CwK

Two months ago, I wrote an article here about who should be promoted. Well, four of those five on the list have been promoted, as well as two of the three of my honorable mentions. Well, I am back again to do an updated list. I decided to write this one before I head off to school to work on my Master’s because I likely won’t have much time when that time comes.
 
Honorable Mentions:
Johan Quezada, RP, Elizabethton
Tyler Benninghoff, SP, GCL Twins
Anthony Escobar, SP, DSL Twins
Todd Van Steensel, RP, Chattanooga
 
5. Janigson Villalobos, C, GCL Twins
 
Villalobos was traded to the Twins earlier this season from San Diego in a deal that saw Minnesota say goodbye to Phil Hughes and a draft pick. In his first three seasons, he has improved dramatically, and he has made his biggest jump this year. In 56 at-bats this season in the Gulf Coast League, he has a slash line of .339/.413/.429. Only four of his 19 hits have been for extra bases, so hopefully that comes around for him. He does have a solid eye at the plate, as he has walked seven times in his 56 at-bats and has only struck out nine times (yes, I said that in an Ed Rooney voice). Having turned 21 a few months ago, he may have figured a few things out and a trip to Elizabethton could be in order. I mean, it makes sense, too. Ben Rodriguez was promoted to Fort Myers and Ryan Jeffers to Cedar Rapids. It makes logical sense that someone like Villalobos could take Jeffers’ roster spot in Tennessee.
 
4.. Bailey Ober, SP, Cedar Rapids
 
Ober’s stats do not ‘wow’ you over the entire season, but he has been lights out his past three starts (and really good over his last seven). The 23-year-old has an ERA of 3.88, but while that may not seem impressive, it certainly is considering how his 2018 started. His season got off to a rocky start, allowing six runs on five hits in 2/3 of an inning in a 10-5 loss to Burlington in late April. In his first three starts, he allowed 14 runs in 9.2 innings, as well as at least four runs in five of his first six starts. But since, he has only allowed eight runs in previous seven starts combined, and four of those came in a 7-4 win over Burlington last month. Since the calendar turned to June, he is 6-1 with an ERA of 1.58, slicing his season ERA from 7.86 to 3.88. His opponents batting average also went down from .339 to .252, and his WHIP went down from 1.59 to an impressive 1.08. In his last three starts, he has turned it up a notch, allowing just one run in 21.2 innings (0.42 ERA), while striking out a whopping 34. I don’t know if he will be promoted just yet, but if he has another few starts like he has had recently, there is no choice but to promote him. Last week, former teammate Bryan Sammons was promoted from Cedar Rapids to Fort Myers. Ober could be next, maybe taking over a spot left by Tyler Wells, who I believe will move up to Double-A Chattanooga shortly.
 
3. Robby Rinn, 1B, Cedar Rapids
 
Rinn is an older prospect, and I normally don’t put them on this list, but he has been mashing for the Kernels. The 25-year-old was in Fort Myers for six games earlier this year, but was then returned to Cedar Rapids, where he has had 169 at-bats. In the 43 games he has played with the Kernels, he has hit .314 and has a real nice OPS of .826. Being an older prospect in a low level like Low-A, Rinn should be able to perform well, and he has done just that. Rinn, who was a 25th round pick by the Kansas City Royals in 2016, was traded by the Royals to the Twins in March. In 322 at-bats for the Idaho Falls Chukars (Rookie) last year, Rinn had a slash line of .355/.429/.511. With Rinn turning 26 in October, he needs to be challenged and he can platoon with Lewin Diaz in High-A Fort Myers. It also makes sense for the Twins, as he can be replaced on the team by 2018 eighth round pick Chris Williams, who has a slash line of .271/.380/.551 for the Elizabethton Twins.
 
