Shane Wahl

I am still pissed off at how the Twins handled him in 2012. It was just completely and utterly stupid. He is NOT going to be a great player, but I do think he could be (or could have been!) a solid starter until the system generates a viable MI option. This team did EVERYTHING wrong with Dozier in 2012. He did NOT deserve to be called up when he hadn't done squat in AAA. He needed to see more pitching and learn as a hitter how to adjust to AAA/AAAA level pitching. Then he was kept up much too long instead of being demoted. THEN he finally was sent down and they did not see him at 2B in Rochester. THEN they didn't call him up in September which is somehow even more bizarre than anything else. Good god. Clearly, Florimon-Dozier in the MI should have been an option in September. Escobar is far from ready and Carroll is going to be here anyway in 2013 and everyone knows what he will bring. Dozier will be better in 2013 and should be the starting second baseman. But there is nothing to indicate that this will happen given the ridiculous thinking going on about him last year.

Good article and I think you are right about those four. And I agree with those four (given the obvious Correia disclaimer). Pelfrey won't be ready. And I believe that since Kyle Gibson is going to be on an innings limit, there is no reason to not keep him at AAA on a stronger innings limit there. I would rather have him from June through September than shut in down in August (just in case some miracle happens and Miguel Cabrera gets injured for the year (or Prince or Justin) and the Twins are not terrible eventually in the season later on). That would leave, for April, Rich Harden, Sam Deduno, and Cole DeVries left to honestly vie for the 5th spot in the rotation. That is not great, but it isn't nearly as bad as the April 2012 situation ended up being.

How is this conversation still going on? It is obvious that the Twins should be spending BOTH more efficiently and spending more overall. And it is equally obvious that Kevin Correia is a ridiculous example of Twins spending.

