Seth Stohs

With the reported (by Jerry Crasnick) signing of Drew Stubbs... I would have him replace Danny Santana (which will likely make a lot of people happy.

... in Chattanooga. Ha!

None of his tools jump out at you. He's got good speed, and he's a good outfielder, so he can play centerfield. But he's not as fast as guys like Buxton, Granite, English, etc.

I'd probably have Grossman DH against LH pitchers. 5th outfielder, and consider a RH hitting platoon option with Rosario... though I'm also fine with Rosario playing against lefties and righties. And, Kepler always hit lefties and righties pretty similarly in the minors. I know he didn't last year, but he's too young to start platooning.

I'd say it's more likely that one of the guys from the AAA list goes back to AA, but never know.

No, I just missed him. I added him after Baddoo and just before English...

I'd say that it all depends on the timing. If it's a 10-day thing, they probably wouldn't want to add anyone to the 40-man, so I'd say Granite makes the most sense. If it's longer than that, it may depend on the point of the season. If it's early, they may want Granite to keep developing and could add a Shuck or someone like that.

After beginning our Roster Projections last week with the Catchers, today we shift our attention to the outfield. It’s seemingly always been a position for which we say they have plenty of options and more in the future. And the future is now, though there are still several more outfield prospects coming.So today, let’s take a look at the outfielders throughout the Twins farm system. Minnesota Twins - Eddie Rosario (25), Robbie Grossman (27), Byron Buxton (23), Max Kepler (24 on Friday), Danny Santana (26) Center field will, hopefully, be covered by Byron Buxton for the next decade or more. After his strong September, the hope is that he will never spend another day in the minor leagues. His defense alone makes him incredibly valuable. Adding Jason Castro behind the plate helps the pitching and defense. Having Buxton patrolling center field is great for the pitching staff too. Max Kepler took over in right field at the beginning of June. He had an incredible weekend in Cleveland in early July, and he had some ups and downs throughout his rookie season. He also grew more comfortable in right field as the season went along. He was named the Twins top rookie. Left field is where there could be some competition, or at least some platooning. Eddie Rosario is the great athlete with the ability to be above average defensively. He showed that he can fill a box score during his rookie season in 2015, and his complete lack of plate discipline was taken advantage of by good pitchers in his sophomore season. Robbie Grossman came to the organization in May, in a move that got Rosario sent to Rochester for a while. Grossman took off immediately and even when he came down to earth, he still destroyed left-handed pitching. The problem, of course, is Grossman’s defense. Danny Santana can be the fifth outfielder and a pinch runner, if he’s still on the roster. Rochester Red Wings - Travis Harrison (24), Zach Granite (24), Daniel Palka (25), JB Shuck (29), Ryan Strausborger (28) JB Shuck has spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues. He’s got almost 1,100 MLB at bats. He can play center, though he’s better as a corner outfielder. Ryan Strausborger hit .200 in 45 at bats (31 games) for the Rangers in 2015. He hit just .235 in the PCL last year, though he missed time with injury. But hopefully a new group of prospects will get a lot of playing time in AAA. Zach Granite was the Twins choice for Minor League Player of the Year. He was the Lookouts leadoff man and center fielder almost every day throughout 2016. Like Buxton, Granite can play centerf ield due to his great speed. His speed can also wreak havoc on the base paths where he stole 56 bases in 2017. Daniel Palka was the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year after a season in which he hit 34 home runs between Chattanooga and Rochester. Blessed with tremendous power, he’ll need to make more contact, but he has a chance to be a very productive hitter. Travis Harrison has spent the last two seasons in Chattanooga. It’s time to send him to AAA Rochester. (Did You Know: Harrison can fly!) Chattanooga Lookouts - Leandro Castro (27), Jonathan Rodriguez (27), Tanner English (23), Edgar Corcino (24) Leandro Castro is a 27-year-old who spent eight seasons in the Phillies system including a couple of seasons in AAA. The last two years he has played in independent leagues. This winter, he hit .347 in Mexico. Another 27-year-old, Puerto Rican Jonathan Rodriguez, signed with the Twins this winter after spending the last eight seasons in the Cardinals organizations. He got his first