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  • 2015 Projections and Rankings: Torii Hunter

    Seth Stohs

    By Seth Stohs

    Our Minnesota Twins prediction series continues today as we close out the outfield by considering Torii Hunter and the AL Central right fielders.

    That’s right. After four years with the Angels and the past two season in Detroit, Torii Hunter returns to the Twins for what may be his final season.

    Image courtesy of Kim Klement, USA Today

    Twins Video

    MINNESOTA TWINS – TORII HUNTER

    Hunter may not be the defensive whiz that he was when he won seven Gold Glove Awards as the Twins centerfielder, but the 39-year-old can still play ball. Although he took his offensive game to another level after leaving the Twins, few may remember that he put up some offensive numbers in his time with the team too.

    Hunter won a Silver Slugger in 2013 for his offense. Last year, he hit .286/.319/.446 (.765) with 33 doubles, two triples and 17 home runs.

    Hunter is currently in the top ten Minnesota Twins career list in the following categories: games, at-bats, runs, hits, total bases, doubles, home runs, RBI and stolen bases. If Hunter were to hit 20 home runs this year, he would jump into fifth place in the Twins career mark.

    So, what can he do for the Twins in 2015? Well, that is to be seen. Here are the Twins Daily writers’ predictions:

    Seth – .274/.306/.420 (.726) with 28 doubles and 13 HR.

    Nick – .275/.325/.390 (.715) with 25 doubles and 10 HR.

    Parker –

    John –

    AL CENTRAL RIGHT FIELDERS

    Opponent – Player – 2015 Age – 2014 Statistics

    Chicago – Avisail Garcia – 24 - .244/.305/.413 (.718) with 8 doubles, 7-HR

    Cleveland – Brandon Moss – 31 - .234/.334/.438 (.772) with 23 doubles, 25-HR

    Detroit – JD Martinez – 27 - .315/.358/.553 (.912) with 30 doubles, 23-HR

    Kansas City – Alexis Rios – 34 - .280/.311/.398 (.709) with 30 doubles, 4-HR

    AL CENTRAL RIGHT FIELD RANKINGS

    #1 – JD Martinez – Detroit

    #2 – Brandon Moss – Cleveland

    #3 – Avisail Garcia – Chicago

    #4 – Torii Hunter – Minnesota

    #5 – Alexis Rios – Kansas City

    NOW IT’S YOUR TURN

    Give it a little thought and then go to the comments section below and post two things. First, make your statistical projection for Torii Hunter in 2015. Second, how would you rank the AL Central right fielders? Then discuss your thoughts with the rest of the Twins Daily community on the Twins right field position. How will it play out throughout the season? Check back throughout this next week as we’ll do these same things for each of the positions.

    PREVIOUS PREDICTIONS AND RANKINGS

    Kurt Suzuki

    Joe Mauer

    Brian Dozier

    Trevor Plouffe

    Danny Santana

    Oswaldo Arcia

    Jordan Schafer

    Seth Stohs has been blogging about the Minnesota Twins since May 2003. A founder and owner of Twins Daily, Seth has been a Twins fan for 40 years and has a passion for covering the minor leagues and prospects.
    Follow Seth Stohs on Twitter: sethtweets

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    Loosey

    Loosey 1,788

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    .274/.313/.406 (.719 OPS) 15 HRs, 25 doubles. 

     

    Big drop off at the plate last year, and I can't imagine him improving that trend when he is going to be turnng 40 during the season.  If he hits this slash line, I will call that a successful season for him.  However, I will call it a disappointing season as well because that means the Twins will be giving a 40 year old 550 plate appearances in a season they should be rolling out their future.

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    jimmer

    jimmer 9,961

  • Verified Member

    • Posted (edited)

     

    I have no idea what he will do, but I do think Avisail Garcia will move to the top of the list this year.  

    Not sure about this year, but I could see it in a year or two. There's something about this guy that intrigues me for sure. 

    Edited by jimmer
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    ashbury

    ashbury 48,546

  • Old-Timey Member

    • Posted

    I've been mainly skipping these projection threads, but will offer a thought that Daniel Ortiz may OPS higher in Rochester than Torii does in Minnesota. There would be some dropoff if he faced major leaguers of course, but the defense in RF would be a little more nimble.

     

    Of course Ortiz didn't light the world on fire this Spring, so I would have flunked as GM.

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    Kirby_waved_at_me

    Kirby_waved_at_me 1,047

  • Provisional Member

    • Posted

    I'm not too worried about Torii's bat - I think he could have a season at Age 39/40 like Dave Parker, Luis Gonzalez, or Chili Davis.

    He's probably good for roughly a .270 or better batting average. He's never drawn a ton of walks, and he seems to be getting worse at that over the years. His OBP probably won't be much higher than his batting average as a result, optimistically it could crack .300.

    I don't see why the HRs would drop much unless he gets injured and misses a chunk of the year, so I would say 15 Home Runs is reasonable. 20-25 doubles should be attainable as well for the same reason, he's had at least 24 doubles a year since turning 35. That should make his SLG around the neighborhood of .440 to .450 or so, which is a little under his career totals.

     

    I'll guess .274 / .299 / .453 (.752) 16 HR, 24 2B, 25 walks

    Pretty close to what Loosey has a couple posts above.

    I also agree with the sentiment that I hope he gracefully accepts a move to DH / part-time player to give at bats to Rosario, etc. as the season wears on.

     

    I think Brandon Moss and Alex Rios will have bad years, and Garcia and JD Martinez are young enough to go either direction. Martinez will have to prove that last year was repeatable; Garcia the opposite, proving that last year is in the past and he's healthy and ready for the next step.  

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    jimmer

    jimmer 9,961

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    Magglio. He reminds you of Magglio.

    Maybe.  Not sure about his body type though.  He seems more, um, filled out than Magglio was in his younger days.  But maybe his style of game.  Not sure.

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    Platoon

    Platoon 8,711

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    I just don't see Torii putting up the same numbers as the last few years for one simple reason.  He will be batting in front of Arcia/Plouffe or worse, compared to Maglio/Victor...

     

    I would say he's not going to see too many fat pitches.

    . I totally agree, like Dorothy he will find out quickly he's not in Kansas anymore! Or Detroit!
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    HitInAPinch

    HitInAPinch 4,518

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

     

    with 550 plate appearances I project .275/ .315/.440 with 25 - 30 2Bs and 20HRs 80 - 90 RBI 7 stolen bases

     

    I think the Twins would be in a lot of trouble if Hunter gets 550 plate appearances, i.e. the MiLB OF's are not as good/ready as we think they are. 

    If we were to get the statistical equivalent of Hunter's stats last year at a 300-350 AB level, I'd be OK with that.

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    Cap'n Piranha

    Cap'n Piranha 5,641

  • Verified Member

    • Posted

    Hunter's going to get as many at bats as his health allows. He's not a stopgap player (even though he should be). If he's healthy, he's playing. Regardless of what Hicks/Ortiz/Rosario/Buxton are doing in the minors. Just one more reason why I hated and still hate the signing.

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