Seth Stohs

Answering for myself... I think he can be a terrific late-inning reliever... Which means he'll work 50-60 innings a year. A starter will hopefully go 150-200 innings. So, that's why I tend to rank relievers significantly lower. A year ago at this time, he was still a starter...

It was a risk... Hasn't paid off, in large part due to injury, but there are a lot of smart people, including the likes of Keith Law (from this interview, http://twinsdaily.com/articles.html/_/minnesota-twins-news/minnesota-twins-minor-leagues/keith-law-on-the-twins-minor-leagues-r5600 ).

For people's information... this list is comprised of some mathematical formula using the rankings of Nick, Tom, Cody and myself. It's a consolidated list, but it isn't just a normal rankings. We actually have some good discussions on the rankings and come together with the final rankings... In case people are into this or even care, here are how we ranked them (Note that Cody, Tom and I rank our Top 50 for the Twins Prospect Handbook. Nick provides his Top 20 for the list, so NR just means the players is out of the Top 20.) Ben Rortvedt: Seth 27, Nick 12, Cody 19, Tom 11 Travis Blankenhorn: Seth 21, Nick 16, Cody 24, Tom 9 Yunior Severino: Seth 17, Nick NR, Cody 19, Tom 19 Tyler Jay: Seth 23, Nick 17, Cody, 21, Tom 18 Felix Jorge: Seth 20, Nick NR, Cody, 14, Tom 25

Correct... it would definitely surprise me a lot if he got to Cedar Rapids this year.

In recent days, we have begun to see many Twins players and Twins minor leaguers getting to Ft. Myers. MLB camp is less than two weeks away, and minor league camp gets going in about a month. But the academy is starting to fill up.Today, we begin our list of the Twins Daily Top 20 Prospects with a look at prospects 16-20. Tomorrow, we’ll post prospects 11-15. At that point, we will post one prospect each day.Let’s get to the list, and please feel free to discuss our choices and how they may rank on your personal top 10 or top 20 lists. 20. Felix Jorge - RHP Age: 24 2017 MiLB Stats (AA/AAA): 10-4, 3.68 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 149.0 IP, 161 H, 40 BB, 108 K 2017 MLB Stats (MLB): 1-0, 10.57 ERA, 2.08 WHIP, 7.2 IP, 14 H, 2 BB, 4 K ETA: 2017 2017 Ranking: 12 Signed in February of 2011 Jorge has gradually worked his way up the Twins system. The last few years, he has turned himself from a suspect to a prospect. On the 40-man roster, Jorge was given an opportunity to make his MLB debut for the Twins when they had a need for a starter in July. Jorge was promoted directly from Chattanooga. In his debut, he gave up three runs in five innings and picked up his first MLB win. Five days later, he made another start. It didn’t go as well. He ended the regular season with starts in Rochester before pitching for Chattanooga in the Southern League playoffs. Jorge’s got a nice fastball in the 92-94 range. He’s got great poise and calm on the mound. He’s got a nice changeup and an improving curveball. In 2018, he should spend the year in Rochester and potentially get more opportunities to make starts for the Twins. 19. Tyler Jay - LH RP Age: 23 2017 Stats (AA/AAA): 3-0, 3.09 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 11.2 IP, 11 H, 4 BB, 19 K ETA: 2018 2017 Ranking: 5 Jay was the Twins first-round pick in 2015 out of the University of Illinois. While he was a reliever in college, many teams believed that he had the pitches and the makeup to be a starter. That’s what he did in 2016, and he did well. However, he managed just 83.2 innings. This past spring, the Twins announced that Jay was being moved to the bullpen. It is a role that he should thrive in. Unfortunately, he missed nearly the entire 2017 season with biceps tendinitis. As you can see, he got good strikeout numbers. He went to the Arizona Fall League to make up for some of the lost time. However, when healthy, Jay has the ability and the potential to be a dominant relief options, and soon. 18. Yunior Severino Age: 18 2017 Stats (Rookie): .286/.345/.444 (.789), 17-2B, 2-3B, 3-HR ETA: 2022 2017 Ranking: NR The Braves had a dozen minor leaguers declared free agents due to violations by their front office. Those players were then allowed to sign with other teams using international pool money from 2017 or 2018. Top prospect Kevin Maitan signed for $2.2 million with the Angels, though there were reports that the Twins offered him more than the Angels but he saw a quicker route to the majors with the Angels. The Twins didn’t worry about it. Instead, they signed Severino for $2.5 million of 2018 pool money. Severino had signed with the Braves in 2016 for $1.9 million. After spending ten games with the Braves DSL team last summer, he moved up to the GCL. Severino was signed as a shortstop, but he was already moved to second base due to his range. He is a switch-hitter. He has more power from the right-side now, but he has a lot of potential to add power. 17. Travis Blankenhorn - 2B/3B Age: 21 2017 Stats (Low-A): .251/.343/.441 (.784), 12-2B, 11-3B, 13-HR, 13-SB ETA: 2021 2017 Ranking: 9 Signed as the Twins third-round pick in 2015 out of high school in Pennsylvania, Blankenhorn spent the entire 2017 season in Cedar Rapids. He had ended the 2016 season with 25 games for the Kernels. Blankenhorn had some ups and downs throughout the 2017 season. By month, his OPS were .776, .604, 1.048, .449, and 1.023. You can see the upside in those numbers. You can also see the inconsistency that you might expect from a 21-year-old. But Blankenhorn can fill a stat sheet. He’s got a good approach at the plate. He can use the whole field. He has extra base pop with the speed to turn doubles into triples. He’s got power now, and he’s got the size to develop even more home run power. He also is a good base runner who can steal bases. Twice in 2017 he stole home. Defensively, Blankenhorn spent the first half of the season at third base (.916 fielding percentage). After the All Star break, he moved over to second base for the second half (.989 fielding percentage). He’s still working at both positions and now feels comfortable at both, but he’s happy to play anywhere as long as he’s in the lineup. 16. Ben Rortvedt - C Age: 20 2017 Stats (Low A): .224/.284/.315 (.599), 16-2B, 4-HR ETA: 2022 2017 Ranking: 19 Rortvedt was the Twins second-round pick in 2016 out of high school in Wisconsin. After splitting 2016 between the GCL and Elizabethton, Rortvedt was one of the younger players in the Midwest League in 2017. He struggled early in the season. Through May, he was hitting just .187/.234/.174 (.388), but the Twins believed in him and Rortvedt responded very well. Over his final 54 games, he hit a very respectable .273/.324/.397 (.721). While the bat remains a work-in-progress for the 20-year-old, his defense is already very good. He works well with pitchers. He’s a very good athlete which helps him with blocking pitches and with his footwork so he’s able to show off his very strong, accurate arm. Click here to view the article

