2008 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 7th round pick in 2007 out of Los Angeles Pierce College

There was talk early in the season about Berlind being moved to the bullpen or shipped back to Ft. Myers for Extended Spring Training because he got off to a slow start. And had it happened, it should not have hurt his prospect status. Berlind signed just last season and pitched for the GCL Twins. The "normal" progression for a pitcher this young would be for him to be in Elizabethton this season. Although he is just 3-4, he has a solid 3.77 ERA. But the improvement that Berlind has shown is very impressive. In four April starts, he averaged less than four innings and had an ERA of 5.40. In five May starts, he has averaged just over six innings per start and has an ERA of 2.77. As a tall, projectable righty, he needs to gain better control, something that did improve from April to May, but he does have a high ceiling.   

2008 Projection: Beloit rotation

Potential: 4th starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

2008 Teams: Extended Spring Training

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2007 out of Puerto Rico Baseball Academy

This is a prospect ranked solely on potential. The term "five tool prospect" is probably uttered far too frequently, but when it is, you can't help but take notice. When comparisons to the likes of Carlos Beltran happen, that can not be a negative. Morales is in Extended Spring and I would expect that he will spend the summer in Elizabethton. Morales has the potential to move up this list quite a bit with a solid campaign. Even if he is just average or slightly above, he will remain a solid prospect just because he is so young. You know, I don't have him on my Top 50 list, probably because he hasn't officially played in the Twins system yet, but Reggie Williams fits into this category as well.

2008 Projection: Extended Spring Training, then E-town

Potential: 5-tool athlete, All Star caliber, 30/30 type

Could be in Minnesota in: 2013

2008 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 12th round pick in 2007 out of U. of Connecticut

Again, this is another case in which you can't just look at the numbers. Tarsi on the season is just 2-6 with an ERA of 6.09. However, you have to again look at improvement. With Beloit, you also have to factor in weather conditions in Wisconsin in early April. In his first three starts, he went 0-3 with a 16.67 ERA and a 2.82 WHIP in 11.1 innings. In his seven starts since, he has gone 2-3 with a 3.32 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP in 43.1 innings. In other words, he is lasting longer and pitching much better. Some of that can be attributed to the defense playing much better behind him. Tarsi is not an overpowering type at all, but at 6-8, he could add more velocity but could also have a great arm angle. He is very thin and pitched in the north in college, so there is plenty of room for continued improvement.

2008 Projection: starting in Beloit

Potential: potential #4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

2008 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2007 out of U. of San Diego

Singleton is back on the prospect list after not making the post-season list last year. His 2007 season was one in which he was never fully healthy and much of the time played through it. With his right arm issues, it is likely that Singleton's future would be on the 2B side of 2B, he could also play SS very well. He is a highlight real waiting to happen. Unfortunately, when a guy gets labeled as a good glove guy, the assumption is that he can not hit. Well, Singleton also have a track record of being able to hit. He hit .349 for the Snappers in April. He hasn't hit as well in May, but I fully believe that he is ready to move up to Ft. Myers as soon as Brian Dinkelman moves up to New Britain (which should be right after the Florida State League All-Star game. As he plays more and more and gains arm strength, he should only get better.

2008 Projection: Beloit infield, but should move up to Ft. Myers in second half

Potential: utility infielder with bat and glove to be regular 2B

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

2008 Team: Ft. Myers

Acquired: Free Agent signing in 2006 out of U. of Minnesota

The Ft. Myers starting rotation is full of top prospects. Eden Prairie native Cole DeVries is the least known and least touted starter on the staff, but he has certainly been very good. He was a solid starter for the Snappers last year throughout the season and their impressive playoff run. That level of success has continued into the 2008 season with the Miracle. So far in ten starts (11 games) for the Miracle, he is 4-4 with a 3.70 ERA. His relief outing was his first outing of the year. It didn't go so well. Without that one appearance (so, just as a starter), his ERA drops all the way down to 3.16. If you want to get even more recent, in his last three starts, he has given up one earned run in 18 innings. In that time, he has allowed 12 hits and walked four. A lot of times undrafted guys get overlooked in rankings, and they certainly have to continue to improve their games to keep getting noticed and moving up the system. But DeVries has consistently performed and moved up this list. He is just 6-2 and 185 pounds. If he can get better and gain a little extra velocity while perfecting his secondary pitches, he can keep moving up the system.   

