[USML Announce] Hicks Up and Running For Restless Riptorns

[Brad Jansen]

*ITEM*
So now with the departures of Span and Revere, the Twins have a hole to
fill in center field, which has been one of their steadiest positions in
recent years.
But Twins general manager Terry Ryan said he expects to fill the position
from within, with Darin Mastroianni and prospect Aaron Hicks.

Mastroianni, 27, is the favorite after being a pleasant surprise last
season, when he hit .252/.328/.350 with three homers, 17 RBIs and 21 stolen
bases in 77 games after being picked up off waivers from the Blue Jays
before the season.

But Mastroianni will be challenged by Hicks, *who ranks as Minnesota's No.
4 overall prospect <http://mlb.mlb.com/mlb/prospects/watch/y2012/#list=min>*,
according to MLB.com.

The 23-year-old hit .286/.384/.460 with 13 homers, 21 doubles, 11 triples
and 32 stolen bases in 129 games at Double-A New Britain last year.

Hicks, though, has never played at Triple-A and appears more likely to get
some seasoning in Rochester before getting called up during the season.
But he'll be given every opportunity to win the position during Spring
Training, just like Mastroianni.

*LOSER*

Klein Nine. Minor success of middling 5th outfielder Mastroianni will
convince befuddled owner to spend valuable draft dollars to retain
a bench-bound player,

*WINNER*
**
Riptorns. Hicks will provide mid-season ammunition to a team already
prepared to shell shock the USML with an outfield arsenal of Trout,
Jennings, and Tank Viciedo.
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