)
Don't even think he's in the top three.
1. Evan Longoria - His injury is a set back and he is being caught up to quickly but he may have been the best player on the Rays this season and they are the best team in baseball. Not sure how you can look past him to anyone else but he may be passed by the time it's all said and done.
2. Alexei Ramirez - He's hitting .307 with 15 HR's and 59 RBI's. Outside of Longoria he's been the top Rookie in the American League. Him and Carlos Quentin are the reason the White Sox are where they are. He's hitting .417 with RISP and can hit anywhere throughout the lineup. I think he's the only one who can catch Longoria but as I said I don't think it will be done, but he is a far better candidate than Span and I'm not even sure how he wasn't mentioned in this thread at all.
3. Mike Aviles - Him and Span have played in a similar amount of games and Aviles is just simply better. If he'd played the entire season he may be right up there with Longoria. He has more runs, RBI's, HR's and a higher batting average than Span and lets not forget that the Rookie of the Year has nothing to do with your teams performance.
I don't think Span is in the top three and I personally think Armando Galarraga from Detroit has had a better season. Span is a hell of a player and will more than likely be a good one but he's not even the best rookie - possibly just young player because Gomez may not be considered a rookie anymore - because Carlos Gomez, who does need to cut down on his strike outs, is the best young player on that ball club.
1. Evan Longoria - His injury is a set back and he is being caught up to quickly but he may have been the best player on the Rays this season and they are the best team in baseball. Not sure how you can look past him to anyone else but he may be passed by the time it's all said and done.
2. Alexei Ramirez - He's hitting .307 with 15 HR's and 59 RBI's. Outside of Longoria he's been the top Rookie in the American League. Him and Carlos Quentin are the reason the White Sox are where they are. He's hitting .417 with RISP and can hit anywhere throughout the lineup. I think he's the only one who can catch Longoria but as I said I don't think it will be done, but he is a far better candidate than Span and I'm not even sure how he wasn't mentioned in this thread at all.
3. Mike Aviles - Him and Span have played in a similar amount of games and Aviles is just simply better. If he'd played the entire season he may be right up there with Longoria. He has more runs, RBI's, HR's and a higher batting average than Span and lets not forget that the Rookie of the Year has nothing to do with your teams performance.
I don't think Span is in the top three and I personally think Armando Galarraga from Detroit has had a better season. Span is a hell of a player and will more than likely be a good one but he's not even the best rookie - possibly just young player because Gomez may not be considered a rookie anymore - because Carlos Gomez, who does need to cut down on his strike outs, is the best young player on that ball club.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention that Alexei Ramirez didn't play in about 25 games because he was the back up. If he would have played the entire season he would have finished with about 20 HR's and 85 RBI's. Thank you for pointing that out as I forgot he was on the bench.
Span Settles In As A Fixture For Twins
By JOEY JOHNSTON
The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 13, 2008
When baseball's regular season began, Minnesota Twins rookie right fielder Denard Span was disappointed.
The Twins sent him back to Triple-A Rochester. Span, a first-round draft choice from Tampa Catholic High in 2002, wondered what more it would take for him to get his big-league shot.
All he needed was a slight opening.
Span's outlook now?
Well, a banner recently seen at the Metrodome tells that story.
SPAN-demonium!
He's not a question mark.
He's a fixture.
Span, Minnesota's leadoff hitter, is batting .305 with 16 stolen bases for the Twins, who are chasing the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central (while also hanging in there for the AL wild-card). Span, normally a center fielder, received his opportunity after right fielder Michael Cuddyer tore a right thumb tendon in late June.
Even when Cuddyer returns, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Span need not worry about his status (Carlos Gomez has been the starting center fielder).
"Denard will bat No. 1 and play somewhere every day," Gardenhire said. "I'll tell you that right now. I think he has played his way into a job."
The timing is perfect. Next week, in a four-game series that begins Thursday, Span's Twins visit the Rays at Tropicana Field. It is Span's first homecoming appearance, and approximately 50 family members and friends will attend, according to his older brother, Ray.
"We're all thrilled with how this season is going now, and I know Denard is happy to be coming home, especially with these games meaning so much in the pennant race," Ray Span said. "It's well-known how many successful baseball players have come out of the Tampa area. And here's the latest one getting a chance to perform in his own backyard. We've been waiting for this one for a long time."
Maybe a little too long, said Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, a former Twin who has served as Span's mentor.