2008 Projection: starting in Ft. Myers

Potential: long relief/5th starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#35 – Jay Rainville – RHP – 22

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2004 out of Bishop Hendrickson H.S. in Rhode Island

Ten days ago, I had Rainville much lower on this list. Two weeks ago, Rainville was sitting at 2-5 with a 9.00 ERA. In 36 innings, he had given up 36 earned runs on 58 hits and 12 walks. That is a horrible 1.94 WHIP. He is still young. He's in just his second season after missing all of the 2006 season after nerve/shoulder surgery. He was a guy I expected would have a strong season and move up the list a bunch. Instead, he has gone the other direction. But, his last two starts are at least encouraging. In those past two starts, he is 2-0 with a 0.00 ERA. In 13 innings, he has allowed just five hits and three walks while striking out 11. So, did he figure out something mechanically, or did he pitch well against bad teams? What do we make out of two great starts after starting off so poorly. Weather? Defense? Comfort with the mound? I still believe that Rainville is worth watching, and I think he'll have a solid second half.   

2008 Projection: starting in New Britain

Potential: #4-5 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#34 – Jason Pridie – OF – 24

2008 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: in offseason 2007 trade from Tampa Bay Rays with Delmon Young and Brendan Harris for Matt Garza, Jason Bartlett and Eduardo Morlan

I think it is safe to say that Pridie's 2008 season has been incredibly disappointing to this point. Pridie had a great year last year between the Rays AA and AAA affiliates, showing plenty of pop in his bat and playing solid defense. He had a good spring training and some believed he should or could have made the opening day roster. Instead, he was sent down to Rochester to play every day. As of today, he is hitting just .233/.268/.320 with five doubles, six triples and a homer. Considering all of the extra base hits he had in 2007, 2008 has not been good so far. There is a lot of season to go, but one alarming stat is the number of strikeouts he has. In 192 at bats, he has struck out 55 times. One positive is that he is 9/10 in stolen base attempts. I think Pridie will be fine, and with his ability to play all three outfield positions, I still believe that by 2009 he will be the Twins fourth OF and provide the Twins with a significantly better version of Jason Tyner.   

2008 Projection: around the OF in Rochester

Potential: potential 4th outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: in late March trade with Seattle for R. A. Dickey

Considering that R. A. Dickey never actually played for the Twins or in the organization, to acquire a player with as much potential as Fernandez is really quite impressive. He spent the 2007 season in the Midwest League as well, so this is a repeat year, but he has really performed well. To this point, he is hitting .326/.356/.432 with seven doubles and a homer. He is doing some catching, but he is also getting a few at bats at DH. The catching situation in Beloit is a bit frustrating in that Fernandez, Danny Lehman and Greg Yersich are all getting about the same amount of playing time. So far, it is Fernandez who is separating himself from the other two. At 6-1 and plenty of room to grow, he could develop into a very solid backstop.

2008 Projection: Beloit catcher and DH

Potential: solid backup catcher, could be regular

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: in July 31, 2006 trade with Cincinnati Reds for Kyle Lohse

A year after losing a frustrating 17 games for Ft. Myers, Ward is now in the bullpen and showing just how good a pitcher with a great slider can be. The role of relief pitcher compared to that of a starter is much different and it is an adjustment that Ward has made very cleanly to this point. Now, Ward is now 2-0 with a 1.13 ERA which is excellent and probably warrants inclusion on this list anyway. However, consider that he has given up three runs combined between his past two starts which had increased his ERA from 0.30. There is no current plan to move him back to the starting rotation, and these types of numbers get a guy noticed! The positives include that he has great stuff, and that with his sinker, he gets two ground outs per fly out. He has also struck out 29 hitters in 32 innings of work. The one thing that he does have to improve up is his control as he has 15 walks already.

