With six home runs, 21 RBIs and a batting average of .271, Twins outfielder Oswaldo Arcia is quietly emerging as an American League rookie of the year candidate.
Arcia, according to the Star Tribune’s Patrick Reusse, is on pace to hit 21 homers and 73 RBIs. If so, in his opinion, that would make Arcie an easy winner this year in the A.L.
Five Twins have earned rookie-of-the-year honors in the past: Tony Oliva, Rod Carew, John Castino, Chuck Knoblauch and Marty Cordova.
Arcia’s emergence has also meant less playing time for Chris Parmelee, since both are corner outfielders. Parmelee has started just four of the past 12 games.
Does that mean Parmelee will be trade bait as the July 31 deadline approaches? Or will he be shifted to first base if the Twins decide to part with Justin Morneau?
Those are two questions which will be asked again and again in the weeks ahead.
Meanwhile, as long as Arcia keeps slugging, scouts will continue to compare him to a young Bobby Abreu. And with names like Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano tearing up the Twins’ farm system, it might not be long before 90-loss seasons are a distant, fading nightmare.
