Seth Stohs

The Scottsdale Scorpions, who host Twins prospects this season in the Arizona Fall League, had a dominant week with a 5-1 record. They outscored their opponents 41-21 and Twins prospects had a lot to do with that. The Scorpions are now tied with the Salt River Rafters atop the Eastern Division at 9-6. Taylor Rogers had a fantastic start on Wednesday but was betrayed by his bullpen (not his fellow Twins prospects), one catcher continued his hot hitting, and Adam Brett Walker came up big in multiple games. Read on to check out how each prospect did in week two of the 2015 Arizona Fall League season!(links provided to each player’s overall stats by clicking their name) Adam Brett Walker – 4 games, 5-15 (.333), 3 R’s, 1 2B, 2 HR’s, 6 RBI, 1 BB, 3 K’s. Walker started the week off with a bang, collecting a home run and three RBI in his first two games. In Monday’s win, Walker punctuated the scoring with his three-run homer in the ninth inning to make the final score 10-3. He was also hit by a pitch in the game and singled in the seventh inning to reach base in three of six plate appearances. He struck out once. In his next game on Wednesday, Walker was even more pivotal for his team. His double in the fourth inning gave Scottsdale their first runs of the game and closed the lead to 4-2. He scoredthe third run when the next batter (another Twins farmhand) followed with a double. The inning ended with the game tied 4-4. With the game still tied in the sixth, Walker sent a blast into the left field bleachers for a solo home run that proved to be the game winner, as the Scorpions went on to beat Glendale 5-4. Walker also singled in the game to finish 3-4. For the rest of the week, Walker cooled off with an 0-3 day in Scottsdale’s 4-2 win on Thursday, and 0-4 effort in their 6-2 win on Saturday. But positives from those games included the fact he struck out only once and he also drew a walk in Saturday’s game. This is the type of week that one wants to see from Walker. Not many wasted at-bats, big impacts in a few games with his power, and clutch performances at that. Stuart Turner – 2 games, 2-7 (.286), 1 R, 1 2B, 2 K’s. Turner again made the start at catcher for the Scorpions in two games on the week, playing in the games on Wednesday and Thursday. On Wednesday he followed Walker’s double in the fourth inning with one of his own to drive him in and make the score 4-3, and came around to score the game-tying run on a single. He finished the day 2-4 with two strikeouts. In Thursday’s second consecutive win against the Glendale Desert Dogs, Turner was 0-3, but picked up an RBI when his fly ball in the second inning was turned into a force out of a runner at second base, but the runner on third scampered home. Turner had one base stolen on him in the two games, and did not get any other chances to throw runners out. Mitch Garver – 2 games, 3-9 (.333), 1 R, 2 RBI, 1 K. Garver saw action at catcher on Tuesday and Friday this week, and picked up hits in each contest. He has collected at least one hit in each of his five games on the season, and has two hits in four of those contests. His average stands at .409. In Tuesday’s 9-4 loss to Salt River, Garver picked up an RBI on a single in the seventh inning to make the score 7-2, but did not reach base in any other plate appearance. On defense, he caught one runner stealing second base in the seventh inning. In Friday’s 12-1 blowout win for Scottsdale against Mesa, Garver got the three-run fourth inning started with a double to right. He later scored on Christian Arroyo’s three-run homer to make the score 7-0. Then in the three-run seventh inning, his single brought the tenth run of the game for the Scorpions. He finished 2-5 with the double, a run scored, and an RBI. Nick Burdi – 2 games, 2 IP, 0 R’s, 0 H’s, 0 BB’s, 2 K’s, 0.00 ERA. Burdi made two appearances on the week, pitching the ninth inning in Monday’s 10-3 win, and the eighth inning in Friday’s 12-1 win. He was flawless, recording one-two-three innings in both appearances. On Monday, he struck out the first two hitters he faced, one looking and one swinging, and a fly-out ended the game. On Friday, he got a quick three ground ball outs on just seven pitches. He’s allowed just one hit and walked none in his brief appearances so far, striking out one per inning. Trevor Hildenberger – 1 game, 2.1 IP, 2 R’s, 4 H’s, 0 BB’s, 1 K, 7.71 ERA. Twins Daily’s 2015 Minor League Relief Pitcher of the year got in on just one game this week, and it didn’t go as well as Hildenberger may have hoped. He was tasked with going multiple innings early in the game. Scottsdale’s starter Antonio Romero left the game after collecting just two outs in the first inning, as three consecutive walks scored the game’s first two runs. Hildenberger ended the early bases-loaded threat by inducing a groundout. In the second inning, the lead-off man picked up an infield single, but was quickly erased on a double play ball, and another ground ball ended the scoreless inning for Hildenberger. Hildenberger’s third inning is where he ran into trouble as his workload was extended. He struck out the first batter of the inning, but a double, triple and single from the next three hitters brought in two runs and 4-0 lead for Glendale. He escaped the inning without any further damage by getting two more ground balls. Scottsdale came back to win the game 5-4 via the heroics of Walker detailed above. Jake Reed – 2 games, 2.0 IP, 1 H, 3 BB’s, 0 K’s, 0.00 ERA. Reed made two appearances on the week, pitching the ninth inning in Wednesday’s 5-4 win to pick up his first save and the ninth inning on Saturday to close out their 12-1 win. It wasn’t particularly pretty at times, but Reed got the jobs done with scoreless innings. On Wednesday, Reed ran into trouble with two walks and a throwing error that moved the first of those runners to second base, but got a double-play ground ball to end the game and pick up the save. On Saturday, a ground rule double and a walk put runners on first and third with two outs, but a ground ball to short ended that game as well. Reed threw thirty-six pitches in those two games, with twenty going for strikes and he did not pick up any punchouts. Taylor Rogers – 1 game started, 5.0 IP, 4 ER’s, 2 H’s, 2 BB’s, 3 K’s. 0.00 ERA. Rogers got the start in Tuesday’s 9-4 loss, but the loss wasn’t because of anything he did. He was effective and efficient in his five innings, leaving the game with his team up 1-0 and in line for the win before the bullpen imploded behind him. He allowed no runs on two hits and two walks, while striking out three to lower his ERA in the AFL to 3.46. He retired nine in a row at one point and did not really get into any trouble as he scattered the two hits and two walks. He finished the fifth inning with runners on first and second for the best chance Salt River had to that point in the game. QUICK HITS: - MLB.com’s prospect guru Jonathan Mayo was in Arizona this week, and filed a report on Twins prospects. His main topic, the focus on improved plate discipline for Adam Brett Walker. - More details of Walker’s monster day in the come-from-behind 5-4 victory on Wednesday. First line of the article: “Adam Brett Walker II is a strong man” (duh). - More Walker details from Twitter, as Seth tells you how far, and how fast, Walker’s home run from Wednesday’s game traveled, Bernie Pleskoff adds some confirmation, and another observer shows us just how far it went. Please feel free to ask questions and discuss the performances during the week! Click here to view the article

