TWINS' CENTER FIELD CANDIDATES
JOE BENSON
Age: 25 (born March 5, 1988)
Bats, throws: right, right
Drafted: Twins, second round, 2006
2012 season: A disaster; wrist and knee surgery made it a significant step backward. Batted .179 at Class AAA and .184 at Class AA.
Case for: Hit 27 homers in 2010, possesses a strong arm and is a good base stealer. Walks a lot, too.
Case against: Has had several seasons spoiled by injury (just 646 games in seven years), is a 100-strikeout guy, has somewhat less range than the others.
AARON HICKS
Age: 23 (born Oct. 2, 1989)
Bats, throws: switch, right
Drafted: Twins, first round, 2008
2012 season: Breakout season at Class AA New Britain with 13 homers, 45 extra-base hits, 79 walks, .384 on-base percentage.
Case for: Has been projected as future star since he was drafted and is getting more dangerous at the plate as he grows. Great athlete, big arm.
Case against: More than 100 strikeouts for three straight years, is thrown out stealing too much, and he hasn't spent a day at Class AAA.
DARIN MASTROIANNI
Age: 27 (born Aug. 26, 1985)
Bats, throws: right, right
Drafted: Toronto, 16th round, 2007
2012: After a week in Class AA and a month in Class AAA, he played 77 games as the Twins' fourth outfielder. Stole 21 bases, hit three homers.
Case for: Has real big-league experience, was sure-handed in the outfield, and as Twins' top base-stealer, occasionally ignited the offense.
Case against: His .324 on-base percentage is low for a leadoff hitter, and he had only eight extra-base hits in 163 at-bats.
Dark horses: Brandon Boggs, Clete Thomas and Wilkin Ramirez