ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: A view of baseball gloves prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day at Angel Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA – APRIL 05: A view of baseball gloves prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day at Angel Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
After a return to the playoffs and a very successful season in the minor leagues for the Minnesota Twins organization, it’s time to examine top prospects!
As the Minnesota Twins built up the team that made the playoffs in 2017, they used excellent prospects, ranking as the top minor league system in the game at times along the way, boasting multiple top prospects, including the #1 prospect in all of baseball at time, and they were adept at acquiring players in multiple ways to create that farm system.
The Twins enjoyed the fruits of that farm system this season as young players truly carried the day for the major league team. On the major league team, there were 16 position players that returned positive Baseball Reference WAR value, and 12 of them were in their 20s. Pitching was a bit more volatile and top-heavy, as 12 pitchers contributed positive WAR values, and 7 were in their 20s. The 30+ pitchers outpaced the 20s pitchers in WAR contributed in total 6.5-5.4, but 4.6 of the 30+ group’s 6.5 came from Ervin Santana.
The list
This list is the product of the work of Benjamin Chase. He has taken time to do plenty of player video evaluation and contacting a number of scouts and others within the game to get opinion on players that he hasn’t seen himself in order to put this list together. The list itself is based on Ben’s opinion, so his own biases are to be noted in the viewing of the list. Specifically, production at a full season level will weigh more heavily on a list. Relievers will likely rank lower on a list.
This is a snapshot at this point in time, and many things could come out of winter workouts, winter league play, or even spring training that would make any of these rankings seem foolish. There are a number of players on this list that are eligible for minor league free agency, so there could be some guys here that end up in another organization through free agency or part of a trade. Disagreements are likely, and, frankly, encouraged! Please feel free to comment below on any disagreements you may have!
The list will come out with 20 players at a time, with #81-100 on Monday, #61-80 on Tuesday, #41-60 on Wednesday, #21-40 on Thursday, and #1-20 on Friday. Also on Friday will be a post that offers up the entire list in list format (no player evaluations on those players) and also will add a number more players to keep track of beyond the top 100 that could move up quickly or that had positive 2017 seasons.
With that, we will move onto the big list….
Next: Full list
The Complete List
Over the past week, we’ve released the entire top 100 in groups of 20 with write ups on each of those players. However, for ease of viewing, this is the list in complete form, easy to read, nothing more, nothing less!
First, if you missed any of the posts this week and want more detail as provided by Ben in his write ups, here are links to each of the posts that have gone up so far:
Last, there are certainly more than 100 minor leaguers in the Minnesota Twins system, and Ben has taken the time to identify a handful (or two or three) more guys that you should be aware of that did not make the top 100…
Next: Others To Know
Luis Bellorin, LHP, DSL – Older guy for DSL with upper-80s fastball, but worked his secondary stuff much betters this season and could take a step forward coming stateside in 2018.
Yeremi De La Cruz, C, DSL – Bat picked up in his second year in DSL. Should come state side in 2018. Heard good things about his arm behind the plate.
T.J. Dixon, OF, Elizabethton – 24th round selection out of Samford this season. Showed out very well with the E-Twins, especially with his BB/K rate. Not a ton of other info out there and not a ton of upside offensively, but intriguing as a guy who could be similar to Wade.
Ryan Eades, RHP, Chattanooga/Rochester – Seems such a long time ago that Eades was a second round pick in 2013. He’s finally seemed to find a home as a swingman in the bullpen and could work his way to the majors in that role.
Zach Featherstone, LHP, GCL – Selected by the Twins out of Tallahassee JC in the 12th round in 2016, Featherstone moved from 1B to the mound in 2017, and his velocity off the mound was impressive, but he was understandably raw. Could be a future lefty reliever.
Jared Finkel, RHP, Elizabethton – Picked in the 23rd round out of Iona in June, had an impressive debut in the Appy League, which belied his less than amazing raw stuff. Could be a guy who plays up his stuff from the pen, but definitely worth watching.