2. Tyler Wells, SP, Fort Myers
 
All Tyler Wells has done since being drafted is dominate. Since being drafted in 15th round by the Twins in 2016, he had his worst year in Elizabethton after being drafted....and he went 5-2 with an ERA of 3.23 and a WHIP of 1.20. Following a successful stint in Cedar Rapids in 2017, Wells has had his best season in 2018. In 15 starts for the High-A Fort Myers Miracle, the Cal State Bernardino product has gone 7-4 with an ERA of 2.97 and a WHIP of an incredible 0.93. Like Rinn, he is also is a bit of an older prospect, as he turns 24 next month. He has slumped a little in July, just going 0-1 with an ERA of nearly five this month. But this comes on the heels of a great June, in which he went 4-0 with an ERA of just 1.63. Unlike many of the pitchers in the Twins organization, Wells does not have control problems, having just walked 16 in 78.2 innings so far this season. He should be promoted sometime late this year, which would create a roster spot for Ober to move to Fort Myers.
 
1. Victor Heredia, C/1B, DSL Twins
 
There is a very real possibility you have never heard of this slugger from Venezuela. Well, he has used the Dominican Summer League as his personal launching pad. Heredia did decent last season as a 16 and 17-year-old, slashing .257/.356/.351. But he has turned it up a level this season. In 36 games, Heredia, who just turned 18 last month, has a slash line of .366/.404/.611. Of his 48 hits, 18 have been for extra bases. Last season, he was listed as a catcher, but he has played first base this season. He has the ability to do both, much like Ben Rodrguez, who was recently promoted to Fort Myers. After having a real nice June, having a batting average of .300 and an OPS of .867, he has gone into Terminator Mode. Since the calendar turned to the seventh month of the year, Heredia has a slash line of .466/.492/.759. Heredia has 10 extra base hits in his 58 at-bats in the month as well. Even as a right-handed hitter, he has shown to hit right-handed pitching better than lefties. In 82 at-bats against righties, the Venezuela native has a slash line of .391/.426/.685. There is nothing left to prove down in the Dominican Summer League. If they want to utilize him as a catcher, he can take the spot on the GCL Twins left by Villalobos, who I think should be promotoed soon. The Ryan Jeffers/Ben Rodriguez promotions could send help lead Heredia to the United States before the season ends.
 
As always, feel free to critique and add who you feel should be promoted by the end of the 2018 season.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
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You can find the introductory segment in this series, including my criteria for eligibility to be a prospect and the list of the 2016 top 40 players who graduated as prospects or are not in the system, here. Here is my 2016 Twins off-season top 40 prospects list (summary of 1-40) for reference.
 
This is the countdown for players ranked 51-55th in the system. You can find players 56-60 here, players 51-55 here, 46-50 here, 41-45 here, 36-40 here, 31-35 here, 26-30 here and all segments in the series here.
 
25. Jake Reed (16)
DOB: 9/29/1992; Age: 24
Positions: RHP
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round in 2014
Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AAA (2016)
ETA: 2017
 
Jake Reed was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2014 draft from the University of Oregon as a Junior. The Tuscon, AZ native was a starter both of his first collegiate seasons and was converted to a closer in his junior season where he excelled pitching in 31 games (37 IP), striking out 34 (8.3 K/9), walking 15 (3.7 BB/9) finishing with 1.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13 saves. He continued the season in Elizabethton where he over-matched the opposition (4 G, 6 IP, 8 K, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SV) to a degree that the Twins moved him all the way to A level Cedar Rapids where he appeared in 16 games, pitching 25 innings with 31 K (11.2 K/9, 34.4 K%), 3 BB (1.1 BB/9, 31.1 K-BB%), for a 0.36 ERA, 1.48 FIP, 0.52 WHIP (.182 BABIP), and 5 saves. Were that not enough, the Twins send him to the Arizona Fall League his first professional season, where among family and friends he pitched in 10 games for another 12-2/3 innings with good results also (10 K, 7.1 K/9, 20.0 K%, 3 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 14 K-BB%, 2.05 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, .270 BABIP. So between all of his stops from Oregon to Tennessee to Iowa and to Arizona, in 2014 Reed pitched 61 games and 80-2/3 innings, a load that seems appropriate for a major league level reliever, but hardly for a first year professional, but Reed responded. His strikeouts were down and walks up in Arizona, but that was more than expected from a pitcher who was overused by they usually cautious Twins. In 2015 the Twins had Reed skip the high A Fort Myers and play all the way up to AA Chattanooga in his second season as a pro after a first season that was overused with the expected results: Reed tanked. He appeared in 35 games, pitching 47 innings, striking out 39 (7.5 K/9, 17.6%) and walking (career high 4.0 BB/9, and career low 8.1 K-BB% ), with a 6.32 ERA (inflated by a very low 50.1 LOB%), 4.20 FIP, 1.62 WHIP (.340 BABIP). To salvage his season in the begining of August Reed was sent to Fort Myers where we pitched better, finding his control, but not his strikeouts (9 G, 12-1/3 IP, 7 K, 5.1 K/9, 16.3 K%, 1 BB, 0.7 BB/9, 13.9 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 0.73 WHIP, .229 BABIP). To add to the 44 games and 59-1/3 innings, the Twins re-sent him to the AFL after the season where the appeared in 10 more games for a total of 10-2/3 innings (season totals 54 games, 70 innings), pitching well (10 K, 8.4 K/9, 25.6 K%, 4 BB, 3.4 BB/9, 15.4 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .240 BABIP). He again started last season in Chattanooga, with better results (41 G, 60 IP, 64 K, 9.6 K/9, 25.6 K%, 22 BB, 3.3 BB/9, 16.8 K-BB%, 3.90 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, .314 BABIP). He moved to Rochester for the final 9 games of the season doing well (9 G, 10-2/3 IP, 8 K, 6.7 K/9, 19.1 K%, 2 BB, 1.7 BB/9, 14.3 K-BB%, 3.90 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .258 BABIP.) For the season Reed pitched in 50 games for 70-2/3 innings.
 
Overused his first season and rushed both his first two seasons, Reed turned from an elite reliever to a below average to an above average reliever who has been a workhorse in the pen, already carrying MLB-level loads and more, each of his first professional seasons. He has a plus fastball that sits from 93-95, an above average slider that flashes plus, and an average to above average change up. Reed has a problem with left hand hitters (.256 OBA in Chattanooga in 2016) which might limit him to a 7th inning reliever. The dilemma the Twins have is that with rushing him and not allowing him to develop an effective pitch against lefties, like a changeup, they have been grooming him for that role. They can potentially slow him down, allowing him to develop that third pitch, and solve his wildness problems, to potentially be a set-up type of pitcher.
 
Likely 2017 path: Depends on the Twins' plans: either AA to develop a third pitch, or AAA with a potential call to the majors, depending on performance and needs.
 
24. Akil Baddoo (--)
DOB: 8/16/1992; Age: 18
Positions: OF
Bats: L, Throws: L
Height: 5'11", Weight: 185 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016
Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/GCL (2016)
ETA: 2020+
 
Akil Baddoo was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft from Salem (GA) High School. Baddoo did not turn 18 until after his first professional season at GLC. He had a very hard time making the transition to a wooden bat (.178/.299/.271, 36 K for 28.3 K%, and 18 BB in 128 PA.) He flashed speed both on the bases 8/9 SB, 2 triples and on the field where he is fast as a centerfielder, but needs to learn taking better routes to the ball. He has a quick bat and soft hands. Baddoo is a project. But he is a potential 5 tool player, thus his ranking. He is still growing but has a good frame, so power both with the bat and throwing could very well come.
 
Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training and then repeating GCL
 
23. Felix Jorge (20)
DOB: 1/2/1994; Age: 23
Positions: RHP
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'2", Weight: 170 lbs
Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2011
Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: AA (2016)
ETA: 2018
 
Felix Jorge was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on February 21, 2011. The Santiago native received an $250,000 bonus and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League the following summer. He has been moving along the Twins organization, about a step a season, until 2014 where he had major issues in Cedar Rapids and had to return in Elizabetheton. He started 2015 again in Cedar Rapids and was the Kernels' best pitcher, pitching 23 games (22 GS) a team tops 142 IP, had 32 BB (2.03 BB/9, 14.6 K-BB%) and 114 Ks (7.3 K/9 and 20.3% K,) for a 2.79 ERA, 3.54 FIP, and 1.056 WHIP (2.67 BABIP). Last season he started in the Miracle rotation where he has the best results of his career: 14 GS, 93 IP, 77 K (7.5 K/9, 21.6 K%), 11 BB (1.1 BB/9, 18.5 K-BB%), 1.55 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .280 BABIP. He moved to AA Chatanooga in July and fell a bit flat, especially as far as strikeouts go: 11 GS, 74-1/3 IP, 32 K (3.8 K/9, 10.7 K%), 12 BB (1.5 BB/9, 6.7 K-BB%), 4.12 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, .307 BABIP. Jorge's effectiveness has decreased in the second half both of last season, which might indicate that his decline in AA might have been the result of low endurance, in addition to facing better competition.
 
Jorge came in the organization as a 16 year old with a rare 3 above average pitch mix. He has a low 90s fastball that maxes at 93 with good downward movement, which the hitters have a hard time picking up. Above average slurvy curveball and change up. He commands all three pitches well, has good control and he mixes pitches well. One might see his 2016 results in Fort Myers and think that Jorge had a break-through season, but his biggest issue surfaced again: endurance. He does have mid-rotation potential, but time will tell whether he will have the endurance to be in a major league rotation or the pen.
 
Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation
 
22. LaMonte Wade (31)
DOB: 1/1/1994; Age: 23
Positions: OF
Bats: L, Throws: L
Height: 6'1", Weight: 189 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 9th round in 2015
Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A+ (2016)
ETA: 2018
 
LaMonte Wade was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2015 draft from the University of Maryland as a Junior. The Baltimore native hit .335/.453/.468 in his Junior season with 30 walks and 20 strikeouts in 42 games (158 AB). He continued to his first pro season in Elizabethton, where he hit .312/.432/.506 in 64 games (284 PAs) with 8 doubles, 5 triples, 8 HRs, 12/13 SBs, 46 BB and 34 K. He played 4 more games in Cedar Rapids. He started 2016 in Cedar Rapids where he hit .280/.410/.396, walking 44 times and striking out 27. He also had 4 HRs, 3 3B and was 5/8 in SB in 56 games. He was promoted to A+ Fort Myers in June after was was named a starting outfielder in the 2016 Midwest League All-Star game. There he improved hitting .318/.386/.518 in 32 games (110 ABs) despite losing most of August in the disabled list.
 
Quick wrists, excellent eye, decent power and speed, very good Centerfield play and hitting and throwing as a lefty have had some people drawing Denard Span comparisons. However the truth of the matter is that Span has less power, speed, and strike zone judgement than Wade and has never had a season like Wade's 2015 or 2016. It will be interesting to see how Wade's hitting will stand against better and better competition, but he has a very high ceiling. With Buxton, Granite, and English ahead of him at the majors, AAA, and AA, Wade might potentially move to a corner spot, but his defense is as good as any of the three. There has been some discussion on moving him to second base; however throwing left-handed might put an end to that thought.
 
Likely 2017 path: Will start the season as the starting Centerfielder for Fort Myers.
 
21. Justin Haley (--)
DOB: 6/16/1994; Age: 25
Positions: RHP
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'5", Weight: 230 lbs
Acquired: Rule 5 draft, 2016
Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2016)
ETA: 2017
 
Justin Haley was selected by the Twins in the 2016 Rule 5 draft from the Boston Red Sox who drafted him in the 6th round of the 2012 draft from Fresno State University as a Junior. The Sacramento native pitched in 22 games (12 starts) for 93-1/3 innings, striking out 94 (9.1 K/9) and walking 39 (3.8 BB/9) with a 7-4 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He started his professional career at short season A New York Penn League Lowell's rotation, and has been moving steadily in the Red Sox' organization reaching AA Portland in late July of 2014, spending a disappointing season there in 2015 (27 GS, 130-1/3 IP, 95 K, 6.9 K/9, 17.2 K%, 50 BB, 3.6 BB/9, 8.1 K-BB%, 5.15 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.55 WHIP, .343 BABIP), and beginning last season. Last season he was very much improved (12 GS, 61-1/3 IP, 59 K, 8.7 K/9, 24.1 K%, 19 BB, 2.8 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%, 2.20 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, .293 BABIP). He was promoted to AAA Pawtucket in June where he continued pitching well with a slight drop in strikeouts (14 GS, 85-1/3 IP, 67 K, 7.1 K/9, 19.8 K%, 26 BB, 2.7 BB/9, 12.1 K-BB%, 3.59 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, .264 BABIP). After the season was over he started 5 games in the Winter Dominican League, pitching 23-2/3 innings with 14 K, 4 BB, 0.68 WHIP and 0.38 ERA.
 