Certainly... Most of those will just be in the Forums, but if there's a decent name or something, we'll cover it more.

Several Minnesota Twins minor leaguers are playing in a Winter League abroad. We have been posting weekly updates from the Arizona Fall League, and Steve Lien will post this week's later today. But there are also players playing in Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Mexico and Australia. Check out how they've done in the early stages of the Winter Leagues.Venezuela Winter League The Venezuelan baseball league began about two weeks ago. Several Twins minor leaguers are playing. Here is a quick update of how they have done to this point. Shortstop Argenis Diaz is playing for Aragua. He is hitting .500/.571/1.000 (1.571). Sounds great, but he has just six at bats so far. He is 3-6 with a double and a triple. One walk.Infielder Jose Martinez is also playing for Aragua. He is 6-34, hitting .176/.222/.176 with two walks.Heiker Meneses plays for LaGuiara. He is hitting .208/.345/.250 (.595) with a double and two walks. He is 5-24.Engelb Vielma is also playing for Aragua. He is 9-47, hitting .191/.255/.234 (.489). He has two doubles, two walks and two stolen bases.Omar Bencomo was signed in early August by the Twins out of independent baseball. He is pitching for Margarita. He has made four starts and is 0-1 with a 3.60 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP. In 20 innings, he has given up 23 hits, walked four and struck out nine.Brett Lee has pitched twice for Caracas. The lefty is 0-0 with a 5.68 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP. In 6.1 innings, he has given up eight hits, walked two and struck out two.Logan Darnell has pitched twice, making one start. In 9.1 innings, he has given up four hits, two walks and struck out eight. He is 0-0 with a 0.96 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .121.Dominican Winter League Game has been played in the Dominican for the last two weeks as well. Carlos Paulino is playing for Gigantes. He has gone 9-28. He’s hitting .321/.457/.357 (.814) with a double. He has also walked seven times already.Jorge Polanco plays for Escogito. He is hitting .293/.396/.463 (.859). He is 12-41 with two triples and a home run. He has seven walks to go with just six strikeouts.Righty Adrian Salcedo pitched just once and went two innings. He gave up one hit, walked one and struck out three. He also got the Win in that game.Mexican Winter League The Mexican Winter League gets started pretty quickly following the major league regular season. To this point, two Twins minor leaguers have played. Reynaldo Rodriguez plays for Obregon. The first baseman is hitting .236/.313/.472 (.785). He has gone 17-72. He has three doubles, a triple and four home runs. He has also walked eight times.Mark Hamburger is also playing for Obregon. The reliever has pitched 10.1 innings in 13 appearances. He is 1-2 with a 6.97 ERA and a 1.94 WHIP. He’s given up 16 hits, walked four and struck out seven.Puerto Rico Winter League This is a short report. Games started in Puerto Rico this weekend and just one Twins player played so far. Danny Ortiz played for Mayaguez and went 0-5 on opening night. Australian Baseball League Teams is the ABL typically play Friday through Sunday. Often they play doubleheaders on Saturdays. The stats below are through Sunday afternoon’s games (even though it’s posted Sunday morning). Geography and time zone knowledge reminds us that they are 15-19 hours ahead of us in the United States. Here are the Twins minor leaguers who have played so far. There are several former Twins players who are also in the league including Luke Hughes who plays for Perth. Allan de San Miguel is the catcher and cleanup hitter for the Perth Heat. Through two weekends, he has hit .240/.296/.320 (.616). He has gone 6-25 with a walk and two doubles.Catcher Michael Quesada is playing for Sydney. He is hitting .235/.458/.294 (752) with a double. He is 4-17 with five walks. He has also been hit twice.Logan Wade played the first weekend, but not the second weekend, for Brisbane. He went 3-10 with a home run.Also playing for Brisbane is outfielder/second baseman Aaron Whitefield. He has not yet played in the States. He has started the season by going 8-26. He’s hitting .308/.308/.308 (.616).Tanner Vavra played for Melbourne. He has primarily played second base but also seen time at shortstop. He had a big game on Sunday afternoon. He is 5-18, hitting .278/.409/.500 (.909) with three walks, a double and a homer. He hit a home run on Sunday afternoon to tie the game at one. In his next at bat, with runners on second and third and two outs, he doubled in both runs.Trey Vavra also plays for Melbourne. He is playing first base and batting third. He is hitting .393/.414/.536 (.950) with a walk, a double and a home run. He is 11-28.As you recall, Joe Vavra – Tanner and Trey’s dad – became the first active MLB coach to also be a manager in the Australian Baseball League when he agreed to manage Melbourne. He had previously managed in the ABL back in the early 90s when he was a coach in the Dodgers farm system.Major League Baseball provides a lot of dollars for the ABL. The league is full of players from Australia, but it also includes players from minor league teams in the States and teams in Japan. We will post an update on the goings-on in the Winter Leagues from time to time. Please feel free to ask quest Click here to view the article

I'd say there is a very high likelihood of him getting there...

I can agree with that. I was a fan of Mark Funderburk... The reality, as I've said before, is that prospect ranking is not a science because we're dealing with people. Injuries happen. Players don't progress as anticipated. Tools don't become skills. No perfect way to do this... So there is really no wrong ranking.

Has nothing to do with the ranking... just background information.

You were at 5-6, so I gave you some room, and I took some as well. Ha!

I'd note, for those who aren't aware, SD Buhr is from Cedar Rapids and covered the Kernels in most home (and several road) games this year. In other words, he saw Gordon play about 100 games this year, and got to talk to him from time to time. His opinion on anyone from the Kernels is must-read. Alright, SD Buhr... We'll put a beverage at Bushwood on Gordon's career-high for home runs. I'll take over 10. Do you take the under?

If the Twins bring back Morneau, I won't be mad in the least... then again, I can't imagine getting mad about decisions other people make about baseball. I don't think it makes any sense for the Twins. I'd role with Arcia and Vargas. Leave DH for Plouffe, Sano, Mauer... maybe others.

We know Molitor really likes the potential and the tools of Danny Santana. Since Santana is out of options, we know that - unless he's traded - he'll be on the roster. I think his ability to play adequately at SS, 2B and CF, he can prove valuable as a guy who gets 250 at bats, and if there's an injury, you don't mind him playing most everyday for 2 weeks if needed. I'd have him come spring training and have him take grounders at all three infield spots and all three outfield spots.

