ESPN Insider Keith Law’s Top 10 Twins Prospects 2015 Edition
In case you missed it, recently Keith Law has been breaking down the farm systems of every team in baseball. So far he was able to rank the Twins as the second best organization overall, coming in just behind the Chicago Cubs. His top 100 prospect list wasn’t as favorable to the Twins however. MLB.com saw the Twins prospects in a much better light, with six players in the top 50. Now Law is breaking down the top 10 Twins prospects.
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As Spring Training rolls around, we will see more publications unveiling their top 10 prospects. We’ve already taken a look at how Baseball Prospectus sees the Twins top 10. MLB.com has yet to unveil their new team by team lists, saw Law’s breakdown is up next.
While Law may have been somewhat harsh on the Twins prospects in relation to the top 100, there is no denying that the group as a whole provides a lot of reason to be excited. Looking at prospects one through ten, most organizations would crave to have similar level talent.
Let’s get into it, going in descending order, Keith Law’s top 10 Twins prospects for 2015.
Credit: dplbaseball.com
10. Amaurys Minier, LF/1B
Just 19 years old out of the Dominican Republic, Minier provides one of the few farm options for the Twins at first base. Having played just 84 professional games in the Gulf Coast League, he is only two professional seasons into his career. Considering that he has faced other professionals already starting at the age of 17, his development is well underway.
Last season, Minier took significant steps forward at the plate slashing .292/.405/.520, while belting eight home runs and driving in 33 runs. As he continues to fill out his frame, the power should only continue to grow.
Jun 29, 2014; Arlington, TX, USA; Minnesota Twins shortstop Jorge Polanco (11) completes a double play over Texas Rangers catcher Robinson Chirinos (61) during the second inning at Globe Life Park in Arlington. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
9. Jorge Polanco, SS
Polanco made his debut, albeit brief, with the Twins last season. Having to be called upon to provide depth due to injuries, the young prospect jumped from Sinle-A Fort Myers all the way to the big leagues. While it wasn’t the Twins saying he was ready, their was plenty of buzz around the call up.
Finishing the year with Double-A New Britain, Polanco slashed .288/.353/.395 in 2014. While hitting seven home runs and driving in over 60 runners, Polanco also swiped 17 bases. However, he was caught stealing 11 times and once he gets a better grasp on reading pitchers, he could become a bigger base stealing threat as well.
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
8. Eddie Rosario, OF
Now transitioned to full-time outfield, Rosario could conceivably slide into the Twins plans early in 2015. Having struggled in 2014 after coming back from a 50 game suspension, he got things going during the Arizona Fall League. Hitting for average, while being one of the better fielding outfielders, Rosario brings a lot to the table for the Twins.
Whether being called upon in light of an Oswaldo Arcia injury, or by pricing on his own, the Twins could benefit from adding Rosario to their outfield in 2015. He can handle the bat and his .294/.343/.485 career slash line suggests as much.
Credit: Knuckleballsblog.com
7. Lewis Thorpe, LHP
The Australian phenom continues to rise up the prospect rankings, and it appears Law has taken notice as well. At just 19 years old, Thorpe was already pitching for Cedar Rapids last season. In 2015, the biggest thing for Thorpe will be getting back to consistency and continuing to development.
In Cedar Rapids, he compiled a 3.52 ERA across 16 starts. His 10.0 K/9 was impressive, but he simply walked too many batters allowing 4.5 BB/9. With young pitchers, command is always going to be an issue, and if Thorpe can figure that out, he has dominant ability.
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
6. Jose Berrios, RHP
Getting into the meat of Law’s outline for the Twins system introduces Berrios. While he doesn’t see him having as high of a ceiling as most, it appears that Berrios is still a highly regarded prospect in Law’s eyes. With delivery concerns and injury issues dealt with previously, that will be an area worth monitoring going forward for Berrios.
After rising through the farm system in 2014, Berrios will likely start at Double-A Chattanooga, with the Twins showing an intention of moving him along to Triple-A. Berrios will need to show an ability to do more than just throw it by hitters as he pitches against the upper tiers of the farm system. It is very possible Berrios is in Minnesota at some point in 2015.
Credit: MiLB.com
5. Kohl Stewart, RHP
The Twins first round draft pick of 2013 continues to impress down on the farm. Once again he was dominant in 2014 for Cedar Rapids. Although he dealt with some shoulder issues in the later part of the season, that appears to be mostly behind him. Stewart will likely start out the season being eased back into things.
