Thrylos

Thanks. Labor of love. Some researching, mostly watching and taking notes. And writing. I figured that it took me about 30 hrs to write it all. Oh. Thrylos. As far as pen name goes: Source of it is Greek. 99% of the people who pronounce it get it wrong. Thry does not rhyme with fry . The original pronunciation is something like "THREE-loss" and it means "rumor" (or "legend" as in urban) So that's that

Seth, look at the video of last September up there. He is not close to that. He's got a base I give you that. But 225 max at that height...

Here is the thing: When I said that he is "listed very generously" I mean it. I have seen some places listing his weight close to 250, which is wrong. This video was taken last September. He is about 225 or so. Your call:

I used lower innings because of injuries etc. Also in AAA, if a pitcher is pitching 70 innings (my cutoff) well, chances are that he will get promoted, so you don't want to penalize the good ones...

in AAA? Um No. The International League had 14 SP with 70+ IP with <5% BB% and 27 with <6% and the Pacific Coast League had 10 with < 5% and 21 with 6% and under. Hopefully that 5% in AAA would translate to an 8% in the majors BTW 13 starters with 100+ IP had <5 BB% in the majors, 39 had 6% or less and 85 8% or less. Data here. Not sure where you got your numbers....

- Pitching great for Puerto Rico against AA/AAA opposition will mean nothing - Unfortunately, the Twins' hands are tied behind their back as far as allowing their players to play in the WBC. It is political. MLB needs some serious rules about not allowing anyone who is on a 40-man roster to participate in the WBC. - ST is for getting stretched and win a spot when there are several others who also have interest in that spot. May and Vogelsong as a matter of fact have more reasons to be handed a spot than Berrios...

Totally understand it. Re: Diaz: I have been higher on Vargas than most (he ended being number 7 in my list last time he was qualified) and Diaz has better power, hit tool, and speed. FWIW, he has 2 triples last season as well. Re: Javier: The comparable here is Buxton who was pretty much number 1 since he was drafted, but Javier does have better power than Buxton, less speed, and better pitch recognition. Very similar players, but Javier is a bit better at that age, plus he is playing a more premium position (SS vs. CF). I know that I am higher than most in these 2, but I believe that they are the real things.

2014. Moved about 10 feet back. Here is a great writeup of the park before they moved the fences. The Twins (that actually own that club) got the City to approve a budget to further renovate. As you can tell that ballpark is a mess...

He.Made.His.Own.Bed. What Berrios needs is to improve the command of his fastball and to throw strikes. He had 8.3 BB% in AAA, and 12.5 in the majors. He needs to drop that down to 5% before he comes up

Here is the problem I have with Berrios (and with Santiago to a lesser extend) : He knew that he was in the bubble as far as a rotation spot went and he decided to forego a month of Spring Training to pitch for Puerto Rico, instead of fighting for that spot. This says a lot about priorities and I would hate to see the Twins rewarding player(s) who made Puerto Rico a higher priority than the Twins after an 103 L season. At this point I think that he got himself behind May, Vogelsong and even Mejia in the depth chart, and it is all his doing...

I have him as 3rd overall. I hear that "lack of game-power" and I see a .264 isoP from Diaz, same league same team same year where everyone's latest greatest, Kirilloff, has .146 isoP, and wonder how people would feel about Kirilloff's dismal game-power, as a comparison. /sarcasm. Plenty of game power

FTFY

I saw this actually written by professional journalists as well, and it is absolutely wrong. The worst record in the Franchise history was in in 1904, 38-113 (.252), second worst in 1909, 42-110 (.276), 3rd in 1903, 43-94 (.314), 4th in 1907, 49-102 (.325) & 1949, 50-104 (.325), 6th in 1955, 53-101 (.344), 7th in 1957, 55-99 (.357), and only 8th worst in 2016, 59-103 (.364) Last season was the worst record for the franchise, after its move to Minnesota. This is a founding franchise for the AL and not a franchise just born in the 60s... Lots of history here that should not be ignored...

I think that by making the decision to participate in that tournament, Santiago and Berrios are a step behind May (and might even have to beat Vogelson and/or Haley) in the rotation. It is unlikely that Berrios will even start at the majors. Same in lesser effect with Vargas and Rosario. Bottom line is that if your team lost 103 last season, you better be there since day 1 busting your rear end to prove that you deserve a job, instead of playing in meaningless tournaments... There should be a rule that if you are on the 40-man roster and/or invited to an MLB ST club, you are automatically ineligible for the WBC.

"Track Record" is difficult to establish for prospect. Diaz's track record is 3 pro seasons 136 games and 541 PA; compared to 1 pro season 55 games and 232 PA for Kirilloff and 2 pro seasons, 37 games and 102 IP for Jay. I guess he has a longer "track record" than the other 2. How do you feel about those? How about Nick Gordon: 3 pro seasons 293 games, 1282 PA. Is that enough sample for a "track record"?

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- You can find the introductory segment in this series, including my criteria for eligibility to be a prospect and the list of the 2016 top 40 players who graduated as prospects or are not in the system, here. Here is my 2016 Twins off-season top 40 prospects list (summary of 1-40) for reference. This is the countdown for players ranked 51-55th in the system. You can find players 56-60 here, players 51-55 here, 46-50 here, 41-45 here, 36-40 here, 31-35 here, 26-30 here, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, 11-15 here, 6-10 here and all segments in the series here. 5. Nick Gordon (9) DOB: 10/14/1995; Age: 21 Positions: SS Bats: L, Throws: R Height: 6'0", Weight: 160 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 Nick Gordon was drafted by the Twins as the 5th overall player in the 2014 draft from Olympia High School in Orlando, FL. He started his pro career in 2014 playing for Elizabethton hitting .294/.333/.366 (101 wRC+) with 11 BB and 45 K (17.6 %), and 11/18 SB (61%). In 2015 for Cedar Rapids, he hit .277/.336/.360 (104 wRC+) with 39 BB and 88 K (16.5 %), 25/33 SB (76%). There was incremental improvement on the base paths, but in general similar results. At this point he exhibited some gap power (23 doubles, 7 triples and 1 HRs in 535 PAs, 0.083 isoP), but it does get neutralized against LHPs (.264/.325/.291; only extra base hits were 3 doubles in 110 PAs against LHPs.) He started the 2016 season in Fort Myers, where he made a leap forward hitting .291/.335/.386 (112 wRC+) in 116 games (493 PAs), with 17,6 K% and 0.095 isoP, stealing 19/32 bases. His BABIP (.353) was close to his .333 and .352 of the previous 2 seasons, which means that a BABIP around .350s is not out of question. He continued in the Arizona Fall League, where he hit a very impressive .346/.418/.444 (144 wRC+) in 21 games (91 PA), but inflated due to an unsustainable .475 BABIP. Gordon's glove is about average at SS, and he projects to stay in the position. His bat still projects as a major league average, however he was again neutralized against LHPs (.220/.276/.254 in 118 AB in Fort Myers last season.) He had good speed, but not great base stealing instincts that need a lot of work. His season at Fort Myers and his success in Arizona are promising, but the ones who were hoping for a star with the 5th overall pick would be disappointed at Gordon, because he does not project as one. Gordon is a non-roster invitee in the Twins Spring Traning, but not MLB-ready at this point. Likely 2017 path: Starting AA Chattanooga shortstop 4. Fernando Romero (34) DOB: 12/24/1994; Age: 22 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'0", Weight: 215 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 Fernando Romero was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for on November 4th, 2011 with a $260K bonus. The San Juan de la Maguana native spending his age 17 2012 season in the Dominican Summer League where he pitched in 14 games, 6 starts, for 31 innings, striking out 27 (7.8 K/9, 20.2 K%), walking 14 (4.1 BB/9, 9.7 K-BB%), with a 4.94 ERA, 3.05 FIP, and 1.29 WHIP (.289 BABIP). He made the jump to the Gulf Coast League in 2013. He pitched in 12 games (6 GS) for 45 innings to a 1.60 ERA (2.44 FIP) and 1.00 WHIP (.271 BABIP) and had 47 strikeouts (9.4 K/9, 26 K%) and 13 walks (2.6 BB/9, 18.8 K-BB%.) After only 4 games in single A Cedar Rapids in 2014 he required Tommy John surgery, missing the rest of 2014 and the whole 2015 season. Last season he returned to Cedar Rapids where he started 5 games (28 IP) had 25 K (8.0 K/9, 24.3 K%) and 5 BB (1.6 BB/9, 19.4 K-BB%) with a 1.93 ERA, 2.33 FIP, and 0.82 WHIP (.250 BABIP). He moved to high A Fort Myers late in June where he started 11 games (62-1/3 IP) had 65 K (9.4 K/9, 26.9 K%) and 10 BB (1.4 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%) with a 1.88 ERA, 2.00 FIP, and 0.93 WHIP (.288 BABIP), improving on his already great Cedar Rapids performance. Romero has a plus plus fastball that sits at 95-97 mph and has a nasty sinking movement, a plus plus slider that sits 88-92 mph and an average changeup. After his surgery, Romero came in better shape and he improved his command and control by leaps and bounds, pounding the strike zone and cutting down on walks. His stuff can already play in a major league pen, but Romero has top of the rotation potential and the Twins will explore that. Romero was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this November, so he will appear in the Twins' Spring Training camp; however he will need to pitch more innings before he makes it to the majors. In addition to the innings, he would need to develop that changeup, because it will be difficult to make it long as a starter with only 2 pitches, even though both are plus plus. Likely 2017 path: In AA Chattanooga Rotation 3. Lewin Diaz (5) DOB: 11/19/1996; Age: 20 Positions: 1B Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'3", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2015, 2016) ETA: 2020 Lewin Diaz was singed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic for $1.4 million bonus on July 2nd, 2013. The Santiago native made the transition to the US, after a hitting .257/.385/.451 (.411 wOBA, 142 wRC+, 13.8 K%) in the DSL in 2014, his age 17 season. His first season in the US, he had a few difficulties with the transition, hitting .261/.354/.369 (.357 wOBA, 123 wRC+, 18.9 K%) in 33 games in the GCL and finishing the last 14 games of the season hitting .167/.245/.375 (.285 wOBA, 70 wRC+, 32.1 K%) in Elizabethton. This was mainly a season of adjustment for Diaz, who would have not earned the promotion had he not hit .522/.607/.696 for August in the GCL, and likely would have served better not making the trip to Elizabethton. One interesting thing that the numbers do not show about Elizabethton is that those 14 games there were the only night games Diaz has played as a professional, since both the DSL and GCL play day games only. Last season he repeated Elizabethton after extended spring training, playing in 46 games (187 PA) hitting .310/.353/.575 (.409 wOBA, 149 wRC+, 18.7 K%, with a career best .264 isoP and his BABIP at .344, close to his .326 in the GCL the previous season. There is room for improvement in pitch recognition and the twenty year old just started to realize his tremendous power. More like Miguel Sano with the bat (minus some power and some strikeouts, plus some plate discipline) than Kennys Vargas, but more like Vargas with the glove, Diaz is a player who can be a workable first baseman. Listed very generously at 6'3" and 180 lbs, likely has the highest LHB power potential in the organization, with .264 isoP as a teenager, and still is learning how to swing the bat. It will be interesting to see how he does next season in full-season ball, but he has scary potential, even though only as a first baseman or DH. Likely 2017 path: Starting first baseman at Cedar Rapids 2. Tyler Jay (2) DOB: 4/19/1994; Age: 22 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2015 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2017 Tyler Jay was drafted by the Twins 6th overall in 2015 from University of Illinois. The Lemont, IL native was mainly the closer in College appearing in 30 games (2 starts) in his Junior season pitching for 66.7 innings, walking 7 (0.9 BB/9) and striking out 77 (10.3 K/9) with a 1.08 ERA and 0.70 WHIP. He moved on to the Fort Myers' bullpen with the Twins to appear in an additional 19 games (18.2 IP) where he walked 8 (3.9 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%) and struck out 22 (10.8 K/9, 27.2 K%) for a 3.93 ERA (2.07 FIP) and 1.42 WHIP (.353 BABIP). The Twins view Jay as a starter and he made the transition to the Miracle rotation this season where he started 13 games (69-2/3 IP) struck out 68 (8.8 K/9, 23.6 K%), walked 21 (2.7 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%) and finished with a 2.84 ERA, 3.31 FIP, and 1.22 WHIP (.311 BABIP). He moved to Chattanooga in July, where he pitched in 5 games (2 starts) before ending his season on the disabled list because of a sore neck. He pitched only 14 innings (9 K, 5.8 K/9, 5 BB, 3.2 BB/9, 6.9 K-BB%, 5.79 ERA, 4.96 FIP, 1.29 WHIP, .262 BABIP). Jay has the stuff to be a starter but not yet proven that he can be a starter and it is unknown how his stuff will be as a starter in the long run. He has received some comparisons with David Price (which I am not sure that I buy) basically because of their fastballs. He has a plus to plus plus fastball that sits at 95 and peaks and 97-98 (not bad at all for a lefty) which he complements with a plus slider, an above average curve ball and an average changeup that has flashed some potential. I think that this ranking is fair, because if a reliever, he is likely (but close) the best reliever in the system who could potentially help the Twins in 2017 (thus the ETA.) But the Twins will like to see what he can do as a starter for a second season and whether he could become a top of the rotation starter. As a starter, he likely has more potential than anyone in the organization but he is not there now and would need more that 15 career starts to be considered for a major league job. Likely 2017 path: Likely starting the season at Chattanooga with a potential promotion to Rochester mid-season, depending on needs and performance 1. Wander Javier (7) SS DOB: 12/29/1998; Age: 18 Positions: SS Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 165 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent 7/2/2015 Professional Experience: 0; Highest level: N/A ETA: 2020 Wander Javier was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from the Dominican Republic last summer and has yet to play a single professional game. His $4 million signing bonus topped what the Twins gave Miguel Sano, and any other amateur player ever for signing with them other than Joe Mauer, Kohl Stewart and Byron Buxton. I have not seen Javier play professionally in person, but I have seen plenty of video to be confident about this ranking. At this point, he has 5 above average or better tools, with his arm, fielding and power at above average and contact and speed approaching plus. Javier started his pro career last season in the DSL with a bang, playing in 9 games (30 PA), hitting .308/.400/.654 (199 wRC+, .498 wOBA), with 13.3 BB% and 16.7 K% in a league dominated by pitching, as a 17 year old, before he was shut down with a hamstring injury. Unlike Sano who was signed as shortstop, the Bonao native projects to stay in the position as a professional. He has very smooth hands and confident footwork and body control. Highest upside of any player in the Twins' organization, his toolset is similar to Byron Buxton's at that age, but with higher power and less speed, and he is a true shortstop. Likely 2017 path: Extending Spring Training and then Starting SS for the GCL or Elizabethton Twins depending on health and the Twins' draft.

