Thrylos

Wells is officially listed at 5'8". I swear. 3 spots at this point is not really "falling". He just looks like a reliever to me more and more, and he has yet to pitch a full season. And if I was going to pick which LHRP might have a better career, Wells or Theofanopoulos, I'd have a hard choice to make. The reason that he is still ranked that high is because there is still hope that he will start. And he is young. But the raw stuff is second tier. Thorpe is a huge question mark. I hope I can see him pitch this Spring, but being idle for 2 years is not a good thing.

Any idea where Buxton was ranked after short season ball?

Wieters was .231/.304/.346 vs LHPs last season; I'd take what the Twins have already over him.

26-30 here

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, and all segments in the series here. 30. Lewis Thorpe (17) DOB: 11/23/1995; Age: 21 Positions: LHP Bats: R, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 160 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2015,2016) 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. The Melbourne native He has 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. Thorpe has 4 pitches, including a plus mid 90s fastball, a plus change up and curveball and an improving slider/cutter. His 2014 season in Cedar Rapids, even before the injury 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). He was a lefty strikeout pitcher, which means that there is a lot of potential, but losing two seasons has certainly set him back. There are several questions about Thorpe, in addition to the obvious that is how his elbow procedure will impact his stuff: his durability in a game and during the season has been a bit of a concern. A huge question mark right now, thus the drop from 11th in 2015 to 30th now. Likely 2017 path: In the Cedar Rapids rotation, with an outside chance to make the Fort Myers rotation, depending on the elbow and performance 29. Lachlan Wells (26) DOB: 2/27/1997; Age: 19 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 5'8", Weight: 165 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2015,2016) 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. The diminutive Australian 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). Other than the drop in strikeouts, his results have been very similar to his 2015, two levels of competition higher where he was about 3 years younger than the average player, which is encouraging. Size is a concern with 5'8" Wells. He is just 19, but has not grown any more the past 3 seasons. He throws an above average 90-93 mph fastball, a work in progress but 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. 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 Likely 2017 path: In the Fort Myers rotation 28. D.J. Baxendale (--) DOB: 12/8/1990; Age: 26 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 10th round in 2012 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 D.J. Baxendale was drafted by the Twins in the 10th round of the 2012 draft from the University of Arkansas as a Junior. The Jacksonville, AR native was the Razorbacks' most dependable starter in his senior year starting 20 games, pitching 107 innings, striking out 96 (8.1 K/9) walking 29 (2.4 BB/9) for a 3.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He led his team in starts, wins and strikeouts. He continued 2012 as a pro in the pen dominating the Rookie Appalachian League in Elizabethton (6 G, 7-2/3 IP, 16 K, 18.8 K/9, 64.0 K%, 1 BB, 1.1 BB/9, 60 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, -0.06 FIP, 0.26 WHIP, .125 BABIP) and A Midwest League in Beloit (11 G, 11 IP, 16 K, 12.3 K/9, 33.3 K%, 1 BB, 0.8 BB/9, 31.1 K-BB%, 1.64 ERA, 0.90 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, .414 BABIP,) albeit in relative small samples. The Twins have seen enough of him, including this incredible Spring Training performance that I was lucky to witness and decribe, that they placed him in the A+ Florida State League Fort Myers Miracle rotation, where he pitched like an Ace: (9 GS, 57-1/3 IP, 48 K, 7.5 K/9, 22.4 K%, 11 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%, 1.10 ERA, 0.78 FIP, 0.26 WHIP, .212 BABIP, 7-0 record,) moving to AA New Britain in late May when he suffered an arm injury in his first game pitched and eventually landed on the DL mid-June until the All-Star break. His numbers in New Britain left a lot to be desired (16 GS, 92-2/3 IP, 64 K, 6.2 K/9, 15.7 K%, 22 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 10.3 K-BB%, 5.63 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 1.42 WHIP, .317 BABIP, 5-7 record.) Both his ERA and FIP were bloated because of the 13 HRs he allowed, a sign that he was leaving his Fastball high in the zone, potentially due to his arm issues. Still, in 2013 Baxendale lead the Twins organization in wins and was one of very few Twins prospects to ever make it to AA in their second professional season. 