ESPN Insider Keith Law Big On Six Twins Prospects

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

#2 Byron Buxton

Slotting in right behind Kris Bryant, there’s not much to complain about here. Buxton spent most of the 2014 season on the disabled list, and Bryant’s season was absolutely unreal. Byron Buxton has all the talent in the world, and considering the time he spent shelved last season, his talent alone garners him this praise. The Twins are hoping Buxton debuts in 2015, but the developmental period for the exciting centerfielder was no doubt stalled in 2014.

Looking through Law’s analysis of Buxton, suggesting it’s anything but glowing doesn’t do the prospect justice. Law says, “At full strength and health, Buxton is an 80 runner with an 80 arm and is capable of playing at least grade-70 defense in center field. His bat is quick and his hands are strong enough to drive the ball out to the gaps. He’s more balanced than he was as an amateur, using his back leg more to generate power, which should end up above-average by the time he reaches his peak in his mid to late 20s. His pitch recognition turned out to be better than expected.”

There’s little reason to expect that Byron Buxton won’t be the exciting player Twins fans expect him to be. At what point that takes place is anyone’s guess, but signs indicate that later in 2015 is a good bet.

March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) reacts after he hit a double during the second inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports

#15 Miguel Sano

Although Twins fans may not be excited by this ranking, Law substantiates it with his reasoning. Miguel Sano has been moved around in prospect rankings but has typically hovered around the top ten. After losing last season to Tommy John surgery, it makes sense that he would fall back some. That being said, Law believes that Sano won’t debut until 2016. With potential at 3rd or DH, I’d argue that point couldn’t be more wrong. He could be up as early as the All-Star break, and should be a regular by the time September call ups come around.

In looking at Sano, Law says, “When healthy, Sano has grade-80 raw power, with the potential to hit 30-35 homers a year in the majors, generating that output with a rotational swing that makes good use of his hips and legs. He’s done a good job of improving his ball/strike recognition, but will probably always be a 150-plus strikeout guy, as he can overswing and expands his zone when behind in the count.”

Again, I don’t think Law’s timetable on Sano will prove to be accurate, but he’s spot on in his analysis. Sano is going to mash at the major league level, strike out a decent amount, and consistently allow his bat to find his way into the field. Expect him to be doing so for the Twins during the late summer this season.

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

#30 Alex Meyer

It’s really hard to say much else about what Meyer can be for the Twins. Regarded as a very solid get for Denard Span, he has top of the rotation potential. At 25, it’s time the Twins see it come to fruition at the major league level. He will compete for a starting rotation spot, and the dice will fall from there.

Looking at Meyer, Keith Law says, “Meyer has hit 100 mph and sits in the mid-90s with huge sink that will kill a lot of worms at Target Field, with a vicious slider up to 90 mph or so that kills right-handed batters. His control wavers, although taller pitchers often need more reps and time to get their deliveries in sync.”

There’s no doubt that Alex Meyer is ready to breakthrough and showcase his ability at the major league level, he just needs to be able to have that desire come together on the field. While a starting spot may be a long shot out of the gate, the hope would be that’s where Meyer makes his debut, and not out of the bullpen. There should be little doubt that Meyer is the first prospect the Twins call up this season, with May or June being a realistic timetable.

Credit: nydailynews.com

#43 Nick Gordon

Last season’s first round pick for the Twins, Gordon has just completed his first season in professional baseball. The Twins accelerated the younger brother of Dee Gordon, and son of Tom Gordon, to Elizabethton, rather than playing him through the Gulf Coast League. Regarded as the club’s shortstop of the future, Gordon has some pretty big expectations to live up to.

Knowing that Gordon is already advanced defensively, it will be Gordon’s offense that propels him to the major leagues. Law’s weighs in saying, “His bat-to-ball skill is strong, and he has a good approach for his age, with doubles power at best and above-average but not plus speed, so drawing more walks to post a high OBP will be key for Gordon as he moves up the ladder. His ceiling is an everyday shortstop who can hit leadoff in a good lineup; the floor might be more of an 8- or 9-hole hitter if he doesn’t develop a more patient approach.”

There’s no doubt that Nick Gordon is still a ways off. Drafted out of high school, he still needs to get acclimated to the professional game. With that in mind however, Gordon has the ability to skyrocket up the farm system as he continues to grow into his body and continue to fill out into a complete player. Minnesota likely won’t be calling upon Gordon any time before 2018.

Credit: MiLB.com

#53 Kohl Stewart

Stewart was selected in the first round out of high school by the Twins in 2013. Reports on Stewart have been on both ends of the spectrum, with his attitude and focus remaining key fixtures in the discussion. After suffering a shoulder soreness scare a season ago, it appears that a clean bill of health awaits the Twins pitching prospect in 2015.

Many regard Stewart as a potential ace. Law spells it out saying, “He’ll show four pitches, any or all of which could end up as plus, with a fastball already up to 97 mph and a slider that is probably closest to being a true swing-and-miss offering…Stewart has the potential to front a rotation given a few more years of development; he might have to learn to pitch at 92-94 first so he can develop some command, and he needs to work in particular on his changeup before Double-A hitters force him to do so.”

Having been recruited as a football player as well, Stewart is still settling into the full-time baseball life. He will continue to develop and will really start to take strides forward as the command and understanding of the major league pitching games mesh together. Sometime in 2017 appears to be the most likely debut spot for the Texas-born pitcher.

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

#97 Jose Berrios

Prior to the outrage from Twins fans, let’s all pump our breaks here a little bit. Although Jose Berrios shot up the system for the Twins last season, and played in the Future’s Game, and wants to make the starting rotation, context needs to be added. At this time last season, he was an unranked prospect. The recently released ZiPS ratings also have J.D. Durbin as a Berrios comparative player.

While we can hope those things only continue to fuel Berrios’ fire, a 2015 proving that last season was no joke needs to be in store for Jose. Law is very cautious with Berrios saying, “I’ve seen Berrios a number of times, dating back to the Excellence Games in his native Puerto Rico in 2012, and I’ve always had a sense Berrios’ height and lack of life or plane on his fastball would push him to the bullpen. He has the ceiling of a third or fourth MLB starter if he keeps missing bats and can tighten up both off-speed pitches.”

Twins fans certainly are hoping for more out of a player they grew so drawn to a season ago. That being said, if Berrios does keep the ball up in the zone, and lack movement at the higher levels, Law is correct in stating it will continue to burn him. Berrios also dealt with a brief bout of shoulder soreness last season and will need to hope that is behind him. With a full season to prove it, Berrios should be looking at a chance for a September 2015 call up.

Considering that six out of 100 of the top prospects across 30 teams all come from the Twins organization, you have to feel good about the future. When these players get it done at the major league level, everything becomes more real. Are there some players you expected to be included who weren’t, or maybe thought some prospects deserved higher recognition? Let us know!

Next: Top 10 Twins Prospects To Watch In 2015

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