After a strong spring, Aaron Hicks will start in center field for the Twins this season.
He has yet to play above Double-A New Britain.
Hicks, who went 4-for-4 with three runs scored and an RBI against the Blue Jays on Sunday, won the battle over Darin Mastroianni and Joe Benson.
"I think it's pretty simple to say Hicks is going to be our center fielder," Ron Gardenhire said. "I don't think it's a shocking announcement by any means."
Hicks is hitting .350/397/.650 with a team-high four homers, 16 RBIs, 16 runs and three stolen bases this spring.
"It feels great," he said. "It's everything I've been working for since I started playing baseball. So it just feels really good to be named center fielder."