Haley is a polished pitcher with a big body and a lot of endurance; he has a mix of 4 pitches. His fastball is above average at 90-92 and has touched 95 with good downward movement, average command, and occasional control issues. Average to above average changeup at 80-82 mph, above average slider that occasionally flashes plus and a slow 12-6 curve that he uses very sporadically and is a work in progress. He has bottom of the rotation potential; however his stuff might play better in the pen and become a late inning reliever.
 
 
Likely 2017 path: Will start the season in the Twins' pen.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
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You can find the introductory segment in this series, including my criteria for eligibility to be a prospect and the list of the 2016 top 40 players who graduated as prospects or are not in the system, here. Here is my 2016 Twins off-season top 40 prospects list (summary of 1-40) for reference.
 
This is the countdown for players ranked 51-55th in the system. You can find players 56-60 here and all segments in the series here.
 
55. Cody Stashak (--)
DOB: 6/4/1994; Age: 22
Positions: RHP
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'2", Weight: 169 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 13th round in 2015
Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A+ (2016)
ETA: 2019
 
Cody Stashak was drafted by the Twins in the 13th round of the 2015 draft from St. Johns University. The New Jersey native majored in Criminology and St. John's was his second College, transfering there in 2015 from Cumberland (NJ) County (Junior) College, where he was a two way player, starting pitcher and outfielder. His pitching record was 16-5 with a 2.92 ERA, including 7 complete games and 130 Ks in 129-1/3 innings. He was very good as a position player as well, hitting .359 with 23 2B, 7 3B, 7 HR, and 91 RBI in 104 games, helping his team reach number 1 in national NJCAA Division III ranking and second in the 2014 NJCAA Division III World Series. In St. Johns he made 16 starts (85-2/3 IP), struck out 69 (7.3 K/9) and walked 24 (2.9 BB/9), ending up with a 3.57 ERA and 1.21 WHIP. He begun his professional career at Elizabethton in 2015, where he started 10 games (44-2/3 IP), struck out 53 (10.7 K/9, 29% K%) and walked 11 (2.2 BB/9, 23 K-BB%) and finished with a 5-2 record, 3.43 ERA, 3.18 FIP, and 1.119 WHIP (.310 BABIP). He begun last season at EST and moved up to A Midwest League Cedar Rapids where he appeared in 18 games (17 starts and a 4 IP relief appearance) pitching 105-1/3 innings, striking out 80 (6.8 K/9, 18.8 K%) walking 30 (2.6 BB/9, 11.8 K-BB%), finishing with a 3.16 ERA, 3.39 WHIP and 1.139 WHIP (.279 BABIP). He was promoted to the A+ Florida State League Fort Myers in August where he pitched 3 games for 16-2/3 innings, with 10K and 3 BB, 0.54 ERA, 2.59 FIP, 0.960 WHIP (.260 BABIP), before going to the disable list with "shoulder discomfort" for the rest of the season.
 
Shoulder injury whose severity is unknown aside, Stashak has been a very steady pitcher, pitching several innings (130-1/3 in 2015 between College and Rookie ball and 122 in 2016 before his injury) with good results. The strikeout to walk ratio, other that his short Elizabethton stint in 2015, is a tad lower than optimal, allowing more contact than necessary, which combined with the fact that he is a fly ball pitcher (about 2 fly outs per ground out) make one worry whether Stashak will have success in higher levels of professional ball. He throws an above average 88-92 mph fastball that he commands well complements with an above average curveball. He has been also working on a changeup and a slider/cutter. Stashak is a player who can move though a system fast if a couple of his pitches develop to a plus level and his control improve. As mentioned previously the shoulder is a concern.
 
Likely 2017 Path: Starting the season with Fort Myers Miracle, pending his shoulder health.
 