2008 Projection: starting for New Britain

Potential: big league reliever

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins signed as free agent in 2002 out of Venezuela

Without looking, I think that Sosa is the prospect who fell the most since last September when he was just outside the Top 10. Sosa has never been a great control artist, but he was never as bad as he has been so far this year. In 46 innings, he has 30 walks with 33 strikeouts. For him to be successful, he will have to find the strike zone. In ten starts so far, he has pitched into the sixth inning just three times, never going more than six innings. He is still getting groundouts when he does get outs. But Sosa is 6-4 and 225 pounds, so I really do believe that my comparison to Carlos Silva makes a lot of sense. Sosa will have to show a lot in the second half to regain his prospect status in my mind.   

2008 Projection: starting in New Britain

Potential: potential #4 starter, Carlos Silva

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

|

2008 Teams: Extended Spring Training

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2007 out of Gulliver Prep (Miami, FL)

Rams is one of just a couple of guys on this list for whom we have pretty much no statistical background. In fact, the only professional at bats Rams has officially had are some at bats with the GCL Twins last summer. Based on those at bats alone, he probably wouldn't rank this high. However, there are only so many hitters with power potential out there, and Rams is certainly one of them. There are even less power potential catchers. Now, Rams is primarily known for his bat, and there has already been thought of him moving to 1B or being more of a DH. However, I have been told that he has been very impressive in Extended Spring with his footwork, quickness and his strong arm. It will be good to see him get a summer of at bats in Elizabethton. Power Potential is wonderful. Maybe he's a right-handed Justin Morneau (who was drafted as a catcher). Or, maybe he's Hank Sanchez. We really won't know for several years.   

2008 Projection: Extended Spring, then catching/DHing for E-Town

Potential: power-hitting catcher, 1B or DH

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

2008 Teams: Beloit Snappers

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

Eight walks. Ninety-Five strikeouts. In 63 innings. Seriously, that is one of the more amazing statistical lines I have seen around the Twins. That, of course, is what McCardell did last year with the GCL Twins and the E-Twins. That alone puts him high on this list. McCardell missed several weeks this season with elbow soreness. He was able to just rest and rehab it and has come back in the last week to ten days successfully. In 27 innings this year, McCardell has 35 strikeouts, but he already has nine walks. I say that fully understand that isn't too bad. McCardell has very impressive stuff. I would have liked to see him get up to Ft. Myers yet in 2008, and he very well still could with some strong outings over the next month. With the elbow concerns though, they should be as patient as necessary because he has the type of arm that could make it all the way to the big leagues.

2008 Projection: split season between Beloit and Ft. Myers

Potential: #3 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: signed as Free Agent from Venezuela in 2004

I happen to think that Pino is vastly underrated by everyone, and from this ranking, I am certain that I have him ranked too low. Simply put, Pino always gets the job done. Whether it is working long relief or starting, he does his job. He is tiny, very skinny. He doesn't throw very hard, but he just knows how to pitch, how to get the opponent out. He was injured playing ball this winter and missed some time to start spring training, but he came back and pitched very well until recently when he landed on the disabled list. Hopefully he won't be there long because he is such a constant for a New Britain rotation that has been anything but. On the year, he is 1-2 with a 3.25 ERA. In 36 innings, he has just 23 strikeouts, but that is alright when he has just six walks. I can't say that Pino will be a top of the rotation type, but he could be a very solid back of the rotation or long relief type of guy with the Twins. 