Check out the number of OFs in AAA/AA. Overflowing already

Might happen as soon as Dozier gets traded or someone gets hurt. Would definitely fight for a starting job if Dozier was not around

Sure. But Kirilloff's floor is Matt Moses, which is much less that Palka has already achieved.

Agreed in principle, especially for players who are MLB-ready in a rebuilding team, like the Twins... One of the things missing from prospect lists are young players who are not prospects any more (because they have been up and down in the majors). J.R. Murphy, for example, is 4 months younger than Mitch Garver, and I think that he has as good a shot as Garver (and maybe a bit better) in making the Twins' this Spring.

Need to add Tommy Field to the list in AAA. As a matter of fact he is the best fielding third baseman in the organization and has a bit of MLB experience. Lots of names in AA & AAA and not sure that all of them will make it though ST... 17 year old Victor Tademo who can play both 3B and SS is another guy who will likely be in EST and one to keep one's eye on. .311/.388/.429 age 16 season in the Dominican was very promising. Not much of an apparent third base pipeline here, in general, so the hope is that Sano will be able to hold the position on his own for a while. Few current SS (eg. Gordon) could potentially be included in the list as well, which makes the picture a bit better.

Yes. That's the point. Palka's floor is much higher than Kirilloff's whose ceiling is higher than Palka's, but Palka's floor is not that bad.

I really like Vargas. Matter of fact in 2014, I had him ranked as the Twins' 7th best prospect, probably the highest ranking that he has gotten (and that was when the system was much better.) That said. I agree with the above, but really Vargas' MLB career needs to be described with 2 slash lines, instead of one: .302/.360/.474, 126 OPS+ as a RHH against LHP and .223/.281/.411, 86 OPS+ as a LHH against RHP. I think that this is what the FO has seen and made Park expendable and made them looking for the likes of Alvarez (.251/.326/.522 , 121 OPS+ as a LHH against RHP in 2016) to platoon him with at least for one more season. I would not mind seeing Vargas at DH again a full season, but I think that the Vargas/Alvarez two-headed beast looks more and more promising by the minute...

