Twins Prospects: Who Gets The Call, And When?

By Ted Schwerzler |

2 of 6

As the Twins embark on the 2015 season, Fort Myers will have plenty of storylines running through it. Not only are the Twins looking like a much better team than in previous seasons, but the talent pool from the farm system is nearing the overflow to the major leagues. With a handful of prospects being invited to Spring Training, they will be on full display early. The question then becomes when do they make their eventual major league debut?

More from Minnesota Twins Prospects

Minnesota has roughly five or so players that are legitimate options for the Twins in 2015. Considering the ability behind each player, an addition to the big league club would be an immediate talent influx and cause for excitement. Looking at the production down on the farm is one thing, but just how soon can we expect to see them at Target Field?

Let’s take a look:

Oct. 14, 2014; Scottsdale, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins outfielder Byron Buxton plays for the Salt River Rafters during an Arizona Fall League game against the Surprise Saguaros at Salt River Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Byron Buxton (Late 2015)

Buxton’s timeline is dependent upon quite a few differing factors, and some of them may be out of his control. Currently, Buxton is not on the 40 man roster for the Twins, and is a non roster invite to Spring Training. He will get experience facing major league talent down in Fort Myers, and the Twins hope would be that he would be able to springboard from there into Double-A.

Last season was essentially a wasted year for the top prospect. He played in only on game at the Double-A level, despite being realistically projected to spend the year there. In 2015, he will begin in Chattanooga with Doug Mientkiewicz, and will be monitored in hopes of being an option for the Twins.

Should Aaron Hicks figure things out at the plate for the Twins, he will likely give the Twins time to so play Buxton and make sure he gets the necessary at bats to feel comfortable before his call up. If Hicks struggles, or the injury bug bites the Twins outfield too hard, Minnesota may be forced to make different arrangements.

I think Hicks finally puts some things together this year and is an asset to the Twins. That being said, Buxton still would be slated to get his cup of coffee late in the season. In the most ideal situation, the Twins would promote Buxton during September, should things go wrong, we could see him as soon as late July or early August.

March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

Miguel Sano (Mid to Late 2015)

Much like Buxton, Sano found his 2014 to be a wasted year. Having underwent Tommy John surgery before the season got underway, he found himself on the shelf. During Spring Training this season, Sano will look to knock off some of the leftover rust having not faced consistent live pitching.

Sano is on the active roster, and while Trevor Plouffe appears to be entrenched at third base for the time being, Sano could force his bat upon the Twins. In September last season, designated hitter Kennys Vargas struggled at the plate. If that trend continues into 2015, Sano could provide a boost at the plate. While he likely won’t hit much more than .250, 30 home runs in a full season is a very realistic possibility for the Twins young slugger.

For the Twins to call upon Sano, a couple of moving parts need to be considered. Vargas is Minnesota’s only true backup first basemen. Would Plouffe have positional flexibility? Is Sano capable of handling third base at the major league level? Quite a few questions would have to be answered. Based on his bat alone, Sano should find himself called up before Buxton, with August looking possible. Again, the worst case would be a late season September promotion.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; USA pitcher Alex Meyer throws a pitch during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Alex Meyer (June 2015)

For the first time in quite a while, the Twins have legitimate options for their starting rotation. While this bodes well for the franchise as a whole, it forces Alex Meyer to be on the outside looking in. After acquiring Tommy Milone from the Athletics a season ago, the Twins find themselves in a spot to have a very quality fifth starter no matter who grabs the spot.

Unfortunately, I don’t see Meyer beating out Milone to start the season. Although Meyer has mentioned he is willing to crack the Twins roster through the bullpen, there may not be room for him there either. The most plausible scenario seems to be both Meyer and Trevor May starting the season as the 1-2 punch of the Triple-A Rochester rotation.

Should Meyer be able to show an enhanced ability to limit walks both through Spring Training and the beginning of his season, the Twins will no doubt want to get his strikeout potential into their rotation. His callup could be through the bullpen, or to replace the first struggling Twins pitcher. At any rate, Meyer at 25 will be the first of the Twins prospects to be called upon.

Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins second baseman Eddie Rosario against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Eddie Rosario (Mid 2015)

Last season, Rosario spent the beginning of the year suspended. After getting a late jump to his season, it never got off the ground in the way he would have liked. A quick eight game stint in Single-A produced a .300/.382/.300 slash line, something that rivaled his career numbers. Unfortunately his 79 games spent at Double-A New Britain produced only a .237/.277/.396 line the rest of the way.

In 2015, Rosario will likely start with Double-A Chattanooga, but can be expected to draw a quick promotion based upon his production. If he can get back to limiting strikeouts, drawing more walks, and hitting for the high average he has shown throughout his minor league career, he will quickly become an option for Triple-A Rochester.

Much like Danny Santana before him, Rosario could find himself figuring into the Twins plans by less than ideal circumstances. Had he not dealt with a suspension, it likely could have been Rosario the Twins called upon briefly in 2014 instead of Jorge Polanco.

Now moved to the outfield, he projects as a capable left fielder at the major league level. A strong Arizona Fall League showing should have Twins fans excited about his chances in 2015. Minnesota won’t promote Rosario to sit, but Oswaldo Arcia has very notable back issues, and Rosario could be the answer.

Should Arcia spend time on the disabled list, and Rosario prove to continue upon his tear that took place during the Arizona Fall League, the Twins could be calling his number as soon as July. Rosario may not have the level of excitement tied to him as a Buxton or Sano, but he should be a boost to the Twins roster.

Jul 13, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; World pitcher Jose Berrios throws a pitch in the first inning during the All Star Futures Game at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Jose Berrios (Late 2015-Early 2016)

Despite wanting to begin the season in the Twins starting rotation, Berrios is going to be facing an uphill battle. While it may not be any fault of his own, Jose Berrios has plenty of obstacles to overcome. Last season, he rose from Single-A Fort Myers, all the way to finishing the season by pitching a game for Triple-A Rochester.

Berrios was lights out in Single-A (1.96 ERA), and was solid across eight games at Double-A New Britain (3.54 ERA). His one outing at Triple-A Rochester however, lasted just three innings and featured three walks, seven hits, and a ballooning 18.00 ERA. Expect Berrios to begin 2015 in Double-A Chattanooga to perfect the strong performance he showed he was capable of a year ago.

With Alex Meyer looking to move quickly onto the Twins, Triple-A Rochester would have an opening relatively early in 2015 as well. That spot could be filled by Berrios depending on how his early season outings go. Look for the Twins to see if he can’t get a strong season of Triple-A under his belt before calling on the rising prospect.

Considering the Twins have Mike Pelfrey, Milone, Meyer, and May all as options for the 5th rotation spot, there is quite a group ahead of needing to call upon Berrios. If anything, a late season hat tip start for the Twins may happen, otherwise look for Berrios to push for an Opening Day 2016 rotation spot.

No matter when each of these prospects make their eventual debut at Target Field, the fact that the Twins have all of them at their disposal is incredible. Looking at only five players of what is one of the best farm systems in all of baseball, leaves plenty of other top prospects on the horizon. Former first round picks Kohl Stewart and Nick Gordon still loom in the Twins system, as well as exciting options such as Max Kepler and Lewis Thorpe.

As it stands right now, the Twins seasons of losing and futility look to be a thing of the past. While Minnesota isn’t going to make the turnaround overnight, it is clear the future is a very bright place.

Next: Baseball Prospectus Ranks Twins Top 10 Prospects

More from Puckett's Pond

Home / Minnesota Twins Prospects