2008 Projection: Should stay in the New Britain rotation.

Potential: long reliever

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#27 – Philip Humber – RHP – 25

2008 Teams: Rochester Red Wings
Acquired: in March 2008 trade with Carlos Gomez, Kevin Mulvey and Deolis Guerra from the Mets for Johan Santana

When Philip Humber was named as one of the four players the Twins received from the Mets in the Johan Santana trade, I actually thought that the Twins may have been very lucky to have him included. His stock had dropped because of his Tommy John surgery in July of 2005. He recovered quickly and was back on a AA mound in July of 2006. He made his big league debut in the big apple that September. Last year was his first full season back and he put up league average type of AAA numbers, but that isn't bad in the PCL either. For that reason, I thought that 2008 would be another step forward. Humber had a solid spring with the Twins although he was not really tested. He has really struggled with the Red Wings so far this spring. All together, he is 2-5 with a 5.19 ERA. In 50.1 innings, he has given up 60 hits. That's not good, but when you add in another 27 walks, that is just too many base runners. I am one to believe that a solid pitching prospect should remain in the starting rotation until it is just obvious that he can't handle it. Humber is close to that point. I would venture that as soon as one of the AA starters is deemed ready for a AAA promotion, Humber could go to the bullpen. I believe he could be an important bullpen piece at the big league level. 

2008 Projection: OF in New Britain
Potential: 4th OF that could start, solid all-around
Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Teams: New Britain Rockcats

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

Matt Garza. Kevin Slowey. Brian Duensing. Ryan Mullins. In the 2005 draft, Mullins was the fourth college starting pitcher that the Twins selected, and all four have done well. Mullins is the least talked about of the group, but he has really pitched well the last year. Last year, he started in Ft. Myers, moved up to New Britain, then got a few spot starts with Rochester before returning to the Rockcats. That is where he is again this year. He is 5-3 with a 3.38 ERA. In 61.1 innings, he has given up 62 hits. He only has 36 strikeouts, so his 24 walks really stand out. He is a tall, lanky lefty, standing 6-6, but he is a finesse pitcher. He needs to cut down on the walks and then get back up to Rochester.

2008 Projection: half season in New Britain, then up to Rochester

Potential: #4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#25 – Denard Span – OF – 24

2008 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2002 out of Tampa Catholic

Denard Span came to spring training this year clearly on a mission to prove everyone wrong. I think it is fair to say that he has done just that. He had a very good spring, doing all the things that the Twins could have asked. As a leadoff hitter, he has taken a lot of pitches, taken walks, stolen bases (even at a good percentage). When called up to the Twins, he played RF, a position that he had not played as a pro. After he was sent down, Span crushed the ball and did very well until he landed on the DL with a broken bone in his hand. Before that, he hit home runs in three consecutive games. Now, he isn't suddenly a power hitter, but he has shown that he doesn't have to be just a slap-happy hitter either. I think that if need be he can be a solid big league centerfielder. Defensively in center, I think he is excellent. At the corners, he just needs some time. So, when he comes back from the DL, I hope he gets to move around a little bit. For the Twins, I see Span primarily as a #4 or #5 type of outfielder. If dealt to another team, he could be another Juan Pierre type.

2008 Projection: playing CF in Rochester again, will get back to the Twins.

Potential: solid prototypical leadoff hitter.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

2008 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: signed by Twins as free agent from Dominican Republic

Romero was a guy that I was really excited to see play a full season. We really didn't see much of him before his knee surgery, and what we saw did not induce a lot of confidence in him. He didn't hit, or hit for power, or walk much. He struck out a lot and committed a lot of errors. Some of that can be attributed to playing in the cold conditions for the first time in his life. Some of it is a reminder that he has a lot of development to go. He should be back in about a month, and when he comes back, I do expect that he will really have a strong second half, both with the bat and with the glove.