Another fun show.... I apologize for the technical difficulties which cost the first five minutes of the show... but it still turned out fine. Also, Micah Coffey messaged me to say that his phone died. We'll have him on again soon. But Charlie Barnes, Alex Robles, Tyler Watson and David Banuelos were all good interviews.

Yes... this would definitely be Top 10 for me...

That is awesome!!

That might be my favorite audio of any of the Twins commercials ever...

Tonight at 8:00 (central time), Episode 5 of Seth's Twins On Deck Podcast will go live. Tonight, he'll be joined by four Minnesota Twins prospects each of who is relatively new to the organization and another senior on the Minnesota Gophers roster. Tune in at 8:00 tonight to listen live. If you can't listen live, it will be available at the same link shortly following the show's completion. You can also search iTunes and subscribe to it. (search Minnesota Sports Weekly)Tune in live at 8:00 central time tonight when Seth will again be joined by five guests. Charlie Barnes was the Twins fourth-round pick out of Clemson. After signing with the Twins, he went to Elizabethton where he went 2-1 with a 1.19 ERA over six games and 22.2 innings. He moved up to Cedar Rapids where he went 2-1 with a 3.86 ERA over 25.2 innings. In 48.1 combined innings, he walked 18 and struck out 46. Another new member of the organization is also a left-handed starter, Tyler Watson. The 6-5 southpaw was the 34th round pick of the Washington Nationals out of high school in 2015. He came to the Twins at the July 31 trade deadline in exchange for closer Brandon Kintzler. He reported to Cedar Rapids where he made five starts to close out the year. David Banuelos was drafted in the fifth round just last June by the Seattle Mariners out of Long Beach State. He came to the Twins this offseason in exchange for some international slot dollars. The catcher is known for his great defense, but he put up some strong numbers in his final collegiate season. Alex Robles was the Twins 30th round pick last summer out of Austin Peay in Tennessee. He was a two-way player all four seasons, and he was really good as a pitcher. However, as a pro, he is likely to play around the infield. So, we’ll get to know four new members of the Twins organization. In addition, we will be joined by another member of the Minnesota Gophers baseball program. Senior third baseman Micah Coffey hit .340/.396/.493 (.889) with 15 doubles, two triples, four homers and 46 RBI for the Gophers. If you have any questions for any of these guests, please feel free to leave them in the comments below. I'll ask them during the show. If you are listening during the live show, I will also ask for questions on my Twitter feed, so you can ask questions there as well. You can listen live, or you can listen later. Either way, you'll want to listen and learn more about some Twins minor leaguers and more. PREVIOUS EPISODES While you're eagerly anticipating tonight's show, tune in to some of the previous episodes... Episode 1: Twins (LaMonte Wade, Stephen Gonsalves, Tyler Wells), Gophers (Luke Pettersen), MLB.com's prospect guru Jonathan Mayo. Episode 2: Twins (Aaron Slegers, Alex Kirilloff, Brent Rooker, Royce Lewis), Gophers (Toby Hanson) Episode 3: Twins (Bryan Sammons, Ryley Widell, Zack Littell, Travis Blankenhorn), Gophers (Alex Boxwell) Episode 4: Twins (Zack Granite, Nelson Molina, Lewis Thorpe, Josh Rabe), and Baseball HQ prospect guru, Chris Blessing. Click here to view the article

