Thursday, October 22, 2009

SethSpeaks.net Top 50

Minnesota Twins Prospects

Part 3: Prospects 11-21

 

On Monday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 36-50. Tuesday, I presented my choices for Twins prospects 21-35. Today, we will see my choices for Twins prospects 11-21. Yes, that is correct, 11-21. I’ll just admit it. One of the prospects in this 11-21 range, I just completely missed, forgot as I was making my list. Just an oversight, but as we get into the Top 20, that would be a lot more difficult to hide. It would be noticed. So anyway, today we are profiling prospects 11-21, and if you want to, you can move each of the prospects I ranked between 21 and 50 down one spot. Anyway, as always, I welcome your comments. I hope you enjoy this and again, please feel free to comment.

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

#44 – Evan Bigley – OF – 21 (3/9/87)

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

#21 – Alex Burnett – RH RP – 22 (7/26/87)

2009 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 12th round pick in 2005 out of California high school

From the time that Burnett was drafted in 2005, he has been, arguably, his team’s best starting pitcher. He was a solid, bulldog type who ate up innings and performed well, but not spectacularly. So it was surprising to everyone, including Burnett himself, when he 1.) went back to Ft. Myers and 2.) was in the bullpen. But the powers-that-be that made that decision were proven genius. After dominating for 18 games with the Miracle, Burnett was promoted and then even better in his 40 games with the Rockcats. All together, he was 3-3 with 13 saves and a 1.85 ERA in 78 innings. He struck out 78 and walked just 26. Opponents hit just .185 against him. Burnett put himself in position that he is now an easy choice to add to the 40 man roster this year. He is currently playing in the Arizona Fall League. 

2010 Projection: closing in New Britain, but promoted to Rochester for 2nd half

Potential: 8th inning or even potential closer

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#20 – Luke Hughes – 3B – 25 (8/2/84)

2009 Team: Rochester Red Wings/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Signed by Twins in 2002 as non-drafted free agent from Australia

 

Hughes began the season as the starting 3B for Rochester. Unfortunately he injured his oblique and after missing time was sent back to New Britain because Danny Valencia was moved up to the Red Wings. In total, Hughes hit .254/.335/.448 with 12 home runs (6 at each level). I have been told that he could be adequate at either infield position defensively, but certainly not a gold glove candidate. He does have power, and right-handed power. I know some have talked about taking him off of the 40 man roster. That would be silly. He can hit mistakes, and still has two option years left. With that power, you keep him around. 

 

2010 Projection: Rochester infield and outfield

Potential: right handed bench bat able to play 4-5 positions, if needed.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

#19 – Blayne Weller – RHP – 19 (1/30/90)

2009 Teams: GCL Twins

Acquired: Twins 14th round pick in 2008 out of Key West, Florida

 

The Twins were excited when they signed Weller at the signing deadline in 2008. Weller is overshadowed by Adrian Salcedo and BJ Hermsen on that GCL Twins pitching staff. However, anyone that is 19 years old and can put up numbers like he did deserves to be noticed. Weller went 5-1 with a 1.58 ERA for the Twins short season team. In 57 innings, he struck out 49 and walked just eight. At 6-5 and 220 pounds, he remains projectable and could move up the ladder consistently.

 

2010 Projection: Possibly Beloit, but likely Elizabethton, starting

Potential: #2 type of starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2015

 

#18 – Tyler Robertson – LHP – 21 (12/23/87)

2009 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2006 out of high school in California

In 2007, Robertson was promoted from Extended Spring Training to Beloit and by season’s end, I named him the #1 prospect in the Twins system. The lefty went 9-5 with a 2.29 ERA in 18 games for the Snappers. In 102.1 innings, he struck out 133. He was on his way to a repeat in 2008 while pitching with the Ft. Myers Miracle. Unfortunately, his season was cut short. He was 5-3 with a 2.72 ERA in 15 starts. In 2009, he went back to Ft. Myers and most important, he stayed healthy the entire season. After throwing just 82.2 innings in 2008, Robertson threw 143.1 innings. He went 8-8 with a 3.33 ERA. He struck out 103 and walked 51. Lefties hit just .197 off of him this year.

2010 Projection: starting in New Britain

Potential: potential #2 or #3 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

 

#17 – Danny Rams – C/DH – 20 (12/19/88)

2009 Teams: Elizabethton Twins/Beloit Snappers/Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2007 out of high school in Florida

 

In 2008, Rams had 71 strikeouts in 164 plate appearances (1 in 2.35 PA). In 2009, he has 102 strikeouts in 277 appearances (1 in 2.72 PA). Baby steps, right? Contact rate is clearly something to watch with Rams, as he needs to put he ball in play more. When he does, he can do some impressive things. In just 62 at bats at Elizabethton this year, he hit seven doubles, a triple and six home runs. He moved up to Beloit and hit 14 doubles and seven home runs in 175 at bats. Rams has a ton of power. I am worried abou the strikeout rate. You’d like to see those numbers continue to inch toward four, or even three for now. But he was able to stay healthy and seems to be a hard worker, so I can see it happening. That will be the key number to follow as he works up the system in determining if he will be a big leaguer or not.                                                             

 

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

Potential: Big league DH option, #3 catcher option

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

 

#16 – Trevor Plouffe – SS – 23 (6/15/86)

2009 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2004 out of high school in California

 

Trevor Plouffe seems to be one of the most polarizing prospects in the Twins system. He is young, and has been young at every level he has been in throughout his career. Even in 2009, his second season at AAA, he was the third youngest player in the International League. He played only SS in 2009, a position some feel he may not be able to play. But he does have good range and a strong arm. Offensively, he may never hit for a good average, but he does have extra base hit pop, enough to believe his upside could be that of an average major league SS. Plouffe’s season ended a little bit early as he was the starting SS for Team USA in their World Cup championship.

