Minnesota Twins 2017 Minor League Awards

Andrew Vasquez, 23, Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers

Vasquez had a terrible August by his measure, which is the only thing that even made this close. After allowing a total of 6 runs (4 earned) in the entire season coming into August, Vasquez allowed 7 runs (6 earned) in August, though all that did was to bring Vasquez from a super-human level to more of a normal elite level.

The Twins drafted the 6’6″ Vasquez out of Westmont College in 2015 in the 32nd round. They’ve certainly gotten their investment returned thus far. Vasquez has a bit of deception to his delivery along with a wicked breaking pitch and a moving fastball that is incredibly hard for a hitter to square up.

His final numbers on the year were 37 appearances, 58 innings, a 1.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, and a crazy 21/85 BB/K ratio. Vasquez very well could challenge for a major league job at some point in 2018.

Others of note: Jovani Moran, 20, Elizabethton; Gabriel Moya, 22,
Chattanooga; Mason Melotakis, 26, Chattanooga/Rochester; Sam Clay, 24,
Fort Myers/Chattanooga; Anthony McIver, 25, Fort Myers/Chattanooga

Yes, the tough August made the decision tough at this position, but the performances of Clay and Moran were both incredible and pushed that decision. Moran was particularly difficult to deny the spot as he was absolutely dominant in his return from Tommy John surgery. with a 0.36 ERA, but he only made 11 appearances, so Vasquez was still the choice.

Next: Pitcher of the Year