Pretty original list with lots of love for the players coming through the DSL. I also think it is time to move Polanco ahead of most of these top pitchers.

Shane,  I think of the inclusion of players who signed as international free agents as "balance" not "love".  I have a hard time understanding, for example, why top 2-3 round draft picks usually appear on those lists, whereas top IFAs do not...  It is likely because people do not know them

Shane,  I think of the inclusion of players who signed as international free agents as "balance" not "love".  I have a hard time understanding, for example, why top 2-3 round draft picks usually appear on those lists, whereas top IFAs do not...  It is likely because people do not know them

I think its more because they are between the ages of 16 and 18 and most of the prospects we rate start around 18-19 after they graduate high school. Next year Diaz and Minier should be up to Elizabethton and we will start talking more about them. 

I have a hard time rating prospects in the low minors so I tend to give preference to AA and AAA players before the A ballers and rookie leaguers.  Going to the Dominican League is just a little too far for me to be able to comprehend on a prospect list where I am not in the know on everyone. 

Thrylos,  I did want to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading your list.  Its well though out and I agree with most of it.  I do think Gordon is being rated a little higher than he should at this point.  The one I think could be higher is Burdi.  He is a future all star from what I keep seeing and reading.  Even if he is in the bullpen if he is that dominant he makes baseball games an 8 inning game instead of 9. 

I am really waiting on my own. I want to start fresh instead of sorta starting from my last list and looking for up/down and additions/subtractions. Minier and Diaz are certainly now top 20 material for me, especially since other contenders for 15-20 all end up now being either relievers or guys like Travis Harrison, who is fading.

Jorge Fernandez is near the top of my to-watch list for prospects this year. You are already calling it, essentially.

I think its more because they are between the ages of 16 and 18 and most of the prospects we rate start around 18-19 after they graduate high school. Next year Diaz and Minier should be up to Elizabethton and we will start talking more about them. 

 

I have a hard time rating prospects in the low minors so I tend to give preference to AA and AAA players before the A ballers and rookie leaguers.  Going to the Dominican League is just a little too far for me to be able to comprehend on a prospect list where I am not in the know on everyone. 

 

Thrylos,  I did want to say I thoroughly enjoyed reading your list.  Its well though out and I agree with most of it.  I do think Gordon is being rated a little higher than he should at this point.  The one I think could be higher is Burdi.  He is a future all star from what I keep seeing and reading.  Even if he is in the bullpen if he is that dominant he makes baseball games an 8 inning game instead of 9. 

Thanks! 

As far as Burdi goes, I said that he is the best RHRP in the Twins organization right now.  I should have said that he is the best reliever in the Twins' organization; period.  He is better than Perkins, IMO.  He was MLB-ready when they drafted him. I think though that the 9 players ranked before him have superstar potential, plus the value of a reliever is really lower than a position player or a top of the rotation starting pitcher.  That's why at 10...

As far as 18 and 19 year old players go, people have zero objections on ranking 18 and 19 year old (Rule 4) draft picks really high in those lists.   If 18 year old Gordon and 18 year old Stewart (Last season) make the list right after the draft, I see no reason that 18 year old Minier or 17 year old Diaz should not make a top 10 list because of age, other than people not knowing them

Why did Gonsalves only get 14 starts last year and 65 IP?  Was he hurt?  Or just because E Town starts late?

If he is healthy I think you could argue a jump up. 

Polanco is an excellent prospect, but if you have a 30 double 4 HR guy as your second best prospect - Your system isn't as deep as you thought.

Why did Gonsalves only get 14 starts last year and 65 IP?  Was he hurt?  Or just because E Town starts late?

 

If he is healthy I think you could argue a jump up. 

Indeed.  Rookie Leauges are short season and he was in extended spring training

Polanco is an excellent prospect, but if you have a 30 double 4 HR guy as your second best prospect - Your system isn't as deep as you thought.

HRs are not everything.  Polanco's floor as far as power goes, is Wade Boggs.  I think that Boggs or Tony Gwynn and I think that these guys did ok.   Line drive hitters like the 2 hall of famers mentioned and Polanco are more of doubles and triples vs home run power.   That is the type of his game.   I suspect that he will develop Mauer-like power.