Hard to argue with any of that. I have Jorge a tad lower because at this point I see him more as a reliever. Not convinced that he will be an MLB starter (which is ok, see what Rogers has done, I'll take that from Jorge.) Philosophical question, comparing 2 LH OFs: Apparently Kirilloff is in the top 10. If someone's crystal ball said that he would be a 30 HR, 25 SB player in high A, and next season lead the minors in HRs in AA and AAA, would that be meeting, not-meeting, or exceeding expectations from a top 5-10 ranked prospect? I'd say likely exceeding. So in other words, we will be ecstatic if Kirilloff does what Palka did, yet the sure thing that has done that is ranked lower. Just some food for thought.

Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch --- You can find the introductory segment in this series, including my criteria for eligibility to be a prospect and the list of the 2016 top 40 players who graduated as prospects or are not in the system, here. Here is my 2016 Twins off-season top 40 prospects list (summary of 1-40) for reference. This is the countdown for players ranked 51-55th in the system. You can find players 56-60 here, players 51-55 here, 46-50 here, 41-45 here, 36-40 here, 31-35 here, 26-30 here, 21-25 here, 16-20 here, 11-15 here, and all segments in the series here. 10. Mitch Garver (10) DOB: 1/15/1991; Age: 26 Positions: C Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 220 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 9th round in 2013 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 Mitch Garver was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of 2013 draft from University of New Mexico as a Senior. The Albuquerque native arrived in the pros as a fairly polished receiver who has opened eyes with his bat in his second pro season in 2014 in single A Cedar Rapids, hitting .298/.399/.481 (154 wRC+) in 502 PAs walking 61 times and striking out 65 and being good behind the plate, throwing out 32% of runners and allowing 8 passed balls. This was a marked improvement over his .243/.313/.366 line in 202 ABs his first season as a pro in Elizabethton, that followed a .390/.458/.589 start of the season in 246 AB in New Mexico. At first sight, 2015 looks a bit trying for Garver at the plate, hitting .245/.356/.333 in 520 PAs with 69 BB and 82 K for the Miracle. This includes a .164/.287/.205 April and a .210/.350/.226 May, which makes me think that he was fighting something, including a potential adjustment. He ended up hitting .252/.354/.372 for the second half of the season, which does not include a .330/.416/.420 June. He was invited to the Arizona Fall League, where he bested all the Twins' prospects with .317/.404/.512. His defense behind the plate improved in 2015, catching 38% of the runners and allowing fewer passed balls (6 vs 8) in more chances than 2014. The caught stealing number improved to 48% this season that Garver split between AA Chattanooga and AAA Rochester. He started the season in Chattanooga hitting .257/.334/.419 (118 wRC+) with 11 HRs in 95 games (497 PA) and finished in Rochester hitting .329/.381/.434 (136 wRC+) in 22 games (84 PA). Once again he played in the Arizona Fall League, appearing in 19 games (77 PA) hitting .229/.299/.457 (106 wRC+). He was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this off-season. Garver is an above average defensive catcher in blocking balls and throwing out runners. His framing numbers are also positive. He has been hitting lefties better all his career (other than an unlikely first half reverse split in Chattanooga last season.) His BABIP looks to stabilize a bit above .300, which with an about 10-15% BB rate and .100-150 isoP, could give him a line of .275/.325/.425 or so at the next level, which will be boosted when he faces LHPs. These numbers are good for Garver to project as an average or above average starting Catcher in the majors. With Jason Castro signing a new 3-year contract, Garver will be in a three-way battle with J.R. Murphy and Chris Gimenez for the Twins' back up spot. Castro cannot hit LHPs, so Garver's ability to do so might put him half a step ahead of the competition at this point. Likely 2017 Path: Fighting for the Twins' backup Catcher spot. 