taste of AAA in 2016. Tanner English missed two months of the 2016 season due to Lasik surgery and an ankle injury, but he came back with the Miracle, finished the season in Rochester and then played in the Arizona Fall League. He’s ready for the bump up to AA, and his defense is elite in center field. Edgar Corcino spent the second half of 2016. The tremendous athlete is very good defensively and puts together quality plate appearances. Ft. Myers Miracle - Daniel Kihle (23), Austin Diemer (23), LaMonte Wade (23), JJ Fernandez (22), Max Murphy (24) This is a group of outfielders who spent spent part of the 2016 season. Diemer began the season with the Miracle, getting time in each of the outfield positions before an injury curtailed his season. Minnesota native Max Murphy was promoted to the Miracle in late April. He also missed time due to injury. Daniel Kihle hit .259 in 49 games in Cedar Rapids before hitting .259 in 41 games with the Miracle. However, his on-base percentage and slugging percentages were better in Ft. Myers. He played all three outfield positions. LaMonte Wade got off to a fast start with Cedar Rapids in his first full season. He was a Midwest League All-Star and then moved up to Ft. Myers where he was even better. Unfortunately he missed a lot of time due to injuries. While Wade is probably best suited for left field, but he will most likely play a lot of center field again. JJ Fernandez has spent the last two seasons in Cedar Rapids. He hit just .225 and got on-base 29% of the time, but he hit 26 doubles and ten homers. 2016 was his first season without catching. He played a little first base, but he mostly played in the outfield. Cedar Rapids Kernels - Jaylin Davis (22), Christian Cavaness (22), Casey Scoggins (22), Alex Kirilloff (19), Shane Carrier (20), Hank Morrison (22) This group includes three players who spent time with the Kernels in 2016. It also includes four 2016 draft picks. Jaylin Davis made his pro debut in 2016. He began the season in extended spring training before hitting seven home runs in 12 games for the E-Twins. He moved up to Cedar Rapids where he hit another nine home runs in 52 games. Casey Scoggins was drafted in the 39th round last year, and after just a couple of games with the E-Twins, he moved up and became a key cog at the top of the Kernels lineup and in center field. Christian Cavaness split time between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids. Shane Carrier provides a bunch of power to the lineup. He was the eighth round pick last June and hit 14 doubles and six homers for the E-Twins. Alex Kirilloff was the top draft pick last year out of high school, and he got off to a fast start. He hit .351 through the first 42 games before his season ended with a .306 average. He had nine double and seven home runs before his season ended with elbow pain (which is fine now).Hank Morrison also could provide some power for the Kernels. He was limited to just 20 games in Elizabethton due to injury, but he has potential. Extended Spring Training - Matt Albanese (21), Isaiah Aluko (23), Akil Baddoo (18), Lean Marrero (19), Aaron Whitefield (20), Roberto Gonzalez (21), Jean Carlos Arias (19) Of this group, Roberto Gonzalez is the player who spent time in Elizabethton. He has immense power from the left side, though he’ll need to make more contact. Aaron Whitefield was one of the best players for the Twins GCL team in 2016, and he has been one of the best hitters in the Australian Baseball League this winter where he hit .338. Lean Marrero has five-tool potential, but he’s very young. He showed improvement in 2016 in the GCL and should move up to Elizabethton in 2017. Akil Baddoo was a comp pick in 2016 out of high school in Georgia. A tremendous athlete, he should move up to Elizabethton and get a lot of playing time. Jean Carlos Arias’s stateside debut didn’t go real well, but he has a high ceiling and will repeat the GCL. Matt Albanese was a 7th round pick last year out of college, but an injury cut short his season. He will make his pro debut in 2017. He’ll likely start in EST, though he could move up to Cedar Rapids before the short-seasons start. Top Prospects 1.) Alex Kirilloff 2.) LaMonte Wade 3.) Daniel Palka 4.) Akil Baddoo 5.) Zack Granite 6.) Tanner English 7.) Edgar Corcino 8.) Jaylin Davis 9.) Aaron Whitefield 10.) Matt Albanese 11.) Travis Harrison Which prospects are you most excited about in 2017? Which prospects may be on a bubble? What kind of seasons do you think that Byron Buxton and Max Kepler will have, but can Eddie Rosario and Robbie Grossman be a quality platoon combination? Which other outfielders do you expect to see in a Twins uniform in 2017? Please feel free to discuss and ask questions in the Comments below. Click here to view the article

