Thrylos

Bit confused about all of that. KARE 11 had a video of Escobar interviewing Dozier yesterday, in which he said that he was hunting ducks and deer in the off-season (talking about the kidney stone as well) :

Bit perplexed to see Chargois on waivers instead of Slegers... Mayo says that Chargois has the best fastball and the best slider of the system. Slegers is replacement level. I just don't get it.

6:05 PM EDT

It is a non-issue. They have lots of open days and will need a fifth starter for only a couple of starts if everyone goes on his regular rest... That's what Molitor meant. Not a back to the future situation.

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.

Not sure that I get your argument: Blankenhorn has a 23.4 % K% and Diaz 15.7 % K%. The fact that Blackenhorn has played second and third does not mean that he has played well on the field. His glove is a lot like another Travis (Harrison) the Twins had. As a matter of fact, he reminds me a lot of Harrison... Also, Blankenhorn has no tool or projected tool above 50. Lewis has a couple (Power, Arm)

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.

All it matters: Sano's MLB career line: 359 wOBA, 124 wRC+ and that's with him battling injuries and he still is a few season's off his prime. Mauer's career line: .361 wOBA, 124 wRC+ Eeriliy similar, yet the same people who seemingly want to crucify Sano based on his genetics want to send Mauer to Cooperstown. Sano is already answering his critics with really long fly balls at Fort Myers. I hope he continues throughout the season, overweight or not. Babe Ruth should be happy that the BMI police was not around then...

So far I like Jackson Kowar for the spot the Twins are picking, but he seems to have tons of helium in that MLB pipeline list.

So we have all the lists in one place. From BA: High School top 50 and College top 50.

Putting Romero in the pen will be shooting themselves in the foot. He is the only SP they have with top of the rotation potential (save Graterol who is 3 seasons or so away). His only issue is endurance right now. He needs to be stretched in order to improve that, and placing him to the pen will sabotage that.

His arm as an outfielder has been rated at 50-55 out of 80 at high school by scouts. Arm is not the only issue. Range and surehandedness is an issue at OF for him as well. He had a .940 fielding percentage in his first pro season as a right fielder. For comparison's sake, Rooker who is not thought much of an OF was error free there last season, and Sano had a .962 FP as an OF Also he has bulked up considerably. I feel that it will be hard for him to play there.

One way of improving pitching is that. Better defense. This Front Office decided that Sano is not an outfielder and improved in the catcher position. That went long ways. Also better intelligence about how to place defenders based on individual pitchers. That went another long ways. Really excited to see what a new pitching coach will bring to the team.

