Is Matt Tolbert for real?

by metsman128 on Jun 6, 2007 5:21 PM EDT Comment 1 comment

I feel a bit biased because I'm from the Rochester area where the Red Wings (Twins AAA) play, but every day in the box scores I see Tolbert getting hits left and right.

His average is outta this world now that he just went 5-5 w/ 2 2B and 2 rbi today, to where he is now hitting .379 (albeit he was hurt for two weeks, so that 5 for 5 pushed him up there from .351).

Is this all one big fluke of a year for him? He didn't even make John's book, he hit well in high A last year, but was only alright in AA, and now he's very impressive in AAA. What can you make of this?

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Tolbert

... is an interesting case. He started last year at AA New Britain where he really struggled. He was sent back to Hi-A Ft. Myers where he destroyed the ball. He went back up to New Britain and did the same thing (but his overall numbers were tempered by the slow start). He got to play in the Arizona Fall League where he played very well. And now he is hitting incredibly for the Red Wings.

A year ago at this time, I would have said minor league journeyman. End of last year, I would have said big league utilityman. Now, I think that he'll likely be a utility player, but I think that given an opportunity, he could be a solid every day player.

Earlier in the year, the Twins considered calling him up as an extra bat off the bench for their inter-league series in Milwaukee, but instead they went with Garrett Jones because of his power. I think he'll get a shot, the role will be interesting to find out though.

by SethSpeaks on Jun 6, 2007 7:28 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs