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Thrylos

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Blog Entries posted by Thrylos

  1. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
    As always you can find all the entries in this series in reverse chronological order here.
     
    Here are my notes from the last couple days of Twins' Spring Training games:


    The home games yesterday and today could not be any dissimilar other than the attendance. It sucked both days with about 1/3 of the ballpark empty and about 6,000some tickets sold only. The abbreviated Spring Training and the pushing up of the opening day really made fans from all teams less reluctant to come down South because it effectively took a whole week away. I hope that MLB will reconsider that next season.

    Martin Perez and Michael Pineda yesterday and today were at different stages of readiness: Perez was all over the place with his command, even though his fastball hit 97 at the Hammond Stadium radar, whereas Pineda had pinpoint control and a no-hitter into 4 until Ehire Adrianza's unfortunately wide throw at first allowed a Pirate hitter today. Pineda's fastball was at 93/94 all day long.

    I think that the Twins' bench is done: Lucas Duda will opt out as soon as he can and Ehire Adrianza, Tyler Austin, and Willians Astrudillo will be the Twins' bench to start the season. They all homered today btw. Astrudillo played at LF and was more surehanded out there than several of other Twins I have seen play the position (Josh Willingham, Delmon Young, Oswaldo Arcia, etc) in the recent memory.

    Mark my words: Preston Guilmet is not making the Twins and will be hard pressed to make the Rochester team. Pretty horrible presence all over today.

    SS prospect Wander Javier (who left today's game with a hamstring tightness) started both home games at shortstop and showed why he is a top prospect with both his bat and glove. Same with Trevor Larnach who homered last night and Brent Rooker who held on his own today. Javier after missing all season with a non-throwing shoulder surgery looks like he is finally filling up and popped up a few inches. He looks a lot like Miguel Sano did that age (20)

    Addison Reed had yet another horrible appearance yesterday. I would have said that he is done before I saw Blake Parker pitch pretty awfully today. This pen is for sure concerning.

  2. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
     
    ---
     
    As always you can find all the entries in this series in reverse chronological order here.
     
    Today was my first full day at Fort Myers and I did not make the trip across the highway to see the Twins play the Red Sox, but instead I went to the back fields where the Twins' high A and A squads faced the equivalent Rays' teams. Here are my notes from the day:
     

    Zack Littell started the high A game for the Twins and pitched for an inning. Before the game he was working on the pen with the Twins' assistant pitching coach Jeremy Hefner and the Twins' minor league catching coordinator Tanner Swanson on two things: Tweaking his delivery so he uses more of his hips than his shoulders and targeting the lower part of the zone (Swanson emphatically was pointing that the target should be the groin area.) His catcher, 20 year old Kidany Salva, was working on framing the low pitches as strikes, as is the direction throughout the organization. The approach worked in the game, since he got 3 ground ball outs, but let's not forget the competition level.
    In the game for the Twins there were high rated prospects, shortstops Royce Lewis and Wander Javier; however one prospect who is not a household name, had an eye opening performance: RHP Edwar (Eddie) Colina. The 21 year old Venezuelan who was signed as an 18 year old International Free Agent, put himself on the radar last season after pitching a no-hitter at Cedar Rapids. This spring, he ticked it up a few notches: His fastball that was plus, is now plus plus with a 97-99 mph velocity and wicked movement. His 84-85 mph changeup is a plus pitch and his 88-90 mph slider is average but flashes higher. All of his pitches have swing and miss potential and at this point he has two major league quality pitches. He made it as high as Fort Myers for two starts last season and he will likely start 2019 there as well, but keep an eye on him, he might finish the season in the majors. He was groomed as a starter and the Twins will keep him starting for as long as they can; however I believe that his future is at the end of the pen. He got a bit tired the 3rd inning of pitching (he pitched innings 2,3 and 4), loosing a couple of notches of his FB (down to 95-97) and some command. Have to remember that this was the first minor league game of Spring Training.
    The aforementioned Lewis and Javier, both coming from ailments of different severity squared at the ball well, and the looked pretty healthy. Lewis had a double and took a violent cut at a swing and miss without flinching, which makes me think that the oblique is healed.
    There were several interesting pitchers in the game: Undrafted free agent from 2017 big (6-7/245) 24-year old lefty Kevin Marnon showed some promise, but has to tighten his delivery. He is pretty deceptive and can be effective, especially against lefties. RHP Jared Finkel, the Twins' 17th round pick in 2017, is a side thrower with a 84-87 mph fastball, a 77-80 mph changeup and severe command issues. RHP Calvin Foucher, the 10th round pick in the same draft, throws overead and has a close to plus 77-81 mph hammer curve, but his fastball is flat one at 90-91 mph, and he has command issues, which is not a good combination. From the other field, which I did not pay much attention, RHP Andrew Cabezas, the 18th round pick of last year's draft, has a plus changeup that I absolutely have to see again, and LHP Zach Neff, the Twins' 31st round pick last season has a very deceptive delivery. A couple names that made my notebook.
    As far as position players went, in addition to the aforementioned, Lewis and Javier, there were a few other top ranked prospects: Yunior Severino has a really free swing and a couple of times lost the bat, once over the "dugout" cage. The 19 year old looks like an athlete, but is very raw and lacks discipline. Andrew Bechtold looks more like the tentative one from 2018 and not like the very good hitter of 2017. Tentativeness is the issue here. He just needs to be more aggressive. Not sure what to think of Trey Cabbage anymore. He is a first baseman now and has a hard time making contact. He will be 22 in two months and had an average season finally last year when he repeated Cedar Rapids, but I am afraid that the road is uphill for him. Trevor Casanova, the Twins 13th round pick last year had a very good presence as a catcher, but he made 2 bad throws at second base that should have been easy outs. First baseman Chris Williams, 8th round pick last season, was all business with the bat, hitting a bases clearing double. One to watch.
    In other news C Ben Rortvedt and another player I did not recognize in civvies, were carrying their equipment to the minor league locker rooms. They seem to be the next cuts from the big camp.
    Tomorrow I will be watching the Twins against the Nationals and will have additional insight on the major league club

  3. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---------
     
    12/13/1988: The MLB transactions for the Minnesota Twins had one line: The Twins signed free agent catcher Brian Harper to an one year contract worth $90,000. The Twins were the sixth franchise for Harper who was drafted by the California Angels in the 4th round of the 1977 MLB June Amateur Draft, traded to the Pirates and then the Cardinals who released him on April Fool's 1986, and then signed and released by the Tigers and A's in single year assignments.
     
    Harper was an intriguing guy. He hit .353/.403/.653 as a 28 year old in AAA Portland before the Twins brought him up to finish the season with the big club, hitting .295/.344/.428 with 10 walks and 12 strikeouts in 184 plate appearances. Harper became the Twins starting catcher in 1989 and held that post until 1993. His tenure with the Twins included an otherworldly .381/.435/.476 slash line in 26 World Series plate appearances in 1991, the best World Series ever.
     
    Fast forward about 30 years: November 25, 2017: The Twins sign 26 year old Willians Astrudillo as a minor league free agent. After a stint in AAA, like Harper, Astrudillo made it to the bigs, where there were a lot of accolades, regarding his low walking and strikeout percentage, and about his lack of being a "three outcome guy". Astudillo's line last season ended up being .355/.371/.516 with a 2.1 BB% and a 3.1 K%. In 1991 Brian Harper ended the season with a 3.0 BB % and a 4.7 K%. Both were about his career average for the Twins.
     
    After 1993 strike Harper moved on and ended up his career with a .295/.329/.419 major league line with a 3.9 BB% and a 5.6 K%. Both Harper and Astudillo have had questions about their defensive ability, and like Astudillo Harper had to play other positions (OF, 1B and 3B) before he was established.
     
    Harper was an integral part of the Twins 1991 team. Might be the time to let Astudillo be the "Harp" for these Twins...
  4. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -------
     
    Now that the 2018 draft signing deadline has passed and a substantial amount of international free agents signed for the Twins, it is time to update my 2018 mid-season prospect list. As usual my mid-season lists are preliminary, unlike the off-season lists, and they have minimal commentary and analysis. Also, unlike other lists, players who made it to the majors have graduated from mine, also players older than 25 are not included. As a reminder, here is my off-season 2018 list:
     
    The off-season top 60 list (2017 off-season in parenthesis) and ETA included.
     
    1. Royce Lewis (--), SS/OF, 2020
    2. Wander Javier (1), SS, 2020
    3. Brusdar Graterol (13), RHP, 2020
    4. Brent Rooker (--), 1B/LF, 2018
    5. Fernardo Romero (4), RHP, 2018 - graduated
    6. Rainis Silva (32), C, 2020 - traded
    7. Blayne Enlow (--), RHP, 2020
    8. Zack Littell (--), RHP, 2018 - graduated
    9. Stephen Gonsalves (6), LHP, 2018
    10. Lewin Diaz (3), 1B, 2020
    11. Akil Baddoo (24), OF, 2020
    12. Tyler Jay (2), LHP, 2018
    13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020
    14. Luis Arraez (11), IF, 2019
    15. Michael Montero (--), RHP, 2021
    16. Nick Gordon (5), IF, 2018
    17. Tyler Wells (54), RHP, 2020
    18. Jose Miranda (--), IF, 2021
    19. Jean Carlos Arias (36), CF, 2020
    20. Jovani Moran (--), LHP, 2020
    21. Lewis Thorpe (30), LHP, 2019
    22. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018
    23 Yunior Severino (--), IF, 2022
    24. Chris Paul (--), UT, 2019
    25. Landon Leach (--), RHP, 2021
    26. Andrew Bechtold (--), 3B, 2020
    27. Travis Blankenhorn (15), 3B/1B/OF, 2020
    28. Charlie Barnes (--), LHP, 2020
    29. Tyler Watson (--), RHP, 2020
    30. David Banuelos (--), C, 2020
    31. Ben Rortvedt (16), C, 2021
    32. Kohl Stewart (17), RHP, 2018
    33. Alberoni Nunez (--), OF, 2021
    34. Derek Molina (--), RHP, 2021
    35. Bryan Sammons (--) LHP, 2020
    36. Bailey Ober (--), RHP, 2020
    37. Pedro Garcia (45), RHP, 2021
    38. Lachlan Wells (29), LHP, 2020
    39. Wander Valdez, (--) 3B, 2021
    40. Aaron Whitefield (59), OF, 2020
    41. Ricky De La Torre (--) SS, 2021
    42. Jake Reed (25) RHP, 2018
    43. Jacob Pearson (--), OF, 2022
    44. Yeltsin Encarnacion (--) IF, 2022
    45. Ryley Widell (--) LHP, 2022
    46. Andrew Vasquez (52), LHP, 2019
    47. Tom Hackimer (--), RHP, 2019
    48. Kerby Camacho (--), C, 2021 - released
    49. Hector Lujan (--), RHP, 2020
    50. Colton Burns (--), OF, 2021
    51. Cody Stashak -(55), RHP, 2019
    52. Jaylin Davis, (39), OF 2019
    53. Alex Robles, (--), OF, 2022
    54. Ruben Santana, (--), IF, 2022
    55. Carlos Suniaga, (--), RHP, 2022
    56. Sandy Lugo, (--), RHP, 2020
    57. Nelson Molina, (47), IF, 2020
    58. Ben Rodriguez (--), C/1B, 2022
    59. Carson Crites (--), 2B, 2022 - released
    60. Jesus Toledo (--), LHP, 2022
     
    Here is my mid-season 2018 list (2018 off-season ranking in parenthesis, followed by ETA) :
     
    1. Brusdar Graterol (3), RHP, 2019
    2. Royce Lewis (1), SS/OF, 2020
     
    Same age, played at the same level. Could have gone either way. Graterol has ace stuff and his performance at the same team as a pitcher was a bit more impressive than Lewis's as a hitter thus this switch. 17 errors at SS in half a season for Lewis, also a concern. Might not remain the same this off-season. These two are very close.
     
    3. Wander Javier (2), SS, 2020
     
    Taking a mulligan for surgery in non-throwing, non-hitting shoulder. Still a true 5 tool player.
     
    4. Brent Rooker (4), 1B/LF, 2018
     
    Heir apparent to Joe Mauer, even as early as this September
     
    5. Trevor Larnach (--), OF, 2020
    6. Alex Kirilloff (13) OF, 2020
     
    Huge jump because he delivered with the stick - fielding still an issue. Larnach similar player, but better defensively and more of a pure hitter, thus the ranking
     
    7. Luis Arraez (14), IF, 2019
     
    Could be the heir apparent to Brian Dozier starting in 2019. Purest hitter in the organization, glove will play fine in the least challenging position in the diamond.
     
    8. Misael Urbina (--) OF, 2023
     
    True five tool talent, he can fly through these rankings if he responds as a pro. Still 16.
     
    9. Nick Gordon (16), IF, 2018
     
    Ranking before his injury. Second half disappearances every season signal endurance/conditioning concern. 150 lb frame does not help
     
    10. DaShawn Keirsey (--) OF, 2022
     
    5 tool player looks a lot like Joe Benson from here.
     
    11. Tyler Wells (17), RHP, 2020
     
    The most consistent Twins' pitcher for the last two seasons; surprised he has not gained much momentum.
     
    12. Blayne Enlow (7), RHP, 2021
    13. Yunior Severino (23), IF, 2022
    14. Akil Baddoo (11), OF, 2020
    15. Ryan Jeffers (--), C, 2020
     
    If he stays at catcher can be a tremendous asset for the Twins. 60+ power and 50+ contact already.
     
    16. Michael Montero (15), RHP, 2021
    17. Stephen Gonsalves (9), LHP, 2018
     
    Disappointing season, esp. since his weakness (quality and command and control of the fastball) became even worse this season. Still helium in the national lists; sell high candidate.
     
    18. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018
    19. Tyler Jay (12), LHP, 2018
    20. Jovani Moran (20), LHP, 2019
    21. Lewin Diaz (10), 1B, 2020
    22. Travis Blankenhorn (27), 3B/1B/OF, 2020
     
    Tremendous start, not so hot when the temps rose...
     
    23. Lewis Thorpe (21), LHP, 2019
     
    Might need another season to shake the spider webs. Pre-injury FB was at 95-97 at close to 70; now down to 92-93 and about 50-55
     
    24. Yeltsin Encarnacion (44) IF, 2022
    25. Victor Herredia (--) C/1B, 2023
    26. Charlie Barnes (28), LHP, 2020
    27. Andrew Vasquez (46), LHP, 2019
    28. Jean Carlos Arias (19), CF, 2020
    29. Zander Wiel (--), 1B/OF, 2018
     
    Should receive consideration for minor league player of the year honors for the Twins
     
    30. Jimmy Kerrigan (--), OF, 2018
    31. Jeferson Morales (--), C, 2023
    32. Taylor Grzelakowski (--) C, 2020
    33. Jim Caceres (--) SS, 2023
    34. Ben Rortvedt (31), C, 2021
     
    Still not much of progress as a hitter, small for a catcher, arm exposed at Fort Myers.
     
    35. Cole Sands (--), RHP, 2021
    36. Jordan Balazovic (--), RHP, 2021
    37. Landon Leach (25), RHP, 2021
    38. Bryan Sammons (35) LHP, 2020
    39. Ricky De La Torre (41) SS, 2021
    40. Ruben Santana, (54), IF, 2022
    41. Charles Mack (--) SS, 2023
    42. Andrew Bechtold (26), 3B, 2021
     
    Along with David Banuelos and Jose Miranda, the biggest drops as far as position players go
     
    43. Wander Valdez, (39) 3B, 2021
    44. Nomar Urdanetta (--) SS, 2023
    45. David Banuelos (30), C, 2021
    46. Jacob Pearson (43), OF, 2022
    47. Jose Miranda (18), IF, 2021
    48. Cody Stashak (51), RHP, 2019
    49. Josh Winder (--), RHP, 2021
    50. Jake Reed (42) RHP, 2018
    51. Alberoni Nunez (33), OF, 2021
    52. Pedro Garcia (37), RHP, 2021
    53. Mark Contreras (--), OF, 2020
    54. Jaylin Davis, (52), OF 2019
    55. Lachlan Wells (38), LHP, 2020
    56. Carlos Suniaga, (55), RHP, 2022
    57. Chris Williams (--) 1B, 2021
    58. Griffin Jax (--) RHP, 2020
     
    First time he has been included in my lists; full time pro now with no Air Force responsibilities. Still lots of work to do.
     
    59. Bailey Ober (36), RHP, 2020
    60. Trevor Casanova (--) C, 2021
     
     
    Dropped:
     
    Chris Paul (24), UT, 2019
    Tyler Watson (29), RHP, 2020
    Kohl Stewart (32), RHP, 2018
    Derek Molina (34), RHP, 2021
    Aaron Whitefield (40), OF, 2020
    Ryley Widell (45) LHP, 2022
    Tom Hackimer (47), RHP, 2019
    Hector Lujan (49), RHP, 2020
    Colton Burns (50), OF, 2021
    Alex Robles, (53), OF, 2022
    Sandy Lugo, (56), RHP, 2020
    Nelson Molina, (57), IF, 2020
    Ben Rodriguez (58), C/1B, 2022
    Jesus Toledo (60), LHP, 2022
  5. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
    This is my last Spring Training Notes piece for this season. As with the previous seasons I finish my Spring Training notes with a prediction of how the Twins will do this season based on what I have seen this Spring.
     
    I think that 2018 will be an interesting season for the Twins. They improved a lot in the off-season addressing some of their glaring weaknesses, namely starting and relief pitching. On the other hand, there are some situations that can be disrupting for the team. Here is a closer examination:
     
    Starting Pitching:
    Jake Odorizzi and Lance Lynn are light years ahead of the likes of Bartolo Colon (15 starts), Hector Santiago (15 starts), Phil Hughes (9 starts), and a whole lot of others (16 starts) who started in 2017. Ervin Santana is a question mark and that was even before his injury that seems to be lingering into May. On the other hand, I believer that improvement from Jose Berrios (primarily) and Kyle Gibson (secondarily) as well as potential positive contribution by Trevor May, will offset the loss and regression of Santana. Based on what I have seen, Fernando Romero might be the best pitcher of the Twins at this point, and if healthy he can make a tremendous contribution in the second half of the season.
     
    Bullpen:
    The Twins did improve in the bullpen. Part of it was addition, part of it was subtraction. The question is whether they improved enough to have a top bullpen. Addison Reed, Fernando Rodney, and Zach Duke are useful players with varying degree of usefulness. However, does any of them strike fear in opposing batters? Would any of them have a place in one of the top bullpens? Maybe Reed, as far as the second question goes. Trevor Hildenberger and Taylor Rogers were hit hard and often in the Spring and not sure how this will translate into the season. Other than Gabriel Moya, and maybe John Curtiss and Jake Reed, there are not many reserves who project as "lights out". And that is what the new and improved Twins' pen misses. Maybe the aforementioned May, the injury-nursing Phil Hughes (who is projected in long relief, but way back in the day was Mariano Rivera's successful set up man.) or possibly Michale Pineda might jump into that role. Alternatively, depending on the team's record come July, a trade for a "lights out" arm, might be in the works. All in all an improved bullpen, but in no means a top bullpen. It is hard not to improve one of the 5 worst bullpens in the league, but still it needs work.
     
    Position Players:
    The Twins' young core seems much improved from last season: Miguel Sano who has the allegations now behind him and can focus 100% on baseball will play with a chip on his shoulder and will make some damage. Byron Buxton is a much better hitter than I have seen him be previously, and based on what I saw this spring, he will finally bring his speed on the table. Max Kepler is also improved. He is taking meaningful PAs against LHPs, something that was not true last season. Jorge Polanco's head was in his positive test all Spring and it showed. Hopefully he will come back ready in the second half. Logan Morrison will be a good addition and if he hits behind Sano, he will give him the protection he did not have in 2017. Eddie Rosario was hurt most of the Spring and I did not have much of an opportunity to form an opinion, but if he repeats 2017, and there is no reason he could not, the Twins will be happy. With Eduardo Escobar moving into at starting SS at least for the first half of the season, you have a Twins' 2018 double play combination that hit 55 HRs in 2017, second only to Cleveland. His double play partner, Brian Dozier, and his free agency status might be a distraction this season. He talked a lot about it, as he did about the decreased FA compensation this off-season. He also did not do very well with the bat this Spring. Not sure whether the two things are related or not, and hopefully it will not carry into the season. The same with the other upcoming free agent, Joe Mauer. Mauer's situation is different and Mauer has not been vocal about it and I don't think that it will affect him. It will be great if Dozier and Mauer will speak with their bats regarding their upcoming free agency.
     
    Competition:
    Do you remember when the Twins' reigned over a weak AL Central, other than times when one of the other teams was super competitive and they were neck to neck? This season the AL Central will look a lot like that with Cleveland staying about the same on paper and the improved Twins, the only teams with a winning record in 2017 and the rest of the division weakening. Maybe not the White Sox, if the young players surprise, but Detroit and Kansas City are in full rebuild mode. According to fangraphs, the Twins have the second easiest schedule (on paper), but this should not be much of a relief, because Cleveland has the easiest.
     
    Prediction:
    The 2017 team won 85 games, but overachieved. I think that the 2018 Twins will finish with a record of 90-72, securing at least a wild card spot, and the AL Central will come down to the wire between the Twins and Cleveland. Unfortunately, unless there is major improvement (or surprises) in the bullpen , this does not seem like a team that will move deep into the post-season, unless the bats go crazy. And this can happen.
     
