Thrylos

Tommy Field can field indeed. Great clip. Loved to hear the word "murderized" at the end

Couple more former Twins: Rene Rivera with Puerto Rico and Fernando Abad with the Dominican

He is 19. He has to start at Fort Myers. Agreed. On the other hand, his isoP of about .100 at 19 is right on par with what Kepler's and Grossman's were at that point. As a matter of fact, Dozier did not get there until his age 24 season. His defense has improved a lot to above average. Not much speed, and arm does not matter at second base, so much more than an one tool...

I do take projection and potential into account But an 1-1 pick better be the real thing and Greene just is too risky for me. I need to see at least 2 decent secondary offerings and Greene is not there. He might be by draft time, or he might not. Good risk for mid 1st round, but if the only things you read are radar readings and "life in his fastball", caveat emptor

Agreed. But the point is that his secondary pitches are not that good. He throws an average slurve that he has a hard time commanding and he is learning a changeup that looks pretty awful right now. All you hear about is the fastball's velocity. One pitch pony, and if that pitch is the FB, no matter how good it is, too much of a risk to be taken at 1-1.

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, and all segments in the series here. 15. Travis Blankenhorn (38) DOB: 8/3/1996; Age: 20 Positions: 2B Bats: L, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 208 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2015 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2016) 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. 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. Blankenhorn who moved to second base, a position that he is playing better than third, adjusted to the wooden bat much better in his second professional season. He has decent game speed, but will not steal many bases. His contact tool improved this season (.330 BABIP in Elizabethton and .403 at Cedar Rapids) and there is potential for further power that was realized with a .261 isoP in Elizabethton (.132 in Cedar Rapids.) The positional change to second base, along with the improvement in defense from his previous corner OF and IF positions, made him jump in the ratings as well. His bat might or might not play at corner positions and his glove is very suspect there. However at second base he has the potential to be a Todd Walker type of player, esp. if he curtails his strikeouts (27.5 % K% in Cedar Rapids and 22.1 in Elizabethton.) Better pitch recognition will help with selectivity, and Blankenhorn is young enough for one to believe that he will get there. Part of the problem is that LHPs make him practically worthless (.472 OPS and 54.2 K% against them in Elizabethton and .593 and 25 K% in Cedar Rapids, vs a star-like 1.107 and .832 OPS against RHPs in those stops) Likely 2017 path: Starting 2B at Cedar Rapids. 14. Engelb Vielma (23) DOB: 6/22/1994; Age: 22 Positions: SS Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 5'11", Weight: 155 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2011 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2017 Engelb Vielma was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on September 8, 2012 for a $90,000 bonus. The Maracaibo native has been moving really quickly through the Twins organization, mainly because of his glove appears ahead of what looks from afar as an average bat (career minor league .264/.327/.309 slash line.) Vielma had a highly quiet and mostly invisible break-through season with the bat in 2015 at high A Fort Myers. He hit .270/.321/.306, which at first sight is about the same .266/.313/.323, if not worse, than he did in Cedar Rapids in 2014, until someone looks below the slash lines: Vielma was the youngest position player at the Miracle team and the Miracle team slash line was .246/.319/.318, so he made better contact than the average. Power is not his strong suit, so looking at SLG% is misleading. If you look at component numbers, like wRC+, he had 93 in 2015 vs 84 in 2014. He is also maturing as a player taking advantage of his speed. He will not walk (7% BB%) or strikeout (14.2% K%) but will make contact and run. He had 24 sacrifices that season, and most of them (18) on the ground. He stole a career high 35 bases (but was caught 12 times). He started his first 8 games last season at Fort Myers rehabbing from an oblique strain before he moved to AA Chattanooga. There here played 90 games (314 AB), hit .271/.345/.318, striking out 62 times and walking 34. He went 10/18 in stolen bases as well. His wRC+ improved to a career best and close to a league average 97, while his K% dropped to 16.9%. His BABIP was .333, a couple of ticks above his career average in .310s. For some unfortunate reason, the improvement in Vielma's bat is invisible to the outside, which drives unfortunate characterizations like "punchless leatherwizard with a bat so light he may not even profile as a utility man despite an acrobatic brand of plus defense at short" from national writers who likely have not seen him play. This cannot be any further from the truth. A 97 wRC+ at AA with a plus defense projects as Ozzie Smith (career .666 OPS and 90 wRC+ in the majors with career best 119 wRC+ ) material. Vielma's detractors will also need to look at his .338/.407/.416 line in 2016 (and .301/.343/.341 in 2015) as a right hand hitter, which are exceptional. Vielma is the poster boy for stopping switch hitting. Why would someone with All-Star SS potential is ranked so low? For one single reason: Concentration lapses both on the field and the base paths make Vielma less effective than he should be. He is still 22, so there is a lot of time for him to mature (and learn how to hit right handers as a right.) When that happens, watch out. Likely 2017 path: On the 40-man roster with the Twins, likely starting SS at AAA Rochester with a potential trip to the majors. 