Thrylos

Pretty sure that they have another move up their sleeves, but doesn't this one show how little confidence they have on the above (and Dietrich Enns and Phil Hughes) at least as far as 2018 is concerned? If they thought that one of the mentioned might rise to the occasion, there would be no reason to sign Sanchez, zero risk notwithstanding

Not even that. It is a non-guaranteed contract, so they lose his prorated month salary.

Slegers. Replacement level pitch to contact guy. All day and all of the night. Check out Sanchez's peripherals...

The issue I have with Gonsalves is that I am not sure how his fastball will translate in the majors, and if that does not translate, he will be more like Dan Serafini than Jason Vargas. Vargas is a good comparable, btw, as far as a lefty whose best pitch is a plus plus (or close to) change up and his fastball is not quite there. Gonsalves's fastball's (89-91 btw, and sporadically higher) issue is its location. He throws at 3/4 and the fastball does not really move down the zone much. He gets minor leaguers to swing and miss up the zone or get grounders because it has a high spin and they have a hard time squaring the barrel of the bat to it. Major leaguers take these belt high and higher fastballs to the concessions. That already happened to him at AAA last season and that league is full of people who can hit the fastball. He usually averaged about 0.2 to 0.3 HR/9 previously. In AAA he gave up 1.6 HR/9. And then he riles and started to try to paint the corners and walked a career high 4.9 per 9... Unless he gets move movement and he throws it lower in the strike zone with plus command, he will be dead meat in the majors, because even if your change up is plus, if major leaguers are sitting it...

a. it is not like they won the World Series and b. it is not like Dozier was not part of the 103 loss team as well...

Let's see what kind of season De Leon has, and we can discuss it then. Nobody knows what they were offered btw. They were likely offered more/better than DeLeon, because Dozier > Forsythe whom they got for De Leon. The point is that Dozier will not get them to the next level (He did not. Fact.) Same with Santana. Young top of the rotation controllable pitching will. And if they need to add some second level prospects (eg. Gonsalves, Kirilloff etc) to get it, in addition to the veterans, they should go for it.

Totally agree with this message, and I'll up it one: To have a you will need a long-term sustainable top of the rotation starting pitching pipeline. The Twins pipeline of top of the rotation long-term controlled starting pitching is not that great. And you cannot rebuild a pipeline in a season. I think that there are pitchers coming up that they can help the Twins around 2020-2021 time (Graterol, Enlow) but other than Berrios and maybe Romero there is not much there between then and now. That's why getting someone like Darvish (or even better Cole or Archer) to cover that gap was essential. They need to get there this season, and they should look at plan B and see what they can get by trading Dozier and Santana. I still think that it was a huge mistake not trading Dozier last season (we don't know the offers, but even for De Leon+) They better not repeat it.

Thanks! I think that both are correct in this case. He is a pretty mellow fellow.

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

I'd rather has someone with a 70 arm (Sano) at third base. 55 arm is at Polanco territory FWIW...

Not with Lewis's arm

I would agree up to a point, but for a different reason: The biggest issue that Romero has right now is endurance. The max innings he ever pitched in a season are 125, last season. And from those, the last 20 or so in August were ugly, because he ran out of steam. So he has been an 100 inning guy in the minors so far, which means that there is no way that he can be a 200 inning guy in the majors in 2018. 2019 is a different story and if he builds up to 150+ good innings this season, he will be there. That should be the Twins goal for him in 2018, which makes any thought about him being part of their pen, kinda contrary to the big picture regarding him. Now where he starts the season is debatable. I actually can see him pitch earlier in the season in the majors, if he is hot, rather than in September when he might be out of gas. About the last sentence: Romero has the highest potential and best stuff of all the Twins starting pitchers that are ready or near ready, and his stuff, unlike Gonsalves's top of the zone stuff, has a high probability to play in the majors. I have not seen Littell pitch in person. Romero is close to, if maybe a step behind of, Berrios as far as ceiling goes. But the endurance (and the changeup, for Berrios also btw) is an issue.

There are a lot of new prospects because the 2017 draft seems to be much better that previous draft, they traded at the deadline for 3 prospects, and during the off-season swapped international $ allowance for a couple more. These guys listed here (minus Blankenhorn) are all brand new to the organization.

Phil Hughes's name has been thrown around by the media left and right. Is there any evidence that he will start Spring Training throwing the ball, instead of on the 60-day DL? I have seen zero reports about him starting a throwing program, and it has been about 6 or 7 months since his latest surgery.

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

I like McHugh. I think that he will slot right in front of Santana and will be willing to send Houston someone with lower ceiling than him (Gonsalves, Littell) plus someone like Slegers to make it happen. This would be close to what the Twins got for Garcia last season, which should the baseline for this trade. I suspect that, based on that, the Astros might want more. I would not mind adding Gordon to Gonsalves to make this happen. McHugh had 12.4 SwStr%, 22.9 K%, and 15.5 K-BB% last season. Berrios had 9.4 SwSte%, 22.6 K%, 14.8 K-BB%. Nobody else in the Twins' rotation came close to those numbers last season. The only other pitcher who may come close this season is May who approached those numbers when healthy but that was a couple seasons ago. McHugh had shoulder/bicept issues last spring training, in addition to elbow. This piece, says that it might had been his mechanics and that he worked on that. At this point (and in the next 2 seasons) the Twins can use McHugh more than Gonsalves and Gordon, so they should do it.

The only issue with that train of thought is that Lynn (& Cobb/Arietta) will cost a high draft pick, which is pretty much the same as losing a prospect...

Can he pitch?

Why in heaven would the Rays would even think about including Honeywell in any trade?

Sounded like Darvish wanted "the big city", since he has been waiting for the Yankees and Dodgers. Guess he thinks that Chicago is the same as LA or NYC. He'll get what he deserves. For the Twins should be Archer or bust. Nobody else out there is good enough for them to content deep into the post-season, and if they do not content deep into the post-season, they might as well, put out the for sale sign, shop Dozier and Santana (when his finger heals), and play the kids to see what they have...

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

I would tend to venture that Darvish's 6th year could not be as bad as Hughes' third, fourth, fifth, or sixth (2016,17,18,19.) They can drop down the AAV by 10% and add that 6th year. That would add a total of 50% of the original AAV to the total contract, so it would be like paying for 8% more than the original offer

It has to do with potential vs question marks in this case. And of course it is 100% subjective Garcia looks like he can be a #4-5 starter or a middle reliever, he has been improving every season. Wells, not that much, plus he has major injury concerns with that elbow that might make him require TJ surgery in 2018 and miss 2018 plus parts of 2019. Garcia might make it as a 25 or 26 year old rookie. Plenty of those. Comparing Pitchers and Position players is very difficult. Whitefield has high potential (and went up 19 spots in the rankings) based on his athleticism and fielding, but majors holes in his swing. He swings still like a softball player. There are concerns about the quickness of the wrists as well as recognizing pitches as they come from the pitcher and understanding of the strike zone. That's a lot to work through. Not that they are not workable, but it might take time and at some point he might hit a wall against higher competition. I don't know. Thus that ranking. All 3 have less than 50% chance of reaching the majors. Garcia likely has slightly more chance, because he has the least work to do to get there. Hope this helps, and it is just my opinion

Indeed, regarding the system. On the other hand, when all is said and done, I am not sure that Royce Lewis will not be better player than Buxton. We just got to wait 20 years or so for that

I see Bo Jackson all over him (albeit an inch or 2 shorter.) Baddoo is built like a tailback.