Once the AAA playoffs concluded, Minnesota bolstered their roster with AAA call-ups. RHP Kevin Frederick, SS-S David Lamb, OF-R Mike Restovich, RHP Juan Rincon, OF-L Mike Ryan, 1B-L Todd Sears, and C-S Javier Valentin all joined Eric Milton, who was previously the only player added to their roster this September.

Frederick returned to the minors in mid-August when the Twins activated Bob Wells from the disabled list. Wells hasn't experienced any lingering difficulties after mid-June surgery to remove bone chips from his elbow. Unfortunately, Frederick suffered control problems while in the majors. Hopefully, his return to AAA helped him correct the skill deficiency, but I doubt Minnesota will put a lot of faith in him this month, so Frederick will likely only work in low-impact situations.

David Lamb signed with the Twins as a minor league free agent before the season. The 27-year-old has demonstrated strong plate discipline skills throughout the minors, but his lack of both speed and power has prevented teams from taking notice of him. At AAA Edmonton in the Pacific Coast League this season, he hit .309 with a .377 OBP and .448 SLG on 136 H, 25 2B, 3 HR and 10 HR with a 45:57 BB:K and 2/8 SB% in 440 AB. Minnesota doesn't even have room for their top prospects, so they likely won't re-sign him after the season. Lamb should provide them with an additional middle infielder and switch-hitting pinch-hitter for the last two weeks of the season, allowing Cristian Guzman, Luis Rivas, and Denny Hocking a bit of rest. He should really try to sign with an organization with an injury-prone starting shortstop for 2003.

Minnesota drafted Restovich out of high school in the second round of the 1997 draft. He's progressed steadily through their system, advancing a level a season and reaching AAA this year after a trip to the Arizona Fall League in 2001. While at Edmonton, Restovich hit .286 with a .353 OBP and .542 SLG on 148 H, 32 2B, 7 3B, and 29 HR with a 53:151 BB:K and 11/18 SB% in 518 AB. The 23-year-old possesses good power and acceptable plate discipline. He's up now to make his debut and get his feet wet before assuming a full time job next season, presuming the Twins make the necessary trades to open up a starting position for him in the outfield.

Rincon returned to the minors when the Twins activated Joe Mays from the disabled list but rejoined them as a reliever for most of August. He should grab a few innings in these last couple weeks in low-impact situations to rest the members of the pen advancing to the playoffs. Next season, I expect him to compete for a position as a reliever, though Minnesota might stash him back at AAA to keep him available as an all-purpose injury replacement.

The Twins drafted Ryan out of high school in the fifth round of the 1996 draft. In his second season at Edmonton, he hit .261 with a .330 OBP and .522 SLG on 141 H, 36 2B, 6 3B, and 31 HR with a 55:124 BB:K and 4/9 SB% in 540 AB. A team with less outfield depth than Minnesota would likely have him in the majors, but they simply don't have room. Consequently, provided they don't trade him, Ryan will return to AAA next year to work on his plate discipline, as although his walk rate is fairly good, he needs to improve his average to gain a spot on the team. In a couple seasons, he could break onto the team as a reserve, but he'll likely need a series of injuries to create more of an opening for him. This month he'll grab a handful of plate appearances while the regulars rest before the playoffs.

Colorado drafted Sears out of the University of Nebraska in the third round of the 1997 draft, and Minnesota acquired him for Todd Walker and Butch Huskey in July of 2000. He's advanced at a steady pace like his fellow callups, so he's now in his second season at Edmonton. This season, the 26-year-old hit .310 with a .388 OBP and .525 SLG on 150 H, 36 2B, 4 3B, and 20 HR with a 59:142 BB:K and 2/3 SB% in 484 AB. Sears allows the Twins to deal the arbitration-eligible Doug Mientkiewicz to keep their payroll down while maintaining or improving the quality of the team. He should see around a dozen at-bats in the next two weeks as a pinch-hitter and late-inning replacement.

Javier Valentin will turn 27 tomorrow and could easily serve as a platoon or reserve catcher in the majors. In his third season at AAA after spending 1998 and 1999 in the majors, Valentin hit .286 with a .346 OBP and .501 SLG on 130 H, 33 2b, 1 3B, and 21 HR with a 41:96 BB:K and 0/1 SB% in 455 AB. However, the Twins may choose to pick up Tom Prince's option next season if they remain displeased with Valentin's defense, as the cost difference is only $100,000 if you figure the $50,000 buyout on top of Valentin's minimum salary of $300,000. I'm not certain the Twins retain control of Valentin next season, but even if they do he'll need to pass through waivers to reach the minors, so perhaps some organization will sweep in and rescue him. Meanwhile, he'll perform the typical third catcher duties this September.

Milton hasn't pitched well since his return from the disabled list, and if he doesn't improve in his last few starts of the year, the Twins shouldn't use him during the playoffs. Kyle Lohse has been a member of the rotation for the entire year and it would be a mistake not to run him in the postseason. Jack Cressend underwent surgery earlier this month to repair a torn labrum and likely won't return until late next season.