13. Brusdar Graterol (28) DOB: 8/26/1998; Age: 18 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2014 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: Rookie/DSL (2015) ETA: 2020+ Brusdar Graterol was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Venezuela on August 29, 2014, three days after his 16th birthday, for $150,000. The Calobozo native made only 4 career starts in the DSL before he required Tommy John surgery and moved statewide the summer of 2015. His numbers in those 4 games, as a 16 year old, fully 3 years younger than the league, were video-game like: 11 IP, 17 K, 13.9 K/9, 36.2 K%, 1 BB, 0.8 BB/9, 34 K-BB%, 2.45 ERA, 1.19 FIP, 1.18 WHIP (.444 BABIP.) He made my 2016 off-season prospect list at number 28 ( He returned from the surgery well, throwing his plus to plus plus fastball at 94-97 mph, supplementing it with a crisp slurve at the 85-87 mph range and a work in progress changeup. He is throwing from a 3/4 delivery that causes deception between his pitches. Graterol is one of the few pitchers in the Twins' organization with top of the rotation stuff, but he will need a lot of work. Reports from Fort Myers say that he added about 40 lbs to his DSL weight the past season and a half. Definitely someone to keep an eye on. Likely 2017 path: EST and the GCL or Elizabethton rotations depending the Twins' draft. 12. Nick Burdi (3) DOB: 8/3/1996; Age: 24 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'5", Weight: 220 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2015, 2016) ETA: 2017 Nick Burdi was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Louisville as a Junior. The Hinsdale, IL was the Louisville closer his last 2 seasons and finished his Junior season with ridiculous numbers: 32 games, 37 IP, 18 H, 2 ER, 10 BB (2.4 BB/9), 65 K (15.8 K/9,) for 0.49 ERA, 0.76 WHIP and 18 saves. Burdi had the arm to bypass the minors and pitch directly at the Twins' pen in 2014, but he started the season in A Cedar Rapids (13 G, 13 IP, 26 K, 18.0 K/9, 48.2 K%, 8 BB, 5.5 BB/9, 33.3 K-BB%, 4.15 ERA, 1.33 FIP, 1.23 WHIP, .400 BABIP) and finished in high A Fort Myers (7 G, 7-1/3 IP, 12 K, 14.7 K/9, 42.9 K%, 2 BB, 2.5 BB/9, 35.7 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 1.35 FIP, 0.95 WHIP, .385 BABIP). Burdi started the Next season in AA Chattanooga, demoted to Fort Myers for inconsistency in the end of June and returned mid August. For the season Burdi pitched 30 games in AA (43.7 IP) walked 32 (6.6 BB/9, 10.7 K-BB%) and struck out 54 (11.1 K/9 and 26.3 K%) with a 4.53 ERA (3.99 FIP) and 1.65 WHIP (3.22 BABIP). In 13 games at Fort Myers (20 IP) he walked 3 (1.4 BB/9, 35.6 K-BB%) and struck out 29 (13.1 K/9, 39.7 K%) for a 2.25 ERA (1.37 FIP) and 0.75 WHIP (.275 BABIP). He finished the season in the Arizona Fall League, in a truly dominating fashion, when he pitched in 8 games (8 IP) walking 1 and striking out 11 (42.3K%, 38.5 K-BB%,) allowing no earned or unearned runs and only 2 hits with a .380 WHIP. Were it an isolated incident, his numbers in AA in 2015 could be of some concern; looking at the facts that a. other top relief prospects, like Reed and Chargois suffered there that season, and b. that Burdi dominated in the AFL, the concern is alleviated. Burdi was invited in the MLB Spring Training as a non-roster invitee, but quickly shut down with elbow concerns that were diagnosed as a bruised humerus. He pitched only 3 innings in Chattanooga last season for that reason, and has changed his delivery in order to help his healthy. Burdi is throwing a high 90s plus plus fastball that tops in three digits and supplements it with a plus to plus plus slider that sits at 89-90, creeping into the low 90s. He is also throwing a changeup. Burdi had has a violent delivery and his mechanics are concern both as far as his health and his command goes. Hopefully his recent changes in his delivery will address this, without taking away his effectiveness. Pitchers with high 30s K-BB% are rare to find and Burdi has closer potential, but he has to get healthy, stay healthy and keep command of his fastball, which has done at several levels so far. 2017 will be a rebuilding and cautionary season for him, as he is not invited to the Twins' Spring Training Likely 2017 path: Depending on health, Rochester or Chattanooga pen with a potential MLB call up this season. 11. Luis Arraez IF (24) DOB: 4/9/1997; Age: 19 Positions: 2B Bats: L, Throws: R Height: 5'10", Weight: 155 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016) 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.) 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 improvin every season and he was +13 DRS last season 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. It will be interesting to see how he will fare against higher level competition, but his VWL results are extremely promising. Likely 2017 path: Starting 2B at Fort Myers