Shane Mack was awesome for 4+ years, but that has to be put into the discussion along with longevity. Hunter didn't have the offense, but he's got the defense and some career numbers that are nice. Allison has the longevity, though he loses some points because some of his better years were in the last few in Washington, and he had some of his older years later in his time with the Twins. I'd be OK with KIllebrew at 3B, Morneau at 1B and Carew at utility. Or Oliva at DH. Carew had the BA, the AS games, the longevity. Knoblauch was incredible, Good BA, terrific OBP. Great Defense. A ring. Dozier has the power, for sure... If he sticks around beyond 2018, he'll keep moving up the list.

Awesome to see Les Straker on the list. There was so much talk and consternation about who the #3 starter would be. Can you even imagine if they would have needed to try to figure out a fourth starter in the playoffs like teams do today? Uffdah! It's fun remembering these moments!!

I had nothing to do with how the Vikings played two weekends ago. And yes, I am not a fan of the Patriots. But mostly I just hope for a good game.

It is OK to hope for that... It's not going to happen, but it is OK to hope for it.

Minneapolis is the home to Super Bowl LII. OK, that’s enough about football… But, lots of baseball fans and baseball players are a fan of football, and millions upon millions will be watching the game on Sunday. As we have done the last few years, we have collected the predictions of many current, former and future Twins players. At this point, 85 players and other Twins personnel have sent in their predictions. We have predictions from 2017 draft picks, minor league veterans and several major leaguers including Denard Span, Danny Valencia, Mike Trombley, LaTroy Hawkins and more. So check out the predictions below if only for a walk down memory lane. There are some names that you’ll remember from the past. But first, here’s my prediction. That Eagles defense is legit. I predict three field goals for the Patriots, and a couple of second half touchdowns. The Patriots defense is not as good, but the Eagles will also be held to two field goals, but I think they’ll score three touchdowns. Eagles 27, Patriots 23. MVP - Jay Ajayi.Let’s get to the predictions you came to see, those of the Twins players and personnel from the past, the present and the future. Prospects, big leaguers and suspects, enjoy these predictions. Taylor Grzelakowski (Catcher signed in 2017, played in GCL) - 27-14 Patriots! Hector Lujan (RHP was the closer for Kernels in 2017) - The Eagles win without a doubt. The final score is gonna be 31-17. Tyler Watson (LHP acquired from Nationals in Brandon Kintzler trade) - The Patriots are gonna win 31-17. Sean Miller (infielder spent 2017 with Ft. Myers, then played in the Arizona Fall League) - Well this is a tough one! You can’t go against Tom Brady. I’m going to have to say the Patriots win 34-24. Joe Rosenstein (RHP signed in 2017, played in GCL) - I think it’s gonna be 34-30 Eagles with Nick Foles as MVP! Alex Perez (infielder split 2017 between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga) - I believe the Patriots will go back to back and beat the Eagles 24-17. Tom Brady wins again and hopefully rides off into the sunset and retires. Dolphin fans would much appreciate this… Bryan Sammons (Twins 8th round pick in 2017, pitched in E-Town and Cedar Rapids) - 28-24 Eagles. I think Nick Foles will step up and the Eagles defense will do what it's been doing all season. Jared Finkel (RHP was 2017 draft pick and pitched in Elizabethton) - 35-27 Patriots, I’m a huge Giants fan and I want Eli to be the only QB to take down Brady in the Super Bowl. Zack Jones (RHP was Twins 4th round pick in 2012) - Eagles 31-28 Trey Cabbage (3B/OF split 2017 between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids) - I don’t really have a preference, but I think the Pats will pull it out 27-17 Ethan Mildren (former Twins RHP prospect) - As a Steeler guy, it's tough to pick one of these teams, but I'll say 24-20 Eagles Casey Scoggins (former Twins OF prospect) - Eagles win 27-24. Tom Brady has an “off” game. Eagles fans climb light poles and celebrate into next season. Akil Baddoo (OF was 2nd round pick in 2017, split season between GCL and E-Town. Twins Daily Short-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year) - 21-17 Eagles. Jonathan Rodriguez (1B helped Chattanooga to share of Southern League title, recently signed with Marlins) - 27-17 Patriots winning. AJ Achter (RHP spent parts of 2014-2015 with Twins, Angels in 2016. He was just named the pitching coach for Eastern Michigan U) - I'll go Patriots 21-13. Patrick McGuff (RHP spent much of 2017 in Cedar Rapids bullpen) - Gotta go Patriots 34-17. Ryan O’Rourke (LHP dominated LHH for the Twins in 2015 and 2016 and missed 2017 with Tommy John surgery. Signed with the Baltimore Orioles) - Patriots 28 Eagles 3. Shane Carrier (OF split 2017 between