MLB.com's Top 100

[the_youngster]

As I am sure many of us know, mlb.com has been releasing their top ten prospects for each position over the last week or so. Buxton, Sano, and Meyer all received recognition in their respective positions, with Buxton being ranked as the best outfielder. The website however, briefly had a mix up and also showed where each prospect was in their top 100 list, which has yet to be announced. The mix up has since been taken down, but for a while you could click on the ranking and see the top 100 list in its entirety. It was different from the 2014 list (I compared them side to side) and had several pleasant surprises for Twins fans. Buxton was still ranked #1, followed by Bryant of the Cubs (on the 2014 rankings from the end of the season he was ranked 3). The Twins had a total of 6 players in the top 36 with Buxton, Sano, Meyer, Gordon, Berrios, and Stewart but no others in the rest of the list. The list hasn't been announced yet, but the fact that Berrios was listed as the 33rd best prospect in the game leads me to believe that this was indeed the 2015 list. Not groundbreaking stuff, but fun nonetheless and nice to see Berrios get such recognition. With the release of prospect rankings, its starting to feel like baseball is approaching.

[JB_Iowa]

I think the list gets released tomorrow,

 

Thanks for the preview,

 

 

Jose O. Berrios ‏@JOlaMaquina  · 5h5 hours ago 
I’m going to be tweeting during @MLBNetwork's Top 50 Prospects show for @MLB/@MLBPipeline, Friday at 9 pm ET. Join me by using #mlbpipeline.

[Seth Stohs]

On MLB Network right now, they are posting their choices for the Top 50 prospects in baseball. Their Top 100 list will be posted soon after the show is complete.

 

Twins on the list:

 

Kohl Stewart - 36

Nick Gordon - 33

JO Berrios - 32

Alex Meyer - 29

Miguel Sano - 11

Byron Buxton - 1 

 

The general comments on why Buxton remains #1? The tools are still the tools. He's the fastest guy on the list. May be the best hitter. Best outfield defender. Best outfield arm. Could be a 20-25 HR hitter and that's his worst tool.

 

When asked if they thought he would be in the big leagues in 2015, Jonathan Mayo said "No" and Jim Callis said, "Probably late in the year." 

 

Here is their complete Top 100 list... No Twins were between 36 and 100. Orlando Arcia (Oswaldo's brother) was the #88 prospect. He's a SS in the Brewers organization.

[maxisagod]

I'm glad the Twins have a top 6 players that seem to make every list, I just wish there was a diamond in the rough that started to shine bright. Buxton, Stewart, Gordon, and though further down Berrios were all 1st rounders. Myers was a 1st rounder we traded for using a 1st rounder. Sano was a top international prospect.  I get a bigger thrill out of the undrafted guys who make it or players who come from unusual places. the 3rd round and lower players. Don't get me wrong,  I'm glad  it looks like the Twins aren't missing high, just seems like a very similar story for the top of the system. 

[TKGuy]

I get excited when our 1st rounders produce, there have been some lean years in terms of contributions from 1st rounders.

[gunnarthor]

I'm glad the Twins have a top 6 players that seem to make every list, I just wish there was a diamond in the rough that started to shine bright. Buxton, Stewart, Gordon, and though further down Berrios were all 1st rounders. Myers was a 1st rounder we traded for using a 1st rounder. Sano was a top international prospect.  I get a bigger thrill out of the undrafted guys who make it or players who come from unusual places. the 3rd round and lower players. Don't get me wrong,  I'm glad  it looks like the Twins aren't missing high, just seems like a very similar story for the top of the system. 

They have a few diamond in the rough types.  Lewis Thorpe will be ranked a top 100 guy by a few places.  Hu is another pitcher to watch this year.  I think both Eddie Rosario and Stephen Gonsalves were 4th round picks.  All four of those guys could have big years for us. 

[maxisagod]

They have a few diamond in the rough types.  Lewis Thorpe will be ranked a top 100 guy by a few places.  Hu is another pitcher to watch this year.  I think both Eddie Rosario and Stephen Gonsalves were 4th round picks.  All four of those guys could have big years for us. 

And those are the guys I love to follow and root for the most.  3 of the 6 players,  the Twins got for losing a lot. A 4th for letting a future Batting champ go. Sano, is the only guy you can say the Twins out scouted/ paid for and he was a very well known amateur prospect. Now like Parker pointed out in his article, one of the big reasons the Twins are losing so much is because of how often the missed in their recent 1st round picks, that a a string of trades that didn't pan out. When the Thropes, Walkers, and Gonsalves make the list thats when I really get excited. 

[CwK]

Here's to hoping Max Murphy continues to impress.

[halfchest]

There are a lot of guys who are on the cusp of that list that have been mentioned like Polanco, Burdi, Rosario.  Then there are a couple guys who graduated this year in Vargas and Santana that would be no doubter top 100's, right?  Can't complain about having such a glut of top end talent and a lot of it being close to major league ready.  Change seems to be on the horizon even though we had a lost year from out two top prospects.  Last year was the first year I enjoyed watching the Twins despite their losing ways, there was some bright spots and some young talent.  I'm excited to see some of these top prospects contribute. 

[Seth Stohs]

6 in the top 36 is pretty awesome. I wish there were one or two between 37 and 100, but it's hard to argue since I know nothing about the other organizations. 

 

Six in the Top 6, three hitters and three pitchers... and four of the players have at least some chance of playing in the big leagues in 2015.

 

Kohl Stewart was probably better at Cedar Rapids in 2014 than JO Berrios was at the same level in 2013. There are some things to be very excited about!

 

And as others have mentioned, guys like Polanco, Rosario, Burdi were probably close. May, Vargas and Santana all showed well in 2014. 

 

Lots of reason for optimism at some point soon!

[diehardtwinsfan]

Santana might be a no doubter now after the season he had, but his minor league track record didn't indicate he'd preform this well.  He wasn't on many (if any at all) lists.  That said, I'm a bit surprised with 6 guys in the top 40 (wow), that there's nothing in the bottom 60.  I'd have thought Thorpe, Burdi, or Polanco in particular would have snuck in. 

 

As for long term, I think the neat thing here with this is that there are a number of guys who could be on this list next season depending on their year this year.  These include:  Thorpe, Polanco, Kepler, Gonsalves, Hu, Michael, Minier, Diaz, Murphy, Walker, and Rosario.  For these, one very good season at the level they are at (assuming most are promoted), and I suspect they will get lots of love.  They all have the tools and at least some track record of success. 

[JB_Iowa]

6 in the top 36 is pretty awesome. I wish there were one or two between 37 and 100, but it's hard to argue since I know nothing about the other organizations. 

 

This is what seemed so weird to me.  Who is #7 and where is he?

 

And once again, since I'm a curmudgeon, I'll remind everyone that while the prospect lists are fun, they are meaningless unless you're willing to trade them.  The only thing that matters is whst we see in MLB ball.