Shane Wahl

Keep in mind that a lot of the big free agents would not come to Minnesota to play anyway. Don't forget the other end of the equation--players have to want to come to the Twin Cities.

Earlier this spring I listed 10 mid-lower tier prospects to watch this year as I expected breakout seasons from each of them. This is an update on eight of them (Nate Roberts is on the DL and Angel Mata is in extended spring training) as well as an introduction to two more players off to strong starts this season. BELOIT: JD Williams, OF (Age: 21.5, SH): Williams is off to a slow start with the bat, but is still getting on base. Stats: 26 AB, .115/.324/.154, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 7 BB, 8 K, 3 SB, 4 SBA. Tyler Grimes, IF (21.10, RH): Grimes is also starting slowly this year playing SS for the time being. Stats: 32, .188/.333/.313, 4/0/0, 4/5, 1/2. Tim Shibuya, RHS (22.8): Shibuya had a rough first outing, but got it together for 5 scoreless frames in his second start. Stats: 8.2 IP, 3.12 ERA, 4 K, 3 BB. FORT MYERS: Danny Santana SS/2B (21.6, SH): Santana got off to a blazing start and has cooled somewhat. He has split time equally between SS and 2B. I still think his OBP is too weak to be at the top of the lineup. Stats: 48, .313/.327/.417, 2/0/1, 1/6, 2/4. Lance Ray, LF/RF (22.8, LH): Ray has started better than last season and is really slugging the ball so far. He has split time between the two corner outfield positions. Stats: 38, .237/.295/.500, 4/0/2, 4/11, 0/0. Matt Hauser, RHR (24.1): Hauser has been up and down so far, but has been OK after a poor first appearance. Stats: 7, 6.43 4/2. Pat Dean, LHS (22.11): Dean has started 2012 pretty well, though the strikeouts are not there yet. Stats: 11.2, 1.54, 6/2. Addition: A guy who was injured a significant portion of 2011 and whose prospect status dropped somewhat: Angel Morales, CF (22.5, RH): It is very good to see Morales hitting well early. He has been in CF exclusively, but that would likely change if he is promoted to New Britain, which should happen if he can trim his strikeout rate. Stats: 44, .409/.460/.545, 1/1/1, 5/12, 3/4. NEW BRITAIN: Logan Darnell, LHS (23.3): Darnell is picking up where he left off in 2011. Stats: 10, 0.90, 5/3. Addition: A guy losing momentum the past two seasons, but who has rebounded so far: Evan Bigley, RF (25.1, RH): Bigley is not on hardly any Twins prospect lists, even those extending to 50 players. He did have some promise a few years ago. This year he is starting strong. Stats: 45, .311/.360/.467 2/1/1, 4/7, 1/3.

