Seth Stohs

The lockout continues. Most Twins minor leaguers have reported to Ft. Myers for spring training, and there are some unique roster situations and issues from most years. Then again, the past couple of seasons have been a bit wild too. In March of 2020, Twins minor leaguers had just reported to Ft. Myers for spring training. Then the Covid pandemic showed up, minor leaguers were sent home, and eventually, the minor league season was canceled. Players scrambled, not knowing if or when they could get back to southwest Florida. The minor league coaches and coordinators were trying to work with the minor league players, checking in on their work each week, zoom calls to have conversations on how to progress. Sure, some top prospects got to do some work at the Twins alternate site in St. Paul that summer, but very few. There was no Arizona Fall League, but fortunately, at least some of the team’s prospects were able to travel to Ft. Myers for an instructional league camp. Let’s jump to February of 2021. Major League spring training started on time, but there were no guarantees of a minor league season. Big league camp was comprised of those on the 40-man roster, the non-roster invitees, and a group at “development camp.” Those players worked just like usual, and they were the players brought to spring training games to work the innings and get the at-bats after the starters got their work in. The minor league season was delayed. Instead of reporting to Ft. Myers and officially starting camp in early March, they reported by April 1st. That allowed the major-league players and team to vacate the facilities and the minor leaguers to enter. Again, there was an “alternate” site in St. Paul, so several minor league veterans and players could be called up to the Twins on short notice (and many were because of injuries and a mini-Covid situation in April). The minor league season started on May 5th, but even that had a completely different feel. MLB spent the previous offseason eliminating several minor league teams from affiliated status. The PDCs (Player Development Contracts) were essentially torn up, and new affiliations were made. Those teams each signed 10-year PDCs. After two decades in Rochester, New York, the Twins' new Triple-A affiliate was the St. Paul Saints. It was an excellent move for the Twins and the players who often found themselves (and their families) moving up and down from Triple-A to the big leagues. After a year with the Pensacola Blue Wahoos as their Double-A affiliate, the Twins now call the Wichita Wind Surge their new Double-A affiliate. The city had just completed a state-of-the-art stadium and facilities on the river, and it was a great situation for the Twins. Now the Twins maintained the Cedar Rapids Kernels and Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels as their A-Ball affiliates. However, they switched places. Cedar Rapids was “promoted’ to High-A while the Mighty Mussels were now the team’s Low-A affiliate. Cedar Rapids has been a terrific affiliate for the Twins. They are in close proximity to the Twin Cities but also reasonably close to Wichita. With the Twins minor league and spring training complex in Ft. Myers, it made sense to have the Mighty Mussels be the next rung up as there are several promotions and demotions at that level. However, the Twins lost their affiliation with the Advanced-Rookie level Elizabethton Twins. The Appalachian League was changed to a college wood bat league, and the team changed it's name from the Twins to the River Riders. It was disappointing for several reasons, none more than that they had been a Twins affiliate for 45 seasons. But that did create some challenges. Elizabethton was where high school picks or international signings would usually go in their second pro season after playing in the GCL. It was also an excellent place for players drafted out of college to make their professional debut. Without Elizabethton, the next step up the organizational ladder was Ft. Myers. And while that “jump” is just across the parking lot in Ft. Myers, the quality of play can be vastly different. It is a lost level for development. While college players can more easily make that jump, it is a giant leap for a high school player like Keoni Cavaco or a top international signing like Misael Urbina. Recently, Twins Director of Player Development Alex Hassan discussed how the loss of Elizabethton altered what was done in 2021, and they will likely take what they learned a year ago into the 2022 season. “It's certainly changed the dynamic, especially how you think about that level. Misael Urbina is probably a good example of that, too, where he went last year, and it felt like a stretch, but he didn't have other options. I think it has really re-framed the way we're looking at some of those things. In terms of the Low-A level, in terms of guys in that class that are high school players, in some ways, you might think about that as a two-year (level) depending upon performance, but more of a two-year level than you probably have in the past where if guys performed OK or at a decent level, you've gone year to year moving up each level. I do think that's one way we're trying to think about it. If a guy repeats that level, it maybe will become more of the norm than not for that class of player.” If you are wondering, I think it is fair to say that Misael Urbina will repeat at Low-A. It is also a challenge in the Florida Complex League (FCL, formerly the GCL). There are all the players who have remained at “Extended Spring Training.” They bring over several