The Twins are hoping that Aaron Hicks, a first-round pick in 2008, will be their next budding star in center field.

Hicks had a breakthrough season at Double-A New Britain last year.

Minnesota traded Denard Span and Ben Revere this offseason, opening up a potential spot for Hicks.

"I was very surprised. Denard's been patrolling the outfield for a while," Hicks said. "And it's been tough seeing a guy who's kind of like my mentor just leave before I get up there. It's kind of a shock, but it's just how it is. It's just how this game is. Different guys come up. Different guys go down. Guys get traded all the time."

Terry Ryan compared Hicks' arm strength to Michael Cuddyer. The GM described the instincts he has in taking effective angles and making the right jumps for balls in the power alleys. Ryan praised his discipline at the plate, too. Hicks has a .379 career on-base percentage in the minors.

"Aaron Hicks is very capable. It's just a matter of whether or not he's ready," Ryan said. "He hasn't had an at-bat at Triple-A, but that isn't going to sidetrack our opinion that he might be able to jump over Triple-A. He's got all the attributes of being a pure center fielder. He's a switch hitter. He has power."