Article: Twins Daily Roundtable: Top Prospect Timelines

[Vanimal46]

Correct me if i'm wrong but doesn't he have a pretty solid changeup and curveball?

Not sure I haven't seen him pitch... His recap on Fangraphs mentioned he sits 89-91 with his FB and no plus offspeed pitch. So I asked that in hopes to get clarification from someone who's seen him pitch.

[laloesch]

 

Not sure I haven't seen him pitch... His recap on Fangraphs mentioned he sits 89-91 with his FB and no plus offspeed pitch. So I asked that in hopes to get clarification from someone who's seen him pitch.

 

Huh?  Baseball prospectus has a good write up on him and his offspeed stuff.

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_pit.php?reportid=496

 

[Vanimal46]

Huh? Baseball prospectus has a good write up on him and his offspeed stuff.

 

https://legacy.baseballprospectus.com/prospects/eyewitness_pit.php?reportid=496

From Fangraphs: #20 on top 30 Minnesota Twins prospects

 

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-30-prospects-minnesota-twins/

 

Littell is a tough evaluation for scouts. He has a maxed-out 6-foot-4 frame, has been traded twice in the last two years, sits 87-90 or 89-91 depending on when you see him but can reach back for a 93 or 94 occasionally, and doesn’t have a plus pitch or plus command. That would normally point to an organizational player who doesn’t project for a big-league career of any consequence, but Littell is now in Triple-A and keeps performing, figuring out ways to set up hitters and get them out.

 

His curveball flashes 55 at times, his changeup is average to a hair above, and he mixes in a slider against right-handers: the weapons are not overwhelming. Scouts will always question how effective he can be, and it’s likely that his big-league career is as a back-end starter barely surviving on guile and filling in as a long reliever at times. Because we don’t completely understand why Littell keeps performing, we’ll stick him here. [shrug emoji.]

Edited May 25, 2018 by Vanimal46

[Guest]

 

But, assuming he stays in the majors all season (e.g. he is a September call-up), there is no difference. He wouldn't use an option until (or if) they send him down next spring.

True, in that it wouldn't make a difference with regard to Gordon, himself. The difference is that if he's added during the season, someone currently on the 40 has to be dropped. That may not be a huge deal, assuming that there are some guys that you don't mind perhaps losing. But if they wait to add him later, there would be open spots created by players no longer under contract. 

[Mike Sixel]

True, in that it wouldn't make a difference with regard to Gordon, himself. The difference is that if he's added during the season, someone currently on the 40 has to be dropped. That may not be a huge deal, assuming that there are some guys that you don't mind perhaps losing. But if they wait to add him later, there would be open spots created by players no longer under contract.

They should know by then who they aren't protecting in the off season. I doubt it is an issue.

[Thrylos]

 

From Fangraphs: #20 on top 30 Minnesota Twins prospects

https://www.fangraphs.com/blogs/top-30-prospects-minnesota-twins/

Littell is a tough evaluation for scouts. He has a maxed-out 6-foot-4 frame, has been traded twice in the last two years, sits 87-90 or 89-91 depending on when you see him but can reach back for a 93 or 94 occasionally, and doesn’t have a plus pitch or plus command. That would normally point to an organizational player who doesn’t project for a big-league career of any consequence, but Littell is now in Triple-A and keeps performing, figuring out ways to set up hitters and get them out.

His curveball flashes 55 at times, his changeup is average to a hair above, and he mixes in a slider against right-handers: the weapons are not overwhelming. Scouts will always question how effective he can be, and it’s likely that his big-league career is as a back-end starter barely surviving on guile and filling in as a long reliever at times. Because we don’t completely understand why Littell keeps performing, we’ll stick him here. [shrug emoji.]

 

They are not quite correct.   Here is my write up on him from this year's prospect list:

 

Littell was listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds at high school, and gained an inch and 30 pounds as he grew. He has a two-seam fastball that sits at 89-91 and has a cutter like movement, a four-seamer that he throws at 92-93, which plays up because of high spin rate and advanced command. His main secondary offering is a true plus curveball. He also has an above average changeup that works well against LHBs.  Littell is a student of the game and he spends a lot of time in advanced preparation before each start studying the opponents' hitters, a practice that will serve him well in the bigs. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter with the possibility of seasons better than that.  A young Phil Hughes is a good comparable for Littell, as far as the size and type of pitcher he is, as well as his potential.

 

 

 

[ashbury]

True, in that it wouldn't make a difference with regard to Gordon, himself. The difference is that if he's added during the season, someone currently on the 40 has to be dropped. That may not be a huge deal, assuming that there are some guys that you don't mind perhaps losing. But if they wait to add him later, there would be open spots created by players no longer under contract. 

Well put. Among the "known unknowns" are whether the team is in contention for a playoff spot. As for the "unknown unknowns", injuries involving 60-day DL stints could open up 40-man spots early.

[Shane Wahl]

 

Yeah, but can he hit?

 

Wait, what is the age limit on prospect status?

[Mr. Brooks]

He's not a prospect, but I wonder if Brock Stassi could be called up in the near future ... but only if Mauer spends more time on the DL than expected. Stassi is a good fielding first baseman and spent some time with the Phillies last year. Not a youngster, but not yet over the hill either.

Brock Stassi has been released to make room for Carter.

[ashbury]

Brock Stassi has been released to make room for Carter.

I meant to post something, the past day or so, that it wouldn't be surprising to have Stassi request his release so that he can latch on with another organization where he'd have a better shot. Carter was the handwriting on the wall.