Article: Minnesota Twins Top 50 Prospects: 26-30

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2432-Minnesota-Twins-Top-50-Prospects-26-30

[diehardtwinsfan]

The nice thing about the Twins system is that some of these guys would be top 20 in other systems. It's a deep system.

[Seth Stohs]

I think I would agree with that. Baxendale and Hicks possibly. The younger guys might be in this range just because of their youth and where they are so far.

[Shane Wahl]

I don't know. Looking briefly at MLB.com top 20 prospects, there seem to be at least several teams with a Landa or Rosario type pitcher in the 17, 18, 19, or 20 spots.

[Badsmerf]

I'm optimistic Baxendale can develop into a back of the rotation starter. Would be a great boost for the Twins.

[Seth Stohs]

What's intriguing about Baxendales is that he jus seems to know how to pitch. He's got four pitches that he throws from various angles, with movement. Smart and Competitive. He's got a chance, for sure.

[clutterheart]

Baxendale has a good fastball that reaches into the low-90s with movement

 

Is that based off game reports? I remember a prospect chat with Keith Law - I think - where he said Baxendale would be a upper round pick if he threw in the '90's. I tried to find the link but came up empty.

 

Are Landa and Rosario playing winterball?

[clutterheart]

I'm optimistic Baxendale can develop into a back of the rotation starter. Would be a great boost for the Twins.

 

The current Twins have screwed up my definition of "back of the rotation starter" Does that mean a 5 + era? Or does that mean a low 4 ERA, and pitch a lot of innings? My epxectations on this are all screwed up.

But the latter is my hope for Baxendale

[Seth Stohs]

Is that based off game reports? I remember a prospect chat with Keith Law - I think - where he said Baxendale would be a upper round pick if he threw in the '90's. I tried to find the link but came up empty.

 

Are Landa and Rosario playing winterball?

 

I'm told that Baxendale's 4-seamer is as high as 93. His two-seamer is probably 89-90. That's pretty normal.

 

I am sure that Landa is playing, though he'll likely pitch more in the Parallel league. Not sure on Rosario.

[Seth Stohs]

The current Twins have screwed up my definition of "back of the rotation starter" Does that mean a 5 + era? Or does that mean a low 4 ERA, and pitch a lot of innings? My epxectations on this are all screwed up.

But the latter is my hope for Baxendale

 

Well, League Average is an ERA right around 4, so I would think a #5 starter would have an ERA around 4.50 and eating a lot of innings would be great. So, I guess that would be my hope. Now, the Tigers top four are better than that, but I think that Porcello is closer to the latter. The Twins 3s and 4s and 5s have been closer to that 5+ ERA you reference, but obviously that's not some sort of guideline that they have for themselves. It's not what they're lookign for.

[Paul Pleiss]

I would have pushed Baxendale into the teens, but with such a deep system it'd be a hard sell. Also, arguing against Seth seems to be the wrong idea as far as Twins prospects are concerned.

[Seth Stohs]

I would have pushed Baxendale into the teens, but with such a deep system it'd be a hard sell. Also, arguing against Seth seems to be the wrong idea as far as Twins prospects are concerned.

 

isn't "arguing against Seth" kind of the purpose of creating a Top 50 prospects list? Hopefully it will get people thinking and everyone will want to make their own personal Top 20 or Top 30 or Top 50 list!

[TRex]

I know comparing a #30 ranking to a #27 ranking is like comparing two prospects Sickel's rates as C+, but since you actually put numbers on them... why do you like Landa better than Rosario? Landa is also listed at 6' even, and a lefty who throws 93-95 as a starter will almost certainly make it to the big leagues (if his shoulder holds up).

[Siehbiscuit]

I have the exact same question as TRex. Landa and Rosario are SO similar, what do you see that separates them? I would think teams value the lefty sligtly higher than the RH'er. Interested to hear your thoughts?

[Seth Stohs]

I mean, I could toss a coin. Reports I've got seen to make me lean slightly toward Landa, though obviously he'll have to improve his control. Generally, his stuff is said to be a little bit better. You guys make good points. Both have a long way to go and a lot of development to have a shot, but both have very good upside.

[stringer bell]

I saw Lee pitch in person at Cedar Rapids, and he got hammered. Lots of hard-hit balls. Shortly after he was put in the bullpen, but returned to pitch well late in the season.

[TRex]

Should we understand that to interpret that Landa has better secondary pitch(es)? If so, what is it and does it grade out as plus?

[drivlikejehu]

The homers Baxendale gave up at AA are a huge warning sign. He needs to get a lot better just to be a #5 starter, so his prospect value is pretty limited.

[Seth Stohs]

The homers Baxendale gave up at AA are a huge warning sign. He needs to get a lot better just to be a #5 starter, so his prospect value is pretty limited.

 

I would argue that 2014 is the big year to determine his prospect value. It's "normal" for successful college pitchers to struggle for the first time at AA. What he learned in his time there, his health, and how he adjusts will say a lot about what he will become. Most say 4th/5th starter upside, and that's likely true.

[old nurse]

Dalton Hicks. Long swing is mentioned. Will he be able to catch up to a major league fastball? See David McCarty's career.

[clutterheart]

The homers Baxendale gave up at AA are a huge warning sign. He needs to get a lot better just to be a #5 starter, so his prospect value is pretty limited.

 

Agree - also his lack of SO

If he is not striking guys out he needs to get his GB rate up there

[Seth Stohs]

Dalton Hicks. Long swing is mentioned. Will he be able to catch up to a major league fastball? See David McCarty's career.

 

To me, that is the big question with Hicks. Having seen him play 6 games this year, it certainly stood out. But, that's why he's in A ball... hopefully he can quicken it up a bit.