Wednesday

Good Morning! Today, I will start by continuing with my ranking of the Twins Top 50 prospects. Today, that means I will look at my choices for numbers 21 through 35. There were a few comments on my choices for numbers 36 through 50. Hopefully there will be more and more as the list heads toward the top ten. Also, last night was the finals of American Idol. It was the last night for Taylor Hicks and Katharine McPhee to impress voters across the nation. As always, I will make a point to comment briefly on the Twins game against the Indians as well as a quick review of last night's minor league games which included another Matt Garza start. So, let's get started.

If you have any questions or comments on any of these players or their rankings, I would love to hear your thoughts. (Note- I am flying out of town this afternoon and won't be home until later tomorrow afternoon, so I don't know if there will be a new posting tomorrow.) If you have thoughts, or if you have a Top 10, 20, 30, or 50 Prospect list, I would love to see it and share it with other Twins fans, so please e-mail me or leave Comments down below.

#50 – Adam Hawes – RHP – 23

#49 – Ricky Barrett – LHP – 25

#48 – Deacon Burns – OF – 23

#47 – Felix Molina – SS/2B – 23

#46 – Johnny Woodard – 1B – 21

#45 – Brock Peterson – 1B – 22

#44 – Josh Rabe – OF – 27

#43 – Allan de san Miguel – C – 18

#42 – Kevin Cameron – RH RP – 26

#41 – Alexander Smit – LH RP – 20

#40 – Jason Miller – LH RP – 23

#39 – Danny Matienzo – DH – 25

#38 – Luis Maza – RHP – 25

#37 – Eli Tintor – OF – 21

#36 – Caleb Moore – RHP – 22

#35 – Doug Deeds – OF – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 24

2006 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 9th round pick in 2002 out of Ohio State University

Like Danny Matienzo, Deeds was an Eastern League all-star last year, and should have punched his ticket to AAA Rochester this season. For some unknown reason (and too many veteran OF in Rochester), Deeds is back with the Rockcats. Clearly, he must have been disappointed because he has not hit well after his great year a year ago. He has come on some of late. He is hitting .252/.372/.426 with nine doubles, three homers and 17 RBI in 115 at bats. He is playing most every day but is sharing some time.

2006 Projection: Likely to remain in New Britain

Potential: 5th outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#34 – Nick Blackburn – RHP – 24

Last Sept. Ranking: 12

2006 Teams: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 29th round pick in 2001 out of Seminole State College

I think it is clear that I looked at Blackburns great 2005 numbers and ranked him way too high. He got off to a bad start this year, but he has pitched well in three of his last four starts. I still think he can be a decent starter, even a big leaguer, but his ranking was too high. He is now 3-4 with a 5.04 ERA in eight starts. He has just 26 strikeouts in 44.2 innings. Solid, but unspectacular starter.

2006 Projection: Likely in New Britain, may move to bullpen to make room for Ft. Myers guys

Potential: Long relief, emergency starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#33 – Tarrence Patterson – OF – 21

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 35th round pick in 2002 out of Bartow, FL, high school

This is a guy who I will probably be watching carefully in the next year or two. We frequently hear about the speed of Denard Span, but to this point, it has not translated into stolen bases. Patterson already has 16 stolen bases (in 22 attempts). He is hitting .279/.340/.307. So, he is not a power guy, and 26 strikeouts in 140 at bats is too many for a speed guy. I just think that he is now worth watching.

2006 Projection: In the Beloit outfield

Potential: potential CF for some team

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#32 – Garrett Jones – 1B – 24

Last Sept. Ranking: 25

2006 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Signed with Twins as minor league free agent in 2002

My thinking was that although Jones hit for a low batting average last year, he showed quite a bit of power and was still just 23. I figured that he would improve this year. Sure, there is a lot of season to go, but an 0-4 last night put him below the Mendoza line again. A .652 OPS just doesn't really work for a power hitter hoping to make the jump to the big leagues.

2006 Projection: 1B for Rochester, probably September call-up, if he can get his average over .200

Potential: pinch hitter, backup 1B

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#31 – Garrett Guzman – OF – 22

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 10th round pick in 2001 from a Pennsylvania High School

Guzman was involved in a horrific, life-threatening car accident about 18 months ago and missed all of last season. He came back this spring and really has done well in his return. He is playing every day in the Miracle outfield and hitting .287/.318/.413 with six doubles, five homers and a team-leading 33 RBI. He has always been thought of highly, and now he is the feel-good story of the Twins organization.

2006 Projection: Probably in Ft. Myers all year.

Potential: solid big league OF

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#30 – JD Durbin – RHP – 24

Last Sept. Ranking: 22

2006 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 2nd round draft pick in 2000 out of Scottsdale High School

I know that Durbin has been a disappointment. After the 2004 season, I had him and Scott Baker tied for the organization's #2 prospect. After last year's struggles, he dropped to 22nd. I dropped him a little bit further, but I'm not ready yet to completely give up on him. He is still just 24 years old and if he can ever take care of his control problems, his stuff is dynamic. In 42 innings this year, Durbin has 37 strikeouts and has allowed 33 hits. The problem comes though when you look at the 27 walks. From start to start he goes from dominant to terrible and back. Consistency of his control is the key.

