Evaluating the Top 10 Twins prospects
Baseball America released their version of each MLB teams Top 10
prospects this week and this year's picks don't seem to show many
surprises. After a successful 88 win 2008 season, the Twins bank on
just 2 prospects that might be able to help out at some point in 2009.
I'm kinda shocked that the 2 fireballing relievers down in the High
A/AA level Anthony Slama and Rob Delaney aren't on there however.
Nonetheless, a solid list that displays the next wave of Twins
prospects.
1. Aaron Hicks- The Twins' first selection of the 2008 MLB Draft had a solid season down in the rookie leagues and I expect solid seasons at every level. Hicks is a 5 tool stud athlete who has power to the gaps and is still developing physically. Coming out of Cali, Hicks was a part time pitcher who said he's committed to playing a full-time outfield in the minors. Hopefully in the majors as well ...
2. Ben Revere- Yet another speedy Twins outfielder. A lot of people questioned the pick of him in the first round in 2007, as he wasn't expected to be picked until several rounds later. At a generous 5'9", he hit a successful .379 (Yes, I made sure no typos) down in low A ball. He's rated as the Twins' fastest baserunner and the stats show it, with 1 more stolen base than RBI (44-43). He's a pesky, smart player, who still has a lot of growing and learning to do.
3. Wilson Ramos- Ramos is a solid defensive catcher who had a solid hitting season at Fort Myers this past season. He's not expected to do much in the majors and may be a stretch to say he'll make the majors with the Twins, unless something were to happen to Joe Mauer (I knocked on wood guys, it's OK). He's a solid guy behind the plate but not expected to hit much at all as he rises levels.
4. Jose Mijares- He made a solid september stint (say it 3 times fast) with the Twins this past season only allowing only 1 run in 10 appearances, good for a 0.87 ERA. All of this after a devastating January car crash. He's out of options for this coming season, but not to worry, he's also expected to be a key contributor in the Twins late inning relief next season.
5. Danny Valencia- The 3rd baseman of the future is what he's been called in the minors as he made a pretty successful jump from Fort Myers to New Britain halfway between the Florida State League season. He hit a .311, 15 HR, 76 RBI line combined at High A and AA ball this past season and he's expected to be ready in one year. He can hit for power and he can field his position very well, he's just gotta work on that strikeout rate!
6. Anthony Swarzak- The young, talented righty had a tough time early in the season at AA ball, but when he was moved up to AAA, he was seemingly dominant. In comparison to his 5.67 AA ERA, he lowered that ERA to 1.80 in the next half season in Rochester while winning all 5 of his decisions. If anything were to happen to one of the other Twins young starters, Swarzak looks like the guy who'd get a call to the bigs.
7. Shooter Hunt- Shooter's got some stuff. Like. Seriously. He dominated early in Elizabethton but struggled on the midseason transition to Beloit. But that's reasonable, he was picked in the 2nd round just last year. He had 34 strikeouts in 19 innings in the rookie leagues and 34 strikeouts in 31 innings in A ball, but with an ERA that increased by nearly 5 whole runs. He's got the stuff to be an ace and I expect him to be one day.
8. Kevin Mulvey- Another starter expected to contribute somehow to the Big Club next year. After coming over from the Mets in the Santana-Gomez trade, he had a solid year in Rochester with a 3.77 ERA. Nothing incredibly special about him, just a solid fastball-changeup-slider guy who gets outs.
9. Carlos Gutierrez- He was picked questionably by the Twins in the first round last year, and many people had to scratch their heads ... Well of course just another strange draft pick by the Twins ... or so it seems at first. Nobody ever said the guy wasn't good, but he was expected to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but I guess the Twins didn't want a power hitting infielder. He's got a good fastball and was very intimidating at the U coming out of the 'pen as a closer.