Luis Arraez was in Part 1 (I think)... something in the 40s. The other two weren't top international guys, so we didn't include them. As I've mentioned, I typically haven't included players until they've played at least at the GCL level. Arias and Ynoa haven't. Both probably will next year, along with Javier. We (Jeremy, Cody and I) decided that due to Javier's international status and signing bonus, we would include him.

I actually agree with you Mike... I didn't get the Jay pick, but I'm also always happy to be wrong when I think like that. I don't know how his transition to full-time starter will go. No one does. We can all project, but we don't know. I think he's got the pitch mix to do it, but you never know. Garza was picked like 27th overall and was always a starter. Gibson would have been up within two years of being drafted if not for the Tommy John surgery. He was taken something like 21st. Wimmers was taken 22nd and he has fought injuries and such. I loved the idea of the Twins taken Kevin Gausman in 2012. Still like his potential. He got to the big leagues really fast, but it hasn't taken yet. What if they would have been more patient? I don't get so down on these things and I don't worry about how fast they get there because 1.) I can't control that, and 2.) I don't know what's best for them... I think Jay could be up next year if he's in the bullpen. If it's as a starter, I think it's in 2017 or 2018.

He's already well more than that... He''s not skin and bones. He's got plenty of room to grow, but he's not 160 anymore either. He's strong. I think if he can get to that 180-190 range, that would be great.

I would think that my top four should all be top 100s. Jay and Polanco are probably likely close.

I think Kepler will get a real chance for that to happen. However, he's 23, needs to play every day, so they won't and shouldn't call him up to platoon or play part time. For him to make it, he'll have to be the starter.

