Article: My Top 50 (plus 1) Twins Prospects - August 1 Edition

[DaveW]

Lots of good feedback...

 

VodkaDave: Hicks needs to show power. That's the missing tool. #3-6, really, though, aren't separated by much.

 

 

I would argue that Hicks has shown power. He already has 10 HR this year, and his isop (.168) is the highest it has been since the GCL.

 

I doubt he will ever be a threat to hit 30, but at this point with his age and steady improvement there is no reason why he can't be a 20 HR threat. That IMO is good enough for the "power" tool.

 

Sorry not trying to nitpick to closely as a 55/60 are almost the same thing. I just think Hicks at this point settles in as an average CF at worst with the ceiling to be a better version of Span OBP, SLG, HR, FLD and SB wise.

[mlhouse]

Your rankings are incredibly optimistic. Of the players on the bottom half of your ratings, the odds of any of them reaching the majors in any capacity is limited at best. TO even have a 40 ranking is "Extreme".

[Mike Sixel]

I had hoped Morneau would be traded, so we could get a larger sample size on Parmalee this year. There are reasons to make trades beyond just what happens in that trade. Like last year (different sport alert), when the vikings continued to start a veteran RG, they knew they would cut (and who wasn't that good), instead of their rookie RG. sometimes, you need to see what you have, even if it costs you some games in an otherwise bad year. Plus I want the maximum amount of money available for FAs next year.

 

The top of this list is nice. I still think that they should consider dealing some OF (either MLB or MiLB) for some pitching. But, for some reason, prospect for prospect trades don't happen often. I am pretty optimistic about the future OF, with Sano at 1B or DH, and Kepler at 1B. I think they have a lot of arms that could be very good relief pitchers also. If they would let them slide into that role earlier, and promote them to the majors, they would have more money to buy FA types....

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

I love the Minier inclusion since I forgot him on my list. Very good work Jeremy.

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Never mind. I see reasons to why you did what you did. I do think Hauser may deserve an inclusion. Guiterrez, Thielbar, Tonkin, Hermsen, and Albers are too high. Minier and Mata are too low. I think Arcia should be "Low". You didn't give any prospects safe or low and I think Herrmann, Arcia, and Gibson would all be close to that.

[Monkeypaws]

Plus, their top starter candidates above A ball have issues.

[clutterheart]

Mata

 

Why is he so low? You think he will be in the bullpen? Id put him at a 55/high

[Jeremy Nygaard]

VodkaDave- I'm not gonna argue with you about Hicks, all of your points are extremely valid. He could be an average-above average major league center fielder if he stays on the Hunter/Span course. One thing that stuck out to me was that he was projected to be a middle-of-the-lineup hitter, but couldn't stick. His stuff can play as a leadoff guy, without a doubt, but if his hit/power tools both played up, he's a #3 hitter and that's even better.

 

mlhouse- The bottom have of the rankings are primarily guys ranked as having a CEILING as platoon or utility guys, not regulars. The risk is how likely they are to reach that ceiling, not how likely they are to make the majors. Reaching their ceiling of 45 means they might not even get a shot.

 

YHIMH- I would rank Revere as "safe". I would rank Parmelee, Dozier, Escobar as "low". What you see is essentially what you get. I think Arcia can get better yet. You don't see a lot of "safes" or "lows" league-wide because those prospect-types are getting a shot in the big leagues. We could argue the inclusion of relief pitchers completely. All of the Twins current bullpen came through (most of) the system as starters. I have Hermsen at his grade because I'm convinced he'll have a shot to show he's a 4/5 at the major league level. That's his ceiling, can he make it there?

 

clutter- Mata has one pitch right now so I think he'll be a bullpen guy. With one pitch, he can't be much more than a back-end guy. If one of his other pitches comes around, he moves up.

[Mchans24]

Justin Morneau per injury was a much better player than Mauer IMHO! So he would be a 75 in my mind and Mauer is much more of a 65-70 player because he lacks power

[Badsmerf]

So added flexibility adds to Herrmann's rating? I find that hard to swallow for a number of reasons. Why would he even play OF when the Twins should have much better options? His bat would profile as well below average. I just don't see the love is all.

 

My view of Hick's ceiling is Grady Sizemore, with a little less HR's. Thats why I'd rank him higher I guess.

 

Not too bad I guess. I'm excited to do a top 40 list on this site, since I think there would be much more participation. We start from the top, vote on it, then add one player to the pool of players and vote on the next spot down. Its an awesome winter killer. I wonder if RP will upload our previous lists to share with everyone here.