Facts: Games started by position: MLB: 1B 1, 2B 31, SS 31, 3B 2. MiLB: 2B 3, SS 685, 3B 7 So, yeah...

That was not Sano doing that, it was Ryan who, thankfully, cannot do more harm.

There is no way that Sano "clogs up the roster". The roster should start with Sano...

They signed Josh Romanski a couple days ago (converted pitcher, played in the Independent Leagues, can play CF) Likely at AA as well. Pretty sure they are not done making moves. 5 OF are just too many in the majors. I just don't see how Santana can make the Twins, esp. after the Adrianza pickup. I'd like to see Palka fight for a spot with Grossman, as well. He brings LH power that the Twins really need. As far as prospects go, it is a make it or break it season for Harrison. I am less bluish on Granite and English than most. I think that their peak (which is close, so pretty good data) is Shane Robinson/Jordan Schafer/JB Shuck/sub any AAAA OF who can play CF the Twins have had the past 5-6 years. Fieldwork is what concerns me about Kirilloff, and I'd like to see what he does with the bat at higher levels, like Fort Myers, but the potential is there. I like the 3 toolsy OFs (Wade, Baddoo, Arias). Jaylin Davis might actually end up a surprise. Speaking of, age and everything, I will be surprised if he does not start the season at Fort Myers. I suspect that some people on this list will not make it past ST. And there are several twinners, like Aaron Whitefield (just saw him up there) and Amaurys Minier who can play at the OF as well. It is not a secret that I still think very highly of MInier and that his arm and bat will play at RF well. Just a matter of getting consistent reps and learning the position. Same for players like Cabbage.

Bet moving to Cedar Rapids after growing up in Long Island and going to school in Queens might be a tad of a shock He barely missed my prospect list. I guess I have to see the velocity and movement this Spring to judge.

h is silent in Spanish. So more like an Hey! sound and not much

Speaking of DicknBert, I'd love to hear them trying to pronounce "Ehire" (correct pronunciation is close to HAY-ray)

I hope that he is ahead of Danny Santana in the IF depth mix. Great glove at SS, was rated among top Giants' prospects from 2008-13. Switch hitter and bat weak, esp. from the left side. Better than Florimon, but not that much.

And the Twins took the immortal Bryan Oelkers at 1-4...

