Article: Twins Organizational Depth Chart: Outfielders (Part 2)

[Linus]

This list combined with the Hicks news pretty much explains why we need a FA outfielder this off season for sure. It's pretty much a black hole even with Buxton in play

[USNMCPO]

FWIW, Hicks has been released by the Bravos de Margarita according to Berardino.

 

Can't be a good sign, but can't be the end of the world either.

His line was very much what we've come to expect from Hicks: .220/.381/.280.

According to his agent, he only planned to play this long because he is getting married I believe, but still....

[stringer bell]

Kepler has great tools and his "disappointing" 2014 doesn't look so bad with his strong finish in the FSL and now a good performance in the AFL. Walker has had great production, despite a low BA and OBP as he has advanced up the ladder in the Twins' system. He has excellent speed for someone his size, and a good arm. I don't think his future is as a DH.

 

I am hopeful that Rosario can recover his top prospect status by the conclusion of spring training. He has been successful in the AFL, and that is step one. If the Twins don't retain Schafer, I think Ortiz' chance of debuting with the Twins, maybe right out of spring training, is enhanced greatly. He's probably a fourth OF, but can play all three OF positions doesn't have any superior tools, but doesn't have any real weak areas either.

Edited November 14, 2014 by stringer bell

[DocBauer]

It surprises me that in AA ball we have two 28 year olds and one 31 year old free agent, and two AAA free agents are 29 and 30.  It sure seems like there should be more youth at this level.

 

Now, to be fair...A) a AAA club often has a couple older players to flesh out the roster, and hopefully give the parent club a little charge if someone becomes disabled, and this list looks more than a little but different had Buxton not been hurt most of the season and Rosario not gotten off to a late and disappointing start due to his suspension. You could even consider tossing Hicks in to the mix as well, had he not been rushed. 2014 might have been his rookie ML season, not a second disappointing one.

[Thegrin]

It surprises me that in AA ball we have two 28 year olds and one 31 year old free agent, and two AAA free agents are 29 and 30.  It sure seems like there should be more youth at this level. 

minor league fill ins. partly because of Rosario suspension & Buxton injury.

Their experience helps keep the kids in line

[Otto von Ballpark]

For perspective, the Tiger's best OVERALL prospect is Steven Moya, a lefty with massive power and a more massive hole in his swing versus LH pitching, and this guy would probably be the Twin's fifth-best OUTFIELD prospect, maybe on par with ABWIII and a lesser prospect than Max Kepler.

Who would be the four Twins OF prospects ahead of Moya?  Buxton I know, but I think Moya is pretty much in the next tier with the other Twins minor league OF.  For all of his flaws, keep in mind that most Twins prospects below Buxton/Sano have plenty of flaws too.  Also, Moya has already dominated a AA pitcher's league and even got a cup of coffee in MLB, and he's the same age as Walker and Rosario, and only a year older than Kepler. He's also beating Kepler/Rosario by quite a bit in AFL OPS this fall (and for all his lack of discipline, he has more walks in that league than Rosario).

 

Also, Moya is only the Tigers top prospect (by BA, at least) because they just graduated a BA top 25 guy younger than most of the above (Castellanos) and traded another BA Top 100 guy (Devon Travis).  I won't disagree that their system is weak, but then again, I don't think they've had a very good farm system in quite a while.  I don't think farm system rankings have a terribly high correlation with MLB wins.

[Otto von Ballpark]

I know AB Walker has OBP flaws, but when is the last time the Twins had a Prospect (ever)  to lead his respective leagues in HRs for each of his professional seasons:

2012  (14)  Appalachain League

2013  (27)  Midwest League

2014. (25)  Florida State League

Minor league counting stats, particularly split by league thus eliminating guys promoted midseason, are not necessarily great indicators of MLB success.

 

Walker is still a prospect, but the above is more trivia than anything else.

[dgwills]

Anyone who does not think Hicks is a bust at this point is delusional. Hitting is the hardest part of baseball. He does not have that. Never did. The fact that the has had any success at all says a lot about his work ethic and intelligence.

I'll give him credit for what he has done, but he is not a major league baseball player and never will be one.

[jokin]

 

 

  I don't think farm system rankings have a terribly high correlation with MLB wins.

 

 

And realist spycake bursts a few more illusory bubbles of hope. 

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

Who would be the four Twins OF prospects ahead of Moya?  Buxton I know, but I think Moya is pretty much in the next tier with the other Twins minor league OF.  For all of his flaws, keep in mind that most Twins prospects below Buxton/Sano have plenty of flaws too.  Also, Moya has already dominated a AA pitcher's league and even got a cup of coffee in MLB, and he's the same age as Walker and Rosario, and only a year older than Kepler. He's also beating Kepler/Rosario by quite a bit in AFL OPS this fall (and for all his lack of discipline, he has more walks in that league than Rosario).

 

Also, Moya is only the Tigers top prospect (by BA, at least) because they just graduated a BA top 25 guy younger than most of the above (Castellanos) and traded another BA Top 100 guy (Devon Travis).  I won't disagree that their system is weak, but then again, I don't think they've had a very good farm system in quite a while.  I don't think farm system rankings have a terribly high correlation with MLB wins.

Amen, I ranted about this a while back. MLB club wins in the future also factor in young talent already in the majors and also the amount of $ a team is willing to spend to fill holes in FA now and in the future. 

 

A good farm system helps, but it really is not a predictor of future MLB success by any means.

 

I just saw ESPN came out with their "future rankings," which factors in a multitude of variables, and I believe the Twins were ranked in the second half. Also, the Twins are about mid pack in 25 and under rankings, which also factor in an organizations MLB roster, and not just their minor league systems. 

 

I never understood the importance of ranking minor league systems, while ignoring the best young players in the league, who make it to the majors and gain experience early. Those guys have more influence on future success anyway.

[Molitor4manager]

h2oface:  I totally agree.  What are we doing wasting time with late 20's early 30-year old players in AA & AAA?

[Major League Ready]

I watched the AFL Championship game on TV today and Rosario was really impressive.  He went 4-5 with a HR, double and 2 singles.  The HR was blasted pretty good, the double was a bullet over the RFer's head, the two singles were right on the button up the middle and in his 5th at bat he scorched a line drive but right at the RFer. 

Edited November 16, 2014 by Major Leauge Ready