The team as a whole has been impressive, currently sitting atop the AL Central, but two youngsters in particular have been solid: OF Carlos Gomez and SP Nick Blackburn.  Both of them have been key parts of a team that was expected to take a turn for the worse after Johan Santana and Torii Hunter left Minneapolis/St. Paul.  This gritty team, still with Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau, have proved most sports experts and fans wrong so far, and Blackburn and Gomez have a lot to do with that.

Gomez was a part of the infamous Santana trade.  He’s always been viewed as a top OF prospect, and the Twins feel like they got a gem in Gomez.  After lackluster performances in New York, his first full season has started off solid.  The only real knock on him is his plate discipline, as he has only 3 walks and his OBP is under .300.  He’s hitting for a decent average (.261), has driven in 8 runs as a leadoff hitter, and is showing that he’s a tremendous base stealer, with 13 steals and only once has be been caught.  He’s only 22, so I think patience at the plate will come with time and experience.

As for Blackburn, he was not as highly touted as guys like Liriano, Slowey, and Perkins, but has proven to be very talented.  After 11 shaky innings in 2007, he has settled down and has become effective so far in 2008.  He currently leads all Twins starters with a 3.52 ERA and has 2 wins to show for it.  While he’s allowed 47 hits in 38 innings, he’s walked few which limits the damage done to him by a great amount.  With Liriano not only coming back from injury but performing poorly, they needed someone to step up, and Blackburn has been that guy.  He doesn’t project to be an ace, but can still be a productive back end of the rotation starter, which every team needs to be successful.

As long as these guys keep producing and guys like Delmon Young, Liriano, and Scott Baker catch up, the Twinkies should be in good shape for not only this year, but the next 5-10.

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