Eric Munson

Once the golden boy of Detroit's farm system, Munson has disappointed in his two seasons at the major league level. Let go by the Tigers at the end of last season, Munson will try to win the starting third base job, or bench role, with the Twins this season.

Munson had limited success in his first extended stint in the majors, belting 18 homers but hitting just .240. At 26 years old, he's running out of time to fulfill the promise that made him the third overall pick in 1999.

After a horrible start at Triple-A, which included a gaggle of strikeouts through two months and one suspension for not running a play out, Munson found his stroke in July, hitting .418, walking more, and striking out less. Munson wound up hitting .262 at Toledo, with 24 home runs, 77 walks and 114 strikeouts in 477 at-bats, but his September call-up to Detroit didn't amount to much (.186, two homers, five RBIs in 59 at-bats). The Tigers had Munson working at third base in Puerto Rico over the winter with modest reviews, but Munson's most logical spot in the majors looks like DH. He has to get a chance to make the club in the spring, being out of options, but nothing is guaranteed. At age 25, he needs something to happen now.