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.
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The St. Petersburg City Council reversed course Thursday on whether to spend more than $23 million to repair the hurricane-shredded roof of the Tampa Bay Rays' ballpark, initially voting narrowly for approval and hours later changing course.
