Restovich's Year
The 2005 major league baseball season will be the year of Michael Restovich's arrival. After spending every season since 1997 in the minor leagues, the 2nd round draft pick will finally land in the big leagues, and stick.
It has gone from an exciting trip to a long haul for the Rochester native. After flying up the farm system ladder early in his professional career, Restovich has run into a wall over the last few years. Outfielders like Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Shannon Stewart and Lew Ford will do that to a guy. But now the Twins will be forced to make a decision. Either Resto has to be put on the big league roster out of spring training, or another team will surely pick him up off the waiver wire.
During the past few seasons, the numbers make it appear that Restovich has plateaued a bit. Last year's major league stints produced a .255 batting average and two home runs in 29 games and his AAA numbers weren't anything mind blowing. He has always had impressive power numbers, but his overall stats have, if anything, taken a slide.
I think Ron Gardenhire hit it right on the head when he said of Restovich in AAA, "You get stuck down there...Maybe he should be in the big leagues. Maybe he'd do better in the big leagues." When you have a guy who can hit the ball "408,000 miles," according to Gardenhire, it seems like you'd want to give him a consistent shot.
Last season, Resto had to deal with being called up and sent back down. He would start to get into a groove in AAA, then be called up and play sparingly for the big club. Then he'd be sent back down and the process would start all over. But not this year.
I don't know where Resto will be. I have a feeling it won't be in Minnesota. But, professionally, I think that would be the best thing for him. Here, he'll be our 4th outfielder. He'll play once in a while and never get into the kind of groove that will help him fulfill his potential. But there are plenty of teams out there that could use him not as a 4th outfielder, but as a regular 3rd. Somewhere, he'll get 500 at-bats this season. He'll hit 20 home runs and chalk up 75 RBI. This will be the year of Michael Restovich's emergence.
The other option is that he stays here as the 4th outfielder. For his sake, I hope he leaves.
It has gone from an exciting trip to a long haul for the Rochester native. After flying up the farm system ladder early in his professional career, Restovich has run into a wall over the last few years. Outfielders like Torii Hunter, Jacque Jones, Shannon Stewart and Lew Ford will do that to a guy. But now the Twins will be forced to make a decision. Either Resto has to be put on the big league roster out of spring training, or another team will surely pick him up off the waiver wire.
During the past few seasons, the numbers make it appear that Restovich has plateaued a bit. Last year's major league stints produced a .255 batting average and two home runs in 29 games and his AAA numbers weren't anything mind blowing. He has always had impressive power numbers, but his overall stats have, if anything, taken a slide.
I think Ron Gardenhire hit it right on the head when he said of Restovich in AAA, "You get stuck down there...Maybe he should be in the big leagues. Maybe he'd do better in the big leagues." When you have a guy who can hit the ball "408,000 miles," according to Gardenhire, it seems like you'd want to give him a consistent shot.
Last season, Resto had to deal with being called up and sent back down. He would start to get into a groove in AAA, then be called up and play sparingly for the big club. Then he'd be sent back down and the process would start all over. But not this year.
I don't know where Resto will be. I have a feeling it won't be in Minnesota. But, professionally, I think that would be the best thing for him. Here, he'll be our 4th outfielder. He'll play once in a while and never get into the kind of groove that will help him fulfill his potential. But there are plenty of teams out there that could use him not as a 4th outfielder, but as a regular 3rd. Somewhere, he'll get 500 at-bats this season. He'll hit 20 home runs and chalk up 75 RBI. This will be the year of Michael Restovich's emergence.
The other option is that he stays here as the 4th outfielder. For his sake, I hope he leaves.
posted by Joe Siple | 11:08 AM
2 Comments:
Joe, Love your column. You are right on about Resto. He needs to be given a chance at the major league level. Joe you will always be a blue-chipper in my book. Sincerely Dale Massey, Old and retired
I must be doing something right if I get the approval of the scoop and Coach Massey. Two of the greatest names in Rochester sports.
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