Seth Stohs

I'm just kind of curious what Byron Buxton and Nick Gordon are doing. I saw Buxton cheering on the guys during one of your videos. Is Gordon able to do any fielding or throwing yet? How about lewis thorpe? My assumption is that he isn't doing bullpens. How about Kohl Stewart? Is he doing bullpens and stuff? Shoulder seems OK?

You may be right. I'll be curious to get some more reports on what he was throwing in CR. Was he just cold? he was very good in ETown, but he was last year too. Also consider all of the SPs that were promoted to CR from ET (Hu, Gonsalves, Thorpe and Romero before that, Batts, Curtiss)...

Just to point this out... I'm not claiming my list is perfect. I like to, when the season is over, put together this preliminary Top 50 list to create a bunch of discussion. As I (along with Jeremy and Cody) write the Prospect Handbook, we learn a lot more about these players, look deeper into the stats, get scouting reports from various people. And, when the book comes out, we'll each include our new Top 30. I definitely encourage people to take this list and alter it and create your own as well. There's nothing wrote with Hicks and Lee being Top 30 guys. They're both legit big league prospects if things go well. Vargas is well over the 130 at bat limit. May should remain under the 50 IP limit, so he'll be on here.

That's why he is still in the 40s. If it were about just numbers, he'd probably be a bit higher. That said, a player can only play against the competition he's playing against, right? It just all factors in.

I was thinking the same thing... There are no less than 5 of these guys that I feel like I should have higher... but I don't know that I could put them ahead of the guys I have in the 31-40 range... But I think this shows the depth of the organization when these types of prospects are ranked this low.

Good suggestion. I just added the ages into the header for each player. It's a good idea because it adds some perspective.

