Wednesday, October 21, 2009

SethSpeaks.net Top 50

Minnesota Twins Prospects

Part 2: Prospects 21-35

 

On Monday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 36-50. Today, I’m back with my choices for Twins prospects 21-35. I welcome your comments. I hope you enjoy this and again, please feel free to comment.

 

#50 – Shooter Hunt – RHP – 23 (8/16/86)

#49 – Joe Testa – LH RP – 23 (12/18/85)

#48 – Reggie Williams – IF – 21 (11/5/88)

#47 – Brad Tippett – RHP – 21 (2/11/88)

#46 – Winston Marquez – LHP – 22 (8/19/87)

#45 – James Beresford – SS – 20 (1/19/89)

#44 – Deibinson Romero – 3B – 23 (9/24/86)

#43 – Evan Bigley – OF – 21 (3/9/87)

#42 – Derek McCallum – 2B – 21 (3/22/88)

#41 – Liam Hendriks – RHP – 20 (2/10/89)

#40 – Brian Dozier – SS – 22 (5/15/87)

#39 – Chris Herrmann – OF/C – 22 (11/24/87)

#38 – Steve Hirschfeld – RHP – 24 (9/8/85)

#37 – Ramon Santana – 3B/SS – 23 (6/20/86)

#36 – Rob Delaney – RH RP – 25 (9/8/84)

 

#35 – David Winfree – OF – 24 (8/5/85)

2009 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 13th round pick in 2003 out of Virginia Beach high school

 

After two years at AA New Britain, the Twins pushed Winfree to AAA Rochester and he responded with another solid season. He hit .273/.317/.460 with 31 doubles, 14 homers and 60 RBI. He is still a work in progress defensively but has a strong arm worthy of playing RF. Winfree becomes a six year minor league free agent five days after the completion of the World Series, so if the Twins want to keep him around, they will likely need to add him to the 40 man roster before that happens.

 

2010 Projection: if with Twins organization, back at Rochester

Potential: DH/4th OF/RH PH

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

#34 – Andrei Lobanov – LHP – 19 (1/25/90)

2009 Teams: GCL Twins

Acquired: Signed as free agent in August 2007 out of Moscow, Russia

 

2-1 with seven saves. A 0.82 ERA. A 0.68 WHIP. 1 walk and 35 strikeouts in 22 innings. The young lefty from Moscow has tremendous upside and will only get better over time. Clearly he’s got plenty of developing to do, but the Twins will remain patient with him. It is exciting to think about how good he could be.

 

2010 Projection: Closer at Elizabethton

Potential: LOOGY or 8th inning guy

Could be in Minnesota in: 2015

 

#33 – Michael Tonkin – RHP – 20 (11/19/89)

2009 Teams: GCL Twins

Acquired: Twins 30th round pick in 2008 out of California high school

 

Tonkin made a name for himself as more than just “Jason Kubel’s Brother-in-Law” on July 16th when he struck out 15 GCL Red Sox batters in seven two-hit, no-run innings. At 6-7 tall, he is very projectable, and should continue to add velocity over time. He went 3-4 with a 3.62 ERA, which is more impressive when you realize that in hit two bad starts, he gave up 11 runs in eight innings Take those two outings out, and his ERA is just 2.12. All together he struck out 60 and walked just nine in 54.2 innings.

 

2010 Projection: Extended Spring Training, followed by starting in Elizabethton

Potential: #3-4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2015

 

#32 – Santos Arias – RHP – 22 (3/17/87)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Signed as free agent by Twins in February, 2005, out of the Dominican Republic

 

Arias started the season in the Miracles’ bullpen. In 49 innings (29 games), he was 4-1 with a 2.39 ERA. He moved into the starting rotation, made nine starts and was even better. He went 2-2 with a 1.92 ERA. On the year, he struck out 72 and walked 27 in 100.2 innings. Listed at 5-11 and 162 pounds, it is likely he will continue this pattern of splitting seasons before the bullpen and rotation.

 

2010 Projection: swingman in New Britain

Potential: #4-5 starter/long relief

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

 

#31 – Steve Tolleson – IF/OF – 26 (11/1/83)

2009 Teams: New Britain Rockcats/Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 5th round pick in 2005 out of South Carolina

 

After a solid 2008 with a strong performance in the Arizona Fall League, Tolleson was added to the Twins 40 man roster. He reported to big league camp, but he was hurt and sent to the minor league side early. He began the year slowly at AA before being promoted to Rochester. Tolleson can put together quality at bats, but very questionable glove. 

 

2010 Projection: Playing 2B and OF in Rochester

Potential: #2 type of hitter in the big leagues

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

#30 – Billy Bullock – RH RP – 21 (2/27/88)

2009 Team: Elizabethton Twins/Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2009 out of Florida

Bullock became the closer for the Florida Gators in 2009 after starting previously. He throws hard, as hard as 97. He will likely move up the organization very quickly in 2010.

2010 Projection: closing in Ft. Myers, but promoted to New Britain for 2nd half

Potential: 8th inning or even potential closer

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#29 – Tom Stuifbergen – RHP – 21 (9/26/88)

2009 Team: Elizabethton Twins/Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Signed by Twins in August 2006 as non-drafted free agent from The Netherlands

 

After missing the entire 2008 season with injury, “Stuif” made a name for himself during the WBC when he threw four scoreless innings in a start for The Netherlands against the Dominican Republic. He carried it into a very solid season with the Elizabethton Twins. He went 5-2 with a 3.28 ERA. In 79.2 innings, he struck out 69 and walked just six! He induced three ground balls for every fly ball. He also pitched well for The Netherlands in the World Cup.

