Article: Seth's Pre-Draft Twins Top 52 Prospects

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=1804-Seth-s-Pre-Draft-Twins-Top-52-Prospects

[Rick Niedermann]

This article made my day. Paints a bright future for the Twins. Though a few years away, I like our chances of finally finding long term middle infielders from the mix of Polanco, Santana, Goodrum and Michael. Only a few years ago Nate Roberts, Daniel Ortiz would be rated much higher. Shows you how much the minor leagues have improved. Still hoping Hermsen can turn it around following his injury and eventually be a 4/5 rotation guy or that Wimmers will follow Gibson to health and effectiveness. Exciting future for the Twins.

[bird]

It's always a pleasure to read your lists, Seth. Thank you.

[big dog]

Great to read about these intriguing players. Even with the inevitable injuries and failures there's enough talent to make the next few years really exciting.

[Mike Sixel]

Gibson has to be the top pitcher, he's the only one on the list we know with any certainty is actually a MLB starting pitcher. I get that others have more upside, but I would put him higher. I feel the same about Thielbar....the guy has already been good in the majors, he's got to be above other guys in A we know/think will be relievers.

 

There are clearly some hitters that could be promoted soon. I hope the guys you list get that opportunity. I'm tired of AAA being AAAA guys with no future, though I know that's how it can be for many teams.

 

The upside guys are exciting. Starting with Bill Smith's international signings, this minor league system has improved. Of course, you would expect that with the MLB being awful and getting high picks.

 

I really like that you still have Wimmers high. I'm still a believer that things can work out with him. It would be great if he was on the Gibson route (if a bit faster to come up). As usual, this is one of the highlights of the site to me. Great detail, great writing, really a great list.

[BCTwins]

How do you see Wimmers, your #16 prospect, fit into the rotation of the future? If Gibson is an ideal 2, does that mean Wimmers is an ideal 3/4? In any case, I'm just curious: with so much talk about the rotation, I often forget about this former 1st rounder.

[Boone]

Although he system is full of 2B prospects (Rosario and Polanco) and SS prospects who will probably have to play 2B for defensive reasons (Santana and Michael), it lacks a true SS prospect who as a good chance of making it to the majors (sorry Niko). Any chance that Mejia can fill that role? He has MI experience, a good portion of his starts have come at 3B which seems to indicate that he has a strong arm, and his base-stealing ability indicates that he has good speed which might mean he has good range.

[lightfoot789]

I love that 6 of the Top 15 prospects on this list are from Cedar Rapids. You also have to love the depth in the outfield with Buxton; Arcia; Kepler; Walker; & Ortiz; (not to mention Hicks already there). There are even more guys who I didn't mention who have a solid chance. Between that group - That OF position looks to be high quality for years to come. DO NOT take an outfielder in draft - No one is Buxton worthy in this years draft and we could use help in so many other position areas first. There are some sleeper Pitchers and Catchers on the board too.

[Gene Larkin Fan Club]

I love the info and I'm excited about the state the organization. Seems like we have a solid number of pitching prospects and may be able to draft the best players available rather than focus only on drafting pitchers who wouldn't likely be ready for the big club for a number of years anyway...

[Seth Stohs]

How do you see Wimmers, your #16 prospect, fit into the rotation of the future? If Gibson is an ideal 2, does that mean Wimmers is an ideal 3/4? In any case, I'm just curious: with so much talk about the rotation, I often forget about this former 1st rounder.

 

When he, like Gibson, was drafted late in the 2010 first round, Wimmers was said to be a #3 type. If not for the injury and Tommy John, he might already be here. yeah, he's a 3/4 if he comes back at 100% to what he was pre-injury.

[Seth Stohs]

Although he system is full of 2B prospects (Rosario and Polanco) and SS prospects who will probably have to play 2B for defensive reasons (Santana and Michael), it lacks a true SS prospect who as a good chance of making it to the majors (sorry Niko). Any chance that Mejia can fill that role? He has MI experience, a good portion of his starts have come at 3B which seems to indicate that he has a strong arm, and his base-stealing ability indicates that he has good speed which might mean he has good range.

 

I think Santana and Goodrum, and maybe even Polanco, could be big league SS. Mejia hasn't really played enough to know what his best position is. Even in the GCL, he's moved around a bit. And, he's already 21. He does have good speed and range, and can play SS. I just am not comfortable comparing him to Santana and Goodrum yet.

[bird]

mike wants wins, if you expect the Twins to have an improved farm system because they have had high picks for two years now, why didn't you expect the opposite after low picks for the eight previous years instead of ripping the Twins for being crappy at drafting? Isn't that a bit hypocritical on your part? You want it both ways, don't you?

 

And again, Bill Smith never got on a plane, sat through many ball games in the sweltering heat, and decided to sign Polanco. And he didn't decide to spend more money on international players. But I bet he was in the room for some of thoe conversations.

[mnfanforlife]

Great list! Thank you for ranking ZJones and Pinto in appropriate places. I also rank Polanco at #9....