players from the Dominican Republic. Additionally, the players drafted that summer report and filled up roster spots. In other words, it can be challenging to get enough at-bats or innings pitched for all of those players. “I think it has just forced us to think about those levels a tick differently and trying to get creative in the ways that we can get guys work and not overreact to performance in the short term.” This brings us to 2022, a third straight weird season for minor leaguers and player development staff. With the lockout, and the inability for 40-man roster players to participate in minor league spring training, the organization has had to add players. But Hassan takes it all in stride, noting it’s much easier than wondering if you were going to even have a season. Twins' former Minor League Director, Brad Steil, is now the team's Director of Player Procurement. He works with the pro scouts. The information his group gathers can be used in trade discussions, but in the offseason, signing minor league free agents based on their feedback is essential. Understanding that several players on the 40-man roster would start the season in Double-A or Triple-A, they have added a few extra veteran minor league free agents for needed depth. Hassan said, “We certainly have plans throughout the offseason for bringing additional depth. There are still opportunities where we can continue to build our depth across our organization, and some of that will just continue as we go into Spring Training. I think just having clarity on the fact that we're going to start the Minor League season has been helpful and allowed us to plan a little bit further ahead than we were able to last year.” When spring training games start, the Twins can pull up players from the Complex roster to play at other levels or generally shift people around to fill rosters for those games. However, as the season approaches, they will have to continue to monitor their rosters and the lockout situation to determine if they need to sign more players. This issue is certainly not limited to the Twins. All 30 teams will have to work through their roster needs, particularly Triple-A. Rule 5 Draft? Potentially the strangest situation that player development staffs around the league face this year involves the Rule 5 draft. “I hope they just cancel it. That would be the best case. Maybe not. But yeah, it is weird. We have some eligible players, and they’re here, and we’re working with them to develop them as best we can. I don’t know what the plan is for that. But yeah, it’s weird. because normally it’s resolved, and you know who’s here and who’s not here.” Hassan continued, “Hope for the guys we have here, continue to work with those guys and develop those guys.” This feels like a good place to post a William Parmeter photo from spring training. Recently, Jordan Gore, who would be eligible for the Rule 5 draft was working a session on the Hammond Stadium mound. That is some impressive flow! Minor League Housing Maybe the best news to come out of the offseason relates to the minor leagues is that players will no longer have to pay for housing at minor league sites. Alex Hassan spent eight seasons in professional baseball, so he understands that struggle and stress. He said, “That’s something, first and foremost, that I am personally thrilled about. I couldn’t possibly be happier, taking that burden off the players. I remember back when I was playing, it was always an area of stress. Your lease. Short-term lease, first and foremost, which is tougher to find. Having to potentially break the lease and find new roommates. I think those are real challenges. And I couldn’t be happier that we’re taking that step.” Hasson praised the Complex and dorms in Ft. Myers. They have 54 rooms and three meals each day for the players and staff. That helps the FCL and the players on the Complete roster. The Cedar Rapids Kernels have long had a very strong host-family program to help its players. “Within the policy, you can use host families. There are certain criteria that have to meet in order to qualify for host family housing. In Cedar Rapids, I think we have one of the best host family programs in minor league baseball. We’re very fortunate on that front that players will continue to be able to use that opportunity in Cedar Rapids.” In both Wichita and St. Paul, the Twins have apartments for players. “Wichita is fully furnished, and it’s actually right across the street from the stadium. So it’s a really good setup in Wichita. And we have an apartment complex that we’re working with in St. Paul. The team is responsible for basically everything that goes into the apartment, providing bed and furniture and tables, forks and knives and linens, and cable and internet. The team provides all that stuff, and the players are not signing leases anywhere they’re staying.” A third straight “weird” year in the minor leagues and with player development is upon us. But we will have full schedules for the team’s four full-season affiliates. Players received a bump in pay a couple of years ago, but that still needs to improve significantly to put players above the poverty line. At this point, most minor league players are nowhere near that low floor. But getting their housing paid for is a big help as well. Conditions have improved some, and hopefully, improvements will continue. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Appears this would be a good site to start the look... Maybe @Parker Hagemanknows a little something about it. https://www.prepbaseballreport.com/minnesota/commitments