Cedar Rapids and Elizabethton) - I’ve got the Patriots winning 23-20. Alex Meyer (former Twins pitcher traded to Angels. Recovering from shoulder surgery) - I’ll go with the Pats 31-20! Brent Rooker (OF was 2017 draft pick and hit 18 homers between E-Town and Ft. Myers) - 31-23 Pats. Eagles will lead 17-10 at halftime, Brady throws 3 TD’s in the 2nd half. Travis Harrison (former OF prospect of Twins) - I have the Patriots winning 24 17. Tom Brady is the best of all time. As a Cowboy fan, I can't stand the Eagles. Trevor May (RHP for Twins 2014-2016. Missed 2017 with Tommy John. Will return in 2018) - 27-17 Pats. David Banuelos (Catcher acquired from Mariners for international slot money) - I’m going to say Eagles are going to win 24-21. Travis Blankenhorn (2B/3B prospect spent 2017 with Cedar Rapids) - 28-24 Patriots. I want the Eagles to win, but I can’t bet against the goat Tom Brady. Zack Granite (Twins OF made his MLB debut in 2017) - 27-17 Pats. Dick Bremer (The TV voice of Twins Baseball for Fox Sports North) - With a moderate degree of certainty, I'm predicting the Patriots will win 24-10. With absolute certainty, I'm predicting that I will ignore the halftime show for the 52nd consecutive year. Landon Leach (RHP was Twins 2nd round pick in 2017, pitched in GCL) - I’m predicting 28-24 victory for New England Patriots. Trey Vavra (former Twins prospect) - I’m out of the loop but here’s a guess, 35-31 Patriots? Alex Robles (infielder was Twins 2017 draft pick after hitting and pitching in college) - Although I’m hoping the Eagles prove me wrong, I’m gonna go Patriots over Eagles 31-24. Mat Batts (former Twins LHP prospect) - Patriots 30-17 Todd Van Steensel (RHP pitched for Chattanooga in 2017) - Patriots 31, Eagles 17 - I don’t know much about football, but I know Brady wins Super Bowls when he isn’t playing the Giants. Kevin Garcia (catcher played mostly in 2017, a little in AA) - Not going to lie, I think Brady is unstoppable in the playoffs. Now, the Eagles defense has been doing a great job but without their starting QB, I have to take the Patriots. 24-20 Patriots. Taylor Rogers (Twins LH Relief Pitcher 2016, 2017) - Since it’s not the broncos let’s go Patriots by 3. 27-24 Luke Bard (Twins RHP prospect, Angels Rule 5 pick) - 24-27 Eagles! Randy Dobnak (signed in 2017, RHP pitched for Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids) - 35-24 Patriots. The GOAT Tom Brady will once again be on top, connecting with Gronk for 2 TDs. The Eagles may score first, but the Patriots will tear through the defense mostly during the 2nd half! Andrew Bechtold (2017 draft pick played in Elizabethton) - 27-17 Eagles!! Nick Foles leads Philadelphia to its first super bowl in franchise history, eagles defenses shuts down the great Tom Brady who after the game considers retirement from the beat down he just received by the Eagles D line, Doug Peterson wins coach of the year. Eagles fans flood the streets of Philly all week for the biggest party in US history, go birds baby!!! Logan Darnell (Twins LHP, debuted in 2014)- Eagles -28 O’Rourke/Pats-20 - I think between the regulated footballs, no spy cameras, and even officiating, we have a backup QB take his team to a Super Bowl win, much like the college football championship! Virgil Vasquez (RHP pitched for Tigers, Pirates, then pitched in Twins system in 2013, 2014, about to start his 3rd season as GCL pitching coach) - Low scoring first half, both teams come out firing second half. Foles struggles to throw tough passes and ends up throwing a pick, costing the Eagles the game. End score Patriots 27-21 Eagles. Brady = G.O.A.T. Zach Featherstone (2016 draft pick as hitter, transitioned to the mound in 2017) - I’m going 31-23 Patriots. You just can’t bet against Tom Brady and Bill Belichick. It’s hard to go against the best. Mike Trombley (RHP worked 365 games for the Twins between 1992 and 1999, and briefly in 2012) - I’m a New England guy. Pats roll 31-17. Robbie Incmikoski (former Fox Sports North sideline reporter, now with ROOT Sports in Pittsburgh) - I'm gonna take the Eagles, 24-21. That was the score of Super Bowl 39 when the Pats beat Philly. Plus, Tom Brady gets there pretty much every year anyways....and it's time to parade down Broad Street! LaTroy Hawkins (RHP for Twins from 1995-2003 before pitching for 11 other teams until 2015. Twins Special Assistant to Baseball Operations) - 27-21 Patriots. Lewis Thorpe (Australian LHP returned to the mound in 2017 after Tommy John surgery) - Patriots by 14. Jacob Pearson (2017 draft pick by Angels, acquired by Twins for international slot money) - Patriots 34-30. Cody Stashak (Twins RHP prospect split 2017 between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga) - 24-17 Eagles. Eagles fan so I’m going with them. DJ Baxendale (Twins RHP prospect split 2017 between Rochester and Chattanooga) - Brady is gonna need another finger! Go Pats! 27-21. Steve Singleton (Twins infield prospect 2006-11, hitting