Favorite Twins Prospect

[youngpadawan]

We all have. A player in the Twins system that we keep tabs on almost daily to see how they did. Some of us get to adopt them in the Adopt-A-Prospect event here on Twins Daily while most miss out because they are already picked by another member of TD.

 

A few years ago I found myself obsessing over Arcia in the short season leagues and I followed his development all the way to the majors. Next came Pinto. And lately I have really been pulling for Rosario. I became a fan when he was mashing with Sano in E-town and I will stick with him to the majors. There isn't any real common factor with the three that make me such a fan. I just like them because I do I guess.

 

Who is your favorite prospect and why? Past prospects that maybe didn't succeed or did?

[JB_Iowa]

Berrios -- because of his intensity and dedication.  His work ethic astonishes me.  I hope he beats the odds.

[USAFChief]

My all time favorite was Frankie Rodriguez. I was convinced he was a HOFer in waiting.

 

Perhaps that has influenced my current and long held mistrust of prospects.

[DocBauer]

A second for Berrios here. His stuff, his hard work and seeming bulldog mentality are just awesome.

 

It's funny, and a bit tragic, but when I reflect back over the years, the names that stick out to me are the ones that didn't make it. I was absolutely convinced that Steve Gasser was going to be an outstanding, stud SP for us. And in the OF, Davidson...I want to Mark?...was a quality defensive OF who could play all 3 spots, hit, and had a nice blend of power and speed. I thought he was one of those guys who might win a gold glove one day, but would just be solid in every offensive category. He got a shot, but just couldn't seem to put it all together.

[Bark's Lounge]

Derek Parks. That worked out well.

[nater79a]

A second for Berrios here. His stuff, his hard work and seeming bulldog mentality are just awesome.

 

It's funny, and a bit tragic, but when I reflect back over the years, the names that stick out to me are the ones that didn't make it. I was absolutely convinced that Steve Gasser was going to be an outstanding, stud SP for us. And in the OF, Davidson...I want to Mark?...was a quality defensive OF who could play all 3 spots, hit, and had a nice blend of power and speed. I thought he was one of those guys who might win a gold glove one day, but would just be solid in every offensive category. He got a shot, but just couldn't seem to put it all together.

 

Wasn't that circa 1985 or so... we had the 1-2 punch coming out of the draft; Jeff Bumgarner and Steve Gasser? Both could throw heat. But both flamed out.

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

The obvious answer in hindsight is Kirby Puckett. Was impossible not to like him from the word Go. Hustled every play and never saw a pitch he didn't like. 

[nicksaviking]

I was a Michael Restovich guy. Hunter and Jones were established in the OF with Restovich, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel and Brian Buchanon the options for RF. I was backing the worst of the possible horses it seems.

[maxisagod]

I was a Michael Restovich guy. Hunter and Jones were established in the OF with Restovich, Michael Cuddyer, Jason Kubel and Brian Buchanon the options for RF. I was backing the worst of the possible horses it seems.

 

At least you didn't back Mike Ryan. 31 home runs and 101 RBI in 2002 Triple A, could make you think Jones, Kielty, Moer and later Stewart were dispensable too.  

[TheLeviathan]

I'm all-in on Berrios too.  There is nothing more enjoyable for me than watching an elite pitcher work his magic and I think Berrios is our best chance to be that.

[ashbury]

Ever since Sidd Finch didn't make it I have tried to stay emotionally unattached to prospects, but with a gun to my head I suppose I'd be uncreative and opt for Buxton as the guy I check on the most.

[stringer bell]

My brother and I made a trip to Cedar Rapids in 2013.  I met a couple of players and then saw them in the spring in 2014.  After having met JO Berrios, I am certainly a fan.  I also shook hands with Mason Melotakis and follow him (not so much this year with the TJ surgery). 

[DocBauer]

Wasn't that circa 1985 or so... we had the 1-2 punch coming out of the draft; Jeff Bumgarner and Steve Gasser? Both could throw heat. But both flamed out.

Not that I want to make anyone feel worse, but we also added Nivens in the JC portion of the draft. And those three were added to a group of Wllie a Banks, Alan Sontag, Alan Newman and Park Pittman. If we got even a single win out of that group it had to be from Banks. Too depressing to even bother looking up the information.

