The Wednesday show of 1500ESPN of Mackey & Judd’s morning show included a segment of the Twins players that are most important to the organization. They both selected their top 10 and each added two honorable mentions, basically a top 12 list. They both agreed that their selections were not a MVP list, but player importance to the organization, which translates to more about the future than current value. That distinction means that prospects that have a high ceiling or are knocking on the door have as much value to the organization as a current roster starter.

Judd Zulgad wrote an article about the on-air conversation on the 1500ESPN website on Friday

Article and revised his list by moving Sano and dropping him from his top 10 list to 11th. Here are their respective lists:

Judd

Byron Buxton

Fernando Romero

Royce Lewis

Max Kepler

Eddie Rosario

B. Dozier

J. Berrios

Nick Gordon

Stephen Gonsalves

M. Sano

Jake Odorizzi

E. Escobar

Mackey

Royce Lewis

J. Berrios

Byron Buxton

Eddie Rosario

Fernando Romero

Max Kepler

B. Dozier

Stephen Gonsalves

M. Sano

Nick Gordon

Brent Rooker

Jake Odorizzi

Observations

Similarity of lists- Both lists include 11 similar names with only Rooker and Escobar on only one list.

Youth- Of the 13 players on both lists, 10 are 26 or younger and only three are between 28 and 31 years of age.

Distribution- Nine position players and four pitchers. The only overlap of position players is shortstop or second, depending where Gordon plays.

Sano- Regardless of how anyone feels about where Sano would be on a list, I think that most would agree that he would be either one or two just a couple of years ago (maybe even midway through the season last year).