1. Baxendale had a "rood" awakening?

2. Jones can touch 10?

3. way to be aggressive with Vargas

4. I agree Buxton is the #1 Twins prospect....but what Sano is doing is just ridiculous.

 

 

Again...awesome prospect list by someone who knows whats up

[IdahoPilgrim]

mike wants wins, if you expect the Twins to have an improved farm system because they have had high picks for two years now, why didn't you expect the opposite after low picks for the eight previous years instead of ripping the Twins for being crappy at drafting? Isn't that a bit hypocritical on your part? You want it both ways, don't you?

 

And again, Bill Smith never got on a plane, sat through many ball games in the sweltering heat, and decided to sign Polanco. And he didn't decide to spend more money on international players. But I bet he was in the room for some of thoe conversations.

 

Is this in response to his earlier post on this thread? I thought that was actually well written with good points.

[beckmt]

Nice to see some of the pitching is coming. Now for the next 2-3 years, we still need help there. Be interesting to see who is taken in the draft. SS does not seem so bad now, and Florimon and Escobar seem to be OK there.

[Twins Twerp]

What about last year's Dominican Signee Minier? Too soon to rank him. For the bonus he got you've got to think he could be a top 50 guy right, if not for the only fact that he got such a large bonus?

[DAM DC Twins Fans]

great article--interesting list of prospects--a little disappointed you didn't include Brett Lee but I guess his last 2 starts did that. Still think he has future at LH bullpen guy. Interesting how many of these guys are at Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers--will be fun watching them develop.

[beehles]

Any word on when some of these prospects will be seeing the field again: Kepler, Roberts, Bard? Thanks for the list Seth, a very fun read!

[Tired MN Fan]

I didn't see Liam Hendricks on the list. Is he no longer an option?

[johnnydakota]

I didn't see Liam Hendricks on the list. Is he no longer an option?

 

To many innings in the majors, to qualify perhaps?

[Seth Stohs]

What about last year's Dominican Signee Minier? Too soon to rank him. For the bonus he got you've got to think he could be a top 50 guy right, if not for the only fact that he got such a large bonus?

 

I mentioned him in the last paragraph. I'm not going to rank him until he plays in the states (which he most likely will do with the GCL team next month). But yes, his signing bonus gets him ranked pretty high... but obviously that signing bonus was based on some impressive tools which hopefully will present themselves!

[Seth Stohs]

I didn't see Liam Hendricks on the list. Is he no longer an option?

 

He's thrown 118.1 innings with the Twins.

[righty8383]

I mentioned him in the last paragraph. I'm not going to rank him until he plays in the states (which he most likely will do with the GCL team next month). But yes, his signing bonus gets him ranked pretty high... but obviously that signing bonus was based on some impressive tools which hopefully will present themselves!

 

Given his age, it seems likely he spends most, if not the whole year in the DSL

[maxisagod]

 

And again, Bill Smith never got on a plane, sat through many ball games in the sweltering heat, and decided to sign Polanco. And he didn't decide to spend more money on international players. But I bet he was in the room for some of thoe conversations.

 

That's not completely true. The Twins scouts did identified Kepler and Polanco and payed then highly. Bill Smith might be a more "in the room guy" for them. Sano on the other hand, was outside the Twins usually International budget by the point he was ready to sign. The story goes, Sano's agent called The Twins directly and told him his price, Smith said okay it but only if Sano's agent didn't use their bid to try to parlay it into a bigger bid from another team. Sano's agent honored their agreement (even though he got A LOT of flack from the Pirates for not giving them a chance to get in a final bid). So I give Bill Smith at least some credit on getting Sano. Part of Bill Smith current job with the Twins is improving relations with Latin America. So the Twins must think that was a positive part of his regime too.

[Badsmerf]

You have Felix Jorge really low IMO. I know he's still young and raw, but the kid has some nice upside. I hope he can pitch well enough to see Cedar Rapids this year... but that might be wishful thinking. I'd have him higher on my list based solely on upside.

[Seth Stohs]

Given his age, it seems likely he spends most, if not the whole year in the DSL

 

He certainly could. With Sano and Polanco, they had them begin play in the DSL and then when the GCL season started, they moved them there.

[rickyhawaii]

will be interesting to see what Malinowski will do this year. Sam Gibbons, Chi-Wei Hu, and Lewis Thorpe also.

[cmb0252]

Great work like always Seth. Having two guys that are legitimate #1 prospects in Buxton/Sano is exciting. Hopefully the Twins can steal another top prospect in this upcoming draft.

[SoCalTwinsfan]

A little surprised that Rogers is ranked ahead of Baxendale given that Baxendale was drafted ahead of Rogers and is a level ahead of him in the minors. Plus, Baxendale has had terrific numbers.

 

Also, seems like a high number of the top prospects weren't even in the system a year ago.

[Shane Wahl]

If some more people want to constuct such a list, I will compile them into a "super list" for TD.