9. Adalbelto Mejia (--) DOB: 1/15/1991; Age: 26 Positions: LHP Bats: R, Throws: L Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs Acquired: Traded by the San Fransisco Giants for Eduardo Núñez in 2016 Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: MLB (2016) ETA: 2016 The Twins acquired LHP Adalberto Mejia, from the San Fransisco Giants, in exchange for Eduardo Núñez last Summer. Mejia was signed as international free agent from the Dominican Republic by the Giants in 2011. The Bonao native was a late bloomer signing by the Giants as an eighteen year old. That season in the Dominican Summer League he impressed, starting 13 games for 76 innings with 71 K (8.4 K/9, 23.8 K%) and only 8 BB (1.0 BB/9, 21.1 K-BB%), with a 0.868 WHIP (.272 BABIP), 1.42 ERA and 1.75 FIP. This was enough for him to skip the Giants' US-based Rookie leagues, jumping right on full season A in 2012, playing for the Augusta GreenJackets of the Southern Atlantic League. He participated in 30 games, among them 14 starts. His final numbers for that season were: 106.7 IP with 79 K (6.7 K/9, 17.1 K%) 21 BB (1.8 BB/9, 12.5 K-BB%), with a 1.341 WHIP (.332 BABIP), 3.97 ERA and 3.29 FIP. He started the season in the pen, with limited success and moved into the rotation in June, where he found success, finishing the season with a 6-3 record, 3.00 ERA and 1.13 WHIP, post All Star break. The next season he moved up to the San Jose Giants of the High A California League. He started 16 games (87 IP) with 89 K (9.2 K/9, 25.1 K%) and 23 BB (2.4 BB/9, 18.6 K-BB%) for a 3.31 ERA, 4.20 FIP and 1.126 WHIP (.277 BABIP). He missed 48 games that season in May and June with shoulder issues, but came back okay. He was called to AAA Fresno to start a single game (5 IP, 5 H, 2 HR, 2 ER, 2 BB, 2 K) and participated in the Arizona Fall League playing in 7 games, 3 as a starter for 8.47 ERA, 1.529 WHIP, 7.4 K/9 and 4.2 BB/9 in 17 innings. In 2014 he moved up to AA Richmond Flying Squirrels (Eastern League) where he started 21 games and relieved in one, pitching 108 innings with 82 K (6.8 K/9, 17.9 K%) and 31 BB (2.6 BB/9, 11.1 K-BB% ), for a 1.389 WHIP (3.26 BABIP), 4.67 ERA and 3.78 FIP. He went to the DL three times for 6 days with a leg bruise after a ball hit him in April and for 8- and 12-days in July with finger blisters. His weight that season went up to 240 lbs (he is 6'3") and needed to be reduced. Unfortunately he took a banned weight loss supplement that contained stimulants and tested positive, receiving a 50 day suspension, very much like current Twins' DH/1B Kennys Vargas. He repeated AA in 2015 after he served his suspension. He appeared in 12 games (9 GS), pitching 51.3 innings with 38 K (6.7 K/9, K%) and 18 BB (3.2 BB/9, K-BB%), for a 1.091 WHIP (.238 BABIP), 2.45 ERA and 3.41 FIP. Despite the nice performance, he needed innings so he returned to the AFL (7 GS, 31 IP , 1.258 WHIP, 3.48 ERA, 7.5 K/9, 4.1 K/BB) and also appeared in the Dominican Winter League (playing for the Gigantes, coinsidentally: 5 GS, 18.3 IP , 1.091 WHIP, 3.44 ERA, 7.9 K/9, 1.5 K/BB). After he was invited to his first MLB spring training as part of the Giants' 40-man roster, he was caught in the numbers games and started against at AA Richmond where he excelled after he trimmed down this season (11 GS, 65 IP , 0.985 WHIP, 1.94 ERA, 8.0 K/9, 22.8 K%, 2.2 K/BB, 16.5 K-BB%) forcing his promotion to AAA in his age 23 season (he was 22 at the time.) His numbers (7 GS, 40.7 IP , 1.303 WHIP, 4.20 ERA, 9.5 K/9, 25.0 K%, 2.4 K/BB, 18.6 K-BB%) were fairly impressive, especially for the Pacific Coast League. Once in the Twins organization he made 4 starts for Rochester (26-1/3 IP, WHIP (.329 BABIP), 3.76 ERA, 3.21 FIP, 8.5 K/9, 23.2 K%, 1.0 BB/9, 20.4 K-BB%), and pitched 2-1/3 innings for the Twins in a single appearance. He has an above average to borderline plus fastball that has increased in velocity this season, sitting at 92-94 and touching 95 as a starter. Average to above average command and improving and the pitch is projecting to be plus pitch in the near future. Natural cutting action on the pitch. His slider is his best pitch. Siting at 83-84 mph and up to 86. Nice biting motion, great command and above average control. This is a pitch that he throws