We’ve been counting down the Top 50 Minnesota Twins Prospects (at least my preliminary version of it) over the last two weeks. Finally, we are to the Top 5. These names are all familiar, probably no surprises. You already know a lot about them, but let’s get to it. Here are the top five Twins prospects. As always, please feel free to discuss these prospects in the comments below. Also, it’s time for you to come up with your top prospect list. Create a Blog here at Twins Daily and post your thoughts. Or, share your rankings in this forum.Previous installments of this prospect ranking: Part 1 (41-50)Part 2 (31-40)Part 3 (26-30)Part 4 (21-25)Part 5 (16-20)Part 6 (11-15)Part 7 (6-10)As a quick reminder, players eligible to be on this list include players who remain eligible for Rookie of the Year voting in 2016. That is to say, hitters with less than 130 at bats and pitchers with less than 50 innings. (The list is preliminary. Following research for the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2016 - which Cody Christie, Jeremy Nygaard and I are working on - I’ll provide my final Top 30 prospects list.) Top Prospects 1-5 #5 – Tyler Jay - 16 – LHP – Ft. Myers Miracle The Twins had the sixth overall pick in the 2015 draft. After selecting high school players with their first pick the previous three years, they went with a college pitcher. Tyler Jay was named the Big Ten Pitcher of the Year in 2015, his third season at the University of Illinois. He became the fourth pitcher in the Twins organization to have won that award (Glen Perkins 2004, Alex Wimmers 2010, Aaron Slegers 2013). Jay pitched primarily out of the bullpen, though he usually pitched several innings at a time. He will get an opportunity to start with the Twins, likely starting in Ft. Myers. That’s where he began his professional career after signing for just shy of $3.9 million. Overall, he went 0-1 with a 3.93 ERA and a 1.42 WHIP in 19 games. In 18.1 innings, he walked eight and struck out 22. But a closer look at the numbers is important too. In his first seven games, opponents hit .344 off and he posted an 8.10 ERA. Over his final 12 outings of the year, he posted a 1.54 ERA and opponents hit just .171. According to Jeremy Nygaard’s terrific 2015 Twins Draft Book, Jay has a fastball that sits 92 to 95 mph but can touch 98 at times. He has a mid-80s change-up, a low-80s slider and a high-70s curve ball. That pitch mix is certainly a big part of why many believe that he can make the transition to starter. As a starter, the Twins will be wise to be a little more patient. If he were to move to the bullpen, he could move quickly. Previous Top 30 Rankings: N/A #4 – Nick Gordon - 20 – SS – Cedar Rapids Kernels Gordon was the Twins first pick in 2014, the fifth overall pick, out of Olympia High School in Orlando, Florida. The son of former All-Star Tom Gordon and the brother of current All-Star and NL batting champ Dee Gordon, Nick has incredible genes and incredible tools. He’s not as fast as Dee, but he has well above average speed. He has a smooth, line-drive, gap-to-gap swing that gets through the batting zone very quickly. He should hit for average, but as he continues to grow and gain strength, he could develop into a 12-18 home run-a-year guy. Defensively, he is very solid. In over 1,055 innings in 2015 for Cedar Rapids, he posted a .966 fielding percentage. He has good range and a very strong arm. The sixth tool, plate discipline and approach, has also become something people discuss. Gordon is good and will continue to improve in that aspect. He walked in just over 7%, but he takes very good at-bats. Overall, he hit .277/.336/.360 (.696). Very solid numbers for a 19-year-old in the Midwest League. It is more impressive than it looks because he had a rough stretch early in the season. After hitting .318 over the team’s first 11 games, he hit .182/.243/.202 (.445) over his next 25 games. Over his final 99 games, he hit .299/.361/.399 (.760) with 21 doubles, five triples and a home run. On the year, Gordon stole 25 bases. He is a terrific athlete with all the tools and a very high baseball IQ. He has a chance to be the Twins shortstop for many years, but it is going to take a few years for him to get there. Be patient. Previous Top 30 Rankings: 2015 (4) #3 – Max Kepler - 23 – OF/1B – Chattanooga Lookouts/Minnesota Twins 2015 was an important season for Kepler. Not that the organization has not been plenty patient with him, but he began to show that some of those incredible tools would become skills. He responded with a season that earned him the Twins (and Twins Daily’s) Minor League Hitter of the Year. In 112 games with the Lookouts, he hit .322/.416/.531 (.947) with 32 doubles, 13 triples and nine home runs. Then he was named the Southern League’s Most Valuable Player. He added a couple of big home runs in the Lookouts championship run. Moments after that championship, Kepler learned he had been called up to the big leagues. He got just seven at-bats. On the final day of the season, he made his first start and got his first hit, a single to right off of Johnny Cueto. At 6-4 and 220 pounds, Kepler is very strong and has the potential to hit a lot of home runs. He combines that power with a lot of speed. He can play all three outfield positions, including center field, though he is more of a corner guy. He also is very good at first base. He has a pretty swing from