Pedro Garcia, RHP, GCL – “Old” signee that has thrown very well his two seasons in the organization. Will be interesting to see how he handles a higher level after a 2.35 ERA and 0.95 WHIP combined between DSL and GCL in 2016 and 2017.
Moises Gomez, RHP, Elizabethton – At 20, his stats weren’t great at Elizabethton, but still a solid season on the year, especially considering that he was a catcher until he was signed in 2014, so he’s still fairly raw on the mound. Works into the mid-90s with his fastball with a good curve and developing change.
Jordan Gore, IF, Elizabethton/Cedar Rapids – Part of the upstart Coastal Carolina team that won a title in his college years, Gore played very well with Elizabethton before hitting a wall with Cedar Rapids.
Zack Jones, RHP, GCL – Huge arm that can’t seem to stay healthy. He’s going to be 27 this winter and still not sure when he’ll be ready to go again, but has a big arm when he is healthy.
Logan Lombana, RHP, Cedar Rapids – Long Beach State righty that was drafted in the 25th round in 2015. Worked well as a multi-inning reliever this season, seeming to find a home in that role.
Kevin Marnon, LHP, GCL – Ball State lefty that was signed as an undrafted free agent and had huge numbers with GCL (0.54 ERA) to match his huge frame (6’7″, 250 pounds).
Agustin Marte, IF, DSL – Repeated DSL and showed more hard contact this year. Still has plus speed and good eye. Should come stateside in 2018.
Anthony McIver, LHP, Fort Myers/Chattanooga – University of San Diego lefty that was drafted in the 15th round in 2015 worked very well as a swing man this year after working primarily as a reliever his first two years.
Sean Miller, IF, Fort Myers – 10th round pick in 2015 getting time in the AFL this year has a utility infield profile with some power, some speed, some contact, but not great zone recognition.
Derek Molina, RHP, GCL – Drafted out of Merced JuCo in the 14th round by the Twins, Molina could be a find as he threw extremely well in GCL, showing a strong ability to control his stuff and excellent raw stuff as well.
Nelson Molina, 2B/3B, Fort Myers/Chattanooga – After a quality season in 2016, Molina stepped back in 2017, struggling with zone recognition. Good frame that would project to add power once filled out, but still quite lean.
Michael Montero, RHP, DSL – Pitchability guy over velocity had incredible success as ace of DSL staff as 17 y/o. Good frame to add more velocity down the road. Should be in GCL in 2018.
Junior Navas, RHP, DSL – Tall Venezuelan that showed well in limited time in the DSL this year. Very projectable arm that is one to watch going forward.
Ben Rodriguez, C/1B, GCL – Monster man (6’6, 225+) actually did play behind the dish for a few games, though he played the majority of his games at first base. Extremely good contact and big raw power, but seems to struggle accessing that power in game.
Ruben Santana, IF, DSL – Small guy repeated DSL at 19 and had an impressive season. No power to speak of, but used above-average speed and good zone recognition to show well. Hopefully will get a shot at GCL in 2018.
Rainis Silva, C, Elizabethton – Originally signed in 2012 out of Venezuela, Silva has struggled offensively thus far, but broke out with the bat this season when he moved down a level after playing at Cedar Rapids in 2016. Likely a backup profile, but if he can maintain his bat, he could be a bit more.
Samuel Vasquez, OF, DSL – Late signee really hit well with DSL, but was also 20 years old. Has plus to plus-plus speed, but only successful on 2/3 of his steals in DSL, which doesn’t translate great, but raw numbers say he should get a shot in GCL in 2018.
T.J. White, 3B, Chattanooga – UNLV infielder drafted in 2014 has struggled with staying healthy, but had a big season when healthy with Chattanooga in 2017, hitting .276/.358/.484, but will be 26 going into 2018.
Alex Wimmers, RHP, Rochester/MLB – Former 2010 first rounder has really seemed to find a home as a reliever that can go multiple innings as needed, but still has light stuff for MLB level.
