Article: Twins Minor League Report (7/19): Friday Night Lights

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2101-Twins-Minor-League-Report-(7-19)-Friday-Night-Lights

[howieramone1406390264]

Seth, let's make some assumptions. Buxton, Sano, Rosario, Meyer and May make it to Target Field sometime in 2014 and are no longer eligible for prospect status. The 2014 draft is roughly equal to the 2013 draft. Taking a WAG, do you feel our farm system would still rank in the 5-10 area?

[YourHouseIsMyHouse]

Virgil Vasquez can't even cut it as a AA filler. Get him out of the Twins organization for pete's sake.

[Joe A. Preusser]

Response to Howie:

 

That drops us to 10 at least. But on the plus side, out MLB club makes the playoffs in 2015.

[adjacent]

Thanks for the report. I have a question. What is the opinion with Aderlin Mejia?. I don't see him in any prospect lists, but I see he is a SS and since he joined the Miracle several months ago, he keeps hitting above .300, and providing a lot of offense. I am just looking at numbers, and I know they don't tell the whole story, but he looks good to me.

[Seth Stohs]

Seth, let's make some assumptions. Buxton, Sano, Rosario, Meyer and May make it to Target Field sometime in 2014 and are no longer eligible for prospect status. The 2014 draft is roughly equal to the 2013 draft. Taking a WAG, do you feel our farm system would still rank in the 5-10 area?

 

Tough question because you're taking out your #1 and 2 and 3 and 5 prospects, plus another top 10-12 type. Not only that, but four of them are in the top 50 in all of baseball with 2 in the top 5. It's hard to envision them being at the top still, but could still be in the upper half. Will depend on Stewart, Kepler, Polanco, and some others continuing to improve.

[Seth Stohs]

Virgil Vasquez can't even cut it as a AA filler. Get him out of the Twins organization for pete's sake.

 

He threw a complete game one-hitter in his last start... he was OK in his time with the Red Wings. He's filler, and that's all. He's keeping some of those Miracle starters from needing to be pushed beyond where they should be. I don't have a problem with having a couple of those guys around.

[Seth Stohs]

Thanks for the report. I have a question. What is the opinion with Aderlin Mejia?. I don't see him in any prospect lists, but I see he is a SS and since he joined the Miracle several months ago, he keeps hitting above .300, and providing a lot of offense. I am just looking at numbers, and I know they don't tell the whole story, but he looks good to me.

 

He's a guy I gets asked about here in the forums quite a bit. He's certainly opened eyes. I mean, when you start the season at EST and you're scheduled to go to the Appy League and you spend 2+ months "helping" the Miracle by hitting well over .300, you get noticed. He can play both middle infield positions. He can play all over. He's got speed. I'm told her can play SS and has enough range/arm.

[orangevening]

I know there was talk of promoting Sano before his struggles in AA. Any chance that Rosario gets September call up?

[strumdatjag]

If Rosario is the 2nd baseman of the future (I know too early). Consider that Dozier has played both 2nd Base and SS - Is Dozier then Utility Guy of the Future? Going further - If Miguel Sano is 3rd Baseman of the Future, then Is Trevor Plouffe the DH of the future, and a backup at third? Questions Questions Questions

[cmb0252]

I can't figure out for the life of me why they haven't promoted Walker. The story on him when he was drafted was he had huge raw power, which he has made it obvious the last 2 weeks, but might strike out too much. His strike outs look fine to me.

[Seth Stohs]

I know there was talk of promoting Sano before his struggles in AA. Any chance that Rosario gets September call up?

 

On Inside Twins with Phil Mackey on 1500espn this morning, Terry Ryan basically said that it was very unlikely. He doesn't need to be added to the 40 man roster and there are already enough tough decisions to make. He could move up to AAA by the end of the season though.

[Seth Stohs]

If Rosario is the 2nd baseman of the future (I know too early). Consider that Dozier has played both 2nd Base and SS - Is Dozier then Utility Guy of the Future? Going further - If Miguel Sano is 3rd Baseman of the Future, then Is Trevor Plouffe the DH of the future, and a backup at third? Questions Questions Questions

 

Only time will determine those answers. Dozier could be a utility guy since he can play all three spots. Plouffe could move over to 1B is needed. Either could be traded. The prospects may not make it, or stay at those positions. We'll see.

[Seth Stohs]

I can't figure out for the life of me why they haven't promoted Walker. The story on him when he was drafted was he had huge raw power, which he has made it obvious the last 2 weeks, but might strike out too much. His strike outs look fine to me.

 

Yeah, I can't really explain it either. He does need to control the strike zone better. His strikeouts aren't excessive, but he also rarely walks. He's solid defensively and has the huge power.

 

That said, Buxton needed to move, and I think JD Williams needed to be ahead of Walker on the pecking order as well. And then it's about a roster spot and letting people play.

[Jim H]

Quote from SETH

Yeah, I can't really explain it either. He does need to control the strike zone better. His strikeouts aren't excessive, but he also rarely walks. He's solid defensively and has the huge power.

 

That said, Buxton needed to move, and I think JD Williams needed to be ahead of Walker on the pecking order as well. And then it's about a roster spot and letting people play.

 

 

When people talk about why someone isn't promoted, well often you need to look at the bigger picture. Seth probably captured the reason here. Walker is doing well, but it isn't like he is dominating that much. Plus moving him up probably means moving someone else, probably a couple of someone elses. Occasionally, you can't get everyone exactly where they should be, ideally. Someone is a level too high or too low.

 

 

In many cases, just making sure the top prospects are playing everday is perhaps more important than getting everyone to exactly the right level. In this particular case, the difference between A- and A+ is probably not so great that it is imperative to move Walker up.

[lightfoot789]

Seth probably captured the reason here. Walker is doing well, but it isn't like he is dominating that much.

 

I do understand that promotions sometimes call for untimely movement. That beings said:

Walker leads the MW League or is in Top 3 of the league in:

*Home Runs 1st (20) - leads by 5 HRs

*RBI's 1st (83) - leads by 12 (with Hicks gone)

*Slug% 1st (.543)

*Total Bases 2nd

*OPS% 3rd (with players still in league)

*Runs 3rd (with players still in league)

 

What does Walker have to do to "dominate that much" in your mind? I agree he has things to work on as do all prospects, but the above stat line is more than impressive in my mind and justifies some possible re shuffling. He is on pace for 25+ HRs and 100+ RBI. How many prospects in the entire minor leagues will have those stats by years end?

[lightfoot789]

Oh yeah - I read that Walker was 40 for 41 in stolen bases in College and is 100% as a professional. He can always repeat High A again next year.

[Rosterman]

Seth, do a list and look at the guys the Twins have to consider adding to the 40-man roster. Who should get a September add, compared to a November, which restricts removal for free agents and such (you always like a few guys like Clete Thomas and Drew Butera that you can resign as MLFA on the roster).