coach for Ft. Myers) - Eagles 32, Patriots 31. David Hurlbut (Twins LHP prospect 2011-2017. Spent 2017 in Rochester. Signed with Texas)- Patriots over Eagles 24-20. Tyler Wells (Twins RHP prospect, spent 2017 in Cedar Rapids) - 17-24 Patriots! Aaron Slegers (Twins RHP prospect since 2013, debuted in 2017) - Pats by 7. Joe Cronin (Twins infield prospect spent 2nd half in Cedar Rapids, with one game in Ft. Myers) - Pats 27 Eagles 21. Go Pats. Michael Quesada (former Twins catching prospect is now a scout for Twins)- 20-17 Patriots. Dallas Gallant (Twins RHP prospect 2010-2015) - I’m saying the score is going to be 31-21 Patriots. Cory Provus (Twins radio voice) - 28-17, Pats. Danny Valencia (former Twins infielder from 2010-2012. Six teams since then.) - Tom Brady is my guy!! They are winning 28-21. Bryan Haar (former Twins infielder 2012-2015) - I am predicting/hoping the Eagles win 34-24. Keaton Steele (Twins RHP prospect, split 2017 between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga)- 30-24 Pats. Gregg Olson (14 year reliever, Olson pitched in 11 games in 1997) - Patriots 28-24. Kolton Kendrick (Twins 1B prospect played for Elizabethton in 2017) - 24-17 and I don’t know, this is a tough one between the Patriots and Philly, but I think I’m going with Patriots. Dave St. Peter (Twins President) - 35-21 Pats. Way too much Brady & Gronk. Tanner Vavra (former Twins infield prospect) - You can put me down for Philly 27-21 I want to see a new champ. Callan Pearce (Twins RHP prospect missed 2017 with arm injury) - My predictions for this years Super Bowl is -> Patriots 43 - 28 Eagles. This is nothing new for Tom Brady. Brandon Lopez (Twins infield prospect split 2017 between Cedar Rapids and Ft. Myers) - I’m going to go with 21-17 Pats. Dalton Hicks (Twins 1B prospect, 2012-2016) - I'm riding with the Goat! #31-21 #goodguys #Patriots Chris Colabello (Twins 1B/DH in parts of 2013 and 2014) - Pats 31-27. Matt Fox (pitched one game for Twins in 2010) - 31-27 Patriots - I’d like to take the Eagles in this contest, as I am extremely tired of the Patriots winning ways, but after watching “Tom vs. Time” and witnessing how obnoxious Eagles fans are, Go Pats! Grant Balfour (Twins RHP from 2001-2006, also pitched for Rays and A’s) - I got the Patriots winning this one 31-24! Trevor Hildenberger (Twins RHP debuted in 2017 and was team’s Top Rookie) - Patriots 28-24 - I got no other guesses except the Patriots will win again. (sigh*) Clark Beeker (Twins prospecet pitched mostly in Cedar Rapids in 2017) - Patriots- 27, Eagles- 20 - Brady/Belichick go down as the best to ever do it. Angel Morales (Twins OF prospect 2007-2013) - I’ll say Patriots 32-27. Steven Blevins (Twins RHP prospect 2008-2010) - Patriots 31-21. Ryley Widell (Twins LHP prospect and 2017 draft pick, pitched at E-Town) - 24-17 Patriots - The Eagles D will come off strong in the two quarters. However, the Pats will come out strong after halftime to get the win. Alex Kirilloff (Twins top pick in 2016, missed 2017 with Tommy John) - Patriots 38 - Eagles 31! Denard Span (Twins top pick in 2002, OF played for Twins from 2008-2012, Nationals, Giants since) - Eagles 28-24. Tommy Watkins (Twins minor leaguer 1998-2009, hit .357 in nine games for Twins in 2007. Hitting coach in minors, managed Cedar Rapids in 2017. Will manage Chattanooga in 2018) - I’m pulling for the Eagles because of family (Jaylen Watkins) so I’m gonna say it’s an upset Eagles win 24-20. Caleb Hamilton (Twins 2016 draft pick, moved to catcher in 2017, but he can play all over the diamond.) - 28-21 Eagles. All aboard the Nick Foles train! Dan Osterbrock (former Twins LHP prospect, 2008-2011) - Patriots 31 Eagles 21 with Tom Brady winning the MVP. Christian Cavaness (Twins OF prospect spent 2017 in Cedar Rapids) - Patriots 28, Eagles 17. The red zone defenses for both teams is what will be the difference maker. Nick Anderson (Minnesotan is a RHP prospect who split 2017 between Ft. Myers and Chattanooga) - My prediction is 34-17 in favor of the Patriots! “Brady is too good!” Charlie Barnes (2017 draft pick, the LHP pitched for Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids) - 31-24 patriots, Tom Brady pulls it out in the 4th quarter Jeff Manship (RHP for the Twins, 2009-2012) - I predict the Patriots to win by a score of 24-17. Hopefully I'm wrong and the Eagles win. Pat Dean (LHP for 19 games for the Twins in 2016 after being a 3rd round pick in 2010. Pitched in Korea in 2017, will again in 2018) - I'm taking the Pats with a score of 23-17. Chris Mazza (former RHP in Twins system, currently with Marlins, heading to his first MLB spring training) - Eagles 24, Patriots 20. Jake Reed (Twins RH RP prospect, split 2017 between Chattanooga and Rochester) - EAGLES!!!!! UPDATE - Patriots 64, Eagles 21. (This page will be updated through the kickoff of Sunday's game. Check back often. And, let us know below who you think will win on Sunday.) Click here to view the article

