Twins Trim 11 from Camp
By Wally Fish
Today the Twins made the following moves:
Optioned to Rochester (AAA):
RHP Armando Gabino
RHP Anthony Swarzak
IF Trevor Plouffe
IF Steven Tolleson
Optioned to Fort Myers (Hi-A):
3B Deibinson Romero
Reassigned to the Minors:
RHP Rob Delaney
LHP Ben Julianel
C Danny Lehmann
SS Toby Gardenhire
3B Danny Valencia
OF Dustin Martin
Baseball America = BA (Ranks Top 30 Prospects)
Seth Stohs 2009 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook = SS (Ranks Top 40 Prospects)
Armando Gabino (8/31/83) BA: NR / SS: NR
Gabino isn’t considered much of a prospect, but he pitched serviceably for the Twins in camp. He threw 3.0 innings allowing 2 hits, 1 run and walked 1.
Anthony Swarzak (9/10/85) BA: #6 / SS: #6
Is regarded the Twins top starting pitching prospect. With the Twins starting rotation already set this is not a surprise, but he showed himself well this spring. In his 3 innings of work he allowed 2 hits, no runs, no walks, and recorded 1 strike out. He returns to AAA where he started 7 games last season going 5-0 with a 1.80 ERA.
Trevor Plouffe (6/15/86) BA: #13 / SS: #11
One of the three 1st round picks the Twins had in 2004, Plouffe made it to AAA halfway through the 2008 season. He still fits in the Twins long term plans, likely as a SS or utility player, but lack of pitch recognition may prevent him from ever being a big league regular. Since he is solid defensively, has a great arm, and possesses potential 15-20 HR power he will likely get a shot in 2010 if he can show some improvement in the minors this year. The potential is still there, but the shine has dulled just a bit. Getting just 1 hit in 15 at bats this spring did not help restore that prospect shine.
Steven Tolleson (11/1/83) BA: #23 / SS: #19
Son of Wayne Tolleson, spent all of 2008 in AA New Britain hitting .300/.382/.466. He has an average all around skill set and has a chance to play in the majors. He did not get a hit in his 11 spring at bats, but did have a good showing in the Arizona Fall League hitting .383/.449/.583.
Deibinson Romero (9/24/86) BA: #21 / SS: #39
Hit .273 in his 11 at bats this spring after hitting .268/.309/.396 in 40 games for Beloit (Lo-A) in 2008. His playing time was limited by two injuries last year including minor knee surgery in April and later in July broke his leg falling into the dugout to make a catch. The Twins optioning him to Fort Myers instead of back to Beloit is a good sign.
Rob Delaney (9/8/84) BA: #24 / SS: #24
In 3 spring innings gave up 6 hits, 2 runs, and struck out 2. He posted ridiculous numbers in the minors last season. For his career he is 7-6 with a 1.91 ERA. He has struck out 185 batters in 174 innings while walking only 28. He pitched in the AFL this year and posted a 4.63 ERA in 11.2 innings while striking out 11 and walking 4. He definitely fits into the Twins future bullpen plans, and how he continues to develop will determine what his ML role will end up being.
Ben Julianel (9/4/79) BA: NR / SS: NR
He isn’t a prospect, and is basically roster filler. In 3.1 spring innings he gave up 5 hits, 3 runs, while walking 3 and striking out 2.
Danny Lehmann (9/15/85) BA: NR / SS: NR
At best a back-up catcher option for the Twins down the road. He went 0-4 in his spring at bats, and I presume was basically only in camp to help catch in practice.
Toby Gardenhire (9/11/82) BA: NR / SS: NR
Son of the manager, he had 1 hit in 4 spring at bats. It is a nice story, but that’s about it.
Danny Valencia (9/19/84) BA: #5 / SS: #4
The reason Joe Crede is on a one year contract, Valencia is the projected 3B for the Twins on opening day 2010. In Fort Myers last year he hit .336/.402/.518 in 60 games before being moved up to AA. Once at New Britain he started slow, but finished strong hitting .289/.334/.485 in his 69 games there. He had 4 hits in his 9 spring at bats, and definitely didn’t do anything to hurt his chances with the Twins down the road.
Dustin Martin (4/4/84) BA: NR / SS: #21
Martin came to the Twins in 2007 along with C-Drew Butera when they traded Luis Castillo to the Mets. He played at New Britain in 2008 hitting .290/.355/.485 with 10 HR and 22 SB. In 19 spring at bats he hit .421/.400/.526, and really opened some eyes. Problem for Martin is that he is in the Twins organization and is blocked by Young, Span, and Gomez who are all as young as or younger than he is. He also has Aaron Hicks (BA #1) and Ben Revere (BA #2) coming up behind him, so his window of opportunity is very small.