, his value could go up. Fantasy Spin: Has the potential to put up big numbers. One to keep your eye on.

2002 Stats (Twins, AAA)
Games- 63,46
Runs- 19,36
Hits- 47,61
HR- 7,12
RBI- 27,50
TB- 81,NA
SB- 0,2
OBP- .306, NA
AVG- .260,.351

Coming Soon: Part 2 2003 Pitchers preview