I mean, I think Pascual, Morneau, Gaetti and Perry, yes... Gladden? he's nowhere near the Top 20 (in my opinion).

Yup, if this list was the Top 15 players in Minnesota Twins franchise history, instead of the Top 15 Minnesota Twins Players, Walter John would have been high on the list.

I would say that Gaetti was probably next on the list, along with Perry and Pascual... The thing about Gaetti is his defense was fantastic at the hot corner too. Maybe the CF thing is why I went with Torii.

Fair point to argue for Pascual... The difficulty there is that he only spent six years with the MINNESOTA TWINS. He spent so much time with the Senators, which of course were the Twins before they were the TWins, but these lists (for me at least) are just for the Twins. That said, in his Twins years, he went 88-57 with a 3.31 ERA. His ERA+ was 116 which would put him ahead of a few on this list. Of course, then I'd have to make a case for Jim Perry probably too who had a greater WAR with the Twins, a similar ERA+ and 600 more innings pitched, and a Cy Young. That's the fun, for me, of these lists... discussing and remembering the names so they aren't forgotten.

On Tuesday night at the Star Tribune, 12 writers posted their choices for the Top 10 Minnesota Vikings in the team’s long history. The Vikings came to Minnesota in 1961, the same year that the Minnesota Twins came to Minnesota from Washington (where they were the Senators). Both organizations have long histories and traditions. With the Super Bowl in Minneapolis on Sunday, football has been the primary topic in the state, and it likely will be for the rest of the week. But today I thought it would be fun to post my choices for the Top 10 Twins players of all-time. In fact, just to be a little different, I’m going to post my Top 15 Twins prospects.In April, Aaron Gleeman’s book The Big 50: Minnesota Twins will become available; (pre-order a copy today). In it, you’ll find stories and information on the best players in Minnesota Twins history as well as some of the great stories in the franchise’s years in Minnesota. Now, I’m looking forward to it to see how his top 50 all-time Twins players rankings end up. And, I want to see how his list compares to mine. And, I want to see how my list compares to yours. Give it some thought and rank your top 10 or 15 Twins players in the comments below. ----------------------------------------------------------- 15 - Torii Hunter - bWAR: 26.2, OPS+: 103 Hunter ranks seventh in Twins history in games played, plate appearances, hits and RBI. His 214 home runs in a Twins uniform rank fifth in team history. And yet, it is his defense that made him a star. With the Twins, he won the first seven of his nine Gold Gloves. He returned to the Twins in 2015 after seven years away and was a big part on a Twins team that finished over .500. Imagine how much higher up this list he’d be if he’d stayed. 14 - Frank Viola - bWAR: , ERA+: 111 Viola debuted with the Twins in 1982 and was a fixture in the team’s rotation until he was traded to the Mets at the deadline in 1989. After going 11-25 in his first two seasons, Viola went 101-67 over the rest of his Twins career. He was an All-Star just once. He was the MVP of the 1987 World Series when he won Games 1 and 7. In 1988, he went 24-7 and won the AL Cy Young Award. He was a given for 35 starts and about 250 innings a season. 13 - Bob Allison - bWAR: 30.5, OPS+: 131 Allison made an incredible catch during the 1965 World Series, but he was best known for his bat and his power. A big, burly power hitter, Allison is currently number six on the Twins home run list with 211, just behind Hunter. Allison was an All-Star at the AL Rookie of the Year in 1959 with the Senators. He played in two All-Star games as a member of the Twins. 