Earlier this spring I listed 10 mid-lower tier prospects to watch this year as I expected breakout seasons from each of them. This is an update on eight of them (Nate Roberts is on the DL and Angel Mata is in extended spring training) as well as an introduction to two more players off to strong starts this season. BELOIT: JD Williams, OF (Age: 21.5, SH): Williams is off to a slow start with the bat, but is still getting on base. Stats: 26 AB, .115/.324/.154, 1 2B, 0 3B, 0 HR, 7 BB, 8 K, 3 SB, 4 SBA. Tyler Grimes, IF (21.10, RH): Grimes is also starting slowly this year playing SS for the time being. Stats: 32, .188/.333/.313, 4/0/0, 4/5, 1/2. Tim Shibuya, RHS (22.8): Shibuya had a rough first outing, but got it together for 5 scoreless frames in his second start. Stats: 8.2 IP, 3.12 ERA, 4 K, 3 BB. FORT MYERS: Danny Santana SS/2B (21.6, SH): Santana got off to a blazing start and has cooled somewhat. He has split time equally between SS and 2B. I still think his OBP is too weak to be at the top of the lineup. Stats: 48, .313/.327/.417, 2/0/1, 1/6, 2/4. Lance Ray, LF/RF (22.8, LH): Ray has started better than last season and is really slugging the ball so far. He has split time between the two corner outfield positions. Stats: 38, .237/.295/.500, 4/0/2, 4/11, 0/0. Matt Hauser, RHR (24.1): Hauser has been up and down so far, but has been OK after a poor first appearance. Stats: 7, 6.43 4/2. Pat Dean, LHS (22.11): Dean has started 2012 pretty well, though the strikeouts are not there yet. Stats: 11.2, 1.54, 6/2. Addition: A guy who was injured a significant portion of 2011 and whose prospect status dropped somewhat: Angel Morales, CF (22.5, RH): It is very good to see Morales hitting well early. He has been in CF exclusively, but that would likely change if he is promoted to New Britain, which should happen if he can trim his strikeout rate. Stats: 44, .409/.460/.545, 1/1/1, 5/12, 3/4. NEW BRITAIN: Logan Darnell, LHS (23.3): Darnell is picking up where he left off in 2011. Stats: 10, 0.90, 5/3. Addition: A guy losing momentum the past two seasons, but who has rebounded so far: Evan Bigley, RF (25.1, RH): Bigley is not on hardly any Twins prospect lists, even those extending to 50 players. He did have some promise a few years ago. This year he is starting strong. Stats: 45, .311/.360/.467 2/1/1, 4/7, 1/3.

Do we have any idea how much ownership actually makes in profit on a yearly basis and what they did last year? Until we figure that out, who knows what "ought" to be spent? I have hope that they might be willing to do something in season for somebody if they are contending in July. What I found strange about the payroll cut was that the team is going to be taken over by a number of players who the Twins have control over for years and a lot will be coming off the books within two years. And it's an even bigger "a lot" if Morneau is not re-signed after 2013. Pavano, Baker, and Liriano could all be gone (though I would think one will return . . . and strangely, it may be Pavano now . . . ) and that is about $25 potentially. If some around here have their way and the only leadoff hitter above AA is traded, that will be another $12 million or whatever less over the next two years.

This week I will focus on the in-conference games, discussing each series, and how some draft prospects performed. Minnesota vs. Northwestern: The Gophers swept the Wildcats 2-1, 2-1, and 6-0 in the weekend series. Friday's game featured the dominance of pitcher T.J. Oakes, who gave up 1 run in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 7 without giving up a walk. In the second game of the series, D.J. Snelten picked up where Oakes left off. Snelten went 7 2/3 innings, giving up only one run while striking out 5 and walking 3. Third baseman Dan Olinger went 1-4 with an rbi. For Northwestern, Brandon Magallones also pitched very well. He whiffed 7 in 8 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on 6 hits and one walk.In the final game, Olinger again went 1-4 with an RBI. Purdue vs. Illinois: The Boilermakers swept the Illini 3-0, 4-1, 5-3. In the series for Purdue, catcher Kevin Plawecki went 1-7 with 1 run and 3 walks. Eric Charles went 3-10 with 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K and a double. Cameron Perkins also went 3-10 with a run, RBI, walk, and double. Stephen Talbott also went 3-10 with a walk. Nick Wittgren threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up a run and fanning one while issuing one free pass. Blake Mascarello pitched 3 innings and gave up an unearned run. Finally, Lance Breedlove pitched 7 2/3 innings, striking out 7 and walking 2.For Illinois, Jordan Parr went 4 for 12. Nebraska vs. Ohio State: Nebraska took two out of three, losing 10-2 before winning 5-4 and 17-9. For Nebraska, Michael Pritchard was 3-13 with 2 runs, 2 RBI and 2 BB. Chad Christensen was 2-14. Josh Desze was 7-16 with 3 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI. Jaron Long was dominant in 9 innings, while giving up 2 runs with a 5/0 K/BB ratio. Indiana vs. Michigan State: IU lost 2 out of 3. Indiana won the first game 3-2 and then lost the next two 6-0 and somehow 20-10. Catcher Kyle Schwarber was 5-11 with 2 walks, a homer, double and triple. Sam Travis really struggled. He went 0-13 with 7 strikeouts. Matt Dearden went 1/3 of an inning and gave up three runs. For MSU, Jordan Keur went 6-14. Ryan Jones was 7-16 with 34 runs. Torsten Boss was 4-10. Tony Bucciferro pitched 7 2/3 innings, with 7 Ks and 4 BBs. Michigan vs. Penn State: Penn State took 2 out of 3, dropping the first game 7-3, but coming back with 14-1 and 6-4 victories. 1B Jordan Steranka was the star of the series, going bonkers with 3 homers, a triple, 6 runs, and 7 rbi on 6-13 hitting. Patrick Biondi drew four walks for the Wolverines in the series. Boilermakers Plawecki and Wittgren are still my top two ranked prospects in the conference, and two guys the Twins should definitely take a long look at. Plawecki is a great hitter and solid defensive catcher. Wittgren is closing now, but could make it as a starter with his mix of three pitches (92-93 mph fastball, mid-70s curve, and upper-70s changeup (which still needs work)).

This week I will focus on the in-conference games, discussing each series, and how some draft prospects performed. Minnesota vs. Northwestern: The Gophers swept the Wildcats 2-1, 2-1, and 6-0 in the weekend series. Friday's game featured the dominance of pitcher T.J. Oakes, who gave up 1 run in 8 1/3 innings pitched. He struck out 7 without giving up a walk. In the second game of the series, D.J. Snelten picked up where Oakes left off. Snelten went 7 2/3 innings, giving up only one run while striking out 5 and walking 3. Third baseman Dan Olinger went 1-4 with an rbi. For Northwestern, Brandon Magallones also pitched very well. He whiffed 7 in 8 1/3 innings, giving up two runs on 6 hits and one walk.In the final game, Olinger again went 1-4 with an RBI. Purdue vs. Illinois: The Boilermakers swept the Illini 3-0, 4-1, 5-3. In the series for Purdue, catcher Kevin Plawecki went 1-7 with 1 run and 3 walks. Eric Charles went 3-10 with 3 runs, 1 RBI, 1 BB, 1 K and a double. Cameron Perkins also went 3-10 with a run, RBI, walk, and double. Stephen Talbott also went 3-10 with a walk. Nick Wittgren threw 2 1/3 innings, giving up a run and fanning one while issuing one free pass. Blake Mascarello pitched 3 innings and gave up an unearned run. Finally, Lance Breedlove pitched 7 2/3 innings, striking out 7 and walking 2.For Illinois, Jordan Parr went 4 for 12. Nebraska vs. Ohio State: Nebraska took two out of three, losing 10-2 before winning 5-4 and 17-9. For Nebraska, Michael Pritchard was 3-13 with 2 runs, 2 RBI and 2 BB. Chad Christensen was 2-14. Josh Desze was 7-16 with 3 doubles, 2 runs, and 2 RBI. Jaron Long was dominant in 9 innings, while giving up 2 runs with a 5/0 K/BB ratio. Indiana vs. Michigan State: IU lost 2 out of 3. Indiana won the first game 3-2 and then lost the next two 6-0 and somehow 20-10. Catcher Kyle Schwarber was 5-11 with 2 walks, a homer, double and triple. Sam Travis really struggled. He went 0-13 with 7 strikeouts. Matt Dearden went 1/3 of an inning and gave up three runs. For MSU, Jordan Keur went 6-14. Ryan Jones was 7-16 with 34 runs. Torsten Boss was 4-10. Tony Bucciferro pitched 7 2/3 innings, with 7 Ks and 4 BBs. Michigan vs. Penn State: Penn State took 2 out of 3, dropping the first game 7-3, but coming back with 14-1 and 6-4 victories. 1B Jordan Steranka was the star of the series, going bonkers with 3 homers, a triple, 6 runs, and 7 rbi on 6-13 hitting. Patrick Biondi drew four walks for the Wolverines in the series. Boilermakers Plawecki and Wittgren are still my top two ranked prospects in the conference, and two guys the Twins should definitely take a long look at. Plawecki is a great hitter and solid defensive catcher. Wittgren is closing now, but could make it as a starter with his mix of three pitches (92-93 mph fastball, mid-70s curve, and upper-70s changeup (which still needs work)).

