"Piranhas" (also known as "Little Piranhas") is the nickname applied to a group of hitters for the Minnesota Twins baseball team. Specifically, the term applies to shortstop Jason Bartlett (now with the Tampa Bay Rays), third baseman Nick Punto, outfielder Jason Tyner (now a free agent), and second baseman Luis Castillo (now with the New York Mets).

Midway through the 2006 season, the Twins opted for a lineup that included Tyner batting eighth, Bartlett ninth, Castillo first, and Punto second. Manager Ron Gardenhire said these players were like four leadoff hitters: all were fast and hit for average but not power. During the 2006 season, all four hit between .290 (Punto) and .312 (Tyner), but hit a combined six home runs.^[1]

The term "piranhas" was coined during the 2006 season by Chicago White Sox manager Ozzie Guillén. Said Guillen:^[2]

The term was originally dismissed by Twins' fans and players because the name came from a rival manager. It has since been accepted by fans and players alike, as well as media outlets such as ESPN.

[edit] 2008 Season Piranhas

During the 2008 Minnesota Twins season, the second coming of the Piranhas was noticed. With Nick Punto (shortstop) batting eighth, Carlos Gomez (center field) batting ninth, Denard Span (right field) batting first and Alexi Casilla (second base) batting second, another set of speedy hitters became legend. Hitting for average and not power, these guys, like the original Piranhas, nibbled away with small one or two run innings that really add up quickly, leading the Twins to the division tiebreaker game.

[edit] See also

• 2006 Minnesota Twins season
• Jason Bartlett
• Luis Castillo
• Nick Punto
• Jason Tyner

[edit] References