Sickels: End of 2016 Top 100 Prospects

[clutterheart]

 

I recall you telling us last season he wasn't even the best SS at Cedar Rapids. I don't feel your disclosure will cause any undue concern. 

 

Gordon has some problems with power, walks and he doesn't steal a lot of bases despite his speed.He is far from a perfect prospect and has some caution flags flying high.  

 

The good news is he is young for his level, doesn't seem overmatched at the plate and scouts who see him like his game/tools.  If he can play the position at an elite level he should be considered an elite prospect.  Next year when he is at AA as a 21 year old will be a very telling year for him.  

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

Gordon has the skills to be above average just about everywhere, but not necessarily stand out anywhere... now that could change as he ages, but that's still a very good player, especially at SS.

 

I've had time to think through this (the original topic) a bit more. I think the Twins system is a bit lacking at star power right now, as they graduated Sano, Buxton, Berrios, and Kepler. That's going to put them down a bit on lists.  I do think, however, that they are very strong in those depth prospects right now (think 100-250 range).  Lots of guys with the 'sleeper' tag really came out strong this year.  Another good year from guys like Wade, Garver, Javier, Aarez, Romero, Jorge, Blankenhorn, Ynoa, and Diaz would suddenly leave us with a lot more guys sitting on those top 100 lists.  Not all would make it, but the younger ones in particular if they continue to dominate much older talent will see themselves on it. 

[sthpstm]

 

In my preliminary Top 10 list, I have 6 hitters and four pitchers in the top 10.

Oh my, has Stewart really dropped so far as to be out of the top 10?

[gunnarthor]

 

Gordon has the skills to be above average just about everywhere, but not necessarily stand out anywhere... now that could change as he ages, but that's still a very good player, especially at SS.

 

I've had time to think through this (the original topic) a bit more. I think the Twins system is a bit lacking at star power right now, as they graduated Sano, Buxton, Berrios, and Kepler. That's going to put them down a bit on lists.  I do think, however, that they are very strong in those depth prospects right now (think 100-250 range).  Lots of guys with the 'sleeper' tag really came out strong this year.  Another good year from guys like Wade, Garver, Javier, Aarez, Romero, Jorge, Blankenhorn, Ynoa, and Diaz would suddenly leave us with a lot more guys sitting on those top 100 lists.  Not all would make it, but the younger ones in particular if they continue to dominate much older talent will see themselves on it. 

Yeah, I think that's kind of how I see it.  I think it was Jayson Parks who used to call elite prospects 'first level players' - that's guys like Buxton and Sano.  I think Gordon at short and Kiriloff (far away) can be first division players.  After that though, you have some solid depth.  

 

A guy like Blankenhorn isn't going to be a first division type but he could be a solid regular ML player.  A Cuddyer-type.  That's not bad.  And - as you say - the Twins seem to have a lot of guys that can fit into that level.  They really did have a bunch of solid years from a lot of players that weren't considered top 10 team prospects.  So it's still a solid system, even with the graduations.  Probably in the 10-13 range among teams.  

[Mike Sixel]

Why is the system drying up already? They've been terrible for 5 of the last 6 years? Shouldn't they be deep from all those early draft picks by now? I don't get it.

[gunnarthor]

 

Why is the system drying up already? They've been terrible for 5 of the last 6 years? Shouldn't they be deep from all those early draft picks by now? I don't get it.

Who said it's drying up?  I mean, the team has graduated on average 2-3 top 100 prospects per year for the last 4 seasons.  (Plus a number of non top 100 guys).  That'll affect most systems.  But the team still has darn nice depth, a few sleepers and some potential elite guys (I think Gordon qualifies, others don't).  

 

The other side of that coin is why have Hicks and Arcia bombed out, why isn't Gibson better, and how long do we have to wait before we can call Buxton and Berrios busts?

[Monkeypaws]

Well, hopefully they add a top 20, if not top 10 talent with the next #1 overall. What a nice present to give your new chief of baseball operations! Like a housewarming gift.

[markos]

 

Why is the system drying up already? They've been terrible for 5 of the last 6 years? Shouldn't they be deep from all those early draft picks by now? I don't get it.

Two thoughts...

 

1) As gunnarthor mentioned, the biggest problem is that they have graduated most (maybe all?) of their elite prospects. Buxton, Sano, Berrios are no longer in the minors, and they haven't had anyone of that caliber step up and replace them. Gordon, Jay and Gonsalves are all good, but there are good arguments for all three to be outside the top-50. But if you were to ignore top-50 prospects, I think the Twins stack up as well as any other organization. 

 

2) If there is a drying up, I think it is mostly because there is a gap right now in A and A+, particularly on the position player side. There are a few interesting prospects, but there isn't really anyone with the tools and performance that projects as a superstar. Personally, I think it's a side effect of spending too many top picks on college relievers over the past few years. 

[Guest]

Why is the system drying up already? They've been terrible for 5 of the last 6 years? Shouldn't they be deep from all those early draft picks by now? I don't get it.

Lots of drafting relievers and high floor, low ceiling players, as well as signing fewer high-end international free agents than many other teams. Also, little trading of veterans for prospects.

 

Edit: and passing on Benintendi.

[gunnarthor]

 

Lots of drafting relievers and high floor, low ceiling players, as well as signing fewer high-end international free agents than many other teams. Also, little trading of veterans for prospects.

Edit: and passing on Benintendi.

I won't argue the reliever thing but I'd nuance it a bit and say it's more focus on fireballers but whatever.  I disagree on the international FA stuff - they've done fine, it just takes a long time.  The 09 class just made the majors this year. 

 

As for Benintendi, the Twins were never really rumored to be on him.   The knock on him was that he was pretty much fully developed at draft time - not a lot of projection left.  He's small.  And the worry was that he'd be a tweener - not good enough for CF, not enough bat for the corners.  I think those were fair concerns. 

[Guest]

I won't argue the reliever thing but I'd nuance it a bit and say it's more focus on fireballers but whatever.  I disagree on the international FA stuff - they've done fine, it just takes a long time.  The 09 class just made the majors this year. 

 

As for Benintendi, the Twins were never really rumored to be on him.   The knock on him was that he was pretty much fully developed at draft time - not a lot of projection left.  He's small.  And the worry was that he'd be a tweener - not good enough for CF, not enough bat for the corners.  I think those were fair concerns.

 

The question is why there are no top rated players. Look at Sickels' top 30. The IFAs are from the last few years, not 2009. Whether or not their analysis on Benintendi was right, had they picked him, they'd have a top 10 player. There were and are plenty of concerns with the player they picked, also. Also look at the surprisingly high number of players on the list who have been traded. A rebuilding team should have traded more veterans in 2012-2015 to get players with a future.