Kirilloff is still a question mark to me. I think he needs a lot of work to stay at the outfield and even then, I am not sure that his arm is suited to the OF, so first base might be his final resting place. Add to the fact the uncertainty of coming back from surgery and I think the ranking reflects this. He might shoot up next season if his performance warrants that. I think that Jay might have to force the Twins hand. If he has a 1.50 ERA and 10-12 K/9 come mid-season, I don't see him lasting in the minors for long. But as I indicated, he needs to get healthy. Will be definitely interesting to see what Baddoo does in full season ball. Cedar Rapids will have a killer squad this Spring into Summer.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch ---- This is the next segment in the 2018 Twins top 60 prospect list. You can find the introductory segment that discusses qualifications to be on this list and presents the players who were on the 2017 list but are not in this list here. You can find the list of the previous rankings here: 56-60, 55-51, 46-50 , 41-45, 36-40, 31-35, 26-30, 21-25, 16-20. You can find all segments in this series here. Here are players 11-15 in reverse order with their 2017 ranking in parenthesis. Players not in the 2017 top 60 list are indicated by (--) 15. Michael Montero (--) DOB: 1/6/2000; Age: 18 Positions:RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Signed as an international free agent in July 2, 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: DSL (2017) ETA: 2021 Montero was signed as an international free agent by the Twins in July 2, 2016 from Valencia Venezuela for a bonus of about $150,000. 2017 was his first professional season and he pitched in the DSL as a 17 year old. He started 13 games (58-1/3 IP), struck out 64 (9.9 K/9, 27.7 K%), walked 12 (1.9 BB/9, 22.5 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.78 ERA, 2.61 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP (.279 BABIP). He has three above average pitches: low 90s fastball, slider, and change up and he commands all three well. Has a projectable frame, already at 6-3 and 190 lbs, very good feel for the game and is not afraid to attack the strike zone. Great composure on the mount. He should add 3-4 ticks to his fastball as he grows and sharpen the rest of his pitches. Flashes of top of the rotation potential; a prospect worth following. Likely 2018 path: Extended Spring Training and then at the GCL rotation. 14. Luis Arraez IF (11), 2019 DOB: 4/9/1997; Age: 20 Positions: 2B Bats: L, Throws: R Height: 5'10", Weight: 155 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A+ (2017) ETA: 2019 Luis Arraez was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on November 3rd, 2013. The San Felipe native opened some eyes in his first professional season in the DSL hitting .348/.433/.400 (147 wRC+) in 31 games (135 PA). The next season he moved to the GCL where he continued his success hitting .309/.377/.391 (133 wRC+) in 57 games (233 PA). Last season he played for class A Cedar Rapids where he was the fifth youngest player in the Midwest League. He hit .347/.386/.444 (146 wRC+) in 114 games (514 PA). He continued the season in the Venezuelan Winter League where he hit .335/.382/.445 with 15 BB and 15 K this in 45 games (182 AB.) He started 2017 at Fort Myers and he was on fire hitting .385/.385/.538 with a.418 wOB and 168 wRC+ in the first 3 games (13 PA) of the season before he tore his ACL after awkwardly tripping over first base, and spend the rest of the season recuperating from surgery. Other than Cedar Rapids where he was 31:51, Arraez has had at least equal strikeouts to walks, and his K% was never higher than 9.9%. His splits last season was pretty equal for the lefty hitting Arraez: .333/.378/.422 vs LHP and .351/.388/.450 vs RHPs. He finished the season with a .374/.398/.457 slash line the second half that included a very impressive .425/.444/.487 performance in August. His swing is compact with great bat control and plus bat speed, quick wrists and the ability to hit the opposite way. His power has been improving (0.052 to 0.082 to 0.097 isoP), his contact has remained fairly high (.374, .323, and .382 BABIP) and he has decent speed but not good base stealing instincts (career 21/37 SB). His play at second base has been improving every season and he was +13 DRS in Cedar Rapids. Arraez is starting to look more and more like a two way player with All-Star bat potential, but he is still very young. Speed has not been much of his game but the ACL tear might affect his future, thus the drop in the rankings. Arraez has likely the best hit tool in the Twins' system. Likely 2018 path: Starting 2B at Fort Myers or even Chattanooga depending on his Spring Training. 13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020 DOB: 11/9/1997; Age: 20 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'2", Weight: 195 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016) ETA: 2020 Alex Kirilloff was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 2016 draft from Plum High School in the Pittsburgh area, where he played baseball while being homeschooled. His father who used to be in the Pirates' organization as a scout and coach, is a professional hitting coach, offering both facilities and instruction to amateurs, including his son. In High School Alex Kirilloff was a two way player. As a pitcher he has a 89-92 mph fastball that was good enough to go 5-1 in limited competition, but was not going to get him to the next level. Power and arm strength are Kirilloff's best tools and he projects as a rightfielder. The transition to wood bat was seamless for him, hitting .306/.341/.454 in 55 games (232 PAs) in Elizabethton. He has 9 2Bs, 1 3B, and 7 HRs, walking 11 (4.7%) and striking out 13.8%. He was 0/1 in