Jeremy Nygaard

I'm trying to set up my own board based on what I've read and seen on the prospects. Right now, Buxton is solid as my #1. The belief is that Appel goes #1 to Houston, and I've all but accepted the fact that the Twins pop Buxton at #2. (I'm hoping he won't cost the full $6.2m... and I hope that their asking price is a factor.) Buxton would immediately become the Twins #2 prospect. (Sano will be a top 10 overall . I believe Buxton will be top 25.) It's also been pointed out that the Twins have a lot of toolsy OFs... but none have the near the ceiling (all 55s) that Buxton has (65-70). (If they go college pitcher, I'd prefer Gausman. I also neglected to mention that whoever they pick will become their #2 prospect, in my opinion.)

Beras actually got conveniently OLDER since the new CBA, my bad. Beras had always presented himself to the MLB with a DOB of 12/25/1995. That's why he was allowed to play in the MLB Dominican Showcase. Now he's claiming that he's 17 and already eligible to sign. Either way, he's falsified his age and that may result in a suspension. So he's either signed with the Rangers for $4.2m and will get suspended. Or he'll have to sign for less on July 2.

Do you know something about Beras that MLB doesn't? He apparently got a year younger and signed with the Rangers already. MLB hasn't approved the deal... and the rest of the league isn't happy there was such a deal in the first place. If he signs with the Rangers on July 2, he'll have to settle for far less than $4.2m... which was the motivation to get suddenly younger. If I had to guess- which I don't, but I'm going to- I think MLB is going to come down hard on this situation... the Rangers won't be able to sign Beras and he'll get a year suspension for giving a false age.

Twins spent $5.9m last year. The most since they spent $7.3m in 2008. They spent $7.5m in 2004 when they had four first rounders. Why do I get a feeling that they won't spend their whole pool of $12,368,200? I'm not sure why I'd want a reward, but if you make cookies half as well as you construct sentences, I'll pass.

I had almost cracked the code last night and had most of these numbers projected within a hundred dollars or so. I sent out an email and then BA posts them on their website. So, anyway, here are the Twins slotted values: [TABLE=width: 187] [TD=align: right]1[/TD] [TD=align: right]2[/TD] [/TD] 6.2m sup [TD=align: right]32 [/TD] 1.55m sup [TD=align: right]42 [/TD] 1.227m sup [TD=align: right]63 [/TD] 818.5k [TD=align: right]2 [TD=align: right]72[/TD] [/TD] 712.6k [TD=align: right]3 [TD=align: right]97[/TD] [/TD] 490.4k [TD=align: right]4 [TD=align: right]130[/TD] [/TD] 356.7k [TD=align: right]5 [TD=align: right]160[/TD] [/TD] 267.1k [TD=align: right]6 [TD=align: right]190[/TD] [/TD] 200k [TD=align: right]7 [TD=align: right]220[/TD] [/TD] 150k [TD=align: right]8 [TD=align: right]250[/TD] [/TD] 140.1k [TD=align: right]9 [TD=align: right]280[/TD] [/TD] 130.8k [TD=align: right]10 [TD=align: right]310[/TD] [/TD] [TD] 125k [/TABLE]

I've heard that Cabrera, who is the #1 talent on the international market, is the Cardinals to lose.

Whether you've heard of Vargas or not, he's a pretty good first baseman prospect in the system. He was suspended for 50 games last August for a drug violation (apparently one to control his weight). What complicates the suspension a little bit is that it happened while playing for short-season Elizabethton. Anyway, he had 32 games left of his suspension to serve coming into the season and now that Beloit has played over that, it appears that Vargas will have to finish serving his suspension once Elizabethton's season gets back under way. So unless I'm way off, it looks like Kennys Vargas won't be eligible to play again until July 22 (almost a full calendar year since the suspension started). If anyone knows anything different, let me know!

