DIVISIONAL OUTLOOK: AL Central—Hicks wins CF job in MIN
Mar 26 2013
Aaron Hicks (OF, MIN), a long-shot for the Twins Opening Day roster entering spring training, has won the starting center field job. Hicks beat out Darin Mastroianni (OF, MIN), who will be the fourth outfielder, and Joe Benson (OF, MIN), who was optioned to the minors. Hicks has not played above AA, but did have strong season in 2012 at AA-New Britain where he hit .286/.384/.460 with 13 HRs, 21 doubles, 11 triples, and 32 SBs in 129 games. Hicks won the job with a strong spring, 21 hits in 60 ABs, leading the team in HRs and RBIs. Going into spring Mastroianni had been the favorite to win the job. He stole 21 bases in only 163 ABs last year, and if Hicks is unable to hold down the job Mastroianni would step in.
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