 

2010 Projection: Starting for Beloit

Potential: #3 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

 

#28 – Max Kepler-Rozycki – C/OF – 16 (2/10/93)

2009 Teams: None (Played in Germany)

Acquired: Signed by Twins as non-drafted free agent in July, 2009

 

What do we know about Kepler? His mom is in ballet. He’s a tremendous athlete. He is believed to be the best baseball prospect to come out of Europe, ever. But my response to that would simply be, what does that mean? I’m not certain that Kepler should rank this high at this stage, but after chatting with someone much closer to the situation, some could probably argue that he could be in the Top 10. I just can’t do that yet! 

 

2010 Projection: Extended Spring Training, then to the GCL Twins for a year or two.

Potential: who knows!?

Could be in Minnesota in: 2016

 

#27 – Brian Dinkelman – 2B – 26 (11/10/83)

2009 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 8th round pick in 2006 from McKendree University

If Dinkelman was two years younger, he would be much higher on this list. He hit .296/.383/.440 with 38 doubles, two triples and eight home runs. He could be added to the 40 man roster this offseason and if he isn’t, he is a candidate to be selected in the Rule 5 draft because he could be ready to contribute now.

2010 Projection: 2B and LF at Rochester

Potential: possible top of the order 2B

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

#26 – Oswaldo Arcia – OF – 18 (5/1/91)

2009 Teams: GCL Twins

Acquired: Signed as free agent by Twins in June 2007 out of the Dominican Republic 

 

A .792 OPS may not jump out to many when compared to the numbers Joe Mauer put up this year, but for an 18 year old in his first year in the country, it is solid. He had 18 extra base hits in 167 at bats. He was eight for eight in stolen bases. Arcia has a ton of talent. 

 

2010 Projection: Extended Spring Training, followed by Elizabethton

Potential: corner OF

Could be in Minnesota in: 2014

 

#25 – Josmil Pinto – C/DH – 20 (3/31/89)

2009 Teams: Elizabethton Twins

Acquired: Signed as free agent by Twins in February 2006 out of the Dominican Republic

 

Josmil Pinto’s position is generally listed as Catcher, but to this point, his best defensive position is DH. But after hitting .332/.387/.610 with 14 doubles, two triples and 13 home runs in 205 at bats, DH looks like a very solid option. It will be very interesting to see how the young Dominican performs next year in the Midwest League.                                                                                                                                                      

 

2010 Projection: C and DH and some 1B in Beloit

Potential: Big league DH option, #3 catcher option

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

 

#24 – Michael McCardell – RHP – 24 (4/13/85)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 6th round draft pick in 2007 out of Kutztown University

McCardell went 9-6 with a 3.93 ERA in 17 starts at Ft. Myers. He was then promoted to AA New Britain where, in nine starts, he was 5-2 with a 4.10 ERA. Opponents hit .272 against him in Ft. Myers but just .247 in the Eastern League. On the season, he struck out 118 and walked just 32 in 142.1 innings. He is currently pitching in the Arizona Fall League.

2010 Projection: start at New Britain, promotion to Rochester

Potential: #4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#23 – Steve Singleton – 2B – 24 (9/12/85)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 11th round pick in 2006 out of U. of San Diego

 

Singleton is also representing the Twins in the Arizona Fall League… and representing them well. He began the year at Ft. Myers where he hit .268/.329/.424. He moved up to New Britain where he hit .291/.319/.418. On the season, he hit 26 doubles, 11 triples and six home runs. He played exclusively 2B with the Miracle. After his promotion, he played almost as much at SS and performed well. He will need to be added to the 40 man roster or it is very possible he would be lost in the Rule 5 draft.

 

2010 Projection: start season in NB infield, before being promoted to Rochester

Potential: starting 2B

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#22 – Carlos Gutierrez – RHP – 22 (9/22/86)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2007 out of U. of Miami

Gutierrez made ten starts at Ft. Myers and went 2- with a 1.32 ERA. That said, the ERA was more than a little deceiving. He gave up just eight runs, but he gave up another 12 unearned runs. And in 54.2 innings, he struck out just 33 and walked 22. He made six more starts at AA New Britain before finishing the season in the Rockcats’ bullpen to keep his innings down. There, he went 1-3 with a 6.19 ERA. In 52.1 innings, he struck out just 32 and walked 24 (and 62 hits). Blessed with a fastball that occasionally hits 95 and 96 mph, he is a ground ball pitcher who does not get strikeouts. He should get another shot at being a starter. 

2010 Projection: starting in New Britain

Potential: #3 starter or 8th inning guy

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#21 – Anthony Slama – RH RP – 25 (1/6/84)

2009 Teams: New Britain Rockcats/Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 39th round pick in 2006 out of U. of San Diego

 

After being the Twins organizational minor league pitcher of the year in 2008, Slama put together another very strong season in 2009. He appeared in 51 games in New Britain where he was 4-2 with a 2.48 ERA. In 65.1 innings, he walked too many (32), and struck out a ton (93). Opponents hit just .201 off of him. He was promoted to AAA Rochester where he appeared in 11 games and went 0-2 with a 3.45 ERA. He gave up six runs, but five of them came in just one of those games. He had a combined 29 saves on the season.

 

2010 Projection: spend at least ½ the season in Rochester, possible call-up, if needed

Potential: quality 7th/8th inning guy.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

So there you have it, my selections for Twins prospects 21-35. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my choices for #11-20, and later in the week, you will also get my Top 10. If you have any feedback, comments, opinions or suggestions, please feel free to Send me an e-mail, or leave your questions or comments here.

 

 

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