Thrylos

I hear you. Actually noticed that his twin brother is listed at 6'1". I would not really call his season "spectacular", but I am not looking at his ERA. It was a good season. His FIP was at low 3's, he lost 4 points in K% compared to the previous season, but still in the low 20s, which is fine. What bugged me the most was that when he was behind the count his numbers really fell apart. Walked 16, struck out 8 and had a 1.91 WHIP. That's pretty troublesome for anyone. Even all that said, I have him ranked as the 10th best starting pitcher in the organization, which is not bad at all. I just feel that a few relievers need to be ahead of him at this point, and position players did make strides this season

One needs to put things into perspective: Only 15 pitchers topped 200 IP in the majors in 2016. Different game with the specialized pens these days. I'd rather see the Twins win, than any pitcher hit 200 IP. 180 is the new 200 it seems.

Wells is officially listed at 5'8". I swear. 3 spots at this point is not really "falling". He just looks like a reliever to me more and more, and he has yet to pitch a full season. And if I was going to pick which LHRP might have a better career, Wells or Theofanopoulos, I'd have a hard choice to make. The reason that he is still ranked that high is because there is still hope that he will start. And he is young. But the raw stuff is second tier. Thorpe is a huge question mark. I hope I can see him pitch this Spring, but being idle for 2 years is not a good thing.

