Article: Seth's Top 30 Minnesota Twins Prospects 2016

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kepler's stature reminds me of Von Hayes.

 

Hayes was just so skinny. As others have said, similar type of player. Kepler's just so much bigger and stronger, and I think he'll hit more homers, but of course, we shall see.

 

It's an old comp, but physically, Kepler looks so similar to Justin Morneau in so many ways. Kepler's probably a little bit bigger.

 

And yeah, if he can have that type of career, we'll all be thrilled.

[twinsfanstreif]

Reading this list is reminding me of how insanely deep our farm is even after graduating Sano and May. Any of those guys from 30-20 would be top 15 players in most systems, ABW and Stewart are probably top 5 players in most systems and Jay would be a top 3 player! That top 3 is crazy and I feel like all 3 of those guys could become all stars in their career at some point. Remember when Blackburn was our #1 overall prospect and Joe Benson was always top 3? I feel like both of those guys would be outside the top 10 now. We are lucky and while not all of these guys will make it I'm optimistic about our future

[bluechipper]

Very interesting that klaw has Quezada in his top 20, but Chargois was not mentioned.

[gunnarthor]

Nice list, Seth.

 

 

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

Mea culpa. I took a closer look at the Kepler photo Seth posted, and Kepler is clearly a guy who spends regular time in the weight room.

 

As spycake said, my impression of Kepler last September had been the 6'4" 205 guy who couldn't fill out a uniform, but looks like I wasn't paying attention close enough. He is impressive.

 

Too bad Sano is blocking him.

 

Photo of Max Kepler by William Parmeter

[Seth Stohs]

 

Reading this list is reminding me of how insanely deep our farm is even after graduating Sano and May. Any of those guys from 30-20 would be top 15 players in most systems, ABW and Stewart are probably top 5 players in most systems and Jay would be a top 3 player! That top 3 is crazy and I feel like all 3 of those guys could become all stars in their career at some point. Remember when Blackburn was our #1 overall prospect and Joe Benson was always top 3? I feel like both of those guys would be outside the top 10 now. We are lucky and while not all of these guys will make it I'm optimistic about our future

 

to be fair, it was Baseball America that ranked Blackburn #1... I had him at #19 in the Twins system and I think Gleeman had him in the low 20s.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Very interesting that klaw has Quezada in his top 20, but Chargois was not mentioned.

 

Yeah, his 11-19 is an interesting mix, maybe some guys he heard some good things about and wanted to include? 

[Thrylos]

I think that Palka and Walker are very similar players, they are the same age, but Palka was drafted a season later, thus one level down.  If anything Palka has a speed and D tool that Walker does not have.  I just don't understand Walker up there and Palka down there.  Not that different players.

 

Let's agree to disagree on Gordon (who has not had a .700 OPS as a pro) and Polanco, but that Jay rating I just don't get at all

[twinsfanstreif]

That's a huge disparity! My point though is we didn't really have crap back then, no wonder we went through so many years of rebuilding

to be fair, it was Baseball America that ranked Blackburn #1... I had him at #19 in the Twins system and I think Gleeman had him in the low 20s.

 

[Seth Stohs]

 

That's a huge disparity! My point though is we didn't really have crap back then, no wonder we went through so many years of rebuilding

 

Yeah... just so people know... my Top 4 Twins prospects that year (2008) were: 1.) Deolis Guerra, 2.) Tyler Robertson, 3.) Anthony Swarzak, 4.) Kevin Mulvey... at 5, I finally put Trevor Plouffe, 6, Ben Revere... So, yeah.

[Otto von Ballpark]

Yeah... just so people know... my Top 4 Twins prospects that year (2008) were: 1.) Deolis Guerra, 2.) Tyler Robertson, 3.) Anthony Swarzak, 4.) Kevin Mulvey... at 5, I finally put Trevor Plouffe, 6, Ben Revere... So, yeah.

Hmmm... maybe Blackburn at #1 wasn't so crazy after all!

[Seth Stohs]

 

Hmmm... maybe Blackburn at #1 wasn't so crazy after all!

 

Well he certainly was better than #19... ha!

[DocBauer]

One thing that strikes me is the overall depth of middle infield talent in the system. Now, if there was a comprehensive list only of keystone men in milb systems across baseball, I don't know if the Twins would rank first or last. But I do know that in a few shorts years we've gone from virtually nothing to some nice talent.

 

Dozier is an all star. Escobar has had a pair of really nice years, might actually be improving still, and gives a sense of peace about the SS position we haven't felt in some time. OK, so Santana can't play SS on a daily basis it appears; he can still play it, along with 2B, maybe 3B and the OF, and he still has offensive upside. (Don't let one down year totally replace the good year and the offering of potential)

 

Is Polanco going to settle down enough defensively to play ML SS? Strange question considering he was signed as a glove man with a questionable bat? Should he replace Dozier, (trade), if he can't play SS? Could he be valuable as trade material himself? Could be be anice outstanding utility player?

 

Can Michael play SS? At least well enough to be a quality utility type. Or, as some believe, (Thrylos), should he be the Dozier challenger? We keep expecting Gordon to be the next Twins SS, and very possibly a very good one...but...with any kind of decent bat and some muscle on his bones, is Vielma a stud in the making? Palacios and Javier? We've barely met the one and haven't been formally introduced to the other, and yet, both could be better than anyone mentioned to this point.

 

And just a couple seasons ago we were hoping Florimon could hit enough to keep his job we were so desperate for a solution.

[Seth Stohs]

There definely is some quality middle infield depth in the organization. Quality depth and just quality talent too. Polanco, Vielma, Gordon and Palacios are likely to be the full-season shortstops with Javier in the Dominican this year. 

 

Michael can play shortstop in the same vein that Brian Dozier can play shortstop.  He didn't look good in that half season a few years ago, but he can play the position. Michael would likely be the same. In other words, probably fine as a utility guy if he can hit. When healthy, he puts together some quality plate appearances and good OBP. He's got a little pop too. Not a Top 40 for me, but doesn't mean he can't play a role with the Twins at some point.