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Kinda looks like the Twins knew what they were doing when he was a surprise addition, to some, to the 40-man roster last November. Personally, I have he and Herrmann flipped on my hypothetical depth chart. Pinto has hit too well since April, 2012 to not be #3.

Seth, I have a prediction of sorts. When Mastroianni is ready to come off the DL, do the Twins send Hicks to Rochester rather than Arcia? I have been most impressed with the adjustments Arcia has made in several games against top pitchers. The other night he struck out in his first at bat against Buchholz. He then had several solid at bats later in the game against one of the league's best. Have seen this in several games recently which is an indication that he should continue to get better as the year goes on. Even though Hicks is hitting a bit better, they may want to make a point about his defensive lapses and give him a chance to collect his thoughts and gain some experience in AAA. Could start Mastroianni in center with Ramirez available to pinch hit. Would keep getting Arcia playing time at the expense of Parmelee, Doumit and whomever. Do you think this is possible?

I know Seth, I usually don't make it thru home games that take over 2.5 hours. Where do you see Pinto fitting in for the Twins a few years down the road? Will he be the guy who splits catrching with Mauer when he is down to 80 games a year with the rest of the time at 1st/DH? Or do you see him more of a better backup, but not starter, than Butera was?

Good morning Seth, and thanks for doing these every day...they are appreciated. Couple corrections, the Miracle won, 4-2, but the score above has Tampa Bay winning 8-2. Also, the box score link for New Britain is to the game on May 5. Up late doing this, eh? Is great seeing Benson beginning to hit well, at .286 the last ten games. I know there was talk that his wrist was bothering him late in spring training and early at Rochester, do you how much of an effect it had? Also, Josmil Pinto appears to be for real. After his break-out year last year, he is hitting even better early this year. Where do you see him a year or two down the road? What have you heard about what role the Twins may see him filling on the big club? Thanks again Seth!

A.J. will be replacing Beresford, who was placed on the 7-day disabled list. Congrats A.J!

And should Sano maintain his current pace, which I doubt he will, he would break Fuller's record around the all-star break...hmmmm!

Video games notwithstanding A.J., congratulations to a hell of a beginning to your year in Fort Myers!

I for one am not saying $1,000,000, more or less, isn't a lot of money. My point was that when we see $1,000,000 it is reduced by nearly half after paying the taxes. That is all I was trying to say. I really don't understand how that simple statement of fact has been turned into this lengthly discussion.

My point was simple, when you see those big gaudy numbers thrown around for the top few rounds, divide it roughly in half as most of the other half goes to taxes. A $550,000 bonus looks a lot different than a million or in Buxton's case, a $3,600,000 bonus is really different than $6,000.000. Expect Buxton is also very happy he got the bonus last year before this year's taxes went up. Yes, they all are a lot of money and a lot more than the average fan will see in many years of working or a lifetime for most of us in Buxton's case. Also thought that Mr. Crikket did in excellent job taking a look at what a young high school grad should consider when offerred these opportunities.

Clutterheart points out a real concern, abuse of college pitcher arms. Just ask Matt Fox! We all think these kids should get giddy over their $1,000,000 signing bonuses. Do we all feel the same if someone said the kid got $550,000? Because after FED and State taxes, barrring some real creative tax avoidance, that is what they get.

Thanks Seth, this first hand report from Iowa is appreciated. Had to be fun being on hand for all the first day festivities. Are people in Cedar Rapids excited as the local media seems to imply? If they are, could be special relationship.

One of the plusses from affiliating with Cedar Rapids is that all of the players will be living with host families. I read that only a few had that type of arrangement in Beloit. So there is no searching for housing, etc.

Kepler is injured. Will stay back in Florida for a bit.

Well that was a lot of reading looking to see if there have been any more cuts!

Plus he is missing a good part of spring training while with the Dominican Republic team. That can't help making the opening day roster.

Nothing about these assignments should surprise any of us. All are on the 40-man roster and unless there is a real chance the player may make the 25-man roster, they are sent out early. This is done as protection against getting injured and the effects of then getting paid the major league minimum and I believe accumulating service time.

Beyond that, there is not much in terms of upside catching prospects in the Twins system. Seth, I am surprised that you didn't include Pinto in this group of prospects. His great year in 2012 got the Twins attention and a spot on the 40-man roster. Was it an oversight? Or is there something you really don't like about him?

Thanks for positing this Seth. He was such a special player. I remember Henry Aaron often was moved to left field, out of position, in all-star games as Clemente had right field. Clemente in right, Mays in center, Aaron in left...we will never see that level of talent together again.

You probably also weren't watching Player A when he broke in in 1953. I was. My point is that they are so very similar in every aspect of their games, body, swing, etc. No where have I said he would be as good as Player A as that would be unbelievable.

I am on record as stating that Rosario reminds me of a young second baseman that broke in for the Braves sixty years ago. When I look at Rosario, I see the same player, body, athleticism, speed, bat speed and yes, quick hands/wrists. Looking at their 18 year old stats, in 194 at bats Rosario hit .294 average/.438 slugging in the GCL. In 345 at bats, Player A hit .336average/.493 slugging in Class C Ball. The following year, In 270 at bats Rosario hit .337 average/.670 slugging in the Appy League. In 574 at bats, Player A hit .362 average/.589 slugging in the Sally League. The comparison stops there because it was a different era and Player A was in the big leagues in his third professional year. My point, is when I see Rosario play I see a very similar player/athlete. He is so similar to the young player I remember from sixty years ago. Will he ever become as good as player A, unlikely, seeing that Player A was the greatest player (IMO) to ever play the game. But the similarity tells me there is a very good liklihood he will become a very good player, a future star!

My question Seth, if Rosario has a good WBC and great first half at Fort Meyers he should go up to New Britain at the break. Assuming he continues to hit there like he can/should, does he get a September callup? If my California math is correct, he doesn't have to be added to the 40-man roster until after 2014. But if he has a great year at both stops, is he the young star to get a non-Twins like callup? Your thoughts please!

I read several reports that talked about the Hammond Stadium gun, that also mentioned that a scout had him top out at 95. Have also read in several places that Gibson will not be in the bullpen, in Minnesota, Rochester, or elsewhere. The reasoning given was that he has never been a reliever in his life. I don't have a clue whether he will begin his career with the Twins or somehow limiting innings in either Rochester or EST. It seems to make a lot of sense, however, if he is going to be limited and miss a month, it makes a lot more sense that it be April rather than September...thus, adding another year to his team control.

Don't know if they still do, however, several years ago they stayed downtown at the Pfister.

Seriously, why does someone (Twins Daily in this case) give people the opportunity to spew total garbage for all of us to read?

Kind of like matching lines in hockey. Get the diggers and bangers out there against the visiting teams top line.