With their fourth pick in the 2016 draft, the Minnesota Twins selected Tom Hackimer, a right-handed relief pitcher from St. John’s University in New York. He had been drafted in the 15th round in 2015, but he returned to college for his senior year. He works with a sidearm delivery that can keep hitters off balance. Recently, he took some time to answer questions for Seth.On signing, he was sent to Cedar Rapids where he posted a 2.39 ERA in 21 games. In 26.2 innings he walked 12 and struck out 26. He also recorded five saves. Tom Hackimer will be one to watch in 2017 and beyond. He has a chance to be a fairly quick mover. Feel free to share your thoughts or ask further questions in the comments below. Let the Q&A begin! Let’s get to know, RHP Tom Hackimer. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in New York, who (or which?) was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players? Tom Hackimer (TH): I grew up as a fan of the New York Yankees, and since I played shortstop for most of my career my favorite player was obviously Derek Jeter. SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities? TH: The best memory of my high school baseball career was easily when we won the city championship my freshman year. In high school, I also played basketball, as well as being a member of the Science Olympiad team and part of the school concert band and chorus. SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about St. John’s University that made you want to kind of stay home and pitch there? TH: I was a shortstop for all four years of high school and did not pitch a single inning in those four years. I was not recruited to play anywhere at all, but was given the option to walk on at St. John's and try to become a pitcher. I decided to take that opportunity since I had a full academic scholarship there anyway, and it ended up working out. SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career? TH: My father and brother were easily two of the most important people that helped me get to where I am, in more ways than I could possibly list. My former hitting coach, Bob O'Brien, was also instrumental in the opportunity that I got to walk on to the team at St. John's, so I would be remiss if I didn't take this opportunity to thank him as well. SS: Favorite baseball movie? TH: Major League, with Bull Durham as a close second. A Huge Thank You to Tom Hackimer for taking time to answer our questions today at Twins Daily. The righthander is certainly one to watch, particularly as he begins his first full professional baseball season. If you you have any questions, please feel free to ask. I can get back to Tom, or who knows, maybe he’ll answer himself. Click here to view the article

They were able to get him in exchange for 2 months of Fernando Abad....

I'd say that the Twins are trying to obtain depth of players that play defense. That was the decision with Castro. My guess is he'll be DFAd, hoping they can get him to Rochester. That way they have someone to be a backup middle infielder who can catch the ball if Polanco can't, or something else.

The Minnesota Twins announced on Monday that they have claimed infielder Ehire Adrianza from the Milwaukee Brewers. To make room on the 40-man roster, hard-throwing right-hander Pat Light was designated for assignment.Ehire Adrianza has spent parts of each of the past four seasons with San Francisco Giants. He was DFAd by the Giants late last month when the Giants signed Nick Hundley. The Brewers claimed him but then put him back on the DFA roller coaster. The Twins claimed him. He hasn't hit much in the big leagues, .220 over 154 games and 331 plate appearances. He primarily played shortstop and second base, but he also played a little at the corner infield spots. The 27-year-old could compete for the 25th man on the 40-man roster, or the Twins could keep the roller coaster going. Pat Light was acquired by the Twins at the July trade deadline last year for LHP Fernando Abad. Click here to view the article

Like I tweeted yesterday, I'm ready for the Twins to take Hunter Greene right now and get started... I can't wait to see his athleticism and arm take over and just see what he can become.

Agree on Melotakis... I like O'Rourke a lot, but I think Melotakis and Rogers can be long-term Twins bullpen guys. O'Rourke can pitch in the big leagues for a long time too. Minier... hasn't played anywhere but first base for two years, and his best position is probably DH. He's no longer in my Top 50, but he does have some power. Too early to give up on his bat though. Same thing with Stewart... way too early to give up on him... though I ranked him low at 13 too.

Tyler Wells with the exact prediction.... And Ryan O'Rourke was pretty much right too...

I would agree that it's not automatic that he's the backup catcher... His defense is actually very good.

I'd have no problem with Navarreto repeating... I think Murray needs to stay in Ft. Myers to start the season. Murray needs time behind the plate. He's got a lot of work to do. He's improved quite a bit already, but he still has a long way to go. Navarreto is advanced defensively, but he definitely could use more at bats.

I don't know enough about the Reds catching situation to know if he could be their backup or if he could be their third catcher. If he came back, he would likely go back to Chattanooga. I also don't think the Twins would be against bringing him back, though I'm guessing they're developing some reports on lots of Reds prospects too.