the left-side and uses the whole field. His arm is a bit above average. On July 2, 2009, the Twins gave Kepler the highest signing bonus (at that time) to a European signee. He was 16 and came to the States. He finished high school quickly. He spent one season in the GCL and two in Elizabethton. Since then, it has been one level each year until this year in Chattanooga. Kepler is likely to spend a good chunk of the 2016 season in Rochester. However, with the adjustments he has made and the numbers he has put up, if the Twins have a need at 1B or in the outfield in 2016, don’t be surprised to see Kepler called up at any time. Previous Top 30 Rankings: 2015 (13), 2014 (9), 2013 (10), 2012 (18), 2011 (16), 2010 (29) #2 – JO Berrios – 21 – RHP – Chattanooga Lookouts/Rochester Red Wings The Twins had a supplemental first-round draft pick (32nd overall) in the 2012 draft thanks to losing free agent Michael Cuddyer. They used that pick on a skinny right-hander from Puerto Rico named Jose Berrios. He signed quickly. After posting a 1.08 ERA in 16.2 innings in the GCL, he moved up to Elizabethton and posted a 1.29 ERA in three starts, helping them to the Appy League title. In 30.2 combined innings, he walked four and struck out 49. The next spring, he pitched out of the bullpen for Puerto Rico in the WBC. He began his season late with Cedar Rapids. In 2014, he took a major leap forward statistically and in prospect rankings. He went 9-3 with a 1.97 ERA in 16 starts with the Miracle. He was promoted to New Britain and went 3-4 with a 3.54 ERA in eight starts. He also started for the World Team in the Futures Game at Target Field. He was named the Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year by Twins Daily and the Twins named him their Minor League Pitcher of the Year. In 2015, he was even better. He went 8-3 with a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts. He was promoted to Rochester where he was 6-2 with a 2.62 ERA in 12 starts. He was named the starting pitcher for the second straight year in the Futures Game. He was again the Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year and the Twins choice for Minor League Pitcher of the Year. Berrios’s stuff is well documented, and his work ethic certainly can’t be questioned. He has a fastball in the low-to-mid-90s. He has a very sharp curve ball. He also has a very good change-up. He has great poise and strong makeup. No question he was disappointed not to end his 2015 season with the Twins. It’s likely it will motivate him even more for 2016. He’s likely to start back at Rochester, but don’t be surprised if we see him in Minnesota before the All-Star break, possibly even by May. Previous Top 30 Rankings: 2015 (3), 2014 (7), 2013 (8) #1 – Byron Buxton – 22 – OF –Chattanooga Lookouts/Minnesota Twins/Rochester Red Wings Byron Buxton made his MLB debut in early June. It was clear that he wasn’t ready offensively as Doug Mientkiewicz said at that time. The 21-year-old struggled mightily with the bat in his big league debut. Even with a strong last few games, he hit just .209/.250/.326 in 46 games. He finished the season with 129 at-bats which means he will be eligible and a favorite for 2016 American League Rookie of the Year. After missing most of 2014 with a variety of injuries, 2015 was a very streaky year for baseball’s top prospect (or at least top two). Consider these streaks: First 12 Games: .180/.241/.300 (.541)Next 16 Games: .338/.395/.662 (1.056)Next 8 Games: .118/.143/.206 (.349) – includes a 3-hit game with a 2B & 3BNext 7 Games: .438/.486/.938 (1.423)Next 7 Games: .154/.290/.154 (.444)Next 8 Games: .467/.541/.567 (1.107)And that’s when he was called up to the big leagues. As we all know, a nemesis of his arrived. He injured his thumb after two weeks and missed about six weeks. He returned to play at Rochester where he hit in all 13 games he played. He hit .400/.441/.545 (.986) with three doubles, a triple and a home run. That’s the type of numbers he can put up in stints, though observers noted that he wasn’t exactly making solid contact during that stretch. However, Aaron Hicks went on the DL and Buxton was called back up. He struggled with the bat, but his defense is still very valuable to the team and specifically to the pitching staff. Buxton will remain the number one (again, possible #2) prospect in all of baseball going into the 2016 season. Some will look at his struggles in the big leagues and think he’s less of a prospect. Just no. He turns 22 in December. He has elite, world-class speed. He is elite defensively, and he has a plus-plus arm. Offensively, he is still projected to become a solid hitter for average, and as we saw late in the year, he has enough power to hit some long home runs. One was to deep left field, the other was just to the right field side of center field. He has good bat speed to generate that kind of power. He is patient at the plate, sometimes to a fault. The off-season will be interesting. Will Buxton begin the 2016 season manning center field for the Twins, or for the Red Wings? Either way, his future is very bright. Previous Top 30 Rankings: 2015 (1), 2014 (1), 2013 (2) So, what do you think of Part 8, the top five prospects? And how do you feel about the overall Top 50? Were there names missing? And again, please feel free to create a blog and post your Top 50 or leave one in this forum. Click here to view the article