I asked on Twitter and here are a bunch of names. Four at UNC Chapel Hill: Mac Horvath, Max Carlson, Alex Ritzer, Nick Argento (some kind of recent pipeline!) Five at Xavier: Ethan Bosacker, Teddy Deters, Miles Halligan, Carter Hendrickson, Justin Loer Will Rogers at ASU and Brett Bateman and UMN from Mounds View (and a bunch of the Gophers, and St. Thomas and NDSU and SDSU, I'm sure). Brady Posch at UN-Omaha from Sauk Rapids. Drew Gilbert Tennessee Fred Garvin

We might have to find a list or make a list of all Minnesotans at D1 schools... would be fun to keep up with them all.

Also #MinnesotaRepresent, and #FormerTwinsDraftPickRepresent and #FormerMisterBaseballWinner Drew Gilbert hit another big homer in Tennessee. Man, he's got a sweet swing.

Will Rogers, #MinnesotaRepresent

Big home runs in his debut weekend!!

I would imagine it's pretty much the same as normal. I believe everyone can be walking around the back fields. And, they usually start their stretch by about 9-9:30.

While members of 40-man rosters are unable to participate in spring training due to the owner’s lockout, things are certainly not quiet around the fields around Hammond Stadium in Ft. Myers. Normally as the calendar reaches late February, we start seeing photos and fun stories from Hammond Stadium. Your favorite Twins writers are writing feel-good articles about all the players who reported to camp in the Best Shape of their Life. We should be reading about how new parents enjoyed sleepless nights caring for their infants. We would be anxiously awaiting the Twins and Gophers playing an exhibition game on Friday night. Twins photographer Brace Hemmelgarn would be posting photos of the green grass, players smiling as they play catch and stretch. We would see pictures of players by the batting cages, and we would see video of pitchers throwing in the bullpen, many in slow-motion for good measure. In general, we should be seeing the sights and hearing the sounds of spring training. However, with the lockout, we have seen almost none of it. Unfortunately, we don’t know when we will have big-league spring training. However, the grass is quite green in Ft. Myers. The fields look immaculate, and over 100 Twins minor leaguers have already arrived and reported early to spring training. I have heard that as of Wednesday, only five players had not yet reported. The bullpens around Hammond Stadium and the back fields are being used daily. Infielders are taking ground balls. Outfielders are catching fly balls. Hitters are working in the indoor batting cages or out on the fields. RHP Yennier Cano throwing off the Hammond Stadium mound recently. Photo by William Parmeter. The team’s academy, built nearly a decade ago, has proven to be a great investment as it allows players to come to Ft. Myers early, get work in with some coaching, weight room time, and in a facility with a comfortable bed and three meals each day. In addition, it allows for the Twins to conduct mini-camps in the offseason. Twins Director of Player Development Alex Hassan said that this offseason provided some return to normalcy. He added, “We were able to run those camps starting – we started Jan. 17 – and we were able to run those programs.” At the mini-camp in January, there were 35 players, with some catchers to catch bullpens. Most pitchers were shut down completely and had thrown very little since the end of the instructional league. Instead of showing up in late February and trying to ramp up within a month, they start at the mid-January camp, working on things while ramping up to be ready to start their season. While we are now two years removed from a lost season for minor league pitchers, the reality is that it could affect pitchers beyond just 2021. It’s something that the organization is thinking about all the time. “I think the injury front last year was a tough thing across the league. If you look at injuries on a global level they were really elevated. It's certainly on our minds. We're trying to take as responsible an approach as we can to those guys but ultimately, we want to get them healthy and on the mound and recoup some of that work that they missed.” Hassan continued, “It is a balance there, listening to the player and trying to monitor them in every way you can, from an assessment standpoint, from a strength standpoint, from a mobility standpoint, where they're at. Build them up responsibly and try and have them get on the mound and pitch because that is ultimately what we need them to do. We're going to try to be as measured as we can and make sure we're doing everything we can to get those guys healthy.” It will remain something to watch heading into 2022, and even beyond. Hassan did mention that Luis Rijo has reported. He had Tommy John surgery late in the season last year and will be delayed. Tyler Beck was on an episode of Twins Spotlight shortly after last season and we learned (by the video and