    So you have it. This is my last Spring Training Notes post, since the Twins start the season this Thursday at Baltimore, after they play an exhibition game in Washington against the Nationals. To see all the notes and coverage of the 2018 Twins' Spring Training, including my daily live reports from Fort Myers in the second half of March, please visit here
  6. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25, 16-20, 11-15, 6-10. You can find all segments in this series here.
    Here are players 6-10 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players not in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
     
    5. Fernardo Romero (4)
    DOB: 12/24/1994; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 215 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent
    Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: AA (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Fernando Romero was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for on November 4th, 2011 with a $260K bonus. The San Juan de la Maguana native spending his age 17 2012 season in the Dominican Summer League where he pitched in 14 games, 6 starts, for 31 innings, striking out 27 (7.8 K/9, 20.2 K%), walking 14 (4.1 BB/9, 9.7 K-BB%), with a 4.94 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP (.289 BABIP). He made the jump to the Gulf Coast League in 2013. He pitched in 12 games (6 GS) for 45 innings to a 1.60 ERA (2.44 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP (.271 BABIP) and had 47 strikeouts (9.4 K/9, 26 K%) and 13 walks (2.6 BB/9, 18.8 K-BB%.) After only 4 games in single A Cedar Rapids in 2014 he required Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of 2014 and the whole 2015 season. Last season he returned to Cedar Rapids where he started 5 games (28 IP) had 25 K (8.0 K/9, 24.3 K%) and 5 BB (1.6 BB/9, 19.4 K-BB%) with a 1.93 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP (.250 BABIP). He moved to high A Fort Myers late in June where he started 11 games (62-1/3 IP) had 65 K (9.4 K/9, 26.9 K%) and 10 BB (1.4 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%) with a 1.88 ERA, 2.00 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP (.288 BABIP), improving on his already great Cedar Rapids performance. Last season he pitched in 24 games (23 starts) at AA Chattanooga for a career high 125 innings. He had a 3.53 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 8.6 K/9, 3.2 BB/9, 22 K%, 13.8 K-BB%, and 1.35 WHIP (.328) BABIP. He was shut down in early August due to shoulder impingement. Previously he had a 5 inning limit on his last 5 starts because of the arm. His numbers are deflated because of 8 August starts that he pitched hurt, where he got a 8.38 ERA, 1.86 WHIP and allowed a .372 OBA.
     
    Romero has a plus plus fastball that sits at 95-97 mph and has a nasty sinking movement, a plus plus slider that sits 88-92 mph and a close to plus now changeup. After his surgery, Romero came in better shape and he improved his command and control by leaps and bounds, pounding the strike zone and cutting down on walks. His stuff can already play in a major league pen, but Romero has top of the rotation potential and the Twins will explore that. Romero was added to the Twins' 40-man roster the November of 2016, so he will appear in the Twins' Spring Training camp. The shoulder is not much of a concern, and he has a chance to make the team out of Spring Training.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Depending on health and on transactions, fighting for a spot in the Twins' rotation. Likely in the majors in 2018, barring injuries, trades etc.
     
     
    4. Brent Rooker (--)
    DOB: 11/1/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: 1B/LF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 215 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1s Round of 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Brent Rooker (whose first name is Terry) was drafted by the Twins in the supplemental 1st Round of the 2017 draft as a Junior from Mississippi State. The Germantown, TN native, tore up the Southeast NCCA Conferance last season hitting: .387/.495/.810 with 23 HR (and 18/23 SB) in 248 AB (10.78 AB/HR.) He had 48 walks and struck out 58 times. As a pro he moved to Elizabethton, where he did not loose a beat with the wooden bat, hitting .282/.364/.588 with a .413 wOBA and 145 wRC+ in 99 PA in 22 games. That was enough for a promotion all the way to A+ Fort Myers where, in a league that usually bats come to die, he improved upon his E-town production hitting .280/.364/.552 with a .415 wOBA and 166 wRC+ in 40 games and 162 PA, as a 22 year old, about a full year younger than the average player. And this was the first time he hit with a wooden bat. Rooker played mostly LF at both Elizabethton and Fort Myers, with 11 games at 1B in Florida. His throwing arm does not play outside those two positions, but he is a capable defender in both positions. Strikeouts have been a issue in the pros (21.2% at Elizabethton and 29% at Fort Myers,) but playing a full season and further adjusting with the wood, will help him improve. A player with a great work ethic and makeup, Rooker will be a leader for every team he plays. My impression is that the Twins will fast track him as the heir-apparent to Joe Mauer at first base, thus the aggressive ETA estimate. If he continues to hit at that rate, he might force the Twins' hand ahead of time, since they can use a power RHB in the majors right now.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting 1B/LF at Chattanooga with potential promotion to the majors based on necessity or a September cup of coffee with the Twins.
     
    3. Brusdar Graterol (13)
    DOB: 8/26/1998; Age: 18
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2014
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    This is the third time that Brusdar Graterol has been in this list and every season he has made serious leaps. He was ranked 28th in my 2016 list well before the National media and most of the local media even knew him from Adam. Graterol was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on August 29, 2014, three days after his 16th birthday, for $150,000. The Calobozo native made only 4 career starts in the DSL before he required Tommy John surgery and moved statewide the summer of 2015. His numbers in those 4 games, as a 16 year old, fully 3 years younger than the league, were video-game like: 11 IP, 17 K, 13.9 K/9, 36.2 K%, 1 BB, 0.8 BB/9, 34 K-BB%, 2.45 ERA, 1.19 FIP, 1.18 WHIP (.444 BABIP.) He returned from the surgery well, adding considerable muscle to his frame and surprised everyone when he added several miles per hour to his fastball when he hit the mount. In 2017 he started the season in the GCL where he pitched 19-1/3 innings in 5 games (2 starts) with a 1.40 ERA, 2.86 FIP, 9.8 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 29.2 K%, 23.6 K-BB%, and 0.72 WHIP (.205 BABIP). He moved to Elizabethton mid-season where he started in 5 games (20-2/3 IP) with a 3.92 ERA, 3.66 FIP, 10.5 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 28.2 K%, 17.7 K-BB%, and a 1.21 WHIP (.300 BABIP.)
     
    Graterol is throwing his plus to plus plus fastball at 96-98 mph deep into the games and he can dial it up to triple digits if necessary, supplementing it with a crisp slurve at the 85-87 mph range and a changeup that has improved the last season, but he still needs to command better. He is throwing from a 3/4 delivery that causes deception. Graterol is one of the few pitchers in the Twins' organization with top of the rotation stuff, and his ceiling is higher than any other pitcher in the organization, but he still needs work on command and control, esp. with his secondary offering. The 40 innings he pitched last season were Graterol's career high and he will need to be stretched, potentially slowly because of the elbow.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At the Cedar Rapids rotation, potentially after some EST, depending on how the Twins feel about his elbow and the temperatures in the Midwest in April.
     
     
    Note: The next two players are very close, and I could have ranked either at the top spot.
     
     
    2. Wander Javier (1) SS, 2020
    DOB: 12/29/1998; Age: 19
    Positions: SS
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 165 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent 7/2/2015
    Professional Experience:2; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Wander Javier was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic last summer and had yet to play a single professional game, before this season. His $4 million signing bonus topped what the Twins gave Miguel Sano, and any other amateur player ever for signing with them other than Joe Mauer, Kohl Stewart and Byron Buxton. Javier started his pro career last season in the DSL with a bang, playing in 9 games (30 PA), hitting .308/.400/.654 (199 wRC+, .498 wOBA), with 13.3 BB% and 16.7 K% in a league dominated by pitching, as a 17 year old, before he was shut down with a hamstring injury. In 2017 he moved to Elizabethton where he hit .299/.383/.471 with a .390 wOBA and 131 wRC+, in a league where the average player was 2.5 years older. His K% increased to 27.2%, which is more of a data point, than even a slight concern at this point of his career.
     
    Javier has the highest upside of any position player in the Twins' organization; his tool-set is similar to Byron Buxton's at that age, but with more power and less speed. At this point, he has 5 above average or better tools, with his arm, and power at above average and fielding, contact and speed approaching plus. Great work ethic, he gives 100% even at drills at Fort Myers and back field spectators are always impressed by his tendency to try to win all race drills. Unlike Miguel Sano who was also signed as shortstop, Javier projects to stay in the position as a professional. He has very smooth hands and confident footwork and body control. Power will come as he fills in. He had an .172 IsoP at 6-1/165 lbs, which will shoot up as he bulks up.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting SS at Cedar Rapids.
     
     
    1. Royce Lewis (--)
    DOB: 12/29/1998; Age: 18
    Positions: SS/OF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 188 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round (1st overall) in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: N/A
    ETA: 2020
     
    Royce Lewis was taken first overall by the Twins in the 2017 draft from J. Serra High School in San Juan Capistrano, CA. The Aliso Viejo, CA, native started his professional career in the GCL. There he hit .271/.390/.414 with a .391 wOBA and 136 wRC+ with 11.9 BB% and 10.7 K% in 36 games and 159 PA. He moved for the final 18 games of the season (80 PA) all the way to Cedar Rapids where he hit .296/.363/.394 with a .348 wOBA and 117 wRC+, and had 7.5 BB% and 20 K%. All that in a league in which the average player was 3.2 years older.
     
    Lewis is a five tool player, with his contact, power, and arm slightly trailing the other 2 tools that are plus, with his speed being close to plus plus. Already at 6-2/188 as an 18 year old, he might have to shift position from shortstop to centerfield, or even potentially to third base, a position he played early in High School, if he grows more. His make up, affect, personality, and, workout ethic is off the charts. The Twins have a great to have difficult decision in where to play Lewis and Javier, if they want to keep both as everyday shortstops in full-season leagues. Lewis, who is about half a year younger, has been at a higher level, and I expect him to stay this way as long as he stays at SS. As I indicated earlier Lewis and Javier are very close and either can be ranked as number one at this point. Javier's ceiling is a bit higher with the bat and he is the better shortstop, but Lewis' speed, charisma, and the fact that was notched ahead of Javier by the Twins, give him the nod in these rankings. But they are close.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting SS at Fort Myers, unless the Twins are willing to have Lewis and Javier play in other positions; in this case, they will both be at Cedar Rapids.
     
     
    Next: Summary 1-60 and Organizational Overview
  7. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25, 16-20, 11-15. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 6-10 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players not in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    10. Lewin Diaz (3) 1B, 2019
    DOB: 11/19/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: 1B
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level:A (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Lewin Diaz was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for $1.4 million bonus on July 2nd, 2013. The Santiago native made the transition to the US, after a hitting .257/.385/.451 (.411 wOBA, 142 wRC+, 13.8 K%) in the DSL in 2014, his age 17 season. His first season in the US, he had a few difficulties with the transition, hitting .261/.354/.369 (.357 wOBA, 123 wRC+, 18.9 K%) in 33 games in the GCL and finishing the last 14 games of the season hitting .167/.245/.375 (.285 wOBA, 70 wRC+, 32.1 K%) in Elizabethton. This was mainly a season of adjustment for Diaz, who would have not earned the promotion had he not hit .522/.607/.696 for August in the GCL, and likely would have served better not making the trip to Elizabethton. One interesting thing that the numbers do not show about Elizabethton is that those 14 games there were the only night games Diaz has played as a professional, since both the DSL and GCL play day games only. In 2016 he repeated Elizabethton after extended spring training, playing in 46 games (187 PA) hitting .310/.353/.575 (.409 wOBA, 149 wRC+, 18.7 K%, with a career best .264 isoP and his BABIP at .344, close to his .326 in the GCL the previous season. 2017 was his first time in full season ball at Cedar Rapids. He hit .292/.329/.444 with a .344 wOBA, 114 wRC+, 4.9 BB%, and 15.7 K%, in 122 games (508 PA/ 466 AB.)
     
    The strikeout number was a career best for Diaz, who however had a Stateside career worst of .152 IsoP. In Cedar Rapids he focus on making contact and hitting the ball in all fields, vs hitting for power. Home run power will definitely come: He is a .7 ground ball to fly ball hitter, and his HR/FB dropped to 6.1% from 15% the previous season. In other words, if the fly balls were leaving the park at the rate they did for him in 2016, it would translate to 30 HRs. But that's on paper, and they don't play the game on paper. His glove has been suspect, but has been improving every year. Last year both his footwork and range improved and he is getting better instincts for the position to make his glove about average, with room for even more improvement. It is unlikely that he will be an elite glove at first, but also unlikely to be a liability on the field in that position.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting first baseman at Fort Myers
     
    Note: The next 3 players are very close, and practically interchangeable in their rankings from number 7 to number 9.
     
    9. Stephen Gonsalves (6)
    DOB: 7/8/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'5", Weight: 213 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2013
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Gonsalves was drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 draft from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego and paid an over slot ($700K vs $468K slot) bonus. Gonsalves has been playing in 2 levels every season in the pros so far with a lot of success, and marked improvement the second time with a team, other than his second season in Elizabethton. In 2013 he slit time between GLC and Elizabethton, in 2014 between Cedar Rapids and Elizabethton, 2015 between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, and last season between Fort Myers and Chattanooga. In 2015 in Cedar Rapids he started 9 games (55 IP) walking 15 (2.4 BB/9, 29.7 K-BB%) and striking out 77 (12.6 K/9 and 36.8 % K%) with a 1.15 ERA (2.10 FIP) and 0.80 WHIP (.243 BABIP.) In Fort Myers he started 15 games (79.3 IP) walking 38 (4.3 BB/9, 5.1 K-BB%) and striking out 55 (6.2 K/9 and 16.5 % K%) with a 2.61 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP (.270 BABIP.) In 2016 he improved considerably at Fort Myers (11 GS, 65-2/3 IP, 66 K, 9.1 K/9,26.1 K%, 20 BB, 2.7 BB/9, 18.2 K-BB%, 2.33 ERA, 2.55 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, .249 BABIP) and did not lose a beat at Chattanooga (13 GS, 74-1/3 IP, 89 K, 10.8 K/9, 30.1 K%, 37 BB, 4.5 BB/9, 17.6 K-BB%, 1.82 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, .255 BABIP.) He made 4 starts at the Arizona fall league for a career high 148-2/3 innings that season and was named the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year, an award whose recipients seems to be cursed. And, following suit, Gonsalves was shut down in Spring Training with shoulder issues. Those issues were resolved and joined the AA Chattanooga team in late May. He made 15 starts (87-1/3 IP), striking out 96 (9.9 K/9, 27.3 K%) and walking 23 (2.4 BB/9, 20.7 BB-K%). He had a 2.68 ERA, 2.88 FIP and 1.03 WHIP (.270 BABIP). He was promoted to AAA Rochester in August and he lost steam. He pitched in 5 games (4 starts) for 22-1/3 inning, striking out 22 (8.7 K/9, 21.8 K%) and walking 8 (3.2 BB/9, 13.9 K-BB%) , with a 5.56 ERA, 4.75 FIP, and 1.54 WHIP (.343 BABIP). In addition to the increased BABIP in Rochester, his HR/FB rate that been traditionally at 6% or lower, jumped to close to 14%. Hard to use those 5 games at the end of the season to make predictions, but they are just data points.
     
    Gonslaves is a pitcher with a high floor, that of a number 5 starter or late inning reliever, and a low ceiling, that of a number 3 starter. There are questions about how his stuff will translate in the majors: Gonsalves has an above average to plus low to mid 90s fastball with good command and control, which has a high spin rate making it hard to hit up in the zone, generating a lot of swings and misses. I am not sure that this tactic can generate as many outs in the majors. His changeup is a plus plus pitch and very effective, especially against RHBs. He throws two breaking balls: an average to below average slow curve, and a work in progress slurvy sliders. Command of his breaking balls is occasional at this point. His delivery is a bit worrisome, in light of the shoulder issue last season, as he cocks his shoulder behind his body. After that part, he is all arms and legs and throws from a 3/4 position and causes deception to the batters. He has some difficulties in repeating his delivery which results in occasional loss of command and that is translated with an increase in walks and decrease in strikeouts. When that happens, Gonsalves has been successful so far by inducing weak movement. Pitching to weak contact and needed to paint the corners to succeed is a risky recipe for success and despite Gonsalves doing it in every level, there is a feeling that it will just take him that far, especially when he has a long frame and with the difficulties in repeating his delivery, which results in the up and down command issue, not to mention the shoulder considerations. Gonsalves was added to the Twins 40-man roster this off-season.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Depending on health and on transactions, fighting for a spot in the Twins' rotation. Likely in the majors in 2018, barring injuries, trades etc.
     
     
    8. Zack Littell (--)
    DOB: 10/5/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'4", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Traded by the Yankees
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Zack Littell was selected by Mariners in 11th round of 2013 draft from the Eastern Alamance, NC, High School. He spent his first pro-season in the Mariners' Arizona League Rookie squad where he pitched in 10 games, making 7 starts, for 33-1/3 innings, striking out 28 (7.6 K/9, 18.4 K%) and walking 13 (3.5 BB/9, 9.9 K-BB%), finishing with a 5.94 ERA, 4.37 FIP, and 1.56 WHIP (.343 BABIP). That was the starting point of his professional career and he has improved pretty much every season. In 2014 he played for the Appalachian League Pulaski Mariners where he started 13 games for 69-2/3 IP, striking out 64 (8.3 K/9, 21.6 K%) and walking 12 (1.6 BB/9, 17.5 K-BB), with a 4.52 ERA, 3.15 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP (.343 BABIP). He started 2015 with the full season A Clinton LumberKings of the Midwest League where he made 21 starts for 112-2/3 innings, striking out 84 (6.7 K/9, 17.4 K%), walking 30 (2.4 BB/9, 11.2 K-BB%), with a 3.91 ERA, 3.27 FIP, and 1.34 WHIP (.324 BABIP). He repeated A ball in 2016 making 16 starts (97-2/3 IP, 2.76 ERA, 2.96 FIP, 8.8 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 24.2 K%, 18.8 K-BB%, 1.18 WHIP, .332 BABIP) before he was promoted to high A California League Bakersfield Blaze where he continued his success (12 G, 11 GS, 68 IP, 2.51 ERA, 3.20 FIP, 8.1 K/9, 1.7 BB/9, 22.1 K%, 17.4 K-BB%, and 1.13 WHIP/.311 BABIP.) He logged a total of 165-2/3 innings in the 2016 season and was traded to Yankees for LHP James Pazos, on November of 2016. He started last season for the Yankees in High A Tampa (13 G, 11 GS, 1.77 ERA, 3.24 FIP, 7.2 K/9, 1.9 BB/9, 20.2 K%, 14.9 K-BB%, 1.12 WHIP, .302 BABIP) and moved to Eastern League AA Trenton (7 GS, 44 IP, 2.05 ERA, 2.29 FIP, 10.6 K/9, 29.7 K%, 1.6 BB/9, 25.1 K-BB%, 1.02 WHIP, .304 BABIP.) He was traded with LHP Dietrich Enns to Twins for LHP Jaime Garcia at the trade deadline and jumped into the Twins AA Chattanooga team where he started 7 more games (41.2 IP, 2.81 ERA, 3.50 FIP, 7.1 K/9, 3.9 BB/9, 19 K%, 8.6 K-BB%, 1.22 WHIP, .274 BABIP.) He regressed a bit at Chattanooga, likely running out of steam after 157 innings, but he assembled an excellent 19-1 win/loss record for the season in all 3 steps.
     
    Littell was listed at 6-foot-3, 190 pounds at high school, and gained an inch and 30 pounds as he grew. He has a two-seam fastball that sits at 89-91 and has a cutter like movement, a four-seamer that he throws at 92-93, which plays up because of high spin rate and advanced command. His main secondary offering is a true plus curveball. He also has an above average changeup that works well against LHBs. Littell is a student of the game and he spends a lot of time in advanced preparation before each start studying the opponents' hitters, a practice that will serve him well in the bigs. He has the ceiling of a mid-rotation starter with the possibility of seasons better than that. A young Phil Hughes is a good comparable for Littell, as far as the size and type of pitcher he is, as well as his potential. Littell was added to the Twins 40-man roster this off-season.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Depending on further transactions, fighting for a spot in the Twins' rotation during Spring Training. Likely in AAA Rochester most of the season with a potential trip to the majors in September or before, depending on the Twins' needs and their record
     
     
    7. Blayne Enlow (--)
    DOB: 3/21/1999; Age: 18
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 170 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Enlow was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 2017 draft from St. Amant, LA, and signed for $2 million, well above slot, in order to forfeit his commitment to LSU. He started his pro career in the GCL where he pitched in 6 games (1 GS) for 20-1/3 innings, striking out 19 (8.4 K/9, 24.7 K/%), walking 4 (1.8 BB/9, 19.5 K-BB%), with a 1.33 ERA, 3.08 FIP, and 0.69 WHIP/.177 BABIP. He is very polished for a prep pitcher and he is very projectable. Has a easy repeatable delivery, with a close to plus fastball that he throws at 92-94 and the potential to grow a few ticks as he gets more muscle, a true plus curveball that flashes plus plus, and an average changeup with potential for improvement. He added a high 80s cutter as a pro, that is a work in progress. Still lots of ways to go, but Enlow has front of the rotation potential and already what a lot of people think the best curveball in the system.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Extended Spring Training, then at the Elizabethton rotation.
     
     
    6. Rainis Silva (32)
    DOB: 3/20/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: C
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2012
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: A (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Who is Rainis Silva and why do I have him ranked this high? This is what I wrote about him last off-season when he was ranked 32nd:
     
    Rainis Silva was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from Venezuela on July 9, 2012. The Barquisimeto, Venezuela native received an $175,000 bonus. He has been in my top prospect lists for the third time in a row and this is his worst ranking. Silva is an exceptional catcher with the skills to catch in the majors right now, with a great game calling capacity, excellent defense and strong arm, averaging 35-40% CS. His problem has been his bat, which in 4 seasons now has been consistently bad. His career slash line is .238/.295/.293 and his OPS variation (.539 in DSL in 2013, .636 in the GCL in 2014, .635 in Elizabethton and .572 in Cedar Rapids in 2015, and .551 in Cedar Rapids in 2016) were driven by his isoP that has varied from .024 to .097.
     
    Why is Rainis Silva even in the list, no matter how good his fielding is, since he has no power and he is hitting so lightly? First of all he is still 20 years old. Secondly, he actually hits LHP very well now and he improved. Here are his OPS against LHP by year and league: .539 in DSL in 2013, .521 in the GCL in 2014, .940 in Elizabethton and .889 in Cedar Rapids in 2015, and .754 in Cedar Rapids in 2016. So something clicked for him in 2015 and continued to work in 2016. Those OPS numbers are more than acceptable for a catcher, albeit in a platoon if necessary. The hope is that something will click for the 20 year old when facing RHPs as well and reach his potential as solid every day bat with elite defense in the C position, otherwise his ceiling would be that of a platoon player.
     
