Minor leagues have begun to wrap up, and many are announcing their end-of-season awards. The Minnesota Twins landed two players on the Appalachian League list.
The Minnesota Twins have enjoyed a very positive season in the minor leagues with all affiliates currently competing for the postseason with roughly 10 days remaining on the regular season for stateside leagues and the Dominican Summer League regular season completed.
The Appalachian League recently released their end of season All-Star team to recognize the top players in the league this season. The Minnesota Twins’ affiliate in Elizabethton landed two players on the team. Let’s take a look at who was chosen!
Jose Miranda, SS
Miranda was the Minnesota Twins’ selection in the 2nd round of the 2016 draft out of Leadership Christian Academy in Puerto Rico. The Twins have really scouted Puerto Rico well and selected players from Puerto Rico throughout the draft the last few years.
In 2016, Miranda spent the season in the Gulf Coast League. He hit .227/.308/.292 with 7 doubles, a triple, a home run, and 4 stolen bases. He was very obviously raw, and most obviously so on defense, where the Twins worked him at a few different spots, playing him at second base, third base and shortstop.
Miranda moved up to Elizabethton in 2017, and his bat really caught up, as he hit .280/.335/.464, and his power really began to come through his wiry 6’2″ frame. He hit 5 doubles, 2 triples, and 10 home runs.
The interesting part is that the selection for Miranda was at shortstop, yet he did not play an inning at shortstop for Elizabethton this season, spending his time primarily at second base, with a game at third base and time at designated hitter.
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Edwar Colina, RHP
Colina is a gem of the Minnesota Twins aggressive scouting in Venezuela, even after those players who are initially eligible for the July 2nd signing period. Colina was already 19 1/2 years old when he was signed by the Twins in September of 2015, beyond the typical 16 years old of most Latin signees.
Colina made his professional debut with the Dominican Summer League in 2016, where he threw very well, posting a 2.30 ERA and 1.18 WHIP over 14 appearances (13 starts) and 58 2/3 innings, with a 28/52 BB/K ratio.
This season, the Twins jumped him over the Gulf Coast League straight to Elizabethton, and he showed no issues with the jump, as he’s made 12 appearances (11 starts), throwing 59 1/3 innings, allowing a 3.34 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, and posting a 29/56 BB/K ratio.
Next: Patience pays off with Buxton
More of the Minnesota Twins affiliate leagues should be announcing their end-of-season awards soon, and as the Twins have some very good teams this year, you can bet there will be more players receiving notice!