Middle infielder Tolbert lives his life in high gear

Class AAA Rochester infielder Matt Tolbert is one of those million-miles-an-hour, nonstop-motor guys.

By La Velle E. Neal III, Star Tribune

Last update: May 26, 2007 - 4:50 PM

Class AAA Rochester infielder Matt Tolbert is one of those million-miles-an-hour, nonstop-motor guys.

"Oh yeah, swinging in front of the mirror, running around, lifting weights," said lefthander Jason Miller, who was promoted from Rochester on Thursday.

Tolbert's nonstop motor has him entering the weekend as the leading hitter in the International League with a .356 average. Thanks to 11 extra-base hits, he's also fifth in the league with a .545 slugging percentage.

Tolbert, a 16th-round pick in 2004 out of Mississippi, entered the season a career .275 hitter in the minors.

"He's a switch hitter, your utility-type guy who kind of plays anywhere like Denny Hocking," Rochester manager Stan Cliburn said, "but this guy does have some thunder in his bat."

The only thing to slow Tolbert down is a strained left oblique muscle suffered last week. Tolbert is considered a better fit at second base than shortstop. While his bat is impressive, he still needs to fine-tune other areas of his game -- with some mistakes coming because of overaggressiveness.

"He's a manager's dream," Cliburn said. "He's attentive and very coachable. He pays attention to detail, and he hustles everywhere.

"We have actually talked to him about slowing his motor down, but you don't want to take that out of the kid."

Rainville rebounds

Righthander Jay Rainville was a highly regarded sandwich pick between the first and second rounds in 2004 but missed all of last season because of nerve problems in his shoulder.

He's made it back to Class A Fort Myers, where he's 2-5 with a 3.35 ERA for the Miracle. He's slowly getting his game. He threw in the low to mid 90's coming out of high school but is just touching 90 now. The Twins hope he regains more velocity, but they already are pleased he's able to take the mound.

"I'm thrilled for the kid," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "I thought he was done."

Matt Fox, too

Righthander Matt Fox was selected 35th overall in 2004 but missed all of 2005 because of shoulder surgery. He went 4-0 with a 3.79 ERA last year with rookie league Elizabethton, Tenn., but struggled with velocity this spring and didn't break camp with a club.

Fox recently got his velocity up to the high 80s and was assigned to Class A Beloit, where he entered the weekend with one scoreless inning.

La Velle E. Neal III • lneal@startribune.com

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