2014 was an even more frustrating season for Baxendale, starting again at AA New Britain where he was placed in the DL in April, was back to Fort Myers in June, making a rehab start for the GCL Twins in August and pitching a few more games for the Miracle in late August. That was a season totally lost in injuries. He pitched a total 90-1/3 innings that season hurt most of the time, and would have been better served rehabilitating his injuries instead of aggravating them. In 2015 the Twins moved their AA team to the Southern League Chattanooga, and Baxendale got the opportunity to pitch closer to home and had a better season (23 G, 21 GS, 118-1/3 IP, 92 K, 7.0 K/9, 17.9 K%, 40 BB, 3.0 BB/9, 10.1 K-BB%, 3.80 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.40 WHIP, .317 BABIP) but most importantly a healthy season. Last season he was caught in the numbers and started the season for the 4th year in a row in the AA rotation with results improved from 2015 (14 GS, 81 IP, 59 K, 6.5 K/9, 17.7 K%, 16 BB, 1.8 BB/9, 12.9 K-BB%, 3.44 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, .308 BABIP) but not dramatically. At this point at his age 25 Baxendale looked like organizational depth pitcher, until he moved to the AAA Rochester pen last June, where he excelled. He appeared in 23 games, pitching 35 innings, striking out 40 K (10.3 K/9, 28.4 K%,) and walking 8 (2.1 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%), finishing with 1.29 ERA, 2.03 FIP, and 1.03 WHIP (.297 BABIP) picking up where he left Fort Myers in 2013. But one cannot ignore 2014 and 2015 Baxendale has a 91-92 fastball with great sinking action, which jumps up to 93-94 from the pen. He has a plus slow (low 70s) curve and as a starter has been throwing an above average mid 80s slider/cutter and an average changeup. His command and control is excellent, especially when healthy. If his fastball is down the zone, it is pretty much unhittable. Supplementing it with a plus curveball as an out pitch makes Baxendale a potentially very effective reliever. He is equally effective against both lefties and righties, inducing massive strikeouts to lefties (he struck out 20 of the 58 lefties he faced in Rochester for 38.5 K%), and decent strikeouts (22.5 K%) and ground outs 1.7 GO/AO to righties. A comparable pitcher is current Twins' reliever Brandon Kintzler, but Baxendale will produce more strikeouts and be better against lefties. Health is a consideration here, and Baxendale has to prove that his second half in 2016 was not a mirage. Likely 2017 path: In the Rochester pen and depending on performance in Minnesota by mid-season 27. Trevor Hildenberger (--) DOB: 12/15/1990; Age: 26 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 211 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 22nd round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2018 Trevor Hildenberger was drafted by the Twins in the 22nd round of the 2014 draft from the University of California Berkeley as a Senior. The San Fransisco area native was Twins' Michael Theofanopoulos roommate and the Golden Bears' closer. In his senior year he appeared in 28 games (47-2/3 IP) striking out 48 (9.1 K/9,) walking 11 (2.1 BB/9) and finishing with 2.