Article: Here's How The Experts Are Viewing Twins Prospects

[Mike Sixel]

 

If Gonsalves doesn't have impressive stuff, doesn't have velocity or spin, and has trouble throwing strikes how in the world does he have the numbers he has

 

The delta between AA and AAA is really big. The delta to the majors is really big. He could be the 200th best pitcher on the entire planet right now, and still be a AAA/AAAA/RP type, and not a starter in the majors. 

[FormerMinnasotan]

I thought Gonsalves had a lot of spin on his fastball. I recall reading an article on this last spring training. Was that article inaccurate? I don’t know. However I hope he continues to prove people wrong. Gonsalves might not have the “best stuff” but from what I have read he sure has pitchability and an advanced feel for pitching. Like all our pitching prospects I hope he is successful, but I understand that very few actually “make it” in the bigs.

[Thrylos]

 

Sleeping on LaMonte Wade is ridiculous. The guy will be good. After 127 PAs at Fort Myers in 2016 he posted an .805 OPS in Chatty in 2017. I don't care if the "ceiling" is 4th OF (it really isn't, but HOPEFULLY it is on the Twins for the next two years, right?).

 

On the other hand, he had a .763 OPS, .238 BA, and a real nasty concussion in the AFL.

 

The last part worries me the most about Wade, and unless I see solid contact and equally good strike zone judgement in 2018, I will be concerned.

 

Also, I would have a hard time ranking him ahead of Rooker, Kirilloff and Baddoo as far as OFs go.  Add a few pitchers, infielders, and it is hard for him to be a top 10 guy...  And that's before the concussion...

Edited January 30, 2018 by Thrylos

[TNTwinsFan]

On the other hand, he had a .763 OPS, .238 BA, and a real nasty concussion in the AFL.

 

The last part worries me the most about Wade, and unless I see solid contact and equally good strike zone judgement in 2018, I will be concerned.

 

Also, I would have a hard time ranking him ahead of Rooker, Kirilloff and Baddoo as far as OFs go.  Add a few pitchers, infielders, and it is hard for him to be a top 10 guy...  And that's before the concussion...

I think you nailed it. It was really his subpar performance in the AFL (super small sample size) that kinda left a bad taste in my mouth about him. And I couldn't agree more about ranking him above the guys you mentioned. I am really high on Rooker and think the kid may in fact be the system's 2nd best prospect behind Lewis. We'll see how Rooker does in getting his K/BB ratio improved this year; if he can walk 12-15% and K >20%, LOOK OUT!!!

[big dog]

MLB.com lists Wander Javier as one of "12 prospects who just missed the top 100", saying "Javier could shoot up the top shortstops list in a hurry."

 

https://www.mlb.com/news/12-prospects-who-just-missed-the-top-100-list/c-265553816