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?544-Monday-s-Minor-League-Round-up

The Twins don’t appear to be playing real inspired (or inspiring) baseball, so let’s get right into the farm. A few transactions to sort through: The Red Wings released 1B Aaron Bates and recently-signed INF Joe Thurston. It was announced that OF Wilkin Ramirez (who has been tearing up AA) and RP Lester Oliveros have been promoted from New Britain to Rochester. 2B Tsuyoshi Nishioka - you may have heard of him - is expected to be activated before tomorrow’s game. The addition of Nishi, as well as Matt Maloney, pushes 1B/DH Matt Rizzotti from Rochester to New Britain. There is no word on any other corresponding moves to fill the other hole in New Britain (and it would be purely speculation to point out that neither Miracle OF Oswaldo Arcia nor INF Levi Michael were in the lineup tonight). Let’s take a spin around the farm: ROCHESTER 4, SYRACUSE 6 For the second straight Monday, the Red Wings faced a pitcher that has experienced major league success. This time around they got to see former Yankee hurler Chien Ming-Wang. The current National is rehabbing his left hamstring. He did pretty well scattering eleven hits and four runs over eight innings and change. Danny Valencia started off his return to AAA hitless in ten at-bats before doubling down the left-field line to lead off the 7th inning. He later scored after a Sean Burroughs single and a Ray Chang sacrifice fly. Valencia finished the day 1 for 4, upping his average to .086. All other Red Wing starters got hits too. Ben Revere, who had been hitting .440 over his last six games, went 1 for 5 and is currently hitting .306. Revere, however, hasn’t taken a walk in his last six games. Pedro Florimon stole two more bases and now has ten (in eleven chances) total this year. Burroughs collected three hits today and is up to .333 through eight AAA games. JR Towles is batting better now that he is getting regular at-bats. Towles gathered two hits today. Since Drew Butera’s promotion, Towles is batting .308 and has improved his season line from .111 to .208. Cole DeVries took his fourth loss of the year. He went 6 1/3 innings allowing nine hits and six runs (four earned). He also struck out two. Brendan Wise came in with a runner on in the 7th. He allowed his inherited runner to score, three hits and struck out one. Not-quite-former-Wing Steve Pearce was named International League Player of the Week with a 400/464/920 slash. He currently leads the league in batting (.361) and doubles (12). He’s also third in OBP (.444) and fourth in runs (26). Another “wish we could have signed you when we drafted you” case that doesn’t turn out great for the Twins (or the Red Wings). NEW BRITAIN IDLE Scheduled day off FT. MYERS 1, CHARLOTTE 13 The Miracle got drilled tonight. They were only able to scratch out five hits, scoring one run. Daniel Ortiz and Jairo Perez both tripled. Daniel Santana, Anderson Hidalgo and Michael Gonzales all singled. Madison Boer continued to struggle in the Florida State League. He didn’t make it out of the fifth inning tonight, allowing 10 hits, seven runs (all earned), walking two and striking out three. He currently has an ERA of 14.25 and a WHIP of 2.75. Hopefully the 2011 2nd round pick out of Eden Prairie can figure it out soon. Jose Gonzalez, not only didn’t fare any better, but actually did much worse, giving up six earned runs on four hits (two home runs), while only getting four outs. His ERA ballooned from sub-4 to 6.43. Matt Hauser got the last out of the sixth. Kyle Waldrop made his second rehab appearance tonight. He struck out one and gave up one hit in one inning. It should be noted that his other two outs came by fly out and ground out. Waldrop relies on a heavy sinker to get a lot of ground ball outs. Expect him to be optioned to Rochester as soon as he is healthy. Manager Jake Mauer proved that there is some fire in the family, getting tossed in the 6th after P Jose Gonzalez was warned for hitting a Charlotte batter. OF Lance Ray overcame a rough April and was named Florida State League Player of the Week (May 7-13). Hitting .421 (with an OPS of 1.331) over the last six games, Ray has improved his batting average from .209 to .248. He remains an under-rated prospect in the system. Though he didn’t get any hits tonight, he did drive in the lone run. BELOIT 5, CLINTON 2 Steven Gruver has mixed some solid starts with some short starts. This was definitely more of a solid start. Gruver scattered six hits over 6 1/3 innings, allowing two earned runs, a walk and striking out four. Bart Carter and Clint Dempster got the last eight outs without allowing any runs. Carter gave up one hit, striking out two in 1 2/3 innings. Dempster picked up the save, striking out one in an inning. Wang Wei-Lin had two doubles, a run and an RBI to lead the Snapper offense. Adam Bryant and Jhon Goncalves each added two hits. Überprospect Miguel Sano was 1 for 3 with a walk and two strikeouts. Eddie Rosario hit his 3rd home run of the season (and second in five games). --- Players of the Day for Monday, May 14, 2012 Hitter of the Day – Sean Burroughs [ATTACH=CONFIG]952[/ATTACH] Pitcher of the Day – Steven Gruver [ATTACH=CONFIG]953[/ATTACH] --- A Look Ahead – Tuesday, May 15, 2012 Schedule Rochester vs Louisville – LHP Luke French (0-0, 6.55) New Britain vs New Hampshire - Game 1 - RHP Steve Hirschfeld (2-3, 3.10) New Britain vs New Hampshire - Game 2 – LHP Logan Darnell (3-2, 5.40) Ft. Myers vs Charlotte – RHP Miguel Munoz (1-1, 2.77) Beloit vs Clinton – RHP Tim Shibuya (1-1, 2.83) --- If you have any questions or comments on the Twins minor league system, players, teams, etc., leave them in the Comments and we’ll try to answer them!

