In the recent news of the Justin Morneau trade the Twins have welcomed aboard a new outfielder to an already crowded outfield. Alex Presley is one (and now two, second is RHP relief pitcher Duke Welker, who also came from AAA) of the two players who will come over to the Twins organization in this trade. Out of all the articles I have read over the past few hours about the this trade I have always found myself saying the same thing after reading them, Who is Alex Presley? And why did the Twins get him specifically?

First off Alex Presley was drafted in the 8th round of the 2006 Amateur Draft by the Pittsburgh Pirates, at the age of 21. From there he spent 4 years in the minor leagues to then make his debut on September 8, 2010. He was what he is now, a September call up. In 2010 he played in 19 Major League games to have only 6 hits and an OPS of .596. After that he returned to the minor leagues to start the season. Then would be called back up again to the Majors and would go on to play in 52 games and have 64 hits with 4 home runs and 20 RBIs. Following that season, going into 2012 at the age of 26, he would play in 104 games with the Pirates, batting .237 (as compared to .298 the year before) with 10 home runs and 25 RBIs, this would turn out to be his make or break season for Presley. Now most recently in 2013, starting the year at 27 years old now at 28, his career seemed to have taken a wrong turn. He started the year in Triple-A, where he had a modest stat line of .298/.376/.427 , in 89 games for Louisville. Then In the middle of that season he had been called up to the Majors once again at the age of 28. Playing in only 29 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates batting a little over career average of .264. After his short stint there he found himself back in Triple-A on August 12 only to be traded away 18 days later to the Minnesota Twins organization.

Because of him being traded one day away from September 1st he will be a September call up, and will be given a chance to prove himself to the front office and the dugout on why he should be included in next years opening day roster. Also I believe the Twins choose him in this trade to take over for Thomas in the centerfield until Hicks or Buxton are ready to take it over in Minnesota. Once that time comes I think he will either be a fourth outfielder for the Twins or be the starting center fielder for the Rochester Red Wings. Whatever may happen it was defiantly a steal for the Pittsburgh Pirates, getting a former MVP who is now starting to get his swing back.

As seen on http://upnorthbaseball.blogspot.com/?m=1

P.S. After watching the movie 42 I can't help but think of Mauer and Morneau having this conversation.

Mauer: Where'd you get traded?

Morneau: Pittsburgh!!!