Ranking the Twins Top-5 Speed Tool Prospects: 2023

It's all great to speculate on prospects but we rarely get them past prospect.  If we do they are usually one eyelash away from a serious injury.

DaShawn Kiersey and Austin Martin were our top two base stealers last year. Can't really complain about anyone on this list. Didn't realize Ben Ross was this speedy. I'm going to have to pay attention to him this year.

Generally, guys who have speed play good defense. If these guys can get on base more often and their bat is decent (generally, this is what stops the speed guys from getting to MLB), you really have a player then.

Oh, and these guys better know how to bunt for hits (other than Lewis who has power). The rest should be our best bunters in the system.

Wait you left out Austin Martin who stole 35 bases at AA last yr and another 10 in the AFL. You also left Michael Helman off who stole 40 last yr at AAA. 

I'll believe the Twins will have a running game when I see it. Speed isn't what prevents the team from stealing bases (e.g. Buxton). While I don't like it, I don't think they are wrong either. A guy like Buxton, or great speed, is almost as likely to score from first on a good hit as from second. SBs are even less relevant for a team that isn't built for station to station offence. You're just as likely to be stranded on first after three bad outs than at third-- except on the rare occasion you make it to third with fewer than 2 outs and can tag up. Why risk the out at second, and an inning ending prematurely, from a SB, or in the Twins case, why risk the broken ankle? 

It'd be interesting where Martin lands. Although speed is essential for base stealing & defense, it's not everything. Instincts and the ability to catch the ball, plays a big part.

Also, no mention of Julien.  Isn't he supposed to have a lot of speed?

10 minutes ago, roger said:

Also, no mention of Julien.  Isn't he supposed to have a lot of speed?

He's not in the same speed category of the guys listed but more like the next tier of speed, one notch down. He had 19 SB's last year, playing with Austin Martin the entire season (Martin missed a month and still stole more than 30). If Martin got on base like Julien and was healthy the entire season, he would steal 50 bases. It's Julien's combo of decent speed with great OBP, good batting average and power, that has me excited.

10 hours ago, MABB1959 said:

It's all great to speculate on prospects but we rarely get them past prospect.  If we do they are usually one eyelash away from a serious injury.

I don't understand what this comment does to contribute to the conversation. Idk, maybe I'm just having a bad day.

I like the aspects of the speed game. Having guys that can steal bases can mean more than actually stealing bases.  The stolen base threat on first base means the defense having to hold the runner, thus opening up the right side of the infield.  The shortstop has to play closer to the bag if he is going to be the receiver of throws from the catcher.  It affects the pitcher's concentration, timing and pitch selection. And on defense, the faster guys tend to have more range, unless your name is Lonnie Smith.

1 hour ago, Devilsadvocate said:

I don't understand what this comment does to contribute to the conversation. Idk, maybe I'm just having a bad day.

Because the article is about prospects.  If you don’t like a reply just move on.  Don’t let it ruin your day.  

LOL....click on Hollands name/hyperlink!!!

Of course, raw speed and base stealing skills are not always the same thing.

Base stealing is a skill. A some point, some players (like, perhaps Buxton) will refrain from doing something they could probably do very well because it does have injury concerns.

Be interesting to see where it goes in 2023. I have monitored and the Twins have been threatened with at least one steal per spring training game. Most of the Twins steals have come from minor league players.

Julien and Martin would be the two biggies. Michael Helman also went 40/45 in stolen bases as an infielder/outfielder at two levels last season. The big thing is that the guy has to get on base.

Also, can argue having a guy like, say, Helman on the bench who could pinch run for the guy on second in the tenth to possibly take third before an out happens. Which ahs become a BIG apt of the game these days.

And, the topper, you still have to have a batting order to construct around the "base reunner." If he gets on abse, can the next guy advance him. Is the next guy a hitter that will allow the base runner to easily get to third.

On 3/23/2023 at 8:00 PM, MABB1959 said:

Because the article is about prospects.  If you don’t like a reply just move on.  Don’t let it ruin your day.  

Don't give yourself too much credit, my day was ruined before reading your comment. I just don't understand the idea of stating that not all prospects pan out and that injury can take place at any time. Both statements are correct but what's the point of stating something that everyone already knows for a fact? 

A joy governor? 

14 hours ago, Devilsadvocate said:

Don't give yourself too much credit, my day was ruined before reading your comment. I just don't understand the idea of stating that not all prospects pan out and that injury can take place at any time. Both statements are correct but what's the point of stating something that everyone already knows for a fact? 

I guess I feel like this is what we get year after year after year and we watch and wait and wait.  In just recent memory we got Polanco, a few years of Berrios and some but not enough from Buxton.  So excited for Lewis but not sure what will happen there.  Is there a top prospect I am forgetting about that is here and not often injured?

I love players with above average speed, not only the ability to steal bases, but running the base paths well, and in general being a disruptive influence for the opposing team. Hoping the Twins can utilize this skill with players (hello, Mr. Buxton!) that have this trait.