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10 saves. He continued his season and started his pro career at the GCL where he was the Twins' closer pitching in 23 games (28 IP), allowing 30 K (9.6, 25.2 K%) and 5 BB (1.6, 21 K-BB%) finishing with 2.57 ERA, 2.40 FIP, and 1.14 WHIP (.317 BABIP), and another 10 saves. He also pitched a single inning that season in Elizabethton striking out 2 hitters and allowing neither hits nor walks. Hildenberger moved to A class Cedar Rapids in the beginning of next season, putting career-best numbers (28 G, 45 IP, 59 K, 11.8 K/9, 35.5 K%, 5 BB, 1.0 BB/9, 32.5 K-BB%, 0.80 ERA, 1.17 FIP, 0.64 WHIP, .238 BABIP, 10 SV). He moved up to A+ Fort Myers on late July pitching also successfully (13 G, 19 IP, 21 K, 10.0 K/9, 29.2 K%, 2 BB, 1.0 BB/9, 26.4 K-BB%, 3.32 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 0.89 WHIP, .313 BABIP, 3 SV). He earned a selection in the Arizona Fall League where he appeared for 8 games. Last season he stayed in Fort Myers for the beginning continuing his success (6 G, 9-1/3 IP, 8 K, 7.7 K/9, 20.5 K%, 0 BB, 0.0 BB/9, 20.5 K-BB%, 0.96 ERA, 1.54 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, .355 BABIP, 3 SV) earning an early promotion to AA Chattanooga in late April. Again, another level for Hildenberger and he did not miss a beat (32 G, 38-2/3 IP, 45 K, 10.5 K/9, 31.3 K%, 6 BB, 1.4 BB/9, 27.1 K-BB%, 0.70 ERA, 2.21 FIP, 0.70 WHIP, .211 BABIP, 3 SV) until his season was ended on July 20 with right elbow tendinitis. Hildenberger has a deceptive low slot delivery. He has a plus fastball with a lot of sink at 91-93 mph. Against righties he throws a very effective frisbee slider, and against lefties a plus change up. Plus plus command and control, he barely walks hitters and can throw all his pitches for strikes despite his funky delivery. He induces 2.5 times ground outs as fly outs against righties. His control and strikeout numbers give him almost elite K-BB% numbers. He has end of the bullpen potential, but, even though his UCL ligament is said to be okay, elbow injuries are always of concern. At 26, he has always been 1-3 years older than the competition at every step of his professional career. Likely 2017 path: Depending on the elbow health, starting at the Chattanooga pen with a promotion to Rochester mid season 26. Niko Goodrum (37) DOB: 2/28/1992; Age: 24 Positions: IF/CF Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 198 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2010 Professional Experience: 7; Highest level: AA (2015, 2016) ETA: 2017 Niko Goodrum was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Fayette County (GA) High School. It is hard to believe that Goodrum has already spent seven seasons in the Twins' organization and he is just 24 years old, turning 25 during the coming Spring Training. Goodrum was drafted early as a shortstop with five tool potential, but until this past season, other than his speed, he has been somewhat disappointing for a high level draft pick with a $514,800 signing bonus. Other than his glove that was attrocious at SS early in his career and necessitated a move to third base at Fort Myers in 2014, he has not been outright bad, with wRC+ hovering from 97-114 every season, but he did not fulfill the high expectations, and advanced slowly, making two stops at Elizabethton, one at Cedar Rapids, three at Fort Myers and two in Chattanooga. 2016 was an interesting season for Goodrum. He missed the first half with a stress fracture on his foot, but came back and had a breakthrough season. In 6 rehab games at Fort Myers (26 AB), he hit .280/.308/.560 with 149 wRC+ before he moved to Chattanooga where he finished the season with .275/.357/.451, 22 BB and 52 K, in 49 games (207 AB) with a 133 wRC+. He hit 7 HRs and was 9/11 in SB for the season. He stole 29 bases in 2015, but for half season and with a foot fracture, his 2016 total was expected. To get the additional AB, Goodrum played in the Venezuela League, where he hit .284/.354/.431 with 13 BB and 29 K in 116 AB. All in all Goodrum has 349 AB in 2016 with very promising results. Goodrum is a switch hitter that hits equally well from each side of the plate. He played at every infield position and centerfield. As indicated, his defense turned him from a shortstop to a third baseman earlier, but he has proven inadequate in that position. However the last two seasons, his play back at shortstop as well as centerfield, has been above average, reducing his errors by a lot. This positional versatility and a potential sustainability of his success with the bat last season, may indicate that Goodrum might have a major league future as a utility player. Likely 2017 path: Invited to the Twins' spring training with the potential to win a spot depending on performance and whether Dozier will still be with the Twins. Likely at the MLB-level at some point in the season depending on performance and injuries.

I would have no problem if that reunion is equivalent to the reunions with Hunter, Hawkins, and Cuddyer...

Hard to tell, because the last couple of spots will be determined in the spring, plus I think that the Twins will bring a couple more players on board. If it were to happen today, I pretty much agree with: C: Castro 1b: Mauer 2B: Dozier Ss: Polanco 3b: Sano Lf: Kepler Cf: Buxton I see Rosario with a spot as a 4th OF/starter against RHPs I see Escobar having a spot on the bench Grossman likely has a spot on the bench/platoon with Rosario/Kepler The back up catcher will be a 3-way battle between Murphy, Gimenez & Garver, with the losers going to AAA The DH/1B position will be a battle between Vargas, Park, and Paulsen for one position. The losers of that battle will battle with DanSan and Palka for another position Rotation: Santana Gibson Santiago Hughes (if healthy) May/Mejia/Haley (If Mejia loses in AAA, the other in the pen, if Hughes not healthy then 2 spot battle here. Vogelson has an outside chance to make the team) (Berrios will join the Twins the earliest on 3/18, so he will likely star the season in AAA) Pen Chargois Duffey May/Haley Rogers Kintzler Pressly Last spot for grabs Tonkin/Boshers/Melotakis, etc. Perkins has (thankfully) thrown his last pitch as a Twins' player

Garth Jax. Linebacker. Was a Dallas Cowboys ST star in the late 80s and then with the Cardinals after they moved west. Pretty long ST career.

Information is great only if you can use it. Buxton has been having a problem handling certain pitchers. So telling him that there is a 97% chance that he will see a slider as the next pitch will do zero for him, if he cannot handle it. On the other hand, if his issue handling certain pitches is because he does not recognize them, information might take care of the guess work, or make him make more educated guesses. But still he has to handle or lay off pitches...

About time that MacPhail was recognized for what he did for the Twins.

Got to look at former Twins career MiLB K/9: Carlos Silva: 5.1 Nic_ Blac_burn: 5.4 Kohl Stewart: 5.9 Rick Reed: 6.0 (btw: Brad Radke: 7 and Joe Mays: 7.5)

Dias, Javier

I think that this is the idea. I am looking at all the pitchers in this segment as relievers

Joe Cronin Cecil Travis Pete Runnels Buddy Myer Roger Peckinpaugh I'd be very happy if Gordon can have a career better than any of these guys

If the 5th overall pick ends up being Greg Gagne or Christian Guzman, it will be pretty disappointing, esp knowing that Trea Turner was available when the Twins picked.