    So what happened for Silva in 2017? The Twins took a step back and kept him in Extending Spring Training to address his hitting, before he moved to Elizabethton for the rest of the season, and he arrived with a bang: He hit .356/.446/.446 with a .416 wOBA and 147 wRC+, with a career high 13.8 BB%, and career low 6.5 K%, as well as a career high 32.5% line drive percentage. There were concerns regarding his ability to face RHP. He hit righties at a .433/.532/.567 rate (60 AB) in Elizabethton, which was remarkable. In addition he had his best defensive season behind the plate with just 1 error and 2 passed balls, and threw out a career best 43% of the runners. It will be interesting to see how the improvements in his hitting will translate to full season ball, but I am confident that they will. His potential is that of an elite glove and above average bat in the majors now, thus the ranking. Catchers blossom later, so there is no reason for the Twins to rush him, other than the fact that he will be Rule 5 draft eligible next off-season.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Catching at Fort Myers or Cedar Rapids, depending on his spring.
     
    Next: the top 5
  8. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25, 16-20. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 11-15 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players not in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    15. Michael Montero (--)
    DOB: 1/6/2000; Age: 18
    Positions:RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in July 2, 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: DSL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Montero was signed as an international free agent by the Twins in July 2, 2016 from Valencia Venezuela for a bonus of about $150,000. 2017 was his first professional season and he pitched in the DSL as a 17 year old. He started 13 games (58-1/3 IP), struck out 64 (9.9 K/9, 27.7 K%), walked 12 (1.9 BB/9, 22.5 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.78 ERA, 2.61 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP (.279 BABIP). He has three above average pitches: low 90s fastball, slider, and change up and he commands all three well. Has a projectable frame, already at 6-3 and 190 lbs, very good feel for the game and is not afraid to attack the strike zone. Great composure on the mount. He should add 3-4 ticks to his fastball as he grows and sharpen the rest of his pitches. Flashes of top of the rotation potential; a prospect worth following.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and then at the GCL rotation.
     
    14. Luis Arraez IF (11), 2019
    DOB: 4/9/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: 2B
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 5'10", Weight: 155 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Luis Arraez was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on November 3rd, 2013. The San Felipe native opened some eyes in his first professional season in the DSL hitting .348/.433/.400 (147 wRC+) in 31 games (135 PA). The next season he moved to the GCL where he continued his success hitting .309/.377/.391 (133 wRC+) in 57 games (233 PA). Last season he played for class A Cedar Rapids where he was the fifth youngest player in the Midwest League. He hit .347/.386/.444 (146 wRC+) in 114 games (514 PA). He continued the season in the Venezuelan Winter League where he hit .335/.382/.445 with 15 BB and 15 K this in 45 games (182 AB.) He started 2017 at Fort Myers and he was on fire hitting .385/.385/.538 with a.418 wOB and 168 wRC+ in the first 3 games (13 PA) of the season before he tore his ACL after awkwardly tripping over first base, and spend the rest of the season recuperating from surgery.
     
    Other than Cedar Rapids where he was 31:51, Arraez has had at least equal strikeouts to walks, and his K% was never higher than 9.9%. His splits last season was pretty equal for the lefty hitting Arraez: .333/.378/.422 vs LHP and .351/.388/.450 vs RHPs. He finished the season with a .374/.398/.457 slash line the second half that included a very impressive .425/.444/.487 performance in August. His swing is compact with great bat control and plus bat speed, quick wrists and the ability to hit the opposite way. His power has been improving (0.052 to 0.082 to 0.097 isoP), his contact has remained fairly high (.374, .323, and .382 BABIP) and he has decent speed but not good base stealing instincts (career 21/37 SB). His play at second base has been improving every season and he was +13 DRS in Cedar Rapids. Arraez is starting to look more and more like a two way player with All-Star bat potential, but he is still very young. Speed has not been much of his game but the ACL tear might affect his future, thus the drop in the rankings. Arraez has likely the best hit tool in the Twins' system.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting 2B at Fort Myers or even Chattanooga depending on his Spring Training.
     
    13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020
    DOB: 11/9/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Alex Kirilloff was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 2016 draft from Plum High School in the Pittsburgh area, where he played baseball while being homeschooled. His father who used to be in the Pirates' organization as a scout and coach, is a professional hitting coach, offering both facilities and instruction to amateurs, including his son. In High School Alex Kirilloff was a two way player. As a pitcher he has a 89-92 mph fastball that was good enough to go 5-1 in limited competition, but was not going to get him to the next level. Power and arm strength are Kirilloff's best tools and he projects as a rightfielder. The transition to wood bat was seamless for him, hitting .306/.341/.454 in 55 games (232 PAs) in Elizabethton. He has 9 2Bs, 1 3B, and 7 HRs, walking 11 (4.7%) and striking out 13.8%. He was 0/1 in stolen bases. He was named the Appalachian League’s player of the year. Unfortunately, he had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow and missed all the 2017 season recovering.
     
    There is definitely some power potential with his .148 isoP likely doubling at some point. He has good judgement of the strike zone and makes contact that is successful (.328 BABIP.) His swing is a bit complicated both with leg and shoulder action, but so far it works. It will be interesting to see how this will translate in the next levels when he will be looking at more off-speed and breaking balls. It might require some rework to quieten it up and shorten it. The Tommy John surgery is not usually an issue for a position player, but Kirilloff's arm was not elite before it, and he might be relegated to left field or first base in the long run.
     
    2018 Likely path: Starting the season in single A Cedar Rapids
     
    12. Tyler Jay (2)
    DOB: 4/19/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2016,2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Tyler Jay was drafted by the Twins 6th overall in 2015 from University of Illinois. The Lemont, IL native was mainly the closer in College appearing in 30 games (2 starts) in his Junior season pitching for 66.7 innings, walking 7 (0.9 BB/9) and striking out 77 (10.3 K/9) with a 1.08 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. He moved on to the Fort Myers' bullpen with the Twins to appear in an additional 19 games (18.2 IP) where he walked 8 (3.9 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%) and struck out 22 (10.8 K/9, 27.2 K%) for a 3.93 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP (.353 BABIP). The Twins view Jay as a starter and he made the transition to the Miracle rotation this season where he started 13 games (69-2/3 IP) struck out 68 (8.8 K/9, 23.6 K%), walked 21 (2.7 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.84 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP (.311 BABIP). He moved to Chattanooga in July, where he pitched in 5 games (2 starts) before ending his season on the disabled list because of a sore neck. He pitched only 14 innings (9 K, 5.8 K/9, 5 BB, 3.2 BB/9, 6.9 K-BB%, 5.79 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, .262 BABIP). After the 2016 season the Twins Front Office decided to stop the Jay as a starter experiment and relegated him full time to the pen. The 2017 season was practically lost for Jay due to injuries that limited him to 11-2/3 innings, including rehab. Those injuries started with bicep tendonitis, right after spring day and a Left shoulder impingement on the beginning of July that ended his season. It was thought that he might require Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery, but he did not. He pitched 9-2/3 innings at the Arizona Fall League.
     
    When Jay is healthy, and in the pen, he has a plus to plus plus fastball that sits at 93-95 and peaks and 97-98 (not bad at all for a lefty) which he complements with a plus slider, an average curve ball and an average changeup that has flashed some potential. As a reliever he is likely to be a fastball/slider pitcher with occasionally throwing his lesser offerings, unless the change up improves to plus quality, being useful against RHBs. He dropped several points from the number 2 ranking last season, because of his health issues and the move to the pen. Jay, if healthy can help the Twins this season. He was not invited to the major league camp this spring.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Likely starting the season at Rochester health allowing, and moving to the Twins' pen some time during the season.
     
    11. Akil Baddoo (24) OF , 2020
    DOB: 8/16/1992; Age: 19
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 5'11", Weight: 185 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    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.) His bat came alive in 2017, when he repeated the GCL (.267/.360/.440, .381 wOBA, 130 wRC+, 10.5 BB%, 15.1 K% in 20 games, 86 PA) and sizzled at Elizabethton (.357/.478/.579,.476 wOBA, 183 wRC+, 17.2 BB%, 12.1 K%, in 33 games, 157 PA)
     
    He flashed speed both on the bases (9/13 SB and 5 triples) and on the field where he is fast as a centerfielder, and this season he improved his routes considerably. He has a quick bat and soft hands, and his eye at the plate has matured to a major asset. He is a potential 5 tool player, with his throwing arm power arrived last season and home run power expected to arrive soon. He is still growing and has an impressive physique. Makeup and workout ethic are off the charts. If he does well against full season competition, expect a rise into the top 5 prospects, and national media recognition.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting CF at Cedar Rapids.
     
    Next: 6-10
  9. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25. You can find all segments in this series here.
    Here are players 16-20 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players not in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    20. Jermaine Palacios (31) SS/3B, 2020
    DOB: 7/19/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: SS
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 145 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Jermaine Palacios was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from Barquisimeto, Venezuela on July 7, 2013. In 2014, as a 17 year old he hit .270/.404/.399 in 225 PAs in the DSL (league average OPS: .671), as an 18 year old the first half of 2015 he hit .421/.472/.589 in 106 PAs in the GCL (league average OPS: .649) and .336/.345/.507 in 149 PAs as 2.5 year younger than the average Appalachian League Player (league average OPS: .731). In 2016 he was promoted to Cedar Rapids, started very cold (.471 OPS in April and .514 OPS in May) and started warming up (.613 OPS in June and .714 OPS in July) as the weather did, before his season ended on July 17 with a fractured left (glove) hand. His overall slash line was .222/.276/.287 and .306/.346/.367 for July. He does not walk much or strikeout much, but for some reason in addition not to making much contact early in the season, his isoP dropped from .171 and .168 in his two 2015 stops to 0.065, and his BABIP took an about 200 point tumble to .253 from the .375 and .464 in his 2015 stops (it was .333 in 2014.) He repeated Cedar Rapids in 2016 where he excelled in 62 games (276 PA) hitting .320/.362/.544 with a .404 wOBA and 154 wRC+. His BABIP moved up to .356. Mid-season he moved to Fort Myers as a 20 year old and he cooled up considerably. He hit .269/.303/.359 with a .306 wOBA and 92 wRC+, but he was close to 3 years younger than the league.
     
    Palacios had wrist issues in 2016 that seem behind him, based on the Cedar Rapids performance. His BABIP at Fort Myers was at .322, which is where he has been when good. His K% rose to 20.2 from the 16.7 in Cedar Rapids and his BB% dropped to a career low 3.8 from 4.3 at Cedar Rapids. He was 20/35 at stolen bases between both stops. Hard to tell the root cause of his problems at Fort Myers, but he had reverse splits, hitting righties at a respectable .280/.316/.390 rate and lefties at only .238/.265/.270. It could be pitch recognition. Palacios will likely stay as a short stop, since his glove plays at the position and he has improved. It would be beneficiary for the 21-year old to repeat Fort Myers starting in the season, but he might be pushed up because of the numbers: Twins top prospects Royce Lewis and Wander Javier are both shortstops, in need of a full-season ball home and likely will start at Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids, respectively, which will push Palacios to Chattanooga, ready or not.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting shortstop at Fort Myers or Chattanooga, depending on his and other players' health.
     
     
    19. Jean Carlos Arias (36)
    DOB: 1/14/1998; Age: 20
    Positions: CF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 5'11", Weight: 170 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent 7/2/2014
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: GCL (2016, 2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Jean Carlos Arias was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic the summer of 2014. In his first professional season in the DSL he hit .311/.378/.537 with 18 BB, 30 K, 13 2B, 9 3B and 2 HRs in 189 PAs. He was 11/17 in stolen bases. That .914 OPS is not quite at Miguel Sano level (Sano hit .344/.463/.547 at age 17 in the DSL), but cannot be ignored in a league where the average OPS is .680. His wOBA was .425 and wRC+ 151, which are also on the ridiculous level. Arias destroyed RHPs at the rate of .330/.390/.568. Reports from the Dominican have the 17 year old Arias, who batted at the number 3 spot for the DSL Twins, is a true 5-tool Centerfielder. In 2016 he moved to the United States for Extended Spring Training and later to the GCL where he played an error-less OF in all 3 outfield positions and struggled with the bat hitting .202/.265/.266 with 10 BB and 28 K, stealing 7/10 bases and only 6 xBH / 25 H in 45 games (124 AB.) He repeated the GCL last season with much better results: .298/.359/.476, .393 wOBA and 138 wRC+ in 185 AB in 48 games. His IsoP increased to .179 and BABIP to .372, close to his first professional season in the Dominican. The strikeouts were a tad high at 22.7% compared to 7.6 BB%. He made the Post-season GCL All Star team. Arias has a plus glove at centerfield with excellent range and sure-handedness. As far his bat goes, he still needs a bit of work against LHP (.255/.345/.255) but he destroys RHP (.316/.365/.573).
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and the Elizabethton starting centerfielder. Outside chance of moving to Cedar Rapids, depending on the Twins' draft and his Spring Training.
     
     
    18. Jose Miranda (--)
    DOB: 6/29/1998; Age: 20
    Positions: IF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the second supplementary round of 2016
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Jose Miranda was drafted by the Twins in the second supplementary round of 2016 from Leadership Christian High School at Guaynobo, PR. His hit tool was his best tool, but in his first season as a pro in 2016 in the GCL, Miranda struggled. He hit .227/.308/.292 with a .291 wOBA and a 83 wRC+. Upon moving to Elizabethton last season, he showed why he was a 2nd round pick. He hit .283/.340/.484 with a .367 wOBA and a 117 wRC+. He had a .202 IsoP, 6.5 BB% and only 9.7 K%, in 55 games (247 PA). He played mostly second base in 2017, and a mix of second, short, and third in 2016. His footwork and instincts are below average at this point, and his arm is just average, which indicates that second, first, or left field might be his future home. He utilizes all fields and was tied for the lead in HRs in the Appalachian League with 11. He was a post season Appy League All-Star and received the MiLB.com organization All Star Award, both last season. Miranda hit .299/.344/.521 off RHP and .232/.32/.375 off LHP, which might indicate a slight difficulty in off-speed ball recognition from lefties. His bat is ahead of his glove, but his glove is not horrible.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Somewhere in the Cedar Rapids outfield.
     
     
    17. Tyler Wells (54), RHP 2020
    DOB: 8/26/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'8", Weight: 265 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 15th round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Tyler Wells was drafted by the Twins in the 15th round of the 2016 draft from California State San Bernandino. The Oklahoma 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. In the 2017 season Wells made 14 starts for Cedar Rapids, pitching 75-1/3 innings, striking out 92 (11.0 K/9, 29.6 K%) and walking 22 (2.6 BB/9, 22.5 K-BB%). He had a 3.11 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 1.13 WHIP (.302 BABIP.) He missed some time last season with elbow strain, and also played in 4 rehab games in the GCL.
     
    Wells is a very durable starter and has the physique of a football tight end. 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 as a pro show hope that he can consistently keep his strikeout high by getting a better feel for his stuff from start to start. Wells throws an above average fastball, curveball, slider, and changeup. His plus slider is a true out pitch. 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 2018 Path: In the Fort Myers rotation.
     
    16. Nick Gordon (5)
    DOB: 10/14/1995; Age: 21
    Positions: IF
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 160 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2014
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Nick Gordon was drafted by the Twins as the 5th overall player in the 2014 draft from Olympia High School in Orlando, FL. He started his pro career in 2014 playing for Elizabethton hitting .294/.333/.366 (101 wRC+) with 11 BB and 45 K (17.6 %), and 11/18 SB (61%). In 2015 for Cedar Rapids, he hit .277/.336/.360 (104 wRC+) with 39 BB and 88 K (16.5 %), 25/33 SB (76%). There was incremental improvement on the base paths, but in general similar results. At this point he exhibited some gap power (23 doubles, 7 triples and 1 HRs in 535 PAs, 0.083 isoP), but it does get neutralized against LHPs (.264/.325/.291; only extra base hits were 3 doubles in 110 PAs against LHPs.) He started the 2016 season in Fort Myers, where he made a leap forward hitting .291/.335/.386 (112 wRC+) in 116 games (493 PAs), with 17,6 K% and 0.095 isoP, stealing 19/32 bases. His BABIP (.353) was close to his .333 and .352 of the previous 2 seasons, which means that a BABIP around .350s is not out of question. He continued in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit a very impressive .346/.418/.444 (144 wRC+) in 21 games (91 PA), but inflated due to an unsustainable .475 BABIP. Last season he played at Chattanooga, where he hit a career best .270/.341/.408 with a .344 wOBA and 117 wRC+. He also had career bests with 9.2 BB% and .139 IsoP as well as career worst 23.2 K%.
     
    Gordon's glove is about average at SS but the footwork and lateral movement is not there to believe that he can be a first tier major league shortstop. His bat still projects as a major league average, however he was again neutralized against LHPs (.174/.273/.240 in 121 AB in AA last season.) He had good speed, but not great base stealing instincts that need a lot of work. This season was his greatest work load with 578 PA and Gordon showed that his his 6-0/160 lb frame might just not be durable enough for a full season. He hit a robust .315/.376/.504 in the first half, and he followed by a lackluster .221/.304/.305 the second half. His last two seasons overall are promising, but the ones who were hoping for a star with the 5th overall pick would be disappointed at Gordon, because he does not project as one. In addition, there seem to be make up issues, because instead of focusing on working on his baseball weaknesses this off-season, Gordon chose to produce music videos, including one in which he was wearing clothing with another MLB team's insignia. With Polanco as the Twins SS of the present, and Palacios, Lewis, and Javier right behind Gordon, at shortstop and Arraez and Miranda at second base, maybe the Twins' best way of dealing with Gordon is to use him as a center piece for a trade for pitching, as long as he still is highly ranked in the National prospect lists.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting AAA Rochester shortstop
     
    Next: 11-15
  10. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 21-25 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--) This edition includes an extra player who came on board the Twins' organization after these rankings were finished.
     
    25. Landon Leach (--)
    DOB: 7/12/1999; Age: 18
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'4", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Landon Leach was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft from Pickering High School in the Toronto, ON area of Canada. He started his pro career in his age 17 season pitching 13-1/3 innings in the GCL in 5 games striking out 10 and walking 4, with a total of 3.38 ERA, 4.17 FIP, 1.28 WHIP (.268 BABIP), 16.4 K%, and 9.8 BB%. Very small sample size aside, Leach is a very intriguing player. He has not pitched for that long and his body has filled in (already at 6-4/220 as a 17 year old) so his command is yet not that consistent, despite having good mechanics and easy repetitive 3/4 arm slot delivery. He as a fastball and slurve that both flash plus. His fastball sits at mid 90s with excellent sink, and his mid 80s slurve has late movement and bite. He needs to develop at least one more pitch to be regarded as a starter in the future, but he looks that part. A still very young prospect with a potentially big future but also big questions in front of him.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training then depending on the Twins' draft either at the GCL or Elizabethton.
     
    24. Chris Paul (--)
    DOB: 10/12/1992; Age: 25
    Positions: UT
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016, 2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Chris Paul was drafted by the Twins in the 6th round of the 2015 draft as a Senior from University of California Berkley. The Laguna Beach native has never been in this list before, but there are good reasons to believe that he will be a major league player. He spend his first 3 seasons at Berckeley playing pretty unremarkably (.644, .666, and .643 OPS;) however he had a major breakthrough his senior season hitting .325/.404/.562 with a .237 isoP, 11.1 BB% and 18 K% in 235 PA. He continued his success after switching to wood in Elizabethton where he hit .302/.375/.488, .396 wOBA, 141wRC+ with 4.2 BB% and 15.6 K% and .186 isoP in 94 PA (21 games), but fell off the map upon moving to Cedar Rapids and hitting just .244/.277/.356 with .294 wOBA and 82 wRC+. He repeated Cedar Rapids in 2016 and just 7 games of hitting .346/.414/.462 with .406 wOBA and 160 wRC+ was enough to earn him a promotion to high A Fort Myers, where he tanked, in a league were he was pretty much the average age. He hit .219/.273/.296 with a .269 wOBA and 66 wRC+. Last season (other than a rehab assignment due to a non-throwing wrist sprain that kept him in the DL for a couple of months or so) he repeated Fort Myers where he hit .328/.380/.471 with .390 wOBA and 149 wRC in 61 games (264 PA). He followed to the Arizona Fall League where he had an additional 76 PA in 18 games slashing .292/.329/.444.
     
    Paul has made major strides with his ability to make contact. he still does not walk much (5.7%) and his strikeouts are average (16.7%), but his ability to play all corner infield and outfield positions make him valuable as a hitter. He will not hit for power or steal a bunch of bases but he will make solid productive contact.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting at Chattanooga, potential to move up to Rochester or even to the bigs, as circumstances necessitate.
     
    23a Yunior Severino (--)
    DOB: 10/3/1999; Age: 18
    Positions: IF
    Bats: S, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as an international free agent on December 8th, 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2022
     
    The Twins signed the Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic native, Yunior Severino on December 8th of 2017 for a $2.5 million bonus. Severino was signed by the Braves on July 2, 2016 for $1.9 million bonus, but became a free agent on November 21, 2017 by the MLB as a punishment for Braves' mismanagement of their international money allowance pool. Severino played 10 games in the DSL in 2017 before he moved Stateside at the GCL. There he played in 48 games (206 PA) hitting .286/.345/.444 with an .373 wOBA and 125 wRC+. He walked 7.8% of the time and struck out 29.6%.
     
    His glove is a work in progress. He played second base last season but both his footwork and glove suffered. He is a power hitter (.159 IsoP) with a long swing that makes him strike out prone. The switch hitter is much better as a left handed hitter (.303/.365/.451). He is still very young and a man without position and his development and physical growth will likely dictate where he will end up, but the bat is here, and will a few adjustments to his swing his contact tool will improve as well.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At Extended Spring Training and then to the GCL or Elizabethton, depending the Twins draft.
     
