Garrett Jones has power and potential, too

Garrett Jones was spotted by Paul Molitor last year at Class A Fort Myers. Molitor, at the time, felt Jones was a raw but intriguing first base prospect.

Jones, who was drafted by Atlanta but released after 2001, hit .220 with 18 homers and 67 RBI. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Jones has power but, obviously, didn't make enough contact.

"He's a good defensive first baseman," said Rob Antony, the Twins director of minor league operations. "He swings through a lot of balls. But a ton of power. Hits it as far as anybody."

Jones, 23, is learning how to hit a little at Class AA New Britain. He entered the weekend batting .281 with 12 homers and 38 RBI in 61 games. On Thursday, he was 5-for-7 with two homers, four RBI and four runs in New Britain's 11-10 victory over New Hampshire.

Perhaps some of the rawness is wearing off.

"He's adjusting pretty good to Double A," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "He's got good size, a good looking body. He's a hard worker and a good kid."

Even Rantz had to chuckle when it was pointed out that Jones is yet another first base prospect.

Span, Moses done

Outfielder Denard Span, the 2002 pick, is slowly coming back from surgery to repair a broken hammate bone in his wrist. Span is a month away from recovering, which has caused Rantz to worry that Span won't return before the end of the season.

Third baseman Matt Moses, the 2003 top pick, is doing very little as he recovers from a back injury and likely won't be ready by the end of the season.

Rantz remains confident that both will be ready to participate in instructional league action in October.

System check

When Matt Guerrier returned to Rochester last week, the club released righthander Gary Glover, who had an 8.44 ERA in five outings.

Second baseman Luis Maza and outfielder Kevin West were two of four New Britain players selected to play in the Eastern League All-Star Game. The other two are righthanders Scott Baker and J.D. Durbin. Baker has made only seven starts at New Britain and also was named to the Class A Florida State League All-Star team. Durbin was selected on reputation.

Righthander Kyle Waldrop, one of the Twins' three first-round picks in last month's draft, threw 66 pitches, 51 for strikes in his debut last week.