German Amaurys Minier

A 6'2", 200 pound, switch-hitting shortstop, Minier signed by was signed by the Twins in July of 2012 for a cool $1.4 million, the fourth largest international signing in 2012.

He's 17 years old, and likely will shift over to third at some point. He's viewed as having plus power potential, but maybe not as strong plate discipline. Here is a video of him:

Oh, and Seth says he prefers to go by the name German, as opposed to Amaurys.

6/22: Short-season start (finally!) update, Minier has reported to the GCL Twins. Last night he doubled and hit a 3-run homer in his professional debut. He batted cleanup, and started at 3B...so the shift may be sooner rather than later. Interestingly, his debut came in the same game as the other high-profile 2012 international signing, Aussie Lewis Thorpe, who started and gave up 2 runs in four innings while striking out four with no walks.

As for questions about where he ranks in the Twins' system, I'd guess he fits into the 15-25 range. Gleeman had him at #22, and it is hard to compare his signing bonus to other high profile international signees, given recent changes (caps) to the signing bonuses.

Safe to put him in the 15-25 range, with real upside potential for moving up. Regardless, great debut for the kid, we have been waiting!

So Minier has hit for the cycle in his first 7 professional ABs, going 2-3 with two walks on Saturday morning. He's slugging 1.428 through two games, and has a .667 OBP.

Seth just commented that he is a Top 10 prospect. Hard to say so early, but a pretty exciting start!

Beat me to the punch...second and third home runs.

Minier was back in the lineup tonight after what appears to be about a week missed with a quad strain. He DHed, and went 1-4, with his sixth homer. His average is now .222, and his triple slash lines are 222/250/485, with 12 of his 22 hits on the year going for extra bases. He has an ugly 26/4 strikeout to walk ratio through 99 ABs on the season. Not a sizzling start for the kid, but not terrible.