    23. LaMonte Wade (22)
    DOB: 1/1/1994; Age: 24
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 189 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 9th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2017)
    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. Wade played all the 2017 season (117 games and 519 PA) in AA Chattanooga. He hit .292/.397/.408 with a .370 wOBA and 135 wRC+. He continued to the Arizona Fall League, where he played in 19 more games (77 PA) where he hit .238/.351/.413 and, in a collision with a teammate, he suffered a concussion serious enough to require hospitalization
     
    Wade has quick wrists, excellent eye, decent power and speed. He can play all 3 outfield positions with Left and Center being his best as a defender. He is hitting equally well left hand (.794 OPS in AA) nad right hand pitching (.809 OPS in AA.) With Buxton and Granite ahead of him at the majors, Wade might potentially move to a corner spot. There has been some discussion on moving him to second base; however throwing left-handed might put an end to that thought. Wade was invited to the Twins' major league camp this Spring. With Buxton, Rosario, Kepler, Grossman, and Granite in the majors, and with several outfield prospects ranked higher than him with an ETA of 2020, Wade might serve as trade bait for the Twins. The concussion is worrisome, as is, but to a lesser degree, his drop of performance in the AFL, and part of the reason that Wade is ranked here. The other part is that the Twins 2018 system is better than the 2017.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Will start the season as the starting Centerfielder for Rochester, potentially in the majors if there is need.
     
    22. Lewis Thorpe (30)
    DOB: 11/23/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: R, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 160 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2017)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Thorpe was signed on July 12th of 2012 by the Twins to the largest bonus ever given for an Australian player, $500,000. His 2014 season in Cedar Rapids was somewhat of a disappointment compared to his 2013 season in Elizabethton (12 G, 8 GS, 44 IP, 64 K, 13.1 K/9, 38.1 K%, 6 BB, 1.2 BB/9, 34.5 K-BB%, 2.05 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 0.86 WHIP, .319 BABIP), showing considerable control issues (a career high 4.5 BB/9) and was fairly ineffective (4.24 FIP). Before this season, the Melbourne native had not pitched since September of 2014 resting and rehabilitating his left UCL, which eventually required Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2015. He lost all of 2016 with mononucleosis. Twins personnel and fans highly anticipated to see how Thorpe will do in 2017 after 2 seasons of hiatus. He spent all the season with Fort Myers (other than a single six inning start at Chattanooga.) At Fort Myers he pitched in 16 games (15 GS) for 77 innings, striking out 84 (9.8 K/9, 26.8 K%), walking 31 (3.6 BB/9, 16.9 K-BB%,) hitting 2 and throwing 12 wild pitches. He finished with a 2.69 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and 1.21 WHIP (.304 BABIP.)
     
    Thorpe has 4 pitches, including a plus mid 90s fastball, a plus change up and curveball and an improving cutter. His command and control suffered during his return. Part of this is his self-admitted difficulties throwing the cutter and change up. It might take a while to get the feeling of these two pitches back, but once that is done, it will reduce his wildness. Still difficult to project, but at 22 years old, there is still plenty of time for Thorpe. He was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this winter.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Will start the season in the Rochester rotation with an outside chance to make it to the Twins, but he is still not stretched out enough to be a regular MLB starter.
     
    21. Jovani Moran (--), LHRP, 2020
    DOB: 4/24/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 167 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 7th round of 2015 draft
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    The Twins drafted Jovani Moran in the 7th round of 2015 draft from the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico. The Mayaguez, PR native started his professional career in the GCL Twins' rotation that year, pitching 19-2/3 innings in 6 starts. He struck out 17 (7.8 K/9, 20.2 K%) and walked 9 (4.1 BB/9, 9.5 K-BB%) hit a batter and had 2 wild pitches. He finished with a 4.12 ERA, 3.10 FIP, 1.27 WHIP and .281 BABIP. Likely he was bothered by his elbow and had surgery to remove bone chips. He missed the whole 2016 season recuperating, but came back the 2017 season on fire. He pitched out of the Elizabethton pen for 11 games (23-2/3 IP) striking out 45 (16.4 K/9, 50 K%, which means that every other batter he faced he struck out), walking 6 (2.2 BB/9, 43.3 K-BB%), and threw 4 wild pitches. He finished with a 0.36 ERA, 1.51 FIP, and 0.73 WHIP (.290 BABIP.)
     
    Moran is equally effective against lefties (.141 OBA) and righties (.111) and his future is likely in the rotation. He has a low 90s fastball that he commands and controls very well, a plus slider with late biting action, a good changeup and he has been working on a curve. He has very polished mechanics and an easy 3/4 delivery. Because of his elbow situation, the Twins have been bringing him along slowly. Moran is one of these prospects that has a top-5 prospect potential. 2018 will be an interesting season for Moran and will be telling how the Twins treat him after Spring Training.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At the Cedar Rapids rotation at some point depending his Spring Training health. Could start the season there or join later after partial EST.
     
    Next: 16-20
  11. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35. You can find all segments in this series here.
    Here are players 26-30 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    30. David Banuelos (--)
    DOB: 10/1/1998; Age: 21
    Positions: C
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Traded by Seattle
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A- (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    David Banuelos was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 5th round of the 2017 draft from Long Beach State as a Junior and traded to the Twins for international pool money. The Ontario, CA native played 3 years as a catcher and was named the best defensive catcher in the country by the American Baseball Coaches Association and Rawlings. In his senior year he hit .289/.368/.468, with a career best .179 IsoP, and a 17:45 BB:K ratio, in 234 PA. As a pro he was assigned to short season A Everett of the Northwest league. He hit .236/.331/.394 with a .340 wOBA and 109 wRC+, 11% BB%, and a concerning 27.4 K%. His IsoP was .157 and the transition to the wood seemingly did not rob him of power.
     
    His glove is very advanced and his arm is strong and accurate. He threw out 38% of runners. Banuelos had a very interesting split between home (.339/.453/.565) and away (.138/.200/.231) games, which might be meaningful or not. It will be interesting to see how the competition between Banuelos and the Twins number 31 prospect Rortvedt plays in the future. Banuelos is a year older, more advanced with the bat and at least equal, if not better, with the glove. I admit that I might have ranked Banuelos a bit lower than where he should be, but I have not yet to see him play. He can shoot up this list next season.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At Fort Myers.
     
    29. Tyler Watson (--)
    DOB: 5/22/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: L
    Height: 6'5", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Traded by Nationals
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016, 2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Tyler Watson was drafted in the 34th round of the 2015 draft by the Washington Nationals from Perry Gilbert (AZ) High School. He was traded to the Twins for Brandon Kintzler in the July trade deadline of 2017. He started his pro career in 2015 in the Nats' GCL team pitching 13.1 scoreless innings in 5 games (4 starts). The next season he started in Extended Spring Training and continued in short season A Auburn, where he started 9 games (43 IP) striking out 48 (10.1 K/9, 28.2 K%) and walking 9 (1.9 BB/9, 23 K-BB%), with a 1.88 ERA, 2.05 FIP, 0.91 WHIP and .261 BABIP. That gained him a promotion to Full A South Atlantic League for the last 3 games of the season. In 2017 he started the season with the Hagerstown Suns (A) where he pitched in 18 games (17 starts) for 93 innings striking out 98 (9.5 K/9, 25 K%) and walking 24 (2.3 K/9, 18.9 K%) with a 4.35 ERA, 3.36 FIP, and 1.25 WHIP (.331 BABIP). After the trade he moved A leagues from the South Atlantic to Midwest where he started 5 games for the Kernels. He pitched 27-1/3 innings , striking out 18 (5.9 K/9, 15.7 K%) and walking 8 (2.6 BB/9, 8.7 K-BB%), with a 4.28 ERA, 5.07 FIP, and 1.32 WHIP (.286 BABIP.)
     
    Watson is fastball/curveball pitcher who is trying to develop a changeup. His fastball sits from 87-90, and has good movement. The hope is that it will gain a few ticks when Watson gains some muscle. Also that will help his endurance, since he ran out of stream in Cedar Rapids. He has been playing with a changeup that is a work in progress. His delivery is deceptive, yet non-mechanically solid, and he might have to simplify that at some point. He is a comparable pitcher to Stephen Gonslaves, but has a long ways to go to get there.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At the Fort Myers rotation.
     
    28. Charlie Barnes (--)
    DOB: 10/1/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 160 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Charlie Barnes was drafted by the Twins in the 4th round of the 2017 draft from Clemson University as a Junior. The lefty from Sumpter, SC had a very good Junior season starting in 16 games, pitching 101-1/3 innings, walking 22 (2.0 BB/9) and striking out 113 (10.0 K/9). He had a 3.20 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He won the Stowe Award given to the best Clemson pitcher. Another remarkable thing that Barnes achieved at Clemson is that he graduated on May of 2017 with a degree in Parks, Recreation & Tourism Management in only three years. He started pro ball at Elizabethton, pitching 6 games (5 starts) walking 10 (4.0 BB/9, 13.5 K-BB%) and striking out 23 (9.1 K/9, 24 K%) with a 1.19 ERA, 3.90 FIP and 1.06 WHIP. He moved to single A Cedar Rapids, where he was about a year younger than the league average, and started 6 games for 25-2/3 innings striking out 23 (8.1 K/9, 21.1 K%), walking 8 (2.8 BB/9, 13.8 K-BB%) with a 3.86 ERA, 4.78 FIP, 1.21 WHIP and .260 BABIP. When all was said and done, Barnes pitched 149-2/3 innings between College and the pros in 2017.
     
    Barnes is what a lot of people would call the "prototypical Twins' pitcher". He has an average fastball that sits at 87-90, but on occasion can reach higher, which he commands and controls excellently, "painting the corners" and inducing a lot of ground balls. At Cedar Rapids he has 2.4 times as many ground balls as fly balls. At Elizabethton 1.6 times. His mid 70s changeup is plus with plus plus flashes and it is a true out pitch. He also has a high 70s hard curve that is average as well as an above average low 80s slider. As the Clemson top starter, he matched often with ACC top starters and he did well because of his poise and control. Hard to tell what his ceiling will be, because there is a lot of development that needs to be done, but it will depend on whether he can get a couple of ticks on his fastball. At 6-2 and 160, there is the probability that he can get a bit of meat on his bones to accomplish this.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At the Cedar Rapids rotation with a mid-season move to the Fort Myers rotation.
     
    27. Travis Blankenhorn (15), 3B/1B, 2020
    DOB: 8/3/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: 1B/3B/OF
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 208 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 3rd round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016,2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Travis Blankenhorn was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft from the Pottsville, PA Area High School as a third baseman, and he has been on the prospect list elevator. Right now he is on a down phase, esp. due to a change of position to a corner infielder and likely outfielder, as he matures. He started his pro career in the GCL where he played in 14 games (49 AB) hitting .245/.362/.408 with 7 BBs and 11 Ks, before he moved up to Elizabethton for the last 39 games of the season where in 144 AB he hit .243/.306/.326 with 11 BB, and 32 K. He started last season in Extended Spring Training before moving to Elizabethton where in 34 games (138 AB) he hit a robust .297/.342/.558 with 9 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 8 BB and 33 K. He finished the season in class A Cedar Rapids where in 25 games (91 AB) he hit .286/.356/.418 with 1 HR, 5 2B, 2 3B, 8 BB and 28 K. In 2016 he moved to second base, but spend more than half of his time back at third base in 2017 where his glove was exposed, making 12 errors in 143 chances and not showing much range. His bat also regressed. He hit .251/.343/.441 with a .354 wOBA and 121 wRC+, with a .189 IsoP, which is fine for a good fielding second baseman, but not for a below average fielding corner position player or DH.
     
    Blankenhorn will go as far as his glove will let him. His bat was still neutralized by left hand pitching (.228/.320/.346) while he can hit righties okay (.260/.353/.479.) A very similar player to Travis Harrison on both sides of the ball. Hopefully something will click for Blankenhorn, who is still very young, but with a suspect glove and unable to hit left hand pitching, his ceiling is that of a platoon DH/PH, which this day and age is a luxury in major league ball. There are a lot of scouts who are tantalized by his potential and he (still) is a top-10 and top-20 prospect in many lists. However, based on his flaws just mentioned, I just could not rank him that high.
     
    Likely 2018 path: At Fort Myers, hopefully finding a defensive home.
     
    26. Andrew Bechtold (--)
    DOB: 4/18/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: 3B
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    The Twins drafted Andrew Bechtold from Chipola Junior College in Florida. The Chadds Ford, PA native transferred there after two futile seasons at Maryland University where he managed a .221/.339/.241 slash line. It could be the weather, but Bechtold blossomed in Florida hitting .419/.532/.676 with 12 HRs, 29/88 extra base hits, 49 BB and 44 strikeouts and stealing 24/48 bases, in 265 plate appearances. JUCO or not, these numbers are more than draftworthy and Bechtold continued his success when he had to change his bat to wood in Elizabethton. In 175 PA he hit .299/.406/.424, .387 wOBA, 129 wRC+. He walked 27 times, struck out 40, had 13/43 extra base hits and no SB attempts, while playing an above average third base.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting third baseman at Cedar Rapids. Next: 21-25
  12. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
     
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 31-35 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    35. Bryan Sammons (--)
    DOB: 4/27/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'4", Weight: 235 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 8th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Bryan Sammons was drafted in the 8th round of the 2017 draft by the Twins as a Senior from Western Carolina University. The Wilmington, NC native have had an unremarkable College career until he appeared in the Cape Cod league the summer of 2016, winning the title game and going 1-0 with a 1.53 ERA in 10 games (4 starts.) He pitched 29-1/3 innings, with a 1.36 WHIP, 2.5 BB/9, and 7.1 K/9. His senior year he pitched in 16 games (15 GS) for 104-1/3 innings, wiht a 1.20 WHIP, 11.3 K/9 and 2.6 BB/9. He started his pro career at Elizabethton, where he pitched in 7 games (3 starts) for 24-2/3 innings, striking out 31 (11.3 K/9, 32.3 K%), walking 7 (2.6 BB/9, 25 K-BB%) with a 1.46 ERA, 2.76 FIP, and 0.85 WHIP (.228 BABIP). Mid-season after dominating Appalachian League hitters, he moved to the Midwest League Cedar Rapids and continued his successful seasona pitching in 6 games (5 starts) for 25-2/3 innings with 35 strikeouts (12.3 K/9, 31.5 K%) walking 11 (3.9 BB/9, 21.6 K-BB%) with a 3.51 ERA, 3.07 FIP and 1.29 WHIP (.318 BABIP).
     
    The big lefty pitched 154-1/3 innings between college and pros, and has the looks of a rotation workhorse. He held lefties to a .143 batting average and righties to a .235 at Cedar Rapids. His fastball sits at 88-91 and has the ability to change velocities. Also has a curve, slider/cutter, and an changeup that are average but improving.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting in the Cedar Rapids rotation, with an outside possibility of moving to Fort Myers based on Spring Training.
     
    34. Derek Molina (--)
    DOB: 7/27/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 14th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Derek Molina was drafted in the 14th round of the 2017 draft by the Twins as a draft eligible Sophomore from Merced College. The Turlock, CA native transferred there from Cal State Northridge, with the intend of being a two way player, pitcher and shortstop. Even though he hit .356/.456/.550 in 160 AB, the Twins drafted him as a pitcher. In his Sophomore season he pitched for 15 games (1 start) for 28-1/3 IP with a 0.95 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 13.7 K/9, and 2.5 BB/9. He was assigned to the GCL as a pro and continued his success pitching in 10 games (2 starts) for 16-2/3 innings striking out 21 (11.3 K/9, 33.3 K%), walking 3 (1.6 BB/9, 28.6 K-BB%) with an 1.08 ERA, 1.44 FIP, and 0.90 WHIP (.308 BABIP).
     
    The converted shortstop has a plus mid 90s fastball with a lot of movement, and an above average changeup with a good feel, complemented by a work in progress breaking ball. He has excellent command of all his pitches. Still very raw, but with very high potential and the mentality to close games, if needed (Between College and the GCL he amassed 8 saves in 2017). However the Twins will likely see what he can do as a starter the more accustomed he gets with pitching. He is a player that might jump up these ranking really quickly, in the manner of Brusdal Graterol.
     
    Likely 2018 path: In extended Spring Training and then in the Elizabethton rotation, or pen, depending on the Twins' draft.
     
    33. Alberoni Nunez (--)
    DOB: 2/17/1999; Age: 18
    Positions: OF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as an international free agent on July 2, 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: DSL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Alberoni Nunez was signed as an international free agent on July 2, 2016 by the Twins from San Domingo, Dominican Republic. His first pro season was in the DSL where he was a monster with the bat (.352/.420/.545, .457 wOBA, 172 wRC+) and played CF and RF. For comparison purposes, Miguel Sano's numbers at the DSL were .344/.463/.547, .485 wOBA and 191 wRC+. Nunez walked 10.4% of the time and struck out only 18.1%, which is really optimistic of someone with a .194 IsoP as an 18 year old. Nunez has some speed as well, stealing 11/19 bases and harvesting 7 triples. An interesting player to follow when he comes Stateside.
     
    Likely 2018 path: In extended Spring Training and then in the GCL outfield
     
    32. Kohl Stewart (17)
    DOB: 10/7/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2013
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2017)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Kohl Stewart was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 2013 draft from St Pius X High School in Houston, TX. Stewart is one of those players that elicit a lot of conflicting emotions when evaluated, because of the high expectations based on his potential and drafting position, which he apparently has not come close to fulfilling. He started his professional career in the GCL the year he was drafted and pitched in 6 games, 3 starts, for 16 innings, striking out 16, walking 3, for a 1.69 ERA, and 0.938 WHIP. He also made a start in Elizabethton that season for 4 innings, striking out 8, allowing a hit and a walk, after he recovered from a foot injury he suffered while stepping on a sea shell on the beach. The next season (2014) he moved to single A Cedar Rapids, where, about 3 years younger than the league, he started 19 games (87 IP), struck out 62 (6.4 K/9, 17.2 K%) and walked 24 (2.5 BB/9, 10.5 K-BB%) and finished the season with 2.59 ERA, 3.73 FIP, and 1.138 WHIP (.270 BABIP), while fight shoulder tenderness. After that season MLB.com ranked him 36th best prospect in Baseball, and the Baseball Prospectus ranked him 28th. Stewart had a somewhat disappointing following season in 2015 for the Miracle. He started 22 games after losing about a month in the DL because of elbow inflammation. He pitched 129-1/3 innings had 45 BB (3.1 BB/9, 4.7 K-BB%) and 71 K (12.8 K% and 4.9 K/9) for a 3.20 ERA, 3.45 FIP, and 1.38 WHIP (.308 BABIP) The hope was that the 4th overall pick will miss a lot of bats, as he did in 2013 where in 24 IP in both Rookie teams he walked 4 and struck out 24, but he did not. Potentially his injury was to blame, but that was not a very good season for him. Last season he repeated in the high A Miracle where he improved enough (9 GS, 51-2/3 IP, 44 K, 7.7 K/9, 20.7 K%, 19 B, 3.3 BB/9, 11.7 K-BB%, 2.61 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, .253 BABIP) to be promoted to AA Chattanooga the end of May. There, his numbers flattened out again (16 GS, 92 IP, 47 K, 4.6 K/9, 11.8 K%, 44 B, 4.3 BB/9, 0.8 K-BB%, 3.03 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, .291 BABIP) before finishing the season in the DL with right biceps tendonitis. Other than a game at Rochester, Stewart spent all last season in Chattanooga starting in 16 games, pitching 77 innings striking out 52 (6.1 K/9, 15.5 K-BB%), walking 45 (5.3 BB/9, 2.1 K-BB%,) hitting 4 and throwing 13 wild pitches. Ended with ta 4.09 ERA, 4.35 FIP, 1.52 WHIP and .296 BABIP. He spent good chunks of the season in the DL with left knee tendonitis.
     
    Here is what I wrote last season about Stewart:
     
    It appears that Stewart's ceiling moved after each of his seasons, from a top of the rotation flamethrower, compared to fellow Texan Roger Clemens when drafted to a bottom of the rotation pitch to contact pitcher who will utilize his ground outs (about 1.8 as many as fly outs for his career) to get bats out. I think that the true is somewhat in between. There are a few things that have stalled Stewart's development: First and foremost Stewart is still learning how to pitch at 23 years old. He was primary football player who was on his way to be a College quarterback before the Twins drafted him and he used to throw the ball past high schoolers in the Houston Catholic School circuit. His stuff is excellent. He has a plus to plus plus four seamer that hits 96, which he alternates with a plus 2 seamer in the low 90s and supplements it with a close to plus hard slider/cutter in the low-mid 80s, an above average high 70s curveball and an average change up. His command is about average at this point and the primary reason of his declining K/BB ratio. The issue with his command is his mechanics that are not smooth. This issue has also caused him the nagging injuries (other than the seashell one) which he has been battling with all his pro career. At this point the Twins and Stewart will be better served by taking a step back and re-examining his mechanics, working on a consistent, repeatable delivery that will help him be successful, instead of rushing him again. If it were up to me, I would have him start 2017 in Extended Spring Training to do this, instead of a league that is 3 years older than him, and move him to AA with a new delivery and confidence and a way to excel, avoid injuries, and reach his potential. Not sure that the Twins will do so...
     
    I feel more that ever that this is a make or break season for him. He was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft and was not selected; that must have been a wake up call. The Twins just need to do the right thing and try to fix his mechanics, before throwing him out there an having yet another disappointing season, his last before he becomes a minor league free agent...
     
    Likely 2018 path: In the Rochester rotation, depending on health.
     
    31. Ben Rortvedt (16)
    DOB: 9/25/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: C
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 5'10", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Ben Rortvedt was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft from the Verona, WI Area High School. He started his pro career in the GCL where he played in 20 games (59 AB) hitting .203/.277/.254 with 5 BBs and 8 Ks, before he moved up to Elizabethton for the last 13 games of the season where in 40 AB he hit .250/.348/.250 with 5 BB, and 2 K. He mostly batter third, fifth and sixth in the GCL and on the 7th spot in Elizabethton. He was rushed to Cedar Rapids last season, which was forgettable for him. He hit .224/.284/.315 with a .279 wOBA, and 71 wRC+. He also had career worsts in walks (6.5%) and Strikeouts (17.9%). He had reverse splits hitting LHPs remarkably (.311/.400/.393) but neutralized against RHPs (.202/.253/.296). His OPS by month was .229, .510, .953, .575, .711, .364, which indicated that other than a hot spell in June, he was unremarkable the whole season.
     
