This is my first blog ever, so be gentle. I have a son who is 8 years old, and to my delight, has started following the TWINS. He hears about all these exciting prospects( Buxton, Sano, etc...) and wonders who were the big prospects when i was growing up. First of all, i was old enough where there was no internet, no FSN. I had to rely on The Baseball Digest, Baseball America, and Herb and John for info. The guy that i remember getting the biggest hype was Derek Parks. A power hitting catcher that played seemingly forever in A ball, and Willie Banks a hard throwing pitcher from New jersey. That was about it. You had the parent club relying on Les Straker, Mike Smithson, Fred Tolliver and other retreads. Mark Davison was with the team for most of 1987, but i believe that was the only year i remember him. I also have the distinction of being at the game where Sal Butera debuted as a Twin. Sorry... i get off track a lot. So when i see all these prospects today, i can't help but to be excited. The toolsy 5 tool outfielders? I love that we have them. It means the memory of Carmello Castillo fades a little. Pitchers with electric stuff? yes, means i can foget about the Allan Andersons of yesteryear. No more nightmares of Gary Wayne, Francisco Oliveras, Lee Tunnel. So in closing, be thankful for what we have, because it never used to be this way. Thank you for your time.

I recall being excited about both Banks and Parks. Two high school first rounders that didn't meet expectations. Pitchers and catchers are probably the most difficult to project as high school seniors into the major leagues.

That's pretty impressive. Only eight years old and already following the Prospects Lists? When I was eight years old I was just wishing my Starting Lineup action figure looked even a little bit like Kirby Puckett.