"We're very close," said Hunter, who has hosted Span at his Texas home for offseason workouts. "He was definitely ready for the big leagues a year ago. He had it going on, but he was kind of buried down there in the minor leagues.
"Once he got his chance, he went off. Now he has forced their hand. They can't send him down now. He's too good. You're going to be hearing about Denard Span for many, many seasons to come - you mark my words."
Span made his greatest impression on Aug. 6, during a 7-3 victory at Seattle, in which he went 3-for-5 with a career-high four RBIs and a stolen base.
But Span's offensive numbers took a back seat to his leaping catch, when he reached over the right-field fence and took a two-run homer from Seattle's Adrian Beltre.
Here was the postgame reaction.
Pitcher Dennys Reyes: "Everyone feels so much better because of him."
Gomez: "He can jump up there - high. Amazingly high."
Pitcher Jesse Crain: "He has been playing Gold Glove-caliber outfield. As a pitcher, it's just nice to have him out there."
Gardenhire: "He looked like some kind of player out there today. That was a special day for him."
As the Twins prepare for their trip to Tropicana Field - after stops in Baltimore and Cleveland - there's only one thought when witnessing Span in a big-league lineup.
He's right at home.
Reporter Joey Johnston can be
reached at (813) 259-7353 or
jjohnston@tampatrib.com.
By JOEY JOHNSTON
The Tampa Tribune
Published: September 13, 2008
When baseball's regular season began, Minnesota Twins rookie right fielder Denard Span was disappointed.
The Twins sent him back to Triple-A Rochester. Span, a first-round draft choice from Tampa Catholic High in 2002, wondered what more it would take for him to get his big-league shot.
All he needed was a slight opening.
Span's outlook now?
Well, a banner recently seen at the Metrodome tells that story.
SPAN-demonium!
He's not a question mark.
He's a fixture.
Span, Minnesota's leadoff hitter, is batting .305 with 16 stolen bases for the Twins, who are chasing the Chicago White Sox in the American League Central (while also hanging in there for the AL wild-card). Span, normally a center fielder, received his opportunity after right fielder Michael Cuddyer tore a right thumb tendon in late June.
Even when Cuddyer returns, Twins manager Ron Gardenhire said Span need not worry about his status (Carlos Gomez has been the starting center fielder).
"Denard will bat No. 1 and play somewhere every day," Gardenhire said. "I'll tell you that right now. I think he has played his way into a job."
The timing is perfect. Next week, in a four-game series that begins Thursday, Span's Twins visit the Rays at Tropicana Field. It is Span's first homecoming appearance, and approximately 50 family members and friends will attend, according to his older brother, Ray.
"We're all thrilled with how this season is going now, and I know Denard is happy to be coming home, especially with these games meaning so much in the pennant race," Ray Span said. "It's well-known how many successful baseball players have come out of the Tampa area. And here's the latest one getting a chance to perform in his own backyard. We've been waiting for this one for a long time."
Maybe a little too long, said Los Angeles Angels center fielder Torii Hunter, a former Twin who has served as Span's mentor.
"We're very close," said Hunter, who has hosted Span at his Texas home for offseason workouts. "He was definitely ready for the big leagues a year ago. He had it going on, but he was kind of buried down there in the minor leagues.
"Once he got his chance, he went off. Now he has forced their hand. They can't send him down now. He's too good. You're going to be hearing about Denard Span for many, many seasons to come - you mark my words."
Span made his greatest impression on Aug. 6, during a 7-3 victory at Seattle, in which he went 3-for-5 with a career-high four RBIs and a stolen base.
But Span's offensive numbers took a back seat to his leaping catch, when he reached over the right-field fence and took a two-run homer from Seattle's Adrian Beltre.
Here was the postgame reaction.
Pitcher Dennys Reyes: "Everyone feels so much better because of him."
Gomez: "He can jump up there - high. Amazingly high."
Pitcher Jesse Crain: "He has been playing Gold Glove-caliber outfield. As a pitcher, it's just nice to have him out there."
Gardenhire: "He looked like some kind of player out there today. That was a special day for him."
As the Twins prepare for their trip to Tropicana Field - after stops in Baltimore and Cleveland - there's only one thought when witnessing Span in a big-league lineup.
He's right at home.
Reporter Joey Johnston can be
reached at (813) 259-7353 or
jjohnston@tampatrib.com.
