mnfanforlife

My point was that, in my opinion, when you push a top-prospect to a level out of their comfort zone (like in Haprer's case), they are more MLB ready quicker. And I would say that Harper and Sano are comparable when it comes to offensive production. Harper is better, but Sano is close. Closer than you would admit. We will never know how good Sano is at this age, since he hasnt been pushed at all through the minor league system, despite his status as an elite prospect.

You bet!

Plus, neither Morales nor Benson displayed the type of discipline that Max showed at the plate in 2012. Nothing is guaranteed but I see Kepler being much more MLB ready when he has the experience that Benson and Morales already possess

Definitely a term of endearment for me. And Morales has been hurt, its not his fault. But every year, I ask each prospect the question "What have you done for me lately?" And rate them accordingly. I would definitely say that Kepler has a comparable or higher upside as a major leaguer than Morales

You can view the page at http://www.twinsdaily.com/content.php?1155-Let-it-Sano-Let-it-Sano-Let-it-Sano!

If I was Terry Ryan I would give up Willingham and Span to get Bauer and another highly regarded pitcher form the D-Back's.

​This is a little bit risky. But I have to draw attention to this comparison I am about to make. When the Twins signed Miguel Sano as a 16-ish shortstop from the Dominican Republic back in 2009, he was regarded as the "jewel" of the International Signing Period that year......... [ATTACH=CONFIG]2638[/ATTACH] Just one short year later, the Nationals drafted and signed a 17-year-old Bryce Harper. Sano is just a tick younger (about 7 months) than Harper. But both were highly-touted-blue-chipper types. Harper started his pro career in class A ball where he tore it up. They skipped him up to AA ball, bypassing A+ to finish his first season as a pro. The next season, in 2012 the organization started him in AAA without much statistic success, but quickly promoted him to the bigs where he held his own despite his underwhelming performance at AAA. Miguel Sano started his pro career one year before Harper in 2010 at the lowest level the Twins have stateside (GCL), despite his reputation as a true baller. He tore up the GCL as a 17-year old, then went bonkers at Elizabethton in 2011 with a .637 SLG%. So, while Harper was struggling through his promotion to AA, Sano was destroying short-season Rookie league. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2639[/ATTACH] In 2012 Sano played an entire year in low-A ball and absolutely destroyed pitchers' ERA's often. He drove in 100 runs and squared-up 28 homers. His batting average does not matter after hearing the HR and RBI numbers. He was again unimpressive on defense, but showed the tools to be effective eventually. While Sano was bashing around in the Midwest League, Harper was playing for the NL All-Star squad. While Harper was hitting .243 in AAA in 2012, I would imagine that Harper's AAA coaches were saying things like, "I don't care what his stats are, this guy is a PLAYER!" "This guy is on another level." "This guy is ready to produce." Harper was most likely lining balls all over the place, diving and catching, throwing out sleepers, and hustling his tail off. Now I am not saying that Sano is as good as Bryce Harper, or that he plays as hard as Harper, etc. But I am categorizing Sano as an elite-blue-chipper that is expected to produce at an accelerated rate immediately. Not play his 3rd pro season in its entirety at low-A ball......! Can we please allow someone that produces at the rate of Sano or Rosario the opportunity to start their Major League professional career at an extremely young age? After all, this is a young man's game, and its not too late to let Sano move quickly in 2013 (meaning multiple level advancement!). Harper was able to contribute to his team winning the NL East, while Sano could only muster a Midwest League play-off run. To me, MLB experience at a very young age will only help the player develop in the long run. Certain players are special and should be started at a level that reflects their advanced skills. Not coddled at the lower levels for years while they put up dominating, productive numbers that could be helping a higher level succeed. And ultimately, special players should be rushed to Minnesota in a hurried fashion, if you wanna follow the Nationals way of dealing with Harper. Just to be clear: the Nationals allowed Bryce to use his talents for about 1.2 seasons in the minor leagues before succumbing to the fan base and bringing him up to the Show. Miguel Sano appears to be on the 6-year-plan. Well hey, at least he will hit a ton of minor league homers! And make people happy if he's the beer batter!

Arcia looks to be struggling a bit in the Venezuelan league. But I still opine that he should start in AAA with a real shot at playing for Minnesota at some point in 2013. A trade of Span and/or Willingham would speed things up, but wouldn't guarantee Arcia getting a cup-o-coffee in 2013

Its a term of endearment for the home team. I admit it could get annoying, so I'll keep it to a minimum.