stolen bases. He was named the Appalachian League’s player of the year. Unfortunately, he had Tommy John surgery on his throwing elbow and missed all the 2017 season recovering. There is definitely some power potential with his .148 isoP likely doubling at some point. He has good judgement of the strike zone and makes contact that is successful (.328 BABIP.) His swing is a bit complicated both with leg and shoulder action, but so far it works. It will be interesting to see how this will translate in the next levels when he will be looking at more off-speed and breaking balls. It might require some rework to quieten it up and shorten it. The Tommy John surgery is not usually an issue for a position player, but Kirilloff's arm was not elite before it, and he might be relegated to left field or first base in the long run. 2018 Likely path: Starting the season in single A Cedar Rapids 12. Tyler Jay (2) DOB: 4/19/1994; Age: 23 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2016,2017) ETA: 2018 Tyler Jay was drafted by the Twins 6th overall in 2015 from University of Illinois. The Lemont, IL native was mainly the closer in College appearing in 30 games (2 starts) in his Junior season pitching for 66.7 innings, walking 7 (0.9 BB/9) and striking out 77 (10.3 K/9) with a 1.08 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. He moved on to the Fort Myers' bullpen with the Twins to appear in an additional 19 games (18.2 IP) where he walked 8 (3.9 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%) and struck out 22 (10.8 K/9, 27.2 K%) for a 3.93 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP (.353 BABIP). The Twins view Jay as a starter and he made the transition to the Miracle rotation this season where he started 13 games (69-2/3 IP) struck out 68 (8.8 K/9, 23.6 K%), walked 21 (2.7 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.84 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP (.311 BABIP). He moved to Chattanooga in July, where he pitched in 5 games (2 starts) before ending his season on the disabled list because of a sore neck. He pitched only 14 innings (9 K, 5.8 K/9, 5 BB, 3.2 BB/9, 6.9 K-BB%, 5.79 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, .262 BABIP). After the 2016 season the Twins Front Office decided to stop the Jay as a starter experiment and relegated him full time to the pen. The 2017 season was practically lost for Jay due to injuries that limited him to 11-2/3 innings, including rehab. Those injuries started with bicep tendonitis, right after spring day and a Left shoulder impingement on the beginning of July that ended his season. It was thought that he might require Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery, but he did not. He pitched 9-2/3 innings at the Arizona Fall League. When Jay is healthy, and in the pen, he has a plus to plus plus fastball that sits at 93-95 and peaks and 97-98 (not bad at all for a lefty) which he complements with a plus slider, an average curve ball and an average changeup that has flashed some potential. As a reliever he is likely to be a fastball/slider pitcher with occasionally throwing his lesser offerings, unless the change up improves to plus quality, being useful against RHBs. He dropped several points from the number 2 ranking last season, because of his health issues and the move to the pen. Jay, if healthy can help the Twins this season. He was not invited to the major league camp this spring. Likely 2018 path: Likely starting the season at Rochester health allowing, and moving to the Twins' pen some time during the season. 11. Akil Baddoo (24) OF , 2020 DOB: 8/16/1992; Age: 19 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 5'11", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: ELZ (2017) ETA: 2020 Akil Baddoo was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft from Salem (GA) High School. Baddoo did not turn 18 until after his first professional season at GLC. He had a very hard time making the transition to a wooden bat (.178/.299/.271, 36 K for 28.3 K%, and 18 BB in 128 PA.) His bat came alive in 2017, when he repeated the GCL (.267/.360/.440, .381 wOBA, 130 wRC+, 10.5 BB%, 15.1 K% in 20 games, 86 PA) and sizzled at Elizabethton (.357/.478/.579,.476 wOBA, 183 wRC+, 17.2 BB%, 12.1 K%, in 33 games, 157 PA) He flashed speed both on the bases (9/13 SB and 5 triples) and on the field where he is fast as a centerfielder, and this season he improved his routes considerably. He has a quick bat and soft hands, and his eye at the plate has matured to a major asset. He is a potential 5 tool player, with his throwing arm power arrived last season and home run power expected to arrive soon. He is still growing and has an impressive physique. Makeup and workout ethic are off the charts. If he does well against full season competition, expect a rise into the top 5 prospects, and national media recognition. Likely 2018 path: Starting CF at Cedar Rapids. Next: 6-10

Based on the evidence we have: 2016 Twins' pitching: 5.08 ERA, 1.453 WHIP, 7.4 K/9, 3 BB/9 2017 Twins' pitching: 4.59 ERA, 1.372 WHIP, 7.3 K/9, 3 BB/9 The new FO, with pretty much the same pitchers and the same raw numbers (K/9, BB/9) was able to chip half a run and about a hit per game. And that with the old pitching coach who, based on the fact that was fired, I suspect was not on board with their methods. If they strip another half a run and another hit a game this season, that will put the Twins at 4.09 team ERA and 1.272 team WHIP. In 2017 those numbers would have been 5th in the AL, just ahead of the Astros', last season. So far so good, what they are doing is working and I hope that it continues to work. Might not be enlightened enough to make people who do not want to come to Minnesota, like Otani and Darvish, to do so, but even Dalai Lama cannot do that...