10. Angel Morales- Morales is just another toolsy Twins outfielder, but Angel brings a different aspect to the Twins system- power. In 183 rookie league AB's, he hit 15 homers out of his 55 hits. Pretty impressive, but it is just the rookie leagues. He's got power and a bit of speed to mix in his game. Let's hope the power can continue for him.
1. Aaron Hicks- The Twins' first selection of the 2008 MLB Draft had a solid season down in the rookie leagues and I expect solid seasons at every level. Hicks is a 5 tool stud athlete who has power to the gaps and is still developing physically. Coming out of Cali, Hicks was a part time pitcher who said he's committed to playing a full-time outfield in the minors. Hopefully in the majors as well ...
2. Ben Revere- Yet another speedy Twins outfielder. A lot of people questioned the pick of him in the first round in 2007, as he wasn't expected to be picked until several rounds later. At a generous 5'9", he hit a successful .379 (Yes, I made sure no typos) down in low A ball. He's rated as the Twins' fastest baserunner and the stats show it, with 1 more stolen base than RBI (44-43). He's a pesky, smart player, who still has a lot of growing and learning to do.
3. Wilson Ramos- Ramos is a solid defensive catcher who had a solid hitting season at Fort Myers this past season. He's not expected to do much in the majors and may be a stretch to say he'll make the majors with the Twins, unless something were to happen to Joe Mauer (I knocked on wood guys, it's OK). He's a solid guy behind the plate but not expected to hit much at all as he rises levels.
4. Jose Mijares- He made a solid september stint (say it 3 times fast) with the Twins this past season only allowing only 1 run in 10 appearances, good for a 0.87 ERA. All of this after a devastating January car crash. He's out of options for this coming season, but not to worry, he's also expected to be a key contributor in the Twins late inning relief next season.
5. Danny Valencia- The 3rd baseman of the future is what he's been called in the minors as he made a pretty successful jump from Fort Myers to New Britain halfway between the Florida State League season. He hit a .311, 15 HR, 76 RBI line combined at High A and AA ball this past season and he's expected to be ready in one year. He can hit for power and he can field his position very well, he's just gotta work on that strikeout rate!
6. Anthony Swarzak- The young, talented righty had a tough time early in the season at AA ball, but when he was moved up to AAA, he was seemingly dominant. In comparison to his 5.67 AA ERA, he lowered that ERA to 1.80 in the next half season in Rochester while winning all 5 of his decisions. If anything were to happen to one of the other Twins young starters, Swarzak looks like the guy who'd get a call to the bigs.
7. Shooter Hunt- Shooter's got some stuff. Like. Seriously. He dominated early in Elizabethton but struggled on the midseason transition to Beloit. But that's reasonable, he was picked in the 2nd round just last year. He had 34 strikeouts in 19 innings in the rookie leagues and 34 strikeouts in 31 innings in A ball, but with an ERA that increased by nearly 5 whole runs. He's got the stuff to be an ace and I expect him to be one day.
8. Kevin Mulvey- Another starter expected to contribute somehow to the Big Club next year. After coming over from the Mets in the Santana-Gomez trade, he had a solid year in Rochester with a 3.77 ERA. Nothing incredibly special about him, just a solid fastball-changeup-slider guy who gets outs.
9. Carlos Gutierrez- He was picked questionably by the Twins in the first round last year, and many people had to scratch their heads ... Well of course just another strange draft pick by the Twins ... or so it seems at first. Nobody ever said the guy wasn't good, but he was expected to be a 2nd or 3rd round pick, but I guess the Twins didn't want a power hitting infielder. He's got a good fastball and was very intimidating at the U coming out of the 'pen as a closer.
10. Angel Morales- Morales is just another toolsy Twins outfielder, but Angel brings a different aspect to the Twins system- power. In 183 rookie league AB's, he hit 15 homers out of his 55 hits. Pretty impressive, but it is just the rookie leagues. He's got power and a bit of speed to mix in his game. Let's hope the power can continue for him.
Leave a comment