Shuttle from Rochester might not be empty yet

By La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

It's just the halfway point of the major league season, but the Twins already have called up 12 players from Class AAA Rochester.

Believe it or not, there might be several more players from Rochester who could debut with the Twins before this season is over, especially when rosters expand in September. Here's a few worth tracking:

Nick Blackburn, RHP: The 25-year-old threw seven scoreless innings Thursday and now has pitched 41 1/3 innings without giving up an earned run. He could break into the majors as a bullpen innings-eater like Matt Guerrier used to be.

Brian Buscher, third base: Buscher, 26, is a Rule 5 pick up who hit well at Class AA New Britain and was batting .281 with three homers and seven RBI in 10 games with the Red Wings.

Ken Harvey, designated hitter: Harvey is finally healthy after knee surgery and was assigned to Rochester on Thursday. Harvey, 29, was the Kansas City Royals' lone All-Star in 2005 and needs at-bats. But if he's raking in a couple weeks, the Twins could take a look at him.

"We don't know if he can stay healthy," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "Obviously, we think he can hit."

Darnell McDonald, outfielder: The Twins acquired him from Washington for the rights to keep pitcher Levale Speigner, a Rule 5 pick from the Twins, and sent him to the minors. Baltimore's first-round pick in 1997, McDonald, 28, drove in five runs Thursday and is batting .318 with three homers and 46 RBI. McDonald is a corner outfielder who, unfortunately, doesn't hit for power.

Jose Morales, catcher: Morales, 24, was a career .268 hitter in the minors before this season but entered the weekend batting .351 with one homer and 20 RBI. A former second baseman, Morales' defense was shaky in spring training but has improved. He can become a free agent after the season.

"He's a guy we have to make a decision on," Rantz said.

Denard Span, outfielder: If there's a chance a prospect might play a big role, the Twins usually bring him up in September to get the baptism out of the way. Even though Span, 23, entered the weekend batting .241 with two homers and 26 RBI, the center fielder could be debut so the club can prepare him as an option to replace free-agent-to-be Torii Hunter.

Matt Tolbert, infielder: Has played mostly at second but will get some looks at third. He's still learning some things about the game, but his .348 batting average can't be ignored.

Notes

Gulf Coast League righthanders Dan Berlind and Mike McCardell, the seventh- and sixth-round picks in last month's draft, nearly combined on a no-hitter Thursday. Berlind started and went five innings. McCardell got one out in the ninth before giving up a single.