Baseball America: Midseason Top 50 Prospects (5 Twins!)

[drjim]

I have no issue with the Stewart approach, for Stewart. He was a two sport guy, that did not concentrate on pitching. This should be a transition year for him. I think their approach makes sense (in terms of pitches per game, I have no idea if their approach on not using his slider much makes sense).

 

I agree that this works for Stewart. I think the first full year for a high school draftee is about building innings and getting used to taking a turn every 5 days (instead of every week). There is a reason that Stewart is still high on the BA/BP lists even without the huge k/9 number. Next year will be the moving year for him.

 

The interesting debate for me is to start him in the rotation in April and limit pitches per outing, or to hold him back in extended and start him if May/June and let him go full go. I think using the first approach for Stewart tells me he is on the fast track.

[beckmt]

This is very good for the Twins future. That is also why making trades for the right price could speed up the process. therefore Dozier should be front and center to be traded for the right deal. You can never have enough talent.

Twins probably will finish low enough this year to get one last high draft pick, that will also help.

[drjim]

Yep, I'm excited to see how he does in AA. Jason Parks at BP is having a chat and defended Berrios' delivery against KLaw:

Jason Parks on the Top 50: We have put eyes on him this season and movement wasn't an issue with his fastball. This is why seeing players in person is so vital when forming and propagating scouting opinion. Here's a good (free) report on Berrios from Jeff Moore: http://www.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_pit.php?reportid=105

http://www.baseballprospectus.com/chat/chat.php?chatId=1176&nocache=1404750495#new

 

I found it interesting that they have concerns about downward plane. That is the primary concern of Law. AA will be a great test for this.

[jay]

I have no issue with the Stewart approach, for Stewart. He was a two sport guy, that did not concentrate on pitching. This should be a transition year for him. I think their approach makes sense (in terms of pitches per game, I have no idea if their approach on not using his slider much makes sense).

 

Mike, I think the 'no sliders' thing is a myth at this point. From SD Buhr's interview with Kohl a few weeks ago:

 

Finally, there has been some concern among a segment of the fan base with regard to Stewart's modest strikeout rate this summer. He was asked how important strikeouts are to him.

 

“I don't know how important they are but it's a number that everybody's going to look at. That's the thing that me and Ivan are working on right now actually, because I've had a lot of guys where I want them. It's just about making that one pitch.

 

“I think I have those pitches that I need that get guys to strike out with. It's about throwing the slider in the right spot. It's not just about throwing the slider as hard as I can and getting guys out with it."

[halfchest]

It would be great if he was striking out closer to a guy per inning but other than that, good ERA, limiting home runs, good WHIP 2-1 GO/AO ratio. All with this being his first year in pro ball. While he's not making me excited that we have a future Ace, I'm not too disappointed either.

[diehardtwinsfan]

This is very good for the Twins future. That is also why making trades for the right price could speed up the process. therefore Dozier should be front and center to be traded for the right deal. You can never have enough talent.

Twins probably will finish low enough this year to get one last high draft pick, that will also help.

 

I guess I don't get this. Dozier has 3 or 4 more years of team control and a long term deal would probably buy out a year or two of FA. He's just starting his prime, which means we get him through that timeframe. He has a potential heir in Rosario, but he's not ready now and won't be ready next year. Next year should still be a pretty decent year for this team, so I don't see why he should be traded. Dozier fits in the future. I'd keep him.

[Badsmerf]

Who's taking about trading dozier now? I'm taking about trading him in a couple seasons when the middle infield talent is ready.

[righty8383]

I love KLAW, but I think he's punishing Berrios a bit too much for not being 6'4". Its impossible to know how much his downward plane (or lack thereof) will effect him down the road. If I'm reading his stats correctly, his fly ball rate has been pretty high in the FSL. So I wouldn't be surprised if tougher competition and less forgiving ball parks cause him to give up more HR's. Still, if he's able to keep striking out guys and not giving away walks, he could be one of those guys that succeeds despite being prone to the occasional HR.

[Mike Sixel]

Agreed, he could, but KLaw, rightly or wrongly, is talking odds and likelihood. What is mor likely, that years of outcome are true for Berrios, or that he is an outlier? I have no idea, but dismissing KLAW, like many here do, is an odd choice.

[Badsmerf]

Mike klaw is wrong often, as are many evaluators. Delmon young was once a top prospect, wrong. He has types of players he likes and berrios just doesn't fit his mold. He is right that it's possible to hold him back, but it's just as possible to not matter. Has klaw even seen him pitch?

[Vzltwins]

Surprised Vargas didn't get a mention. I know he is slowing down but watch him to pick back up again once he gets this little break from becoming a father! Congrats vargy on a great year so far. Your future is bright!!!

[diehardtwinsfan]

Who's taking about trading dozier now? I'm taking about trading him in a couple seasons when the middle infield talent is ready.

 

Ah, more sense. I can get behind that. I'd assume they'd do that with a lot of talent.