2018 Twins Midseason Top Prospect List: 26-30
Jul 04 2018 08:56 PM |
Seth Stohs
in Minor Leagues
Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (Griffin Jax Miracle photo from William Parmeter, graphics by Finn Pearson)
30. John Curtiss – RH RPAge: 25
ETA: 2017
2018 Stats (AAA): 31.2 IP, 2.56 ERA, 1.1 WHIP, 11.7 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 2.56 K:BB
2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: NR
Seth: 32 | Tom: 31 | Cody: 28
John Curtiss was called up to the Twins right before September last season. After a couple of rough games, he ended the season strong. This year, he began the season in Rochester but got another call up early in the season. He had two outings, and neither was good. He was sent back down, but he has pitched quite well in late innings for the Red Wings.
Curtiss began his career with an opportunity to start, but he was moved to the bullpen and he flew up the organization, pitching at each level from Cedar Rapids to the big leagues between 2016 and 2017. He’s blessed with a mid-90s fastball and a couple of breaking pitches. He has the ability and the mentality to be a quality late-inning reliever for years.
29. Zack Granite – OF
Age: 25
ETA: 2017
2018 Stats (Rk): .211/.291/.240 (.531 OPS), 6 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 22 K, 25 BB
2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: 16
Seth: 34 | Tom: 32 | Cody: 24
Zack Granite came up midway through the 2017 season and showed glimpses of what he can be on the baseball field. For most of his career, he has exemplified what a team might want from a leadoff hitter. He takes pitches, walks more than he strikes out, steals bases and has a little extra base pop at times.
Granite was one of the last players optioned at the end of spring training this offseason, a surprise for many. Unfortunately, he soon hurt his non-throwing shoulder and had to miss about six weeks. He’s struggled to get things going since he’s been back, but that doesn’t take away what Granite can be and the role that he can play on the big league club as a fourth outfielder who will play quality defense at three outfield positions and put together quality plate appearances.
28. Jake Cave – OF
Age: 25
ETA: 2018
2018 Stats (AAA): .265/.349/.386 (.735 OPS), 9 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 26 K, 55 BB
2018 Stats (MLB): .233/.267/.488 (.755 OPS), 2 2B, 0 3B, 3 HR, 2 K, 14 BB
2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: NR
Seth: 25 | Tom: 23 | Cody: 39
The Twins acquired Cave in a late spring training trade with the New York Yankees. After missing some time in the early part of his career with injury, Cave really took off after being selected by the Reds in the Rule 5 draft. While he was one of their final spring training cuts, he returned to the Yankees with renewed confidence and his career took off.
A year ago, Cave hit .324 with a .921 OPS at Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes Barre. The Yankees added him to their 40-man roster. Of course, they have a pretty strong outfield and Cave was DFAd which allowed the Twins to acquire him. The Twins have called him up three times already this season and he is now getting an opportunity to play every day, at least until Byron Buxton is ready. At 25, he’s still got some upside.
27. Tyler Wells – RHP
Age: 23
ETA: 2020
2018 Stats (A): 63.2 IP, 2.54 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 7.6 K/9, 2.0 BB/9, 3.86 K:BB
2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: NR
Seth: 18 | Tom: 37 | Cody: 31
The Twins drafted Wells in the 15th round of the 2016 draft out of Cal State San Bernadino. He’s experienced a lot of success during his first two seasons as a professional, pitching in Elizabethton in 2016 and Cedar Rapids in 2017. In the past offseason, Wells went to work and lost 30 pounds from his 6-8 frame. That has really helped him in the Florida State League. While his strikeouts have been down, his control and command of pitches has become much better. Wells has the ability to reach into the 94 mph range with a fastball. His best pitches may be his breaking balls. He throws a 12-6 curveball, but he also has a sharp slider that can get strikeouts. He was the Twins Daily choice for Starting Pitcher of the Month in June.
26. Griffin Jax – RHP
Age: 23
ETA: 2020
2018 Stats (A): 30.1 IP, 3.26 ERA, 1.22 WHIP, 4.7 K/9, 0.9 BB/9, 5.33 K/BB
2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: NR
Seth: 26 | Tom: 21 | Cody: 37
When the Twins used their third-round draft pick in 2016 on Griffin Jax, he became the highest-drafted player from a military academy. There have been some challenges associated with that, but in mid-April, Jax learned that he would be able to serve the remainder of his active duty while pitching in the Twins system (more specifics here).
In 2017, Jax was limited to just five games before returning to duty. He has made five appearances this season. The first four were starts. His most recent appearance came after Ervin Santana’s rehab start went three innings. Jax finished the remaining six innings. He has worked at least six innings in all but his first appearance of the year. Jax profiles as a starter with three good pitches. The strikeouts are low so far, but the walks are very low.
