RealGM

Tyler Robertson, lhp Born: Dec. 23, 1987

Anthony Swarzak, rho Born: Sept. 10, 1985

Ben Revere, of Born: May 3, 1988

Jason Pridie, of Born: Oct. 9, 1983

Brian Duensing, lhp Born: Feb. 22, 1983

Jeff Manship, rhp Born: Jan. 16, 1985

Trevor Plouffe, ss Born: June 15, 1986

For whatever its worth, Gomez made a nice play in the field today.

Gomez doesn't see himself hitting leadoff in 1-2 years. He says once he gets older, he will be batting third. Hopefully his prediction rings true. I do like that confidence though. Let's just hope it doesn't rub some guys in the club house the wrong way.

Somebody said that Gomez is the fastest guy in baseball. I like a fast leadoff guy. I guess it depends if he learns to get on base or if he hits more for power. I think Gomez could be a very nice player for you guys, he could take some of the sting out of the Santana trade. Good fielder. Terrific base runner. looked like he could be a 300 hitter briefly last year prior to crazhing to the 230 range. Question is how good a hitter he'll become.

Does anybody have any updates on the other players we got in the Santana besides Gomez?

A couple articles:

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=min
http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=min

There was another on Guerra, but I can't seem to find it now.

Liriano hasn't given up a run in his last 3 starts and has 24 K's in 20 innings over that stretch.

Shooter Hunt is a beast

Interesting story on Beloit Snapper pitcher Mike McCardell

http://minnesota.twins.mlb.com/news/art ... p&c_id=min

Hicks ain't bad.

Aaron Hicks, of Born: Oct. 2, 1989 • B-T: B-R • Ht: 6-2 • Wt: 170

Drafted: HS—Long Beach, 2008 (1st round) • Signed by: John Leavitt

Background: Hicks is a Los Angeles kid who doesn't fit into preconceived stereotypes. He's an African-American who spent much of the last three years playing at Major League Baseball's Urban Youth Academy, becoming its highest-drafted alumnus when the Twins took him 14th overall in June. He's also a scratch golfer who won a slew of tournaments as a teenager and considered a golf career. When he learned that his father played baseball professionally—Joseph Hicks was a Padres 12th-round pick in 1975 and played four seasons in the minors—he decided to focus his prodigious athletic ability on the diamond, helping Wilson High win the No. 1 national ranking and its first California Interscholastic Federation title in 50 years in 2007. Minnesota considered Hicks the best athlete in the 2008 draft, and he was the Los Angeles area's best since Darryl Strawberry was the No. 1 overall choice in June 1980. While the Twins preferred Hicks as an outfielder, other clubs were prepared to take him in the first round as a pitcher after seeing his fastball range from 94-97 mph last spring. Minnesota has no reason to question its decision, as Hicks ranked as the No. 1 prospect in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League after signing quickly for $1.78 million.

Strengths: Sometimes it seems like there's nothing Hicks can't do. He's a premium athlete with growing skills and true five-tool ability. He's a switch-hitter who's a natural from the right side and improved from the left by lowering his hands and unleashing his bat speed. He was more polished and selective at the plate in his debut than the Twins thought he might be, and his eye allowed him to get to his above-average power potential earlier than expected. He projects to hit 20-25 homers annually as he matures. Hicks has plus-plus speed and good baserunning instincts that should improve with experience. He glides to balls in the outfield and has a top-of-the-scale throwing arm that would play in any outfield spot or on the mound if necessary. In the unlikely event he doesn't hit, he can try to make it as a pitcher.

Weaknesses: Mostly, Hicks just needs experience facing quality breaking balls. His hands are good enough that he should be able to trust them and stay back on pitches that spin. The game comes so easily to him that at time he has concentration lapses. He's still learning to be a pro in terms of handling the grind of a long season, when to show he's having fun and when to have more of a game face.

The Future: Hicks' tools resemble those of departed Twins center fielder Torii Hunter, though he should move more quickly through the minors than Hunter did and have better plate discipline. Minnesota is deep in young outfielders in the majors and minors, but Hicks' combination of tools, skills and athletic ability stands out. He'll head to low Class A Beloit for his first full pro season and should make a steady climb to the majors, arriving in 2011.


2008 Club (Class) AVG OBP SLG AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI BB SO SB
Twins (R)
.318
.409
.491
173
32
55
10
4
4
27
28
32
12

Been forever since a post about our prospects but Baseball America just ranked the Twins Top 10 prospects.

1. Aaron Hicks, of
2. Wilson Ramos, c
3. Kyle Gibson, rhp
4. Miguel Sano, ss/3b
5. Ben Revere, of
6. Danny Valencia, 3b
7. Carlos Gutierrez, rhp
8. Angel Morales, of
9. David Bromberg, rhp
10. Max Kepler, of

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/pr ... 69381.html

Crazy to see Sano up there so high already. wasn't he the 17/18 year old they just signed? Hopefully he is the real deal.

links wrote:Been forever since a post about our prospects but Baseball America just ranked the Twins Top 10 prospects.

1. Aaron Hicks, of
2. Wilson Ramos, c
3. Kyle Gibson, rhp
4. Miguel Sano, ss/3b
5. Ben Revere, of
6. Danny Valencia, 3b
7. Carlos Gutierrez, rhp
8. Angel Morales, of
9. David Bromberg, rhp
10. Max Kepler, of

http://www.baseballamerica.com/today/pr ... 69381.html

Crazy to see Sano up there so high already. wasn't he the 17/18 year old they just signed? Hopefully he is the real deal.

16
And he might be ranked a top 25 player in all of baseball in a year.