[goulik]

My first favorite minor leaguer was Gene Larkin. When he came up as a rookie, I was sure he was going to be a long term fixture on the team. Recently I have been on the Arcia, Thielbar, Colabello and Buxton bandwagons.

 

Thielbar Is from my area so I didn't expect greatness and I jumped off the Colabello bandwagon before his breakout Spring '14... Thought he shoulda taken the jump overseas. I hope he refinds that Spring magic but I would be as surprised as I was last Spring.I still love Arcias passion and believe he will make a couple all star appearances before he's done.

 

I see Buxton as the next Puckett/Killebrew with an impact that will overshadow Mauer. Mauer is a great player, I just don't believe he is the same leader type as those two. Buxton has the work ethic and dedication to make it happen and soon. I dream of him leading us back to the World Series with Arcia barking at his side.

[diehardtwinsfan]

Cannot argue with Berrios, everything about him makes me hope he turns into a star.  Right now though, my favorite prospect would be Thorpe or Gonsalves.  Morneau would have been my favorite of all time (or at least since I've been following prospects).

[snarkerbarnyard]

I wanted to say Berrios for all of the reasons listed above, but for the sake of variety, I'll say Burdi. There's something about 3-digits that just puts a smile on my face. Man, I can't wait to see him up.

[Bark's Lounge]

Another group of prospects that brought a little bit of excitement were Rich Becker, Scott Stahoviak and Marty Cordova.

 

Obviously Cordova had an okay career and in 1996 Becker and Stahoviak had pretty good seasons at the plate for a Twins team that had a damn good offense but a historically bad pitching staff.

 

There was reason to believe that 1996 was a break through and I had a good amount of hope for Becker and Stahoviak going into the 1997 season, but they fell off the cliff of baseball careers and were soon to never be heard from again.

 

For me, that was a big disappointment.

[Paul Pleiss]

Does my favorite prospect have to be a prospect or can he just be a guy in the minors?

 

Can I still pick Aaron Hicks?

 

What about the recently retired Brian Dinkelman?

[goulik]

Does my favorite prospect have to be a prospect or can he just be a guy in the minors?

 

Can I still pick Aaron Hicks?

 

What about the recently retired Brian Dinkelman?

I actually rooted for Dinkelman just because of his name. Not the first or last prospect I liked. Merely because of name.

[lightfoot789]

If AB Walker can rank 1st or 2nd in Runs Scored for Chattanooga as well as average his usual 16 HRs & 61 RBI per 80 games (1/2 of a MLB season) - I think he will finally turn heads in the right direction.  

 

Walker will improve his K Rate this season just like he dropped it 10% in Cedar Rapids (2013) when he won the MWL MVP for the season.  He may never Walk a lot like Polanco doesn't nor Rosario, but he will have a more productive season in the eyes of the bloggers.  I have yet to hear the Twins speak badly of Walker however, and await their 2015 path for him.  Needless to say - My Favorite Prospect.  

 

Second favorite = Dalton DJ Hicks

 

Happy New Year

 

My 2015 resolution is to post a less bias perspective in 2015

[bird]

Hands down, my favorite prospect of all time, and mind you, I've followed them all since 1961, is AB Walker. Hands down.

 

My 2015 resolution is to keep lightfoot789 company in his lonely, lonely place. 

[Don't Feed the Greed Guy]

1. Berrios. Just because of his draft day video. (I don't know how to paste the link. This new TD site is a mystery to me. Tutorial?) Put that video in the encyclopedia/Wikipedia under "dreams coming true."

 

2. Denny Hocking. Watched him and Midre Cummings play at A Kenosha. That visit turned my attention to minor league ball.

 

3. A.J. Pettersen. He befriended my boys after a game in New Britain. It was late, outside the locker room. He gave two little boys his undivided attention.

[Major League Ready]

I can't pick just one.  Buxton and Sano, and Polanco because they have the potential to be perennial all stars.  Berrios, Meyer, and May because we are not going to contend unless we develop SPs.   AB Walker and Rosario because they could flame out or be great.  How do you pick just one?

[youngpadawan]

Love all the answers! I love hearing random names like Brian Dinkelman. I find myself often times cheering on the underdogs.

 

Berrios draft day video is amazing and I revisit it occasionally. I then watch other top prospects get drafted and note the complete 180 in reacts. Berrios seems to really realize the opportunity he has been given and is determined to make the most of it.