2006 Projection: Likely stay in Rochester for the season, possible September call up.

Potential: Long reliever

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#29 – Juan Portes – IF/OF – 20

Last Sept. Ranking: 19

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 15th round pick in 2004 out of Malden, MA, high school

Portes is a guy who has definitely fallen in my eyes. Sure, we have all heard that he can hit, and I'm not even worried about his errors. He is playing several positions including 3B which he has played very little of in his life. I'm worried about how frequently he is injured. I don't like the term "injury prone" but sometimes it is appropriate. We have also continued to hear rumblings about his attitude. And finally, although it is just 57 at bats, he was hitting just .228/267/.281. He needs to get back from this thumb injury and start producing. I'm sure a consistent position would help too.

2006 Projection: full season in Beloit, learning several positions

Potential: good hit, no field player for another team.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#28 – Andrew Thompson – 2B – 19

Last Sept. Ranking: 37

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2005 out of Jupiter, FL, High School

Thompson obviously has good genes which will help him out on any prospect list. However, he is currently on the DL and hitting just .243. However, I like that he is willing to take some walks, and although not a power hitter, I like that he has eight extra base hits including four triples. Obviously, like most of the Snappers regulars, he needs to find a way to cut down on all the strikeouts, but we also need to remember that he is 19 years old playing against older players, so I do believe he has a future.

2006 Projection: full season at Beloit

Potential: solid middle infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#27 – Ryan Mullins – LHP – 22

Last Sept. Ranking: 23

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2005 out of Vanderbilt

I fully expected that by this time Mullins would have been promoted to Ft. Myers. I would have expected him to rank well higher on this list. A college pitcher of Mullins' caliber should not be as inconsistent as he has been in the Midwest League. Just should not be. He was shelled in his last outing and last night, he was terrific. All that said, I do think that Mullins could be a very strong pitcher still. He is striking out almost a hitter an innings, he is just giving up too many hits.

2006 Projection: He may spend most of the year in Beloit

Potential: Could be a #4 type starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#26 – Henry Sanchez – 1B – 19

Last Sept. Ranking: 33

2006 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins supplemental 1st round pick in 2005 out of San Diego high school

Speaking of Snappers hitters that need to cut down on their strikeouts... Sanchez would be the poster child. And, that would have to be a big poster! In 130 plate appearances, he has struck out 46 times already and is hitting just .215. There could be some concern about the fact that he has just two home runs, both in the season's first week. He is a candidate to spend time back down in Elizabethton when their season started. However, he is 19 years old and a monster. His ceiling is 40 homer power hitter, so I am going to keep him at this level for now, but he could go up the list fast!

2006 Projection: power hitting 1B/DH

Potential: middle of the order power hitter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#25 – Jose Mijares – LHP – 21

Last Sept. Ranking: 30

2006 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins signed him in 2002 as free agent from Venezuela

Mijares was a surprise to some when he was added to the Twins 40 man roster. When comparisons are made to Johan Santana, that is a guy you don't want to lose. He made a name for himself this spring in Twins camp, first for showing up late and then for pitching well. His season was delayed by a minor injury, but he is back and now starting. It isn't going so well. Before last night's game, he had struck out 15 and walked 12 in just over 16 innings. Like others, if he can gain his control, his stuff is excellent, but that needs to be developed.

2006 Projection: Trying to find his way as a starter in Ft. Myers

Potential: Dominant Lefty of any bullpen

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#24 – Trent Oeltjen – OF – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 27

2006 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins signed him as free agent in 2001 from Australia

Those who have read this site for a couple of years know that Oeltjen is one of my favorite Twins prospects. I can't completely explain why, but I liked what he did in Beloit a couple of years ago, and after a freak injury to start last year, he had a solid season in Ft. Myers. Oeltjen is playing consistently at all three OF positions as the team's fourth OF as well as serving as DH from time to time. Although he is hitting just .267, his on-base percentage is .385. He has speed, although I would like to see him run more as he is just six of 10 on the year now.

2006 Projection: Playing three of four games for the Rockcats

Potential: quality speed-type OF

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#23 – Kyle Aselton – LHP – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 34

2006 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 11th round pick in 2004 out of Oregon State

Aselton is sometimes forgotten in the Miracle rotation. He isn't Garza, Slowey or Swarzak, but Aselton has done a nice job as well. Going into last night, he was 4-1 with a 3.50 ERA. In 46.1 innings, he has 39 strikeouts. However, he also has 22 walks and a 1.47 WHIP. That was his problem last year too. When he has control, he is excellent, but it is inconsistent. Now, last year he started out in the bullpen before starting late in the year. Maybe he just needs more starts and more innings.

