Who's in right?  It's a question on the lips of many Twin's fans these days.  Although manager Ron Gardenhire describes the question as "beating a dead horse," it's not likely to go way as long as Michael Cuddyer, Bobby Kielty, and Dustan Mohr are around.
The trio that rose through the ranks of the Twins minor league system together, now finds themselves battling for playing time, yet through it all they have remained close friends. "We understand that you can only play nine players at a time," Cuddyer said.  "We are great friends; we have a great relationship; and we just want to make this team stronger."

Hitting coach Scott Ulger says all three deserve playing time, "They are all fundamentally sound hitters and capable major league players, which is a luxury that we have."

Of the three, Cuddyer is the most highly touted.  The ninth overall pick in the 1997 draft, he was the Twins 2001 Minor League Player of the Year following a 30 home run season.  The Twins love his power potential and versatility.  Originally a shortstop, he was moved to third base and eventually to the outfield.

"I continue to work at every position," the 24 year old explained.  "When I am not in the lineup, I will take ground balls at third base just to stay fresh.  If Corey (Koskie) has to take a day off, I have to be ready to go in there and play third; if Doug (Mientkiewicz) needs the day off, I'll play first.  It helps me stay up here."

The Twins felt so highly of Cuddyer that they used him as their primary right fielder during the playoffs last fall.  "To know that they had that much confidence in me to put me in those games, especially since I hadn't played the whole year, was a big confidence booster for me," the Virginia native said.

Kielty is the most polished hitter of the trio and is also quite versatile.  A switch-hitter, he can play all three outfield position well and fill in at first base. A patient hitter that has a knack for getting on base, Kielty has become a valuable pinch-hitter.  On consecutive days last September, he belted pinch-hit, game winning home runs in the eighth inning versus the rival White Sox.

"Bobby usually comes through in big situations when he pinch-hits," said Mohr.  "He's good at not playing for a few days and then going in there and producing."

Kielty, however, insists there is no secret to his heroics, "It's so hard coming off the bench," the 26 year old commented.  "When you pinch-hit, you sit on the bench for two and a half hours and you're not really warm.  You have to go out there and stay aggressive and not try not to let any good pitches get by you."

Described by Cuddyer as a "bulldog", Mohr is a scrapper.  Released by Cleveland in 2000 after three seasons in the lower levels of their farm system, he was heading home to Mississippi when a phone call changed his life.

"I was still really young; it was just the matter of getting with the right team and right opportunity," Mohr explained.  "Fortunately the Twins called and their scouts liked me and they wanted me to come and play for them.  I thought the Twins would be a good organization to be with and that I would have a chance to advance."

Now at age 26, he has found a niche in the big leagues, "It couldn't have worked out any better, I've found a home here and I fit in well with the Twins style of baseball," he said. "I really enjoy this group of guys."