Tuesday

Good Morning! This is the final week of the Twins regular season. Next week, I will start a series of postseason thoughts and ideas and opinions next week. The rest of this week, I will post a four-part look at my Top 50 Twins prospects. Today, I will take a look at my selections for #36-50. Tomorrow, I'll announce my picks for #21-35. Thursday, I'll share #11-20. And finally on Friday, you will see the Top 10 Twins Prospects according to SethSpeaks.

Before I get into the list, I should point out a few things about the list. The first thing that I have to say is that, if they haven't played in the major leagues, I probably haven't seen them play, at least not more than a spring training at bat or two. So, my thoughts are really very opinion based. However, it is certainly more than that. Those who have been to this site the last couple of seasons know that I have posted highlights of all of the Twins minor league affiliates throughout their seasons. Looking at the box scores daily and following the player's stats and promotions, etc., I feel that I at least have some idea of what type of player each is. But I am also a firm believer that some subjectivity needs to go into scouting, and I don't have that. It isn't necessary all about numbers at the minor league levels.

A few other factors matter when coming up with this list. For pitchers, I will look at strikeouts and walks per inning. Obviously I prefer pitchers who can rack up some strikeouts without walking very many. It may be unfair, but generally, I will rank starting pitchers higher than relievers simply because I know that the Twins have a philosophy to keep their best prospects starting, unless their names are Jesse Crain, Travis Bowyer or Pat Neshek.

For hitters, I will look at power numbers. I will also look at their strikeout numbers. Remember in my past prospect lists, I included Luis Rodriguez. He may not have a high ceiling, but I look highly upon him because he has always walked more than he struck out.

For any player, though, I will look at their age in relation to their level of play. Trevor Plouffe may have hit just .230 this season, but at 19, he was the youngest player in the Midwest League for most of the season. That means something. Likewise, I have always liked Josh Rabe as a hitter, but he is now 26 years old, which makes him a borderline prospect at this time.

But in the end, these prospects lists can be defined by three words... Just a Guess. We don't know. Things like injuries or trades happen and alter the lists. There are late bloomers who will contribute to the Twins. Some of the high-level pitching prospects may never get out of AA ball. Fact is, trying to determine a list of which players will have the biggest impact at the major league level is very difficult. It may look like I have a good list, or there may be some rankings that you disagree with, but we won't know how "right" I was for another five to eight, to even ten years down the line.

So, to summarize, please don't take this list of prospects as anything too serious. It is simply a list of Twins prospects in an order that I feel is most right, right now. Remember, I last did a Top 30 prospect list back in mid-June, and things have already changed since then. Really, what it amounts to is a fun list to create some discussion. Ultimately, as someone who follows the Twins minor leagues, I feel that all fifty of the players that I rank this week deserve mention. They deserve a little recognition among Twins fans. To be honest, I went to a 50 player list because I didn't feel right cutting it down to 30. Well, I had to leave some players off of the Top 50 prospect list that either had very strong 2005 seasons.

That is enough of a lead-in, right? Let's get to the list! You will see that for each player, I will give their name, position and age. I will note which team or teams they played for in 2005. I will mention how the team acquired him. I will share a few thoughts on the player. I will try to guess where he will spend the 2006 season, and finally, I will project when the player could make a major league debut. This is, of course, assuming that the player will eventually make the major leagues. Of course, there is no way to know that, and many from this list will probably not get there.

If you have any questions or comments on any of these players or their rankings, I would love to hear your thoughts. Also, on Friday, I would like to post a mailbag following my Top 10 Twins Prospects of your thoughts on these lists. 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.

#50 – Josh Rabe – OF – 26

2005 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 11th round draft pick in 2001 out of Quincy (IL) University

As I mentioned above, I really like Rabe (pronounced RAY-Bee) and feel that he has done enough at Rochester to warrant consideration for a call up. However, he was hurt much of the 2005 season, and that really hurt him. He played in just 90 games and the spotty play may have caused the low numbers. He hit just .239/.313/.414 with 17 doubles, 11 homers and 49 RBI. I guess that I would compare him to Michael Restovich, without as many strikeouts. He has now spent parts of three seasons at Rochester without getting much of a look from the Twins. Despite being close to major-league-ready, Rabe falls this far on the list because he will turn 27 next month.

2006 Projection: If still in the organization, he should have a shot at a backup outfield spot with the Twins. The Twins could certainly use a right-handed power bat. If not, he’ll be back in the Rochester OF/DH at bats.