That is some news actually Not the 102 mph, but "the 4 pitch arsenal". Last I checked he had the fastball that is a plus pitch, a slurve that is average but he tends to overthrow, and a change up that is horrible. If he developed a fourth pitch and improved the other 2, he might be an interesting choice... Still plenty of time for the helium to blow off...

I think that Melotakis can play for the Twins right now and likely be an improvement over any lefty in the pen. Starting pitcher he is not though. Minier and Stewart are on the same boat: They do have flaws but they are very young. Stewart's issues are mechanics and with the right coaching, he will improve. He is very immature as a baseball player, because, even though he was a 2-way player at high school, Football was his focus. So the Twins need to really do some extra work with him and quit rushing him. Minier is a former SS who I think can stick to a corner OF position. He has a big arm and that will play well at the OF, but still needs some instruction in the position and commitment by the Twins. You cannot have a kid play all over the place and expect him to improve his fielding. The worst thing one can do for someone who is not a good fielder is to move him from position to position during a season. Rortvert might actually be on the top 10 next season, if he can show that he can hit with the wooden bat...

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, and all segments in the series here. 20. Huascar Ynoa (27) DOB: 5/28/1998; Age: 18 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 175 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2014 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: Rookie, GCL (2016) ETA: 2020 The Twins signed Huascar Ynoa to an $800,000 bonus on July 2 of 2014 and had his first professional season in DSL in 2015 as a starter. He started 14 games (56.7 IP) walked 30 (4.7 BB/9) and struck out 47 (7.5 K/9 and 19.2% K%) with a 2.70 ERA (3.84 FIP) and 1.29 WHIP (.258 BABIP). Like his 7 year older and 5 inch taller brother Michael, who at some point was the baseball number 20 prospect according to baseball prospectus and now is in the White Sox' organization, consistency was the biggest issue with Huascar Ynoa. He has 3 pitches (fastball, curve, slider) which all flash above average to potentially plus, but he did not throw them consistently, thus the walks. He does have a good feel for all his pitches, which suggests that mechanics might be an issue here that can be correctable. Additional data pointing out to a mechanics issue were his numbers in full wind up when pitching with nobody on: 20.7 IP, 26 H, 24 BB, 15 K for a 2.42 WHIP. Subtract those from his totals and his numbers when pitching from the stretch position ended up like this: 36 IP, 17 H, 6 BB (1.5 BB/9) , 32 K (8 K/9) and 0.639 WHIP, which are absolutely impressive under any and all circumstances. Last season in the GCL, also as a starter at age 18, he made considerable improvements (11 GS, 51 IP, 51 K, 9 K/9, 24.3 K%, 12 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 18.6 K-BB%, 3.18 ERA, 2.52 FIP, 1.10 WHIP, .303 BABIP. Between the 2 seasons, in similar number of innings he reduced his walks from 30 to 12 and his wild pitches from 10 to 3, while increasing his strikeouts, indicating that he is on his way to achieve consistency. This season he improved his curveball to near plus, and added an above average changeup, while gaining a couple of ticks on his fastball that now hits 94. His changeup is an effective weapon against lefties who he kept to an .167 OBA (vs to a .270 OBA against RHB). The reverse splits are a good thing to see from a young pitcher, whose effectiveness against righties will come with command and maturity. Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training and move to the Elizabethton rotation in June 19. Amaurys Minier (15) DOB: 1/30/1996; Age: 21 Positions: OF/1B Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2012 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: Rookie, Elizabethton (2015,2016) ETA: 2019 Amaurys Minier was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on July 2, 2012 for a $1.4 million bonus. The San Cristobal native was signed as shortstop but here was no intention of keeping him at that position. After off-season shoulder surgery in 2013, a season he his .214/.252/.455 in the GCL, he returned to the GCL as an 18 year old in 2014, where he punished pitchers in average 2 years older to the rate of .292/.405/.520 with 11 doubles, 2 triples and 8 home runs (.228 isoP), even after he broke his hand during extended spring training. Clearly the shoulder and hand were healed and the 18 year old who can generate power from both sides of the plate and hit equally well lefties and righties was well on his way towards the top of the prospect rankings. Then 2015 happened. A promotion in Elizabethton resulted in a .194/.279/.280 slash line, while his isoP dropped to .086. Still a year and a half younger than the league average player in the Appalachian league, and reportedly having to fight nagging injuries that season, the potential is still there, but Minier's stock nose-dove in the rankings. That