2008 Projection: 3B at Beloit

Potential: middle of the lineup hitter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2012

2008 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 8th round pick in 2006 out of McKendree College

Dinkelman needs to move up to New Britain soon. He has nothing more to prove at that level. He is a solid 2B who can hit for average, get on base via the walk, take a lot of pitches, hit a lot of doubles. He plays adequate defense. He is ready for the challenge and because of his age, he really should move up. So far this season, Dinkelman is batting .314/414/.438 with 17 doubles. He is also 8-9 in stolen base attempts. A left-handed hitter, Dinkelman is actually hitting .391/.462/.543 against southpaws. Although he went to a small school, and he isn't even 6-0 tall, he is a natural-born hitter and will be ready for the Eastern League. I anticipate he will be promoted after the Florida State League all-star game.

2008 Projection: FM's 2B. Midseason move to NB

Potential: solid #1 or 2 hitter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#22 – Dustin Martin – OF – 24

2008 Teams: New Britain Rockcats
Acquired: in July 30, 2007 trade with New York Mets for Luis Castillo

Martin has been out of the lineup with hamstring tightness a couple of times this year already, but when he does play, he has played quite well. He is hitting .316/.384/.443 with 15 extra base hits and 13 stolen bases. He had enough speed to play an adequate centerfield, and he has enough doubles-power to maybe be a successful corner outfielder at some point. You thought Dinkelman hit well against lefties, how about the lefty-hitting Martin? Well, this year he has hit .436/.515/.509 against them. I think we can all agree that Luis Castillo was not that good and the fact that the Mets gave him for more years is laughable. The Twins got a guy in Drew Butera that they feel can be a big league backup catcher. They also got Dustin Martin who can adequately play all three outfield positions and hit with some pop. That may turn out to be a trade that we really like in a couple of years.  

2008 Projection: OF in New Britain
Potential: 4th OF that could start, solid all-around
Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 5th Round Pick in 2005 out of U. of South Carolina

Tolleson is one of the biggest moving prospects on the Top 50, and for him it's a good thing because the direction of the move was upward. Tolleson was left off of the preseason Top 50 list. He really has moved swiftly through the system. The middle infielder is just so consistent. He hits for average. He gets on base. He walks about about as much, if not more, than he strikes out. He has extra base power. He plays a very solid infield at three positions. He has a good arm. He is a solid base runner with ability to steal bases. He has big league pedigree. When you realize that he is doing a great job as a leadoff hitting at AA New Britain, doing many of the same things that Brian Dinkelman does, and he is essentially the same age, it is impossible not to rank Tolleson higher. He has put himself in position for a promotion to Rochester if need be. He likely could be a utility infielder at the big league level, but he has enough skill and baseball smarts to be a regular 2B. 

2008 Projection: middle infielder in New Britain, probably all year

Potential: utility infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

|

2008 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 15th round pick in 2004 out of Malden, Mass., HS

Portes was drafted late, but there were other reasons why he lasted so long. He has always been able to hit a little bit. He just hasn't had a consistent position. This year, his second in Ft. Myers, he has primarily played in the outfield, usually left field. I think that keeping Portes in Ft. Myers for a second year makes a lot of sense. He was good, but not great last year. His numbers are very much similar to what they ended up being last year. Hopefully what that means is that he will improve them in the second half and his season will look better. In his last seven games, he is 12 for 29 (.414) with three doubles and a homer. Again, he can hit, and he will hit. There is some chance that he will move up to New Britain, but I really believe it would be best for him just to finish off the whole season with the Miracle and get better with the glove and the bat.

2008 Projection: likely remain in the Ft. Myers outfield

Potential: potential solid bat

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#19 – Brock Peterson – 1B – 24

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 49th round pick in 2002 out of Chehalis (WA) high school

Part of what made Brock Peterson so intriguing following his 2007 season was the change he made in the second half at New Britain. He went from striking out a lot, with few walks, to walking more than he struck out in the season's second half. Although I believed he was ready for AAA, the Twins sent him back to repeat AA (as he had repeated Ft. Myers). Peterson has certainly had his ups and downs this spring already, but his 17 walks and 45 strikeouts in 199 at bats are both disappointing. We can hope for a similar second half to last year. I would also like to see some consistent power. I still believe he has a chance, but he needs to regain that plate discipline. 