    He has a good feel in the catcher position which he played in 86 of his 89 total games (he was the DH for 3 games.) Good arm with 36% CS, few issues blocking the ball (15 PB for the season,) but overall a lot of promise, but a lot of youth and development ahead of him to reach his potential that is that of an above average two ways MLB-regular catcher. His hitting tool is just not there, and I am not sure the that Twins did him a favor rushing him to full season ball. There are questions at this point whether his hitting will be good enough for him to have a shot in the majors. Catchers develop later, and maybe slowing down will help the former second round draft pick.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Repeating Cedar Rapids.
     
    Next: 26-30
  13. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    --------
     
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 36-40 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    40. Aaron Whitefield (59)
    DOB: 9/2/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: CF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'4", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins on May 19, 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Aaron Whitefield was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from Brisbain, Australia on May 19, 2015. 2016 was his second professional season (he played 7 games in the GCL in 2015) and it highlighted Whitefield's versatility and steady hitting. He played 51 games in the Rookie Gulf Coast League, starting 17 at CF, 8 at RF, 2 at LF, 5 at 3B and 18 at 1B. He hit .298/.370/.366 with 2 HR, 7 2B, in 217 PA. Struck out 47 times and walked 19, stole 31 bases and was caught 9 times. In addition to the 19 BB, he had 48 singles, which means he attempted to steal 40 of the 67 times he reached first base, which is a very high rate. Last season he moved up to Cedar Rapids and he hit
    .262/.318/.414, .330 wOBA, 104 wRC+, had 6.7 BB% and 25.7 K%, and went 33/42 in stolen bases, while playing exclusively at Center field. During the off-season he is still playing in the ABL hitting .292/.364/.425 with 10/31 extra base hits and 10/17 SB.
     
    His bat is advanced for someone with only few years of playing baseball (Whitefield is a converted softball player) and improving. As most converted softball players, he is hitting RHP better that LHP. His slash line against RHP at Cedar Rapids was .276/.333/.415 vs .227/.280/.412 against LHP.
    Whitefield is still very raw, but has good instincts both with the glove and the bat. The bat will continue to improve the more he gets adjusted to baseball from softball, and right now it is much ahead of his peers. He is one of the players who might make considerable jumps in prospect lists, since he has all the makings of a five-tool player if his power further (his isoP is up to .158 from .063 last season) improves and his contact tool, esp. vs LHPs also improves. Strikeouts are a concern. He made it all the way to number 40 from 59 in these rankings last year. Still very raw and surviving (and thriving) due to his athleticism, but definitely a player to follow as he is playing against higher competition.
     
    Likely 2018 path: The starting centerfielder at Fort Myers.
     
    39. Wander Valdez, (--)
    DOB: 11/22/1999; Age: 18
    Positions: 3B
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins on July 2, 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: DSL (2017)
    ETA: 2022
     
    Wander Valdez was signed as international free agent by Twins on July 2, 2016 for a $495,000 bonus. His only professional season was last season at the DSL where he hit .263/.347/.401, with a .364 wOBA, 117 wRC+, 10.9 BB%, 19.2 K%, and .138 isoP, while playing both corner infield positions. He does have a considerable power for a 17 year old, and his arm is plus. Will likely stay at third base, unless he grows considerably. Very good sense for the strike zone and decent speed for his size.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting at extended Spring Training and then at the GCL.
     
    38. Lachlan Wells (29), LHSP, 2020
    DOB: 2/27/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins on November 21, 2014
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (17)
    ETA: 2019
     
    The Twins signed Lachlan Wells as an international free agent from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on November 21, 2014 for $400,000. Wells made his debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2015. He played in 10 games (9 GS) and pitched 47.3 innings, walking 11 (2.1 BB/9, 20.5 K-BB%) and striking out 49 (9.3 K/9, 26.5% K%) for a 2.09 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP (.263 BABIP). Last season he bypassed Elizabethton to play for Cedar Rapids in late June after Extented Spring Training. For the Kernals he made 12 starts for 71-1/3 IP, walking 16 (2.0 BB/9, 16.7 K-BB%) and striking out 63 (8.0 K/9, 16.7% K%) for a 1.77 ERA (3.28 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP (.272 BABIP). Wells moved all the way to Fort Myers in 2017 where he took a step back. He appeared in 16 games (14 GS) for 81-1/3 IP, striking out 68 (7.5 K/9, 20.1 K%) and walking 19 (2.1 BB/9, 14.5 K-BB%), with a 3.98 ERA, 4.17 FIP, and 1.17 WHIP (.272 BABIP.) All his rate measures were career worst. He missed missed all of July and most of August with an elbow flexor muscle strain, a situation that is concerning, because muscle elbow issues could very easily lead to ligament issues and Tommy John surgery.
     
    Wells throws an above average 90-93 mph fastball, a solid average curveball and a changeup that is close to plus and is his out pitch. His mechanics and complex delivery is a concern regarding durability, and a double concern now that he has elbow issues. So far his spits against lefties and righties are about similar with only one big difference: He produces much more ground balls against lefties that he does against righties. It could be the more frequent use of the changeup, but it is an interesting data point. The Twins have kept Wells as a starter thus far, but the bullpen might be a more realistic place for him in the future, especially given the fact that he has not pitched in triple digit innings yet.
     
    Likely 2018 path: In the Fort Myers rotation, pending health; moving to Chattanooga mid season.
     
    37. Pedro Garcia (45)
    DOB: 7/21/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as an international free agent on October 11, 2015
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    The Twins signed Pedro Garcia as an international free agent from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on October 11, 2015. Garcia had his first professional season in the Dominican Summer Rookie League in 2016 and he was the ace of that team, starting 14 games (62-1/3 IP), striking out 69 (10.0 K/9, 28.2 K%), and walking 24 (3.5 BB/9, 18.4 K-BB%). He finished the season with a 5-1 record, 2.17 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.01 WHIP (.260 BABIP). Opponents had a very hard time making contact (.181 OBA), especially when hitting from the right side (.155 OBA). In 2017 he move Stateside and joined the GCL after Spring Training. He pitched in 10 games (3 starts) for 48-2/3 innings, striking out 41 (7.6 K/9, 20.7 K%) and walking 17 (3.1 BB/9, 12.1 K-BB%), with a 2.59 ERA, 3.55 FIP, and 0.88 WHIP (.191 BABIP).
     
    Garcia has 3 pitches, a low to mid 90s two seamer fastball with good action, a workable changeup and an above average breaking ball. There is wildness there (he also hit 8 batters and had 7 wild pitches). His ground ball to fly ball rate is 1.3, his mechanics good and his frame projectable. Working on that fastball command will help him take the next step.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training then GCL or Elizabethton, depending his adjustment to commanding the fastball and the Twins 2017 draft.
     
    36. Bailey Ober (--)
    DOB: 7/12/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'8", Weight: 215 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 12th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Bailey Ober was drafted in the 12th round of the 2017 draft as a Senior out of College of Charleston (SC.) The Huntersville, NC native missed all his Sophomore season with Tommy John surgery, had a trying Junior season but finished his Senior season strong, pitching 56 innings in 10 starts with a 3.21 ERA, 1.77 BB/9, 11.7 K/9, and 1.20 WHIP. He started his first season as a pro in Elizabethton where he pitched in 6 games (4 GS) and 28 innings, striking out 35 (11.3 K/9, 31.5 K%) and walking 2 (1.0 K/9. 28.8 K-BB%), for a 3.21 ERA, 2.86 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP (.319 BABIP).
     
    Ober at 6-8 is very tall and gives a different look than most hitters are used. He has a 91-93 fastball that he commands very well, a close to plus changeup, a slider and a curve that are average but have potential. He dominated his opponents at Elizabethton, but it will be interesting to see what happens against better competition.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Starting in the Cedar Rapids rotation
     
    Next: 31-35
  14. Thrylos
    Originally Published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
     
    This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 51-55 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    50. Colton Burns (--)
    DOB: 10/19/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 18th round in 2017
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL (2017)
    ETA: 2021
     
    Colton Burns was drafted by the Twins in the 18th round of the 2017 draft as a Junior from the University of California Santa Barbara. The Palmdale, CA native transferred there from the JuCo College of the Canyons. As a junior he played the OF and filled in at second base because of injuries. He hit .308/.422/.389 with 9/57 extra base hits and 5/10 SB. His first season as a pro was at the GCL where he hit .282/.423/.385, .393 wOBA, 138 wRC+, and had 16.3 BB% and 23.5 K% and was 8/11 in SB.
     
    Burns is very raw but has a true 70 speed and excellent plate discipline. He had some issues with contract his first time around with wooden bat, but this will be a matter of adjustment. He projects as a left fielder or centerfielder in the future. He is a player with tools similar to current Twins' OF Zack Granite.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Extended Spring Training and then Elizabethton.
     
    49. Hector Lujan (--)
    DOB: 8/23/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 35th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
     
    Hector Lujan was drafted by the Twins in the 35th round of the 2015 draft from Westmont College as a junior. The Corona, CA native went to University of California Santa Barbara as a freshman and sophomore but decided to transfer to get more opportunities to pitch. In his Junior year he pitched 23 innings in 20 games out of the pen with a 4.30 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 9.8 K/9 and 5.9 BB/9. A mechanical change in the pros reduced the walks (2.5/9 at GCL in 2015 and 2.6/9 in Elizabethton in 2016), but previously to last season, he was fairly ineffective: in 2015 at GCL he pitched in 15 games (18 IP) with 16 K (8 K/9, 20.8 K%), 5 BB (2.5 BB/9, 14.3 K-BB%), with a 5.00 ERA, 2.70 FIP and 1.39 WHIP. In 2016 he appeared in 19 games with Elizabethton pitching for 35-1/3 innings and had 30 K (7.6 K/9, 18.8 K%), 10 BB (2.6 BB/9, 12.5 K-BB) and a 5.35 ERA, 4.99 FIP and 1.39 WHIP. That season he pitched a game for the Miracle (1 IP, 1 ER, 1 HR, 1 K). Last season a different Hector showed up in Cedar Rapids and dominated as the closer for most of the season. He appeared in 42 games (54 IP), stuck out 54 (9 K/9, 26.5 K%) walked only 8 (1.3 BB/9, 22.5 K%) and finished with 1.33 ERA, 2.79 FIP and 0.91 WHIP (.277 BABIP).
     
    Two things happened for Lujan that helped those results: His fastball gained a couple of ticks to 96-97 mph and he learn how to command and control it better. It has a lot of movement and it is a plus pitch at this point. Add a hard slider with plus flashes but solidly at above average and an average to above average changeup and Lujan might be on the fast track if he starts producing at higher levels.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Closer at the Fort Myers Miracle.
     
    48. Kerby Camacho (--) C, 2021
    DOB: 11/23/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: C
    Bats: S, Throws: R
    Height: 5'10", Weight: 175 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 11th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: GCL (2015, 2017)
    ETA: 2023
     
    The Twins drafted the Arecibo, PR native in the 11th round of the 2015 draft from the Carlos Beltran Baseball Academy. His first professional season in the DSL was disappointing (.093/.169/.167, .176 wOBA, 9 wRC+. He lost all of his second season to a 60 day suspension testing positive for the anabolic steroid Nandrolone. He return to the GCL in 2017 where he was much improved: .246/.378/.328 slash line with a .349 wOBA and a 111 wRC+ in 74 PA.
     
    He projects to stay at Catcher where he is pretty good with the glove cutting down 29% of the would be base stealers. He is good at calling games and pretty sure-handed as a backstop making no errors last season. He is a switch hitting catcher, which is not a small feat by itself. Still pretty raw and still question marks, and not only because he is another steroid strike away from major consequences on his development, but he is one to keep your eye on.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Catching at Elizabethton.
     
    47. Tom Hackimer (--) RHP
    DOB: 6/28/1994; Age: 20
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 5'11", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    ETA: 2019
     
    The New Hyde Park, NY Native was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 4th round of the 2016 draft from St. John's University as a Senior. He was a Physics majors with a 3.62 GPA and decided to go back to finish after being drafted by the Mets as a Junior. In his senior year at the Big East conference he pitched in 28 games (53-2/3 IP) striking out 71 (11.9 K/9) and walking 19 (3.2 BB/9). He finished with 8 saves, 1.17 ERA and 0.800 WHIP. As a pro that season (2016) he was assigned to Cedar Rapids where he pitched in 21 games (26-1/3 IP), struck out 26 (8.9 K/9, 22.8 K%), walked 12 (4.1 BB/9, 12.3 K-BB%) and hit 7 batters. He had a 2.39 ERA, 4.16 FIP and 1.25 BABIP. He repeated Cedar Rapids to start the 2017 season, pitching 16 games (24 IP), striking out 28 (10.5 K/9, 30.8 K%), walking 3 (1.1 BB/9, 27.5 K-BB%) and hitting 4 batters. His ERA was 1.50, FIP 2.04 and WHIP 0.58 (.196 BABIP). He moved up to Fort Myers where he pitched in 27 games (37-1/3 IP) stuck out 43 (10.4 K/9), walked 19 () and hit 7 batters. He finished with a 1.93 ERA, 3.10 FIP, and 1.02 WHIP (.221 BABIP). He followed with an appearance in the Arizona Fall League where he pitched 11-2/3 innings in 10 games with 7.7 K/9, 5.4 BB/9, 2.31 ERA and 1.29 WHIP.
     
    Hackimer did not allow a HR this season. He allowed 1 at Cedar Rapids in 2016 and none in 4 NCAA seasons. He is an extreme ground ball pitcher, allowing 2-4 as many time ground balls as fly balls. He is a submarine pitcher with a fastball that runs 89-92 and moves a lot (thus the walks and HBPs) and has a good Frisbee slider. Control will make or break Hackimer, but he is fast tracked to the majors.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: In the Fort Myers' pen with a move to Chattanooga mid-season.
     
    46. Andrew Vasquez (52) LHP, 2019
    DOB: 9/14/1994; Age: 24
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: S, Throws: L
    Height: 6'6", Weight: 228 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 32nd round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    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). He begun last season at Cedar Rapids for 14 games (22-1/3 IP), striking out 33 (13.30 K/9, 36.7 K%) and walking 10 (4.0 BB/9, 25.6 K-BB%), with an 1.61 ERA, 2.02 FIP and 1.12 WHIP (.326 BABIP). He moved up to Fort Myers, pitching in 23 games for 35-2/3 inning, striking out 52 (13.1 K/9, 34.4 K%) and walking 11 (2.8 BB/9, 27.2 K-BB%.) He finished with and 1.51 ERA, 1.82 FIP and 1.21 WHIP (.390 BABIP.) He moved on to the Arizona Fall Leauge where he pitched in 11 Games, 12-2/3 IP, 1.38 ERA, 9.7 K/9, 3.6 BB/9 and 1.11 WHIP.
     
    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 88-90 mph fastball has improved this season and he has been also toying with a slurve that sits at high 70s to low 80s and has improved to above average. He is lethal against LHBs. 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 2018 Path: In the Fort Myers' pen with a move to Chattanooga mid-season; aggressively, could start the season in AA.
     
    Next: 41-45
  15. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
    This is the third segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60. You can find all segments in this series here.
     
    Here are players 51-55 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players no in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--)
     
    55 Carlos Suniaga, (--)
    DOB: 5/26/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 187 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins on September 19, 2014
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: ELZ (2017)
    ETA: 2022
     
    Carlos Suniaga is a late bloomer pitcher from Margarita Venezuela. He was signed by the Twins as a 17 year old, played his first professional season the the DSL as an 18 year old and other than having good control of his fastball things were tough for him: He appeared in 23 games, all out of the pen for 50 IP, struck out 35 (6.3 K/9, 15.6 K%) and walked only 6 (1.1 BB/9, 12.9 K-BB%), but had a 1.54 WHIP and ended up with a 6.48 ERA and 3.99 FIP. He repeated the DSL as a 19 year old in 2016 with stellar results: 16 G, 6 GS, 57-2/3 IP, 58 K (9 K/9, 25 K%), 13 BB (2 BB/9, 19.4 K%), 1.01 WHIP, 2.03 ERA and 1.83 FIP. In 2017 he came to the States and played in the GCL as a 20 year old (about half a year less than average age for the league) and his success continued: He appeared in 11 games, 6 starts for 48 IP, stuck out 38 (7.1 K/9, 19.4 K%), walked 12 (2.3 BB/9 and 13.3 K-BB%), with a 1.00 WHIP, 1.69 ERA and 3.51 FIP. He pitched one game (3-1/3 innings) for the Elizabethton Twins where he allowed only one hit, no runs, and struck out 4 hitters.
     
    Suniaga's best pitch is his change up that has plus flashes. His sinker is heavy and has improved much this season to say that it is an above average pitch. He throws it at 90-92 mph and has good control of it. When it works, he generates about twice as many ground balls as fly balls. He has been experimenting with a breaking ball, but at this point it is a work in progress. He has an effortless 3/4 arm delivery and good mechanics that will allow him to get deep into games once he develops.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and in the Elizabethton rotation.
     
    54 Ruben Santana, (--)
    DOB: 11/30/1997; Age: 20
    Positions: IF
    Bats: S, Throws: R
    Height: 5'6", Weight: 160 lbs
    Acquired: Signed as international free agent by Twins on September 15, 2015
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: DSL (2017)
    ETA: 2023
     
    Ruben Santa who is from Monte Plata, Dominican Republic was signed as a 17 year old in 2015. His first professional season in 2016 he hit .248/.300/.297 with a .299 wOBA and 80 wRC+. He repeated the DSL last season and he improved vastly hitting .340/.418/.453 with .427 wOBA and 154 wRC+. Additionally, he walked as many times as he struck out.
     
    He played every single infield position last year, even though at 5'9", middle infield is probably his calling. His arm is accurate enough to play shortstop. The switch hitter has been hitting well from both sides of the plate, however he has more power from the left side, hitting against RHPs. Yet another Latin American middle infielder in the footsteps of Louis Arraez and Jermaine Palacios. It will be interesting to see how he performs Stateside.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and all over the infield for the GCL Twins
     
    53 Alex Robles, (--)
    DOB: 7/7/1995; Age: 22
    Positions: OF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 200 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 30th Round of the 2017 draft
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: GCL
    ETA: 2022
     
    Alex Robles was drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of Austin Peay State University. The Senior from Tuscon, AZ, was a two way player thoughout his college career. He pitched in 71 games (50 starts) and ended with a 28-19 record, 4.53 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 7.8 K/9 and 3.1 BB/9. As a hitter he hit .336/.410/.477 with his senior year being his best hitting .347/.414/.551 with a .204 IsoP and a sustainable .366 BABIP (his NCAA average BABIP was .368). He walked 20 times, struck out 32 and hit 10 HR (22.5 AB/HR) and 11/14 SB. His pitching was the worst of his career as a Senior when he started only 10 of 23 games, had a 6.75 ERA and 1.54 WHIP. He was drafted by the Twins as an outfielder and played 18 games at RF, 8 games at LF, 13 at 1B, 2 at 2B, and 8 at 3B. He hit a very respectable .324/.369/.407 with 8 BB, 14 K, 3 HR, and 10/14 SB in 199 PA, the first time he played with a wood bat. Actually it was the second time, since he went to the Cape Cod League as a pitcher in the summer of 2015. There he was hittless in 12 AB.
     
    His arm is strong and his fielding at the corner OF positions and at 1B is acceptable. Cannot see him ending up long term at 3B or 2B, because he lacks the instincts and range for those positions and tends to be erratic and uncomfortable. His .082 isoP was the lowest of his career, but there is the wooden bat to blame here. At this point his bat is ahead of his glove that will catch up once he is dedicated to fewer positions. Very good contact tool, despite his longish swing, very good eye, and good instincts on the bases.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and 1B/OF at Elizabethton.
     
    52 Jaylin Davis, (39)
    DOB: 7/1/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: OF
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 24th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A+ (2017)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Jaylin Davis was drafted by the Twins in the 24th of the 2015 draft as an outfielder from Appalachian State University. The Greensboro, NC native missed almost all his junior season with a shoulder injury that was later diagnosed as a labrum tare and was operated upon. Davis lost all of 2015 in the disabled list for that reason. Last season he started in extended Spring Training and was assigned to Elibatheton. His college numbers (career: .268/.337/.411 10 HR, 22/28 SB in 126 games and 482 PAs with .143 isoP and .331 BABIP) were solid but not close in predicting how Davis will do in his first pro season. In 12 games (47 AB) in Elizabethton he hit .277/.346/.745 with 7 HR, and 2 SB, an unreal .468 isoP and a .353 BABIP. He walked 4 times and struck out 23 (for a scary 44.2 K%). Hot streak or not, his stint with Elizabethton was enough for the Twins to promote the 22 year old to Cedar Rapids for the last 52 games of the season. There at 192 AB, he hit .250/.339/.469 with 9 HRs and 3/3 SB. His isoP was .219 and BABIP .328. He walked 21 times and struck out 64 (29.4 %). Davies has power, but that 6.7 AB/HR at Elizabethton was unsustainable and dropped to a 21.3 AB/HR in Cedar Rapids, which, even though respectable, is not elite. Surprisingly he started the 2017 season at Cedar Rapids where he hit as well (.267/.316/.486, .357 wOBA, 123wRC+, 20.9 AB/HR) as his 2016 season. However upon promotion to Fort Myers he frizzled (.237/.288/.335, .291wOBA, 81 wRC+, 71.7 AB/HR, 30.0 K%, 5.2 BB%)
     
    Interestingly enough, his biggest problem was against opposite side pitchers. He hit just .207/.250/ .293 against LHPs. He did have a better August (.310/.362/.425 overall) which means that Fort Myers might not be the end of the train for Davis, but he has to produce better than this from the corner OF position. Davis can play all 3 OF positions, but RF is his best position. He did have 17 assists there between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers last season.
     
    Likely 2018 path: Davis will likely start the 2017 season at Fort Myers with a mid-season promotion to Chattanooga, if the numbers are there.
     
    51 Cody Stashak (55)
    DOB: 6/4/1994; Age: 23
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 169 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 13th round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2017)
    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. His 2017 season was limited because of injuries and he lost the best part of 2 months (including a 3 game rehab stint at the GCL) At Fort Myers he starte a total of 16 games (83-1/3 IP) striking out 72 (7.8 K/9, 21.4 K%) and walking 20 (2.16 K/9, 15.5 K-BB%), finishing with a 3.89 ERA, 3.54 FIP, 1.10 WHIP (.279 BABIP). He pitched 3 scoreless games from the AA pen at the end of the season allowing 4 hits and striking out 10 in 6 innings.
     