12 - Joe Nathan - bWAR: 18.4, OPS+: 204 His WAR may not stack up, but his dominance is unquestioned. He became the Twins closer when he arrived in 2004, and went on to record 260 saves, passing Rick Aguilera for the team’s record. His season ERAs from 2004 through 2009 were 1.62, 2.70, 1.58, 1.88, 1.33 and 2.10. In fact, if not for Mariano Rivera, more people might call Joe Nathan the best closer of the era. He struck out 30.7% of batters faced during his Twins tenure, more than 10% more than Aguilera, Al Worthington and Eddie Guardado, the next three relievers on the list. Recently retired, Nathan was a guest at the Twins Daily Winter Meltdown this year. 11 - Chuck Knoblauch - bWAR: 37.9, OPS+: 114 The Twins #1 pick in 1989, he joined the big league club by Opening Day 1991. He jumped in as the team’s leadoff hitter, won AL Rookie of the Year and helped the Twins to their second World Series championship. In his seven seasons with the Twins, he hit .304 and got on base 39% of the time. He played in four All-Star Games, and he won two Silver Sluggers and a Gold Glove Award in a league that included Roberto Alomar. 10 - Jim Kaat - bWAR: 31.7, ERA+: 112 “Kitty” had pitched in 16 MLB games with the Senators before the team came to Minnesota in 1961. Kaat was an All-Star in 1962 and 1966. He won 12 AL Gold Glove awards as a member of the Twins organization (and the team’s annual award for best defensive player is named after him). After being traded to the White Sox in 1973, he won 20 games for them in 1974 and 1975. Kaat was a key cog in the Twins 1965 World Series appearance. He went 189-152 with the Twins. That’s 40 more wins than the #2 on the list. He is Top 5 in many Twins pitching categories. Recently the Twins named him a Special Assistant. 9 - Brad Radke - bWAR: 45.6, ERA+: 113 Radke quietly was one of the best pitchers/players in Twins history. Always calm and poised, Radke threw a ton of strikes, mixed in a great changeup to go with a low-90s fastball. He is second all-time on the Twins list in number of starts, and he’s number three in number of innings pitched. His 148 wins is third, one behind Bert Blyleven. He won 20 games on a 1997 Twins team that won just 68 games. During a two-month stretch (12 starts), he went 12-0 with a 1.87 ERA. He finished third in Cy Young voting and made the All-Star team the next season. Overlooked because he played on some bad teams, Radke was a stabilizing force in Twins rotations for a dozen years. Shoulder issues caused him to retire after his age-33 season. 8 - Bert Blyleven - bWAR: 49.3, ERA+: 119 Blyleven came up to the Twins as a 19-year-old in 1970 and went 10-9 with a 3.18 ERA. Over his next five seasons, he won 16, 17, 20, 17 and 15 games. In those years, he posted ERAs of 2.81, 2.73, 2.52, 2.66 and 3.00. It was definitely an era for pitching, and Blyleven was one of the best at the time. He was traded in 1976 and returned in 1985. He was a key veteran starter for the Twins in that 1987 World Series championship. He went 148-139 for the Twins in his career with a 3.28 ERA. He was elected to baseball's Hall of Fame. 7 - Johan Santana - bWAR: 35.5, ERA+: 141 Santana came to the Twins in the Rule 5 draft and became one of the best pitchers in baseball. He spent his first couple of years in the Twins bullpen. When he went down to AAA his second year, he worked with Bobby Cuellar on his changeup and the rest is history. He became a starter in 2004, went 20-6 with a 2.61 ERA and won the Cy Young. He should have repeated as Cy Young winner in 2005 when he went 16-7 with a 2.87 ERA. Then in 2006, he won again after posting a 19-7 record and a 2.77 ERA. He led the AL in ERA twice, in WHIP three times, and in strikeouts three times. In his four Twins years as a starter, he averaged 228 innings. He went to three All-Star Games, finished Top 5 in Cy Young voting each year. He was traded to the Mets before the 2008 season. Last month, the Twins announced that he’s been elected into the team’s Hall of Fame. 6 - Kent Hrbek - bWAR: 38.4, OPS+: 128 The kid from Bloomington spent all 14 of his big leagues seasons with the Twins who retired his #14. His 293 home runs are second only to Harmon Killebrew in team history. He is in the Top 5 in most Twins offensive categories. He hit .282 and got on base nearly 37% of the time. He played in just one All-Star Game, and he finished second in Rookie of the Year voting in 1982 and second in the MVP race in 1984. He was a key cog in the two Twins World Series championships. 