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40 –
Matt Moses – 3B – 22
2007 Team: Rochester Red Wings, New Britain Rockcats
Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2003 out Miles Godwin HS (Richmond, VA)
I thought that it was a bit crazy that the Twins pushed Moses to AAA at age 22 despite the fact that he did nothing at New Britain in 2006 to indicate the he was ready for that. But Moses came to training camp down more than 30 pounds, so I was curious about how it would go. Well, to no surprise, Moses was not good at all at Rochester. He hit just .224/.244/.305 in 48 games with just eight doubles and two homers. His four walks and 42 strikeouts are very alarming. Finally, he was demoted to AA and he actually started out alright there. But in 71 games there, he hit just .263/.308/.401 with 24 doubles and four homers. He walked 17 times and struck out 51 times. In other words, the weight loss actually seems to have hurt him. And, I have heard rumblings of questionable effort and lack of concern on his part, which is equally negative. The Twins have a big decision to make this offseason. I do assume that the Twins will add him to their 40 man roster, but it isn’t a no brainer as it should be.
2008 Projection: probably back at Rochester
Potential: still some power potential, but not the hitter we thought he would become
Could be in Minnesota in: 2008
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39 –
Brandon Roberts – OF – 22
2007 Team: New Britain Rockcats
Acquired: Acquired from Reds in 2006 for Juan Castro, 7th round pick in 2005 out of Cal Poly
After hitting .148/.195/.148 in April, Roberts turned it on the rest of the year. His monthly batting averages after April were .313, 303, 359, 327. After the All-Star break, he hit .342/.389/.447. Overall, he hit .293/.355/.374 with 13 doubles, four triples, three homers and 39 RBI. In other words, Roberts has pretty much no pop in his bat, but I do like the on-base percentage. However, I don’t like his Isolated Discipline, not a lot of walks. That combination does not bode well. Again, the perfect comp would be Jason Tyner. And, after stealing a combined 50 bases in 2006, Roberts was just 14 for 21 in stolen base attempts this year. Despite the solid batting average numbers after the first month, I would like to see Roberts return to New Britain and work on his on-base skills and steel more bases. I think it would be good for him.
2008 Projection: 4th OF at Rochester, or back at NB
Potential: base stealing fourth/fifth outfield - see Tyner, Jason
Could be in Minnesota in: 2009
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38 –
Zach Ward – RHP – 23
2007 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle
Acquired: in July 31, 2006 trade with Cincinnati Reds for Kyle Lohse
It is hard for a guy to lose 17 games and actually move up the prospect list. Ward was certainly a tough-loss guy much of the season for the Miracle. He certainly pitched better than his 5-17 record would indicate. His ERA was 4.08 which isn’t great, especially for a guy his age, but it’s not horrible. He struck out 137 and walked just 37 in 130 innings. He gave up just five home run balls. His final two starts were not good at all. Before that, his ERA was 3.80. I think he’s got a shot to progress up the system. With better run support, maybe his W-L record is at or close to .500 and it all wouldn’t look so bad.
2008 Projection: starting for New Britain
Potential: 5th starter
Could be in Minnesota in: 2009
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37
– Steven Tolleson – IF
– 23
2007 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle
Acquired: Twins 5th Round Pick in 2005 out of U. of South Carolina
Along with Juan Portes and Erik Lis, Tolleson was one of the few consistencies in the every day lineup for the Miracle. Each played in 132 games. Tolleson was the leadoff hitter and hit .285/.388/.382 with 24 doubles, four triples and five homers. As a leadoff hitter, I obviously really like his On-Base Percentage and his Isolated Discipline. He also had the green light to steal, and he stole 27 bases in 37 attempts. Although able to play any of the infield positions, he primarily played 2B, but he also DHd quite a bit. After now spending a year and a half with the Miracle, the son of a former big leaguer should move up to New Britain next season.
2008 Projection: middle infielder in New Britain
Potential: utility infielder
Could be in Minnesota in: 2010
#36 – Mike McCardell - RHP – 22
2007 Teams: Elizabethton Twins
Acquired: Twins 6th round pick in 2007 out of Kutztown University of Pennsylvania
Why McCardell started his pro career with the GCL team is confusing to me. He threw four games and 18 innings for the GCL Twins and walked just three and struck out 25. He moved up to Elizabethton and made eight starts for him. In 45 innings, he walked just five hitters and struck out 70! He went 5-1 with a 2.00 ERA and a WHIP of 0.76. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, he can still get bigger, stronger and throw harder. I think that he has a chance to advance a couple of levels next year and move up this list more. Plus, you know I’m going to root for a guy from a small college!