anywhere on the count, pretty much like current Twins' starter Tyler Duffey does with his curve ball. He also throws a changeup that is an average to above average pitch that can improve, and a fringe average slow curve. Nice fluid mechanics. Weight is a consideration for him, and it currently is under control, listed at 195 lbs. His ceiling is that of a number 3 or 4 starter, but he has a high floor. His floor is of a 8th inning reliever. He held lefties to a .216/.273/.275 slash line and had 11.3 K/9 against them, which is pretty impressive for the PCL. Likely 2017 Path: Fighting for a spot in the Twins rotation in Spring Training 8. Alex Kirilloff (--) DOB: 11/9/1997; Age: 19 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'2", Weight: 195 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016) ETA: 2020 Alex Kirilloff was drafted by the Twins in the 1st round (15th overall) of the 2016 draft from Plum High School in the Pittsburgh area, where he played baseball while being Home-Schooled. His father who used to be in the Pirates' organization as a scout and coach, is a professional hitting coach, offering both facilities and instruction to amateurs, including his son. In High School Alex Kirilloff was a two way player. As a pitcher he has a 89-92 mph fastball that was good enough to go 5-1 in limited competition, but was not going to get him to the next level. Power and arm strength are Kirilloff's best tools and he projects as a rightfielder. The transition to wood bat was seamless for him, hitting .306/.341/.454 in 55 games (232 PAs) in Elizabethton. He has 9 2Bs, 1 3B, and 7 HRs, walking 11 (4.7%) and striking out 13.8%. He was 0/1 in stolen bases. He was named the Appalachian League’s player of the year. There is definitely some power potential with his .148 isoP likely doubling at some point. He has good judgement of the strike zone and makes contact that is successful (.328 BABIP.) His swing is a bit complicated both with leg and shoulder action, but so far it works. It will be interesting to see how this will translate in the next levels when he will be looking at more off-speed and breaking balls. It might require some rework to quieten it up and shorten it. 2017 Likely path: Starting the season in single A Cedar Rapids 7. Daniel Palka (18) (--) DOB: 10/28/1991; Age: 25 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'2", Weight: 220 lbs Acquired: Traded by the Arizona Diamondbacks for Chris Herrmann in the 2016 off-season Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 Daniel Palka was traded to the Twins by the Arizona Diamondbacks for C/OF Chris Herrmann before the 2016 season. The Greenville, SC native was Arizona's 3rd round pick in the 2013 draft from Georgia Tech as a Junior. In his Junior season he hit .342/.436/.637 with 17 HR in 237 AB (13.9 AB/HR) walking 60 times and striking out 60. He also went 2-1 with a 0.69 ERA in eight games as a pitcher He moved to Missoula Osprey of the advanced Rookie Pioneer League, where he hit .302/.386/.502 (126 wRC+) with 7 HRs in 56 games (241 PA) and ended his first professional season in short season A Northwest League Hillsboro Hops, hitting .340/.418/.574 (182 wRC+) with 2 HRs in 12 games (55 PA), showing no sign of slowing down even after playing a total of 130 games and had 489 ABs. His HR rate slowed down his first season with the wood bat, but his isoP was at his College levels (.200 and .234.) Next season he moved into single A Midwest League South Bend Silver Hawks, where he hit .248/.332/.466 (125 wRC+) with 22 HRs (20.7 AB/HR) and had a .218 isoP. His BABIP was a career low .294. In 2015, his last season in the Diamondbacks' organization, he advanced to the high A California League Visalia Rawhide where he hit .280/.352/.532 (135 wRC+) with 29 HR and 24/31 SB in 129 games, 576 PA. His isoP was a professional high .252, but so were his strikeout percentage (28.5%). He played an additional 22 games in the Arizona Fall League (100 PA, giving him 676 PA for the season) where he hit .278/.330/.444 with 3 HR and 4/5 SB. He started his Twins' career in 2016 in Chattanooga, hitting .270/.348/.547 (155 wRC+) in 79 games (345 PA). He had 21 HR (14.3 AB/HR) and increased his isoP to .277, but was only 7/11 in SB. He