Article: Minnesota Twins Top 50 Prospects: 21-25

[Seth Stohs]

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?r=2435-Minnesota-Twins-Top-50-Prospects-21-25

[Heimer]

Sulburan sounds like a Johan Santana. Good pick up by TR!

[Kwak]

One thing I've noticed about the pitchers--they haven't thrown very many innings. I fear their results are skewed because they are rarely tired nor spent long enough in a game for the opponents to "get a read" on them.

[Seth Stohs]

Sulburan sounds like a Johan Santana. Good pick up by TR!

 

The changeup is certainly interesting, and Santana wasn't a big guy either. Santana hit 94 earlier in his career, but a great changeup can make you a solid big leaguer.

[clutterheart]

milb.com has the name: Felix Jorge. Not Jorge Felix.

 

I assume you have him below a player like Gonsalves.

 

I see lot of prospect rankings keep players like Landa, Rosario and Jorge down yet elavate a guy like Gonsalves. All of them are teenagers, and Jorge has a longer track record than Gonsalves. Yet Gonsalves gets the higher ranking...I always wonder whats that about.

[B Richard]

Thanks for this Seth. Each new installment gives me something to look forward to.

 

Question: Is Felix Jorge's height (projectability?) the largest factor in his superior ranking to Landa and Rosario? Or does he just have better stuff and solid peripherals?

[Seth Stohs]

His actual name is Jorge Felix (according to multiple source, himself included).

 

He is said to have a little better stuff than the other two. He's also a little taller which right-or-wrong often means potential for more velocity.

[cmathewson]

milb.com has the name: Felix Jorge. Not Jorge Felix.

 

I assume you have him below a player like Gonsalves.

 

I see lot of prospect rankings keep players like Landa, Rosario and Jorge down yet elavate a guy like Gonsalves. All of them are teenagers, and Jorge has a longer track record than Gonsalves. Yet Gonsalves gets the higher ranking...I always wonder whats that about.

 

It's about upside. By my rating system, Gonsalves was the top high school lefthander in the 2013 draft, who only slipped because his coach was a dick and told scouts not to draft him. He also has the body of a future front-line starter. None of the E-Town guys do.

[Seth Stohs]

Yeah, I know some fans don't like cliches like downward plane, but it's an important piece to pitching, for sure. Gonsalves will show up on the list soon.

[Mike Sixel]

That list of arms is why I think dealing successful bullpen arms (when your team is bad) is a good idea. There are plenty of guys that could be good in the bullpen in the future, imo, if they move them to the pen sooner. As a player, it really makes sense if you are a marginal starter to move sooner, rather than later, to make some real money someday.

[DJL44]

There is a tendency on lists like these for the draft hype to influence the rankings and bump drafted players ahead of international signings. I think Seth has done a good job making sure it isn't just hype that drives the rankings. So far I think I'd just flip Wimmers and Turner and call it good.

[Seth Stohs]

There is a tendency on lists like these for the draft hype to influence the rankings and bump drafted players ahead of international signings. I think Seth has done a good job making sure it isn't just hype that drives the rankings. So far I think I'd just flip Wimmers and Turner and call it good.

 

To be frank, I'm sure I would flip-flop a few of them already based on good comments and discussion, but I've also received more scouting reports and have more information. A prospect list should always be in flux, in my opinion. Maybe not drastic change based on new information, but all information should be considered.

[Tibs]

Sulburan sounds like a Johan Santana. Good pick up by TR!

 

That's exactly what I was thinking. Santana wasn't exactly a big guy either, but I couldn't remember how hard each guy throws. I'm hoping I'm not making an irresponsible comparison.

[diehardtwinsfan]

That's exactly what I was thinking. Santana wasn't exactly a big guy either, but I couldn't remember how hard each guy throws. I'm hoping I'm not making an irresponsible comparison.

 

I don't think it's irresponsible to think of Johan when you hear the term "devastating changeup". Whether he develops to that level remains to be seen, but the upside is nice and very exciting.

 

And I'd add, for all the talk about the front office, the one thing Ryan has done exceptionally well is to mine prospects from other team's systems.