True on both counts, though Kepler played well (arguably better than Rosario, who everyone got excited about) and no one said, he's ready. Walker isn't ready, but he is close. He's got a chance.

It's 8 games about about 30 plate appearances... we need to be pretty careful with the small samples. It's great that he's doing well. What would be better is if that walk rate can become sustainable.

I think it shows that it's a very important reminder that professional baseball players, particularly once you get to AA, can hit a 100 mph fastball... It's a great reminder that even those guys need a second pitch and control (and command) of them. Burdi, in my opinion, will be much better for it...

I think to say that Polanco has struggled at shortstop would be very fair. I've seen him play there, and I believe that he has the ability to be solid. He's got potentially slightly above average range, and we've seen David Eckstein and his arm win a World Series... So, I 100% think it's worth sticking with him at shortstop and the fact he's still just 22 says it's silly to give up on it. In fact, a lot of his errors came in small time periods. I think he had like 8 errors in his first 8 games with Rochester. He had a similar (Though not that bad) stretch at Chattanooga. Outside of those stints, he was probably fine. Like I said, I think he can become a decent MLB shortstop. I think the odds are just as good for him to be an MLB SS as it is for Santana. I think Polanco can be as good defensively as Escobar (which is solid, but not spectacular) and that's fine with me. But i also think it's fair to say that he has struggled.

I don't think that they're quite on the same path because Sano walks... but there are quite a few similarities.

Which is pretty typical of a 6-10. When 1-5 all have some (or to some level) question marks, and there are many #1 prospects in baseball history that don't make it, this is a decent group. Each of these 5 have legit question marks, to be sure. But each of them could have an impact in the big leagues with further development. I feel good about this group.

The FSL is known as a pitcher's league because of all the spring training, Major League sized stadiums. So I don't think assuming more strikeouts would happen, just more fly balls and stuff. I heard that batters still weren't making a lot of hard contact off of him.He's got a chance, but I dropped him at this point because of the lack of strikeouts.