This is the sixth part of my detailed prospect list. These five are impressive in various ways with power, plate discipline, and speed that makes the Twins offensive prowess in the system start to seem pretty impressive before even cracking the top 10. 15. Adam Walker (DOB: 10-18-91), RH right fielder: Walker’s .250/.310/.496 line at Elizabethon is impressive, but it doesn’t overwhelm. However, he hit 14 homers, 7 doubles, and 4 triples in 254 plate appearances, continues to work hard on his defense and to lower his strikeout numbers, and is the right-handed power bat that the Twins have been sorely lacking. Coupled with Sano and Vargas, the Twins have three big bats in the system. Walker is a player to be a little patient with as he needs to work on his strikeout rate, but he still should move pretty quickly. The big outfielder was a fantastic slugger in college and didn’t drop off much in his first partial season of pro ball. I expect the power numbers to jump now that he has had increased instruction and pro ball experience under his belt. Expected start: Cedar Rapids, though he could be a potential quick jump to Fort Myers since the OF in Cedar Rapids is going to be crowded. ETA: 2015-2016. 14. Nate Roberts (DOB: 2-25-89), LH corner outfielder: Roberts has dealt with some injuries and an extremely cautious approach by the Twins in promoting him. That is until the 2012 Arizona Fall League. Roberts was great in limited time in 2010 (.336/.444/.547). In 2011 he was promoted to Beloit and posted an .889 OPS in 283 plate appearances while battling injury. In 2012 he returned to Beloit for some reason and continued to put up impressive numbers (.299/.433/.427), stealing 27 bases, walking (44) more than striking out (37) and continued his bizarre ability to get hit by pitches (23). Roberts was then sent to the Arizona Fall League, which is comprised mostly of good-very good prospects at AA and AAA. Roberts put up a 1.226 OPS in 77 plate appearances, homering three times, and swiping six bags. This dominant performance has many wondering if Roberts is a likely candidate to skip Fort Myers for New Britain to start 2013. I don’t like the idea of players skipping levels as I would rather see consistent progression from level to level. The Twins were bizarre with Roberts, however, so he may be an exception. I would probably start him for a bit at Fort Myers and then promote him to New Britain automatically a few months into the season. I think the Twins will be aggressive, though. Expected start: New Britain. ETA: 2014-2015. 13. Chris Herrmann (DOB: 11-24-87), LH catcher/left fielder: Herrmann was impressive in 2011 at New Britain where he showed great plate discipline, slugged OK, stole some places and played solid defense behind the plate and in the OF. In 2012, the Twins stuck with him at AA where he had a slight decline in production, especially early in the season when he was batting lower in the lineup and appeared to be trying to increase his power numbers. This didn’t work very well and New Britain eventually wised up and put Hicks and Herrmann at the top of the lineup with Oswaldo Arcia batting behind them. This was a good decision and Herrmann increased his production in the second half. I do think that the Twins have been rather bizarre in holding Herrmann back at AA for almost 1000 plate appearances while posting a .754 OPS. The team did not call him up to big leagues until the middle September after his AA season had been over for several days. It is a shame that terrible offensive players like Drew Butera and Rene Rivera are slowing down the development of Twins prospects and other minor league catchers who deserve more of a chance. Herrmann is not going to be an all-star and will certainly not be a regular with the Twins barring injury to Mauer or Doumit, but time is near when he can be a useful upgrade over Drew Butera and his versatility in LF (potentially RF as well) makes him a nice roster addition sooner rather than later. Expected start: Rochester. ETR (return): 2013. 12. Travis Harrison (DOB: 10-17-92), RH 3B: The Twins drafted Harrison with the 50th pick in the 2011 draft. Harrison’s bat is, without doubt, one of the best pure hitters in the organization and he demonstrated this with a big season for Elizabethon in 2012 as a 19-year-old. In 253 plate appearances, he had 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 homers. He walked 24 times and struck out 51 times on his way to a .301/.383/.461 batting line. Harrison’s defense at third base was not good, but there is a chance he will improve (as even Miguel Sano has some). It is likely, though, that first base and DH are in his future down the road. I would not be surprised if Harrison is someone—if he indeed cannot stick at 3B—who the Twins will look to trade in a hitting-for-pitching prospect deal. I would not expect that in 2013, however, and it will be interesting to see how Harrison adapts to a full season of baseball. Expected start: Cedar Rapid. ETA: 2016-2017. 11. Joe Benson (DOB: 3-5-88), RH outfielder: Benson was a top five prospect in 2011 and going into 2012. The 2012 season was a disaster for the talented outfielder, however. Benson had been moving through the system with Chris Parmelee and even came up with Parmelee to the Twins in September 2011. People tend to exaggerate Benson’s struggles in September of that year (as though 70+ plate appearances are telling at all in the first place). One could not expect the .883 AA OPS to immediate translate. Benson seems to have been injured for all of 2012, but often played through injury. He struggled mightily in AAA and instead of doing the right thing and making him stick it out at AAA, the Twins actually sent him back to AA in a terrible move. Benson still is a great defender and will just have to calm down and channel his energy and emotions into being a productive player in the very near future. It is a complete mistake to write Benson off as he is only just turning 25 this coming March and the talent is still there. Benson would still be a top 8 prospect if it weren’t for the 2012 offseason trades, and the performances of Max Kepler and Jose Berrios in 2012. Expected start: Rochester. ETR (return): Benson will be back at some point in 2013 and it could be sooner than later if Aaron Hicks is not ready by mid-season. The Twins could finish 2013 with both Hicks and Benson in the outfield, and I would welcome that scenario.

This is the sixth part of my detailed prospect list. These five are impressive in various ways with power, plate discipline, and speed that makes the Twins offensive prowess in the system start to seem pretty impressive before even cracking the top 10. 15. Adam Walker (DOB: 10-18-91), RH right fielder: Walker’s .250/.310/.496 line at Elizabethon is impressive, but it doesn’t overwhelm. However, he hit 14 homers, 7 doubles, and 4 triples in 254 plate appearances, continues to work hard on his defense and to lower his strikeout numbers, and is the right-handed power bat that the Twins have been sorely lacking. Coupled with Sano and Vargas, the Twins have three big bats in the system. Walker is a player to be a little patient with as he needs to work on his strikeout rate, but he still should move pretty quickly. The big outfielder was a fantastic slugger in college and didn’t drop off much in his first partial season of pro ball. I expect the power numbers to jump now that he has had increased instruction and pro ball experience under his belt. Expected start: Cedar Rapids, though he could be a potential quick jump to Fort Myers since the OF in Cedar Rapids is going to be crowded. ETA: 2015-2016. 14. Nate Roberts (DOB: 2-25-89), LH corner outfielder: Roberts has dealt with some injuries and an extremely cautious approach by the Twins in promoting him. That is until the 2012 Arizona Fall League. Roberts was great in limited time in 2010 (.336/.444/.547). In 2011 he was promoted to Beloit and posted an .889 OPS in 283 plate appearances while battling injury. In 2012 he returned to Beloit for some reason and continued to put up impressive numbers (.299/.433/.427), stealing 27 bases, walking (44) more than striking out (37) and continued his bizarre ability to get hit by pitches (23). Roberts was then sent to the Arizona Fall League, which is comprised mostly of good-very good prospects at AA and AAA. Roberts put up a 1.226 OPS in 77 plate appearances, homering three times, and swiping six bags. This dominant performance has many wondering if Roberts is a likely candidate to skip Fort Myers for New Britain to start 2013. I don’t like the idea of players skipping levels as I would rather see consistent progression from level to level. The Twins were bizarre with Roberts, however, so he may be an exception. I would probably start him for a bit at Fort Myers and then promote him to New Britain automatically a few months into the season. I think the Twins will be aggressive, though. Expected start: New Britain. ETA: 2014-2015. 13. Chris Herrmann (DOB: 11-24-87), LH catcher/left fielder: Herrmann was impressive in 2011 at New Britain where he showed great plate discipline, slugged OK, stole some places and played solid defense behind the plate and in the OF. In 2012, the Twins stuck with him at AA where he had a slight decline in production, especially early in the season when he was batting lower in the lineup and appeared to be trying to increase his power numbers. This didn’t work very well and New Britain eventually wised up and put Hicks and Herrmann at the top of the lineup with Oswaldo Arcia batting behind them. This was a good decision and Herrmann increased his production in the second half. I do think that the Twins have been rather bizarre in holding Herrmann back at AA for almost 1000 plate appearances while posting a .754 OPS. The team did not call him up to big leagues until the middle September after his AA season had been over for several days. It is a shame that terrible offensive players like Drew Butera and Rene Rivera are slowing down the development of Twins prospects and other minor league catchers who deserve more of a chance. Herrmann is not going to be an all-star and will certainly not be a regular with the Twins barring injury to Mauer or Doumit, but time is near when he can be a useful upgrade over Drew Butera and his versatility in LF (potentially RF as well) makes him a nice roster addition sooner rather than later. Expected start: Rochester. ETR (return): 2013. 12. Travis Harrison (DOB: 10-17-92), RH 3B: The Twins drafted Harrison with the 50th pick in the 2011 draft. Harrison’s bat is, without doubt, one of the best pure hitters in the organization and he demonstrated this with a big season for Elizabethon in 2012 as a 19-year-old. In 253 plate appearances, he had 12 doubles, 4 triples, and 5 homers. He walked 24 times and struck out 51 times on his way to a .301/.383/.461 batting line. Harrison’s defense at third base was not good, but there is a chance he will improve (as even Miguel Sano has some). It is likely, though, that first base and DH are in his future down the road. I would not be surprised if Harrison is someone—if he indeed cannot stick at 3B—who the Twins will look to trade in a hitting-for-pitching prospect deal. I would not expect that in 2013, however, and it will be interesting to see how Harrison adapts to a full season of baseball. Expected start: Cedar Rapid. ETA: 2016-2017. 11. Joe Benson (DOB: 3-5-88), RH outfielder: Benson was a top five prospect in 2011 and going into 2012. The 2012 season was a disaster for the talented outfielder, however. Benson had been moving through the system with Chris Parmelee and even came up with Parmelee to the Twins in September 2011. People tend to exaggerate Benson’s struggles in September of that year (as though 70+ plate appearances are telling at all in the first place). One could not expect the .883 AA OPS to immediate translate. Benson seems to have been injured for all of 2012, but often played through injury. He struggled mightily in AAA and instead of doing the right thing and making him stick it out at AAA, the Twins actually sent him back to AA in a terrible move. Benson still is a great defender and will just have to calm down and channel his energy and emotions into being a productive player in the very near future. It is a complete mistake to write Benson off as he is only just turning 25 this coming March and the talent is still there. Benson would still be a top 8 prospect if it weren’t for the 2012 offseason trades, and the performances of Max Kepler and Jose Berrios in 2012. Expected start: Rochester. ETR (return): Benson will be back at some point in 2013 and it could be sooner than later if Aaron Hicks is not ready by mid-season. The Twins could finish 2013 with both Hicks and Benson in the outfield, and I would welcome that scenario.

I think he is good enough to start the season with to give seasoning and time for Hicks to work on things in AAA for a couple months. The problem for me isn't whether or not Mastroianni is a capable CF and a good enough player to be a starter. The issue is that he certainly doesn't belong at the top of the order, so there is a problem there.

This is accurate and well-stated.

Ok, sure I am a bit big on these guys, but I do think there has suddenly more depth in the system. There are people who I am sure have placed Vargas near the top 10 already, and if Goodrum sticks at SS or 3B, I think he could really develop. Hauser seems to be a sure thing to at least get a look. If Boyd moves to a relief role, he will get a look as well. Maybe Salcedo is a bust, but he was also a top 10 guy two years ago.

Will be ordering soon.

One year, $10 million if he wants a one-year deal (I would assume that he would NOT want a team option for the second year). If he demands two years, then 2/$17 million would seem to be good. Then a team option for another $10 million. I am less concerned about his injury then most are around here though. Maybe I am wrong.

"Like" is not strong enough. There should be a moratorium on the phrase "spend money to spend money" because it is making me a bit crazier every time I read it.

Does it really just come down to greedy billionaires wanting more of that sweet, sweet money?

Jack Morris does not belong in the Hall of Fame.

The market is not too high and the apologetics here are ridiculous. Nick is right to be frustrated with the (my words) lying done by Terry Ryan on behalf of the Pohlads.

I can see another two big seasons from Mauer where he outperforms 2012, but underperforms 2009. I would hope those seasons would be 2015 and 2016 when they have finally put the right people around him, but I suspect that 2015 might be the end of the great seasons from Mauer. Good for the rest of the contract, though.

I don't mind the split between Fort Myers and New Britain, but I think another split between New Britain and Rochester would be due at least until September 2014. Part of this is because of the likely move to first base (and for those who say he should move to the outfield, that involves learning a completely different skill and while he is capable of that, it would slow down everything). And Sano has a good height for 1st base anyway. Let him NOT worry about anything other than first base and smashing the ball. It's pretty simple.

As far as Burnett goes, he was extremely lucky to keep the ERA as low as it was in 2012. His k rate and k/bb rate are going in the wrong direction. I would like to see him improve in Rochester since he can be optioned this year.

That "player of value" is likely a 40-50 prospect in their system and is 4 years away, and Swarzak could be considered as a 5th starter by some teams and is ready for that now.