Rizzotti is heading to AA to make room for Nishi. Now who plays first? (Obviously Parmelee, right?)

Don't forget that Appel has one more year of college baseball experience. Gausman also plays in the toughest conference in America. I'll stand by what I said last week and still believe: The Twins have Buxton and Gausman as their top two guys, though I'm not certain what order they are in. Stand-up guy. Obviously my dealings with him have been minimal, but, in my opinion, little things like this go a long way in the "classy" category. Not taking anything away from any other potential draftee, but the Twins woud be fortunate to not only add his ability to the organization, but also his character.

You can view the page at http://twinsdaily.com/content.php?542-Get-to-Know-Em-Kevin-Gausman

Originally posted at www.ManCenter.com ----- June 4th marks the 1st round of the MLB Amateur Draft. LSU So P Kevin Gausman figures to be one of the first names called. We had a chance to catch up with him today to talk draft, the season and donuts. Thanks for taking the time to answer some questions and letting us get to know a little bit more about you. Obviously, the MLB draft is different from other sports in that it happens while many guys are still in-season. How much thought have you given next month’s draft? Kevin Gausman: I try not to think about the draft, it is exciting, but I still have all my goals with LSU to achieve first and that is where my priority is. You’re having a great season (8-1, 2.95) and you pitched quite a game yesterday (9 IP, 5 H, BB, 11 K) against Vanderbilt. Reports are that you threw 126 pitches. How has your workload been this year and how is your velocity both at the beginning and end of a long outing like this? KG: I’ve already thrown more innings then I did all of last year so I would say my workload is pretty big for a starter in college. My velo has stayed mostly consistent. Early on in games I can reach upper 90's, but then I settle into more of a mid-90's pitcher as the game progresses. What other pitches do you throw? KG: I throw five pitches. I throw a four-seam fastball and a one-seam sinking fastball. A split-change-up, curve and a slider. In college there are lots of scouts checking out lots of guys. Have there been any teams that seem to be paying more attention to you than other teams? Specifically, have you had any contact with the Minnesota Twins? KG: I think because college baseball has so many very talented players that teams spread out and pick when they are going to see certain players. I don’t know who has been at my games and which teams have been there the most, but I have had a visit with the Twins Area Scout in this area. This isn’t the first time you’ve gone through the process, having gotten selected by the Dodgers in the 6th round of the 2010 draft. Now though, the CBA – specifically the draft rules around signing players – has changed to the point where it’s going to be much harder to project how signable guys are, simply because teams aren’t going to have a lot of flexibility in what they can offer guys. You also have a little extra leverage because you’re a draft-eligible sophomore; how is all of that going to play into your signability? KG: Obviously signability is huge to organizations, but right now I’m just focused on my task at hand and working towards bringing this team to Omaha and having the chance at a National Championship. I will think more about that after this season is over. You have a superstition of eating powdered donuts in between innings. Is continuing that superstition going to be a factor when it comes down to signing on the dotted line? KG: My superstition will have nothing to do with me signing or not signing. It is simply something I feel that works for me so that is why I continue to do it. Last question, assuming the Twins – or whichever team is fortunate enough to select you – get you signed. What kind of goals do you have in regards to advancing through the minor leagues and making it to The Show? KG: I have huge goals for myself. Obviously I would love to move as fast as I can through the minors and play in the big leagues, but I know that that is a little far-fetched. I will continue to work as hard as I can towards achieving my goals, but ultimately your movement through the minors is decided by the organization. Again, thanks a ton for doing this. Best of luck for the remainder of the season for both you and your team in your pursuit of the College World Series! [ATTACH=CONFIG]949[/ATTACH]

