Article: The Next Twins-2015

[Steve Lein]

Even though the Twins lost Monday, it’s hard not to be excited for baseball. The start of the baseball season means summer is just around the corner, and the prospect of spending afternoons and evenings at Target Field gets me all giddy, even if the Opening Day roster doesn’t.You see, despite the fact this roster is currently loaded with veterans and retreads, both new (Tim Stauffer, Blaine Boyer, Ervin Santana, Shane Robinson) and old (Torii Hunter) who don’t necessarily instill immediate confidence, the youth movement we’ve all been waiting for was finally taken out of neutral and eased into first gear late last season.

 

Players who made their major league debut for the Twins in 2014 included pitchers A.J. Achter, Logan Darnell, Yohan Pino, and Trevor May, and position players Jorge Polanco, Danny Santana, and Kennys Vargas.

 

It was May, Santana, and Vargas’ debuts in particular that signaled Terry Ryan was finally releasing the clutch on a farm system that could be the equivalent of a Ferrari. While they’re barely out of the starting gate, the performances of Santana (.319/.353/.472, 41 XBHs and 20 SB in 101 games) and Vargas (.274/.316/.456, 9 HR and 38 RBI in 53 games) in the latter portion of 2014 put some pretty good tread to tar on this track.

 

While May needed an injurty to get back in the Twins rotation on this track, Santana and Vargas have been handed the keys to the 2015 revolution out of gate, and are poised to be infused with nitrous-boosters throughout the year.

 

Top 100 prospects lists and team specific top 10s are always fun to read and one of my favorite parts of the baseball offseason, whether it’s reading the great capsules here on Twins Daily, or checking out the litany of lists available elsewhere. But since there are so many of them, I like to take a little bit of a different look at prospects coming into a new season, and that means throwing out names that you might have a chance to actually see in the majors during the upcoming season.

 

Usually when I’ve done this list, there haven’t been a whole lot of top10-type prospects who have populated it because they’ve been so far away from the majors, but this year is different, and this Ferrari of a farm system is ready to roll with those types of players who are littering AA and AAA for the Twins.

 

So let’s take a look at some players who could make (or have now made) their MLB debut for the Minnesota Twins in 2015:

 

J.R. Graham

 

Graham was the Twins' Rule 5 draft pick coming into the season which gave him a leg up on the competition to both make the roster, and his MLB debut. When healthy, which has been a big question mark in recent seasons, Graham brings legit velocity and was once a top 5 prospect for the Atlanta Braves. On my trip down to spring training last month, Graham registered the highest radar gun readings of anyone I saw, Twins or otherwise (including Alex Meyer), so the Twins are banking on the potential he has to evolve into a useful bullpen piece after flaming out as a starter with Atlanta.

 

Eddie Rosario (TD’s #8 Prospect)

 

A disappointing 2014 season for Rosario began with a 50-game drug suspension, and he did nothing to improve his stock going into 2015, with an underwhelming .672 OPS at AA when he finally got on the field. But he reversed that trend in a big way with a strong showing in the Arizona Fall League, which is a proving ground for top prospects. His performance there put him in the competition for the center field job this spring, but he didn’t do quite enough. If he’s strong out of the gate at AAA Rochester, Rosario could be the first outfielder called up to fill in for an injury.

 

Jason Wheeler

 

The big left-hander has gone a bit unnoticed in a farm system that includes top 100 pitching prospects like Meyer, Kohl Stewart and Jose Berrios, but has been a workhorse in the minors since being drafted out of Loyola Marymount University in the eighth round of the 2011 draft. He pitched at three levels in 2014, ending his season with a start in Rochester, and totaled 158 innings with a 2.68 ERA and 1.190 WHIP on the season. He doesn’t have big velocity for a pitcher his size (6’6”, 255) nor does he rack up strikeouts (6.6K/9IP), but he doesn’t issue free passes (2.1BB/9IP) and gets a lot of ground balls. He profiles as a back-end starter. He’s on the 40-man roster, so his route to a 2015 debut is easier than a few others on this list. I was also impressed watching one of his outings this spring on the backfields down in Fort Myers.

 

Alex Meyer (TD’s #5 Prospect)

 

If not for a (repeated) shoulder injury near the end of 2014, Meyer may not have been eligible for this list in 2015, but it wasn’t meant to be. There’s no denying his ability, as he brings mid-to-high 90s velocity and a wipe-out slider out of his 6’9” frame that have placed him high on top 100 lists since he was drafted. Teh Twins limited his in-game production (85 pitches or 6 innings) in 2014 to try and keep him healthy the entire season, but he still led the International League in strikeouts with 153 in 130.1 innings (10.6K/9IP). He can get wild as we all know, but when balanced by his penchant for strikeouts, he is able to limit the damage, as evidenced by his solid 3.52 ERA at AAA, which also ranked sixth in that league. Trevor May was in front of him on the call-up depth chart, but if Meyer doesn’t make his debut in 2015, something has gone extremely wrong.