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, and all segments in the series here. 30. Lewis Thorpe (17) DOB: 11/23/1995; Age: 21 Positions: LHP Bats: R, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 160 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2015,2016) ETA: 2019 Thorpe was signed on July 12th of 2012 by the Twins to the largest bonus ever given for an Australian player, $500,000. The Melbourne native He has not pitched since September of 2014 resting and rehabilitating his left UCL, which eventually required Tommy John surgery that cost him all of 2015. He lost all of 2016 with mononucleosis. Thorpe has 4 pitches, including a plus mid 90s fastball, a plus change up and curveball and an improving slider/cutter. His 2014 season in Cedar Rapids, even before the injury was somewhat of a disappointment compared to his 2013 season in Elizabethton (12 G, 8 GS, 44 IP, 64 K, 13.1 K/9, 38.1 K%, 6 BB, 1.2 BB/9, 34.5 K-BB%, 2.05 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 0.86 WHIP, .319 BABIP), showing considerable control issues (a career high 4.5 BB/9) and was fairly ineffective (4.24 FIP). He was a lefty strikeout pitcher, which means that there is a lot of potential, but losing two seasons has certainly set him back. There are several questions about Thorpe, in addition to the obvious that is how his elbow procedure will impact his stuff: his durability in a game and during the season has been a bit of a concern. A huge question mark right now, thus the drop from 11th in 2015 to 30th now. Likely 2017 path: In the Cedar Rapids rotation, with an outside chance to make the Fort Myers rotation, depending on the elbow and performance 29. Lachlan Wells (26) DOB: 2/27/1997; Age: 19 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 5'8", Weight: 165 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: A (2015,2016) ETA: 2019 The Twins signed Lachlan Wells as an international free agent from Newcastle, New South Wales, Australia on November 21, 2014 for $400,000. The diminutive Australian made his debut in the Gulf Coast League in 2015. He played in 10 games (9 GS) and pitched 47.3 innings, walking 11 (2.1 BB/9, 20.5 K-BB%) and striking out 49 (9.3 K/9, 26.5% K%) for a 2.09 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 0.97 WHIP (.263 BABIP). Last season he bypassed Elizabethton to play for Cedar Rapids in late June after Extented Spring Training. For the Kernals he made 12 starts for 71-1/3 IP, walking 16 (2.0 BB/9, 16.7 K-BB%) and striking out 63 (8.0 K/9, 16.7% K%) for a 1.77 ERA (3.28 FIP) and 1.02 WHIP (.272 BABIP). Other than the drop in strikeouts, his results have been very similar to his 2015, two levels of competition higher where he was about 3 years younger than the average player, which is encouraging. Size is a concern with 5'8" Wells. He is just 19, but has not grown any more the past 3 seasons. He throws an above average 90-93 mph fastball, a work in progress but solid average curveball and a changeup that is close to plus and is his out pitch. His mechanics and complex delivery is a concern regarding durability. So far his spits against lefties and righties are about similar with only one big difference: He produces much more ground balls against lefties that he does against righties. It could be the more frequent use of the changeup, but it is an interesting data point. The Twins have kept Wells as a starter thus far, but the bullpen might be a more realistic place for him in the future Likely 2017 path: In the Fort Myers rotation 28. D.J. Baxendale (--) DOB: 12/8/1990; Age: 26 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 10th round in 2012 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AAA (2016) ETA: 2017 D.J. Baxendale was drafted by the Twins in the 10th round of the 2012 draft from the University of Arkansas as a Junior. The Jacksonville, AR native was the Razorbacks' most dependable starter in his senior year starting 20 games, pitching 107 innings, striking out 96 (8.1 K/9) walking 29 (2.4 BB/9) for a 3.11 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. He led his team in starts, wins and strikeouts. He continued 2012 as a pro in the pen dominating the Rookie Appalachian League in Elizabethton (6 G, 7-2/3 IP, 16 K, 18.8 K/9, 64.0 K%, 1 BB, 1.1 BB/9, 60 K-BB%, 0.00 ERA, -0.06 FIP, 0.26 WHIP, .125 BABIP) and A Midwest League in Beloit (11 G, 11 IP, 16 K, 12.3 K/9, 33.3 K%, 1 BB, 0.8 BB/9, 31.1 K-BB%, 1.64 ERA, 0.90 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, .414 BABIP,) albeit in relative small samples. The Twins have seen enough of him, including this incredible Spring Training performance that I was lucky to witness and decribe, that they placed him in the A+ Florida State League Fort Myers Miracle rotation, where he pitched like an Ace: (9 GS, 57-1/3 IP, 48 K, 7.5 K/9, 22.4 K%, 11 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 17.3 K-BB%, 1.10 ERA, 0.78 FIP, 0.26 WHIP, .212 BABIP, 7-0 record,) moving to AA New Britain in late May when he suffered an arm injury in his first game pitched and eventually landed on the DL mid-June until the All-Star break. His numbers in New Britain left a lot to be desired (16 GS, 92-2/3 IP, 64 K, 6.2 K/9, 15.7 K%, 22 BB, 2.1 BB/9, 10.3 K-BB%, 5.63 ERA, 4.54 FIP, 1.42 WHIP, .317 BABIP, 5-7 record.) Both his ERA and FIP were bloated because of the 13 HRs he allowed, a sign that he was leaving his Fastball high in the zone, potentially due to his arm issues. Still, in 2013 Baxendale lead the Twins organization in wins and was one of very few Twins prospects to ever make it to AA in their second professional season. 2014 was an even more frustrating season for Baxendale, starting again at AA New Britain where he was placed in the DL in April, was back to Fort Myers in June, making a rehab start for the GCL Twins in August and pitching a few more games for the Miracle in late August. That was a season totally lost in injuries. He pitched a total 90-1/3 innings that season hurt most of the time, and would have been better served rehabilitating his injuries instead of aggravating them. In 2015 the Twins moved their AA team to the Southern League Chattanooga, and Baxendale got the opportunity to pitch closer to home and had a better season (23 G, 21 GS, 118-1/3 IP, 92 K, 7.0 K/9, 17.9 K%, 40 BB, 3.0 BB/9, 10.1 K-BB%, 3.80 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 1.40 WHIP, .317 BABIP) but most importantly a healthy season. Last season he was caught in the numbers and started the season for the 4th year in a row in the AA rotation with results improved from 2015 (14 GS, 81 IP, 59 K, 6.5 K/9, 17.7 K%, 16 BB, 1.8 BB/9, 12.9 K-BB%, 3.44 ERA, 3.17 FIP, 1.21 WHIP, .308 BABIP) but not dramatically. At this point at his age 25 Baxendale looked like organizational depth pitcher, until he moved to the AAA Rochester pen last June, where