Unfortunate news out of the nation's capitol: Wilson Ramos tore his ACL and will be out for the rest of the season. As if this guy hasn't gone through enough over the last year. Rooting for a quick recovery.

Interesting article about the Twins/Red Wings Link

Ugh, you guys are going to kill this thread.

I agree with your take on Willingham. But, unlike most of the other clowns, I think that what he brings to the table (or in a trade) will/should be part of fielding a competitive team in 2015. With his current contract, it will probably have to be through a trade.

Baseball America released mock draft 1.0 today. It had the Astros kicking off with Appel, though the argument was made for Buxton. "Scouting director Bobby Heck has taken an up-the-middle position player with his top pick in each of his four drafts, and he and his staff are believed to favor Buxton, a five-tool center fielder." It goes on to say that the owner appears to want to take a MLB-close-to-ready pitcher. Callis predicted the Twins follow - and later confirmed this approach on Twitter - with best player available... and that's Byron Buxton. "Minnesota needs plenty of pitching help too, but it will set its draft board and take the best player available. That should be Buxton, though Zunino would enable the Twins to shift Joe Mauer to a less taxing position." I'm not Jim Callis or BA or pretend to be... but if I had to bet on how the Twins draft board looks on June 4th, I'm guessing it's Buxton/Gausman or Gausman/Buxton. You can view the whole first-round mock here. You can also read a good story on Buxton, or should I say "Buck", here. I also feel that since I've mentioned him on the board a few times, I should mention him again since BA is showing him love. Him being Mitchell Brown from Rochester, MN. From their latest draft tracker (membership required): "I saw three plus pitches and one average pitch," a scout said after the game. "It was maybe the best high school game I've seen pitched in 10 years." Throws mid-90s with a plus cutter and plus curve. Weight room guy. If he didn't before, he has my vote for a supplemental-round pick.

All the 2011-draftees of the Nats were deadline signs.

I don't think it changed in the newest CBA, but don't forget about the Pete Incaviglia Rule. The one that prohibits teams from trading players for a year after they sign. Almost all of the players you mentioned as likely targets couldn't be traded until August 15th. (So while they could be PTBNL, they couldn't be named until then.) This was part of the reason that the signing deadline was moved to before the draft deadline.

Who is the starting 3B?! I would assume Plouffe will get a crack at it. Carroll and Casilla will get their licks too, especially if Mastroianni gets any time at 2B. Interesting moves...