Thrylos

Well, then the Twins should give him a qualifying offer. The draft pick they will get will have more value than Dozier for them, especially, since apparently he does not seem to want to be a Twin any longer. Not very smart for him to start talking about this, especially in this environment regarding FA compensation and offers...

I am not arguing Granite vs. Grossman. I am arguing the point of view that the Twins should keep Grossman regardless, since he is out of options. If he is the best player for the Twins' bench, he should come North. If he is not, he should not. Options or no options...

When you are competing the goal should be to have the 25 players who will make a better team up North, not hoarding mediocre players... And the Twins are competing.

The bullpen will be very fluid: I would not call Taylor Rogers, Trevor Hildenberger and Ryan Pressly locks at this point. They have to earn a position, and with the first 2 having options, it might work against them. If Hughes is healthy he will be on the 25 man roster, either as a starter or in the pen. Too early to tell about the rest despite the fact that Busenitz and Kinney Kinley bombed in their only appearances. Only Rodney, Reed, and Duke are locks. Another reason that things will be fluid is that I do not have it beyond them to sign another free agent here. They are 3-4 back of the pen types who can help them this season. About that last starter spot: If Romero has 3-4 more such appearances and then a couple more at 6+ innings, I would think that it will be his. Still a long shot but I will not write him (or anyone else, btw) off at this point. I don't see Sano starting at the DL, if he can play during Spring. You just don't take the bat out of your best hitter's hands. Aybar, Adrianza, and Granite will be fighting for one spot in the bench. This team is infield heavy and Granite can provide good OF defense and PR abilities that the other 2 cannot. But he is yet another LH bat. We'll see how this plays. Vargas and Grossman will also be fighting for a single spot at this point. Grossman can play the OF, but about as well as Morrison can do, so that I do not see as an advantage. If Vargas shows that he is willing to take a base and starts hitting from the right side in Spring, he might have a job... Still very fluid, esp. in the pen, but there are only a handful of jobs to go around, in general, unlike other seasons...

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- This is the last 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, and 1-5. You can find all segments in this series here. Here is the list of the Twins top 60 prospects, with last year's ranking in parenthesis; if not ranked in 2017 this is indicated by (--). I also indicate their position and ETA to the majors: 1. Royce Lewis (--), SS/OF, 2020 2. Wander Javier (1), SS, 2020 3. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, 2020 4. Brent Rooker (--), 1B/LF, 2018 5. Fernardo Romero (4), RHP, 2018 6. Rainis Silva (32), C, 2020 7. Blayne Enlow (--), RHP, 2020 8. Zack Littell (--), RHP, 2018 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. Jermaine Palacios (31) SS, 2020 traded to the Rays 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 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 60. Jesus Toledo (--), LHP, 2022 Re-arranging the list based on when players would be ready to help the Twins in the majors, will make look something like this: 4. Brent Rooker (--), 1B/LF, 2018 5. Fernardo Romero (4), RHP, 2018 8. Zack Littell (--), RHP, 2018 9. Stephen Gonsalves (6), LHP, 2018 12. Tyler Jay (2), LHP, 2018 16. Nick Gordon (5), IF, 2018 22. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018 32. Kohl Stewart (17), RHP, 2018 42. Jake Reed (25) RHP, 2018 --- 14. Luis Arraez (11), IF, 2019 21. Lewis Thorpe (30), LHP, 2019 24. Chris Paul (--), UT, 2019 46. Andrew Vasquez (52), LHP, 2019 47. Tom Hackimer (--), RHP, 2019 51. Cody Stashak -(55), RHP, 2019 52. Jaylin Davis, (39), OF 2019 ------- 1. Royce Lewis (--), SS/OF, 2020 2. Wander Javier (1), SS, 2020 3. Brusdar Graterol, RHP, 2020 6. Rainis Silva (32), C, 2020 7. Blayne Enlow (--), RHP, 2020 10. Lewin Diaz (3), 1B, 2020 11. Akil Baddoo (24), OF, 2020 13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020 17. Tyler Wells (54), RHP, 2020 19. Jean Carlos Arias (36), CF, 2020 20. Jermaine Palacios (31) SS, 2020 20. Jovani Moran (--), LHP, 2020 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 35. Bryan Sammons (--) LHP, 2020 36. Bailey Ober (--), RHP, 2020 38. Lachlan Wells (29), LHP, 2020 40. Aaron Whitefield (59), OF, 2020 49. Hector Lujan (--), RHP, 2020 56. Sandy Lugo, (--), RHP, 2020 57. Nelson Molina, (47), IF, 2020 --- 15. Michael Montero (--), RHP, 2021 18. Jose Miranda (--), IF, 2021 25. Landon Leach (--), RHP, 2021 31. Ben Rortvedt (16), C, 2021 33. Alberoni Nunez (--), OF, 2021 34. Derek Molina (--), RHP, 2021 37. Pedro Garcia (45), RHP, 2021 39. Wander Valdez, (--) 3B, 2021 41. Ricky De La Torre (--) SS, 2021 48. Kerby Camacho (--), C, 2021 50. Colton Burns (--), OF, 2021 --- 23 Yunior Severino (--), IF, 2022 43. Jacob Pearson (--), OF, 2022 44. Yeltsin Encarnacion (--) IF, 2022 45. Ryley Widell (--) LHP, 2022 53. Alex Robles, (--), OF, 2022 54. Ruben Santana, (--), IF, 2022 55. Carlos Suniaga, (--), RHP, 2022 58. Ben Rodriguez (--), C/1B, 2022 59. Carson Crites (--), 2B, 2022 60. Jesus Toledo (--), LHP, 2022 There is a solid pipeline of talent ready (ETA 2018) and close to ready (ETA 2019) that can help the Twins this season; albeit other than a couple of cases (Rooker and Romero), it is not top talent. The majority of top talent will be ready around 2020, close to when the current young Twins core is coming to its arbitration eligible stage. For 2021 and further there is not much at this time, but a. many of these prospects will rise in the rankings and b. will be supplemented in the 2018-2020 drafts. The Twins system is its stronger and more balanced that it has been in years. The years when Sano, Polanco and Buxton were the top prospects, the quality of position players prospects was probably higher than now, but with Lewis, Javier and Rooker on the top 5, this might be challenged as well. The quality of pitching and the potential of pitching prospect is much higher than previous years. Also this team has a nice core of prospects from 8-15, and some of that group are regarded much higher in the National lists, which can serve as the basis for trades to bring in ready now top of the rotation talent, something that the Twins lack.

Escobar, Adrianza, Vargas, and Grossman are all out of options. One does not fit in the same team as Morrison. It is a numbers game, 15 position players or not

You need 5 years or so of further data to answer this question On the other hand, here is how the 6 top relievers of the Astros and the Dodgers last season were acquired: Astros: Trade, Trade, Free Agent, International Free Agent, Waivers, Trade Dodgers: International Free Agent, Drafted as a starter & converted, International Free Agent, Trade, Trade, Free Agent So methinks that there are better ways of building a World Series bullpen than spending high draft picks on College relievers. Terry Ryan / Deron Johnson mistake number 1. Also, if you draft college relievers wasting their arms in the minors is horrible. Burdi and Jay could have helped the Twins the seasons they were drafted. Teams that draft high end college relievers have them up that same or the next season the latest. They do not try to convert them to starters. Terry Ryan / Brad Steil mistake number 2. What this front office is trying to do is not make mistakes, but correct the mistakes of the past...

The issue with that train of thought is that for Aybar to make the club he has to replace another established, respected, reputable, spanish-speaker, who in addition is younger and better than him on both sides of the ball and can play more positions than just SS, Adrianza or Escobar...

The only issue with that infield is that none of the 4 can play first (or actually might be a waste to get any of those guys to play first) and only Javier maybe has the arm to play third. I am looking for a Rooker, Polanco, Javier, Sano infield as the Twins' core for a while with Lewis at the OF, along with Buxton and someone else not yet in the team who can hit 40+ HRs. Diaz at DH. The Twins are solid as far as top of the line position player pipeline goes. They need top of the line pitching seriously. And since FA aces are more expensive than FA MVP-caliber position players, they better start drafting or signing them internationally.

Thanks. I am trying Actually I was surprised at how similar Mike Berardino's list at BA was with mine this season...

plus/minus, DRS, and UZR all list Aybar as below average at SS. He has not played enough of the other positions to be of significance, and to be regarded as a "utility player". He is an aging below average SS on both sides of the ball. I just don't see him lasting with the Twins.

I hope Sano is the Twins' third baseman for a decade and then switches on the other side of the diamond and then to DH. He is a special talent. But this is not about Sano...

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

6:05 PM EDT

Good stuff. FWIW Bobby Wilson was Odorizzi's personal catcher at Tampa Bay in 2015 and 2016. Pretty good with the glove as well, both framing and catching, but he cannot hit his way out of a paper bag. I really have a super hard time seeing any of these guys making the Twins' team opening day. Kphn maybe, if he can find the strike zone, but he was out of baseball for 2+ seasons and was fairly wild last season...

That is not an issue because these guys catch only about half of the time. The rest they DH or play 1B. I think that at least one of them starts at Fort Myers, and the other 2 at Cedar Rapids. Hard to tell who goes where

Indeed, as far as the second point goes. As I said: On the other hand, you want to rate a guy with a hitable fastball and a changeup only higher than this? Not sure that I follow this logic. It is not the who is an MLB-ready pitcher list.

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

He is a very impressive and charismatic 18 year old. Compared to the other top 4 picks, they Twins hit a jackpot here, as far as his work ethic, affect, and intelligence goes. Here is another anecdote about Lewis. He did not stash that whole bonus away, but he got himself a new car before he did... a Toyota Camry.

You will not see Lewis then. Now that Palacios is gone, it is almost a lock that Lewis will start the season at Fort Myers and Javier at Cedar Rapids. Both these guys need near 100% playing time at SS right now. On the other hand, that Cedar Rapids team looks like it is going to be a great team, so if one can visit, Lewis or not, it will be worthwhile

Do you have solid evidence to back those 2 things up?

Aaron Judge is 290 lbs. Guess the Yankees should put him on a diet because he is not good enough.

tell that to my autocorrect

I do not disagree. My point is that people are reacting like Sano is putting Delmon Young numbers out there on both sides of the field. Thus the offensive numbers I posted. As far as his defense at 3B goes, it has been at least as good (0.4 UZR/150 vs -4.8 UZR/150, -8 DRS vs -6 DRS) as Trevor Plouffe's. I cannot remember mentions that Plouffe's defense sucked because he was (add whatever reason you want.) Can Sano get better if he gets in a better shape? Maybe, maybe not Can he can in a better shape based on his genetics? Maybe, maybe not Is Sano one of the Twins best players as is? Absolutely His detractors forget the last part.

His injury last year was caused by a foul ball to the chin. Nothing to do with his weight, unless it was the higher mass that attracted that foul ball.