Parmelee and Thomas are both lefties. Parmelee's ceiling is significantly higher than Plouffe's but it isn't clear who would perform better right now in a half-time role anyway, so it is probably best to give Parmelee the time in Rochester to play every day. Plouffe probably would not clear waivers.

Mauer, Span, and Morneau are the best overall hitters. Willingham and X (hopefully Valencia) are in the second tier. The best overall should bat 1,2 and 4 with the speedy obp guy 1 and the slugger 4. A slugger should also bat third. So I would go Span, Mauer, Willingham, Morneau, Valencia, Doumit . . .

I will have another Big Ten Roundup blog done Tuesday morning.

Not sure if this has been asked in a serious way yet, but given the acquisition of Clete Thomas and the return of Morneau to at least playing first a bit, shouldn't Chris Parmelee go to Rochester? This would be much much better for Parmelee and much better for someone like Plouffe.

What about 15 years in age difference between the two? Also, what about the fact that Delmon absolutely did NOT want to be a DH?

Also, he's been hit three times this year so far. That dramatically aids his OBP in 34 plate appearances.

34 plate appearances this year. Even when he was "on fire" for Detroit last year, he only managed a .756 OPS.

I am glad for Colabello. Now if Dolenc is removed from that lineup (promoting Angel Morales would help), it could be potent. I am hopeful for Evan Bigley to turn it around this year.

He fits right in.

2011 OPS: Luke Hughes = .627 in 327 plate appearances (and he was actually worse against lefties) Alexi Casilla = .691 in 365 plate appearance (much better as a lefty against righties) Maybe if Hughes could hit lefties appropriately like a major leaguer should, the duo could be an interesting platoon option. I think both of them will be gone in before next season starts. Hopefully in a trade for some kind of hard-throwers in A ball or something.

Ahem . . . what offense has Luke Hughes actually demonstrated with the Twins? People keep talking as though he has been a productive hitter. That is false.

1. So who do you envision batting leadoff? Ben Revere? That is laughable. Unless you say "Joe Mauer" I think the Twins have nothing at the position until Hicks, and if he isn't ready, then SPAN is the guy who needs to stay and Revere is the guy to go. 2. Revere will get better by actually playing every day. He will have the chance to be a more consistent hitter and a better batter all-around. Playing minimally for the Twins does nothing for him.

Left-handed Jason Repko with a bit more slugging potential.

He did get full playing time and he fizzled out after having one strong year. He has no concept of what to do with his talent. This could have all been different if the RAYS did not push him through the minors so quickly.

It is good to see Herrmann, Morales, and Hermsen doing well. Gutierrez is an issue. Something has really gone wrong there.

Also, Delmon Young is not better than Josh Willingham or Denard Span, and overall he is not going to be better than the conglomeration in RF.

Hawk Harrelson, as terrible as he is always, was pretty funny in his enthusiasm on that play. I still don't understand how that team doesn't just trade Ryan Rayburn (and they could get some value back) to solve some of this problem.

Pitchers who throw the ball hard, lefties who do whatever, catchers, and third basemen (who stick there) are the true team needs. It just so happens that those needs are also in the "need to be ready for MLB pretty soon" category, so I am hoping that the Twins take more college players than the normally do.

Wow. Boom. Seconded, though I think in a month you will change your tune about Appel. Zimmer is my only other serious contender for what I think the Twins should do, honestly. I am calling it now, Kevin Plawecki will be a better major league catcher than Zunino. He can be had in round 3 or so, probably. I have seen him, which is a bias, I know. He is also calling games this year for Purdue brilliantly with some starters that really aren't that great but are shutting out teams.