Thread: Article: Twins Week in the Winter Leagues (Dec. 10-16)

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=...es-(Dec-10-16)

Do we know anything about the level of competition in that Mexican league? Colabello's numbers are alarmingly good.

AA level

Great report. This suggests that Deduno may be getting better, which could be a very good thing.

Colabello-2013 ROY, 2014 AL MVP


OK maybe not, but I wouldn't mind seeing get a shot at Target field.

Originally Posted by righty8383

Colabello-2013 ROY, 2014 AL MVP


OK maybe not, but I wouldn't mind seeing get a shot at Target field.

This kid is by far the best hitter in the Twins org and they have not even signed him. What a shame. He should be playing in the bigs. He has proven that he can hit.

Originally Posted by Laroosh1

This kid is by far the best hitter in the Twins org and they have not even signed him. What a shame. He should be playing in the bigs. He has proven that he can hit.

Maybe you might want to tone down the hyperbole just a touch. Good hitter, but I think at least one of Mauer, Sano, Rosario, Arcia, Willingham, Buxton for starters might just be a touch better as a "hitter". So maybe one of the best hitter in the high minors? I could get on board there.

Is Rosario only playing OF in the PWL? Is he playing any 2B?

Originally Posted by MWLFan

Maybe you might want to tone down the hyperbole just a touch. Good hitter, but I think at least one of Mauer, Sano, Rosario, Arcia, Willingham, Buxton for starters might just be a touch better as a "hitter". So maybe one of the best hitter in the high minors? I could get on board there.

This kid has proven he can hit anywhere. He has proven himself.

Originally Posted by TopGunn#22

Is Rosario only playing OF in the PWL? Is he playing any 2B?

I haven't looked at every box score, but the ones I have looked at, he was in the outfield. I haven't seen him at 2B. Not sure if the Twins have given up on the 2B thing or if the Puerto Rican team manager just doesn't care and will keep him in the OF.

Well if the AA comparison is true, then I believe we can say that Colabello has dominated that level and should move up to AAA. I do like his RH power bench bat potential for the Twins, though. Even a platoon role with Parmelee if the Twins do the right thing and trade Morneau at some point this season.

Originally Posted by Laroosh1

This kid is by far the best hitter in the Twins org and they have not even signed him. What a shame. He should be playing in the bigs. He has proven that he can hit.

I think that's a bit of a jump given the offensive stats that are required to make positive contributions at 1B in the bigs, but I would also like to see him get a shot. At least start the year in AAA and hopefully get a chance to contribute or be a bench bat later in the year if he keeps it up.

Colabello makes sense to be used in a reserve role for the Twins pretty soon because he is likely peaking now and isn't a "prospect" in the sense of climbing in skill level. I would prefer Colabello to Butera and Escobar on the roster, certainly.

And another potentially important thing is that Colabello has spent time at third base in the past. This was all in the Independent league he was in, but still. He appears to have been bad defensively there, but at least he would provide an emergency backup at the position.

Originally Posted by Laroosh1

This kid is by far the best hitter in the Twins org and they have not even signed him. What a shame. He should be playing in the bigs. He has proven that he can hit.

Hi Chris's mom. He's 28 years old. He's played one year in AA after a career in the independent leagues. The Twins are the only team to even offer him a contract to play in AA after 10 years of independent baseball. Any team could have signed him to a contract at any time pin those 10 years. Any team could have drafted him in the Rule 5 draft this offseason. There's a reason none of them did. I'm really glad he's done well at the AA level. But he's not even one of the Twins top 40 prospects, let alone "the best hitter in the Twins org."

I think I ready somewhere that the Mex lg has smaller parks and can be very hitter friendly. So let's not go overboard here.

Originally Posted by cmathewson

Hi Chris's mom. He's 28 years old. He's played one year in AA after a career in the independent leagues. The Twins are the only team to even offer him a contract to play in AA after 10 years of independent baseball. Any team could have signed him to a contract at any time pin those 10 years. Any team could have drafted him in the Rule 5 draft this offseason. There's a reason none of them did. I'm really glad he's done well at the AA level. But he's not even one of the Twins top 40 prospects, let alone "the best hitter in the Twins org."

Well I am sure that there are Indy league players who could make it to the majors if they were given the chance. And Colabello is certainly making the most of his chance right now. But, yeah, he is now in his prime. That's why I think the Twins might want to seriously consider him for the last bench spot this year.

I'm curious why Rosario is playing the outfield. It seems like it would be very important that he play winter ball somewhere he could continue to play 2nd base. Surprised the Twins haven't addressed this.

Colabello should definitely get a shot at Rochester. Could end up being a productive bench bat in MLB.

Originally Posted by Shane Wahl

Well if the AA comparison is true, then I believe we can say that Colabello has dominated that level and should move up to AAA. I do like his RH power bench bat potential for the Twins, though. Even a platoon role with Parmelee if the Twins do the right thing and trade Morneau at some point this season.

I think AA is a little aggressive... I like Gonzalo Sanudo , but so far, he's been 'pretty decent' in the GCL, and he's pitching pretty well in Mexico. In reality, Colabello is likely seeing some pitchers that are AA caliber, a couple AAA guys, and probably quite a few A ball guy.

I like Colabello, and as I wrote over and over, he was the story of the year in the Twins system (in my opinion). I'd like to see, and I think he deserves the opportunity to go to AAA and play... however, the also brought in Jeff Clement and a couple of other minor league first baseman. I hope that he proves himself in AAA, and I would LOVE to see him get a shot with the Twins, even just a cup of coffee. That would be an incredible story!!

Originally Posted by Laroosh1

This kid is by far the best hitter in the Twins org and they have not even signed him. What a shame. He should be playing in the bigs. He has proven that he can hit.

Yeah, but not above AA yet. If he doesn't break ST with the team, I would imagine that they will put him in AAA to get seasoning and possibly be the 1st base replacement for J-Mo if they trade him (unfortunately, that means that we would continue to have a subpar outfield defense with Willingham, ?, and Parmelee in the outfield.)