I know we've seen an influx of apparentely marginal/below average/ never will be type players come through the Twins system the past couple years.

Some have worked out thus far like Plouffe, many more not like Komatsu, Burroughs, Hughes, Thomas etc. The verdict is still out on others like Parmalee, and maybe throw Dozier/Valencia in the undecided column as well.

And this is just on the offensive/position player spectrum.

That being said, what do ya'll think about Mastro?

I hear he has played 2nd base in the minors and potentially could be decent at the position. He is already infinitely better than willingham when he takes over left field. Watching him keep Crawford at 2nd late in tonights game was a wake up call as to what we are missing in left field defensively. Not to mention stretching a single into a double and scoring from 2nd on a play he had to hold up on in the 10th. The dude definitely has wheels.

For all his mistakes Gardy was wise to DH Josh W the first two games of this series. The Green Monster is a beast even for much better, faster outfielders than Josh.

Anyway, he obviously won't be given the left field starting spot. And the Twins wont be able to continue DH'ing Willingham with the always hobbled M&M boys needing their days off from the field.

So where does that leave us with Mastro? Is he the bench player answer for spot starts, pinch running, defensive replacements etc? Or just another scrub?

The verdict may still be out on Plouffe too...he'll have to come back from the DL and not revert back to old bad habits. This will also show how disciplined he is at the plate. I recall another 3B, someone that wore number 19 a few years ago...what's his name?

Anyway he'll have to show that he can bring ML play in every PA and every play on the field not only game to game but season to season.

Mastroianni is the Twins 4th OF, PH and PR and plays the role perfectly off the bench.

I agree with you PCRNAT, I know I am in the minority but I would love to in 2013, Mastro in Right, Revere in Center,and Span traded to begin next season. I really don't believe the Twins loose much with Mastro and Revere out there vs Span and Revere. Mastro might be a little drop off on the offensive side from Span but I don't think it is really all that much. I believe the Twins become a better defensive team with Revere in Center and Mastro in Right vs Span and Revere today. You woud also need to factor in that you might get something for Span that can help this team. I wish Matro would play the rest of the year to see what we have because he sure looks like he could be a solid contributor moving forward.

Trading Span would be stupid (to be bluntly honest)

But don't put it past the Twins...

Yes, the verdict may be out on Plouffe as well, thats why I threw in the "thus far" disclaimer.

I tend to think that 19 homers in half a season is beyond a fluke, and with his average raising proportionately to his power he certainly seems to be a player on the rise. We won't know until later but let's hope for he best.

And off the top of my head, with no reference point, my answer to your trivia Q is Gary Gaetti. Besides Koskie he is the only noteable 3rd bagger I can think of.

It's Danny Valencia with his call up in 2010.

I miss watching Repko gun people out @ 3rd base from right field, but this Mastroianni guy seems to be doing alright as a 4th outfielder. He's big, fast, and athletic. He covers a lot of ground in the outfield and is one of the fastest base runners we have on the team. This guy will be an absolute treat to watch if he turns into a bona fide MLB hitter. In other words, I really like what I see in Mastroianni, but at the same time, lets see if he can get his bat going over the next year or two.

Wow, I butchered that post....For some reason I thought you were referencing a young Twins third baseman who hit 19 homers a few years ago...Oops!

He changed his number, remember?

If he gets 200-300 ABs per year hitting .270/.340/.380, and continues to play great defense in all three outfield positions and maybe backup second base on occasion, I don't see any problem with having him as a fourth outfielder/backup second baseman. He seems to fit in with the clubhouse and chemistry of the team pretty well, and so far has done a great job.

If we get to contending in 2013 or 2014, I would honestly like to see Willingham DH a little more. He is already pretty bad in the field and he is only going to get worse.

I think Mastro is one of those guys that gets overlooked. He's got a slugging average of over .400 (not many Twins can say that), has blazing speed with 12 SB's who along with Revere in RF have totaled 39 SB's and put us very near the top of the league in SB's. He hustles his tail off. Occasionally has the youthful mistake, like that pickoff in Boston the other day. But yeah, I like him so far. Hope he keeps it up.

I don't recall that, If it happened last year I probably missed it due to being hemmed up in the hospital for a long stretch. Was that in Danny's "swagger" days?

Carlos Gomez had #22 until he was traded. When Valencia was called up in 2010 he was given #19. He used that number through out 2011 too. He then asked to have his number changed to 22 since it was available. I think it was something like throughout his life playing baseball he always had #22...

Just like Morneau who wore #27 until 2006 because JC Romero was wearing #33 until he left after 2005. Morneau now wears #33 since the start of the 2006 season. It is supposed to pay tribute to his favorite hockey goal tender Patrick Roy.

Alexi Casilla changed his number so Jim Thome could have #25.

Mastroianni's presence on the roster doesn't bother me, he hustles, catches the ball, hits a little bit and can play a little infield too apparently. Nothing wrong with that out of a 4th outfielder.

And ya gotta love how easy he got around the bases in the ninth. There's a lot of players who are fast, but he's blazing.

He leaves a trail of fire on the basepaths when going from second to home. And he has done it twice on this road trip in crucial situations.

He's a fantastic bench player that's for sure and seems to be capable of playing once or twice a week.

One of the best things I like about Mastroianni is he can steal bases and he isn't reluctant too. He feels it is his job to keep moving around the bases.