he excelled. He appeared in 23 games, pitching 35 innings, striking out 40 K (10.3 K/9, 28.4 K%,) and walking 8 (2.1 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%), finishing with 1.29 ERA, 2.03 FIP, and 1.03 WHIP (.297 BABIP) picking up where he left Fort Myers in 2013. But one cannot ignore 2014 and 2015 Baxendale has a 91-92 fastball with great sinking action, which jumps up to 93-94 from the pen. He has a plus slow (low 70s) curve and as a starter has been throwing an above average mid 80s slider/cutter and an average changeup. His command and control is excellent, especially when healthy. If his fastball is down the zone, it is pretty much unhittable. Supplementing it with a plus curveball as an out pitch makes Baxendale a potentially very effective reliever. He is equally effective against both lefties and righties, inducing massive strikeouts to lefties (he struck out 20 of the 58 lefties he faced in Rochester for 38.5 K%), and decent strikeouts (22.5 K%) and ground outs 1.7 GO/AO to righties. A comparable pitcher is current Twins' reliever Brandon Kintzler, but Baxendale will produce more strikeouts and be better against lefties. Health is a consideration here, and Baxendale has to prove that his second half in 2016 was not a mirage. Likely 2017 path: In the Rochester pen and depending on performance in Minnesota by mid-season 27. Trevor Hildenberger (--) DOB: 12/15/1990; Age: 26 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 211 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 22nd round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: AA (2016) ETA: 2018 Trevor Hildenberger was drafted by the Twins in the 22nd round of the 2014 draft from the University of California Berkeley as a Senior. The San Fransisco area native was Twins' Michael Theofanopoulos roommate and the Golden Bears' closer. In his senior year he appeared in 28 games (47-2/3 IP) striking out 48 (9.1 K/9,) walking 11 (2.1 BB/9) and finishing with 2.83 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10 saves. He continued his season and started his pro career at the GCL where he was the Twins' closer pitching in 23 games (28 IP), allowing 30 K (9.6, 25.2 K%) and 5 BB (1.6, 21 K-BB%) finishing with 2.57 ERA, 2.40 FIP, and 1.14 WHIP (.317 BABIP), and another 10 saves. He also pitched a single inning that season in Elizabethton striking out 2 hitters and allowing neither hits nor walks. Hildenberger moved to A class Cedar Rapids in the beginning of next season, putting career-best numbers (28 G, 45 IP, 59 K, 11.8 K/9, 35.5 K%, 5 BB, 1.0 BB/9, 32.5 K-BB%, 0.80 ERA, 1.17 FIP, 0.64 WHIP, .238 BABIP, 10 SV). He moved up to A+ Fort Myers on late July pitching also successfully (13 G, 19 IP, 21 K, 10.0 K/9, 29.2 K%, 2 BB, 1.0 BB/9, 26.4 K-BB%, 3.32 ERA, 1.43 FIP, 0.89 WHIP, .313 BABIP, 3 SV). He earned a selection in the Arizona Fall League where he appeared for 8 games. Last season he stayed in Fort Myers for the beginning continuing his success (6 G, 9-1/3 IP, 8 K, 7.7 K/9, 20.5 K%, 0 BB, 0.0 BB/9, 20.5 K-BB%, 0.96 ERA, 1.54 FIP, 1.18 WHIP, .355 BABIP, 3 SV) earning an early promotion to AA Chattanooga in late April. Again, another level for Hildenberger and he did not miss a beat (32 G, 38-2/3 IP, 45 K, 10.5 K/9, 31.3 K%, 6 BB, 1.4 BB/9, 27.1 K-BB%, 0.70 ERA, 2.21 FIP, 0.70 WHIP, .211 BABIP, 3 SV) until his season was ended on July 20 with right elbow tendinitis. Hildenberger has a deceptive low slot delivery. He has a plus fastball with a lot of sink at 91-93 mph. Against righties he throws a very effective frisbee slider, and against lefties a plus change up. Plus plus command and control, he barely walks hitters and can throw all his pitches for strikes despite his funky delivery. He induces 2.5 times ground outs as fly outs against righties. His control and strikeout numbers give him almost elite K-BB% numbers. He has end of the bullpen potential, but, even though his UCL ligament is said to be okay, elbow injuries are always of concern. At 26, he has always been 1-3 years older than the competition at every step of his professional career. Likely 2017 path: Depending on the elbow health, starting at the Chattanooga pen with a promotion to Rochester mid season 26. Niko Goodrum (37) DOB: 2/28/1992; Age: 24 Positions: IF/CF Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 198 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 2nd round in 2010 Professional Experience: 7; Highest level: AA (2015, 2016) ETA: 2017 Niko Goodrum was drafted by the Twins in the 2nd round of the 2014 draft from Fayette County (GA) High School. It is hard to believe that Goodrum has already spent seven seasons in the Twins' organization and he is just 24 years old, turning 25 during the coming Spring Training. Goodrum was drafted early as a shortstop with five tool potential, but until this past season, other than his speed, he has been somewhat disappointing for a high level draft pick with a $514,800 signing bonus. Other than his glove that was attrocious at SS early in his career and necessitated a move to third base at Fort Myers in 2014, he has not been outright bad, with wRC+ hovering from 97-114 every season, but he did not fulfill the high expectations, and advanced slowly, making two stops at Elizabethton, one at Cedar Rapids, three at Fort Myers and two in Chattanooga. 2016 was an interesting season for Goodrum. He missed the first half with a stress fracture on his foot, but came back and had a breakthrough season. In 6 rehab games at Fort Myers (26 AB), he hit .280/.308/.560 with 149 wRC+ before he moved to Chattanooga where he finished the season with .275/.357/.451, 22 BB and 52 K, in 49 games (207 AB) with a 133 wRC+. He hit 7 HRs and was 9/11 in SB for the season. He stole 29 bases in 2015, but for half season and with a foot fracture, his 2016 total was expected. To get the additional AB, Goodrum played in the Venezuela League, where he hit .284/.354/.431 with 13 BB and 29 K in 116 AB. All in all Goodrum has 349 AB in 2016 with very promising results. Goodrum is a switch hitter that hits equally well from each side of the plate. He played at every infield position and centerfield. As indicated, his defense turned him from a shortstop to a third baseman earlier, but he has proven inadequate in that position. However the last two seasons, his play back at shortstop as well as centerfield, has been above average, reducing his errors by a lot. This positional versatility and a potential sustainability of his success with the bat last season, may indicate that Goodrum might have a major league future as a utility player. Likely 2017 path: Invited to the Twins' spring training with the potential to win a spot depending on performance and whether Dozier will still be with the Twins. Likely at the MLB-level at some point in the season depending on performance and injuries.