The Twins used their 35th-round pick last June to select left-handed reliever Austin Tribby out of the University of Missouri. He threw 31.2 innings over 16 appearances for Elizabethton. He went 5-0 and struck out 30 batters. The Springfield native went 10-0 with a 0.55 ERA during his senior season, and he also hit .340. Today, we get to know him a little more.Recently Twins Daily caught up with the southpaw to discuss his baseball career and much more. Seth Stohs (SS): Growing up in Springfield, Missouri, who was your favorite team to follow? Who were some of your favorite players? Austin Tribby (AT): Growing up, I was always a Cardinals fan. But, I started to follow the Royals too because they are from Missouri. I have had the opportunity to pitch at both stadiums in college. So that was a pretty cool experience. Some of my favorite players Chris Carpenter, Adam Wainwright and Greg Maddux. SS: What were some of the better memories of your high school baseball career? Did you play other sports or were you involved in other activities? AT: We made it to state my junior year, which was a great experience. I played football for three years until I signed with Mizzou, then I decided to just focus on baseball. SS: What was the recruitment process like for you out of high school, and what was it about Missouri that made you want to pitch there? AT: Recruitment was pretty slow because I was a late bloomer. But, it picked up after I had already committed to Mizzou. Growing up, I always wanted to play baseball at the Division 1 level. When I got the opportunity, I ran with it. I took a visit to Mizzou with my parents and sat down with the pitching coach Matt Hobbs. He basically said that the best players will play, and that they would love to have me play there. I think it was no more than a week later, I committed. SS: What was the experience for your at Missouri? What were some of your highlights and favorite moments in your years there? AT: I had a great experience. The bond that I made with my teammates will last forever. I made some of my best friends at Mizzou, and I will never forget that. Some of the highlights will always be playing at packed stadiums like LSU, Texas A&M, Arkansas, and Ole Miss. The atmosphere is incredible. SS: Did you have the chance to speak with many scouts before the draft? Where did you think that you might be drafted? What was your interaction with Twins scouts before the draft? AT: I talked to quite a few scouts, but I knew that being a senior meant that I just had to wait and see what happens. I actually had not talked in person to the Twins area scout, but filled out questionnaires for him. Again, being a senior it was a toss up. I'm very grateful that I got the opportunity. SS: When you did hear your name in the 35th round, where were you? What was your reaction and the reaction of those close to you? AT: I had just finished a very stressful round of golf with a couple of my good friends and my dad, we were listening to the draft and had just gotten back in our cars and my advisor sent me a text and it said "Twins" that's it. About two minutes later the Twins scout calls me and tells me they're going to draft me. It was the best day of my life. Playing baseball all your life, this is what you dream about. So one of my dreams came true. It was really special to have my Dad there with me. SS: What has the adjustment like for you, from the amateur/college game to the professional game, both on and off the field? AT: I tried to not think of it as an adjustment. I tried to think about it like, the game hasn't changed, it is still the game I've been playing my whole life. So I think that helped me keep it in perspective. But, getting to hear the National Anthem on the foul line, playing professional baseball always gives me chills. Every game. SS: What was your experience in Elizabethton, playing in the Appy League? AT: I had a great experience for my first year of pro ball, I had great roommates: Shane Carrier and Caleb Hamilton, and our host family was amazing as well. Growing up being a Cardinals and Royals fan, and getting to pitch against both teams was great. SS: What pitches do you throw, and what would you consider your out pitch? AT: I throw a 2 and a 4 seam fastball, a changeup and a curveball. I would say my curveball is my best pitch. SS: At this very early stage in your career, what would you say are your biggest strengths? AT: My biggest strengths, in my opinion, are my work ethic, and knowledge of the game. SS: What are the areas of your game that you have been working on improving in the offseason and going forward? AT: This off-season I coached a 16-17-year-old baseball team, and it showed me a different side of the game. It showed me how I needed to slow the game down and not let things get out of control. I have been working on the physical side as well as the mental side. Trying to put myself in the best shape possible for season. SS: Did you go back to school in the offseason? What is your major in school? AT: While at Mizzou, I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Health Science. SS: What are some of the things you enjoy doing away from the game of baseball? AT: I love to fish, golf, hunt, go hiking, and hangout with my friends and family. SS: Who are some of the people who have helped you get to this point in your career? AT: My mom and dad are my biggest supporters, they've always been there for me and been my biggest fans. Also all the coaches that I have had along the road who have given me the knowledge that I have today. My teammates who pushed me to be the best I could be, I wouldn't trade my teammates for the world. I couldn't be more thankful for the people I have in my life supporting me on and off the field. SS: Favorite baseball movie? AT: Easily, Bull Durham. Thank you very much to lefty Austin Tribby for taking time to respond to our questions. Feel free to leave comments or ask questions below. Click here to view the article

Vote here: