Twins Prospect Watch Thread

[TheFranchise21]

Nice work horace, any chance Slowey gets called up soon? Or is he behind Garza in the pecking order?

[horaceworthy]

With how Ponson's pitched up to this point, I can't imagine he'll get more than another start or two. Barring injuries, I think that's the next time we'll make a move with the rotation. I can see Perkins getting the first crack because he's already with the team, but I don't know what the pecking order is. I don't think there's much question as to who between Garza and Slowey is pitching better though. Slowey's currently sporting a 0.96 ERA, a 0.54 WHIP, and a 20:1 K/BB ratio in 18.2 IP. Garza's got a 2.77 ERA, 1.85 WHIP and a 12:9 K/BB ratio in 13 IP.

I just wish we had an impact bat or two ready. We need to start putting some runs on the board.

[kg2005]

I think the best guy to put out there in place of Sir Sid would be Scott Baker. His numbers are almost as good as Slowey's right now, and I think he deserves another chance. Plus if we use him, Slowey and Garza's arbitration clocks don't start ticking.

[TheFranchise21]

Yeah Baker deserves another chance to prove himself, it is way too early to be giving up on him.

[horaceworthy]

Another update, would have done it this weekend, but the NFL Draft distracted me.

I agree that Baker should be the guy, and LaVelle E. Neal III said that he's the guy who'll most likely get the call when a move is made in the rotation. He's pitched well enough to deserve it, and if he does well, then that gives us more options looking into a possible trade for a right handed bat.

Finding a power hitter the Twins would be happy with as an everyday is tricky, since they demand their guys be complete baseball players, and presicate so much of their philosophy around fielding and baserunning. It would really help though, we seem to have a way of making also ran pitchers look like studs out there.

[TheFranchise21]

Bagh! Ponson is only delaying the inevitable.

[horaceworthy]

Just thought it would be nice to have a thread where we could keep an eye on how some of the better prospects in the system are doing (along with Toby Gardenhire) . I'll try to keep the stats updated as best I can (hopefully about once a week or so). There aren't really many to go on right now, as a lot of the affiliates haven't started their seasons yet.

We've got a lot of pitching that's major league ready, or close to it, in the high minors. Most of our higher ceiling position prospects (Parmalee, Benson) are recently drafted and still quite far from helping the major league club. If somebody isn't listed that you'd like to see, feel free to say so. If someone not listed breaks out, then I'll add them. I'll do my best to keep up with promotions/demotions as well.

Position players numbers given in AVG/OBP/SLG form.

Rochester Red Wings(AAA)

Pitchers (W-L, IP, ERA, WHIP)

Matt Garza -RHP- 1-1, 25.0, 2.88, 1.48, 27K, 11BB

Glen Perkins -LHP- 0-0, 6.0, 1.50, 0.50, 2K, 1BB *Called up*

Kevin Slowey -RHP- 3-1, 32.2, 1.38, 0.70, 31K, 2BB

Scott Baker -RHP- 2-1, 30.0, 2.48, 0.77, 30K, 3BB *1SV

Position Players (AVG/OBP/SLG, OPS)

Garrett Jones -1B- .298/.337/.489 (.816)

Alexi Casilla -2B/SS- .276/.300/.345 (.645)

Matt Moses -3B- .227/.244/.333 (.577)

Denard Span -CF- .224/.283/.327 (.610)

Trent Oeltjen -OF- .315/.362/.389 (.751)

Doug Deeds -OF- .189/.271/.245 (.526)


New Britain Rock Cats(AA)

Pitchers

Jose Mijares -LHP- 1-0, 12.2, 2.84, 1.03, 10K, 4BB, *3SV

Anthony Swarzak -RHP- 0-2, 5.2, 11.12, 2.47, 7K, 5BB*Serving 50 game suspension for drug use--drug of abuse, not a performance enhancer*

Position Players

David Winfree -3B/1B- .310/.375/.476 (.851)

Trevor Plouffe -SS- .274/.337/.464 (.801)

Brock Peterson -1B- .238/.319/.365 (.684)

Brandon Roberts -CF-(the guy we got for Castro) .160/.222/.160 (.382)

Garrett Guzman -OF- .218/.255/.345 (.600)

Fort Myers Miracle(High A)

Pitchers

Jay Rainville -RHP- 2-3, 27.0, 2.67, 1.41, 17K, 8BB

Alexander Smit -LHP- 0-2, 27.0, 5.67, 1.67, 23K, 12BB

Oswaldo Sosa -RHP- 0-2, 26.0, 4.50, 1.62, 27K, 9BB

Yohan Pino -RHP- 0-1, 12.2, 2.13, 1.11, 16K, 4BB

Kyle Waldrop -RHP- 3-1, 31.1, 3.45, 1.12, 30K, 6BB

Eduardo Morlan -RHP- 1-1, 15.0, 3.00, 0.73, 17K, 3BB, *3SV

Zach Ward -RHP-(the guy we got for Lohse) 0-4, 16.2, 3.24, 1.14, 18K, 5BB *1SV

Ryan Mullins -LHP- 0-2, 29.1, 2.76, 1.23, 38K, 7BB

Position Players

Whit Robbins -3B/1B- .245/.374/.309 (.683)

Jeff Christy -C- .163/.241/.204 (.445)

Toby Gardenhire -SS- .174/.208/.188 (.496)

Edward Ovalle -CF- .184/.268/.287 (.555)

Erik Lis -1B- .302/.388/.453 (.841)

Beloit Snappers

Pitchers

Not real sure about who to put here now, I'll wait to see how it shakes out, or take suggestions as to who I should put here.

Jeffrey Manship -RHP- 3-0, 39.0, 0.92, 0.59, 45K, 3BB


Position Players

Garrett Olson -3B- .282/.351/.329 (.680)

Joe Benson -CF- .169/.255/.229 (.484)

Chris Parmalee -OF/1B- .207/.286/.366 (.652)

Daniel Valencia -3B- .300/.380/.571 (.951)

[TheFranchise21]

Durbin isn't in the Twins organization anymore. I guess they gave up on the Real Deal.

[kg2005]

Durbin isn't in the Twins organization anymore. I guess they gave up on the Real Deal.

Haven't followed the Twins much, have you? Durbin got sent through wavers in spring training because he was out of options. He got claimed by the Diamondbacks to be on their 25 man roster. The only game he pitched with them he got rocked for 7 runs in 2/3 innings. He immediatley got put on wavers again, was claimed by 3 different teams before he finally made it through to land with (if I remember correctly) the Phillies Triple A affiliate.

[TheFranchise21]

I just read a few days before that post that he ended up with the Phillies.

[Worm Guts]

Some dude named Nick Blackburn hasn't given up an earned run in 41 2/3 innings for the Twins AAA affiliate. He doesn't strikeout very many people and he's too old to be an elite prospect but still 41 2/3 innings is impressive.
Also Johan Pino threw a 7 inning no hitter.

[revprodeji]

Why does worm guts have the same avatar and sig as me?

[Devilzsidewalk]

Tommy Watkins is the spitting image of Kirby. His hitting stance and follow-through look just like Puckett, and so far the results are good too: 8 hits in 23 AB.

He's my new favorite, nobody else can have him.

[Worm Guts]

You can have him, he won't be on the team for long.

[daddyfivestar]

Came across this from Baseball Prospectus for Nov 27, 2007:

Four-Star Prospects
1. Ben Revere, CF
Three-Star Prospects
2. Anthony Swarzak, RHP
3. Jeff Manship, RHP
4. Eduardo Morlan, RHP
5. Tyler Robertson, LHP
6. Nick Blackburn, RHP
7. Brian Duensing, LHP
8. Trevor Plouffe, SS
Two-Star Prospects
9. Chris Parmelee, OF
10. David Bromberg, RHP
11. Joe Benson, OF


Just Missing: Angel Morales, OF; Yohan Pino, RHP; Oswaldo Sosa, RHP


It's almost all pitchers and outfielders. Looks like the rotation will be strong over the years.

[TheFranchise21]

Wow, I would rate Parmalee higher than two stars.

[TSC25]

MINNEAPOLIS -- Carlos Gomez didn't seem surprised that many people have reacted negatively to the four-player package the Twins will be receiving from the Mets in return for ace Johan Santana.
After all, he has barely heard his own name mentioned in the trade news.

"The only thing I heard about was Santana, Santana, Santana," Gomez said Thursday when reached at his home in the Dominican Republic. "Nothing in the news was said about Gomez, or nothing about the other players traded to the Twins. But I think all us prospects have the tools to play in the big leagues."

The news of his trade to Minnesota, along with pitchers Phil Humber, Kevin Mulvey, and Deolis Guerra in exchange for Santana didn't come as a complete surprise to the 22-year-old outfielder. Gomez said that he had heard all the rumors for the last few months that his name was being included in Santana trade talks.

Gomez tried to brush off all the talk for most of the offseason and just prepare as normal for Spring Training. But on Tuesday the call came from his agent with the news that he indeed had been traded to the Twins, pending the Mets and Santana agreeing to a contract extension by 4 p.m. CT on Friday and all players passing physicals.

And Gomez's initial reaction to the news? Excitement.

"This is my opportunity to be a center fielder," Gomez said. "I have to prepare for a new organization, but I'm ready. The only thing I want is to play baseball and play every day."

The most Major League-ready of the four prospects the Twins received in the trade, Gomez is expected to fill the hole in center field left by Torii Hunter's departure. He could possibly take over the leadoff spot in the club's lineup as well.

In his first Major League season with the Mets last season, Gomez batted .232 with two home runs and 12 RBIs in 58 games. That included missing two months of the season after fracturing the hamate bone in his left hand in early July.

Many scouts have listed Gomez as a five-tool player. He's already known for his blazing speed, solid defensive ability, and an accurate arm.

The one question mark that has plagued Gomez has been his inconsistent offense. Mets GM Omar Minaya has said that he believes Gomez can eventually develop into an above-average hitter with decent power given some time in the big leagues. But scouts say it's his inability to hit the breaking pitch which has hampered the young outfielder's progress.

Gomez said that was something he tried to work on this winter when playing for Escogido of the Dominican Winter League. He batted .269 in 29 games.

"I know I can hit," Gomez said. "I'm a young player and I have to practice every day, and see what happens. But this winter ball was good for me. They throw me a lot of breaking balls and I feel like I'm learning."

While Gomez said he was excited about the chance to play in Minnesota, he didn't want to completely commit to his new organization until the deal was finalized. He mentioned seeing the reports on the Internet on Thursday afternoon that Santana and the Mets were still far apart in contract negotiations, although a deal is still expected to be finalized before the deadline.

If Gomez does get the chance to compete for the Twins' center-field spot this spring, he will clearly have big shoes to fill. Trying to replace a seven-time Gold Glover in Hunter is not an easy task to ask of anyone. And Gomez said that he isn't going to try to match Hunter's skills.

"I don't want to say I can play like Torii, that guy is unbelievable," Gomez said. "I'm just going to be Carlos Gomez. But I think I can play center. I have speed, I like to hustle and I like to slide. I think I play a good center field and hopefully the fans will get to see that."

This week's trade of Santana marked yet another farewell for Twins fans, who have seen their share of notable players leave the organization in recent years.

One such player to recently leave, Hunter, understands that it may be a difficult time for those fans now. But he believes that the young group of Twins will eventually earn the same admiration.

"It's just like in '98, '99, and 2000 when that group of us came up, it took awhile for people to take us in and embrace us," Hunter said. "Once we won that division in 2002 and made it to the ALCS, the fans fell in love with us. And that's what it's going to take for these guys too."

Despite the losses the club suffered this winter, including his own, Hunter doesn't believe it will take long for the Twins to get back on the track of winning titles. He praised the club's additions, like that of Delmon Young, as signs the club is not going to suffer a significant setback.

"I don't think they are rebuilding," Hunter said. "I think they are trying to put pieces in place around Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau and Michael Cuddyer. I think the bullpen is still the same. The starters, they are going to be young, but they are talented. This team has many of the right pieces already in place."

[TSC25]

Nick Blackburn, rhp Born: Feb. 24, 1982

[TSC25]

Joe Benson, of Born: March 5, 1988

[TSC25]

Wilson Ramos, c Born: Aug. 10, 1987