season he made the transition from the OF to 1B. Last season he repeated in Elizabethton, still about half a year younger than the league, where he hit .222/.318/.449, returning his isoP to .228. His BABIP in 2016 was .281, which is very similar to his disasterous 2015 (.288) and much unlike his 2014 (.375.) He was on a tear in July (.235/.388/.559) while cooling off considerably in August (.218/.271/.423) but the power was still there. Power is his best tool, and he has tons from both sides of the plate, but it appoaches elite from the right side (.317 isoP as RHH in 2016). He is a man without a position who will likely end up either at first base or at DH at the higher levels, but the Twins will try to keep him on the field as much as possible. He can play the field, just not consistently. As a former SS, the instincts and hands are there. It is a matter of learning a position and getting a ton of repetitions. There is a lot of potential, but his contact needs to improve and his BABIP to return to mid 300s, pushing his batting average closer to high 200s, and for that to happen he needs to improve his pitch recognition, something that "clicks" for different players at different times in their development. Likely 2017 path: Cedar Rapid Kernels' starting first baseman and potentially corner outfielder.\ 18. Mason Melotakis (12) DOB: 6/28/1991; Age: 25 Positions: LHP Bats: R, Throws: L Height: 6'2", Weight: 220 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2012 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2014, 2016) ETA: 2017 Mason Melotakis was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2012 draft from Northwestern State University (LA.) The Grapevine, TX native was one of the 4 hard throwing College closers the Twins drafted in 2012 with the hope to turn them into starters in the pro game; one of them (5th Round Pick, Tyler Duffey) made the transition, albeit it looks like he is mostly suited for the pen, and the other three (Melotakis, 1st round pick Luke Bard, and fellow 2nd round pick JT Chargois) ended up with arm problems resulting in Tommy John surgeries and return to the bullpen. Melotakis has had his operation on October of 2014. The return to the pen in 2014 in AA New Britain (even though hurt) resulted in a good increase of strikeouts to 9.6 K/9 and 25.4% K%. It also produced a nice 1.64 GO/FO ratio. After his surgery and rehab, Melotakis' plus to plus plus fastball gets up to 96-97 mph and his once suspect slurve has improved to an above average pitch that flashes plus. He has been toying with a change up as a starter, but I suspect that with the new focus as a late inning reliever, he will abandon that. Melotakis was added to the Twins' 40-man roster and spend Spring Training with the Big club, but was optioned to AA for the season. At Chattanooga he appeared in 36 games (33-1/3 IP), had 42 Ks (11.3 K/9, 29.2 K%) and 12 BB (3.2 BB/9, 20.8 K-BB%), with a 2.97 FIP, 3.14 ERA, and 1.44 WHIP (.384 BABIP). He appeared in 11 games (11 IP) in the AFL where he dominated (11 K, 1 BB, 1.64 ERA, 1.18 WHIP.) His splits are considerably better against LHBs, but his slurve is an out pitch also against RHBs who he strikes out to a 1.5:1 ratio more than lefties; he is anything but a liability against RHBs, so his ceiling is higher than a LOOGY.Melotakis' stuff is a lot like that of Glen Perkins' in his prime and he belongs to a major league pen now. The Twins have been cautious after his surgery, and he had a couple sort stints in the DL last season because of a stiff back, but he is MLB-ready now. Likely 2017 path: Will fight for a position in the Twins' pen in this Spring Training, if caught in the numbers will start the season in AAA and likely called up later. 17. Kohl Stewart (13) DOB: 10/7/1994; Age: 22 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 195 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2013 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2016) 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. 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 22 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... Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation, depending on health. 16. Ben Rortvedt (--) DOB: 9/25/1997; Age: 19 Positions: C Bats: L, Throws: R Height: 5'10", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/Elizabethton (2016) ETA: 2020 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. His splits were not significantly different against lefties or righties. Good eye and pitch selectivity overall, still lack of contact in his first few games making the transition from aluminum to wood and this was reflected on his BABIP (.235 in GCL and .263 in Elizabethton,) which has room to move upwards and trended so nicely, improving in the harder league, as he spent more time with the wood. He has a good feel in the catcher position which he played in 30 of his 33 total games (he was the DH for 3 games.) Good arm with 28% CS, few issues blocking the ball (9 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. Likely 2017 path: EST and Elizabethton or Cedar Rapids depending on the Twins' draft; outside chance to start at Cedar Rapids.