2008 Projection: split season between Beloit and Ft. Myers
Potential: #3 starter
Could be in Minnesota in: 2010
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35 –
Jose Mijares – LHP –
22
2007 Teams: New Britain Rockcats, Rochester Red Wings
Acquired: signed as free agent by Twins in 2002 out of Venezuela
Jose Mijares is still quite the enigma to the Twins brass, I’m sure. When he is on, he can be as dominant out of the bullpen as any lefty reliever. With New Britain this year, he had 75 strikeouts in 61 innings. But when he is off, he can be pretty bad. He also had 48 walks in those 61 innings. He gave up just seven homers, but I would bet that at least six of them were in big situations. Stuff-wise, Mijares is right up there with Eddie Morlan. Consistency-wise, he has a long ways to go.
2008 Projection: Should go to Beloit
Potential: dominant left-handed reliever
Could be in Minnesota in: 2008
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34 –
Matt Tolbert – SS/2B – 25
2007 Teams: Rochester Red Wings
Acquired: Twins 16th round draft pick in 2004 out of U of Mississippi
Tolbert was definitely the guy that a lot of Twins fans wanted to see called up from Rochester to help the Twins infield situation because of his high batting average early in the season. He and Alexi Casilla switched back and forth from 2B to SS. When Matt Moses struggles, Tolbert got a couple of games at 3B and Twins fans thought that he was being groomed to replace Nick Punto. It didn’t happen, and Tolbert’s numbers dropped back to earth. For the season, he hit .293/.353/.427 with 24 doubles, seven triples and six homers. After hitting .340, .370 and .318 in April, May and June, he hit .213, 283 and .222 in July, August and September. He was an International League All-Star and when Matt Garza was called up to the Twins, Tolbert took his place as the Twins representative in the Futures Game. He may get a shot to compete for the 2B job or maybe a utility role with the Twins, but it is likely that he will start the season back with the Red Wings.
2008 Projection: 2B/SS at Rochester. Could get utility time with Twins.
Potential: utility infielder with strong bat who could play daily.
Could be in Minnesota in: 2008
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33 –
Ozzie Lewis - OF –
21
2007 Teams: Elizabethton Twins
Acquired: Twins 21st round pick in 2007 out of Fresno State University
Lewis had an incredible season in 2007 for Elizabethton, a season in which he was named the Appalachian League Player of the Year. In 62 games and 235 at bats, he hit. 323/.375/.523 with 18 doubles, a triple, nine homers and 50 RBI. After this performance, I would like to rank Lewis higher. His numbers at college indicate that he was an athlete trying to become a baseball player. I think that is Lewis has truly put it all together, he can become a major steal for a 21st round pick. Again, it will be good to see him perform over a full season with Beloit.
2008 Projection: playing OF in Beloit
Potential: power hitter
Could be in Minnesota in: 2011
#32 – Angel Morales – OF – 17
2007 Teams: GCL Twins
Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2007 out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
Morales was the Twins third round pick this year out of his Puerto Rico high school. He is the youngest player in the Top 50 Twins prospect list and is just 17. He may be furthest away from the big leagues, but his upside is right up there with anyone. Believed to be a five-tool kind of prospect, Twins fans should be excited about following his progression which should take him to Elizabethton, Tennessee, next year. In 38 games with the GCL team, he hit .256/.357/.406 with 11 extra base hits in 121 at bats. He also stole 11 bases. I like that he is willing to take walks. However, his 44 strikeouts were by far the most on the team. That is an alarming number that will likely be a key indicator for his future success.
2008 Projection: Extended Spring Training, then E-town
Potential: 5-tool athlete, All Star caliber, 30/30 type
Could be in Minnesota in: 2011
#31 –
Wilson Ramos – C – 18
2007 Teams: Beloit Snappers
Acquired: Twins 39th round pick in 2004 out of Palm Beach Community College
If there was a Came-Out-Of-Nowhere Twins prospect in 2007, I think it has to be Wilson Ramos. He did have 16 extra base hits in 154 at bats with the GCL Twins in 2006. He was scheduled to be with Elizabethton this season, so he began the year in Extended Spring. Injuries and the struggles of Greg Yersich gave Ramos an opportunity with Beloit, and he certainly too advantage. In 73 games, he hit .291/.345/.438 with 17 doubles, a triple, eight homers and 42 RBI. He frequently had multi-hit games and was a key in the middle of the Snappers lineup. Unfortunately, he was hurt down the stretch and missed the team’s post season run. If there is one guy that has a good chance to skyrocket up this list, it is Ramos.
2008 Projection: playing different positions at Beloit for a half-season, then to FM
Potential: good hit DH, 1B, 3rd catcher
Could be in Minnesota in: 2011
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