Since the end of minor league season, we have handed out some minor league awards. On Monday, the Twins announced that Kennys Vargas and JO Berrios were named their choices for Twins minor league hitter and pitcher of the year in the minor leagues. Today I’m going to start a preliminary Top 50 Twins prospects list and welcome your feedback. Today, I’ll post Part 1: Prospects 41-50. Players eligible to be on this list include players who remain eligible for Rookie of the Year voting in 2015. 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 2015, I’ll provide my final Top 30 prospects list.) Top Prospects 41-50 #50 – Lewin Diaz - 17 – 1B – Dominican Summer League The 17-year-old was the Twins bonus baby when he signed for over $1 million in 2013. In 2014, he made his professional debut in the DSL. In 43 games, he hit .257/.385/.451 (.836) with 13 doubles and five homers. He walked 26 times and struck out 24 times. Still young, he has immense power potential. He should make his debut next season in the States, likely in the GCL. #49 – Ryan Eades - 22 – RHP – Cedar Rapids Kernels The Twins second round pick in 2013 out of powerhouse LSU, Eades spent his entire first full season in Cedar Rapids. It was a disappointing season for the 22-year-old right-hander. He went 10-11 with a 5.14 ERA in 25 starts. In 133 innings, he gave up 147 hits, walked 50 and struck out just 98. Eades has three solid pitches. He just really struggles with consistency, not only from game-to-game but often from inning-to-inning. #48 – Tanner English - 21 – OF – Elizabethton Twins/Cedar Rapids Kernels English was the Twins 11th round pick this June after three seasons at the University of South Carolina. He had previously been a 13th round pick out of high school in 2011. He signed late and then missed some time with a shoulder injury. However, at Elizabethton, the 21-year-old hit .316/.439/.474 (.913) with 10 extra base hits in 32 games. He was then promoted to Cedar Rapids for their second round playoff series. He is a good combination of power, speed and defense. #47 – Jonatan Hinojosa - 22 – IF – Cedar Rapids Kernels/Elizabethton Twins Hinojosa is all about speed and defense. The infielder has a good glove at all three spots. He is 5-11 and just over 150 pounds. He served a 50-game PED suspension early in the season and came back to play in Elizabethton. He was promoted back to Cedar Rapids where he finished with 20 strong games. He hit .341/.378/.494 (.872) in 92 plate appearances. Combined, he stole 23 bases in 27 attempts. #46 – Max Murphy - 21 – OF – Elizabethton Twins/Cedar Rapids Kernels Murphy is from Robbinsdale, Minnesota, and the Twins drafted him in the ninth round this year out of Bradley. Murphy is just shy of 6-0 and compactly built. He has good power and it was on display at Elizabethton. He was named the Appalachian League hitter of the year when he hit .378/.483/.723 (1.206) with seven doubles, two triples and 10 homers in 35 games. He was then promoted to Cedar Rapids where he came down to earth, though he did hit seven doubles and four homers in 32 games. #45 – Dalton Hicks - 24 – 1B – Ft. Myers Miracle Hicks was the Twins 17th round pick in 2012 out of Central Florida. He has been a big run producer since signing with the Twins. His grand slam in extra innings gave the E-Twins and Appalachian League championship in 2012. Hicks led minor league baseball in RBI in 2013 with 110. He spent 2014 in Ft. Myers where he hit .262/.344/.407 (.751) with 24 doubles, 11 home runs and 76 RBI. At 6-5 and about 250 pounds, Hicks is lumbering, but he has tremendous power. #44 – Jason Kanzler - 24 – OF – Cedar Rapids Kernels/Ft. Myers Miracle The 24-year-old spent four years at the University of Buffalo where he won two college Gold Glove awards. Kanzler’s can play above-average defense at all three outfield positions. He strikes out a lot, but he packs a lot of power. In 84 games at Cedar Rapids, he hit .286/.334/.448 (.782) with eight doubles, eight triples and nine home runs. He moved up to Ft. Myers where in 27 games he hit .267/.476/.430 (.906). His two-run homer in the tenth inning of the FSL championship series Game 4 gave the Miracle their first championship with the Twins. Overall, he had 32 extra base hits. He also stole 27 bats in 34 attempts combined. And, of course, we must Feat the Stache! #43 – Rainis Silva - 18 – C – GCL Twins After a year in the DSL in which he hit just .223 (.539 OPS), Silva came to the States right away in spring training. At 18 in the GCL, he hit .270/.294/.342 (.636) with nine doubles. He ended the season quite strong though. He is known more for his defense. He has good size and a strong arm. He threw out 39% of would-be base stealers in 2014. He also spent 10 games at first base and had just one error. #42 – Felix Jorge - 20 – RHP – Cedar Rapids Kernels/Elizabethton Twins It was an interesting season for Felix Jorge. He began the season at Cedar Rapids but struggled immensely, posting a 2-5 record with a 9.00 ERA in 39 innings (12 games). He was sent back to Elizabethton where he was the Appalachian League Pitcher of the Year. He went 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA. He is 6-2 and lanky. As he grows, he should add more velocity. 2015 will be a big year for Jorge as he attempts to show he can get Midwest League hitters out. #41 – Brett Lee - 24 – LHP – Ft. Myers Miracle Lee was the Twins 10th round pick in 2011 out of St. Petersburg College. He was a Florida State League All-Star in 2014 when he went 10-5 with a 2.45 ERA. He has good stuff and good control. However, his strikeout rate has dropped quickly. He struck out 9.9 batters per nine innings in 2012 at Elizabethton. In 2013 in Cedar Rapids, he struck out 6.9 per nine innings. In 2014, he struck out just 4.6 per nine. He has good stuff, so I suspect the numbers will continue to be solid and his strikeout rate will come up some. So, what do you think of Part 1, Prospects 41-50? Next up will be prospects 31-40. Click here to view the article

I pointed out on last week's Twins Hangouts podcasts that I'm hearing Chargois is hitting 97-98 on the radar gun in Instructs. That's rather encouraging!

Interesting idea.... Ha! I really enjoy this look into the Instructional League... it's an aspect of the minor leagues that we just have so little visibility to.

This is awesome!! Thank you so much for sharing all of the pictures and the great information.