2008 Projection: 1B/DH in Rochester, could move up to Rochester for some time

Potential: big league bat, could DH

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 36th round pick in 2005 out of Chipola College

It is so unfortunate that Rene Tosoni broke his leg earlier this month because he was really impressing to that point in the season. Consider, he was hitting .325/.430/.452. So, he was hitting for average. He was taking great at bats and walks. He even had a little extra base pop. Most impressive, however, in a season in which many prospects are repeating their level from last year, Tosoni had basically skipped a level and was still successful. Last year, he was one of the best hitters in the Appalachian League. When they won the championship, much thanks to him, he played in two games for Beloit during the regular season before being a starter on their run to the Midwest League championship series. He is a natural hitter. He is a very good outfielder with a strong arm. Hopefully Tosoni's leg will heal quickly and he can get back on the field yet this season.

2008 Projection: hopefully getting back to the Ft. Myers outfield

Potential: good all around outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#17 – David Winfree – 3B – 22

2008 Teams: New Britain Rockcats
Acquired: Twins 13th round pick in 2003 out of Virginia Beach (VA) H.S.

Some may think that I am ranking Winfree too high by placing him here. In his second season at New Britain, he is hitting just .224/.293/.434. His OPS is very close to what it ended at a year ago. But last year, he got to that point by being very good in the second half. I expect Winfree to again have a very good second half. But what he has done, in terms of power and production, so far this season also helps him get to this level. He has 11 doubles and 10 home runs already. Also, he just has a knack for driving in runs. It's uncanny, and that simply can't be ignored forever. He has cut down on his strikeouts, which is big. Remember also that he is learning a new defensive position, RF. He has several assists already. Finally, if people still believe in Chris Parmelee, and they certainly should, Winfree is less than two years older than Parmelee and two levels more advanced. When Winfree was in Beloit, he was the Twins minor league player of the year. I think Winfree still has a great chance of being a productive big league hitter. 

2008 Projection: should stay in New Britain the rest of the season
Potential: Potential power hitting big league hitter
Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#16 – Brian Duensing – LHP – 25

2008 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

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

Duensing had an excellent 2007, pitching in both New Britain and Rochester, and then heading off to pitch for Team USA in the World Cup. In fact, like Kevin Slowey the year before, Duensing was the starting pitcher in the championship game that the US team won. 2008 has not been as successful for Duensing to this point. He hasn't pitched as poorly as his 2-5 record would indicate, but not much better either. His ERA is 4.43. His WHIP is 1.33. I have been told, and it has been clear in box scores, that the problem has been one inning. Not one really bad inning on the year, which can affect the numbers of a reliever significantly, but one bad inning in most of his starts. He has a chance to be a solid back of the rotation starter and should get a chance to do that down the road. He will need to be added to the 40 man roster following this season, so in reality the Twins have 3+ years to figure out if he is a starter or a lefty reliever. He doesn't walk many, but he doesn't strike out many at all, so I'm thinking lefty specialist... which of course opens up the possibility of a Tom Glavine-like career, right?

2008 Projection: starting in Rochester for the whole season, possible September call up

Potential: good #4 pitcher

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

2008 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 9th round pick in 2005 out of U. of Evansville

Erik Lis can flat-out hit. That is the sentence I used last fall. I think it is an overly used phrase, but I think it is quite appropriate for Lis. I was a little surprised when Lis started very slowly with the Rockcats. In April, he hit just .202/.264/.321. In May, he hit .360/.405/.600 with 18 doubles and two homers in 100 at bats. Simply put, that is remarkable! I have stated several times that he is a doubles machine. Expect more of the same in the second half. I expect that Lis will remain with the Rockcats throughout the season, unless there is a huge need with the Twins. Really the lone negative with Lis is his defense, and I have been told her works very hard at it. Fortunately, the Twins are an American League team and have the DH. The prospect of Lis being ready within the next two seasons may help the Twins determine other roster situations and contracts. 