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, and all segments in the series here. 35. John Curtiss (--) DOB: 4/5/1993; Age: 23 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'4", Weight: 200 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round in 2014 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 John Curtiss was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the 2014 Draft out of the University of Texas. The Southlake,TX native graduated in 3 years with a double major in History and English. He was a reliever in Texas and missed all of 2013 with a Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome surgeries in the summer of 2012. He returned in 2014 as the Texas closer, pitching in 28 games (made one start) for 43-1/3 innings allowing 15 walks (3.1 BB/9) and striking out 33 (6.9 K/9) finishing the season with a 2.28 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He was one of the relievers the Twins tried to convert as a starter and he continued 2014 in Elizabethton where he pitched 9 games (6 starts) for 31.1 innings, striking out 41 (11.8 K, 31.8 K%) and walking 7 (2.0 BB/9, 26.3 K-BB%) for a 2.30 ERA, 2.03 FIP and 1.28 WHIP (.400 BABIP). Curtiss, who is also a budding Country music singer songwriter, started the 2015 season in the Cedar Rapids rotation; however he suffered a concussion on early April that bothered him most of the season and he lost 2 months. He went to the GCL Twins' bullpen for a 5 game rehab assignment where he effective but wild under much younger competition (5 G, 8 IP, 7.9 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 1.13 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, .304 BABIP). His numbers at Cedar Rapids were a total loss (16 G, 7 GS, 46 IP, 8.6 K/9, 2 BB/9, 6.07 ERA, 5.16 FIP, 1.57 WHIP, .371 BABIP). He repeated Cedar Rapids, as a reliever this time in 2016 with much better results and concussion-free. He pitched only in 6 games for 8 innings, striking out 17 (19.1 K/9, 58.6 K%) and walking 2 (2.3 BB/9, 51.7 K-BB%), with a 0.00 ERA, 0.35 FIP and 0.50 WHIP (.222 BABIP). This was good enough to move to A+ Fort Myers where he pitched in 38 more games (53 IP), striking out 68 (11.6 K/9, 30.6 K%) and walking 23 (3.9 BB/9, 20.3%) He finished with a 3.06 ERA, 2.10 FIP, and 1.23 WHIP (.326 BABIP). The Twins still see him as a potential starter so he was sent to the Arizona Fall League to get additional innings. He participated in 11 games and pitched 12-2/3 innings in relied with solid results (2.84 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 12.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 33.3 K%, 25.9 K-BB%, 1.34 WHIP and .400 BABIP) He throws a plus to plus plus fastball with terrific movement that sits at 94-96 and flashes 97-98 and an average 84-86 mph slider, along with an average change up. Because of the three picture mix the Twins were thinking that he still has starter potential; not sure what the new heads of the Twins' baseball would think about Curtiss who is a close to MLB-ready reliever at this point. Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation or bullpen 34. Dereck Rodriguez (--) DOB: 6/5/1992; Age: 24 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round in 2011 Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: A+ (2015, 2016) ETA: 2019 Dereck Rodriguez was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft out of Monsignor Edward Pace High School, Miami Gardens, FL. Rodriguez, the son (and namesake, Dereck is his middle name) of Ivan Rodriguez was drafted as an outfielder by the Twins and converted to pitcher in 2014. As a hitter he competed his 3-season professional career hitting .216/.279/.336 with 6 HRs, in 132 games (375 PA). His first season as a pitcher, 2014, he started in extended spring training and moved to Elizabethton pitching as a reliever in 17 games (25-2/3 IP), striking out 19 (6.7 K/9, 18.5 K%) and walking 8 (2.8 BB/9, 10.7 K-BB%) finishing with 1.05 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.05 WHIP (.260 BABIP). He also started 2015 in Extended Spring Training, with a single game break to pitch 2 innings in relief for the Miracle. He moved to Cedar Rapids on June 2nd where he started 2 games with disaterous results (9 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 3 WP) and was demoted to Elizabethton where he salvaged his season. He started 12 games (66-1/3 IP), striking out 61 (8.3 K/9, 22.4%) and walking 11 (1.5 BB/9, 18.4 K-BB%), ending up with a 2.85 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.13 WHIP (.307 BABIP). That season he won the Appalachian League pitcher of the year award. He started last season in Cedar Rapids starting 18 games, 101 IP, and had 93 strikeouts (8.29 K/9, 21.2 K%) and 11 walks (3.39 BB/9, 12.6 K-BB%) with 5.08 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.35 WHIP (.308 BABIP). He was promoted to the Miracle rotation in August where he started 5 games (31-2/3 IP), striking out 18 (5.1 K/9, 14.4 K%) and walking 2 (0.6 BB/9, 12.8 K-BB%) with a 2.56 ERA, 4.04 FIP and 0.98 WHIP (.250 BABIP). He continued onto the Puerto Rican Winter League where he pitched out of the bullpen in 13 games and 16-2/3 innings, walking 5 and striking out 13, holding opponents to a .206 opponent average and finishing with a 1.02 ERA. Pitching was not exactly new to Rodriguez who was also his High School's closer. He has 3 pitches: An above average fastball that sits at 91-93 and touches 95, and changeup and a slider/cutter that is average but improving. His command and control, feel for the game, durability and mount presence are also above average. He plays younger than his age, so there is room for improvement. The Twins like him as a starter, but the bullpen could potentially be his vehicle to the majors, because his staff would play much better there Likely 2017 path: starting the season in the Fort Myers rotation 33. Michael Theofanopoulos (--) DOB: 8/5/1992; Age: 24 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 30th