On Friday night, the Twins announced that All-Star closer Glen Perkins will not pitch again during the 2014 season due to a left forearm strain and nerve irritation. He will also not pitch during MLB's tour in Japan.According to FSN's Tyler Mason, Twins Doctor John Steubs said that Perkins' ulnar collateral ligament "looks perfect." He also noted that the forearm strain will be managed with exercise and therapy. Earlier this week, Parker Hageman asked What was going on with Glen. Specifically, he wrote about his declining fastball velocity. Perkins has experienced this forearm issue before but not to this degree. The most important thing is that the UCL is intact. That is actually good news. He is expected to be ready for spring training. Click here to view the article

It's OK news... nerve issues are concerning, but not as much as ligaments.

Fair point... I can't disagree with that.

Since news broke last Friday, the Adrian Peterson situation has been at the forefront of national and local sports talk. Each day, there are new details that come out and take the discussion in different directions. A local sports “hero” has suddenly been cast into a new and different light (or darkness). Maybe this is a little déjà vu for some of us Twins fans.I was eight years old when Kirby Puckett was called up to the Twins. He pretty quickly became my new favorite baseball player. In all honesty, I’m thinking it was his name, at least at first. He was the speedy new centerfielder who was sure fun to watch. And within a couple seasons, he became one of baseball's best players. When the Twins won their first World Series in 1987, I was 12 years old. I had spent the summer playing baseball, wearing number 34. In 1991, I was a junior in high school and the Twins won the World Series again. There was The Catch against the plexi-glass. There was his “We’ll see you tomorrow night” moment. Puckett was full of charisma and clearly enjoyed playing the game of baseball. He was a hit machine. He was a perennial All-Star and one of the great ambassadors of the game. He was someone who was involved in charities, especially those that helped children. Then came spring of 1995, and his career was suddenly over due to glaucoma. I was 19 years old, in college, and the news was devastating. Kirby Puckett was my hero. He was the guy who I enjoyed watching through my formative years. I’m guessing the same can be said for many of my generation. In 2001, my dad and brother and I went to Cooperstown with some friends to watch Puckett (and Dave Winfield) get inducted into baseball’s Hall of Fame. That is certainly the pinnacle for any ball player’s career. It wasn’t long after his induction that things went tumbling downhill for Puckett. I’m not going to get into the details here. If you want, you can Google it. I was grown up then, but the news was still painful to read. Where did this come from? How could I have been so wrong? The situation now if very similar for Adrian Peterson and these fans. There are many kids in Minnesota and around the country who idolize Adrian Peterson. He is one of the best running backs to play the game. He did things that we haven’t seen before on a football field. Although his reputation had taken a few hits, he was generally considered a very good person who did a lot in the community. As horrible as this Adrian Peterson situation has been (and will continue to be), and as horrible as the Kirby Puckett news was, can we learn anything from them? Maybe the conversations about the Peterson situation can do some good. Maybe the conversations on talk radio and in the Vikings Journal forums can be productive. It can help define what is wrong and what limits should be. If even a handful of parents alter their thinking on using a switch or other extreme “discipline,” it will help those kids. If it can keep some people around the country from abusing a child, a girlfriend, a wife, the conversation is worthwhile. I agree with the old Charles Barkley commercial in which he famously said, “I am not a role model. I am not paid to be a role model. I am paid to wreak havoc on the basketball court.” In theory, that is correct. Teachers, doctors and parents should be the heroes of kids. In reality, kids who enjoy sports are going to look up to their favorite athletes. They will emulate the stars. They will try to replicate batting stances or touchdown celebrations or 360-windmill slam dunks (Well, maybe when they get older). I am now a parent of an eight-year-old. She’s not quite the sports fanatic I was at that age, but she knows a few Twins names and will occasionally watch part of a ballgame with me. What should we tell our kids? At one point, I thought it might be best to tell children not to have athletes as heroes and role models. I don’t really agree with that. I think it’s important to remember that a large majority of athletes are really good people who really do a lot of great work in the community. I've had the opportunity to meet several of the Twins players and minor leaguers and there are so many genuinely good people. I also think that does put some responsibility on the athletes to realize that kids are watching them. I would like to see a few top athletes take a stand and speak out against domestic violence, against other things and about being good people and role models. It’s also important as a parent to talk to your children and help them understand that what we see on the field and on TV is just a part of who these people are. The Twins players are more than just athletes. They have families. Some have wives or girlfriends, and some have kids. Like each and every one of us, they will make mistakes. We aren't perfect. When I am asked who my favorite baseball player of all time is, I still say that it is Kirby Puckett. And I say it easily and with no hesitation. If someone were to ask me who the best running back that I’ve ever seen in the NFL, I will tell them Adrian Peterson (though Bo Jackson might be the answer on the right days). And that’s OK. Click here to view the article

I'm positive in that, if he is healthy, he is a smart guy and will make some adjustments. He was very good until the last few weeks despite the lower velocity. If he's hurt, obviously at that point there is a concern.