I think that there is plenty of time for DanSan to go away or someone like Goodrum to make him go away. Got to add Tommy Milone & Pat Dean to the list of additions by subtraction; that 140 or so IP between the two. On the other hand they might go to Vogelson The next addition by subtraction will hopefully be Perkins and hopefully will happen sooner than later.

And the Twins get another catcher on board. 29 year old former Rockie & Cardinal Jose Gonzalez, last of the Gary South Shore RailCats. Likely Chattanooga-bound.

I think that there will be a 3-way battle for the second MLB-level catcher, and the one who will hit LH pitching better will win that spot. Hard to tell who is ahead right now, but the 2 younger ones might have a leg up After a .505 OPS season at Fort Myers, I see Navarreto as a candidate for release not promotion. I just cannot see him at AA over any of the 3 names you have with Miracle. I suspect that Olson stats at AA with either another FA catcher or Garcia up there as well, with Navarreto repeating at Fort Myers, along with Murray and Silva. I cannot see Silva and Rortvedt in the same team. I think that as prospects go, I am a bit more pessimistic, because I just have 3 catchers (Garver, Rortvedt, and Silva, in that order) in my top 60 Twins' prospects. And Garver's ceiling projects as that of a potential average starter at the position. Hard to tell about the other two because they are so young, in a position that requires more development than most positions to make it to the bigs. Definitely a position for the Twins to focus on the draft or in trades. That 3 year contract to Castro means that they will not likely need someone before 2020, but that someone might not be in the organization yet...

I am afraid that since they kept the same long time pitching coordinator and the same pitching coaches throughout the organization who are part of the problem, that they are not looking for a solution at least in 2017 and will spend the season evaluating what they have as minor league development personnel. So likely we will have to wait at least until 2018 for implementation of the plans.

4.5 HR/FB last season and AL hitters have a collective career .294/.346/.453 line in 355 PA. Interesting to see.

Well... I think of Haley as a reliever. Having him ranked above both Reed and Jorge (whom I also think of as a reliever) says something As a matter of fact, I only ranked 2 relievers above Haley.