    Injuries aside, Stashak has been a very steady pitcher. 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. His small sample size success at the Chattanooga pen at the end of last season, makes one wonder whether he can shine in the pen if his fastball gets a couple of ticks.
     
    Likely 2018 Path: Starting the season in the Chattanooga rotation
     
    Next: Prospects 46-50
  16. Thrylos
    Originally posted at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
    I usually start and post my top 60 Twins' prospect list a bit earlier that this (last year the first post was January 10th) because I want to pay full attention to Spring Training when that starts, and it starts soon. However, I waited longer this season because I expected the Twins to make moves that may affect this list. They really did not. If such a move occurs, and a newcomer is ranked 35th, I will keep the original list intact, rank the newcomer 35a and the previous number 35 prospect 35b. It will be interesting to see what the future brings as far as this aspect is concerned. I will be posting in reverse rankings starting next week, from number 60 to number 1, in chunks of 5, and a final summary post, total 13 posts. I am hoping to be posting up to 3 a week to finish by the end of February.
     
    The inclusion criteria from my list is different than those for most prospect lists that include everyone with rookie eligibility as a prospect. As far as this list is concerned, anyone who has made it to the majors has "graduated" from prospect status, so is ineligible. I am including an additional criterion this year: everyone for whom 2018 will be his age 26 or older season, will be excluded because he "came of age" to be regarded as a prospect.
     
    As a baseline here is the Twins 2017 off-season top 60 prospect list, and here is that summary with links to individual profiles and scouting reports.
     
    There is a lot of churn in the Twins top 60 from 2017 to 2018. Only 27 players are returning from the 2017 list and there are 33 new comers, and some highly ranked.
     
    Here are the players who were in the 2017 list, but dropped for reasons other than performance, with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis, and the reason they were dropped:
     
    Daniel Palka (7) OF, - claimed on waivers
    Adalbelto Mejia (9) LHP, - graduated
    Mitch Garver (10) C, - graduated
    Nick Burdi (12) RHRP, - selected on Rule 5 draft
    Engelb Vielma SS (14), - claimed on waivers
    Mason Melotakis (18), LHRP, - came of age
    Amaurys Minier (19) OF/1B, - released
    Huascar Ynoa (20), RHSP, - traded
    Justin Haley (21) RHP, - returned from Rule 5 pick
    Felix Jorge (23), RHSP, - graduated
    Niko Goodrum (26), CF/IF, - graduated, left as a MiLB FA
    Trevor Hildenberger (27) RHP - graduated
    D.J. Baxendale, (28) RHP; - came of age
    Dereck Rodriguez, (34) RHP – - came of age, left as a MiLB FA
    John Curtiss, (35) RHP; - graduated
    Travis Harrison (37), OF/1B, - released
    Aaron Slegers (38), RHP - graduated
    Levi Michael (40), 2B, - came of age
    Brandon Peterson (42), RHRP, - came of age, left as a MiLB FA
    Zach Granite, (43) OF, - graduated
    Jason Wheeler (51) LHP, - graduated, traded
    Michael Cederoth (60) RHP - Released
     
    The following 4 players came to the organization too late to be included in the 2017 list, or were not there for other reasons, but they are excluded from the 2018 list:
     
    (--) LHP Gabriel Moya - graduated
    (--) LHP Dietriech Enns - graduated, came of age
    (--) RHP Nick Anderson - came of age
    (--) C Wynston Sawyer - came of age
     
    As last season, unless he becomes a full-time professional baseball player, Griffin Jax will not be included because of high risk
     
    The following 10 players were included in the 2017 list (ranking in parenthesis) but dropped from the 2018 list, due to performance, progression, and/or better newcomers:
     
    Michael Theophanopoulos (33), LHP
    Brandon Lopez (41) SS
    Humberto Maldonado (44) OF
    Tyler Benninghoff, (46) RHP
    Taylor Clemensia (48) LHP
    Eduardo Del Rosario (49) RHP
    Jordan Balazovic, (50) RHP
    Zander Wiel, (53) 1B
    Colton Davis (56) RHP
    Williams Ramirez (57) RHP
     
    Next: Twins prospects 56-60
  17. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----
     
    With the recent slew of raw data we have about hitters, based on Statcast, new metrics based on that raw data have been developed to predict hitter performance, based on objective measurements, such as bat exit speed and launch angle. One of these metrics is the expected weighted on base average, or xwOBA. It is meant to compare directly to wOBA, in a manner similar to that of xFIP to FIP comparison's for pitchers. And in the same manner if xFIP-FIP is a positive number for a player, as a baseline, you expect a player to improve next season, and the opposite if it is a negative numbers. Of course, this is one factor, and additional factors, like training, mechanics change, adding muscle etc, will affect future performance; however, unlike xwOBA-xOBA, they are hard to measure.
     
    wOBA tries to measure a player's total offensive performance based on a series of weighted operations on offensive events on a players. The link will give you some basic information on the metric. xwOBA is a similar formula based on Statcast exit speed and launch angle. The link explains in detail the metric.
     
    Here are the xwOBA for the 2017 Twins' batters in two groups:
     
    The ones expected to improve in 2018:
     
     

     
    The ones expected to decline in 2018:
     

     
    As indicated only Joe Mauer, and in a lesser degree, Jason Castro are projected to improve, as far as the 2018 startling 9 of the Twins go. Pretty much everyone else is projected to decline.
     
    If one looks at several projections about what the 2018 will do, which are based on xwOBA, expect them to show an overall decline in wins.
     
    There is a silver lining: Other than Brian Dozier (and free agent Chris Gimenez,) most of the Twins' hitters expected to decline based on this formula are young, and the other factors like development, changes in mechanics, could easily trump these projections. If the 2017 Twins' hitters were an older bunch, things would have been different.
  18. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    -----------
     
    My premise this off-season is for the Twins to be competitive deep in the 2018 post-season, they need 2 starters better than Berrios, and at least 3 relievers better than what they have now. A few days ago, I discussed three free agents who can play a vital role in the Twins' 2018 pen. Unfortunately, unless someone believes that the Shohei Otani lottery ticket will land on the Twins' lap (it still could, btw; I just don't like living on a prayer,) there are no suitable free agent pitchers who fit this bill, as far as starters go.
     
    So the Twins have to trade for two top of the rotation pitchers. As far as who their first trade partner to accomplish this would be, I was crystal clear. As far as who their target should be, I was not, until I had an epiphany. There is a great synergy for the New York Mets to be the Twins' trading partner again. The Twins traded both Frank Viola and Johan Santana to the Mets, in trades that met both teams' needs needs (albeit the Gardenhire Twins were too quick to give up on the superstar centerfielder they got in return).
     
    Two of the biggest New York Mets' needs are a veteran starting pitcher who will be there to eat innings and be an example to their young Five Aces, a second baseman, and a power bat. This clearly spells Ervin Santana, and Brian Dozier, ladies and gentlemen. As far as who the Twins should be after, I have been really focusing on 29 year old Jacob DeGrom who has been their most consistent pitcher, has 2 years of club control through arbitration and about to get pretty expensive. Or the 25 year old lefty, Steve Matz, who did have a health scare, but his reconstructed UCL was fine after all, and might have the highest potential of them all.
     
    But then it hit me. There is a guy who would be as great a fit to Minnesota as Ragnar, and probably more than this guy: The Scandinavian god of thunder, Thor, himself. Indeed, the Twins should go after 25 year old RHSP Noah Syndergaard. Probably fell in their depth charts behind DeGrom, and with Matz, Steven Wheeler, Robert Gsellman, and even Matt Harvey ready to step in his shoes, Thor can rule in the frozen tundra in 2018. Just imagine the sponsorship opportunities for the guy.
     
    What will it take for the Twins to get Syndergaard? Assuming that he is fully recovered from his lat muscle issue, Santana and Dozier might not be enough. I think that adding Nick Gordon (a top 20 MLB prospect according to Baseball America), and Tyler Duffey and/or Jake Reed will help sweeten the deal. The Mets do need help in their pen and the Twins have plenty.
     
    So here is the deal:
     
    Noah Syndergaard to the Twins for Ervin Santana, Brian Dozier, Nick Gordon, and Tyler Duffey and/or Jake Reed.
     
    Mind you, this is not a trade between a team that wants to shed payroll and a competitive team. This is a treat between 2 competitive teams that are comfortable trading and rearranging assets. Not many of these kind of trades happen. The last one the Twins did, also involved the Mets, who traded Ricky Reed for Matt Lawton. This is not a Santana or a Viola deal that was centered on prospects.
     
    And the Twins have their opening day 2018 starter. And this is a match made in a Scandinavian heaven.
     
    And the Mets and the Twins meet in the 2018 World Series (Hint: Twins in 7.)
  19. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ------
     
    Ten days ago, before Spring Training games started, I took a preliminary cut at the potential Twins' 40-man roster. My view was that they Twins at this point will value veteran clubhouse presence and defense. I also suspected that participating at the WBC was a negative
     
    That 25-man roster was:
     
    Starting Pitchers (5)
    Ervin Santana
    Kyle Gibson
    Phil Hughes
    Trevor May
    Ryan Vogelsong
     
    Relievers (7)
    Brandon Kintzler
    Ryan Pressly
    J.T. Chargois
    Matt Belisle
    Craig Breslow (*)
    Justin Haley
    Hector Santiago (*)
     
    Catchers (2)
    Jason Castro (*)
    Chris Gimenez
     
    Infielders (6)
    Joe Mauer (*)
    Brian Dozier
    Jorge Polanco (#)
    Miguel Sano
    Eduardo Escobar (#)
    Ehire Adrianza (#)
     
    Outfielders (5)
    Byron Buxton
    Max Kepler (*)
    Robbie Grossman (#)
    Drew Stubbs
    J.B. Shuck (*)
     
    What have we seen in these 10 games or so:
     
    Pitchers:
     
    I think that Ryan Vogelsong has not really appeared as ready as I thought, and his position is likely going to be taken by Hector Santiago who likely did enough in his game against the Nationals to step up one step in the depth charts. Still to determine whether or not Phil Hughes will be ready, but for the time being, I assume that he will be. I also assume that the Twins will need at least a longer look at Justin Haley. With Santiago going to the rotation, another left-handed arm is needed for the pen and Taylor Rogers is likely on top of those charts. Dark horse: Nick Tepesch who has been pitching very well. So the Twins projected 25-man roster looks like this as far as pitching is concerned:
     
     
    Starting Pitchers (5)
    Ervin Santana
    Kyle Gibson
    Phil Hughes
    Trevor May
    Hector Santiago (*)
     
    Relievers (7)
    Brandon Kintzler
    Ryan Pressly
    J.T. Chargois
    Matt Belisle
    Craig Breslow (*)
    Taylor Rogers (*)
    Justin Haley
     
     
    Position Players:
     
    As far as catching goes, I think that Chris Gimenez further solidified his position as the back up by playing at 1B and LF as well as a C, being Trevor May's personal catcher and is hitting .500 so far. As far as infielders go, the only difference is that Ehire Adrianza just cannot hit and at this point I do not see him have a position. As far as outfielders go, I think that Eddie Rosario, WBC and all, has solidified a position on the 25-man roster, hitting .375 and playing solid defense. J.B. Shuck has not done so and it is taken off the list. The last spot of the 25-man roster could either go to 1B/DH like Matt Hague and ByungHo Park, both of whom are on fire; however I think that Danny Santana who has been playing all over the field and has not hurt himself with the bat (.972 OPS) has this spot for the time being. So the Twins' 25-man roster looks like this as far as hitting is concerned:
     
    Catchers (2)
    Jason Castro (*)
    Chris Gimenez
     
    Infielders (5)
    Joe Mauer (*)
    Brian Dozier
    Jorge Polanco (#)
    Miguel Sano
    Eduardo Escobar (#)
     
    Outfielders (5)
    Byron Buxton
    Max Kepler (*)
    Eddie Rosario (*)
    Robbie Grossman (#)
    Drew Stubbs
     
    25th man (1)
    Danny Santana (#)
     
    The third version of the potential roster the week after next, while watching the Twins playing at Fort Myers.
  20. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    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, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, 11-15 here, 6-10 here, 1-5 here, and all segments in the series here. There are detailed profiles, scouting reports and analysis about each player, so if you are interested in a particular player in the list, they might be useful.
     
    The 2017 off-season Twins' top 60 prospect list looks like this (in parenthesis the 2016 ranking, followed by position and the ETA) :
     
    1. Wander Javier (7) SS, 2020
    2. Tyler Jay (2) LHP, 2017
    3. Lewin Diaz (5) 1B/DH, 2019
    4. Fernardo Romero (34), RHP, 2018
    5. Nick Gordon (9) SS, 2018
    6. Stephen Gonsalves (4) LHSP, 2018
    7. Daniel Palka (18) OF, 2017
    8. Alex Kirilloff (--) OF, 2020
    9. Adalbelto Mejia (--) LHP, 2016
    10. Mitch Garver (10) C, 2017
    11. Luis Arraez IF (24), 2019
    12. Nick Burdi (3) RHRP, 2017
    13. Brusdar Graterol (28), RHSP, 2020+
    14. Engelb Vielma SS (23), 2017
    15. Travis Blankenhorn (38), 3B/1B, 2020 10 BA
    16. Ben Rortvedt (--) C, 2020
    17. Kohl Stewart RHSP (13), 2018
    18. Mason Melotakis (12), LHRP, 2017
    19. Amaurys Minier (15) OF/1B, 2019
    20. Huascar Ynoa (27), RHSP, 2020
    21. Justin Haley (--) RHP, 2017
    22. LaMonte Wade (31), CF, 2018
    23. Felix Jorge (20), RHSP, 2018
    24. Akil Baddoo (--) OF , 2020
    25. Jake Reed (16) RHRP, 2017
    26 Niko Goodrum (37), CF/IF, 2017
    27 Trevor Hildenberger (--) RHP 2018
    28 D.J. Baxendale, (--) RHP; 2017
    29 Lachlan Wells (26), LHSP, 2020
    30 Lewis Thorpe (17) LHSP, 2019
    31 Jermaine Palacios (8) SS/3B, 2020
    32 Rainis Silva (21), C, 2019
    33 Michael Theophanopoulos, LHP, 2018
    34 Dereck Rodriguez - 24 – RHP – 2019
    35 John Curtiss, RHP; 2018
    36 Jean Carlos Arias (22), CF, 2020
    37 Travis Harrison (14), OF/1B, 2018
    38 Aaron Slegers (--), RHP 2018
    39 Jaylin Davis, (--) OF 2019
    40 Levi Michael (11), 2B, 2016
    41 Brandon Lopez (--) SS, 2020
    42 Brandon Peterson (29), RHRP, 2017
    43 Zach Granite, (--) OF, 2017
    44 Humberto Maldonado (--) OF, 2020+
    45 Pedro Garcia (--) RHP 2020 +
    46 Tyler Benninghoff, (--) RHP 2020 +
    47 Nelson Molina, INF 2020
    48 Taylor Clemensia (--) LHP 2020
    49 Eduardo Del Rosario (--) RHP 2019
    50 Jordan Balazovic, (--) RHP, 2020+
    51 Jason Wheeler (--) LHP, 2017
    52 Andrew Vasquez (--) LHP 2019
    53 Zander Wiel, (--) 1B 2019
    54 Tyler Wells (--) RHP 2020
    55 Cody Stashak -(--) RHP 2019
    56 Colton Davis (--) RHP 2019
    57 Williams Ramirez (--) 2019
    58 Tanner English (--) OF 2018
    59 Aaron Whitefield (--) IF/OF 2020
    60 Michael Cederoth (--) RHP 2018
     
    Players who were on the 2016 list (then a top 40) and are not in the 2017 are:
     
    Emmanuel Morel (40) IF
    Trey Cabbage (39), IF/OF
    Chris Paul (33) IF/OF
    Kolton Kendrick (32), 1B/DH
    Ryan Eades RHP (25)
    Adam Walker OF (19)
     
    Players who graduated from the 2016 list are:
     
    Jose Berrios (1) RHP
    JT Chargois (6) RHP
     
    Too good to exclude, but I had to, because of his circumstances:
     
    Griffin Jax RHP. His stuff is there to merit inclusion in this list, and likely within the top 40. However his commitment to the US Air Force, which already resulted in him missing professional baseball commitments, including the whole 2017 Spring Training, is a big unknown, regarding his career as a baseball player. Unless this conflict is resolved, I will have a hard time including him in a prospect list. His Air Force assignment starts in late May after graduation and it is at the Eglin Air Force Base in Pensacola, FL.
     
    Organizational Strengths:
     
    Shortstop/middle infield: The Twins have 3 players on the top 15 of the organization that are about a year away from each other as far as readiness go, in addition to former number 2 prospect, Jorge Polanco in the majors with 4 more seasons of team control, which will bridge with the ETA of the current number 1 prospect Wander Javier, while players like Nick Gordon (5th , ETA 2018) and Engelb Vielma (14th, ERA 2017) could be stopgaps if necessary, slide over to second base, or be trade bait. Jermaine Palacios (31, ETA 2020) and Brandon Lopez (41, ETA 2020) are two additional players that can stick at shortstop and make quick gains. Luis Arraez (11, ETA 2019) looks like the Twins' second baseman of the future, estimated to be ready when Brian Dozier's contract expires, so there is also a nice bridge there. If Dozier is traded, current major leaguers Eduardo Escobar and Ehire Adrianza, in addition to Polanco and Vielma will battle out for his replacement and the starting SS position, with Gordon added to the list in 2018. All in all, middle infield is a strength in the organization allowing for potential trades down the road to plug other holes.
     
    Relief Pitching: There are 32 pitchers in the list, several with ETA of 2017 and 2018 and only two, LHPs Stephen Gonsalves (6, ETA 2018) and Adalberto Mejia (9, 2016), are unquestionably starters. Pitchers like LHP Tyler Jay (2, ETA 2017 as a reliever) and RHP Fernando Romero (5, ETA 2018), the only 2 pitchers in the organization who are potentially top of the rotation starters, can help the Twins' pen soon, in addition to RHP Nick Burdi (12, 2017) who has closer potential and the best pure stuff in the organization, LHP Mason Melotakis (18, 2017), Rule 5 draft pick RHP Justin Haley (21, 2017) and RHPs Jake Reed (25, 2017) and D.J. Baxendale (28, 2017). Former 6th overall prospect JT Chargois is in the majors, along with his college co-closer Tyler Duffey, who has had setbacks as a starter and belongs to the pen, and along with the current pipeline, supplemented by another half dozen pitchers who are projected to be ready in 2018, they can anchor a strong bullpen for the Twins for the years to come.
     
    Organizational Weaknesses:
     
    Catcher: The only major-league ready catcher in the list is Mitch Garver (10, ETA 2017) who projects as a two way major league average catcher at this point, and will battle for a back up to defensive wizard but light hitting, especially against lefties, Jason Castro. There are only 2 more catchers in the list, Ben Rortvedt (16, ETA 2020) and Rainis Silva (21, ETA 2019) who have as much promise as they have question marks. Former 28th best prospect in the 2015 list Stuart Turner was selected on the Rule 5 draft and might return, however he is a glove first catcher who profiles as a defensive back up in the majors at best at this point. This is a position that there is practically no pipeline and the Twins should address at the draft and/or with trades
     
    Starting pitching: As mentioned only LHP Tyler Jay (2, ETA 2017 as a reliever) and RHP Fernando Romero (5, ETA 2018), are the only two prospects with top of the rotation projections, but they both bring a lot of unanswered questions about durability and whether they can transition to starters in the majors. Add to this the fact that the current Twins starters in the majors are at best number 3s or 4s in a competitive team, and the situation looks a bit dire. RHP Brusdar Graterol (13, 2020+) and LHP Lewis Thorpe (30, 2019), could be part of the discussion, if proven healthy, but they are at least 2 seasons away. LHPs Stephen Gonsalves (6, ETA 2018) and Adalberto Mejia (9, 2016), are close to ready or ready, but project as a mid to bottom of the rotation starters. So do RHPs Kohl Stewart (17, 2018) and Huascar Ynoa (20, 2020). The rest of the pitchers in this list project as relievers. The Twins will have to address this problem with the draft where they have the number 1 overall selection as well as with trades, and potentially free agency down the road, in order to compete.
  21. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
     
    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, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, 11-15 here, 6-10 here and all segments in the series here.
     
    5. Nick Gordon (9)
    DOB: 10/14/1995; Age: 21
    Positions: SS
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 160 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Nick Gordon was drafted by the Twins as the 5th overall player in the 2014 draft from Olympia High School in Orlando, FL. He started his pro career in 2014 playing for Elizabethton hitting .294/.333/.366 (101 wRC+) with 11 BB and 45 K (17.6 %), and 11/18 SB (61%). In 2015 for Cedar Rapids, he hit .277/.336/.360 (104 wRC+) with 39 BB and 88 K (16.5 %), 25/33 SB (76%). There was incremental improvement on the base paths, but in general similar results. At this point he exhibited some gap power (23 doubles, 7 triples and 1 HRs in 535 PAs, 0.083 isoP), but it does get neutralized against LHPs (.264/.325/.291; only extra base hits were 3 doubles in 110 PAs against LHPs.) He started the 2016 season in Fort Myers, where he made a leap forward hitting .291/.335/.386 (112 wRC+) in 116 games (493 PAs), with 17,6 K% and 0.095 isoP, stealing 19/32 bases. His BABIP (.353) was close to his .333 and .352 of the previous 2 seasons, which means that a BABIP around .350s is not out of question. He continued in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit a very impressive .346/.418/.444 (144 wRC+) in 21 games (91 PA), but inflated due to an unsustainable .475 BABIP.
     