Potential: 4th Outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#49 – JR Taylor – SS – 23

2005 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired:

Taylor started the season by playing his first 72 games and Ft. Myers. He hit .256/.328/309 with ten doubles. He struck out 34 times and walked 28 times. He was promoted to New Britain and actually played a little better. In 32 games, he hit .276/.347/.343 with four doubles and a homer. His K:BB rate there was 11:14. Obviously Taylor will never be a big power hitter, but he could eventually provide some speed. At Ft. Myers, he stole 10 bases, but was caught nine times. Then at New Britain, he was successful on just one of six steal attempts. I may compare him to Juan Castro.

2006 Projection: middle infield for the Rockcats for the full season

Potential: 2nd Utility Infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#48 – Justin Olson – RHP – 25

2005 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Free Agent signing in 2003 from Independent League

Olson is really a great story. He went to Illinois in college and had an average career. His junior season, he had an ERA of 4.74. In his other three seasons, his ERA was between 6.50 and 7.76 (his senior year). After his college days, he actually did not play ball. But Rockford of the independent Frontier League had a tryout and he made that team. He threw hard and dominated to the point where the Twins signed him after just five innings (and 11 strikeouts). He went to Quad Cities and the Ft .Myers and was the closer at both places. He spent 2004 at Ft. Myers and had a 2.88 ERA. This year, he moved up to New Britain and split time between the rotation and the bullpen (15 of 31 appearances were as a starter). Blessed with a fastball in the upper 90s, he struck out about a hitter an inning. Really, his lone problem was the long ball. He gave up 17 homers in 109 innings. I might compare him to a hard-throwing, late-bloomer such as Travis Bowyer.

2006 Projection: the bullpen of the Red Wings

Potential: late inning reliever, or long relief

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#47 – Brock Peterson – 1B – 21

2005 Team: Fort Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 49th round pick in 2002

Peterson is a big man with a lot of power. That said, he is really yet to show his potential. This season at Ft. Myers, he hit 12 home runs. One problem throughout his brief career has been strikeouts, as each of the past two seasons, he has averaged a strikeout approximately every four at bats. This year, he hit .250/.332/.401 with 22 doubles, 12 homers and 60 RBI. I don't think he's a huge prospect, but I feel the need to include him because of his size and power potential. Also, he is still just 21. That is relatively young for the Florida State League which is generally known as a pitcher's league. I think that 2006 is a big year for him though.

2006 Projection: 1B at New Britain.

Potential: Could be middle of the lineup power hitter, more likely a pinch hitter.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#46 – Erik Lis – 1B – 21

2005 Teams: U of Evansville/Elizabethton Twins

Acquired: Twins 9th round pick in 2005

Lis probably had a better season his sophomore year, when he hit .373 with 21 doubles and 11 homers. This spring, he hit .322/.398/.564 with 15 doubles, 12 homers and 60 RBI. He was 14/17 in steal attempts. Lis signed pretty quickly and reported to Elizabethton where he was one of the team's best hitters. In 49 games, he hit .315/.356/.577 with 12 doubles, 10 homers and 41 RBI. So, the Twins have yet another 1B prospect, something that they certainly do not have a shortage of!

2006 Projection: 1B at Beloit

Potential: Could be a starting 1B.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#45 – Scott Tyler – RHP – 23

2005 Team: Fort Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2001 from Philadelphia

Tyler's career has been filled with ups and downs. He was considered a disappointment after the 2003 season, but then he had a very strong 2004 season. The Twins felt that they had to protect him, so they put him on the 40 man roster. He was injured much of the season again and when he was healthy, he dipped back into the disappointing category. I can see the Twins looking to trade Tyler in the offseason, or simply taking him off of the 40 man roster and risking losing him. If he is still around, I would like to see the Twins move him into the bullpen. He is a big (6-5) man with a strong arm, but because of the injuries, maybe it is time to consider pitching him less innings to maximize his output. Maybe he could become a closer next year at either Ft. Myers or New Britain.

2006 Projection: I am wondering if a move to the closer role shouldn’t be considered for Tyler. I think he should Close games at New Britain next season. I think that if he's with the Twins, they need to push him to New Britain.

Potential: Talent to be a #3 starter, probably should be moved to relief.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#44 – Ricky Barrett – LHP – 24

2005 Teams: New Britain Rockcats/Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 7th round pick in 2002 out of the University of San Diego

Barrett had arm surgery in 2003 and came back with a very solid 2004 season. That year, he primarily started at Quad Cities and then was mainly out of the bullpen after moving up to Ft. Myers. He started this season in the New Britain bullpen and in 10 games (17.2 innings) he had an ERA of 0.51. He was promoted to Rochester and went into their bullpen. In 40 games, Barrett went 4-4 with a 6.71 ERA. In 63 innings, he had 63 strikeouts, a very impressive number, but he also had 48 walks, and very non-impressive number! Barrett will be representing the Twins organization in the Arizona Fall League. It is certainly an interesting choice by the organization, but maybe he'll learn something to find some semblance of control.