(And eventually Oliveros, Guerra, Watts, Pugh, Albers can get a chance)

Not sure why the Twins bothered with Tim Wood and Josh Roenicke. And Burnett has an option year. He was very good a few years ago in the minors and was pushed pretty quickly. Develop him as an actual setup man in Rochester, please. See if he improves, bring him up in September and make him contend in 2014. Meanwhile: -Ryan Pressly (not to say he is Scott Diamond, but he is young enough and is worth a spot, especially over Swarzak who is older and could be traded for some C level prospect in low-A ball to take a chance on). -Casey Fien (he can be a guy on a short leash in the majors in 2013, but if he repeats anything close to 2012 and that 8.2 K rate, keep him) -Tyler Robertson (will get better and does throw hard--gave up too many walks but can be very useful against lefties) -Anthony Slama (you know the story and what I think about the Twins stupidity regarding him) -Brian Duensing -Jared Burton -Glen Perkins Doesn't seem all that difficult.

Haha, I agree. I don't understand how a 4-man rotation, given this crop of "talent" wouldn't make more sense. Obviously, Gardy is going with a 5-man rotation, but the principle matters. The Twins have 2 goodish pitchers and several varying question marks. Keep the question marks low at 4, maximize the utility of the bullpen (which would be 8 guys), and keep me sane.

Lightfoot, I don't care about Boyd' W-L record (affected by his low run support). What concerns me is that he throws gas but someone didn't strike many batters out. He also supposedly has good command, but walked too many. They could send him to Elizabethon again to see if he can improve those numbers. It is good that he was fairly successive there *while not being college pitcher*! I hope you are right about Goodrum. Vargas wasn't that old for Beloit and will be basically on track at Fort Myers. Low A is a good first test for these prospects (which is why I would like to see some players pushed there quicker) and Vargas put up ridiculous numbers. Unfortunately I can see only his Winter League splits and not his Beloit splits. I believe he may be better from the left side, but a switch-hitting power hitter for the Twins. Who has fit that bill anytime? Chili?

If the Tigers run into injury problems (Verlander, Cabrera, or Fielder) then I think the division is wide open. I could see a Hicks/Arcia/Benson/Gibson led charge that makes one remember 2006 a bit. I just want the Twins to bring forth the best 25 players who are ready out of spring training. That would mean Chris Herrmann and not Drew Butera. It would mean Chris Colabello and not Eduardo Escobar. It means Diamond-Worley-Correia-Hendriks-Deduno out of the gates. It should mean selling Swarzak for whatever can be had (someone would like him over some low-A baller). The Twins need to trade away replacement level guys for a bunch of questionable low minors players. If even one of them develops into a good player if will be more than worth it. The Twins have a BUNCH of players in the organization who are replaceable in this way.

Thanks RB, though I am really not in that company (though I am going to make a trip to Fort Myers this summer). I wish the Twins could swap Rochester for Indianapolis with the Pirates somehow . . . It is wise to not look at the CF issue in a vacuum. If the Twins were serious about competing in 2013, they would have signed Jackson or would have by now given Marcum an offer he couldn't refuse. They have half-assed it there. That being the case, I think that there is no point to starting Hicks or Arcia out of the gates without giving them AAA time. Good god, I will be angry if they send Arcia to AA for NO GOOD REASON. Mastroianni is by no means ideal at all as a starting CF, but that is the best bet now. I am not going to be anti-Benson at all, but I do find it odd to consider him as a starter out of ST. Wilkin Ramirez and Brandon Boggs are legitimate fourth outfielders. I like Boggs for his defensive versatility and his OBP (I like bench players who can draw walks) and I like Ramirez because he can smack homers (absent for YEARS other than Thome, who was a starter much of the time anyway).

The fifth installment is comprised of 5 high upside guys who could all be very good major leaguers. I guarantee that at least one of them will be very good, another will be good, and the other three will all make it to contribute in a real way (or be used in a trade). 20. Matt Hauser (DOB: 3-30-88), RH reliever/starter: Hauser has a mid 90s fastball, a sinker, a slider, and a changeup. He was great at Fort Myers in relief then started some games successfully and moved up to New Britain where he went to the bullpen again. His strikeout rate dropped in AA down to 4.5, but that was only 16 innings of work. I would expect Hauser to see some time starting again this year and I would think if he gets his strikeout rate back up over 7, it would be wise to keep him starting. Otherwise he may be a dominant pitcher out of the bullpen and would add to the great depth the Twins have there in the organization. If the walks fall even a bit, it will mean that Hauser’s ERA should stay low even if he gets hit a bit more (only 78 hits in 88 innings in 2012—and only 5 of those were homers). He may be challenging Alex Burnett soon in his middle relief role, but also could make Jared Burton expendable in 2014. Expected start: New Britain. ETA: 2014-2015. 19. Hudson Boyd (DOB: 10-18-92), RH starter: Boyd throws in the upper 90s and came into the system with good control. He has fallen on this list both because of additions at the top and because his 2012 performance was underwhelming. In 58 innings at Elizabethon, he maintained a low ERA (2.95), but struck out only 36, walked 23, and hit 5 batters. The strikeout numbers are alarming for a pitcher of his skill at Elizabethon. He is still very young, though, and the talent is there. It is possible to see him move to the bullpen at some point and that could mean a fast ascent in the system, possibly as a future closer. As a starter, he would still probably be limited to under 100 innings in 2013. He probably will get another crack at starting, but he might be in the bullpen by season’s end. Expected start: Cedar Rapids. ETA: 2015-2016 as reliever, 2016-2017 as starter. 18. Adrian Salcedo (DOB: 2-5-91), RH starter: Salcedo was fantastic through 2010 and was in the top ten of most prospect lists at that time. 2011 was a letdown, but he was still could in his first full season (135 IP, 92 strikeouts, 27 walks). 2012 brought a comebacker and a broken nose. He was limited to 30+ innings between Fort Myers and a rehab stint in the GCL. 2012 was a lost season for Salcedo like it was for Stuifbergen, Wimmer, and Soliman. His strikeout rate is dropping but another year at Fort Myers might mean an increase there. He has a low 90s fastball, a slider, and a changeup. He is still very young and was so impressive early in his professional career, so there is no reason to exaggerate the results of 2011 and 2012 at the moment. 2013 is a big year for Salcedo and he is near the top of my list of guys to watch this seaon. Expected start: Fort Myers. ETA: 2015-2016. 17. Niko Goodrum (DOB: 2-28-92), SH shortstop: The 2010 second round pick has been moved a bit slow early on in his professional career, but it may all be worth it if Goodrum can stick at SS or move to 3B as the next best option. He improved in 2012 in Elizabethon over his 2011 numbers there, especially with regard to plate discipline. 2011 stats: 230 plate appearances, 21 walks, 56 strikeouts, .735 OPS. 2012 stats: 269 plate appearances, 38 walks, 56 strikeouts, .768 OPS. Perhaps most importantly, his defense at short improved enough to warrant the vast majority of his time spent there during the season. If SS doesn’t work out, 3B should for the big switch-hitter. He is an overlooked but important piece to the Twins future as there is no clear total package at SS or 3B in the system right now. Goodrum represents that possibility and it hopefully 2013 is a big step forward for him. Expected start: Cedar Rapids. ETA: 2016-2017. 16. Kennys Vargas (DOB: 8-1-90), SH 1B: Vargas served his suspension (did his time) and still managed 11 homers in 186 plate appearances at Beloit. Vargas was a legitimate power prospect going into 2012, but now he is at the top of the department with Sano. A 1.030 OPS at Beloit is nothing to scoff at and he is simply not striking out at a rate that should worry anyone at all. His .318/.419/.610 slash is phenomenal at that level. A real full season this year is going to be interesting. He is the most interesting prospect to watch in my opinion because he could rise into the top 10 easily if his success continues at Fort Myers. Vargas is interesting because he would give the Twins two huge power bats in the future with Sano being the other. That makes this seem a little more like the early 80s which should inspire and create some hope for the 2015 and on Twins. If the Twins find themselves in 2015 deciding between Vargas and Sano for 1B and DH, then things are quite good. Expected start: Fort Myers. ETA: 2015-2016.