    Gordon's glove is about average at SS, and he projects to stay in the position. His bat still projects as a major league average, however he was again neutralized against LHPs (.220/.276/.254 in 118 AB in Fort Myers last season.) He had good speed, but not great base stealing instincts that need a lot of work. His season at Fort Myers and his success in Arizona are promising, but the ones who were hoping for a star with the 5th overall pick would be disappointed at Gordon, because he does not project as one. Gordon is a non-roster invitee in the Twins Spring Traning, but not MLB-ready at this point.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Starting AA Chattanooga shortstop
     
    4. Fernando Romero (34)
    DOB: 12/24/1994; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'0", Weight: 215 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: A+ (2016)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Fernando Romero was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for on November 4th, 2011 with a $260K bonus. The San Juan de la Maguana native spending his age 17 2012 season in the Dominican Summer League where he pitched in 14 games, 6 starts, for 31 innings, striking out 27 (7.8 K/9, 20.2 K%), walking 14 (4.1 BB/9, 9.7 K-BB%), with a 4.94 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP (.289 BABIP). He made the jump to the Gulf Coast League in 2013. He pitched in 12 games (6 GS) for 45 innings to a 1.60 ERA (2.44 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP (.271 BABIP) and had 47 strikeouts (9.4 K/9, 26 K%) and 13 walks (2.6 BB/9, 18.8 K-BB%.) After only 4 games in single A Cedar Rapids in 2014 he required Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of 2014 and the whole 2015 season. Last season he returned to Cedar Rapids where he started 5 games (28 IP) had 25 K (8.0 K/9, 24.3 K%) and 5 BB (1.6 BB/9, 19.4 K-BB%) with a 1.93 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP (.250 BABIP). He moved to high A Fort Myers late in June where he started 11 games (62-1/3 IP) had 65 K (9.4 K/9, 26.9 K%) and 10 BB (1.4 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%) with a 1.88 ERA, 2.00 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP (.288 BABIP), improving on his already great Cedar Rapids performance.
     
    Romero has a plus plus fastball that sits at 95-97 mph and has a nasty sinking movement, a plus plus slider that sits 88-92 mph and an average changeup. After his surgery, Romero came in better shape and he improved his command and control by leaps and bounds, pounding the strike zone and cutting down on walks. His stuff can already play in a major league pen, but Romero has top of the rotation potential and the Twins will explore that. Romero was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this November, so he will appear in the Twins' Spring Training camp; however he will need to pitch more innings before he makes it to the majors. In addition to the innings, he would need to develop that changeup, because it will be difficult to make it long as a starter with only 2 pitches, even though both are plus plus.
     
    Likely 2017 path: In AA Chattanooga Rotation
     
     
    3. Lewin Diaz (5)
    DOB: 11/19/1996; Age: 20
    Positions: 1B
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2015, 2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Lewin Diaz was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for $1.4 million bonus on July 2nd, 2013. The Santiago native made the transition to the US, after a hitting .257/.385/.451 (.411 wOBA, 142 wRC+, 13.8 K%) in the DSL in 2014, his age 17 season. His first season in the US, he had a few difficulties with the transition, hitting .261/.354/.369 (.357 wOBA, 123 wRC+, 18.9 K%) in 33 games in the GCL and finishing the last 14 games of the season hitting .167/.245/.375 (.285 wOBA, 70 wRC+, 32.1 K%) in Elizabethton. This was mainly a season of adjustment for Diaz, who would have not earned the promotion had he not hit .522/.607/.696 for August in the GCL, and likely would have served better not making the trip to Elizabethton. One interesting thing that the numbers do not show about Elizabethton is that those 14 games there were the only night games Diaz has played as a professional, since both the DSL and GCL play day games only. Last season he repeated Elizabethton after extended spring training, playing in 46 games (187 PA) hitting .310/.353/.575 (.409 wOBA, 149 wRC+, 18.7 K%, with a career best .264 isoP and his BABIP at .344, close to his .326 in the GCL the previous season. There is room for improvement in pitch recognition and the twenty year old just started to realize his tremendous power. More like Miguel Sano with the bat (minus some power and some strikeouts, plus some plate discipline) than Kennys Vargas, but more like Vargas with the glove, Diaz is a player who can be a workable first baseman. Listed very generously at 6'3" and 180 lbs, likely has the highest LHB power potential in the organization, with .264 isoP as a teenager, and still is learning how to swing the bat. It will be interesting to see how he does next season in full-season ball, but he has scary potential, even though only as a first baseman or DH.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Starting first baseman at Cedar Rapids
     
     
    2. Tyler Jay (2)
    DOB: 4/19/1994; Age: 22
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: AA (2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Tyler Jay was drafted by the Twins 6th overall in 2015 from University of Illinois. The Lemont, IL native was mainly the closer in College appearing in 30 games (2 starts) in his Junior season pitching for 66.7 innings, walking 7 (0.9 BB/9) and striking out 77 (10.3 K/9) with a 1.08 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. He moved on to the Fort Myers' bullpen with the Twins to appear in an additional 19 games (18.2 IP) where he walked 8 (3.9 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%) and struck out 22 (10.8 K/9, 27.2 K%) for a 3.93 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP (.353 BABIP). The Twins view Jay as a starter and he made the transition to the Miracle rotation this season where he started 13 games (69-2/3 IP) struck out 68 (8.8 K/9, 23.6 K%), walked 21 (2.7 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.84 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP (.311 BABIP). He moved to Chattanooga in July, where he pitched in 5 games (2 starts) before ending his season on the disabled list because of a sore neck. He pitched only 14 innings (9 K, 5.8 K/9, 5 BB, 3.2 BB/9, 6.9 K-BB%, 5.79 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, .262 BABIP). Jay has the stuff to be a starter but not yet proven that he can be a starter and it is unknown how his stuff will be as a starter in the long run. He has received some comparisons with David Price (which I am not sure that I buy) basically because of their fastballs. He has a plus to plus plus fastball that sits at 95 and peaks and 97-98 (not bad at all for a lefty) which he complements with a plus slider, an above average curve ball and an average changeup that has flashed some potential. I think that this ranking is fair, because if a reliever, he is likely (but close) the best reliever in the system who could potentially help the Twins in 2017 (thus the ETA.) But the Twins will like to see what he can do as a starter for a second season and whether he could become a top of the rotation starter. As a starter, he likely has more potential than anyone in the organization but he is not there now and would need more that 15 career starts to be considered for a major league job.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Likely starting the season at Chattanooga with a potential promotion to Rochester mid-season, depending on needs and performance
     
     
    1. Wander Javier (7) SS
    DOB: 12/29/1998; Age: 18
    Positions: SS
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 165 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent 7/2/2015
    Professional Experience: 0; Highest level: N/A
    ETA: 2020
     
    Wander Javier was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic last summer and has yet to play a single professional game. His $4 million signing bonus topped what the Twins gave Miguel Sano, and any other amateur player ever for signing with them other than Joe Mauer, Kohl Stewart and Byron Buxton. I have not seen Javier play professionally in person, but I have seen plenty of video to be confident about this ranking. At this point, he has 5 above average or better tools, with his arm, fielding and power at above average and contact and speed approaching plus. Javier started his pro career last season in the DSL with a bang, playing in 9 games (30 PA), hitting .308/.400/.654 (199 wRC+, .498 wOBA), with 13.3 BB% and 16.7 K% in a league dominated by pitching, as a 17 year old, before he was shut down with a hamstring injury.
     
    Unlike Sano who was signed as shortstop, the Bonao native projects to stay in the position as a professional. He has very smooth hands and confident footwork and body control. Highest upside of any player in the Twins' organization, his toolset is similar to Byron Buxton's at that age, but with higher power and less speed, and he is a true shortstop.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Extending Spring Training and then Starting SS for the GCL or Elizabethton Twins
    depending on health and the Twins' draft.
  22. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
    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, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, 11-15 here, and all segments in the series here.
     
    10. Mitch Garver (10)
    DOB: 1/15/1991; Age: 26
    Positions: C
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 9th round in 2013
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AAA (2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Mitch Garver was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of 2013 draft from University of New Mexico as a Senior. The Albuquerque native arrived in the pros as a fairly polished receiver who has opened eyes with his bat in his second pro season in 2014 in single A Cedar Rapids, hitting .298/.399/.481 (154 wRC+) in 502 PAs walking 61 times and striking out 65 and being good behind the plate, throwing out 32% of runners and allowing 8 passed balls. This was a marked improvement over his .243/.313/.366 line in 202 ABs his first season as a pro in Elizabethton, that followed a .390/.458/.589 start of the season in 246 AB in New Mexico. At first sight, 2015 looks a bit trying for Garver at the plate, hitting .245/.356/.333 in 520 PAs with 69 BB and 82 K for the Miracle. This includes a .164/.287/.205 April and a .210/.350/.226 May, which makes me think that he was fighting something, including a potential adjustment. He ended up hitting .252/.354/.372 for the second half of the season, which does not include a .330/.416/.420 June. He was invited to the Arizona Fall League, where he bested all the Twins' prospects with .317/.404/.512. His defense behind the plate improved in 2015, catching 38% of the runners and allowing fewer passed balls (6 vs 8) in more chances than 2014. The caught stealing number improved to 48% this season that Garver split between AA Chattanooga and AAA Rochester. He started the season in Chattanooga hitting .257/.334/.419 (118 wRC+) with 11 HRs in 95 games (497 PA) and finished in Rochester hitting .329/.381/.434 (136 wRC+) in 22 games (84 PA). Once again he played in the Arizona Fall League, appearing in 19 games (77 PA) hitting .229/.299/.457 (106 wRC+). He was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this off-season.
     
    Garver is an above average defensive catcher in blocking balls and throwing out runners. His framing numbers are also positive. He has been hitting lefties better all his career (other than an unlikely first half reverse split in Chattanooga last season.) His BABIP looks to stabilize a bit above .300, which with an about 10-15% BB rate and .100-150 isoP, could give him a line of .275/.325/.425 or so at the next level, which will be boosted when he faces LHPs. These numbers are good for Garver to project as an average or above average starting Catcher in the majors. With Jason Castro signing a new 3-year contract, Garver will be in a three-way battle with J.R. Murphy and Chris Gimenez for the Twins' back up spot. Castro cannot hit LHPs, so Garver's ability to do so might put him half a step ahead of the competition at this point.
     
    Likely 2017 Path: Fighting for the Twins' backup Catcher spot.
     
    9. Adalbelto Mejia (--)
    DOB: 1/15/1991; Age: 26
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: R, Throws: L
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Traded by the San Fransisco Giants for Eduardo Núñez in 2016
    Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: MLB (2016)
    ETA: 2016
     
    The Twins acquired LHP Adalberto Mejia, from the San Fransisco Giants, in exchange for Eduardo Núñez last Summer. Mejia was signed as international free agent from the Dominican Republic by the Giants in 2011. The Bonao native was a late bloomer signing by the Giants as an eighteen year old. That season in the Dominican Summer League he impressed, starting 13 games for 76 innings with 71 K (8.4 K/9, 23.8 K%) and only 8 BB (1.0 BB/9, 21.1 K-BB%), with a 0.868 WHIP (.272 BABIP), 1.42 ERA and 1.75 FIP. This was enough for him to skip the Giants' US-based Rookie leagues, jumping right on full season A in 2012, playing for the Augusta GreenJackets of the Southern Atlantic League. He participated in 30 games, among them 14 starts. His final numbers for that season were: 106.7 IP with 79 K (6.7 K/9, 17.1 K%) 21 BB (1.8 BB/9, 12.5 K-BB%), with a 1.341 WHIP (.332 BABIP), 3.97 ERA and 3.29 FIP. He started the season in the pen, with limited success and moved into the rotation in June, where he found success, finishing the season with a 6-3 record, 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, post All Star break. The next season he moved up to the San Jose Giants of the High A California League. He started 16 games (87 IP) with 89 K (9.2 K/9, 25.1 K%) and 23 BB (2.4 BB/9, 18.6 K-BB%) for a 3.31 ERA, 4.20 FIP and 1.126 WHIP (.277 BABIP). He missed 48 games that season in May and June with shoulder issues, but came back okay. He was called to AAA Fresno to start a single game (5 IP, 5 H, 2 HR, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and participated in the Arizona Fall League playing in 7 games, 3 as a starter for 8.47 ERA, 1.529 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 17 innings. In 2014 he moved up to AA Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) where he started 21 games and relieved in one, pitching 108 innings with 82 K (6.8 K/9, 17.9 K%) and 31 BB (2.6 BB/9, 11.1 K-BB% ), for a 1.389 WHIP (3.26 BABIP), 4.67 ERA and 3.78 FIP. He went to the DL three times for 6 days with a leg bruise after a ball hit him in April and for 8- and 12-days in July with finger blisters. His weight that season went up to 240 lbs (he is 6'3") and needed to be reduced. Unfortunately he took a banned weight loss supplement that contained stimulants and tested positive, receiving a 50 day suspension, very much like current Twins' DH/1B Kennys Vargas. He repeated AA in 2015 after he served his suspension. He appeared in 12 games (9 GS), pitching 51.3 innings with 38 K (6.7 K/9, K%) and 18 BB (3.2 BB/9, K-BB%), for a 1.091 WHIP (.238 BABIP), 2.45 ERA and 3.41 FIP. Despite the nice performance, he needed innings so he returned to the AFL (7 GS, 31 IP , 1.258 WHIP, 3.48 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 4.1 K/BB) and also appeared in the Dominican Winter League (playing for the Gigantes, coinsidentally: 5 GS, 18.3 IP , 1.091 WHIP, 3.44 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 1.5 K/BB). After he was invited to his first MLB spring training as part of the Giants' 40-man roster, he was caught in the numbers games and started against at AA Richmond where he excelled after he trimmed down this season (11 GS, 65 IP , 0.985 WHIP, 1.94 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 22.8 K%, 2.2 K/BB, 16.5 K-BB%) forcing his promotion to AAA in his age 23 season (he was 22 at the time.) His numbers (7 GS, 40.7 IP , 1.303 WHIP, 4.20 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 25.0 K%, 2.4 K/BB, 18.6 K-BB%) were fairly impressive, especially for the Pacific Coast League. Once in the Twins organization he made 4 starts for Rochester (26-1/3 IP, WHIP (.329 BABIP), 3.76 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 8.5 K/9, 23.2 K%, 1.0 BB/9, 20.4 K-BB%), and pitched 2-1/3 innings for the Twins in a single appearance.
     
    He has an above average to borderline plus fastball that has increased in velocity this season, sitting at 92-94 and touching 95 as a starter. Average to above average command and improving and the pitch is projecting to be plus pitch in the near future. Natural cutting action on the pitch. His slider is his best pitch. Siting at 83-84 mph and up to 86. Nice biting motion, great command and above average control. This is a pitch that he throws anywhere on the count, pretty much like current Twins' starter Tyler Duffey does with his curve ball. He also throws a changeup that is an average to above average pitch that can improve, and a fringe average slow curve. Nice fluid mechanics. Weight is a consideration for him, and it currently is under control, listed at 195 lbs. His ceiling is that of a number 3 or 4 starter, but he has a high floor. His floor is of a 8th inning reliever. He held lefties to a .216/.273/.275 slash line and had 11.3 K/9 against them, which is pretty impressive for the PCL.
     
    Likely 2017 Path: Fighting for a spot in the Twins rotation in Spring Training
     
    8. Alex Kirilloff (--)
    DOB: 11/9/1997; Age: 19
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Alex Kirilloff was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 2016 draft from Plum High School in the Pittsburgh area, where he played baseball while being Home-Schooled. His father who used to be in the Pirates' organization as a scout and coach, is a professional hitting coach, offering both facilities and instruction to amateurs, including his son. In High School Alex Kirilloff was a two way player. As a pitcher he has a 89-92 mph fastball that was good enough to go 5-1 in limited competition, but was not going to get him to the next level. Power and arm strength are Kirilloff's best tools and he projects as a rightfielder. The transition to wood bat was seamless for him, hitting .306/.341/.454 in 55 games (232 PAs) in Elizabethton. He has 9 2Bs, 1 3B, and 7 HRs, walking 11 (4.7%) and striking out 13.8%. He was 0/1 in stolen bases. He was named the Appalachian League’s player of the year.
     
    There is definitely some power potential with his .148 isoP likely doubling at some point. He has good judgement of the strike zone and makes contact that is successful (.328 BABIP.) His swing is a bit complicated both with leg and shoulder action, but so far it works. It will be interesting to see how this will translate in the next levels when he will be looking at more off-speed and breaking balls. It might require some rework to quieten it up and shorten it.
     
    2017 Likely path: Starting the season in single A Cedar Rapids
     
    7. Daniel Palka (18) (--)
    DOB: 10/28/1991; Age: 25
    Positions: OF
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks for Chris Herrmann in the 2016 off-season
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AAA (2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Daniel Palka was traded to the Twins by the Arizona Diamondbacks for C/OF Chris Herrmann before the 2016 season. The Greenville, SC native was Arizona's 3rd round pick in the 2013 draft from Georgia Tech as a Junior. In his Junior season he hit .342/.436/.637 with 17 HR in 237 AB (13.9 AB/HR) walking 60 times and striking out 60. He also went 2-1 with a 0.69 ERA in eight games as a pitcher He moved to Missoula Osprey of the advanced Rookie Pioneer League, where he hit .302/.386/.502 (126 wRC+) with 7 HRs in 56 games (241 PA) and ended his first professional season in short season A Northwest League Hillsboro Hops, hitting .340/.418/.574 (182 wRC+) with 2 HRs in 12 games (55 PA), showing no sign of slowing down even after playing a total of 130 games and had 489 ABs. His HR rate slowed down his first season with the wood bat, but his isoP was at his College levels (.200 and .234.) Next season he moved into single A Midwest League South Bend Silver Hawks, where he hit .248/.332/.466 (125 wRC+) with 22 HRs (20.7 AB/HR) and had a .218 isoP. His BABIP was a career low .294. In 2015, his last season in the Diamondbacks' organization, he advanced to the high A California League Visalia Rawhide where he hit .280/.352/.532 (135 wRC+) with 29 HR and 24/31 SB in 129 games, 576 PA. His isoP was a professional high .252, but so were his strikeout percentage (28.5%). He played an additional 22 games in the Arizona Fall League (100 PA, giving him 676 PA for the season) where he hit .278/.330/.444 with 3 HR and 4/5 SB. He started his Twins' career in 2016 in Chattanooga, hitting .270/.348/.547 (155 wRC+) in 79 games (345 PA). He had 21 HR (14.3 AB/HR) and increased his isoP to .277, but was only 7/11 in SB. He moved to AAA Rochester in early July where he hit .232/.296/.483 (120 wRC+) with 13 HRs in 54 games (223 PA). Despite his BABIP being at .324 in both steps, his contact at Rochester suffered and his strikeout rate increased to a very high 38.6% from 29% in Chattanooga. His issue at Rochester was mostly over committing with his swing early, which is repairable. Palka has 35+ HR and 20+ SB potential and a very strong plus arm at the outfield. His contact issues in Rochester are of some concern, but Palka projects as a two way average to above average major league outfielder with plus HR power, in other words what the Twins' hope their 2016 first round draft pick becomes, but with better speed. He was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this off-season.
     
    Likely 2017 Path: Battle for a position with the Twins during Spring Training, likely starting the season in AAA Rochester and moving up mid-season
     
    6. Stephen Gonsalves (4)
    DOB: 7/4/1991; Age: 22
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: L, Throws: L
    Height: 6'5", Weight: 213 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2013
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2016)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Gonsalves was drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 draft from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego and paid an over slot ($700K vs $468K slot) bonus. He was considered a potential first round pick but dropped because of character questions due a suspention at High School his senior year because of smoking or being with teammates who were smoking marijuana and lying about it to cover them. Gonsalves has been playing in 2 levels every season in the pros so far with a lot of success, and marked improvement the second time with a team, other than his second season in Elizabethton. In 2013 he slit time between GLC and Elizabethton, in 2014 between Cedar Rapids and Elizabethton, 2015 between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, and last season between Fort Myers and Chattanooga. In 2015 in Cedar Rapids he started 9 games (55 IP) walking 15 (2.4 BB/9, 29.7 K-BB%) and striking out 77 (12.6 K/9 and 36.8 % K%) with a 1.15 ERA (2.10 FIP) and 0.80 WHIP (.243 BABIP.) In Fort Myers he started 15 games (79.3 IP) walking 38 (4.3 BB/9, 5.1 K-BB%) and striking out 55 (6.2 K/9 and 16.5 % K%) with a 2.61 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP (.270 BABIP.) This season he improved considerably at Fort Myers (11 GS, 65-2/3 IP, 66 K, 9.1 K/9,26.1 K%, 20 BB, 2.7 BB/9, 18.2 K-BB%, 2.33 ERA, 2.55 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, .249 BABIP) and did not lose a beat at Chattanooga (13 GS, 74-1/3 IP, 89 K, 10.8 K/9, 30.1 K%, 37 BB, 4.5 BB/9, 17.6 K-BB%, 1.82 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, .255 BABIP.) He made 4 starts at the Arizona fall league for a career high 148-2/3 innings this season and was named the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year, an award whose recipients seems to be cursed.
     
    Gonsalves is ranked as the Twins 2nd best prospect by Baseball America, and 3rd by MLB.com and Fangraphs. He is a prototypical middle of the rotation type of potential talent who can occasionally flash top of the rotation moments. Good command and control most of the time, ability to make adjustments and a good feel for the game. Low to Mid 90s fastball that is average but has a high spin rate making it hard to hit up in the zone, a fully plus changeup and a slurvy breaking ball that is improving, is his pitch arsenal. His changeup is effective against RHBs and his curve ball against LHBs. Command occasionally is off and that is translated with an increase in walks and decrease in strikeouts. When that happens, Gonsalves has been successful by inducing weak movement. Pitching to weak contact and needed to paint the corners to succeed is a risky recipe for success and despite Gonsalves doing it in every level, there is a feeling that it will just take him that far, especially when he has a long frame and difficulties in repeating his delivery, which results in the up and down command issue. But the end of his success is not in sight yet.
     
    Likely 2017 Path: Was invited to the Twins' Spring Training, but it is likely that the Twins will like him to build his innings in AAA Rochester this season. Likely in the majors in 2018, barring injuries, trades etc.
  23. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----------
     
    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.
  24. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ----
    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, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, and all segments in the series here.
     