2006 Projection: He may start the season in the Red Wings rotation, but once a couple of the AA pitchers move up, I think his future will be in the Rochester bullpen.

Potential: Important situation lefty reliever.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#43 – Adam Hawes – RHP – 22

2005 Team: Elizabethton Twins

Acquired: Twins 40th round pick in 2003 out of Connors State College

The Twins actually took Hawes with their 17th round pick in 2002, but he went to school. Hawes, another British Colombia native, led the Appalachian League in ERA this year. In 14 games, he went 4-0 with a 1.53 ERA. In 59 innings, he struck out 68 hitters and walked just 16. These are excellent numbers, however, I would like to see the 22 year old do well in a full-season league before moving him up this list. John Sickels just named him the best starting pitcher in the Appalachian League this year.

2006 Projection: Should be in the starting rotation at Beloit

Potential: #4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#42 – Colby Miller – RHP – 23

2005 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2000 from Weatherford, Oklahoma

Miller was off to a rough start in 2004 at New Britain, he was 3-7 with an ERA around six. He was shut down for the rest of the year and had some surgery. He ended 2005 with a record of just 2-7, but a very strong 3.60 ERA. You will remember that Miller started the 2005 season at New Britain by throwing 20 consecutive scoreless innings. He had a good first few months, but then he really started to struggle. Shoulder problems again ended his season. He did not have surgery, but spent the rest of the year resting and rehabbing his arm. When healthy, Miller is probably a top 20 type prospect. However, the recurring arm injuries are not good for a pitcher.

2006 Projection: Probably starting in the New Britain rotation, although to keep his arm fresh, they may move him to the bullpen.

Potential: #5 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#41 – Johnny Woodard – 1B – 21

2005 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2003 from Cosumnes River College

Woodard is another promising 1B hitting prospect. At 6-4, he has the potential to get bigger and add power. He hit over .300 with some power at Elizabethton in 2004, but he was held back by a wrist injury in 2005. His missed most of the first half of the season. He finally joined Beloit late. In 60 games, he hit .235/.316/.396 with nine doubles, eight homers and 27 RBI. He definitely struck out too much, but by season's end, he showed some of the power that I'm sure Twins scouts saw.

2006 Projection: Should be the Miracles 1B.

Potential: power hitting 1B/DH.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#40 – Kevin West – OF – 25

2005 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 16th round pick in 1999 out of Mendocino Junior College

With most teams, West probably would have been called up after his impressive 2004 season (between AA and AAA), but the Twins had four solid outfielders. This year, he would have been called up by any major league team that needed some offense, particularly a right-handed, power hitting outfielder. Twins fans... can you think of a team that might need that? Despite a slow start, West ended 2005 with some very good numbers. In 125 games, he hit .271/.355/478 with 26 doubles, 20 homers and 64 RBI. He will strikeout every 4+ at bats, but the Twins needed power and they needed outfielders and they needed outfield bats. I think he could contribute to a major league team now. He is only this far down the list because he is already 25 years old.

2006 Projection: Hopefully a 5th outfielder for the Twins. Probably in the Rochester outfield and DH

Potential: 4th OF/DH

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#39 – Deacon Burns – OF – 22

2005 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 26th round pick in 2004 out of Northern State University

Burns is an extra base hit machine. On the year, he hit .271/.345/.457 in 132 games. He had 36 doubles, 13 triples, 12 homers and 78 RBI. He was also 13/16 in stolen base attempts. People frequently ask me if I would compare him to Kirby Puckett. My first reaction is no, mainly because no one will ever compare to Puck. But from the standpoint of extra base hits, that is what we're seeing. He did the same thing in 2004 at Elizabethton. Next year is a huge year for him. If he can put up the same numbers at Ft. Myers next season, he jumps into a higher level of prospect.

2006 Projection: starting in the Ft. Myers outfield

Potential: 4th outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#38 – Jason Miller – LH RP – 23

2005 Teams: New Britain Rockcats/Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 4th round draft pick in 2000

Ricky Barrett is the one going to the Arizona Fall League, but Jason Miller had, by far, the better 2005 season. I rank him ahead of Barrett, but the Twins must like Barrett better for some reason. Miller started the season with New Britain and in 26 relief appearances, he went 1-2 with a 2.72 ERA. In 50 innings, he went walked 22 (not good), but he also struck out 56. He was an Eastern League All-Star. He was then promoted to Rochester where he pitched another 13 games and went 2-0 with a 3.81 ERA. In 26 innings, he walked too many (17) but struck out 27, more than one an inning. Miller put up better numbers than Barrett at the same levels, and is almost two years younger. That is why I have him ranked higher.

