Thread: Top 20 Twins prospects

I know some of the bloggers put their top 20 in Seth's Seth Stohs 2012 prospect handbook, but I want to hear from fans and who they think is the prospects to watch. I am going to give you my 20 but I want others to give their top 20's and create a discussion if guys are too high or not high enough so lets get at it.

1. Miguel Sano 3b Beloit
2. Oswaldo Arcia RF Fort Myers
3. Liam Hendriks SP Twins
4. Joe Benson OF Rochester
5. Aaron Hicks OF New Britain
6. Eddie Rosario 2b Beloit
7. Kyle Gibson SP Rochester
8. Adrian Salcedo SP Fort Myers
9. Alex Wimmers SP New Britain
10. Brian Dozier SS Rochester
11. Chris Parmelee 1b Twins
12. Levi Michael SS Fort Myers
13. Angel Morales OF Fort Myers
14. Carlos Gutierrez RP Rochester
15. BJ Hermsen SP Fort Myers
16. Madison Boer SP Beloit
17. Tyler Grimes SS Beloit
18. Travis Harrison 3b EST
19. Deolis Guerra RP New Britain
20. Matt Summers RP Beloit

my rules for prospect status is they have to be under 50 big league innings and 100 big leage at bats. That is my list let me see what yours is.

Still working on mine. I wanted to go see these guys at spring training before I form an opinion, esp for the guys who have not played an inning yet. And I was really surprised by a couple. For example, I thought that Travis Harrison based on the power projections etc would be a big guy, like Morneau size. Well, he isn't... Also, Arcia's body type might limit him at some point. If he keeps up with training he could be like a Maglio Ordonez type, but if he falls off the wagon... Really positively impressed by Angel Morales who I have to say is back after a misserable 2011. As far as the young arms of the organization go, Corey Williams has the nastiest stuff out there. Crazy-sinking 93 mph FBs from lefties do not grow on trees every day. He might actually be MLB-ready by next season some time. Hope they stretch him to a starter at some point. So I'll put all those thoughts together some time and make a list (or two).

Guys that have had TJ or shoulder surgery should be either removed from that list or at least put an asterisk* next to their names. They need to prove not only that they can play, but that they can avoid further injury before they are labeled a top prospect. Kyle Gibson is a perfect example. We have no evidence that he will be able to throw a baseball hard enough to challenge a pro, much less dissect the strike zone. The pitching knowledge in his head is all pre-surgery, so he may need to learn a different way of throwing the baseball in order to avoid hurting his elbow again.

I watched Stephen Strassberg pitch yesterday's opener for the Nationals. Nice work, but his fastball no longer challenges the 100 mph mark. Today, he's a low- to mid-90's guy. He pitched well, but at least for now he's lost 6 mph off his pre-TJ heater. Can Kyle Gibson get by with 6 mph less on his fastball? Can he even throw a slider without doing damage? I would just as soon not put a guy on that list before he appears to be physically healthy.

Originally Posted by jimbo92107

Guys that have had TJ or shoulder surgery should be either removed from that list or at least put an asterisk* next to their names. They need to prove not only that they can play, but that they can avoid further injury before they are labeled a top prospect. Kyle Gibson is a perfect example. We have no evidence that he will be able to throw a baseball hard enough to challenge a pro, much less dissect the strike zone. The pitching knowledge in his head is all pre-surgery, so he may need to learn a different way of throwing the baseball in order to avoid hurting his elbow again.

I watched Stephen Strassberg pitch yesterday's opener for the Nationals. Nice work, but his fastball no longer challenges the 100 mph mark. Today, he's a low- to mid-90's guy. He pitched well, but at least for now he's lost 6 mph off his pre-TJ heater. Can Kyle Gibson get by with 6 mph less on his fastball? Can he even throw a slider without doing damage? I would just as soon not put a guy on that list before he appears to be physically healthy.

What on earth are you talking about? Gibson will be able to throw the ball just as hard as he did prior to the surgery, he was never a power pitcher anyways, so barring a case of the yips (for whatever reason) Gibson can more or less be counted on to be ML ready by 2013. He won't have to change how he pitches.

Strasburg was hitting 98 on the radar gun multiple times during the game, Pitch(FX) had him at 97.5 with a 96 MPH average for his fastball. That is hardly low to mid 90's guy. It's also very early in the season so it's pretty likely his velocity will continue to improve.

Last year when he returned he was hitting 99 MPH and averaging over 96 MPH on his fastball. Even prior to his injury he was averaging between 96 and 97 on his fastball. TJ actually more often then not INCREASES a pitchers velocity.

Originally Posted by VodkaDave

Last year when he returned he was hitting 99 MPH and averaging over 96 MPH on his fastball. Even prior to his injury he was averaging between 96 and 97 on his fastball. TJ actually more often then not INCREASES a pitchers velocity.

