Here is a look at the Opening Day roster of the Lookouts in some detail:
Starting Pitchers: DJ Baxendale, JO Berrios, Tyler Duffey, Greg Peavey, Alex Wimmers
JO Berrios is arguably the top starting pitcher prospect in the Twins organization. The righty from Puerto Rico was named the Twins minor league starting pitcher of the year in 2014. He made eight starts in New Britain and one in Rochester. Tyler Duffey pitched at three levels in 2014 and got a little better at each level. He could be the first starter promoted to Rochester if needed. Baxendale has struggled with injuries that last two seasons. If healthy, he has some very good stuff. Peavey was the Twins minor league Rule 5 draft pick this year from the New York Mets organization where he pitched in AA and AAA. Wimmers, the Twins first-round pick in 2010, pitched out of the bullpen in 2014, his first season after Tommy John surgery. He is going to be given an opportunity to start again in 2015.
Bullpen: Nick Burdi, Dallas Gallant, Cole Johnson, DJ Johnson, Zack Jones, Ryan O’Rourke (LHP), Jake Reed, Adrian Salcedo
This bullpen has the potential to be dominant. Nick Burdi was the Twins second-round pick in 2014 out of Louisville. He is known for his triple-digit fastball, but don’t forget that upper-80s slider that goes with it. Jake Reed was the Twins fifth-round pick last year out of Oregon. He dominated at Cedar Rapids and pitched very well in the Arizona Fall League. Because of it, he is skipping the Florida State League and jumping straight to AA. The same can be said for Dallas Gallant who was finally healthy late last year and dominant. Zack Jones missed most of last season with an aneurysm and blood clots, but he returned to the mound late in the Miracle’s playoff run and was hitting 97 mph again. He also pitched in the AFL. Adrian Salcedo participated in his first big league spring training this year. He throws hard. DJ Johnson was playing independent league ball at this time last year, but the righty with the mid-90s fastball was big for Ft. Myers late last year too. Cole Johnson struck out more than a batter an inning last year for New Britain. Lone left-hander Ryan O’Rourke is probably the only member of this bullpen who does not hit 94 mph (or more) regularly. He dominates left-handed bats. All of the right-handers averaged more than a strikeout per inning in 2014.
Catchers: Carlos Paulino, Stuart Turner
Turner is currently deemed the “Catcher of the Future” by many, and he will get the chance to make the majority of starts for the Lookouts. Known for his defense, he hit well in 2014 after a rough first month in Ft. Myers. Paulino comes to the Twins organization from the Pirates where he spent time in AA and AAA.
Infielders: Michael Gonzales, DJ Hicks, Heiker Meneses, Levi Michael, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Stephen Wickens
I can’t imagine many teams in baseball have two first baseman with the combined size of Michael Gonzales and Dalton Hicks. Gonzales is 6-6 and 264 pounds. He hit 12 home runs between Ft. Myers and New Britain. Hicks is listed at 6-5 and 257 pounds and hit 11 homers with the Miracle. When healthy, Levi Michael put together a very good 2014 season. He hit .305 in Ft. Myers before hitting .340 over the final month-plus at New Britain. Jorge Polanco got some time with the Twins last year, but he returns to AA where he finished the 2014 season. He hit .281 with the Rock Cats. Slugging Miguel Sano missed all of the 2014 season after having Tommy John surgery in March. He had 35 home runs between Ft. Myers and New Britain in 2013. Heiker Meneses was a 23-year-old minor league free agent signed by the Twins this offseason. He went to big league camp and will play all three infield spots for the Lookouts. Wickens is healthy again in 2015 and will play all over the infield and the outfield.
Outfielders: Byron Buxton, Travis Harrison, Max Kepler, Adam Brett Walker
Byron Buxton had a long, frustrating, injury-plagued 2014 season. He hurt both wrists and his season came to an end on the day of his Double-A debut after a collision in the outfield. Baseball’s top prospect (by many sources) returned to the AFL and hurt his finger, requiring surgery. He begins 2015 at Double-A, and like Sano, he’ll be looking to shake off some rust and get back to his 2013 level of performance. Walker has as much power as anyone in the organization – yes, including Miguel Sano. He needs to make more contact because when he does, he has the ability to hit a lot of extra-base hits. Kepler needs to get a full season of at-bats and stay healthy. He had a terrific showing in the Arizona Fall League in 2014. He could get time at first base too. Harrison didn’t show power in Ft. Myers, but he said he learned a lot about hitting from Doug Mientkiewicz. Expect him to hit more home runs in 2015 again.
Disabled List: Mason Melotakis (LHP – Tommy John), Jason Adam, BJ Hermsen (Tommy John), David Hurlbut (LHP – Shoulder), Matt Summers
Manager/Coaching Staff: Doug Mientkiewicz (MGR), Chad Allen (Hitting Coach), Stu Cliburn (Pitching Coach).
After accumulating a record of 161-113 in his two seasons in Ft. Myers, Doug Mientkiewicz is taking over duties as the manager in Chattanooga. He was a strong candidate for the open Twins managerial job this offseason. When Paul Molitor was named manager, Mientkiewicz was put in charge of this immensely talented Lookout roster. Chad Allen begins his third season as the Twins AA hitting coach. Stu Cliburn enters his 14
th
season as the Twins AA pitching coach (interrupted by three seasons as pitching coach in Rochester).
WHO ARE THE TOP PROSPECTS?
Twins Daily Prospects: #1 Byron Buxton, #2 Miguel Sano, #3 JO Berrios, #7 Jorge Polanco, #10 Nick Burdi, #12 Max Kepler, #14 Adam Brett Walker, #16 Tyler Duffey, #17 Stuart Turner, #18 Jake Reed, #19 Travis Harrison
Seth: #1 Byron Buxton, #2 Miguel Sano, #3 JO Berrios, #7 Jorge Polanco, #10 Nick Burdi, #13 Max Kepler, #14 Adam Brett Walker, #16 Tyler Duffey, #18 Jake Reed, #19 Stuart Turner, #23 Travis Harrison, #24 Zack Jones
Cody: #1 Byron Buxton, #2 Miguel Sano, #4 JO Berrios, #7 Jorge Polanco, #10 Nick Burdi, #12 Max Kepler, #14 Travis Harrison, #15 Stuart Turner, #16 Adam Brett Walker, #20 Tyler Duffey, #24 Jake Reed, #25 Zack Jones
Jeremy: #1 Byron Buxton, #2 JO Berrios, #3 Miguel Sano, #6 Jorge Polanco, #10 Nick Burdi, #12 Tyler Duffey, #13 Jake Reed, #14 Max Kepler, #16 Adam Brett Walker, #18 Stuart Turner, #21 Zack Jones, #25 Levi Michael, #27 Travis Harrison
*** If you didn’t get your copy of the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2015, be sure to order yours today. You can order a hardcopy or order an electronic copy for immediate download.
Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!
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