After taking some steps backwards last season in his strikeout ability, the Twins will want to see Stewart ramp it back up once again. He should see time at Fort Myers in 2015, and still projects as a top of the rotation arm. For Stewart, this season will be about continuing to develop and hone in on his craft, with his eyes set towards the 2017 season.
Credit: MiLB.com
4. Nick Gordon, SS
After being selected with the Twins first round pick in 2014, Gordon was billed to be a special talent. With both brother Dee Gordon, and father Tom Gordon, having excelled at the major league level, the lineage is incredibly strong. His defense is regarded as being ahead of his offense, but the Twins believed he was advanced as a whole in 2014.
Sent past the Gulf Coast League and straight to Elizabethton, Gordon handled his own. As expected he was strong in the field, but more impressively he was adept with the bat. Hitting just under .300, Gordon is going to continue to grow into his frame helping himself out at the plate. He’s more than two years off at this point, but he should be filling the shortstop position for the Twins for years to come.
Nov 2, 2013; Surprise, AZ, USA; Minnesota Twins pitcher Alex Meyer against the East during the Fall Stars Game at Surprise Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
3. Alex Meyer, RHP
Arguably the first prospect of the list to make his debut in 2015, there is very little for Alex Meyer left to do down on the farm. If it hadn’t been for some late season injury issues, he very likely would have seen his call up come last September. A strikeout pitcher with front of the rotation potential, the last key for Meyer will be to continue to perfect his command.
He has started to develop a strong third pitch, and if he can pound the strike zone more often, his effectiveness will only continue to grow. With his tall frame and strong arm, he should be a strikeout threat for the Twins rotation. Whether or not he beats out Tommy Milone for the 5th starter spot out of Spring Training is yet to be seen, but Meyer should debut sometime around June of 2015.
March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) throws the ball against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
2. Miguel Sano, 3B
It seems at this point that Sano has been talked about amongst the greats of the Twins organization for years. Obviously with Law’s ranking it’s easy to tell there is good reason. After missing all of 2014 due to Tommy John surgery, Miguel Sano is ready to hit the ground running in 2015.
Considering he didn’t play any winter league ball, and was held out of the Arizona Fall League, Miguel Sano will have some rust to knock off. In the field, he still has done enough to stay at third base for the time being, but an outfield or first base move could be coming. His bat is going to play, and he’s a real threat to hit 30+ home runs immediately at the major league level. A worst case scenario should have Sano with the Twins by late August.
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
1. Byron Buxton, CF
By Law’s standards, Buxton ranks as the second best prospect in the game of baseball, behind only Chicago Cubs Kris Bryant. Much like Sano, Buxton dealt with injuries throughout the 2014 campaign and had mostly a wasted year. With Torii Hunter in the fold for the Twins, one of Buxton’s new principles will be in learning how to stay healthy and play within himself from the veteran.
There is no doubt that Buxton is virtually major league ready. His defense would be an welcomed addition to the Twins outfield and the expanse that is Target Field. On the offensive side, his speed is unparalleled and his bat should play just fine. Looking for Buxton to debut in 2015, it should happen sometime in the late summer, with September being a worst case scenario.
As far as the analysis Keith Law provided in looking at the Twins organization, he took some time to break down how he sees the 2015 season shaking out for some prospects in saying:
Meyer should make the Twins’ rotation this year; May could get some spot starts or help in relief. Sano and Buxton should surface later in the year as long as their health permits it. Reed or Burdi could race to the majors if the Twins are willing to be aggressive in their first full years in the minors.
Looking back at the season and jump we saw from Jose Berrios in 2014, it’s always exciting to wonder who could be that player this year. Keith Law shares his ideas in saying:
I don’t usually like to repeat guys as sleepers, but Lewis Thorpe seems about ready to make that leap this year after falling just a little short in 2014. He improved his conditioning for 2014, showed better control, and has three pitches that are or project as plus. He should crack the top 100 next year with a full season in Fort Myers.
It’s very easy to see the Twins have plenty of talent on the farm, and there is good reason for optimism surrounding the big league club. As the turnaround happens for the organization, it will be on the backs of these prospects.
Next: Worst Case Scenario May Be A Silver Lining For Twins In 2015
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