I gotta say, I think this is a myth. It certainly has not been the case for Liriano or Nathan. I think we hear a lot about the cases where guys come back well, and hear very little about the guys who don't, because they just aren't heard from again.

Originally Posted by John Bonnes

I gotta say, I think this is a myth. It certainly has not been the case for Liriano or Nathan. I think we hear a lot about the cases where guys come back well, and hear very little about the guys who don't, because they just aren't heard from again.

Liriano's problems don't stem from the lack of velocity, they stem from his decreased slider use and general control problems.

Nathan's velocity hasn't decreased at all. His average fastball yesterday for the Rangers was 92.68 MPH which is exactly where he was at in 2009 prior to injury. At this point, age is what will ultimately affect Nathan's speed.

Miguel Sano hit 2 homeruns today for Beloit and already has 3 in 4 games. When do we see him move up? Or get to the Majors? The Twins are notoriously slow at bringing top prospects to the majors. I think this kid could be the exception.

I am more surprised by Rosario, Sano has 3 Homers, and he only has 3 hits the whole year. Sano is batting .231 with 3 Homers and 9 RBI. Rosario is batting .385 1 Homer,2 RBI,4 stolen bases.

Miguel Sano just went 2-3 , 2 BB's and 2 HR's!! He now has 3 hits and all of them are homers on the year with 9 RBI's.... funny Small sample size stat.

Mine:

1. Miguel Sano
2. AAron Hicks
3. Eddie Rosario
4. Oswaldo Arcia
5. Joe Benson
6. Liam Hendriks
7. Levi Michael
8. Kyle Gibson
9. Brian Dozier
10. Chris Herrmann
11. Alex Wimmers
12. Hudson Boyd
13. Chris Parmelee
14. Travis Harrison
15. Madison Boer
16. Max Kepler -R
17. Adrian Salcedo
18. Tom Stuiffbergen
19. Niko Goodrum
20. JaDamion Williams
---
Honorable Mention : - Carlos Gutierrez, Lester Oliveros, BJ Hermsen, Pat Dean, Corey Williams, Manuel Solliman.

Originally Posted by VodkaDave

What on earth are you talking about? Gibson will be able to throw the ball just as hard as he did prior to the surgery, he was never a power pitcher anyways, so barring a case of the yips (for whatever reason) Gibson can more or less be counted on to be ML ready by 2013. He won't have to change how he pitches.

Strasburg was hitting 98 on the radar gun multiple times during the game, Pitch(FX) had him at 97.5 with a 96 MPH average for his fastball. That is hardly low to mid 90's guy. It's also very early in the season so it's pretty likely his velocity will continue to improve.

Last year when he returned he was hitting 99 MPH and averaging over 96 MPH on his fastball. Even prior to his injury he was averaging between 96 and 97 on his fastball. TJ actually more often then not INCREASES a pitchers velocity.

Gibson can be "more or less counted on to be ML ready by 2013?" TJ increases velocity "more often than not?"

Huh?

Travis,

I'm quite sure you could careless what I think. However, Sano and Rosario do look like the real deals. I'm not sold on Hicks at all and think Dozier should be much higher on your list. I do have more hope for prospects now than ever before. I sure hope we have a good draft.

Recovering from TJ has a lot to do with work ethic, something a guy like Liriano lacks, thus the drop in velo. I think you will see Nathan regain much of his velocity this year. A young guy like Strasburg who also works very hard snaps back pretty quick, but he will be hurt again at some point unless he changes his delivery. I think Gibson will come back fairly quick as wel, and his velocity should be regained fully by 2014. He may need to adjust some things in his delivery but they won't tweak him much. He wasn't a real violent guy, his tear was debatable whether he even needed surgery yet if you remember correctly. The Jamie Carroll project is all about the trade deadline. The twins hope he hits enough to get a prospect back mid season when they bring Dozier up. They may also dump Willingham and Baker at that time if Big Flop Scott ever gets himself (mentally) healthy!!

Originally Posted by Doug Y

Miguel Sano hit 2 homeruns today for Beloit and already has 3 in 4 games. When do we see him move up? Or get to the Majors? The Twins are notoriously slow at bringing top prospects to the majors. I think this kid could be the exception.

I think he'll spend the full year in Beloit, but if he can put the ball in play more and show that he really is a good defensive 3B, he could move up by the end of June...

What we often forget, because it doesn't always show up in a box score as readily, is that there are more parts to the game than just hitting... he's got a lot of things to work on, but he has amazing potential.

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

I think he'll spend the full year in Beloit, but if he can put the ball in play more and show that he really is a good defensive 3B, he could move up by the end of June...