Perkins will be just fine. Good fastball, very good slider. All relievers have their moments that last a couple of weeks to a month. It happens to the best. The concern is possible injury, and that's unpredictable.

Definitely a guy worth getting through the arbitration years with... I'm encouraged by the increased walk rate, though I'd definitely like to see that strikeout rate decrease. I think that will help with the batting average... and the on-base percentage. Like above, I'm not worried about the home runs. I am encouraged by the doubles... And the defense has been terrific. Increased errors (I believe) but overall, I think better.

Thank you for that comment. It's good to hear. It's hard to ignore the frustration that another 90+ loss season brings, but it'd just be silly not to acknowledge that there is also a lot of good happening on and off the field as well.

Another solid showing, Fellas!

There's too much negative in the world and around the 4-straight bad seasons with the Twins. I think it's good to remember that these are all people and the overwhelming majority are really, really good people. These are four examples, but there are many.

A discussion of the greatest players in Minnesota Twins history is certain to prominently include Harmon Killebrew. In the batter’s box, he was an imposing figure, capable of altering a game at any time. His name appears at or near the top of most statistical categories in Twins history. However, he was also known as a genuinely compassionate man, respectful and helpful. Recently, the Twins announced the Harmon Killebrew Award for Community Service, given to one Twins minor leaguer at each of the four four-season affiliates. Each affiliate’s GM nominated a recipient who exemplifies Killebrew through his work in the community.Twins Daily would like to congratulate the 2014 Harmon Killebrew Award winners: Rochester Red Wings – Logan DarnellNew Britain Rock Cats – Tony ThomasFt. Myers Miracle – Tim ShibuyaCedar Rapids Kernels – Tanner VavraTwins Minor League Director Brad Steil said, “In partnership with our minor league affiliates, we encourage our players to be active in their community and emphasize the importance of having a positive impact in society beyond the playing field. In the minor leagues, our players take part in all kinds of activities, including school reading programs, hospital visits, working with disabled youth and youth baseball clinics. These experiences help our players understand responsibility, compassion and giving back. Ultimately it helps them mature and grow as people.” Here is a little bit more on each of the winners. LOGAN DARNELL It was an exciting year for the left-hander whom the Twins drafted in the sixth round in 2010 out of the University of Kentucky. Following the 2013 season, the Twins added him to their 40 man roster. He went to big league camp in February before heading to Rochester to start the season. On May 2, Logan Darnell was promoted to the Minnesota Twins and four days later he made his debut with three perfect innings out of the bullpen. It was his lone appearance during his two-week stint with the Twins before heading back to Rochester where he remained until he was a September call-up. With the Red Wings, he went 7-6 with a 3.60 ERA. However, he also was important to the community of Rochester which is why he was the winner of the award. Recently Logan Darnell told Twins Daily, “It’s a great honor to get (the Killebrew Award). After baseball, it’s things like this that I’ll remember more than any athletic awards.” Minor league players are encouraged to participate in various activities in the community during their seasons. Darnell said that he “did a lot of camps, and whatever they asked us to do.” However, he certainly had a project that he was very proud of supporting. “My favorite was working with an organization called Mary Cariola which is a school for kids that were born with disabilities. It is a great thing they do at that school. It makes you realize that sports aren’t everything, and you can make their day just by showing up.” (Learn more about the Mary Cariola Children’s Center on their website or on Twitter.) TONY THOMAS 28-year-old Tony Thomas signed a minor league contract with the Twins shortly before spring training. He was the Cubs third round pick in 2007 and stayed with them through the 2010 season. He spent 2011 through 2013 with the Red Sox organization where he primarily played for AAA Pawtucket. He was sent to AA New Britain where he was an Eastern League All-Star in 2014. He did a little bit of everything for the Rock Cats. He played 53 games at second base, 33 games at shortstop and three games