Brandon Short's Two Homers Lead White Sox; Aaron Hicks Continues to Rake for Twins

Players of the Day for Tuesday, March 26, 2013

Grapefruit League

Aaron Hicks

Aaron Hicks is making the Twins feel great about their outfield, now that they're assured he'll be their starter in center this season.

Hicks led the Twins to a 9-5 win over the Orioles on Tuesday, going 3-for-5 with a tripe and a pair of singles, driving in two runs and scoring twice.

A rookie with no major league experience, having spent five seasons in the minors, will get the opening day start - April 1 at Target Stadium vs. the Tigers - in center, according to the announcement made Sunday by Twins' manager Ron Gardenhire. Looking like a keeper, with a .379 average, 18 runs and 18 RBI this Spring, Hicks should patrol the outfield well and give the Twins a capable leadoff hitter with speed.

Cactus League

Brandon Short

The White Sox certainly appear to have plenty of hitters in their upcoming 2013 regular season lineup, with the likes of Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn, Alex Rios and Dayan Viciedo.

In their 11-3 win over the Rangers, they got an unexpected power display from the bottom of the lineup, as rookie prospect, Brandon Short, playing in right field and batting ninth, belted a pair of homers and drove in four runs.

Short's initial blast was a three-run job in the fourth, staking starter Chris Sale to a 4-1 lead. Sale earned his fourth victory wihtout a loss, going four innings, fanning five. The only hit he allowed was a solo homer by the Rangers' Geovany Soto.

Short added a solo shot in the ninth and also singled in four at-bats, scoring three times. The homers and RBI were his first of the Spring; his 3-for-4 effort raised his average to .375.

Spending last season in AA Birmingham in the Southern League, there's no word on whether or not Short will be on the opening day roster.