Right Field and Center Field
Drafted 2005, 36th round Chipola College, British Columbia
Levels Played in 2009: AA New Britain
Opening Day Age: 23
Rene Tosoni is one of those prospects that have already outperformed their draft status and now are close enough to make an impact at the major league level. Tosoni has been able to play through some of the issues that have taken away from his career. In 2006, he could not come to the States because of visa issues. In 2007 he played well in rookie ball and was promoted to Beloit but suffered an injury that cut his season short at 2 games. The Twins decided to start moving him along quickly in 2008 by letting him go straight to Fort Myers where he played pretty well (.300/.408/.414). The Twins believed that 42 games was enough for Tosoni to be ready for AA in 2009.
Tosoni was what of the Twins minor league top performers in 2009. He began do develop some power hitting 15 home runs while driving in 71 runs. This was in addition to 25 doubles. Tosoni's bat was recognized by being and Eastern League All Star, the MVP of the Futures Game and an invitation to the Arizona Fall League. .
Tosoni is not a big guy. He stands 6 feet tall and weighs a shade under 200 pounds. It might be safe to say that he does not have much more power to develop. As a right fielder, Tosoni does not have what some of the other outfielders have in the Twins system and that is a 4th and 5th tool. He is not the athlete of a Ben Revere or an Aaron Hicks. However, what he does have is success as higher levels.
Tosoni will begin the year in AAA Rochester as their right fielder. He should be one the first guy to look to call up in the minors if their any injuries to the Twins outfielders minus Denard Span. Tosoni has the ability to play all outfield positions but their are many who think that if Span were to ever to go down, that Ben Revere will be pulled from wherever he is.
ETA: 2009 or 2010
Projection: Everyday right or left fielder. Brings solid average, high OBP and average power (15-20 home runs)
MLB Comparison: Solid Comparison: Melkey Cabrera
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