at third base. He also played 27 games in left field and 12 games in right field. At the plate, he hit .241/.302/.411 (.712) with 29 doubles, six triples and 12 home runs. Thomas was quite active in various community activities in New Britain. He said, “I have been to the Children’s Hospital. I have done a few baseball camps and clinics in our stadium and offsite, going to Little Leagues. Also, I went to the public library to read to kids.” Though Thomas was new to the Twins organization and never met Killebrew, he understands fully the meaning of this award. “To win any award named after a Hall of Famer is an honor in itself. To win one named after Harmon Killebrew in the Twins organization is unbelievable. The man took pride in what he did, and it showed in his performance on and off the field. It makes me proud to be in the Minnesota Twins organization.” TIM SHIBUYA Tim Shibuya was the Twins 23rd round pick in 2011. He began this season in Ft. Myers where he went 7-4 with a 3.64 ERA. He made 28 appearances, including 10 starts. He was willing to pitch in a variety of roles for Doug Mientkiewicz’s Miracle staff. His season ended prematurely with an arm injury, but his work in the community continued. The Miracle have an event every year that players really enjoy. They host an annual special needs camp. Shibuya noted, “The entire Miracle team worked a special needs camp with the Dave Clark Foundation. About 30 kids came out for this camp and we were all blown away by the kids and their families. It was a great experience, one none of us will forget about anytime soon. ” Shibuya involved himself in other functions as well. “I was lucky enough to be able to visit Buckingham Exceptional Student Center and spend time with students with moderate-to-severe disabilities. We played T-ball with them, and it was so inspiring to see their excitement being outside and enjoying baseball. Some students struggled sitting up on their own power so we laid down in the grass or in their classrooms and hung out with them and enjoyed being in their company. ” Shibuya is not one to take his job for granted and understands his role in positively effecting young kids lives. “I spoke with a few foster kids and their legal guardians and showed them around our temporary home of Jet Blue Park. Hearing their stories and understanding their situation makes you realize how special of a job we have. The strength and maturity of these kids is amazing considering how much they have gone through.” Though Shibuya never had the chance to meet Killebrew, he is honored to win this award. “To win an award like this is a great honor, especially when it is named after someone like Mr. Killebrew. There is a reason the community award is named after such a legendary figure. When you hear his name you think about humility, class, professionalism and character.” TANNER VAVRA Tanner Vavra was the Twins 30th round pick in 2013 out of Valparaiso University. He starred in the Northwoods League during his collegiate years as well. With Cedar Rapids this year, he played in 81 games and hit .258/.345/.326 (.671) with 16 extra base hits. Vavra is a baseball guy from a baseball family. His father, Joe, is the Twins third base coach. His brother, Trey, was a Twins draft choice in 2014 and one of the better hitters for Elizabethton this year. Vavra knows baseball, but he also understands the role of being involved in the community and embraced that in Cedar Rapids. Vavra noted, “I try to do anything and everything I can in the community. Here in Cedar Rapids, they do a great job of helping out and getting in the community. I was happy to have the opportunity to get out and volunteer.” Though Vavra isn’t certain if he ever met Killebrew, he knows about his greatness. “I have heard his countless stories and attitude toward this great game of baseball and how he gave back to the communities around the country.” He continued, “It’s an honor to have received this award, and a privilege to have given back to the Cedar Rapids community.” ----- One thing you would learn if you follow the Minnesota Twins organization from the big league level to rookie ball is that there are a lot of really good people, a lot of guys that are very happy to volunteer in the community. Darnell said, “There are a lot of guys on the Rochester team that went out and helped too. (It was a) great group of guys there that care for the community. There are a lot of guys with a gift of serving others and guys that like to have fun!” Congratulations to Logan Darnell, Tony Thomas, Tim Shibuya and Tanner Vavra, the deserving 2014 Killebrew Award winners for community service. Click here to view the article