2016 Ft. Myers Miracle Roster Revealed

Nick Gordon is one of the best hitting prospect in the Twins system, but as it relates to this roster, it’s all about starting pitching. This team is loaded with high-ceiling starting pitcher prospects.

THE COACHING STAFF

Jeff Smith was the Miracle manager in 2008 and 2009. He then moved up to New Britain where he managed through the 2014 season. The Naples, FL, native returned to Southwest Florida last year to manage the Miracle again. Former long-time big leaguer Jim “Slice” Dwyer returns for his 11th season with the Miracle. He has been a hitting coach/coordinator in the Twins system since 1992. Henry Bonilla continues his progression through the Twins system as he moves up to the Miracle. He was with Cedar Rapids last year and with Elizabethton the two previous seasons.

THE ROSTER

The Miracle roster is comprised of a good mix of young, high-ceiling prospects, some minor league veterans and everything in between.

PROJECTED STARTING PITCHERS

1. RHP Kohl Stewart
   
2. LHP Stephen Gonsalves
   
3. RHP Felix Jorge
   
4. LHP Randy Rosario
   
5. RHP Keaton Steele
   
6. LHP Tyler Jay
   

Right now, LHP Lewis Thorpe is on the Miracle DL. He could return to the diamond as early as mid-May (though no date or timeline is established yet). He is included in the prospects mentioned below, but even without him listed above, that group of six starters is very talented. Despite his lack of strikeouts, many scouts still believe in the future of Kohl Stewart. It is great that he will get additional time in Ft. Myers to continue building. Gonsalves jumped up prospect rankings in 2015. He spent half of the season with the Miracle, and it’s possible that’s how long he’ll stick with the Miracle this year before promotion. Randy Rosario came back from Tommy John surgery last year and showed enough to be added to the 40-man roster. It’ll be good to see the step he takes forward in 2016. Felix Jorge was very consistent in 2015 in Cedar Rapids and earned the top defensive pitcher award in the Twins system last year. Keaton Steele quietly was terrific with the Kernels after moving up midway through the season. And 2015 top pick Tyler Jay begins his transition back to the starting rotation with the Miracle. Although he is not a big man, he is blessed with a big arm and a devastating slider. It will be interesting to see how many innings he goes (and starts he makes) before ending the season in a bullpen.

PROJECTED RELIEF PITCHERS

Right-Handers: Luke Bard, Raul Fernandez, Brian Gilbert, Trevor Hildenberger, Yorman Landa, Todd Van Steensel

Left-Handers: Luke Westphal

Hildenberger was our choice for Twins minor league relief pitcher of the year in 2015. The side-winding right-hander was tremendous in Cedar Rapids and then in Ft. Myers. Todd Van Steensel dominated the Florida State League in 2015. It’s purely a numbers game as to why he remains with the Miracle. Brian Gilbert is in his third season with the Miracle. Raul Fernandez is a newcomer to the organization. He was on the 40-man roster of the Rockies and White Sox over the last two seasons. Yorman Landa throws hard. He returned late last season with the Kernels and was added to the Twins 40-man roster. The lone left-hander on the roster is Wisconsinite Luke Westphal who made a lot of starts for the Miracle a year ago.

PROJECTED LINEUP

1. Tanner English CF (top defensive outfielder in the minor leagues, can get on base too)
   
2. Nick Gordon SS (Top 5 Twins prospect has great tools, added strength in offseason)
   
3. Alex Swim RF (Invited to MLB camp, Swim can hit for average, will catch too.)
   
4. TJ White 3B (Solid defense, strong, powerful hitter with great speed.)
   
5. Trey Vavra 1B (professional hitter missed ⅔ of last year with high-ankle injury, still led Kernels in HR in 2015.)
   
6. Alex Real DH (will play a lot at 1B and behind the plate.)
   
7. Edgar Corcino LF (A great athlete, Corcino plays strong defense and has some pop.)
   
8. Ryan Walker 2B (added 15-20 pounds this offseason. Great defense.)
   
9. Brian Navarreto C (he’s struggled with the bat, but his defense and arm can be elite.)
   

BENCH - Chad Christensen (LF, CF, RF, 1B, 3B), Austin Diemer (all 3 OF spots), Logan Wade (corner OF spots, 3B, 2B, 1B).

This lineup is full of guys who have the ability to play a variety of positions, and they likely will. Nick Gordon will play shortstop most every day. Tanner English will play in center most every day. Brian Navarreto will probably only catch. However, the rest of the lineup can and will play multiple positions.

THE PROSPECTS

Nick Gordon is the highest ranked prospect by most lists. However, looking at the starting rotation we find several others who are easily top 10 Twins prospects.

Here is a quick look at which Miracle players found their names in a variety of Twins prospect rankings and then which are in the national rankings.

Twins Prospect Rankings

Twins Daily Top 10: Gordon (4), Jay (5), Gonsalves (6), Stewart (9)

Seth Stohs Top 30: Gordon (4), Gonsalves (6), Jay (9), Stewart (11), Thorpe (13), Rosario (19), Jorge (22), Navarreto (29),

Jeremy Nygaard Top 30: Gordon (4), Jay (7), Stewart (8), Gonsalves (9), Thorpe (11), Jorge (18), Navarreto (21), Rosario (29)

Cody Christie Top 30: Gordon (4), Gonsalves (7), Stewart (8), Jay (9), Thorpe (12), Jorge (13), Hildenberger (22), Navarreto (26), Rosario (29)

Nick Nelson Top 10: Gordon (4), Gonsalves (5), Stewart (6), Jay (7)

Steve Buhr Top 15: Jay (5), Gonsalves (6), Gordon (7), Thorpe (11), Stewart (14)

Baseball America Top 31: Gordon (4), Jay (5), Stewart (8), Gonsalves (9), Thorpe (12), Rosario (22), Landa (23), Jorge (24), Hildenberger (27)

FanGraphs Top 25: Gordon (6), Jay (7), Gonsalves (9), Stewart (10), Thorpe (15)

Keith Law Top 20: Stewart (4), Jay (5), Gordon (7), Gonsalves (8), Thorpe (12), Landa (13),

John Sickels Top 20: Gordon (4), Jay (5), Gonsalves (7), Stewart (9), Thorpe (13),

Aaron Gleeman Top 40:Gordon (5), Jay (7), Gonsalves (8), Thorpe (11), Stewart (12), English (20), Hildenberger (25), Bard (26), Jorge (28), Landa (34)

Ted Schwerzler Top 15: Jay (3), Gordon (4), Gonsalves (6), Stewart (10), Thorpe (14)

MLB.com Top 30: Berrios (2), Kepler (3), Polanco (6), Walker (11), Meyer (12), Rogers (14)

Baseball Essentials Top 20: Gordon (2), Jay (4), Stewart (7), Gonsalves (8), Thorpe (14)

Miracle players in National Prospect Rankings

Baseball America: Gordon (53), Jay (80)

MLB.com: Jay (60), Gordon (91)

Baseball Prospectus: Gordon (62)

KATOH (FanGraphs): Gordon (82)

PREDICTIONS

First Hitter Promoted to Twins: 1.) TJ White, 2.) Ryan Walker

First Starting Pitcher Promoted to Twins: 1.) Kohl Stewart, 2.) Stephen Gonsalves

First Relief Pitcher Promoted to Twins: 1.) Trevor Hildenberger, 2.) Luke Bard

TWITTER FOLLOWS

Ft. Myers Miracle: @MiracleBaseball

Radio Voice:Brice Zimmerman @ZimGlish

Miracle Gameday: @MiracleGameDay

Beat Writer - News Press: @DavidADorsey

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!