 

2010 Projection: Rochester Red Wings

Potential: starting SS

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

 

#15 – Jeff Manship – RHP – 24 (1/16/85)

2009 Teams: New Britain Rockcats/Rochester Red Wings/Minnesota Twins

Acquired: Twins 14th round pick in 2006 out of Notre Dame

 

In June, when he was promoted from New Britain to Rochester, Manship was 6-4 with a 4.28 ERA. He had just 45 strikeouts and 20 walks in 75 innings. Then in eight starts (and 50.1 innings) at Rochester, he was 4-2 with a 3.22 ERA. In mid-August, the Twins had some really bad pitching, and more injuries to their pitching staff. Manship was the best option available to the Twins and he was promoted to the big league club and pitched out of the bullpen. In his 3 years in the minor leagues, Manship averaged just 2.4 walks per nine innings. While with the Twins, he averaged over 4.3 walks innings. In 31.2 innings with the Twins, he walked 15 and struck out 21. His curveball is excellent and I’m told that his changeup has really become a good pitch. He got his first win and pitched very well on the Friday night of the Twins final weekend series, in a must-win game.

 

2010 Projection: start season at Rochester and be prepared to pitch for Twins as needed

Potential: #3 or 4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

 

#14 – Deolis Guerra – RHP – 20 (4/17/89)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle/New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Acquired in February 2008, with Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey and Philip Humber, for Johan Santana

In 2008 at Ft. Myers, a 19 year old Guerra walked 71 and struck out 71 in 130 innings. Be began 2009 back at Ft. Myers, and although he was just 6-8 with a 4.69 ERA, he walked 25 and struck out 57 in 86.1 innings. At that point, after spending three seasons in the Florida State League, he was promoted to AA New Britain. In 62.2 innings, he walked 17 and struck out 49. Improving that K:BB ratio was huge for him. He was 6-3 with a 5.17 ERA at AA, but it was clear in some of his peripherals that he is making improvements. I’m told that he is a good teammate with a strong head on his shoulders, so I think he’s got a chance to keep getting better. His fastball is in the low 90s, but his changeup is his best pitch. The curveball is a work in progress.

2010 Projection: starting at New Britain

Potential: #2 or 3 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

 

#13 – BJ Hermsen – RHP – 19 (12/1/89)

2009 Teams: GCL Twins

Acquired: Twins 6th round pick in 2008 out of high school in Iowa

As excited as I’m sure the Twins were to sign Weller at the signing deadline in 2008, they had to have been even more excited to sign Hermsen, keeping him away from Oregon State. And if early returns mean anything, Hermsen has been as good as advertised. In his pro debut, he went 6-2 with a miniscule 1.35 ERA with the GCL Twins. In 53.2 innings, he walked just four and struck out 42. From July 24 through August 12th, he made just four starts, but he did not give up an earned run in any of those games. Hermsen pitches to contact, and I’d like to eventually see the strikeout rate increase. If that happens, he becomes a potential ace.

2010 Projection: starting at Extended Spring Training, but I think he’ll be going to Beloit.

Potential: #2 or 3 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2014

 

#12 – Chris Parmelee – 1B/RF – 21 (2/24/88)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2006 out of high school in California

 

Coming off of an impressive, but injury-shortened (to just 69 games) 2008 season at Beloit, Parmelee had a strong debut in Ft. Myers. He hit .258, but got on base at a .359 rate. He also had 27 doubles and a very impressive 16 home runs. Although it wouldn’t hurt for him to continue to improve his strikeout rate, he has come a long way in that department. He is still learning at 1B, and his OF defense is not terribly good, so his best defensive position may prove to be DH, but he does work hard, so he may become a decent 1B in time. Parmelee is playing in the Arizona Fall League which will be a challenge for him, but a good experience. He will likely head to New Britain in 2010, although I could also see him starting in Ft. Myers since he does not have to be added to the 40 man roster until after the 2010 season, so there is no rush.

 

2010 Projection: start season at Ft. Myers but second half in New Britain

Potential: big league DH with 30 HR power

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

 

#11 – Joe Benson – OF – 21 (3/5/88)

2009 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2006 out of high school in Illinois

 

After struggling in the  Midwest League for two years, Benson was pushed to Ft. Myers in 2009 and performed. For the season, he hit .285/.415/.403. That is a very impressive Isolated Discipline. There is also no question that Benson will be able to add power to his game over time. He’s got strength. He’s got tremendous speed. He is a very good outfielder with a very strong arm. He will have to continue to try to cut down on the strikeouts. He played in just 80 games thanks to a broken hand suffered when he punched a wall. You don’t want to take away that kind of intensity. My guess is that the lesson was learned. It will be interesting to see if Benson is pushed to New Britain or gets more time in Ft. Myers in 2010. When it comes to tools, Joe Benson has them in spades!

 

2010 Projection: may start at Ft. Myers, but should get to New Britain

Potential: starting OF

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

 

So there you have it, my selections for Twins prospects 11-21. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my choices for my Top 10 Twins Prospects. 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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