2008 Projection: DH (maybe some LF or DH) at New Britain

Potential: big league bat, could DH

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#14 – Chris Parmelee – OF/1B – 20

2008 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 1st round pick in 2006 out of Chino Hills (CA) High School

The Twins top draft pick in '06 was sent back to Beloit for a second season, the goal for him to take a step forward from his first season in the Midwest League. Last year, he ended the season batting .239/.314/.414 with with 23 doubles, five triples and 15 home runs. This year, he is sitting at .219/.382/.458 with nine doubles, two triples and eight home runs. In other words, he is doing what he did in 2007, just to better levels. He isn't hitting for average at all, but he gets on base a lot and is hitting for even more power. Parmelee is really looking like a guy the Oakland A's of recent years would have loved! Actually, he is striking out even more. Last year, he struck out once every 3.6 plate appearances. This year, he is striking out more than once every 3.2 plate appearances. I struggle with where to place Parmelee because being able to make contact at the low levels should not be this difficult, even for a top level prospect and yet, the power production is there. It will be very important for him to have a strong second half.

2008 Projection: playing RF and 1B in Beloit all year

Potential: home run, strikeout or walk guy in the big leagues

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#13 – Luke Hughes – 3B/2B/CF – 23

2008 Teams: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: signed as free agent out of Dominican Republic

The Twins don't have many catchers in their system that play basically every day. At Low A Beloit, they actually have three catchers who are all getting equivalent playing time. But Wilson Ramos is one who plays every day. When he isn't catching, he is generally the team's DH. Reports are that Ramos can hit and that he can also do a fine job behind the plate and has a strong arm. I am told that he is a hard worker and there are several things that he still has a ways to go to get to the levels he would need to compete for a big league job. Like you've noticed with several others on these lists, the Ramos of April was not as good as the Ramos of May, and prospect list makers who are high on Ramos like to believe that the trend will continue in coming months. In April, he hit just .203 with one homer. In May, he hit .257 but had seven home runs. He is showing the power. I would like to see him hit for some average as well. He could be higher on this list and many will likely have him higher on their lists. I'm just still not convinced. For me, there are just a few question marks remaining.

2008 Projection: spending the season in Ft. Myers catching and DHing

Potential: good hit DH, and a catcher who could move Mauer

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#11 – Joe Benson – OF– 20

2008 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 2nd round pick in 2006 out of Joliet (IL) High School

Like Chris Parmelee, Joe Benson is back at Beloit for the second straight year. In 2007, he was a bit over his head the first half of the season but got better throughout the year. Benson struggled again this April, but his OPS in May jumped by .160 points, from .651 to .811. In every way, he improved in May. His batting average was up 40 points, but more importantly, his slugging percentage jumped. He went from six extra base hits in April to 14 extra base hits in May. He walked the same about, but although he still struck out way too much, he did cut down that rate a bit. Obviously that is something that will be a work in progress and won't be fixed overnight. The goal for Benson (and every player, of course) is to improve each month. If Benson does that, he will be ready for Ft. Myers next year and will have the type of numbers that will impress. If this list were based solely on potential and athleticism and ceiling, I think Benson would be as high as anyone on the list. His speed, size, strength, arm and ability to take some walks are pretty impressive already. His ability to make more contact will be what takes him to that next level.    

2008 Projection: Should spend the rest of the year in Beloit

Potential: a 30/30 type of hitter, with a gold glove

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

|

What do you think of the midseason Top 50 Twins prospects? How does it compare to your list?

|

Alright, here you have all of the Top 50 Twins Prospects in one place, with all the comments. Any other thoughts or arguments? Please e-mail me or Comment below!!