Baseball America’s top 10 Twins prospects going into this season were (in order) pitcher Kyle Gibson, outfielder Aaron Hicks, infielder Miguel Sano, outfielder Joe Benson, outfielder Ben Revere, pitcher Liam Hendriks, pitcher Alex Wimmers, pitcher Adrian Salcedo, outfielder Oswaldo Arcia and pitcher Carlos Gutierrez.
Baseball America got it right in 2003 when ranking the Twins’ top three prospects as Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer.
Twins infielder Tsuyoshi Nishioka is eligible to come off the disabled list next Tuesday. He last played in a major league game on April 7.
Jake Mauer, Joe Mauer’s grandfather, predicted last month the Twins’ catcher would return from the disabled list by today, but still no confirmation when Joe will be back in the lineup.
The Twins finish a three game series in Detroit tonight. The Twins are 0-8 in their last eight games against the Tigers.
Bruce Krinke said discussions with the Gophers marketing department are to possibly present a bronze bust of legendary Minnesota Heisman Trophy winner Bruce Smith at the September 24 game against North Dakota State at TCF Bank Stadium. Two busts have been completed by Faribault artist Ivan Whillock immortalizing Smith, a Faribault native and the only Gopher ever to win the Heisman. Plans are for one bust to be displayed at the University and the other at Faribault High School.
Krinke, a Gophers fan who has helped lead the funding drive to pay for the busts, also said one of the busts will be on display June 21-24 at the State Bank of Faribault. It’s hoped that Smith’s sister, June Smith, will be able to attend a commemorative luncheon on Friday, June 24 in Faribault. Smith, who won the 1941 Heisman and later inspired a Hollywood movie titled Smith of Minnesota, grew up in Faribault.