5 - Tony Oliva - bWAR: 43.0, OPS+: 131 Oliva won the AL Rookie of the Year in 1964. He won the batting title his first two seasons and a third one in 1971. He was an All-Star his first eight seasons and finished second in AL MVP voting twice. He led the league in hits five times and doubles four times. His 220 home runs rank fourth in team history. Unfortunately in 1972, a major knee injury curtailed his career. When he returned, he was the team’s DH, and he still hit well, just not to the level he had before the injury. He was the Twins hitting coach in 1987, and his uniform #6 was retired. 4 - Joe Mauer - bWAR: 53.4, OPS+: 126 As Mauer enters his 15th season with the Twins, the St. Paul native finds himself in the Top 5 in many Twins offensive categories. He has hit .308 and been on base over 39% of the time during his career. Mauer won the AL MVP in 2009 when he led the league in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. He has been an All-Star six times, won five Silver Slugger Awards and three Gold Glove Awards. He was putting together another monster season in 2013 when he suffered a concussion. He has not regained his form, though he had a strong 2017 season. 3 - Kirby Puckett - bWAR: 50.9, OPS+: 124 Puckett emerged on the scene for the Twins in 1984, and he led the Twins to their two World Series championships. A career .318 hitter, he got on base 36% of the time. He made his first All-Star Game in 1986 and then played in each of the next ten. He finished in the Top 10 in MVP voting seven times. He won six Gold Glove Awards, and he also won six Silver Slugger Awards. He is Top 5 in many Twins offensive categories and no Twins player has scored more runs or had more hits or doubles than Puckett. His career came to an abrupt end before the 1996 season and he was inducted into the baseball Hall of Fame in 2001. 2 - Rod Carew - bWAR: 63.7, OPS+: 137 Rod Carew was a hitting machine. He was named the AL Rookie of the Year in 1967. He was also an All-Star that year, and in the remaining 11 seasons of his Twins career. He won the AL MVP in 1977 when he flirted with .400, ending the year at .388 (with a .449 OBP). He won seven batting titles in his 12 years with the Twins and recently the award for winning the American League batting title was named in his honor. He is Top 5 in nearly all statistical categories for the Twins, and his bWAR is just about 10 wins higher than the #2 in that list, Harmon Killebrew. Carew ended his career with over 3,000 hits and earned his induction into Cooperstown. 1 - Harmon Killebrew - bWAR: 53.8, OPS+: 148 The Killer was a feared home run hitter during his career. 475 of his 573 career home runs came in a Twins uniform (and 84 came in a Senators uniform before they came to Minnesota). So, he is the Twins leader in home runs by 182. When he retired, he was in the Top 5 in MLB history in homers. He’s the team’s leader in RBI by about 250. He walked about 430 more times than Joe Mauer has in his career, and Mauer is #2 on the Twins list. It’s hard to believe, but Killebrew actually walked more than he struck out during his Twins career. For some reason, it took him four ballots to get into baseball’s Hall of Fame. So there you have my ranking of the Top 15 Twins of all-time… Be sure to add your Top 15. Who moves up? Who moves down? Who moves out, and who moves in? It should be a fun discussion as we continue to wait for offseason news. Click here to view the article

I would say opportunity hasn't been consistent, and that's part of what's led the play to be pretty inconsistent. You are right in that three of his four years look pretty consistent, but even within those seasons, he was inconsistent from month to month. He's fun to watch when things are going well, and then he'll have a three-week stretch that is tough to watch. I would rather go with him, at 27, than the 35+ crowd.