Garth Jax. Linebacker. Was a Dallas Cowboys ST star in the late 80s and then with the Cardinals after they moved west. Pretty long ST career.

Information is great only if you can use it. Buxton has been having a problem handling certain pitchers. So telling him that there is a 97% chance that he will see a slider as the next pitch will do zero for him, if he cannot handle it. On the other hand, if his issue handling certain pitches is because he does not recognize them, information might take care of the guess work, or make him make more educated guesses. But still he has to handle or lay off pitches...

About time that MacPhail was recognized for what he did for the Twins.

I think that this is the idea. I am looking at all the pitchers in this segment as relievers

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, and all segments in the series here. 35. John Curtiss (--) DOB: 4/5/1993; Age: 23 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'4", Weight: 200 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round in 2014 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 John Curtiss was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the 2014 Draft out of the University of Texas. The Southlake,TX native graduated in 3 years with a double major in History and English. He was a reliever in Texas and missed all of 2013 with a Tommy John and thoracic outlet syndrome surgeries in the summer of 2012. He returned in 2014 as the Texas closer, pitching in 28 games (made one start) for 43-1/3 innings allowing 15 walks (3.1 BB/9) and striking out 33 (6.9 K/9) finishing the season with a 2.28 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. He was one of the relievers the Twins tried to convert as a starter and he continued 2014 in Elizabethton where he pitched 9 games (6 starts) for 31.1 innings, striking out 41 (11.8 K, 31.8 K%) and walking 7 (2.0 BB/9, 26.3 K-BB%) for a 2.30 ERA, 2.03 FIP and 1.28 WHIP (.400 BABIP). Curtiss, who is also a budding Country music singer songwriter, started the 2015 season in the Cedar Rapids rotation; however he suffered a concussion on early April that bothered him most of the season and he lost 2 months. He went to the GCL Twins' bullpen for a 5 game rehab assignment where he effective but wild under much younger competition (5 G, 8 IP, 7.9 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 1.13 ERA, 3.43 FIP, 1.38 WHIP, .304 BABIP). His numbers at Cedar Rapids were a total loss (16 G, 7 GS, 46 IP, 8.6 K/9, 2 BB/9, 6.07 ERA, 5.16 FIP, 1.57 WHIP, .371 BABIP). He repeated Cedar Rapids, as a reliever this time in 2016 with much better results and concussion-free. He pitched only in 6 games for 8 innings, striking out 17 (19.1 K/9, 58.6 K%) and walking 2 (2.3 BB/9, 51.7 K-BB%), with a 0.00 ERA, 0.35 FIP and 0.50 WHIP (.222 BABIP). This was good enough to move to A+ Fort Myers where he pitched in 38 more games (53 IP), striking out 68 (11.6 K/9, 30.6 K%) and walking 23 (3.9 BB/9, 20.3%) He finished with a 3.06 ERA, 2.10 FIP, and 1.23 WHIP (.326 BABIP). The Twins still see him as a potential starter so he was sent to the Arizona Fall League to get additional innings. He participated in 11 games and pitched 12-2/3 innings in relied with solid results (2.84 ERA, 3.14 FIP, 12.8 K/9, 2.8 BB/9, 33.3 K%, 25.9 K-BB%, 1.34 WHIP and .400 BABIP) He throws a plus to plus plus fastball with terrific movement that sits at 94-96 and flashes 97-98 and an average 84-86 mph slider, along with an average change up. Because of the three picture mix the Twins were thinking that he still has starter potential; not sure what the new heads of the Twins' baseball would think about Curtiss who is a close to MLB-ready reliever at this point. Likely 2017 path: In the Chattanooga rotation or bullpen 34. Dereck Rodriguez (--) DOB: 6/5/1992; Age: 24 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 6th round in 2011 Professional Experience: 6; Highest level: A+ (2015, 2016) ETA: 2019 Dereck Rodriguez was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the sixth round of the 2011 Draft out of Monsignor Edward Pace High School, Miami Gardens, FL. Rodriguez, the son (and namesake, Dereck is his middle name) of Ivan Rodriguez was drafted as an outfielder by the Twins and converted to pitcher in 2014. As a hitter he competed his 3-season professional career hitting .216/.279/.336 with 6 HRs, in 132 games (375 PA). His first season as a pitcher, 2014, he started in extended spring training and moved to Elizabethton pitching as a reliever in 17 games (25-2/3 IP), striking out 19 (6.7 K/9, 18.5 K%) and walking 8 (2.8 BB/9, 10.7 K-BB%) finishing with 1.05 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.05 WHIP (.260 BABIP). He also started 2015 in Extended Spring Training, with a single game break to pitch 2 innings in relief for the Miracle. He moved to Cedar Rapids on June 2nd where he started 2 games with disaterous results (9 IP, 9 H, 7 ER, 6 BB, 3 K, 3 WP) and was demoted to Elizabethton where he salvaged his season. He started 12 games (66-1/3 IP), striking out 61 (8.3 K/9, 22.4%) and walking 11 (1.5 BB/9, 18.4 K-BB%), ending up with a 2.85 ERA, 3.37 FIP, 1.13 WHIP (.307 BABIP). That season he won the Appalachian League pitcher of the year award. He started last season in Cedar Rapids starting 18 games, 101 IP, and had 93 strikeouts (8.29 K/9, 21.2 K%) and 11 walks (3.39 BB/9, 12.6 K-BB%) with 5.08 ERA, 3.87 FIP, 1.35 WHIP (.308 BABIP). He was promoted to the Miracle rotation in August where he started 5 games (31-2/3 IP), striking out 18 (5.1 K/9, 14.4 K%) and walking 2 (0.6 BB/9, 12.8 K-BB%) with a 2.56 ERA, 4.04 FIP and 0.98 WHIP (.250 BABIP). He continued onto the Puerto Rican Winter League where he pitched out of the bullpen in 13 games and 16-2/3 innings, walking 5 and striking out 13, holding opponents to a .206 opponent average and finishing with a 1.02 ERA. Pitching was not exactly new to Rodriguez who was also his High School's closer. He has 3 pitches: An above average fastball that sits at 91-93 and touches 95, and changeup and a slider/cutter that is average but improving. His command and control, feel for the game, durability and mount presence are also above average. He plays younger than his age, so there is room for improvement. The Twins like him as a starter, but the bullpen could potentially be his vehicle to the majors, because his staff would play much better there Likely 2017 path: starting the season in the Fort Myers rotation 33. Michael Theofanopoulos (--) DOB: 8/5/1992; Age: 24 Positions: LHP Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 30th round in 2014 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A+ (2016) ETA: 2018 Michael Theofanopoulos was drafted by the Twins in the 30th round of the 2014 from the University of California, Berkeley after his Senior season. The California native was a starter and sporadically played the outfield. As a hitter he finished with a .283/.361/.453 slash line but he only appeared in 27 games (53 AB). As a pitcher he appeared in 27 games, 23 of them starts, pitched 104 innings, struck out 77 (6.7 K/9) and walked 58 (5.0 BB/9) ending up with a 1.63 WHIP and 5.02 ERA, results that do not exactly cry "Draft me". Why did the Twins take a chance on Theofanopoulos, who was the roommate of their 24th round draft pick Golden Bears closer Trevor Hildenberger? Because he had an elite curveball that ranked among the top ones at the collegiate level, but his fastball was average and with lack of control. Theofanopoulos continued as a spot started in the GCL were he pitched in 11 games (5 starts) for 27-2/3 innings, striking out 30 (9.8 K/9, 22.4 K%), and walking 10 (3.3 BB/9, 14.9 K-BB%), with 4.23 ERA, 3.47 FIP, and 1.63 WHIP (.363 BABIP), numbers much better than his collegiate. The next season he bypassed Elizabethton and moved to Cedar Rapids and after a single start in which he gave up 3 runs in 3 innings, to the bullpen. The 2015 season he pitched in 37 games (68-1/3 IP) struck out 74 (9.8 K/9, 25.2 K%) and walked 29 (3.8 BB/9, 15.3 K-BB%), finishing with a 3.82 ERA, 3.16 FIP, 1.42 WHIP (.350 BABIP) another step in the right direction for the still very raw lefty. Last season he started again in the Cedar Rapids pen pitching in 21 games (32-1/3 IP) with 45 K (12.5 K/9, 33.6 K%) and 16 BB (4.5 BB/9, 21.6 K-BB%) for and 1.67 ERA, 2.58 FIP, 1.05 WHIP (.236 BABIP). He was promoted to Fort Myers where he pitched in 23 games (33 IP) with 39 K (10.6 K/9, 27.7 K%), 18 BB (4.9 BB/9, 14.9 K-BB%), 2.73 ERA, 3.68 FIP, and 1.27 WHIP (.282 BABIP.) Theofanopoulos was drafted as a project and has been proven a worthwhile one, improving every season. His fastball plays better in the pen and is up to 92 mph. His command and control have improved to average and continue to improve. In addition to his slow curve that is now a plus plus pitch, he added a faster slurve that flashes plus. Has also been getting a better feeling to pitching, trying to use his fastball to set up his out pitches (a tactic that will bear even more fruits as the fastball command improves) that was translated into a nice increase in strikeout. As his fastball command goes so will Theofanopoulos and there is a lot of hope here. Likely 2017 path: starting the season in the Fort Myers pen with a mid-season promotion to Chattanooga. Potential to start the season in Chattanooga depending on how many LHPs will be in the Twins' pen after Spring Training. 32. Rainis Silva (21) DOB: 3/20/1996; Age: 20 Positions: C Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 185 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2012 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 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. Likely 2017 path: In the Catching rotation at Fort Myers. 31.Jermaine Palacios (8) DOB: 7/19/1996; Age: 19 Positions: SS/3B Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'0", Weight: 145 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent signing 2013 Professional Experience: 3; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 Jermaine Palacios was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from Venezuela on July 7, 2013. In 2014, as a 17 year old he hit .270/.404/.399 in 225 PAs in the DSL (league average OPS: .671), as an 18 year old the first half of 2015 he hit .421/.472/.589 in 106 PAs in the GCL (league average OPS: .649) and .336/.345/.507 in 149 PAs as 2.5 year younger than the average Appalachian League Player (league average OPS: .731). In 2015 Palacios did not walk much (BB% 8.5 in GCL and 2.1 in Appy) and did not strike out much (10.4% & 13.8%.) He did make meaningful contact (.421 and .336 batting average.). Last season he was promoted to Cedar Rapids, started very cold (.471 OPS in April and .514 OPS in May) and started warming up (.613 OPS in June and .714 OPS in July) as the weather did, before his season ended on July 17 with a fractured left (glove) hand. His overall slash line was .222/.276/.287 and .306/.346/.367 for July. As discussed, he does not walk much or strikeout much, but for some reason in addition not to making much contact early in the season, his isoP dropped from .171 and .168 in his two 2015 stops to 0.065, and his BABIP took an about 200 point tumble to .253 from the .375 and .464 in his 2015 stops (it was .333 in 2014.) Palacios dropped a lot from his top-10 ranking a season ago and the reason is that I now believe that he can go either way and not only because of the fractured wrist. His BABIP needs to be in the .330-.350 area or better for him to be successful and will likely rebound, the jury is out to how much. It could potentially be weather related, since Cedar Rapids was likely the coldest place the Venezuelan has played in last Spring and that his bat bettered with the temperature. On the other hand, the isoP drop even in June and July is concerning, as is the wrist, question marks that Palacios can put to rest with a good season in 2017. One of the positive things that happened to Palacios last season is that his defense improved so much that it looks like he will stick at shortstop, instead of being a man without a position. Likely 2017 path: Starting Fort Myers shortstop, depending on the health of his wrist.

Want some opinions outside the Twins' organization about Polanco's defense? here. That's before Ryan & Co started moving him around.

I cannot begin to state the ways why any of those are not fits for a 103 loss team that needs to rebuild...