54. Tyler Wells (--)
DOB: 8/26/1994; Age: 22
Positions: RHP
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'8", Weight: 265 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 15th round in 2016
Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016)
ETA: 2020
 
Tyler Wells was drafted by the Twins in the 15th round of the 2016 draft from California State San Bernandino. The California native was a starter there for 3 seasons, pitching in 38 games (35 starts) for a total of 204 innings, striking out 191 (8.4 K/9), walking 90 (4.0 K/9), with a 3.84 ERA and 1.37 WHIP. His last (junior) season he had better results (2.84 ERA and 1.22 WHIP in 15 games, 92 IP) while his peripherals remained pretty much constant (8.7 K/9 and 3.7 BB/9) which indicates that he got a better feel in pitching. He continued as a pro to Elizabethton where he started 10 games (47-1/3 IP), striking out 59 (11.2 K/9, 29.2 K%) and walking 17 (3.2 BB/9, 20.8% K-BB%) finishing with a 3.23 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.20 WHIP (.328 BABIP). In total 2016 has been a good year for Wells, starting 25 games for 149-1/3 IP between college and rookie league. Wells is a very durable starter and has the physique of a football lineman. As a high school senior he was listed at 6'7" and 212 lbs. At San Bernandino he grew an inch and filled up his frame to 265 lbs, without being overweight.
 
As a collegiate his strikeouts were in bursts. He had games where his strike outs were in double digits and games where there were few. His results in Elizabethton show a gleam of hope that he can consistently keep his strikeout high by getting a better feel for his stuff from start to start. His mechanics are very good and consistent for his size and there is a lot of potential for improvement of his pitches, which in combination with his durability, makes Wells an interesting prospect
 
Likely 2017 Path: Starting the season with Cedar Rapids
 
53. Zander Wiel (--)
DOB: 1/11/1994; Age: 24
Positions: 1B
Bats: R, Throws: R
Height: 6'3", Weight: 232 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 12th round in 2015
Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2016)
ETA: 2019
 
Zander Wiel was drafted by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2015 draft from Vanderbilt University. The Tennessee native had an excellent last season there in 2015 highlighted by a .316/.406/.571 slash line and 15 HR in 275 AB (18.3 AB/HR). Making the transition to a wooden bat is sometimes tricky for power hitters, but Wiel hit .265/.323/.494 with 5 HR in 83 AB (16.6 AB/HR) at the Cape Code League the previous summer, so it seems that his power would translate in the professional level. He played 16 games (36 AB) in Elizabethton last season and his first small sample of professional baseball was not stellar (.194/.333/.333 ; 1 HR and missed most of the season with an injured wrist due to a HBP) but inconclusive. He played the full 2016 season in A League Cedar Rapids. He played for 128 games (501) and hit .259/.336/.459 with 19 HRs (26.4 AB/HR.) He started 123 of those games at 1B where he made 17 errors.
 
Wiel has power which is his best tool, but is not quite elite like Kennys Vargas (14.0 AB/HR at the same level,) Miguel Sano (16.3 AB/HR at the same level), or Adam Brett Walker (18.8 AB/HR at the same level.) His fielding is a work in process. The critical component for Wiel will be the amount of progress he makes making contact. His batting average (.259) is pretty similar to what he had at the Cape Cod league (.265), which means that there might still be an adjustment period to the wooden bat. His strikeouts (22%) are not bad for a power hitter and they were better than his highly regarded (but 3 years younger) teammate Travis Blackenhorn's (27.5%.) There is a lot of potential here, but improvements in power, contact, and fielding need to be made for already 24-year old Wiel to realize it.
 
Likely 2017 Path: Opening day first baseman with Fort Myers.
 
52. Andrew Vasquez (--)
DOB: 9/14/1994; Age: 23
Positions: LHP
Bats: S, Throws: L
Height: 6'5", Weight: 210 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 32nd round in 2015
Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2016)
ETA: 2019
 