 

Miguel Sano (TD’s #2 Prospect)

 

Sano was primed to burst onto the scene in 2014 after a season that saw him smash 35 home runs between Fort Myers and New Britain, but a cloud was also hanging over him that reared its head in his first spring training game, and that was his right elbow. After Tommy John surgery Sano is healthy heading in to 2015, and will be part of perhaps the scariest lineup in all of the minor leagues at Chattanooga. Thus far he has had zero setbacks, and though he only collected two hits in major league camp this spring, they were both mammoth HRs. He also displayed good patience and hit several other balls extremely hard, including one that prompted this reaction from me on the back fields after he was sent to the minor league camp. Sano is without a doubt THE GUY I’m looking forward to debuting in 2015, and let’s hope that the end to the second movie being made about him comes sooner rather than later.

 

Jose Berrios (TD’s #3 Prospect)

 

Berrios vaulted up prospect lists in 2014 as he burned through the Florida State League to the tune of a 1.97 ERA in 16 starts and 96 innings while striking out 109 hitters. He also made eight starts at AA and one at AAA, but was noticeably less effective as he climbed the ladder. He’s not on the 40-man roster yet, so his path to a 2015 debut is more clouded than others, but it’s also hard to put anything past him due to his work ethic and desire, which have been on full display this offseason, if you follow him on social media circles. His size will always be a question mark, as he lacks the prototypical height and fastball plane of a top of the rotation starter, but he also brings surprising velocity and a diverse mix over which he has full control. He’ll start the season in AA, but could easily find himself in Rochester by July, just a phone call away from the majors.

 

Nick Burdi (TD’s #10 Prospect)

 

Burdi is the closest thing to a blue-chip pure relief prospect you will find in all of the minor leagues, and that’s because of his 100+MPH heat and a slider that comes in at 90+. He had a very forgettable MiLB debut, where he walked all four batters he faced, but after that minor setback, he struck out 38 hitters in just 20.1 innings between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers while allowing just 13 hits and 6 walks. I was able to catch him while he was with the Kernels last season, and he’ll give you as exciting an inning as you can imagine out of the bullpen. On several other teams, I have to believe he’d already be in the majors, but with the Twins we may have to wait until the All-Star break or longer.

 

Byron Buxton (TD’s #1 Prospect)

 

I honestly don’t actually believe that Buxton will make it to the majors this season, but there is a reason he’s one of the best prospects in all of baseball: He’s shown he can hit, has burgeoning power, can steal a ton of bases, run down fly balls with his speed, and has a big arm that he used to throw mid-90s from the mound in high school. He’s a genuine five-tool prospect. The reason I think it will be hard for him to debut in 2015 is because he was so incredible in 2013, then had most everything possible go wrong in 2014, that it would be hard to reproduce his 2013 success. Then again, the Twins outfield situation is dire, so it may become a necessity at some point if he’s doing anything close to what he did in 2013.

 

Other Notable Names:

 

RP Jake Reed – The Oregon closer made a name for himself after being drafted in the fifth round of last year’s draft by allowing just one earned run and 11 hits along with racking up 39 strikeouts over 31 innings for Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids.

 

IF Levi Michael – The first forgotten first-round draft pick finally showed some life in 2014, though he wasn’t able to play a full season, hitting .313/.389/.387 across three levels, including .340/.444/.358 in 15 games at AA.

 

SP/RP Alex Wimmers – The second forgotten first-round pick also was able to get his career back on track in 2014 while making most of his appearances as a reliever. In 84 innings at Fort Myers and New Britain, Wimmers struck out 97 hitters and improved as the season went on.

 

RP J.T. Chargois – The first half of the former Rice University closer committee drafted in 2012 missed all of 2013 and 2014 due to injury, but is back to pitching and flashing the same 100 MPH velocity he did when the Twins selected him in the second round. Could be a fast mover if it all comes back.

 

SP Tyler Duffey – The second half of the Rice University closer committee, drafted in the fifth round of 2012's draft, has been the Twins best reliever to starter conversion, and made three starts at AAA in 2014. Like Wheeler, he has the potential to be a back-end starter in the majors.

 

IF James Beresford – The Australian native has spent the past two seasons at AAA in a utility role and has hit for a solid average. With the ability to field multiple infield positions, he could find himself in the same role with the Twins if the need arises.

 

RP Ryan O’Rourke – O’Rourke is the unique LOOGY reliever who absolutely dominates same-handed hitters, but struggles to get anyone else out. It’s a luxury to be able to have his type of arm in a major league bullpen, but there are plenty of situations where it can be of use.

 

SP Taylor Rogers – Rogers spent all of 2014 in AA, and will find himself in the rotation at AAA to begin 2015. He’s buried on the starting pitching depth chart, but is in the same position as Wheeler and Duffey as a future back-end starter candidate.