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, and all segments in the series here. 40. Levi Michael (11) DOB: 2/9/1991; Age: 25 Positions: 2B Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 5'10", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 1st round in 2011 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2014, 2015, 2016) ETA: 2017 Levi Michael was drafted by the Twins in the first round of the 2011 draft (30th overall) as a shortstop from the University of North Carolina. The Winston-Salem, NC native had a very frustrating 2016, losing the gains he made in the injury plagued but successful 2014 and 2015 seasons that put him back in the prospect spotlight. 2017 will be critical for Michael. Michael was drafted as a potentially power hitting five tool shortstop player, but his peak might have been his age 19 sophomore season when in 60 games (214 AB) he hit .346/.484/.575 with 9 HR, 44 BB, 26 K and was 20/22 in SB. In his junior season he hit .289/.434/.434 with 5 HR, 56 BB, 82 K and 15/16 SB with his isoP dropping from .229 the previous season to .145, and his BABIP from .355 to (a still respectable) .337. He signed at the August 15 deadline after was drafted and started his pro career at high A Fort Myers the next season. The transition to a professional was not smooth for Michael at both sides of the game. He hit only .246/.339/.311 with only .065 isoP and his BABIP dropped to .295. He had only 2 HRs and stole 6 bases in 117 games (431 AB). His defense at SS also proved inadequate starting playing mostly second base, a position that he has played exclusively from 2014 on. He repeated Fort Myers the next season with similar results, but a slight increase in the power and speed numbers and a further decrease in his BABIP. In 94 games (315 AB) he hit .229/.331/.340 with 4 HRs and 21/23 SB with an .111 isoP and .272 BABIP. He also lost the first month of the season in the Disabled List. He also started the 2014 season at Fort Myers when he showed improvement. In his first 45 games there (177 PA) he hit .305/.375/.395 with 1 HR, 6/10 SB, 0.090 isoP and .346 BABIP, before he spent 3 weeks in the disabled list. He was then promoted to AA New Britain where in 15 games (53 AB) he hit .340/.444/.358 with minuscule power (0.019 isoP) but a big rebound in BABIP (.429). This was enough for the Twins to invite him to the 2015 Spring Training. He continued his success in a AA season at Chattanooga where, despite losing a month and a half early with a strained angle and two weeks late in the season due to illness, in 63 games (221 AB) hit .267/.369/.434 with 5 HRs, and 18/22 SB, increasing his power numbers to .167 isoP and his BABIP to .327. At this point despite the plate discipline never reaching his college numbers (31 BB and 53 K in 2015) there was hope that Michael was the player the Twins have signed out of College and was invited to Spring Training against. 2016 was supposed to be his breakout season that would make him a long term alternative for the team in second base, but Michael bottomed out. In his first healthy season since 2012, he played in Chattanooga for 96 games and 316 AB. He hit a career low .215/.293/.291 with 2 HR and 5/7 SB, isoP at 0.76 and BABIP at .286. That was a different player than in the past 2 seasons. Does Michael have any potential future with the Twins? I think that he still does, even though my confidence level (and his ranking) dropped from the previous off-season. Micheal could always hit lefties. Here are his splits against LHP the past 2 seasons: 2014 A+: .366/.449/.463, 2014 AA: .409/.500/.455, 2015 AA: .385/.448/.673. This is more than respectable. In his horrible 2016 season against LHP, he hit and acceptable .277/.352/.426. His glove now is average and slightly above average at second base. If Michael returns to or improves upon his 2017 levels he might have a future with the Twins. If not, I would not be surprised if 2017 is his last season with the team. Likely 2017 Path: Starting the season at Rochester and potentially a cup of coffee (or more) with the Twins based on performance and whether Dozier is still a Twin. 39. Jaylin Davis (--) DOB: 7/1/1994; Age: 22 Positions: OF Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 24th round in 2015 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 Jaylin Davis was drafted by the Twins in the 24th of the 2015 draft as an outfielder from Appalachian State University. The Greensboro, NC native missed almost all his junior season with a shoulder injury that was later diagnosed as a labrum tare and was operated upon. Davis lost all of 2015 in the disabled list for that reason. Last season he started in extended Spring Training and was assigned to Elibatheton. His college numbers (career: .268/.337/.411 10 HR, 22/28 SB in 126 games and 482 PAs with .143 isoP and .331 BABIP) were solid but not close in predicting how Davis will do in his first pro season. In 12 games (47 AB) in Elizabethton he hit .277/.346/.745 with 7 HR, and 2 SB, an unreal .468 isoP and a .353 BABIP. He walked 4 times and struck out 23 (for a scary 44.2 K%). Hot streak or not, his stint with Elizabethton was enough for the Twins to promote the 22 year old to Cedar Rapids for the last 52 games of the season. There at 192 AB, he hit .250/.339/.469 with 9 HRs and 3/3 SB. His isoP was .219 and BABIP .328. He walked 21 times and struck out 64 (29.4 %). Davies has power, but that 6.7 AB/HR at Elizabethton was unsustainable and dropped to a 21.3 AB/HR in Cedar Rapids, which, even though respectable, is not elite. But this just one season removed from shoulder surgery, and, if anything, it is good news. Likely 2017 path: Davis will likely start the 2017 season at Fort Myers 38. Aaron Slegers (--) DOB: 9/4/1992; Age: 24 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'10", Weight: 245 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 5th round in 2013 Professional Experience: 4; Highest level: AA (2015,2016) ETA: 2018 Aaron Slegers was drafted by the Twins in the 5th of the 2013 draft as a starting pitcher from Indiana University. The Scottsdale, AZ native has been plagued with multiple injuries as an amateur both in College and High School with his Junior 2013 season being his only healthy season. And it was a good season. He started 18 games for 106 innings, walking just 17 (1.4 BB/9) and striking out 59 (5 K/9) with a 9-0 record, 2.04 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Later that season, after was drafted by the Twins he pitched for 9 games (19 IP) out of the Elizabethton pen walking just 2 (0.95 BB/9, 23.5 K-BB%) and striking out 18 (8.5 K/9, 26.5 K%) with a 0.47 ERA, 2.01 FIP, 0.95 WHIP (.340 BABIP). The next 3 seasons he was used as a starter exclusively, starting at A Cedar Rapids in 2014 and finishing in A+ Fort Myers, Starting at high A Fort Myers in 2015 and finishing in AA Chattanooga and playing exclusively at AA Chattanooga last season. Slegers started 25 games, pitched 145-1/3 innings, striking out 104 (6.4 K/9, 17.3 K%) and walking 46 (2.9 BB/9, 9.7 k-BB%). He finished with a 3.41 ERA, 4.07 FIP, and 1.26 WHIP (.295 BABIP). He also spent two weeks in late July, early August in the disabled list with biceps tendinitis. Slegers is the archetypal Twins' pitch to contact starter: He throws a high 80s, lows 90s (up to 92 mph) sinking fastball that induces a lot of grounders, an above average slider that coming from his 6-10 frame is deceptive and also a changeup. He has good control and command of all his pitches and does not walk many (even though as his level of competition increased so did his walks). Pitch to contact types with no exceptional stuff will get shelled in the majors, so Slegers is a borderline prospect. There is definitely a potential as a reliever (something that the Twins have not yet attempted, other than his first pro season) because there is not much there as a starter, unfortunate comparisons to Brad Radke notwithstanding. He was invited in the Twins' Spring Training for 2017 Likely 2017 path: Another season of starting at Chattanooga and then at Rochester, potentially as are reliever. 37. Travis Harrison (14) DOB: 10/17/1992; Age: 24 Positions: RF/LF/1B Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 215 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the supplemental 1st round in 2012 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2015,2016) ETA: 2018 Travis Harrison was drafted in the supplemental 1st round (50th overall) of the 2011 Draft out of Tustin (CA) High School. Harrison was a big time power prospect at a third baseman, but has not lived up to his billing yet. As a matter of fact his production has been declining annually after a very good first professional season in 2012 in Elizabethton where he hit .301/.383/.461 with 5 HRs in 60 games 219 AB walking 24 times and striking out 51. In 2013 at Cedar Rapids, his last season as a third baseman, he hit .253/.366/.416 with 15 HR in 129 games (450 AB) while walking 68 times and striking out 125. In 2014 he moved to left field at A+ Fort Myers where he hit .269/.361/.365 with only 3 HRs in 129 games (458 AB), walking 64 times and striking out 86. In 2015 at AA Chattanooga, as a right fielder, he hit .240/.363/ .356 with 5 HRs in 115 games (396 AB) walking 65 and striking out 102. Last season, also at Chattanooga was his career worst hitting .230/.338/.339 with 7 HRs in 120 games (434 AB) with 61 bases on balls and a career worst 126 strikeouts (24.8 K%). To Harrison's credit, he started both of his AA seasons better than he ended. In 2015 he started with a .268/.375/.403 line before he went to the DL with stomach inflammation and dropped after he returned and last season he started with a .264/.357/.377 line before he went to the DL with a concussion. His second half hit a pitiful .192/.317/.296, clearly bothered by the concussion. He also hit lefties well the past two seasons, .257/.416/.443 in 2015 and .260/.390/.427 in 2016. This is a make or break season for the former first round draft pick. His numbers are not great for even a middle infielder, much less for a corner outfielder. There is hope that Harrison with rebound and even have a break through season, however the fact that he did have a concussion and had a hard time after he returned does not look very promising. Likely 2017 Path: As a starting corner outfielder in Chattanooga. 36. Jean Carlos Arias (22) DOB: 1/14/1998; Age: 19 Positions: CF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 5'11", Weight: 170 lbs Acquired: International Free Agent 7/2/2014 Professional Experience: 2; Highest level: Rookie GSL (2016) ETA: 2020 Jean Carlos Arias was signed by the Twins as an International Free Agent from Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic the summer of 2014. In his first professional season in the DSL he hit .311/.378/.537 with 18 BB, 30 K, 13 2B, 9 3B and 2 HRs in 189 PAs. He was 11/17 in stolen bases. That .914 OPS is not quite at Miguel Sano level (Sano hit .344/.463/.547 at age 17 in the DSL), but cannot be ignored in a league where the average OPS is .680. His wOBA was .425 and wRC+ 151, which are also on the ridiculous level. Arias destroyed RHPs at the rate of .330/.390/.568. Reports from the Dominican have the 17 year old Arias, who batted at the number 3 spot for the DSL Twins, is a true 5-tool Centerfielder. In 2016 he moved to the United States for Extended Spring Training and later to the GCL where he played an error-less OF in all 3 outfield positions and struggled with the bat hitting .202/.265/.266 with 10 BB and 28 K, stealing 7/10 bases and only 6 xBH / 25 H in 45 games (124 AB.) Moving from the Dominican to the United States is definitely a period of adjustment and some players adjust faster and better than others. Hopefully Arias' disappointing 2016 season was due to adjustment. He is still very young (turned 19 a few days ago) and the potential with the bat is there, while his glove is plus even at this young age. Will be interesting to see how he does in 2017 Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training and repeating GCL or to Elizabethton, depending on the Twins 2017 draft.

