I am working through the minor league system team by team and providing six to ten players to watch for the remainder of the season. I will start here at the bottom in the Dominican Summer League and work all the way through Rochester. This provides a nice mix of known and unknown players to pay attention to for the rest of the dismal 2014 Twins season.

My DSL players to watch:

1. Lewin Diaz, 1B, LH, DOB: 11/19/96

2014 statistics: 92 plate appearances, .272/.359/.457 (.815), 6 doubles, 0 triples, 3 homers, 10 walks, 15 strikeouts, 0 steals, 0 times caught stealing.

He turns 18 on my 34th birthday. There is some real slugging potential here and he is not striking out at an alarming rate. It will be interesting to see if the organization decides to give him any time in the GCL this year.

2. Jermaine Palacios, 3B, RH, DOB: 7/19/96

2014 statistics: 114 PA, .299/.442/.460 (.902), 6 doubles, 4 triples, 0 homers, 20 walks, 19 strikeouts, 9 steals, 1 time caught stealing.

May end up being a second baseman soon. Good speed and patience and he just turned 18.

3. Jadison Jimenez, LH SP, DOB: 3/19/94

2014 statistics: 50 innings pitched, 1.98 ERA, 42 strikeouts, 10 walks.

Dramatic improvement over the previous two seasons in the DSL. Seems to be making the proper adjustments and should be someone the Twins move eventually to E-Town (perhaps this time next year).

4. Jorge Andrade, SH, 2B, DOB: 12/7/94

2014 statistics: 123 PA, .343/.423/.524 (.947), 5 doubles, 7 triples, 0 homers, 14 walks, 31 strikeouts, 10 steals, 4 times caught stealing.

Third year in the DSL and he has really blossomed. Another player who could be in E-Town one year from today.

5. Luis Arraez, 2B, LH, DOB: 4/9/97

2014 statistics: 118 PA, .330/.419/.390 (.809), 6 doubles, 0 triples, 0 homers, 15 walks, 8 strikeouts, 9 steals, 4 times caught stealing.

Absolutely no problem with the DSL as a 17-year-old. Should move through the system. Phenomenal BB/K ratio.

6. Roni Tapia, 3B, RH, DOB: 4/3/97

2014 statistics: 102 PA, .253/.294/.389, 5 doubles, 4 triples, 0 homers, 5 walks, 31 strikeouts, 0 steals, 1 time caught stealing.

These six will provide a good foundation for paying attention to the league as it deserves.