then by his words) that he had Tommy John surgery right after the season too. There was once a perception that the Twins pitcher development focus was in creating cookie-cutter pitchers with a pitch-to-contact mentality. If that was true, and it certainly was at least exaggerated, the current pitcher development is completely the opposite. As we know, the Twins now have the most current technology and analytics and use it with each player to develop their own improvement plans. And at these pitching camps, they are working with the coaches and coordinators on specific skills. Hassan said, “There was certainly a huge skill focus, but as we all know, issues for pitchers can be wide-ranging, whether it's command work to get in the zone more often. Or if you don't miss enough bats, understanding why that is. Is it a velocity issue? Is it a pitch movement issue? Is it a usage issue? Certain guys, for health reasons, are working on certain things delivery-wise, trying to lessen some stress on their arms or just throughout their delivery. There were, and I think, as we've shifted over the years, it's certainly become more individualized based on what the pitcher's need is and what the greatest area for impact is.” For me, that is the most exciting thing I am looking forward to, which pitchers will make their MLB debuts, and which unknown pitching prospects will take a leap like Josh Winder. BIG LEAGUE COACHING Rocco Baldelli and his big-league coaching staff are in Ft. Myers. They are at the facilities five days a week until their spring training starts. They can be seen at times on the fields working with minor leaguers, or simply getting an opportunity to see some of these players work, make some introductions and just be seen and available. At the same time, that group is having their own meetings, allowing them to get to know some of the new coaches such as Jayce Tingler, David Popkins, Hank Conger, and Luis Ramirez. HAMMOND STADIUM BOARDWALK OPEN, TICKETS AVAILABLE If you are interested in heading to Ft. Myers for spring training once big-league games start, you will note that the Hammond Stadium Boardwalk is in the process of being reinforced and is expected to be completed before spring training games. The reinforcement is an agreed-upon, safe interim solution as the county and its partners work toward a final plan for the Boardwalk. For Twins ticket sales, including on the Boardwalk, go to www.twinsbaseball.com or call 800-33-TWINS. As of right now, the Twins have 12 scheduled Grapefruit League home games. The first game is currently scheduled for March 6, though that is, of course, subject to change. ROSTER SIZES Last week, a report came out that the owners were proposing the elimination of more minor league players and roster spots. They wanted to limit the number of players on rosters between the Twins domestic affiliates and a Reserve List to 150 players. Reportedly that is now off the table, but in case you were wondering, the Twins have 180 players rostered or on reserve lists in the States. Hassan noted, “We’ll try and make the best of those 180 players and try to help as many of those guys get to the big leagues as possible.” DOMINICAN ACADEMY Hassan reported that things are business as usual at the Twins Dominican academy. “Our signing class from the past year is there. Our players that are returning are on-site at the academy (doing) education work, strength and conditioning work, and we’re ramping up baseball work for spring training like we normally would.” The only thing they’re missing is an official start date. That will be determined by Major League Baseball. --------------------- At Twins Daily, we look to provide fans with more minor league content and information than you can find anywhere else, and that includes spring training. Be sure to check back often as there will be more stories and interviews in coming days. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Like Beckham, Robertson provides depth, nothing more... No one is signing a minor-league deal to make a team a World Series contender. Also, no idea when the lockout is going to be over, so they need players in St. Paul if Miranda and Lewis and other 40-man roster guys aren't able to play yet. And, it's always good to have depth.

I had Winder #8... But yes, I think if he's healthy, he could be up pretty quickly...

Those guys were the #1 overall picks in their drafts... huge difference in what the timelines are like between that and someone taken 39th overall. I don't care about Wallner's age. As mentioned, he missed the covid year and he missed 2+ months last year with a hamate bone surgery. They're all individual stories and that's OK. I personally don't care if a player gets called up at 21 or 26... it matters in prospect rankings to some degree, but it's just one factor. Doesn't really matter for how much of an impact the player can have. Exceptions to every rule.