They did not do that last year. They made Polanco start the season at 2B in AAA, moved him to the majors and had him start only 45 games at SS. He needs to come to ST with the SS mind set and play 100+ games in the position. Cannot toss him all over the place and ask him to improve. He deserves at least the chances that Koskie, Morneau, and Plouffe got when they came up as atrocious but young defenders...

"Disastrous"? For an 103 L team to try to see whether Polanco can improve at SS with continuous play? Nope. Necessary. Signing a FA SS would have been akin to keeping Plouffe and blocking Sano. These guys need to play consistently in a position. Too young to do otherwise.

About Granite and his ranking, because there are so many questions: Not sure that he can hit MLB pitchingHis defense at CF is average at bestSB do not matter that much in 2017where would you rank a guy who is kinda half way to be a Vince Colemanjust sayin'

The key is all of that with a non-competitive team. Were at the level of an 4th or 5th OF in a competitive team, it would pushed him a few points for sure.

That 135 different lineups had a lot to do with the Twins being a horrible defensive team. Both infielders (mostly) and outfielders (bit less) need to spend considerable time together and learn each others' play for a defense to gel. I would have no problem with rotation of Mauer/Park/Vargas at 1B/DH (with Vargas being the everyday guy as switch hitter) and sitting Castro against LHP, but the rest is tough to platoon. Sano and Polanco need to play every day at 3B and SS to develop. Whoever is the second baseman also needs to be there most of the time, so the double play combination clicks. With only Buxton the projected RH OF and the best centerfielder it will be hard to platoon the corners, unless one gets a RH bat as Grossman's replacement. I see 2017 all for development and other than the 2 mentioned, there is not place for many platoons.

Got a chance to talk to Ivan Rodriguez briefly last Spring Training when he was there to watch his son. Really nice guy, low key, and, unlike a few people who shared that ballot, does not like to draw attention to himself. Congrats! Same to Ivan Jr (Dereck is his middle name) for his dad.