 
Andrew Vasquez was drafted by the Twins in the 32nd round of the 2015 draft from Westmont College where he transferred as a senior from University of California Santa Barbara where he pitched his first 3 collegiate seasons. The California native was Highly recruited out of High School after finishing 5-1 with 1.54 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 52-1/3 IP and being a switch hitting first baseman. His freshman season he started 15 games (88-2/3 IP) had 106 strikeouts (10.6 K/9) and 63 BB (6.4 BB/9) with a 1.93 ERA and 1.36 WHIP. The next 2 seasons the wheels fell off and his ERA ballooned to mid 4s, before dropping to 3.06 after his transfer. The problem? Andrew Vasquez is an unusual pitcher. One has to think of him as a knuckleballer, but unlike a knuckleballer, Vasquez bread and butter pitch is his curveball that he throws most of the time. And it is a beautiful slow curveball that sits at the high 60s low 70s, which most of the time is a plus plus pitch that misses bats and induces very weak contact when it does. He occasionally throws a mid 80s fastball that was just a step above a playground pitch at college but improving. Missing bats is what Vasquez does, but when he misses the plate with his curveball and the hitters are sitting on his fastball, the results have been disastrous. All of his collegiate career he was given more walks than hits. His strikeout numbers (13.1 K/9) and hits (4.8 hits per 9 innings) have been stellar his senior year, but walks were the problem (5.7 BB/9). In his first pro-season with the Twins, Vasquez transitioned to the pen in the Gulf Coast League where the trent continued. He pitched 12-1/3 innings in 12 games, striking out 22 (16.1 K/9) allowing 10 hits (7.3 H/9) but walking 15 (11 BB/9). He started 2016 in extended spring training and looks like something clicked for Vasquez. He moved to Elizabethton for 4 games, pitched 10 innings striking out 15 (13.5 K/9, 38.5 K%) allowing 6 hits (5.4 H/9) and walking only 4 hitters (3.6 BB/9, 28.2 K-BB%) ending up with an 0.90 ERA, 2.46 FIP, and 1.00 WHIP (.333 BABIP.) He was promoted to Cedar Rapids where the success continued: He came of the pen in 13 games for 28-1/3 innings, with 36 K (11.4 K/9, 31.6% K%), 12 BB (3.8 BB/9, 21.1 K-BB%) and 13 H (4.1 H/9) translating into a 1.59 ERA, 2.63 FIP and 0.88 WHIP (.210 BABIP).
 
It has to be mentioned that Vasquez has not allowed a home run as a pro player. As mentioned earlier, even though a secondary pitch, his fastball has improved this season and he has been also toying with a slurve that sits at high 70s to low 80s. He is lethal against LHBs. In Cedar Rapids he faced 36 lefties allowing 3 hits and 3 walks and had 18K. He is a very interesting prospect who will live and die with the control and command of his curveball and if that holds up in higher levels, he might be a fast riser. The benefit he has as a reliever that he did not have as a starter is that he can reduce his exposure when his command and control is not there.
 
Likely 2017 Path: In the Fort Myers bullpen
 
51. Jason Wheeler (--)
DOB: 10/27/1990; Age: 26
Positions: LHP
Bats: l, Throws: L
Height: 6'6", Weight: 255 lbs
Acquired: Drafted in the 8th round in 2011
Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2014, 2015, 2016)
ETA: 2017
 
Jason Wheeler was drafted by the Twins in the 8th round of 2011 from Loyola Marymount University. The California native has been in the Twins system since 2012, starting his professional career with the A Midwest League Beloit Snappers, starting from 25-28 games every seasons and pitching from 137-2/3 to 169-1/3 innings every season. Wheeler was placed on the Twins' 40 man roster after the 2014 season to be protected from the Rule 5 draft, but was removed after the 2015 season. He has been the poster boy of durability and consistency and has also suffered by the Twins' practice to block prospects at the high levels by singing aging veterans with little hope to contribute to the Twins to minor league contracts, blocking rising prospects. Due to this, he started both the last seasons in AA and moved to AAA in the season and was bypassed by the likes of Andrew Albers in pitching for the Twins. In 2016 Wheeler started 4 games in AA Chattanooga and 24 in AAA Rochester. He pitched 169-1/3 innings striking out 135 (7.3 K/9, 19.1 K% ) and walked 40 (2.1 BB/9, 12.9 K-BB%) with a 3.30 ERA, 3.41 FIP and 1.163 WHIP (.283 BABIP).
 
Wheeler is a major league ready pitcher who is not flashy, entering his prime at 26, but can contribute at the end of a rotation. He has a 88-90 mph fastball that he commands very well and generates soft contact. He is also throwing an above average cutter/slider and change up. He is about equally effective against lefties and righties and the last time he came out of a bullpen was as a college sophomore in 2010, so his future as a potential reliever is unknown.
 
Likely 2017 Path: Starting for Rochester, potential September or injury call up for the Twins