[cmathewson]

Pedro Hernandez has a great change-up. He got outrighted today, meaning no other team claimed him on waivers. Why? Because he has a below-average fastball. What made Johan so spectacular was the 94-mph fastball with sink, combined with the 78-mph change-up. Also, he had three major-league pitches. When the blister made the slider impossible, he became ordinary. When he had all three going, he dominated.

 

I know Sulburan throws harder than Hernandez. But he needs to have a three-pitch mix to be mentioned in the same discussion with Santana. And he needs to add a foot or movement or both to his fastball as well. He's young, so there's some hope. But if he had those things, he would be a top 10 prospect.

[Seth Stohs]

And that's why he's in the high-20s instead of the high-teens. Very well explained.

[Madre Dos]

Jorge has amazing velocity for 6'3" and 168#. They call him 6:00 because he is so tall and thin. I tried all summer to turn him into 6:15 without success. He is a great kid and his English got good enough this summer to be able to understand humor in English. I can't wait to see him in March.

 

 

Thanks for this Seth. Each new installment gives me something to look forward to.

 

Question: Is Felix Jorge's height (projectability?) the largest factor in his superior ranking to Landa and Rosario? Or does he just have better stuff and solid peripherals?

[clutterheart]

It's about upside. By my rating system, Gonsalves was the top high school lefthander in the 2013 draft, who only slipped because his coach was a dick and told scouts not to draft him. He also has the body of a future front-line starter. None of the E-Town guys do.

 

Don't get me wrong, I like Gonsalves, but the reports I read about Felix combined with the stats he is throwing up make me think he might be the better prospect.

But if both reach the level of Front Line No Hitter Every Night Ace Pitchers...well thats fine with me.

[gunnarthor]

Nice write up, Seth. I really like Felix. Hope he has a big jump next season.

[Seth Stohs]

Thanks! I would love to see him make a big jump up this list in 2014 too!! He's certainly a talent!

[mnfanforlife]

Jorge has amazing velocity for 6'3" and 168#. They call him 6:00 because he is so tall and thin. I tried all summer to turn him into 6:15 without success. He is a great kid and his English got good enough this summer to be able to understand humor in English. I can't wait to see him in March.

 

 

6 o'clock - - hilarious...i am going to use that one.

Thanks for the interesting tid-bits!

[mnfanforlife]

These five guys (Seth's 21-25) could all be major big-league contributors some day. At least, the potential is there for them.

 

And if the Twins 21-25 are loaded with that much potential....well geez. We should be good soon

[Jeff A]

What's wrong with Zack Jones in the AFL? I know, small sample size, but he's been pretty bad. Any idea what's up there?

[Seth Stohs]

I wouldn't read into it any more than Small Sample Size... That said, if you look at his walk rate during the season in Ft. Myers and his walk rate in just 5 innings in the AFL, you might find what his biggest issue is, certainly the reason he wasn't promoted to New Britain during the season.

 

He'll be fine.

[mnfanforlife]

agreed, Zach Jones is still really young, and even if he walks 4 per nine in the bigs...he will be an effective 1-inning guy.

[orangevening]

Waiting impatiently for 16-20. What's the ETA on them?

[Seth Stohs]

Waiting impatiently for 16-20. What's the ETA on them?

 

late tonight or early tomorrow morning.

[cschwagler]

How did we get our 24th best prospect for Butera? was he ever considered this high of a prospect?

[Shane Wahl]

How did we get our 24th best prospect for Butera? was he ever considered this high of a prospect?

 

The Dodgers are a team willing to do such a thing. There are teams like that. I think that trade is indicative of what is possible out there.

[TRex]

You guys do realize that, as a short lefty with a sore shoulder in low-A ball, he has about 1% chance of ever having a significant major league career? Would you rather find $100 bill on the sidewalk or a PowerBall ticket? And if you find a PowerBall ticket and I only find the $100 bill are you also going to dance and wave it in my face? What about the second time around?

 

This ended up coming out wrong, but what I really wanted to say is that you may not always want to trade for the longshot, high upside guy... either based upon situation (e.g. when you don't have a defensive-minded catcher on your staff of Cy Young hopefuls as LA did) or need (e.g. you need a guy who can give you some innings in the Majors right away).