 

Aderlin Mejia is another player that I really pull for. Since his jump from EST to Ft. Myers.

[Ncgo4]

It's Miguel Sano, without question. I drove from Charlotte to Elizabeth to watch him play as a rookie and was not disappointed. He only had one hit in the game, but in BP put 4 in a row into orbit. When he was in the cage dang near every player on both teams stopped to watch him and absolutely every coach did. On one of his rockets two players on the visiting team high fived.

 

I hope he learns just a little bit of patience, because he really has the strength and potential to be a steroid free Bobby Bonds like hitter. When he leaves the circle and goes into the box the you can see the attitude of the guy on the mound absolutely change. Doesn't happen with many players.

 

Sano is the guy I'll plan trips home around the Twins schedule to see.

[Steve Lein]

I follow everybody, haha! But if I'm picking favorites out of those, I think they go in this order after this season:

 

1. Max Kepler

 

Love the uniqueness of his background. Still have the images and memories in my head of Spring Training a few season's ago, when he was playing with the Cedar Rapids roster early that included Miguel Sano, Eddie Rosario, and Kennys Vargas. I watched 3 games, and Kepler was the best player on the diamond in all of them. Line drive after line drive. Think he was like 8-11 with two doubles, a triple, and a couple walks in those games. His hitting and play stood out head and shoulders above everyone, including Sano, who I actually was disappointed with in what I saw then. Though pitchers were pretty much avoiding him.

 

Been waiting for Kepler to put it all together, and I think AA will be where he does this season.

 

2. Nick Burdi

 

I hope he's fast tracked, and am disappointed he didn't get a Non-roster invite to Spring Training. He is absolutely filthy.  The 3-pitch K you'll find in my Adopt-A-Prospect thread for him shows this: http://twinsdaily.com/topic/11821-nick-burdi-2014/

 

I still think he should have been placed at least in the FSL to start his pro-career last year (I would have put him in AA), so he could be playing for a MLB roster spot this spring, but whatever.

 

Wrote about him some when I went to Cedar Rapids this year too: http://twinsdaily.com/blog/15/entry-5310-color-me-and-joe-mauer-impressed-by-lewis-thorpe-and-nick-burdi/

 

He's the real deal, and I have zero doubts he's the next Twins closer. Sooner than you think.

 

3. Lewis Thorpe

 

Pretty much am on his bandwagon because of the same game I saw with Burdi, and the subsequent interview with him after. Great kid and fun interview. Extremely bummed about his injury. Many thought he could shoot up prospect lists with a good season, and he certainly did that as an 18 year old in the MWL in my opinion. Would probably be about #7 or #8 on a Top 10 list for me right now.

[Steve Lein]

And for nostalgia's sake, the first prospect of the Twins who really got me into following all of them, was Trevor Plouffe.

 

I was playing Shortstop back then for my Amateur team, and he was drafted to hopefully be the next big one for the Twins.

 

I was also kind of fascinated because this was probably the first year the MLB draft had live media coverage, on ESPN2 if I'm not mistaken. After the Twins drafted him in the first round they had a live via satellite interview with him, and I thought it was cool to see a guy excited to start a pro-career right out of high school, where I had been just a few years earlier. I was so jealous, haha!

 

Stuck with Plouffe through all his struggles because of this soft spot for him, and love that he's made it.

[James]

I actually rooted for Dinkelman just because of his name. Not the first or last prospect I liked. Merely because of name.

I did the exact same thing.  It's hard not to like Dinkelman.  It's just a great name.

 

I have to say that I'm extremely excited for a lot of the prospects the Twins have at the moment.  I brain wants me to say that my favorite is Sano, Buxton, Berrios, Thorpe or Meyer, but even if I am a huge fan of all of them, I have to say my favorite is:

 

Max Kepler

 

Maybe it's because I was a German minor in college, or that I've been to Germany a few times (especially in my teenage years) and I have a soft spot for the country.  But it's more than that.  I think it has more to do with being such a unique background for a baseball player.  I haven't even had a chance to see him play yet, but I'm really pulling for the guy.  

 

I also find myself trying to read up a lot on ABW II.  I guess he's kind of a favorite too.   Maybe a second favorite.