Last year, in 2011, MLB.com rated Max Kepler as the the #11 prospect in the system. After the 2012 season and June draft, several glitzy players moved ahead of the #11 spot, but Kepler moved DOWN to the #18 position. I did not agree with his descent on this list at that time. So, I felt obligated to highlight what Kepler did last summer as a 19-year-old in Rookie ball. [ATTACH=CONFIG]2636[/ATTACH] After a year in 2011 where he was a skinny 18-year-old with a .366 SLG%, Kepler was given another shot at the same level in 2012. He consequentially blossomed given this opportunity! This kid raised his average from .262 to .297 and crushed 10 home-runs in 59 games. He led the league in SLG% (.539) and was 2nd in OPS (.925) thanks to 16 doubles and 5 triples. He struck out just 33 times in 232 at-bats while posting a .387 OB% (6th in league). Basically, he was easily a top-5 hitter in the Appalachian League. It looks like he is a year behind Sano/Rosario, and will probably spend the entire summer in Cedar Rapids in 2013. With a ton of great outfielders in the Twins minor league system, Maximilian will have to wait his turn and probably never advance more than one level per-year (if he's lucky). But this new-found power stroke and excellent plate discipline is very encouraging for his future and could allow for a level-per-year minor league career with plenty of MLB seasons for the now 19-year-old. As a 20-year old in Cedar Rapids, he will surely be asked for his share of autographs. And rightly so, since he has a lofty enough ceiling to have at least remained at the #11 spot on the Twins' prospect list. I would rate him right below J.O. Berrios at #9, as I believe his potential exceeds what Benson and Morales have as MLB outfielders. No matter what he is rated by MLB.com, our boy Kepler gives us insurance if they do something drastic like trade Hicks or Arcia for pitching prospects in the next year or so. I vote to move Max up quickly and see what he's made of...if he can continue to get better (at this age he should), he will make a terrific outfield option (even in CF) for a few minor league managers on his way (quickly I hope) to Minnesota. P.S. Imagine Maximilian in LF, Buxton in center, and Arcia in right at Target Field...I have Max rated at #7 following 2013.

I also hope some of these guys mentioned become starting pitchers someday. Baxendale was terrific as a reliever last summer in his pro debut (0.96 ERA in 18.2 innings), and should be terrific as a starter as well.

We know the Twins drafted a slew of college relievers in 2012 right? Well just how fast will any of these guys be realistic possiblities for the MLB club's pen?? Don't worry, I've got predictions (and my own rating list, with the most potential nearest the top) for each of them here: [ATTACH=CONFIG]2631[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2630[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]2632[/ATTACH] (Top to Bottom: Jones, Bard, and Duffey) 1. Zach Jones - RHP This guy was a two-way player (hitter/pitcher) in college, which means he has only recently fully devoted his career to pitching. He averaged 15.3 K's/9 and opponents batted .159 when he pitched at the low levels last year (Rookie & A). Even so, that is still amazing! With improved control likely as he develops, the potential here is through-the-roof. I predict: start in A Cedar Rapids, with a shot to finish the season at A+ in Ft. Myers. Big K numbers with his upper 90's heat. 2. Luke Bard - RHP He was the first college pitcher drafted by the Twins last June, but he didn't pitch much last summer in the pro's. So I had to move him outta the #1 spot. He dominated while pitching for a very salty Gerogia Tech club last spring, (11 appearances, 0.99 ERA, .211 AvgA) and the reports are that his fastball/slider combo are sick. I predict: start in Cedar Rapids and probably stay there the entire season. He should be able to keep his ERA down in this league, if he doesn't try to pitch through an injury. 3. Tyler Duffey - RHP I know what you're thinking, "The Twins drafted Chargois three rounds ahead of this guy!" But Tyler Duffey actually had slightly better numbers (in more innings) last spring at Rice, than did our buddy Chargois. Duffey also K'd 12.7 per 9 innings last year in Rookie ball with great control and everything. I predict: a crazy-good debut in full season ball starting in Cedar Rapids and moving up to A+ with a bunch of other 2012 draftees. 4. Mason Melotakis - LHP Okay, okay, so maybe Mason could be rated higher since he was a 2nd rounder and he's got a power arm from the left side. And his numbers seem to argue that he could be rated 1-3 on this list (1.88 ERA in 20 appearances in the lower levels last summer). So this is great to have a guy that is this good rated "4th best" reliever from a single draft. I predict: Another guy with upside to move fast, maybe even get a look in AA ball in August. 5. J.T. Chargois - RHP This guy, also from Rice U, did an excellent job as the closer for Elizabethton last summer after signing last June. He fanned 12 guys per 9 innings and oppoents hit .182.....yes, it was only Rookie ball, but this is another guy that was a hitter in college and is only now fully devoted to becoming a pro pitcher. Great potential, and I predict: start in A, with a very real shot to pitch in Ft. Myers later in the 2013 summer. This is a nice group of relievers that can move up together and fast! DJ Baxendale will become a starter soon it sounds like. And there are some other college guys that were drafted last June that could move with the group mentioned above (Taylor Rodgers, Christian Powell). Unfortunately, the likelihood that anyone on this list will get to Minnesota next summer is very low. So, kinda like the hitters, we must all wait wait wait for the organization to move these guys along slowly (very slowly in many instances) to the big club.

These guys will not end up in Minnesota. None of them. The Twins will be getting a lot younger before they add any of these over-the-hill vets. Alothough I would love to see Hudson back if he can play like he did in 2010.

There is nothing wrong with being aggressive and moving young players up multiple levels in one year. Many of the best prospects in baseball are kept in the minors strictly for financial reasons (so the club can save money in the long run). This strategy works for some prospects and hurts the organization in some cases. The club needs to identify certain players that need to be pushed up to the top, and then have the cajones to actually "DO IT."

