My Own Top 10

[Ncgo4]

First, I have very little inside baseball knowledge, and played only to the minor league level. I'm a huge fan and here's my take.

 

1. Miguel Sano. All the power in the world and most importantly, he has "It". What is "it"? In Sano's case it's a fire in the belly. His performance when he was tossed out of the game before he crossed home plate said it all. He just going to do it and don't get in the way.

 

2. Byron Buxton. He doesn't show the same fire as Sano, but he works hard and just does whatever it takes. Plus, he's got more talent than, perhaps, any one else in earth. Maybe he should be 1a.

 

3. Jose Berrios. Like a combination Sano and Buxton. Does all the right things and has all the talent on earth, just doesn't look right, I say, bull sh*t. Sort of like saying that Marilyn Monroe would have too many curves to be a movie star in today's world.

 

4. Nick Burdi. He pitched at 3 levels last year and no one has even hit a foul ball off of him yet. Well...maybe a few. I betcha he'll be our set-up guy by June and our close within 18 months. Blazing speed and a tough mind set.

 

5. Eddie Rosario. He's on the 40 man now so he can smoke all the dope he wants and they cannot test him. He'll be mellow and back in the groove. What Willie Nelson is to C & W, what Robert Parish was to the NBA, Rosario can be to MLB. And I don't care...the man can stroke.

 

6. Chih-Wei Hu. Why do people make up stuff about prospects and ignore results of those who don't fit the mold. He just keeps doing it and until someone stops him, he's in my top 6.

 

7. Kohl Stewart. The kid was really good last year, his first year of baseball only. For GOSH sake, it was the first year that he wasn't a football player first and the results were astounding. He's big, he's fast and he's a great athlete. I look at him and see Don Drysdale. Sorry, kids, I'm older than you.

 

8. Nick Gordon. Too early to tell what the upside is, but this may be the gift of last hear's draft. Hitting after Buxton and before Sano, he could be solid for 10 or 15 years.

 

9. Stuart Turner. He may be our long-term missing piece. Someone who can squat down, make sense when talking to a left handed pitcher (not as easy as it might sound), throw to 2nd base and hit his way out of a paper bag. I really have hopes for this kid.

 

10. Max Kepler. I don't know why. Someone had to be included and we did well with a Dutchman Last century. Why not a German thus century?

[brvama]

This was a fun read. Top 10 lists are fun and generally similar but I like your unique perspective. Especially like 6 & 9. Thanks.

[lightfoot789]

As we all get excited about the 7 near Ready for Prime Time Prospects ranked in the Twins Top 10 (Sano, Buxton, Meyer, Berrios, May, Rosario, Polanco), it is also important to remember what it was that excited us about 2014. {Santana (2014 #9 Twins Prospect) and Vargas (Non Top 10 Prospect in 2014)}

 

I know the above 7 have great make up and should help he Twins in the near future, but who will be the next Vargas and Santana's (non top 10 prospects) to help make us special? Will Someone new leapfrog the current top 10 like last season and excel despite their previous minor league limitations? Burdi, Graham, Kepler, Walker, Turner, Etc.............. Either way, the future is bright

[Seth Stohs]

Great read... I 100% agree that Sano has that "It Factor!" He's got tremendous charisma and media and fans will love him. 

 

Buxton is so much like Mauer, in all the good ways. He's supremely athletic, but he's also very quiet, very reserved. May not be real interesting in an interview, but who cares, he can play, offensively and defensively. 

 

Hu pitched really well at Cedar Rapids for 8-9 stars, which is very encouraging. 

[gunnarthor]

Certainly not my top 10 but it's an interesting top 10 and might be the top 10 simply based on ceiling.  I think, as a group, we probably under rate Burdi.

[nater79a]

As we all get excited about the 7 near Ready for Prime Time Prospects ranked in the Twins Top 10 (Sano, Buxton, Meyer, Berrios, May, Rosario, Polanco), it is also important to remember what it was that excited us about 2014. {Santana (2014 #9 Twins Prospect) and Vargas (Non Top 10 Prospect in 2014)}

 

I know the above 7 have great make up and should help he Twins in the near future, but who will be the next Vargas and Santana's (non top 10 prospects) to help make us special? Will Someone new leapfrog the current top 10 like last season and excel despite their previous minor league limitations? Burdi, Graham, Kepler, Walker, Turner, Etc.............. Either way, the future is bright

 

I think this year it will be the pitcher's turn. Burdi definitely will. The other two that could make the jump from outside the top 10 are Tyler Duffey and Jason Wheeler. Little easier for Wheeler since he's already on the 40-man.

[Halsey Hall]

Nice list.  I too expect a sleeper to emerge.  Except maybe you, as it could be Stuart Turner. 

[Guest]

 

In Sano's case it's a fire in the belly. His performance when he was tossed out of the game before he crossed home plate said it all. He just going to do it and don't get in the way.

Sano's competitive fire will be just as beneficial to the Twins as his enormous bat.  

 

Your "It Factor" comment triggers a memory for me of Torii Hunter 10 years ago.  I remember Torii running over AJ in the last of a four-game sweep of the pale Sox in what had been a tight division race.  Those Twins had the attitude that they were "just going to do it and don't get in the way."  Sure would like to see that kind of swagger back in MN!

[dxpavelka]

Nice list.  I too expect a sleeper to emerge.  Except maybe you, as it could be Stuart Turner.

By definition a guy can't be in your top 10 AND a sleeper.  Change the sleeper (probably not for this year) to Mitch Garver.  Added 55 points to his BA when going up a league and also hit 16 home runs.

[Monkeypaws]

Nice to see a different perspective - thnks

[bird]

Our 7th best prospect is the second coming of Don Drysdale. Not too shabby.

[lightfoot789]

I can see Turner as that surprise non top 10 to be called up and produce.  Duffy is another surprise possibility.  I expect the usual suspects to be usual suspects.