I think that Granite would be a rock solid minor leaguer (pun intended,) but I think that his MLB prospects are not that great. He is way overvalued by the old-school Twins' FO that gave him the MiLB hitter of the year award, because "he hit .295", while having the 18th best OPS (among OFs mind you) in the organization. Ender Inciarte was in the majors in Granite's age and at best he is a 4th OF in a competitive team. I don't think that Granite is even that. Maybe in the NL because of the speed tool. I think that he would be like Erik Komatsu, Clete Thomas, and both Schafers type of player. Good enough to make a few starts here and there for a bottom of the standings team, but really a AAAA. Of course I might be wrong If I see anything more I am totally willing to change my mind

From what I heard from the Dominican Garcia is the real thing and Maldonado was described to me as a "monster". We shall see. Still lots of question marks, thus they are out of the top 40. Williams Ramirez is another late bloomer who got himself into prospect conversations and I was told that Garcia is better than Ramirez. In addition to those two a player I heard very good things about, but did not include (and I was going back and forth, but he will be around, so there is always next year,) is 16 year old Venezuelan SS Victor Tademo who was described to me as a very good player also, but Luis Martinez was thrown as a comparable, thus I hesitated. Maybe next year after I see him this Spring Looking at Dominican prospects is not much different that looking at High School prospects. Only difference is that there is a ton of scouting of those High School draft picks and not much on the Dominicans. I try to get as much information as I can gather from there and people who have seen them play at least a few games. Then once I see them myself in ST (both recent draft picks and Dominicans) I may or may not change my mind I swear I saw Peterson hit 95 at Fort Myers in 2015, but that might have been that radar gun in that ballpark. Should have probably said "tops at 95". He did go backwards, and he is one year older, thus the 13 spot drop. If I was doing just a top 40 he would not had make the cut. The biggest reason I expanded it to 60 was just because I really had a couple of dozen people or so between 30 and 40 and was very hard to cut.

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, and all segments in the series here. 45. Pedro Garcia (--) DOB: 7/21/1995; Age: 21 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'2", Weight: 180 lbs Acquired: International free Agent Signing Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/DSL (2016) ETA: 2020+ The Twins signed Pedro Garcia as an international free agent from Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic on October 11, 2015. Garcia had his first professional season in the Dominican Summer Rookie League in 2016 and he was the ace of that team, starting 14 games (62-1/3 IP), striking out 69 (10.0 K/9, 28.2 K%), and walking 24 (3.5 BB/9, 18.4 K-BB%). He finished the season with a 5-1 record, 2.17 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.01 WHIP (.260 BABIP). Oponents had a very hard time making contanct (.181 OBA), especially when hiting from the right side (.155 OBA) Garcia has 3 pitches, a low to mid 90s fastball with good command, a workable changeup and an above average breaking ball. There is some wildness there (he also hit 5 batters and had 2 wild pitches) but he really improved in August (4 GS, 21 IP, 5 BB, 30 K, 4-0, 1.29 ERA, 0.67 WHIP, .123 OBA) which suggests that there is huge room of improvement and he is already on his way. If that 12.9 K/9, 1.5 BB/9 of August as a starting pitcher is sign of what it is to come from Garcia, expect him to move really fast in the organization. Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training in the United States, then GCL or Elizabethton, depending his adjustment and the Twins 2017 draft. 44. Humberto Maldonado (--) DOB: 12/30/1997; Age: 19 Positions: CF Bats: S, Throws: R Height: 6'3", Weight: 202 lbs Acquired: International free Agent Signing Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/DSL (2016) ETA: 2020+ The Twins signed Humberto Maldonado as an international free agent from San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic on November 15, 2015. Maldonado had a good first professional season, hitting .283/.363/.404 as the starting centerfielder of the DSL Twins, in a league dominated by pitchers. He flashed a bit of power (15 xBH / 47 H) and speed (stole 14 bases in 24 tries.) He is a switch hitter and equally well from both sides of the plate. His glove is adequate at CF at this point. He also played 17 games at LF and finished a game at 1B. He is strong athletic type (6'3 - 202 lbs) who can develop into a five tool talent and stick at centerfield. Think of a bit taller and stronger version of Joe Benson, as a prospect. Tons of potential, but he has a long ways to go, and Joe Benson did not go very far for the Twins. Likely 2017 path: Extended Spring Training in the United States, then GCL, depending his adjustment and the Twins 2017 draft. 43. Zach Granite (--) DOB: 9/17/1992; Age: 24 Positions: CF Bats: L, Throws: L Height: 6'1", Weight: 175 lbs Acquired: Drafted in the 14th round in 2013 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: Rookie/DSL (2016) ETA: 2017 Zach Granite was drafted by the Twins in the 14th round of the 2013 draft from Seton Hall University. The Staten Island, NY native as a collegiate hit .299/.391/.367 with 91 BB and 75 K in 156 games (633 AB). He also stole 67/78 bases. After he was drafted in 2013 he started his pro career in Elizabethton where he hit .285/.362/.343 with 29 BB, 25 K, and 14/21 SB in 61 games (278 PA.) He was promoted to Cedar Rapids in 2014 but was a lost season for him going to the disabled list multiple times with leg ailments. He only managed to play 21 games (85 PA) and had decent success (.291/.321/.367, 4 BB, 8 K, 1/5 SB.) He started the 2015 season also in Cedar Rapids where he his the cover off the ball (.358/.463/.463, 12 BB, 6 K, 7/8 SB) and after 19 games was propoted to Fort Myers were he landed hard, having the worst season of his career: In 105 games (441 PA) he hit .249/.328/.304 with 41 BB and 63 K and was 21/33 in stolen bases. He was promoted to AA Chattanooga last season where he rebounded as a 23 year old, hitting .295/.347/.382 with 42 BB and 43 K, stealing 56 of 70 bases and had 8 triples in 127 games (584 PA.) His glove at centerfield is above average and his splits as LHB were equally good in AA against both LHP (.291/.345/.339) and RHP (.296/.348/.396) for the first time in his career, having reverse splits previously. There have been some comparisons to Ben Revere after his season in Chattanooga, but Granite is a very poor man's Ben Revere. Their tool sets are the same, hit for average, speed, and defense; however Revere's tools were much better at the same points of their career, not to mention that Revere was in the majors by age 22 where Granite just finished his age 24 season. Revere owned a career .325/.382/.402 minor league line and a .353 career BABIP in the minors where Granite's are .282/.349/.354 and .321 respectively. For someone whose game is to get on base and use his speed to move ahead that difference of 43 points on the battling average, 33 on the on-base percentage and 32 on the batting average of the balls in play are huge. In the modern game those skills are much more devalued than they were 2 decades ago. Granite's ceiling is more of an Eric Yelding vs. a Juan Pierre type of player, which is that of a AAAA of that might spend some time in a mediocre or worse MLB team's bench. The Twins added him on their 40 man roster this season and he might be afforded that opportunity. A potential trade piece to a National League team that might value his skills as a PR and a PH and a defensive glove at the end of a game more that the Twins. Likely 2017 path: Starting CF at Rochester and potentially part time with the Twins based on needs and injuries. 42. Brandon Peterson (29) DOB: 9/23/1991; Age: 25 Positions: RHP Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: 13th Round Draft Pick 2013 Professional Experience: 5; Highest level: AA (2015, 2016) ETA: 2017 Brandon Peterson was drafted in the 13th round of the 2013 draft from Wichita State University. The Savage, MN native moved pretty fast in the Twins organization, reaching the high A Fort Myers Miracle squad in the second half of his second pro season, but ended up being caught in the numbers games, having to start each of the last two seasons at that level before being promoted to AA Chattanooga the second half of the last two seasons. His 2015 and 2016 seasons both split between A+ and AA were almost identical in peripheral numbers, but not in effectiveness. Here are his numbers in both organizations for the last 2 seasons: 2015-A+: 21 G, 31-2/3 IP, 44 K (12.5 K/9, 36.1 K%), 17 BB (4.3 BB/9, 23.8 K-BB%), 0.85 ERA, 1.81 FIP, 0.92 WHIP (.222 BABIP) 2016-A+: 22 G, 34 IP, 44 K (11.7 K/9, 33.3 K%), 14 BB (3.7 BB/9, 22.7 K-BB%), 2.65 ERA, 2.37 FIP, 1.00 WHIP (.264 BABIP) 2015-AA: 20 G, 29-1/3 IP, 33 K (10.1 K/9, 25.4 K%), 13 BB (4.0 BB/9, 15.4 K-BB%), 3.38 ERA, 2.93 FIP, 1.47 WHIP (.354 BABIP) 2016-AA: 16 G, 26 IP, 31 K (10.7 K/9, 27.2 K%), 15 BB (5.2 BB/9, 14 K-BB%), 4.15 ERA, 3.28 FIP, 1.35 WHIP (.288 BABIP) Peterson has a fastball that sits at 95 mph and a slider that is a hair below a plus pitch. I think that the 2017 season is a make or break season for the 25 year old. After last season, I thought that it might be that he needs to adjust his approach to be successful against better competition rather than his stuff not playing against better competition, based on his results in AA compared to A+, especially with that high AA BABIP. Having pretty much the similar results between the two leagues in 2016, reduces my confidence in Peterson. While in A+ he looks like a borderline elite reliever, albeit with some wildness, in AA he looks like a mediocre reliever, and the Twins are full of young promising RHRP who are ahead of him both in the high minors and majors. Likely 2016 path: Sharing closer duties in AA, a promotion to AAA is probably depending his success and promotions to the MLB bullpen of AAA pitchers allowing him a path there. 41. Brandon Lopez (SS) DOB: 9/9/1993; Age: 23 Positions: SS Bats: R, Throws: R Height: 6'1", Weight: 190 lbs Acquired: 10th Round Draft Pick 2016 Professional Experience: 1; Highest level: A (2016) ETA: 2019 Brandon Lopez was drafted in the 10th round of the 2016 draft from the University of Miami as a senior. The Miramar, FL native Sports Administration major was the Hurricanes' starting SS all 4 seasons with the team and was previously drafted out of High School by the Blue Jays in the 34th round of the 2012 draft. He struggled somewhat his first two seasons as a collegiate with the bat, keeping the starting SS position because of his glove, he improved in his junior season and had a stellar senior season in 2016. He hit .376/.449/.469 with 23 BB and 34 K, stealing 5 out of 7 bases and having 14 doubles and 2 home runs, in 58 games (214 AB). He started his professional season in Elizabethton where he continue hitting well despite the transition to the wooden bat. He hit .337/.474/.413 with 21 BB and 19 K, was 4/4 in stolen bases and had 5 doubles and 1 HR in 27 games (92 AB). He was promoted to Cedar Rapids at the end of the season where he played 18 games (70 AB) and hit .286/.398/.329 with 11 BB and 16 K and 3 doubles. His BABIP numbers this season were .433 with Miami, .425 with Elizabethton and .370 with Cedar Rapids. His junior season, his BABIP was .357, which suggests that there is potential to sustain a BABIP at the .375 level as a professional player. Very limited power, but some potential and average speed, but above average pitch selectivity and glove at SS; a bit older for both of his leagues at 23, but much better than average performance. He hits Left and Right hand pitchers equally well. Lopez has the potential to be a good glove shortstop that can hit and take a walk. Because his performance requires that he maintains a high BABIP, which is not beyond Lopez, it is interesting to see how he will do against better pitching competition, especially at the A+ and AA levels. Potentially blocked by Nick Gordon at this point, if Gordon stays at SS, Lopez might be a valuable trade chip for the Twins down the road. But there is long way to go. Lopez in a pretty high ceiling but high risk player, thus the reason he missed a top 40 inclussion. This will change with sustained success, esp. keeping his BABIP high. Likely 2017 path: Starting SS at Cedar Rapids with a potential move to Miracle mid-season

