BoomBoom

As I watch our prospects work thru the system and either make it to the MLB level or fall short, I ask who has been their biggest influence in terms of a hitting coach. It is easy to overlook the lower level coaches because prospects are not MLB ready and thus "who cares". Upper level coaches get a lot of credit if the player flourishes and not enough blame if they don't (IMO). That being said - Who in the Twins system over the last 4 to 5 years has had the greatest influence on our young prospects. Who has made the great players greater and who has made the average players better? Who seems to have the greatest connection personality wise to maximize the prospects potential? Tim Doherty is in AAA and sometimes gets to affect a prospects potential following AA and sometimes has to wait for them to come back down to him after their AA to MLB promotional failure (ala HIcks). He has done a solid job producing quality hitters from non top prospects and returning Top prospects. Chad Allen has enjoyed the most Top prospects at the upper levels in AA. Although many of those prospects have moved on in his tenure, not all of them have flourished right away. Buxton struggled initially. Sano struggled initially in New Brittian and Chattanooga. Arcia was excellent throughout his minor league career. Kepler has flourished under Allen. Rosario struggled early. All of these players success can be contributed to Allen or time in the Arizona Fall League or even natural skill level. Jim Dwyer has probably had as much success with Top prospect as any of the hitting coaches in the system. Buxton flourished, Sano flourished, Vargas flourished. Many flourished in their time spent in with Dwyer. Although many of them stumble out the gates when they get promoted mid season or next season. Tommy Watkins is probably the most overlooked hitting coach, but has arguably had the best results in terms allowing players to do what they do best. Almost every Top prospect who has played for Watkins has flourished in the areas that have made them special (contact or power). I can't recall any prospect who tried to change what "they do" (skill set), yet all seemed to have flourished in their skill set and in the other areas of development. Buxton became baseballs gloden boy under Watkins. Sano continued bashing under Watkins. Rosario was a hitting machine under Watkins in Beloit. Harrison hit 15 HRs and kept his high OBP. Walker had a 20% K rate under Watkins and still hit 27 HRs. Polanco had 78 RBI and walked as much as he struck out. DJ Hicks led all of baseball in RBIs. Sometimes pedigree is not as important as knowing what motivates each prospect on an individual level. Watkins always got results. All this being said: Who do you think is our best Hitting Coach and Why? Is it a philosophy or is it about knowing each players strengths and weaknesses?

AMEN Too much talent in the minors to give away before we actually know who the consistent players are going to be. Breakout seasons do nothing for me. I want to know who could and should be a true asset down the line. CONSISTENCY! Bring up the Berrios and Duffy's and Rogers to serve as that Bullpen need (ala David Price in Tampa). Let them learn and grow from experience.

Kepler will be part of that core one day. 2 HRs tonight for Kepler

Note: 1) Harrison never played 3rd base this year in AA and might be up for a 40 man decision this year as well. and 2) Walker has to be a decision for the 40 man this Fall as well(2015). Question: Can you be considered an All or Nothing hitter when you almost lead the league in Doubles? Most people look at All or Nothing as HR or Bust. I think the fact that ABW II has almost as many doubles (23 to 25) as Kepler is often overlooked just because he has 26 HRs as well. If Duffy were drafted in first round he would be looked at so differently based on his minor league performance. So So Underrated. Best pitcher in the system in terms of results.

Having watched the likes of Miguel Sano at the MLB level, I have come away extremely impressed with his patience and presence at the plate. His ability / rate to take a BB has been documented as the second or third best in all of baseball (despite short sample size). Although striking out at a 35% rate, Sano gets a slight pass because of his awesome BB rate (something like 18%). This free pass (pun intended) makes me question the importance of SO's and BB's as separate metrics. Why are K/BB rates only important as a joined stat line and not as important as separate stat lines? Example: Player A (Sano) strikes out 100 times and walks 60 times (around 90 games) 64 Runs scored - 18 HR - 60 RBI Player B (Polanco) strikes out 47 times and walks 24 times (around 90 games) 45 Runs scored - 3 HRs - 34 RBI Player C (Walker) strikes out 147 times and walks 32 times (around 90 games) 57 Runs scored - 26 HRs - 84 RBI As you rank these 3 from most valuable to least valuable, I'm sure K/BB ratio will be an important factor. I'm asking why? What does the ratio do that the mere numbers here don't do? As you form your thoughts, note that player C despite his amazing K rate would be leading AAA Rochester in BB if he played there. He walked enough last year where he would have led Rochester AAA and New Britain AA in BB had he played there. So why do SO's and BB matter as they pertain to (K/BB) a ratio more than separately? Player A is productive and walks a ton (Top 10 prospect in MiLB) Player B is best hitter (BA), and walks the least (Top 10 prospect / Twins) Player C best production (in baseball) and walks more than B (Not a Top 10 prospect / Twins) For arguments sake: If our averages are the same and C strikes out 150 times and B grounds out 150 times, how is B perceived more valuable despite having production numbers far far inferior and walking less? Trying to understand the importance of K/BB ratio as it pertains to above figures / scenario? None are stellar defenders despite varied positions or playing at a more premium position.