PREVIOUS INSTALLMENTS:
2018 Twins Midseason Top Prospects: 36-40
2018 Twins Midseason Top Prospects: 31-35
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22 Comments
I don't know about Granite... I just don't think he has an MLB toolset. Zero power, bad arm, and now he can't hit at AAA anymore. The ups and downs for him at AAA have been crazy.
Cave looks like he could at least make a solid bench bat. I'd keep giving him PAs in the majors.
I'm hoping Curtiss can crack the bullpen this season, but these young relievers have been having a very difficult time staying on the roster. Right now they've been ferrying guys from MLB to AAA back and forth, and while that's a good strategy, I'd like to see a young guy take Belisle's spot and earn a roster spot like Hildy did last year.
Good to see Wells crack the top 30.Been watching that guy for a while and they got a steal where they drafted him.He was a strikeout machine in the lower levels and he continues to pitch well.I was hoping he would move up to AA soon so that he could possibly factor in to next year as an option for the big league club.
Expect we will see Jax much higher next winter.Can see him as a #3 starter about the time he will need time off for the next Olympics.
I think Cave can replace Grossman next season. A .755 OPS is a bit better than league average as it is, more so for a CF (SSS I know). I woudln't mind him in that role. I don't think he will get worse, and there's a chance he gets better.
As for Granite, I don't know. I can give him a mulligan for his injury, but truthfully, I've never been that high on him to begin with. For a team carrying a 3 man bench, I'm not sure what value Granite will have once his options expire.
Curtiss just needs an extended shot. They need to figure out if his numbers can translate to MLB. I'm hoping after the deadline that we will have a few new relievers and that Molly will play them.
Wells and Jax are the only real prospects here. Both though are not old for their league. Jax hasn't played as much as everyone else and could have a break out season rocketing him up the list. I don't have super high expectations for either though.
Corrected... thank you!
I'm wondering why Cody ranked Cave (39) so much lower than Granite (24). Seems to me that Cave's better power tool and Granite better speed/defense tool would put them right around the same ranking. Genuinely curious about Cody's reasoning.
Very much enjoying these updated rankings with the MLB team struggling so much. Thanks, guys!
Granite is having a bit of a lost season; with Cave on the roster and Buxton coming back it's hard to see him getting anything more than september callup this year. I was hoping he could be that high-average, high OBP plus defender guy that could make it easy for the Twins to move on from Grossman and slot him in as a 4th OF. Right now, hitting for average is an increasingly absent skill, and I suspect it's an undervalued one as well. Hopefully, the injury has only delayed Granite's evolution.
Curtiss looks like another one of those fungible relievers that's good to have in your system but you shouldn't ever spend real money on. I suspect he'll eventually stick on the MLB roster and then have a really nice season that will sucker someone into giving him a multi-year deal. but maybe not. The walks might limit his effectiveness as a fireman, but it's always good to have relievers of his capacity waiting in AAA.
Agree that Granite doesn't provide any power, but I think you're short-changing him on his arm. It's fine.Not a Buxton type arm, but who is?
Hey Seth, I think the hyperlink is missing under the Griffin Jax capsule--"more specifics here" .
Just an FYI...
This group does not inspire me for the future.But in some ways it is really good to know that we have 25 players better than Curtiss, Cave, and Granite.
I think Cave has a shot at a long career as a backup OF....and he should be playing every day until Buxton is back.
I clearly remember Granite's throws didn't reach the cut-off man several times. Maybe it's not as bad as I think it is... but I am getting flashbacks of when Granite threw the ball to 1B on a play where a runner was tagging up and going home. He has no ability to throw baserunners out.
I think he'd fit in really well as the 4th OF. Seems like he has a little pop, and he plays solid defense.
Did Cody accidently flip Cave and Grantie's rankings?Seems to me that Cave is player who should be ranked 15 spots higher.Better bat, better arm, and has enough defense to be effective.
It was originally listed as 13.8? That just so happens to be what Jordan Balazovic is posting.
An Easter Egg for #25 perhaps?
I just remember he didn't have great strikeout numbers despite coming from a rather weak conference. What is it about this guy everyone likes?
The results.Pitching in a very difficult situation while on leave from active duty, his results were very good.Sure got my attention.
I thought the scouting reports had him as a hard thrower 93-95 with good control (low # of walks).Work ethic\makeup was strong and based on talent potential of that class he would have been a second round talent if he didn't have the military commitment.Twins took him in the third round I guess thinking he was a steal of sorts but the Military commitment did bite them as he lost development time.
I still like him but something more needs to click for him to be a starter.He gives up a fair number of hits and isn't missing a ton of bats at the lower levels.I am guessing that in time those number will look better but if they don't then he still has a good two pitch mix and throws hard enough to be a good reliever.Guy works hard and has the physical tools so I am not betting against him.