My personal rankings... Miller: 13 Celestino: 18 Wallner: 26 Sands: 21 Varland: 19

Varland is from St. Paul. So, I think the answer is No, though I know they occasionally work out together in the in the offseason.

Just for full transparency and fun... here is where these guys ranked on my personal rankings: Emmanuel Rodriguez - 14 Blayne Enlow - 17 Spencer Steer - 20 Edouard Julien - 22 Steve Hajjar - 15

If anyone is interested, here is a podcast I was on a couple of days ago. About 55 minutes of Twins prospect talk. https://anchor.fm/bailey-srebnik/episodes/Florida-Prospect-Report-10--Minnesota-Twins-System-Spotlight-featuring-guest-Seth-Stohs-e1e331p

I guess I have my list... then I reach out to the others and ask them to just send me their Top 20 or Top 30. So no, aside from if any of them read my rankings, they wouldn't see any of the others.

I'll add where these guys ranked on my lists: Raya #10, Povich #12, Rosario #16, Gipson-Long #23, Strotman #24, Sabato #25, Urbina #27, Moran #28, Legumina #29, Cavaco #30, Vallimont #31, Encarnacion-Strand #32, Severino #35, Soularie #36,

Yeah, I would say that Player Development's ability to get extra velocity and better plan for pitching puts a lot of these guys above guys from ten years ago, from a prospect standpoint. This is a vote of 11 people... if you recall last month, I finished up my rankings. Personally, I have Raya and Povich much higher... maybe 10 and 12 overall. But I guess I didn't convince our other writers and ballot-filler-outers...