round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 Michael Theofanopoulos was drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of the 2014 from the University of California, Berkeley after his Senior season. The California native was a starter and sporadically played the outfield. As a hitter he finished with a .283/.361/.453 slash line but he only appeared in 27 games (53 AB). As a pitcher he appeared in 27 games, 23 of them starts, pitched 104 innings, struck out 77 (6.7 K/9) and walked 58 (5.0 BB/9) ending up with a 1.63 WHIP and 5.02 ERA, results that do not exactly cry "Draft me". Why did the Twins take a chance on Theofanopoulos, who was the roommate of their 24th round draft pick Golden Bears closer Trevor Hildenberger? Because he had an elite curveball that ranked among the top ones at the collegiate level, but his fastball was average and with lack of control. Theofanopoulos continued as a spot started in the GCL were he pitched in 11 games (5 starts) for 27-2/3 innings, striking out 30 (9.8 K/9, 22.4 K%), and walking 10 (3.3 BB/9, 14.9 K-BB%), with 4.23 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 1.63 WHIP (.363 BABIP), numbers much better than his collegiate. The next season he bypassed Elizabethton and moved to Cedar Rapids and after a single start in which he gave up 3 runs in 3 innings, to the bullpen. The 2015 season he pitched in 37 games (68-1/3 IP) struck out 74 (9.8 K/9, 25.2 K%) and walked 29 (3.8 BB/9, 15.3 K-BB%), finishing with a 3.82 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 1.42 WHIP (.350 BABIP) another step in the right direction for the still very raw lefty. Last season he started again in the Cedar Rapids pen pitching in 21 games (32-1/3 IP) with 45 K (12.5 K/9, 33.6 K%) and 16 BB (4.5 BB/9, 21.6 K-BB%) for and 1.67 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 1.05 WHIP (.236 BABIP). He was promoted to Fort Myers where he pitched in 23 games (33 IP) with 39 K (10.6 K/9, 27.7 K%), 18 BB (4.9 BB/9, 14.9 K-BB%), 2.73 ERA, 3.68 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP (.282 BABIP.) Theofanopoulos was drafted as a project and has been proven a worthwhile one, improving every season. His fastball plays better in the pen and is up to 92 mph. His command and control have improved to average and continue to improve. In addition to his slow curve that is now a plus plus pitch, he added a faster slurve that flashes plus. Has also been getting a better feeling to pitching, trying to use his fastball to set up his out pitches (a tactic that will bear even more fruits as the fastball command improves) that was translated into a nice increase in strikeout. As his fastball command goes so will Theofanopoulos and there is a lot of hope here. Likely 2017 path: starting the season in the Fort Myers pen with a mid-season promotion to Chattanooga. Potential to start the season in Chattanooga depending on how many LHPs will be in the Twins' pen after Spring Training. 32. Rainis Silva (21) DOB: 3/20/1996; Age: 20 Positions: C Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2012 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 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. Likely 2017 path: In the Catching rotation at Fort Myers. 31.Jermaine Palacios (8) DOB: 7/19/1996; Age: 19 Positions: SS/3B Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'0", Weight: 145 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 Jermaine Palacios was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from 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 2015 Palacios did not walk much (BB% 8.5 in GCL and 2.1 in Appy) and did not strike out much (10.4% & 13.8%.) He did make meaningful contact (.421 and .336 batting average.). Last season 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. As discussed, 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.) Palacios dropped a lot from his top-10 ranking a season ago and the reason is that I now believe that he can go either way and not only because of the fractured wrist. His BABIP needs to be in the .330-.350 area or better for him to be successful and will likely rebound, the jury is out to how much. It could potentially be weather related, since Cedar Rapids was likely the coldest place the Venezuelan has played in last Spring and that his bat bettered with the temperature. On the other hand, the isoP drop even in June and July is concerning, as is the wrist, question marks that Palacios can put to rest with a good season in 2017. One of the positive things that happened to Palacios last season is that his defense improved so much that it looks like he will stick at shortstop, instead of being a man without a position. Likely 2017 path: Starting Fort Myers shortstop, depending on the health of his wrist.

31-35 here.

Want some opinions outside the Twins' organization about Polanco's defense? here. That's before Ryan & Co started moving him around.

FTFY

The Twins brought back RHP Yohan Pino, after spending the last 2 seasons in the KC Organization and the KBO (not with much success as a matter of fact.)

Rumors? How about a fact: The Twins have allowed Berrios to play for Team Puerto Rico in the WBC. That takes care of him until Match 13 (last game in Jalisco, MX), or if they move to the next round March 18 (in San Diego) or if they make it to the finals March 22 (in LA.) Good luck winning a rotation spot in ST...

2017 is going to be an assessment season. From the Front Office to the manager and coaches at every stage in the organization to the players. To tell you the truth, I am probably more disappointed that the front office people and the player development people who brought the Twins into this mess, esp. as far as pitching goes, are still with the Twins than Dozier. And I really dislike the thought that the Twins might start the season with Dozier...

I cannot begin to state the ways why any of those are not fits for a 103 loss team that needs to rebuild...

The last 2 seasons? check again

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