2006 Projection: Starting all season for Ft. Myers

Potential: quality lefty in the bullpen

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#22 – Errol Simonitsch – LHP – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 28

2006 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 6th round pick in 2003 out of Gonzaga

If I had done this ranking earlier in the season, it is possible that Simonitsch would not have ranked this high. But, taking away his last start, the previous two he went 17 innings without allowing a run. The tall lefty is more of a control guy than a hard thrower. On the year, he is now 3-3 with a 3.45 ERA in eight starts. In 47 innings, he has just 32 strikeouts. His WHIP of 1.43 is a little high because he has allowed more hits than innings pitched. But I do think that Simonitsch has shown enough over an extended period to think that he can be successful in a starting rotation.

2006 Projection: Could end the year starting in Rochester

Potential: Something like Mark Hendrickson

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#21 – Brian Duensing – LHP – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 35

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2005 out of Nebraska

I fully expect that Duensing will be up to Ft. Myers quickly, probably as soon as they can find a way to move Kevin Slowey up to New Britain. In 9 starts this year, he is 2-2 with a 2.11 ERA. In 59.2 innings, he has 50 strikeouts and 12 walks. Duensing missed time a couple of years ago with Tommy John surgery. Hopefully he is one that will come back even better than he ever was. The Twins took a risk with him, and he is doing well so far. He does need to move up to Hi-A and be challenged.

2006 Projection: I think he should move up to Ft. Myers to start soon

Potential: Lefty reliever or 5th starter type

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

Any thoughts, let me know. E-mail me. Be sure to check back soon for Prospects #21-35!

Monday SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Alex Romero, New Britain Rockcats

Monday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Matt Garza, New Britain Rockcats

First, be sure to read Aaron Gleeman's article on Pat Neshek. Of course, I would also encourage you to check out Neshek's personal website. Check out on Jim Mandelaro's Extra Bases, I would encourage you to bookmark it and check it out daily!

If you have any thoughts on the Twins system, please e-mail me.

ROCHESTER REPORT

Tuesday - Red Wings 0, Columbus 4 – The Red Wings did have six hits, but no runs in this game. Jason Bartlett went 2-4. Josh Rabe had a triple and Shawn Wooten had a double. Pete Munro started and went 5.2 innings. He gave up the four runs on nine hits. He walked two and struck out three. Beau Kemp went 2.1 innings without allowing a run.

NEW BRITAIN NEWS

Tuesday - Game 1 - Rockcats 6, Trenton 0 – Double-A, Shmuble-A! Matt Garza made his second AA start and was equally impressive. The righty went six innings and gave up no runs on four hits. He walked none and struck out nine! Jay Sawatski pitched a perfect seventh to complete the game. Alex Romero was the hitting hero. The lefty went 2-3 with a double and a home run, driving in three runs. Danny Matienzo went 2-3 with an RBI.

Tuesday - Game 2 - Rockcats 6, Trenton 1 – John Thomas made his first AA start of the year and did well. He got the win by going five innings and allowing just a run on five hits. Julio DePaula and Levale Speigner each threw a scoreless inning. The offense was well-balanced as seven players collected at least one hit. Denard Span, Trent Oeltjen and Doug Deeds each had two hits. Span had a double as did Alex Romero and Steve Lomanskey.

FT MYERS MEMOS

Tuesday - Miracle 3, Brevard County 11 – Another blowout loss for the Miracle in a game started by Jose Mijares. In his previous start, the team gave up a lot of runs, but most of them came after he left. This time, he gave up six earned runs in just 2.1 innings. He allowed six hits and walked four hitters while striking out four. Justin Jones then came in and in 3.1 innings, he gave up just two unearned runs. Tim Lahey went two shutout innings. In the ninth inning, Josh Hill gave up three more runs. Luke Hughes had three of the team's six hits, and Matt Tolbert hit a two run homer.

BELOIT BITS

Tuesday - Snappers 0, Peoria 1 – Ryan Mullins deserved better than this. He went 7.2 shutout innings, but he left the game with a runner on 1st base. Adam Hawes came in and gave up the run before getting that last out meaning the loss went to Mullins. Erik Lis had two doubles and a walk in four plate appearances. Dwayne White was also 2-3 with a walk. The Snappers had just six hits.

Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? I would love any input, or ideas to make it better. Thanks! E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.

Since the Twins will have a new stadium to play in for the 2010 season, I thought it would be fun to put a Discussion Question here on the subject. We have had several Discussion Questions on this site in the past, but it has again been awhile. So, what you need to do if you're interested in participating is, read the below question, take a little time to think over your response, and then e-mail me your thoughts on the question.

Please do not discuss this in the Comments below. I will post all responses on Friday, so please send me an e-mail if you would like to participate. Obviously none of us will get all 25 correct, and there will be unforeseen trades. I mean, we are four seasons from the new stadium. But, it is fun to project. Which current Twins will still be around? Which minor leaguers will be a part of the team? It will be interesting to see what others think.

Last night was the final night of the American Idol competition. Tonight, we will find out if Katharine McPhee or Taylor Hicks is the new American Idol. I think it is pretty obvious what will happen, but I wanted to briefly discuss the performances and make a couple of comments before making my predictions. Feel free to e-mail me, or Comment below.

And on that note, I will call it good and say, "Have a great day!" I certainly hope that you have found some things that were worth reading. I hope you'll be back tomorrow where maybe you can see the next 15 top Twins prospects! If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.