Chart: The perils of Twins' youth

September 22, 2013 at 1:22AM
Byron Buxton, Cedar Rapids Kernels center fielder, no 7 during outfield drills .] Richard.Sennott@startribune.com Richard Sennott/Star Tribune. , Cedar Rapids Iowa Wednesday 5/29/13) ** (cq) ORG XMIT: MIN1305300832380394 ORG XMIT: MIN1306282147262554 ORG XMIT: MIN1309061951451848
Byron Buxton is widely regarded as the top prospect in baseball, but the 19-year-old outfielder, selected No. 2 overall in last year’s draft by the Twins, has yet to play above Class A. (The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Perils of youth

The Twins have had at least three significant youth movements since moving to Minnesota in 1961. A fourth is likely to come, when the club throws highly regarded prospects Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton into the fire. History says it could get worse before it gets better.

1999

Key players: Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Cristian Guzman, Corey Koskie and Doug Mientkiewicz were starters for the first time.

Record that season: 63-97

Growing pains: The Twins lost 93 games in 2000 — their eighth consecutive losing season — before going above .500 in 2001.

1982

Key players: Rookie classmates Kent Hrbek, Gary Gaetti, Tom Brunansky and Frank Viola were mainstays of the roster.

Record that season: 60-102

Growing pains: The Twins weren't above .500 until 1987, when the rookie class of '82 became the veteran core of a world champion.

1975

Key players: Rookies Lyman Bostock and Dan Ford were starters in the outfield, and Jim Hughes emerged as a frontline starting pitcher.

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Record that season: 76-83

Growing pains: The Twins were above .500 next two seasons, but they didn't make it to postseason until 1987.


The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano arrived for Twinsfest from his home country of the Dominican Republic Friday, Jan. 25, 2013,in time to sign autographs for fans at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. Here, Sano spied a familiar face and flashed a smile.] (DAVID JOLES/STARTRIBUNE) djoles@startribune.com The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano is a hot prospect at third base from the Dominican Republic and was photographed at Twinsfest in the Metrodome Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.**Miguel Sano,cq ORG XMIT: MIN1301
The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano arrived for Twinsfest from his home country of the Dominican Republic Friday, Jan. 25, 2013,in time to sign autographs for fans at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, MN. Here, Sano spied a familiar face and flashed a smile.] (DAVID JOLES/STARTRIBUNE) djoles@startribune.com The Minnesota Twins Miguel Sano is a hot prospect at third base from the Dominican Republic and was photographed at Twinsfest in the Metrodome Friday, Jan. 25, 2013.**Miguel Sano,cq ORG XMIT: MIN1301251710020843 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
Eddie Rosario
Top: Miguel Sano. Bottom:  Eddie Rosario (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
-- The Three Amigos, Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Gary Gaetti, in Tiger Stadium prior to their American League Championship game in Detroit. ORG XMIT: MIN2013092001021499
-- The Three Amigos, Kirby Puckett, Kent Hrbek, and Gary Gaetti, in Tiger Stadium prior to their American League Championship game in Detroit. ORG XMIT: MIN2013092001021499 (The Minnesota Star Tribune)
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