Mizzou Baseball in the Minors & Majors

■ Nicholas learning behind the plate (lonestardugout.com)

Catcher Brett Nicholas is best known for his intriguing offensive skills, but he is also in the process of learning to become an everyday catcher. Lone Star Dugout caught up with the 22-year-old after Thursday's spring training workout. (Scout.com subscription only)

■ Kyle Gibson, Joe Benson among 14 cuts by Twins (mlb.com)

Among the notable players in the Twins' first round of cuts were 2009 first-round pick and last year's Minor League Pitcher of the Year Kyle Gibson and 2010 Twins Minor League Player of the Year Joe Benson.

Although manager Ron Gardenhire had indicated that he would like to see Gibson, 23, as one of the pitchers competing for the fifth spot in the rotation with Scott Baker and Kevin Slowey, the move to send Gibson to Minor League camp didn't come as a surprise since it was pretty clear all spring that Gibson will be starting the year at Triple-A Rochester. And Gardenhire hinted on Sunday that Gibson would be one of the players in the first round of cuts, so he could start getting stretched out for the start of the season.

■ And lastly, a comment on Tigers in the professional ranks (mutigers.com).

The Mizzou baseball team is busy with its 2011 regular season, but it is also busy tracking the careers of several former players that have seen a lot of success at the major league and minor league levels. Over the next few days, MUTigers.com will look at the former Tigers that are seeing success at both the major league and minor league levels. First, we will start with a look at the Tigers on major league rosters as on Monday, March 14.

The author goes on to report on not only Max Scherzer, Ian Kinsler, Justin James and Doug Mathis - all whom spent time in the Major Leagues in 2010 - but also includes Aaron Crow, Kyle Gibson and Andrew Johnston.

Those last three are in the major league spring training camp for their respective organizations. But Crow and Gibson are almost certainly going to begin the 2011 season in the minor leagues - Gibson at AAA and Crow at either A or Double-A. Gibson has a good shot at being with the Minnesota Twins by the end of the season, but Crow is unlikely to be in Kansas City this season.

Andrew Johnston, however, does seem to be making a case for inclusion in the Colorado Rockies' bullpen. He'll likely be one of the last pitchers to either be included in the active roster or to be sent back to AAA.