With Rosario and Hicks both competing for the center field job in spring training, it was Hicks that got the bulk of the innings in center. To my knowledge, Rosario always played left when he and Hicks were both in the outfield. Will this continue in Rochester?

 

If there is a true competition for "first man up" if (when?) Schafer struggles or is injured, I would think they would alternate between left field and center. Rosario hasn't played much center field in the past couple years, and the opportunity appears to be in center. Further, where do these guys hit in the Rochester lineup? It would seem to me that both would hit towards the top of the order.

There's more than some speculation that Paul Molitor has Oswaldo Arcia on a short leash, meaning Rosario could be called up to play leftfield, and Acria could be sent down to play left out. If so, my hunch is that Rosario will get reps in left for Rochester.

I'm thinking along the lines of:  moot point.  Hicks was sent down because he couldn't hit.  Rosario is the lesser of the CF's in terms of fielding that position.  If, as I expect, Hicks can't hit the advanced breaking balls at AAA, his career will/should be over with the Twins.  On the other hand, Rosario should be playing full-time in CF, as he has more advanced hitting skills than Hicks and only needs to tuneup his skills in CF.

I personally would much rather see Rosario is CF with the Twins now! Schaefer and Robinson offer 0 upside. Both are 4th - 5th OF's, not starters. I think Rosario would adapt to CF just find by opening day, and i think his bat projects as a #2 in the order once he's got some time in. Great contact hitter. Hicks reminds me so much of Gomez. You can see all of the potential, but it's never together!!!! I would absolutely love to see Hicks resurrect himself at AAA!

I don't have a problem with Schafer and Robinson being a placeholder for the Twins.  They might not have upside but the important thing right now is that Rosario is at the correct place to develop as a prospect.  Getting MLB AB's is not always the right development especially if the Twins don't feel that he is ready offensively.

 

I'm hoping that they split CF in Rochester.  If they don't then I hope they don't call up Rosario in 2 months and just throw him out there and claim that they didn't see this situation coming.

Honestly, Hicks probably should play other positions, because he can play CF. He is a 4th OF of the future for the Twins if everything goes right.

 

Also, Oswaldo Arcia should not be on a short leash. I don't understand how this is playing out at all.

Rosario can play CF, but Hicks would be a better CF. There's no concern about Rosario playing CF, he just doesn't have quite the range that Hicks does. 

 

That said, I would expect both to play LF and CF, though I'd expect Rosario to play more LF.

Hicks is in center today with Roserio in left and Danny Ortiz in right.  Alex Meyer started against the Orioles, first 2 pitches at 94 on the gun, but the second one was drilled right down the line over 1 st base for a double.  A wild pitch and a single plated the run.  He did strike out Parmelee on 3 pitches.  He was still pitching when I left.  It was about the 4th inning.

Edited March 30, 201511 yr by Halsey Hall

I'd bet Hicks still mans CF in Rochester, as Rochester is still going to want to do what's best for them to win games.  Maybe I'm wrong, but I'm guessing it usually doesn't go over well when the big club dictates lineup and positional demands upon the affiliates.

 

It didn't stop the Twins from putting Santana in CF last year despite a lack of opportunities in the minors and it seems to me Parmelee, Colabello and Herrmann have often been regularly assigned to MLB positions they less often played in the minors.

actually, part of being a minor league affiliate is recognizing that it's a development league.  If the Twins want Rosario playing CF, he'll be there.  I wouldn't surprised if Rosario stays in LF even with that.  Hicks is probably the better CF of the two, and I really don't see how Rosario's CF case is going to be bolstered by playing CF vs. LF.  If he's going back to the OF, it really doesn't matter where he plays, just that he plays.  If he's good enough to be a CF, playing LF in AAA won't hurt him.

If Rosario is a potential may/June callup as a CF'er then he needs to get some reps in CF.  LF and CF are not the same.