    15. Travis Blankenhorn (38)
    DOB: 8/3/1996; Age: 20
    Positions: 2B
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 208 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2015
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Travis Blankenhorn was drafted by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 2015 draft from the Pottsville, PA Area High School as a third baseman. He started his pro career in the GCL where he played in 14 games (49 AB) hitting .245/.362/.408 with 7 BBs and 11 Ks, before he moved up to Elizabethton for the last 39 games of the season where in 144 AB he hit .243/.306/.326 with 11 BB, and 32 K. He started last season in Extended Spring Training before moving to Elizabethton where in 34 games (138 AB) he hit a robust .297/.342/.558 with 9 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 8 BB and 33 K. He finished the season in class A Cedar Rapids where in 25 games (91 AB) he hit .286/.356/.418 with 1 HR, 5 2B, 2 3B, 8 BB and 28 K. Blankenhorn who moved to second base, a position that he is playing better than third, adjusted to the wooden bat much better in his second professional season. He has decent game speed, but will not steal many bases. His contact tool improved this season (.330 BABIP in Elizabethton and .403 at Cedar Rapids) and there is potential for further power that was realized with a .261 isoP in Elizabethton (.132 in Cedar Rapids.) The positional change to second base, along with the improvement in defense from his previous corner OF and IF positions, made him jump in the ratings as well. His bat might or might not play at corner positions and his glove is very suspect there. However at second base he has the potential to be a Todd Walker type of player, esp. if he curtails his strikeouts (27.5 % K% in Cedar Rapids and 22.1 in Elizabethton.) Better pitch recognition will help with selectivity, and Blankenhorn is young enough for one to believe that he will get there. Part of the problem is that LHPs make him practically worthless (.472 OPS and 54.2 K% against them in Elizabethton and .593 and 25 K% in Cedar Rapids, vs a star-like 1.107 and .832 OPS against RHPs in those stops)
     
    Likely 2017 path: Starting 2B at Cedar Rapids.
     
    14. Engelb Vielma (23)
    DOB: 6/22/1994; Age: 22
    Positions: SS
    Bats: S, Throws: R
    Height: 5'11", Weight: 155 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2011
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Engelb Vielma was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on September 8, 2012 for a $90,000 bonus. The Maracaibo native has been moving really quickly through the Twins organization, mainly because of his glove appears ahead of what looks from afar as an average bat (career minor league .264/.327/.309 slash line.) Vielma had a highly quiet and mostly invisible break-through season with the bat in 2015 at high A Fort Myers. He hit .270/.321/.306, which at first sight is about the same .266/.313/.323, if not worse, than he did in Cedar Rapids in 2014, until someone looks below the slash lines: Vielma was the youngest position player at the Miracle team and the Miracle team slash line was .246/.319/.318, so he made better contact than the average. Power is not his strong suit, so looking at SLG% is misleading. If you look at component numbers, like wRC+, he had 93 in 2015 vs 84 in 2014. He is also maturing as a player taking advantage of his speed. He will not walk (7% BB%) or strikeout (14.2% K%) but will make contact and run. He had 24 sacrifices that season, and most of them (18) on the ground. He stole a career high 35 bases (but was caught 12 times). He started his first 8 games last season at Fort Myers rehabbing from an oblique strain before he moved to AA Chattanooga. There here played 90 games (314 AB), hit .271/.345/.318, striking out 62 times and walking 34. He went 10/18 in stolen bases as well. His wRC+ improved to a career best and close to a league average 97, while his K% dropped to 16.9%. His BABIP was .333, a couple of ticks above his career average in .310s. For some unfortunate reason, the improvement in Vielma's bat is invisible to the outside, which drives unfortunate characterizations like "punchless leatherwizard with a bat so light he may not even profile as a utility man despite an acrobatic brand of plus defense at short" from national writers who likely have not seen him play.
     
    This cannot be any further from the truth. A 97 wRC+ at AA with a plus defense projects as Ozzie Smith (career .666 OPS and 90 wRC+ in the majors with career best 119 wRC+ ) material. Vielma's detractors will also need to look at his .338/.407/.416 line in 2016 (and .301/.343/.341 in 2015) as a right hand hitter, which are exceptional. Vielma is the poster boy for stopping switch hitting. Why would someone with All-Star SS potential is ranked so low? For one single reason: Concentration lapses both on the field and the base paths make Vielma less effective than he should be. He is still 22, so there is a lot of time for him to mature (and learn how to hit right handers as a right.) When that happens, watch out.
     
    Likely 2017 path: On the 40-man roster with the Twins, likely starting SS at AAA Rochester with a potential trip to the majors.
     
    13. Brusdar Graterol (28)
    DOB: 8/26/1998; Age: 18
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2014
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: Rookie/DSL (2015)
    ETA: 2020+
     
    Brusdar Graterol was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on August 29, 2014, three days after his 16th birthday, for $150,000. The Calobozo native made only 4 career starts in the DSL before he required Tommy John surgery and moved statewide the summer of 2015. His numbers in those 4 games, as a 16 year old, fully 3 years younger than the league, were video-game like: 11 IP, 17 K, 13.9 K/9, 36.2 K%, 1 BB, 0.8 BB/9, 34 K-BB%, 2.45 ERA, 1.19 FIP, 1.18 WHIP (.444 BABIP.) He made my 2016 off-season prospect list at number 28 ( He returned from the surgery well, throwing his plus to plus plus fastball at 94-97 mph, supplementing it with a crisp slurve at the 85-87 mph range and a work in progress changeup. He is throwing from a 3/4 delivery that causes deception between his pitches. Graterol is one of the few pitchers in the Twins' organization with top of the rotation stuff, but he will need a lot of work. Reports from Fort Myers say that he added about 40 lbs to his DSL weight the past season and a half. Definitely someone to keep an eye on.
     
    Likely 2017 path: EST and the GCL or Elizabethton rotations depending the Twins' draft.
     
    12. Nick Burdi (3)
    DOB: 8/3/1996; Age: 24
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'5", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2014
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2015, 2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Nick Burdi was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Louisville as a Junior. The Hinsdale, IL was the Louisville closer his last 2 seasons and finished his Junior season with ridiculous numbers: 32 games, 37 IP, 18 H, 2 ER, 10 BB (2.4 BB/9), 65 K (15.8 K/9,) for 0.49 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 18 saves. Burdi had the arm to bypass the minors and pitch directly at the Twins' pen in 2014, but he started the season in A Cedar Rapids (13 G, 13 IP, 26 K, 18.0 K/9, 48.2 K%, 8 BB, 5.5 BB/9, 33.3 K-BB%, 4.15 ERA, 1.33 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, .400 BABIP) and finished in high A Fort Myers (7 G, 7-1/3 IP, 12 K, 14.7 K/9, 42.9 K%, 2 BB, 2.5 BB/9, 35.7 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 1.35 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, .385 BABIP). Burdi started the Next season in AA Chattanooga, demoted to Fort Myers for inconsistency in the end of June and returned mid August. For the season Burdi pitched 30 games in AA (43.7 IP) walked 32 (6.6 BB/9, 10.7 K-BB%) and struck out 54 (11.1 K/9 and 26.3 K%) with a 4.53 ERA (3.99 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP (3.22 BABIP). In 13 games at Fort Myers (20 IP) he walked 3 (1.4 BB/9, 35.6 K-BB%) and struck out 29 (13.1 K/9, 39.7 K%) for a 2.25 ERA (1.37 FIP) and 0.75 WHIP (.275 BABIP). He finished the season in the Arizona Fall League, in a truly dominating fashion, when he pitched in 8 games (8 IP) walking 1 and striking out 11 (42.3K%, 38.5 K-BB%,) allowing no earned or unearned runs and only 2 hits with a .380 WHIP. Were it an isolated incident, his numbers in AA in 2015 could be of some concern; looking at the facts that a. other top relief prospects, like Reed and Chargois suffered there that season, and b. that Burdi dominated in the AFL, the concern is alleviated. Burdi was invited in the MLB Spring Training as a non-roster invitee, but quickly shut down with elbow concerns that were diagnosed as a bruised humerus. He pitched only 3 innings in Chattanooga last season for that reason, and has changed his delivery in order to help his healthy.
     
    Burdi is throwing a high 90s plus plus fastball that tops in three digits and supplements it with a plus to plus plus slider that sits at 89-90, creeping into the low 90s. He is also throwing a changeup. Burdi had has a violent delivery and his mechanics are concern both as far as his health and his command goes. Hopefully his recent changes in his delivery will address this, without taking away his effectiveness. Pitchers with high 30s K-BB% are rare to find and Burdi has closer potential, but he has to get healthy, stay healthy and keep command of his fastball, which has done at several levels so far. 2017 will be a rebuilding and cautionary season for him, as he is not invited to the Twins' Spring Training
     
    Likely 2017 path: Depending on health, Rochester or Chattanooga pen with a potential MLB call up this season.
     
    11. Luis Arraez IF (24)
    DOB: 4/9/1997; Age: 19
    Positions: 2B
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 5'10", Weight: 155 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013
    Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Luis Arraez was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on November 3rd, 2013. The San Felipe native opened some eyes in his first professional season in the DSL hitting .348/.433/.400 (147 wRC+) in 31 games (135 PA). The next season he moved to the GCL where he continued his success hitting .309/.377/.391 (133 wRC+) in 57 games (233 PA). Last season he played for class A Cedar Rapids where he was the fifth youngest player in the Midwest League. He hit .347/.386/.444 (146 wRC+) in 114 games (514 PA). He continued the season in the Venezuelan Winter League where he hit .335/.382/.445 with 15 BB and 15 K this in 45 games (182 AB.) Other than Cedar Rapids where he was 31:51, Arraez has had at least equal strikeouts to walks, and his K% was never higher than 9.9%. His splits last season was pretty equal for the lefty hitting Arraez: .333/.378/.422 vs LHP and .351/.388/.450 vs RHPs. He finished the season with a .374/.398/.457 slash line the second half that included a very impressive .425/.444/.487 performance in August. His swing is compact with great bat control and plus bat speed, quick wrists and the ability to hit the opposite way. His power has been improving (0.052 to 0.082 to 0.097 isoP), his contact has remained fairly high (.374, .323, and .382 BABIP) and he has decent speed but not good base stealing instincts (career 21/37 SB). His play at second base has been improvin every season and he was +13 DRS last season in Cedar Rapids. Arraez is starting to look more and more like a two way player with All-Star bat potential, but he is still very young. It will be interesting to see how he will fare against higher level competition, but his VWL results are extremely promising.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Starting 2B at Fort Myers
  25. Thrylos
    Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch
    ---
    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, 21-25 here, and all segments in the series here.
     
    20. Huascar Ynoa (27)
    DOB: 5/28/1998; Age: 18
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 175 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2014
    Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: Rookie, GCL (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    The Twins signed Huascar Ynoa to an $800,000 bonus on July 2 of 2014 and had his first professional season in DSL in 2015 as a starter. He started 14 games (56.7 IP) walked 30 (4.7 BB/9) and struck out 47 (7.5 K/9 and 19.2% K%) with a 2.70 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP (.258 BABIP). Like his 7 year older and 5 inch taller brother Michael, who at some point was the baseball number 20 prospect according to baseball prospectus and now is in the White Sox' organization, consistency was the biggest issue with Huascar Ynoa. He has 3 pitches (fastball, curve, slider) which all flash above average to potentially plus, but he did not throw them consistently, thus the walks. He does have a good feel for all his pitches, which suggests that mechanics might be an issue here that can be correctable. Additional data pointing out to a mechanics issue were his numbers in full wind up when pitching with nobody on: 20.7 IP, 26 H, 24 BB, 15 K for a 2.42 WHIP. Subtract those from his totals and his numbers when pitching from the stretch position ended up like this: 36 IP, 17 H, 6 BB (1.5 BB/9) , 32 K (8 K/9) and 0.639 WHIP, which are absolutely impressive under any and all circumstances. Last season in the GCL, also as a starter at age 18, he made considerable improvements (11 GS, 51 IP, 51 K, 9 K/9, 24.3 K%, 12 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 18.6 K-BB%, 3.18 ERA, 2.52 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, .303 BABIP. Between the 2 seasons, in similar number of innings he reduced his walks from 30 to 12 and his wild pitches from 10 to 3, while increasing his strikeouts, indicating that he is on his way to achieve consistency. This season he improved his curveball to near plus, and added an above average changeup, while gaining a couple of ticks on his fastball that now hits 94. His changeup is an effective weapon against lefties who he kept to an .167 OBA (vs to a .270 OBA against RHB). The reverse splits are a good thing to see from a young pitcher, whose effectiveness against righties will come with command and maturity.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training and move to the Elizabethton rotation in June
     
    19. Amaurys Minier (15)
    DOB: 1/30/1996; Age: 21
    Positions: OF/1B
    Bats: S, Throws: R
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2012
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: Rookie, Elizabethton (2015,2016)
    ETA: 2019
     
    Amaurys Minier was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2012 for a $1.4 million bonus. The San Cristobal native was signed as shortstop but here was no intention of keeping him at that position. After off-season shoulder surgery in 2013, a season he his .214/.252/.455 in the GCL, he returned to the GCL as an 18 year old in 2014, where he punished pitchers in average 2 years older to the rate of .292/.405/.520 with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs (.228 isoP), even after he broke his hand during extended spring training. Clearly the shoulder and hand were healed and the 18 year old who can generate power from both sides of the plate and hit equally well lefties and righties was well on his way towards the top of the prospect rankings. Then 2015 happened. A promotion in Elizabethton resulted in a .194/.279/.280 slash line, while his isoP dropped to .086. Still a year and a half younger than the league average player in the Appalachian league, and reportedly having to fight nagging injuries that season, the potential is still there, but Minier's stock nose-dove in the rankings. That season he made the transition from the OF to 1B. Last season he repeated in Elizabethton, still about half a year younger than the league, where he hit .222/.318/.449, returning his isoP to .228. His BABIP in 2016 was .281, which is very similar to his disasterous 2015 (.288) and much unlike his 2014 (.375.) He was on a tear in July (.235/.388/.559) while cooling off considerably in August (.218/.271/.423) but the power was still there. Power is his best tool, and he has tons from both sides of the plate, but it appoaches elite from the right side (.317 isoP as RHH in 2016). He is a man without a position who will likely end up either at first base or at DH at the higher levels, but the Twins will try to keep him on the field as much as possible. He can play the field, just not consistently. As a former SS, the instincts and hands are there. It is a matter of learning a position and getting a ton of repetitions. There is a lot of potential, but his contact needs to improve and his BABIP to return to mid 300s, pushing his batting average closer to high 200s, and for that to happen he needs to improve his pitch recognition, something that "clicks" for different players at different times in their development.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Cedar Rapid Kernels' starting first baseman and potentially corner outfielder.\
     
    18. Mason Melotakis (12)
    DOB: 6/28/1991; Age: 25
    Positions: LHP
    Bats: R, Throws: L
    Height: 6'2", Weight: 220 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2012
    Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2014, 2016)
    ETA: 2017
     
    Mason Melotakis was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft from Northwestern State University (LA.) The Grapevine, TX native was one of the 4 hard throwing College closers the Twins drafted in 2012 with the hope to turn them into starters in the pro game; one of them (5th Round Pick, Tyler Duffey) made the transition, albeit it looks like he is mostly suited for the pen, and the other three (Melotakis, 1st round pick Luke Bard, and fellow 2nd round pick JT Chargois) ended up with arm problems resulting in Tommy John surgeries and return to the bullpen. Melotakis has had his operation on October of 2014. The return to the pen in 2014 in AA New Britain (even though hurt) resulted in a good increase of strikeouts to 9.6 K/9 and 25.4% K%. It also produced a nice 1.64 GO/FO ratio. After his surgery and rehab, Melotakis' plus to plus plus fastball gets up to 96-97 mph and his once suspect slurve has improved to an above average pitch that flashes plus. He has been toying with a change up as a starter, but I suspect that with the new focus as a late inning reliever, he will abandon that. Melotakis was added to the Twins' 40-man roster and spend Spring Training with the Big club, but was optioned to AA for the season. At Chattanooga he appeared in 36 games (33-1/3 IP), had 42 Ks (11.3 K/9, 29.2 K%) and 12 BB (3.2 BB/9, 20.8 K-BB%), with a 2.97 FIP, 3.14 ERA, and 1.44 WHIP (.384 BABIP). He appeared in 11 games (11 IP) in the AFL where he dominated (11 K, 1 BB, 1.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.) His splits are considerably better against LHBs, but his slurve is an out pitch also against RHBs who he strikes out to a 1.5:1 ratio more than lefties; he is anything but a liability against RHBs, so his ceiling is higher than a LOOGY.Melotakis' stuff is a lot like that of Glen Perkins' in his prime and he belongs to a major league pen now. The Twins have been cautious after his surgery, and he had a couple sort stints in the DL last season because of a stiff back, but he is MLB-ready now.
     
    Likely 2017 path: Will fight for a position in the Twins' pen in this Spring Training, if caught in the numbers will start the season in AAA and likely called up later.
     
    17. Kohl Stewart (13)
    DOB: 10/7/1994; Age: 22
    Positions: RHP
    Bats: R, Throws: R
    Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2013
    Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2016)
    ETA: 2018
     
    Kohl Stewart was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (4th overall) of the 2013 draft from St Pius X High School in Houston, TX. Stewart is one of those players that elicit a lot of conflicting emotions when evaluated, because of the high expectations based on his potential and drafting position, which he apparently has not come close to fulfilling. He started his professional career in the GCL the year he was drafted and pitched in 6 games, 3 starts, for 16 innings, striking out 16, walking 3, for a 1.69 ERA, and 0.938 WHIP. He also made a start in Elizabethton that season for 4 innings, striking out 8, allowing a hit and a walk, after he recovered from a foot injury he suffered while stepping on a sea shell on the beach. The next season (2014) he moved to single A Cedar Rapids, where, about 3 years younger than the league, he started 19 games (87 IP), struck out 62 (6.4 K/9, 17.2 K%) and walked 24 (2.5 BB/9, 10.5 K-BB%) and finished the season with 2.59 ERA, 3.73 FIP, and 1.138 WHIP (.270 BABIP), while fight shoulder tenderness. After that season MLB.com ranked him 36th best prospect in Baseball, and the Baseball Prospectus ranked him 28th. Stewart had a somewhat disappointing following season in 2015 for the Miracle. He started 22 games after losing about a month in the DL because of elbow inflammation. He pitched 129-1/3 innings had 45 BB (3.1 BB/9, 4.7 K-BB%) and 71 K (12.8 K% and 4.9 K/9) for a 3.20 ERA, 3.45 FIP, and 1.38 WHIP (.308 BABIP) The hope was that the 4th overall pick will miss a lot of bats, as he did in 2013 where in 24 IP in both Rookie teams he walked 4 and struck out 24, but he did not. Potentially his injury was to blame, but that was not a very good season for him. Last season he repeated in the high A Miracle where he improved enough (9 GS, 51-2/3 IP, 44 K, 7.7 K/9, 20.7 K%, 19 B, 3.3 BB/9, 11.7 K-BB%, 2.61 ERA, 3.27 FIP, 1.12 WHIP, .253 BABIP) to be promoted to AA Chattanooga the end of May. There, his numbers flattened out again (16 GS, 92 IP, 47 K, 4.6 K/9, 11.8 K%, 44 B, 4.3 BB/9, 0.8 K-BB%, 3.03 ERA, 4.49 FIP, 1.47 WHIP, .291 BABIP) before finishing the season in the DL with right biceps tendonitis.
     
    It appears that Stewart's ceiling moved after each of his seasons, from a top of the rotation flamethrower, compared to fellow Texan Roger Clemens when drafted to a bottom of the rotation pitch to contact pitcher who will utilize his ground outs (about 1.8 as many as fly outs for his career) to get bats out. I think that the true is somewhat in between. There are a few things that have stalled Stewart's development: First and foremost Stewart is still learning how to pitch at 22 years old. He was primary football player who was on his way to be a College quarterback before the Twins drafted him and he used to throw the ball past high schoolers in the Houston Catholic School circuit. His stuff is excellent. He has a plus to plus plus four seamer that hits 96, which he alternates with a plus 2 seamer in the low 90s and supplements it with a close to plus hard slider/cutter in the low-mid 80s, an above average high 70s curveball and an average change up. His command is about average at this point and the primary reason of his declining K/BB ratio. The issue with his command is his mechanics that are not smooth. This issue has also caused him the nagging injuries (other than the seashell one) which he has been battling with all his pro career. At this point the Twins and Stewart will be better served by taking a step back and re-examining his mechanics, working on a consistent, repeatable delivery that will help him be successful, instead of rushing him again. If it were up to me, I would have him start 2017 in Extended Spring Training to do this, instead of a league that is 3 years older than him, and move him to AA with a new delivery and confidence and a way to excel, avoid injuries, and reach his potential. Not sure that the Twins will do so...
     
    Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation, depending on health.
     
    16. Ben Rortvedt (--)
    DOB: 9/25/1997; Age: 19
    Positions: C
    Bats: L, Throws: R
    Height: 5'10", Weight: 190 lbs
    Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016
    Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016)
    ETA: 2020
     
    Ben Rortvedt was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft from the Verona, WI Area High School. He started his pro career in the GCL where he played in 20 games (59 AB) hitting .203/.277/.254 with 5 BBs and 8 Ks, before he moved up to Elizabethton for the last 13 games of the season where in 40 AB he hit .250/.348/.250 with 5 BB, and 2 K. He mostly batter third, fifth and sixth in the GCL and on the 7th spot in Elizabethton. His splits were not significantly different against lefties or righties. Good eye and pitch selectivity overall, still lack of contact in his first few games making the transition from aluminum to wood and this was reflected on his BABIP (.235 in GCL and .263 in Elizabethton,) which has room to move upwards and trended so nicely, improving in the harder league, as he spent more time with the wood. He has a good feel in the catcher position which he played in 30 of his 33 total games (he was the DH for 3 games.) Good arm with 28% CS, few issues blocking the ball (9 PB for the season,) but overall a lot of promise, but a lot of youth and development ahead of him to reach his potential that is that of an above average two ways MLB-regular catcher.
     
    Likely 2017 path: EST and Elizabethton or Cedar Rapids depending on the Twins' draft; outside chance to start at Cedar Rapids.
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