What we often forget, because it doesn't always show up in a box score as readily, is that there are more parts to the game than just hitting... he's got a lot of things to work on, but he has amazing potential.

He's too young to hit majors (not quite 19 yet) . With twins style of developing players i wouldn't expect to see him called up until at least 2014 and that's if it's a sour season. How many twins have been called up befor age 20? Just blyleven and killebrew?

I wouldn't be totally surprised if he spent 4/5 of the year this year and next (Beloit and Fort Myers) and then the last 1/5 of the year after a promotion (Fort Myers and New Britain).

Originally Posted by Seth Stohs

I think he'll spend the full year in Beloit, but if he can put the ball in play more and show that he really is a good defensive 3B, he could move up by the end of June...

What we often forget, because it doesn't always show up in a box score as readily, is that there are more parts to the game than just hitting... he's got a lot of things to work on, but he has amazing potential.

He can't be any worse than Valencia at 3B. You are right, there is more to the game than just hitting, but his potential is exciting. Another 2-4 day today with 10 RBI already.

Originally Posted by Mchans24

Recovering from TJ has a lot to do with work ethic, something a guy like Liriano lacks, thus the drop in velo. I think you will see Nathan regain much of his velocity this year. A young guy like Strasburg who also works very hard snaps back pretty quick, but he will be hurt again at some point unless he changes his delivery. I think Gibson will come back fairly quick as wel, and his velocity should be regained fully by 2014. He may need to adjust some things in his delivery but they won't tweak him much. He wasn't a real violent guy, his tear was debatable whether he even needed surgery yet if you remember correctly. The Jamie Carroll project is all about the trade deadline. The twins hope he hits enough to get a prospect back mid season when they bring Dozier up. They may also dump Willingham and Baker at that time if Big Flop Scott ever gets himself (mentally) healthy!!

Nathan's velocity is already back to 100% and Strasburg as mentioned above is right where he was pre surgery as well. My point was that pitchers actually gain velocity after TJ surgery more often then they lose velocity. Liriano is just a hot mess in general, and even in 2010 (post surgery) his velocity was looking nice and he was pitching very well. His struggles have and will most likely continue to be about: Location and possible issues in his mental make up. (How many times do you see him follow up a HR with a 4 pitch walk?)

Gibson will be fine, and it wouldn't shock me if he added some velocity. There is even the chance he is back by this Sept and ready to contribute, he obviously won't be 100% but by the start of 2013 he should be ready to contribute in the big lead rotation.

Originally Posted by travistwinstalk

I know some of the bloggers put their top 20 in Seth's Seth Stohs 2012 prospect handbook, but I want to hear from fans and who they think is the prospects to watch. I am going to give you my 20 but I want others to give their top 20's and create a discussion if guys are too high or not high enough so lets get at it.

1. Miguel Sano 3b Beloit
2. Oswaldo Arcia RF Fort Myers
3. Liam Hendriks SP Twins
4. Joe Benson OF Rochester
5. Aaron Hicks OF New Britain
6. Eddie Rosario 2b Beloit
7. Kyle Gibson SP Rochester
8. Adrian Salcedo SP Fort Myers
9. Alex Wimmers SP New Britain
10. Brian Dozier SS Rochester
11. Chris Parmelee 1b Twins
12. Levi Michael SS Fort Myers
13. Angel Morales OF Fort Myers
14. Carlos Gutierrez RP Rochester
15. BJ Hermsen SP Fort Myers
16. Madison Boer SP Beloit
17. Tyler Grimes SS Beloit
18. Travis Harrison 3b EST
19. Deolis Guerra RP New Britain
20. Matt Summers RP Beloit

my rules for prospect status is they have to be under 50 big league innings and 100 big leage at bats. That is my list let me see what yours is.

I'd probably swap Rosario and Hendricks. Harrison should be a bit higher, and Hudson Boyd belongs on this list, but not bad.

I know that this is Travis Harrison's 1st year as a Pro, but do you think it'd be wise for the Twins to have him learn a secondary spot as he comes up thru the System. I'm thinking that if Miguel Sano keeps doing well (like last year and the first week this year) that 3rd base will full. Maybe Harrison could try 1st, or a corner outfield spot? Thoughts???

Originally Posted by BigVin

I know that this is Travis Harrison's 1st year as a Pro, but do you think it'd be wise for the Twins to have him learn a secondary spot as he comes up thru the System. I'm thinking that if Miguel Sano keeps doing well (like last year and the first week this year) that 3rd base will full. Maybe Harrison could try 1st, or a corner outfield spot? Thoughts???

Sanao is still a long ways away, (3 years), no need to worry about potential blockings etc. Also if he is good enough to play third, he could learn 1st or RF pretty quickly if the need came.