Twins shortstop battle looming?
March 13, 2018 at 4:28AM
The Twins have four rising stars at shortstop, including one who was a regular last season:
Jorge Polanco, 24: Signed as a 16-year-old in 2009 as a Dominican free agent for $775,000.
Last season: Twins starting shortstop. Overcame a midseason slump to hit .256 with 13 home runs, 30 doubles, 13 stolen bases and 74 RBI. Had 18 errors, fourth-most among MLB shortstops.
Nick Gordon, 22: Fifth overall pick in the 2014 MLB draft, signed for $3.8 million.
Last season: At Class AA Chattanooga, hit .270 with 46 extra-base hits, including eight triples and nine home runs.
Royce Lewis, 18: First overall pick in the 2017 MLB draft out of JSerra Catholic High in San Juan Capistrano, Calif., signed for $6.7 million.
Last season: Started in the rookie level Gulf Coast League before jumping to Class A Cedar Rapids, where he hit .296 in 18 games.
Wander Javier, 19: Signed as a 16-year-old in 2015 as a Dominican free agent for $4 million.
Last season: Started in the Dominican League before moving to rookie level Elizabethton, where he hit .299 in 41 games.
about the writer
Only 34 years old, Jeremy Zoll has worked his way up the organizational ranks since coming to the Twins in 2018.