Not sure how one computes WAR, but games played for me is an important factor when deciding key players to build around. There can be guys who have an exceptional WAR but miss 30 games a year based on injury. How important is that person to the building block if they can't stay on the field? Several people made reference to that in regards to Tulo. How important is durability in comparison to overall WAR? A player like Buxton is way more valuble than an ABW in almost every way. Walker has played in 94% of his minor league games in his 4 year career (most in Twins minor league system). His teams win at a 64% rate, but he understandably is not as valued as a Sano or Buxton or many others. In short how important is durability and team winning percentage as it pertains to WAR? This question references any player on the list (Not just ABW). Does durability matter?

Noticed after reading this and leaderboard thread - Walker has a chance to get 30 and 30 with 2B (23) and homers (26). Besides Sano in 2013, I can't remember the last Twin prospect to reach those numbers. Do you think Dalton Hicks will play with Chattanooga again this year?

I was joking - I get it Seth. I see guys like Kepler hitting 15 to 20 when they mature. He will never bring the Boom, but does drive the ball well enough that some of those doubles will soon be HRs.

Does that mean ABW will develop even more power when he matures too @ the MLB? Lol

I hit projections once I got to the fangraph link for Kepler. The ZiPS gave me an 100 game guesstimate. I still didn't realize it was for MLB projections though. Thanks. Based on his 100 game guesstimates off of 2014 - I would agree that 2016 guesstimates should be excellent.

Max is having an exceptional season. Fangraph could not be more off with its 2015 projections for Max: (ZiPS; Depth Charts; Steamer;). He exceeded their projections and some. He may be hitting only .275 in July, but he is still showing great plate discipline and deserves AAA. Agreed!

http://www.minorleagueball.com/2015/7/20/8980383/twins-prospect-adam-brett-walker-and-the-one-loud-tool

Guys like Paul Goldschmidt (8th rounder who developed into MVP caliber player) Arizona obviously developed him well and/or identified him well.

Eight is Enough - Do any of these swings on off speed pitches look like "All or Nothing" swings? This kid has a chance. Just needs to see more off speed pitches that are MLB worthy (AAA). Again we are talking about a guy who is third in minor league baseball in extra base hits. HRs are sexy, but he does hit doubles (21) and triples (2) too. 1) 2) 3) 4) 5) 6) 7) 8) Love to hear announcers who have actually seen Walker play (for a series or two) comment. I can't help but stay positive watching this. A workable swing.

Sano is 22 and Walker is 23 - One played baseball year round and one grew up in the snow until April and played 3 sports. Is your assumption that Walker played more baseball in his life, while being older? Or is it that one year is a major difference in baseball?

Moved to #8 on Baseball America Midseason Top 10. Based on season I can't argue.

As fans, we are constantly looking for the next top prospect. Who will be next guy to reach the MLB and more importantly - When?. That's pretty much what this website is about (The Twins and Future Twins). Prospects are at the mercy of the organization in regards to fulfilling their dreams. That has been the road map to "The Show" for decades now. The fact is that most prospects Do Not make it to the show and are often leapfrogged by newly acquired prospects (draft / trade / free agent). Another thread spoke of Tyler Jones and his recent success elsewhere, which lead me to these questions: How many of our prospects are Hoping to be Traded? What runs through the mind of players as they witness a loaded position group (infield / outfield / rotation / bullpen) in front of them? Am I better off in another organization? Which of our prospects probably feel they are better off with another team (opportunity)? What situation would make you want to be traded as a prospect?

Don't believe that

Nice article and perspectives

In order for you to justify your Phenom pick, you need to visualize your prospect selection at his highest performance level and then have a realistic Phenom Comp for him?_____________ _____________

NO SANO NO BUXTON NO KEPLER NO POLANCO NO HARRISON NO PRESSURE Lol I'm predicting a 7 game winning streak starting July 12th (quote me)

Must be playing because coaches want him in the lineup. Why does he play in a lot of games? Actually more games than any player in the system over the last 3 years. And your statement is not even close to the truth. He has been 1st or 2nd in total runs scored every season. And the people who were routinely ahead of Walker have all played for the Twins this season (Polanco; Sano; and Buxton). Twins fans will be patient with a 23 year old in AA. Trust me.

MiLB Top Honors - Walker was impressive when you compare with entire group. http://www.milb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20150708&content_id=135515132&fext=.jsp&vkey=pr_l111&sid=l111 The Twins gave their Top Hitter of the Month to Kepler, but I tend to agree with the MiLB selection (and Seth's) this time. Based on the numbers only.

I read Walker's 70 RBI double the amount of the next closest Lookout player. That's pretty impressive considering they still have Kepler, Harrison, Gonzales, and Turner. You would think one of those guys would be closing in on 35 RBI 77 games in, considering they lead the league in runs scored as a team. 20 & 20 club

He is a Beast. Every year.