2006 Projection: He’ll likely start in the Red Wings bullpen, but if the Twins are able to unload JC Romero, there is a chance that Miller could be the Twins 2^nd lefty in the ‘pen.

Potential: Quality Lefty of any bullpen

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

#37 – Drew Thompson – SS – 18

2005 Teams: Jupiter (FL) High School/GCL Twins/Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins Supplemental 2nd round pick in 2005

Thompson is 'known' because his father, two-time All Star Robby Thompson, was the 2B for the Giants from 1986-1996. But Thompson is quite the player himself. The shortstop was thought to be going to college unless he got drafted high. The Twins did just that and Thompson signed right away. He hit well from the start at GCL. In 37 games, he hit .257/.385/.367 with four doubles, two homers and 20 RBI. He walked and struck out 22 times a piece. When the GCL season finished, Thompson got to move up to Ft. Myers for four games. He hit .308 with a double. I would suspect that Thompson and Paul Kelly will share middle infield duties at Beloit next season.

2006 Projection: playing shortstop for Beloit.

Potential: Productive, if unspectacular, middle infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#36 – Danny Matienzo – DH – 25

2005 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 23rd round pick in 2002 out of University of Miami

Interestingly, the Twins also drafted Matienzo in 1999 out of high school, in the 24th round. If you want a comparison to Matienzo, look no further than the Twins Matthew LeCroy. Matienzo can hit, and hit for some power, but he really doesn't have a position. He was drafted as a catcher, primarily played 1B, but he also played a few games at 3B. Again, he can hit. In 138 games this year, he hit .282/.338/.488 with 36 doubles, 23 homers and 87 RBI. He walked 40 times, but he also struck out 112 times. He is very LeCroy-esque.

2006 Projection: in Rochester, playing some 1B and primarily DHing.

Potential: DH, or pinch-hitter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2006

By the way, be sure to check out Baseball America's Top 20 players from the Midwest League. Five Beloit players made the top 20. Anthony Swarzak (8), Matt Garza (10), Jay Rainville (11), Trevor Plouffe (12) and David Winfree (14) each made the list. I think it's great. Personally, I would have Rainville ahead of Swarzak, and I would have Kevin Slowey ahead of Matt Garza, but who am I? I probably would have included Kyle Waldrop and Jose Mijares too! BA's Jim Callis answered questions about the rankings and many questions are about the Twins prospects, and more.

Speaking of Beloit, our friend "Roger" has posted his Review of the Beloit Snappers.

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

And on that note, I will call it a day 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 to see the next 15 top Twins prospects! If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.

Final Standings	Total	Week	3		Over	All
Name	Site	W	L	Win%	W	L	Win %
Trevor Born	Twins Junkie	12	2	85.7%	31	15	67.4^{^%}
Cory Hepola	KTVH-TV Sports	12	2	85.7^{^%}	30	16	65.2^{^{^{^{^%}}}}
Seth Stohs	SethSpeaks.net	10	4	71.4^{^{^%}}	28	18	^{^{^60.9%}}
Mike Brasel	Fantasy FB Guru	8	6	57.1^{^%}	27	19	58.7^{^%}
SethSpeaks Panel		10	4	71.4^{^%}	26	19	57.8%
Aaron Gleeman	Aaron's BB Blog	10	4	^{^71.4%}	26	20	^{^{^56.5%}}
Melissa Lien	SethSpeaks.net	9	5	64.3^{^%}	26	20	^{^{^{^{^56.5%}}}}
Stick & Ball Guy	Stick & Ball Guy	9	5	64.3%	25	21	^{^{^54.3%}}
Ben Jacobs	Hardball Times	10	4	^{^{^71.4%}}	24	22	52.2^{^{^%}}
Will Young	Will's Twins Blog	10	4	71.4^{^{^{^{^%}}}}	24	22	52.2^{^{^{^{^%}}}}
Brent Hanson	BrentNet	9	5	64.3^{^{^%}}	24	22	52.2^{^{^%}}
Grant Balfour	Twins Relief Pitcher	5	9	35.7^{^%}	23	23	^{^{^50.0%}}
Kevin Slowey	Twins Pitching Prospect	7	7	50.0^{^{^%}}	19	27	41.3^{^{^%}}