Over the next couple of weeks, Twins Daily will be counting down our Top 20 Minnesota Twins Prospects. We start today by discussing several Honorable Mentions, guys who received votes but finished outside the Top 20. Today’s list of players illustrates the depth that is developing in the organization. Looking beyond the top 20 illustrates the depth of the organization. These Twins Daily rankings are comprised of the votes of 11 Twins Daily writers who covered the Twins farm system in 2021. The voters followed the system nearly daily over the past season. Many watched a lot of video. Some attended some games at the Twins affiliates. In 2019, Luis Arraez and Jordan Balazovic appeared in this list. Two years ago, names such as Randy Dobnak, LaMonte Wade, Jorge Alcala, Bailey Ober were outside the Top 20. (maybe I shouldn’t mention that Akil Baddoo was a 2020 Honorable Mention.) Last year’s Honorable Mention group contains several players who have moved up the rankings Many of the prospects you’ll read about today could be, and maybe should be, in the Top 20 in one year. In fact, I wouldn’t be surprised if a couple of these players are Top 10 prospects one year from now. Before we start, the following players are no longer “prospects” according to Baseball-Reference: Alex Kirilloff, Ryan Jeffers, Brent Rooker, Trevor Larnach, Ben Rortvedt, Nick Gordon, Bailey Ober, and Ralph Garza, Jr. FIRST-ROUND FEATURES If anyone in the top 20 is unable to fulfill their duties, well, the #21 prospect is 2020 first-round pick Aaron Sabato. The first baseman struggled in his professional debut. We have reviewed and replayed his statistics, the low batting average, lots of strikeouts. But, he also has a very good eye at the plate, and his final couple weeks in Ft. Myers and during his time in Cedar Rapids, Sabato reminded us of the power potential that he possesses. Likewise, 2019 first-round pick Keoni Cavaco falls out of the top 20. While he still has immense tools, speed, power, and arm strength, he continued to struggle at the plate in Ft. Myers, especially as the season went along. He also fought some injuries including a concussion. Cavaco was one of the Twins prospects who was most hurt by the lost 2020 season. He remained young for the Low-A level and certainly had less pro experience than most. But often, talent and athleticism work out and Cavaco remains very intriguing. ALREADY DEBUTED Jovani Moran was drafted in 2015 and in 2021, he finally made his MLB debut in September. The lefty has put up huge strikeout numbers throughout his minor league career. He dominated at Double-A and then Triple-A before spending the final month with the Twins. He could be a big part of the Twins bullpen for years to come. ON THE 40 ALREADY A couple of very hard-throwing right-handers on the 40-man roster fell just outside the Top 20. Drew Strotman came to the Twins from Tampa in the Nelson Cruz trade. He’s got a four-pitch mix that includes a fastball that can touch 98 mph. He struggled in his time with the Saints, but he should help the Twins in 2022. Even after Tommy John surgery, the Rays had added Strotman to the 40-man roster. Chris Vallimont came to the Twins from the Marlins in the Lewin Diaz trade in 2019. Another starter with a big fastball, Vallimont sits 94 to 96 and touched 97. He was very inconsistent in 2021, especially with his control. Too many walks. However, he was a strikeout machine and his stuff is so good the Twins put him on their 40-man roster after the season. ARM STRENGTH The 2019 Twins draft included a lot of college pitchers, and several of them have made an impression already, even with the lost 2020 season. Casey Legumina didn’t pitch after that 2019 draft as he was recovering from Tommy John surgery, so 2021 was his professional debut. Sawyer Gipson-Long began the season with a rough start, but he proved durable and unlike many, he became an innings eater. At the same time, he too recorded a lot of strikeouts. WE HARDLY KNOW YE We already mentioned Aaron Sabato above, but all four of the Twins 2020 draft picks received votes, but not enough to get into the Top 20. Frankly, we just haven’t seen enough of them yet for various reasons. Alerick Soularie put up big offensive numbers at Tennessee before the Twins made him their second round pick. Unfortunately in spring training, he had a foot injury, so he didn’t get into games until the second half of the season. Marco Raya was the team’s 4th round pick in 2020, and with a minor injury, he did not pitch at all in 2021 either, so he is yet to make his professional debut. Yet, reports out of instructional league mentioned that he was hitting 97 mph with his fastball. When he was drafted, it was for things like control, a strong pitch mix. To add velocity to that is really exciting. Kala’i Rosario was their fifth and final pick of the 2020 draft. He was one of the most powerful prep bats in that draft. His pro debut came in the FCL and he was named the Twins Daily Short-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year. Of course, we also didn’t see a lot of the 2021 draft picks, but a few of them have already made an impression. No 2021 draft pick made a bigger impression than fourth-round pick Christian Encarnacion-Strand. He hit in 21 of 22 games played and posted a .391/.424/.598 (1.022) with four homers. Third-round pick Cade Povich also was impressive. The southpaw from Nebraska pitched in just 10 innings in his pro debut, but he had 19 strikeouts in that time. And again, reports from the instructional league noted that he was hitting 97 mph fairly consistently. Yasser Mercedes received a $1.7 million signing bonus from the Twins just a month ago. An athletic outfielder, Mercedes is just 16-years-old but obviously an intriguing talent. In 2018, Misael Urbina received a $2.75 million signing bonus from the Twins as a 16-year-old international free agent. A week into the 2021 season, Urbina moved up to the Mighty Mussels. He was one of the younger players in the league and struggled, hitting under-.200 and yet he held his own and showed a good plate approach. Yunior Severino came on strong after he was promoted from Ft. Myers to Cedar Rapids. After hitting .245 in 63 games with Ft. Myers, he hit .321 in 35 games for the Kernels. Combined, he was second in the organization with 29 doubles. As I look at this group of Honorable Mentions, it is incredibly exciting. There are five or six pitchers that are very intriguing in this list with big velocity and the ability to get strikeouts. There are a few hitters that have big power potential. As I said in the beginning, many of these players could move up the rankings in 2022. That is a lot of talent, and those are guys who rank outside of the Twins Daily Top 20 prospects. Check back over the next two weeks to see who our 2021 Top 20 Twins Prospects are. View full article

Not his father, but I did have to look and I found this video of Walter doing some motivational speaking and it is awesome!

JD did a nice job of discussing his secondary pitches and acknowledging that how he develops particularly those secondary pitches may determine a future role. In the actual interview, Festa talks quite a bit about his pitches.