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 and all segments in the series here. 25. Jake Reed (16) DOB: 9/29/1992; Age: 24 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 Jake Reed was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2014 draft from the University of Oregon as a Junior. The Tuscon, AZ native was a starter both of his first collegiate seasons and was converted to a closer in his junior season where he excelled pitching in 31 games (37 IP), striking out 34 (8.3 K/9), walking 15 (3.7 BB/9) finishing with 1.95 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 13 saves. He continued the season in Elizabethton where he over-matched the opposition (4 G, 6 IP, 8 K, 0 BB, 1 H, 0 R, 3 SV) to a degree that the Twins moved him all the way to A level Cedar Rapids where he appeared in 16 games, pitching 25 innings with 31 K (11.2 K/9, 34.4 K%), 3 BB (1.1 BB/9, 31.1 K-BB%), for a 0.36 ERA, 1.48 FIP, 0.52 WHIP (.182 BABIP), and 5 saves. Were that not enough, the Twins send him to the Arizona Fall League his first professional season, where among family and friends he pitched in 10 games for another 12-2/3 innings with good results also (10 K, 7.1 K/9, 20.0 K%, 3 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 14 K-BB%, 2.05 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 1.03 WHIP, .270 BABIP. So between all of his stops from Oregon to Tennessee to Iowa and to Arizona, in 2014 Reed pitched 61 games and 80-2/3 innings, a load that seems appropriate for a major league level reliever, but hardly for a first year professional, but Reed responded. His strikeouts were down and walks up in Arizona, but that was more than expected from a pitcher who was overused by they usually cautious Twins. In 2015 the Twins had Reed skip the high A Fort Myers and play all the way up to AA Chattanooga in his second season as a pro after a first season that was overused with the expected results: Reed tanked. He appeared in 35 games, pitching 47 innings, striking out 39 (7.5 K/9, 17.6%) and walking (career high 4.0 BB/9, and career low 8.1 K-BB% ), with a 6.32 ERA (inflated by a very low 50.1 LOB%), 4.20 FIP, 1.62 WHIP (.340 BABIP). To salvage his season in the begining of August Reed was sent to Fort Myers where we pitched better, finding his control, but not his strikeouts (9 G, 12-1/3 IP, 7 K, 5.1 K/9, 16.3 K%, 1 BB, 0.7 BB/9, 13.9 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 2.27 FIP, 0.73 WHIP, .229 BABIP). To add to the 44 games and 59-1/3 innings, the Twins re-sent him to the AFL after the season where the appeared in 10 more games for a total of 10-2/3 innings (season totals 54 games, 70 innings), pitching well (10 K, 8.4 K/9, 25.6 K%, 4 BB, 3.4 BB/9, 15.4 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, 2.83 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .240 BABIP). He again started last season in Chattanooga, with better results (41 G, 60 IP, 64 K, 9.6 K/9, 25.6 K%, 22 BB, 3.3 BB/9, 16.8 K-BB%, 3.90 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 1.22 WHIP, .314 BABIP). He moved to Rochester for the final 9 games of the season doing well (9 G, 10-2/3 IP, 8 K, 6.7 K/9, 19.1 K%, 2 BB, 1.7 BB/9, 14.3 K-BB%, 3.90 ERA, 3.02 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .258 BABIP.) For the season Reed pitched in 50 games for 70-2/3 innings. Overused his first season and rushed both his first two seasons, Reed turned from an elite reliever to a below average to an above average reliever who has been a workhorse in the pen, already carrying MLB-level loads and more, each of his first professional seasons. He has a plus fastball that sits from 93-95, an above average slider that flashes plus, and an average to above average change up. Reed has a problem with left hand hitters (.256 OBA in Chattanooga in 2016) which might limit him to a 7th inning reliever. The dilemma the Twins have is that with rushing him and not allowing him to develop an effective pitch against lefties, like a changeup, they have been grooming him for that role. They can potentially slow him down, allowing him to develop that third pitch, and solve his wildness problems, to potentially be a set-up type of pitcher. Likely 2017 path: Depends on the Twins' plans: either AA to develop a third pitch, or AAA with a potential call to the majors, depending on performance and needs. 24. Akil Baddoo (--) DOB: 8/16/1992; Age: 18 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 5'11", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/GCL (2016) 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.) He flashed speed both on the bases 8/9 SB, 2 triples and on the field where he is fast as a centerfielder, but needs to learn taking better routes to the ball. He has a quick bat and soft hands. Baddoo is a project. But he is a potential 5 tool player, thus his ranking. He is still growing but has a good frame, so power both with the bat and throwing could very well come. Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training and then repeating GCL 23. Felix Jorge (20) DOB: 1/2/1994; Age: 23 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 170 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2011 Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2018 Felix Jorge was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic on February 21, 2011. The Santiago native received an $250,000 bonus and was assigned to the Dominican Summer League the following summer. He has been moving along the Twins organization, about a step a season, until 2014 where he had major issues in Cedar Rapids and had to return in Elizabetheton. He started 2015 again in Cedar Rapids and was the Kernels' best pitcher, pitching 23 games (22 GS) a team tops 142 IP, had 32 BB (2.03 BB/9, 14.6 K-BB%) and 114 Ks (7.3 K/9 and 20.3% K,) for a 2.79 ERA, 3.54 FIP, and 1.056 WHIP (2.67 BABIP). Last season he started in the Miracle rotation where he has the best results of his career: 14 GS, 93 IP, 77 K (7.5 K/9, 21.6 K%), 11 BB (1.1 BB/9, 18.5 K-BB%), 1.55 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 0.94 WHIP, .280 BABIP. He moved to AA Chatanooga in July and fell a bit flat, especially as far as strikeouts go: 11 GS, 74-1/3 IP, 32 K (3.8 K/9, 10.7 K%), 12 BB (1.5 BB/9, 6.7 K-BB%), 4.12 ERA, 4.21 FIP, 1.28 WHIP, .307 BABIP. Jorge's effectiveness has decreased in the second half both of last season, which might indicate that his decline in AA might have been the result of low endurance, in addition to facing better competition. Jorge came in the organization as a 16 year old with a rare 3 above average pitch mix. He has a low 90s fastball that maxes at 93 with good downward movement, which the hitters have a hard time picking up. Above average slurvy curveball and change up. He commands all three pitches well, has good control and he mixes pitches well. One might see his 2016 results in Fort Myers and think that Jorge had a break-through season, but his biggest issue surfaced again: endurance. He does have mid-rotation potential, but time will tell whether he will have the endurance to be in a major league rotation or the pen. Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation 22. LaMonte Wade (31) DOB: 1/1/1994; Age: 23 Positions: OF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 189 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 9th round in 2015 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A+ (2016) 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. Quick wrists, excellent eye, decent power and speed, very good Centerfield play and hitting and throwing as a lefty have had some people drawing Denard Span comparisons. However the truth of the matter is that Span has less power, speed, and strike zone judgement than Wade and has never had a season like Wade's 2015 or 2016. It will be interesting to see how Wade's hitting will stand against better and better competition, but he has a very high ceiling. With Buxton, Granite, and English ahead of him at the majors, AAA, and AA, Wade might potentially move to a corner spot, but his defense is as good as any of the three. There has been some discussion on moving him to second base; however throwing left-handed might put an end to that thought. Likely 2017 path: Will start the season as the starting Centerfielder for Fort Myers. 21. Justin Haley (--) DOB: 6/16/1994; Age: 25 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'5", Weight: 230 lbs Acquired: Rule 5 draft, 2016 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 Justin Haley was selected by the Twins in the 2016 Rule 5 draft from the Boston Red Sox who drafted him in the 6th round of the 2012 draft from Fresno State University as a Junior. The Sacramento native pitched in 22 games (12 starts) for 93-1/3 innings, striking out 94 (9.1 K/9) and walking 39 (3.8 BB/9) with a 7-4 record, 3.18 ERA and 1.45 WHIP. He started his professional career at short season A New York Penn League Lowell's rotation, and has been moving steadily in the Red Sox' organization reaching AA Portland in late July of 2014, spending a disappointing season there in 2015 (27 GS, 130-1/3 IP, 95 K, 6.9 K/9, 17.2 K%, 50 BB, 3.6 BB/9, 8.1 K-BB%, 5.15 ERA, 3.83 FIP, 1.55 WHIP, .343 BABIP), and beginning last season. Last season he was very much improved (12 GS, 61-1/3 IP, 59 K, 8.7 K/9, 24.1 K%, 19 BB, 2.8 BB/9, 16.3 K-BB%, 2.20 ERA, 2.67 FIP, 1.11 WHIP, .293 BABIP). He was promoted to AAA Pawtucket in June where he continued pitching well with a slight drop in strikeouts (14 GS, 85-1/3 IP, 67 K, 7.1 K/9, 19.8 K%, 26 BB, 2.7 BB/9, 12.1 K-BB%, 3.59 ERA, 3.80 FIP, 1.13 WHIP, .264 BABIP). After the season was over he started 5 games in the Winter Dominican League, pitching 23-2/3 innings with 14 K, 4 BB, 0.68 WHIP and 0.38 ERA. Haley is a polished pitcher with a big body and a lot of endurance; he has a mix of 4 pitches. His fastball is above average at 90-92 and has touched 95 with good downward movement, average command, and occasional control issues. Average to above average changeup at 80-82 mph, above average slider that occasionally flashes plus and a slow 12-6 curve that he uses very sporadically and is a work in progress. He has bottom of the rotation potential; however his stuff might play better in the pen and become a late inning reliever. Likely 2017 path: Will start the season in the Twins' pen.