moved to AAA Rochester in early July where he hit .232/.296/.483 (120 wRC+) with 13 HRs in 54 games (223 PA). Despite his BABIP being at .324 in both steps, his contact at Rochester suffered and his strikeout rate increased to a very high 38.6% from 29% in Chattanooga. His issue at Rochester was mostly over committing with his swing early, which is repairable. Palka has 35+ HR and 20+ SB potential and a very strong plus arm at the outfield. His contact issues in Rochester are of some concern, but Palka projects as a two way average to above average major league outfielder with plus HR power, in other words what the Twins' hope their 2016 first round draft pick becomes, but with better speed. He was added to the Twins' 40-man roster this off-season. Likely 2017 Path: Battle for a position with the Twins during Spring Training, likely starting the season in AAA Rochester and moving up mid-season 6. Stephen Gonsalves (4) DOB: 7/4/1991; Age: 22 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'5", Weight: 213 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 4th round in 2013 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2018 Gonsalves was drafted in the 4th round of the 2013 draft from Cathedral Catholic High School in San Diego and paid an over slot ($700K vs $468K slot) bonus. He was considered a potential first round pick but dropped because of character questions due a suspention at High School his senior year because of smoking or being with teammates who were smoking marijuana and lying about it to cover them. Gonsalves has been playing in 2 levels every season in the pros so far with a lot of success, and marked improvement the second time with a team, other than his second season in Elizabethton. In 2013 he slit time between GLC and Elizabethton, in 2014 between Cedar Rapids and Elizabethton, 2015 between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers, and last season between Fort Myers and Chattanooga. In 2015 in Cedar Rapids he started 9 games (55 IP) walking 15 (2.4 BB/9, 29.7 K-BB%) and striking out 77 (12.6 K/9 and 36.8 % K%) with a 1.15 ERA (2.10 FIP) and 0.80 WHIP (.243 BABIP.) In Fort Myers he started 15 games (79.3 IP) walking 38 (4.3 BB/9, 5.1 K-BB%) and striking out 55 (6.2 K/9 and 16.5 % K%) with a 2.61 ERA (3.58 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP (.270 BABIP.) This season he improved considerably at Fort Myers (11 GS, 65-2/3 IP, 66 K, 9.1 K/9,26.1 K%, 20 BB, 2.7 BB/9, 18.2 K-BB%, 2.33 ERA, 2.55 FIP, 0.96 WHIP, .249 BABIP) and did not lose a beat at Chattanooga (13 GS, 74-1/3 IP, 89 K, 10.8 K/9, 30.1 K%, 37 BB, 4.5 BB/9, 17.6 K-BB%, 1.82 ERA, 2.76 FIP, 1.08 WHIP, .255 BABIP.) He made 4 starts at the Arizona fall league for a career high 148-2/3 innings this season and was named the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year, an award whose recipients seems to be cursed. Gonsalves is ranked as the Twins 2nd best prospect by Baseball America, and 3rd by MLB.com and Fangraphs. He is a prototypical middle of the rotation type of potential talent who can occasionally flash top of the rotation moments. Good command and control most of the time, ability to make adjustments and a good feel for the game. Low to Mid 90s fastball that is average but has a high spin rate making it hard to hit up in the zone, a fully plus changeup and a slurvy breaking ball that is improving, is his pitch arsenal. His changeup is effective against RHBs and his curve ball against LHBs. Command occasionally is off and that is translated with an increase in walks and decrease in strikeouts. When that happens, Gonsalves has been successful by inducing weak movement. Pitching to weak contact and needed to paint the corners to succeed is a risky recipe for success and despite Gonsalves doing it in every level, there is a feeling that it will just take him that far, especially when he has a long frame and difficulties in repeating his delivery, which results in the up and down command issue. But the end of his success is not in sight yet. Likely 2017 Path: Was invited to the Twins' Spring Training, but it is likely that the Twins will like him to build his innings in AAA Rochester this season. Likely in the majors in 2018, barring injuries, trades etc.