Here are the #1 starters for the post-season teams in 2014 (in no order) : Madison Bumgarner James Shields Chris Tillman Adam Wainwright Garrett Richards Max Scherzer Stephen Strasburg Clayton Kershaw Sonny Gray Gerrit Cole Hughes might have had a better 2014 that Chris Tillman and maybe Gerrit Cole in that list. However both the Orioles and the Pirates kinda had 3 number 2s that season.

You can get enough data on March 10th or 15th, if you know where someone was on those dates in previous seasons. One could tell about Perkins last ST, for example, as soon as his first outing under a radar gun.

Not sure about that. In 2014 there were 196 SPs with minimum of 40 IP.. If you take the #1 cut-off at 10% , then you have 20 #1s (which is too much I think, but let's say it is so - reminder: the best starter in a horrible team is not always number 1; see: Diamond Scott) Here is Hughes' ranking in several categories in 2014: Hughes was 71st in ERA, 48th in K%, 36th in WHIP, 33th in xFIP, 29th in SIERA, 18th in IP, 10th in FIP, 1st BB%, Other than his FIP numbers that was majorly driven by his low walks, Hughes was not on the top 10 of 2014 pitchers. His 2014 was a lot like and a hair better (because of the more Ks) Carlos Silva's 2005: A decent number 2 type of pitcher

In 2016 they Scored 722 runs, Allowed 889 runs. For a .500 record they should allow 722 runs, which is 167 or 18.8% improvement. Team ERA was 5.08. An 18.8% improvement would be 4.12 and not 4.25. A 4.12 ERA would have been the 6th best in the AL a. Good luck b. a .500 record means nothing in a rebuilding season. Developing players and getting young talent that can help them to become a 90+ win team is more important.