I think there is no way the Twins keep Span when their pitching is such a mess. I say trade Willingham as well since the OF depth chart within the organization is so strong. Its not that hard to imagine Hicks or Arcia being as productive as Span was both offensively and for Hick's case: defensively as well. And replacing Willingham's production should be secondary to finding better options at starting pitcher!

Thanks for the corrections! I agree Berrios needs the opportunity to move multiple levels next year, wherever he starts. Yes, the Twins will never bring up a Mike-Trout type of talent before they turn 20, or 23 for that matter. Arcia should start in AAA, or in MLB in my opinion. But a start in AA seems redundant here. Many mistakes this front office has made recently. And "not moving up impact MLB players" is probably a mistake that is easy to hide.

My predictions for the Twins' top prospects for the summer of 2013: (I am using MLB.com's list, even though I have seen much more accurate lists elsewhere) [ATTACH=CONFIG]2633[/ATTACH] (Arcia) 1. Miguel Sano - will hit 20-30 HR's during a full season at Ft. Myers. Will rank in the top 3 in the Florida State League in the following categories: HR, RBI, SLG%, OB+SLG%.....many Twins fans will be clamoring for Sano to get a Sept. call-up. But that wont happen, He will start 2014 in AA with no shot at moving up to AAA or MLB until 2015. 2. Byron Buxton - it will be interesting to see where the organiztion decides to start Buxton in 2013. My guess is that he will start and play all of 2013 in Cedar Rapids (A). This would give him at least one year of full-season ball under his belt before he turns 20. I predict a huge offensive year for Buxton in the Midwest league: .300 avg, 10-15 HR's, 15-25 SB's, numerous top-prospect and All-Star awards, etc. Could contend for MLB playing time as a 21 year-old (2015). 3. Aaron Hicks - will start in AAA, but if the Twins do make a trade involving Span and/or Willingham, Hicks could get a look in Minnesota to start the season. Wherever he plays I predict numbers like these: .260-.280 avg, .360-.400 OB%,10-20 HR's (some upside here), 20-40 SB's, excellent range and glove in CF make him a real possibility to stick in MIN out of spring training. 4. Eddie Rosario - will play an entire season in Ft. Myers (A+) with his buddy Sano while they both learn how to play defense.. Will hit enough for fans to scream for his call-up in September. But that wont happen. He will start 2014 in AA and 2015 in AAA if the front office has its way. His Miracle numbers I project: .285-.310 avg (tough league for hitters), 10-15 HR's, 70-85 RBI's, 10-20 SB's....solid player. 5. Oswaldo Arcia - just like Hicks, will start in AAA unless they trade an MLB outfielder or two. It will get interesting if the Twins trade just one outfielder from the big club. Who would you rather call up to start the year - Arcia or Hicks? It would depend on wether the vacated postion is CF or not. As Hicks could handle CF defensively more readily in the bigs than could Arcia. But Arcia looks to be a cant-miss-middle-of-the-order hitter where Hicks looks more like a table setter. But Hicks did show good power in AA, so that could change how the team views his future role. Of all the pitching prospects, J.O. Berrios has to be the most intriguing. He absolutely dominated rookie ball as an 18-yr-old. Everyone will be watching to see what he can do in 2013. I predict Berrios starts at Cedar Rapids (A) and has the upside to end up in AA ball by the end of 2013 if he can continue to dominate the Midwest and Florida State Leagues. But he will likely finish 2013 at the A+ level with a 2015 MLB debut likely.

With this line-up, there wont be a ton of home-runs hit. But this line-up could produce a lot of runs, and if we did trade Willingham and Span for better starting pitching than what we have, this could be a winning line-up in 2013. Defensively they would be very good up the middle and in the corner outfield. Arcia is a great RF, and Revere would shut down any pop up to LF. Hicks sounds to be Torri HInuter-like in CF. Morneau is quality defender at 1B, and Plouffe is ok at 3B.

My batting order for 2013: 1. Revere - 7 2. Hicks - 8 3. Mauer - 2 4. Morneau - 3 5. Parmalee - DH 6. Plouffe - 5 7. Arcia - 9 8. Dozier - 4 9. Florimon - 6 Bench: Carroll (IF) Doumit (C/1B/OF) Mastroianni (OF) Escobar (IF)

I would go with Mauer at C, Morneau at 1B/DH, Parmalee at DH/1B, Dozier at 2B, Plouffe at 3B, Florimon at SS, and Carroll as the utility guy off the bench. I firmly believe the Twins need to trade Span and Willingham for starting pitching and starting pitching prospects. That means I choose an outfield of Revere - LF, Hicks - CF, Arcia - RF....Doumit can be a C/OF/1B/DH but should not start ahead of Morneau and Parmalee. So Doumit is off the bench with Carroll. If Mauer could be used at 3B (like vs. tough RHP's that Plouffe can't handle), that would allow for Doumit to catch more often. I like Doumit's bat in the middle of the line-up, but he wont replace Willingham if J-Will is traded. The Twins will have to rely on Morneau, Mauer, and probably Arcia to be middle-of-the-order run producers.