 

Cheers to the 2015 MLB season, and to the potential debuts of the next great Minnesota Twins!

 

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[clutterheart]

Whichever of these guys make it hopefully they learn how to play defense before they come up. Watching Santana and Arcia play defense reminds me how unprepared Plouffe and Dozier were when they tried to be shortstops.

 

This organization seems to have a penchant for bringing up guys who are not defensively capable. Hopefully that gets corrected in the next wave of youngsters.

[clutterheart]

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[clutterheart]

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[tobi0040]

The good news is the only two guys that maybe new prospects that get to the big's this year are buxton and Rosario.

 

Buxton is as gifted defensively as you will find and Rosario, a former cf has to be miles better than Arcia and hunter.

[tobi0040]

I meant only new of prospects that reach this year

[Blackjack]

 

Whichever of these guys make it hopefully they learn how to play defense before they come up. Watching Santana and Arcia play defense reminds me how unprepared Plouffe and Dozier were when they tried to be shortstops.
.

I never understood that about Plouffe, he played shortstop all thru the minors, THEN when he made the big time they decide he didn't have what it takes at shortstop.  Then they're scrambling to get him to a different position, learning on the fly on the major league club. Why didn't that happen years before? Who was watching and coaching him?

[Steven Buhr]

I'm reading over this list and I can honestly say I would not mind at all if the Twins somehow made room on their roster for every guy you mentioned before the year gets too far along.

 

I certainly was not among the early converts to the, "screw it, get the kids up here," mentality, but I'm growing more and more in favor every day, it seems.

[amjgt]

 

I'm reading over this list and I can honestly say I would not mind at all if the Twins somehow made room on their roster for every guy you mentioned before the year gets too far along.

 

I certainly was not among the early converts to the, "screw it, get the kids up here," mentality, but I'm growing more and more in favor every day, it seems.

 

Part of me feels this way, but another part of me wants to see what that AA team can do in the first half of their season.

[Steve Lein]

 

I'm reading over this list and I can honestly say I would not mind at all if the Twins somehow made room on their roster for every guy you mentioned before the year gets too far along.

 

I certainly was not among the early converts to the, "screw it, get the kids up here," mentality, but I'm growing more and more in favor every day, it seems.

 

If the team is going to be this bad I, and I'm sure almost every other fan, would rather be watching the kids grow up with the Twins as that would actually provide some excitement.

 

 

[gunnarthor]

 

I never understood that about Plouffe, he played shortstop all thru the minors, THEN when he made the big time they decide he didn't have what it takes at shortstop.  Then they're scrambling to get him to a different position, learning on the fly on the major league club. Why didn't that happen years before? Who was watching and coaching him?

Seth would know better but I believe Ryan and Steil have done a lot of house cleaning of coaches in the minor league systems since Ryan came back.  I remember the AA manager in the late 00's had some friction with the FO.  

[Steven Buhr]

 

Part of me feels this way, but another part of me wants to see what that AA team can do in the first half of their season.

This sort of gets back to why I think you need to make the decision early in the offseason if you're going to jump in to a youth movement with both feet.

 

For example, for the sake of argument, let's just say TR is ready to throw up his arms and clean house, replacing a dozen "veterans" on the Twins with young players. If he makes that decision in the offseason, he can also go out and sign more minor league free agents to fill in the resulting gaps at the AAA and AA levels and still allow the guys at the Class A levels and below the appropriate development time at each level.

 

However, if he chooses that path now, soon after the season has started, he creates a dozen new holes at AAA and AA. Filling those holes by promoting guys up from Ft Myers, Cedar Rapids and, ultimately through the dominos, Extended Spring Training, that aren't really ready for that next level yet.

 

Which is why, at this point, as much as I might like to see quick promotions, I have a near-zero expectation that they will happen on any significant scale.

[tobi0040]

 

This sort of gets back to why I think you need to make the decision early in the offseason if you're going to jump in to a youth movement with both feet.

 

For example, for the sake of argument, let's just say TR is ready to throw up his arms and clean house, replacing a dozen "veterans" on the Twins with young players. If he makes that decision in the offseason, he can also go out and sign more minor league free agents to fill in the resulting gaps at the AAA and AA levels and still allow the guys at the Class A levels and below the appropriate development time at each level.

 

However, if he chooses that path now, soon after the season has started, he creates a dozen new holes at AAA and AA. Filling those holes by promoting guys up from Ft Myers, Cedar Rapids and, ultimately through the dominos, Extended Spring Training, that aren't really ready for that next level yet.

 

Which is why, at this point, as much as I might like to see quick promotions, I have a near-zero expectation that they will happen on any significant scale.

 

I completely agree.  But they love breaking camp with veterans and hold their breathe that we are in this thing in July.  That just hasn't happened.

 

 

[Rosterman]

It is unusual to have a whole slew of prospects break camp with a team. Usually teams are solid enough that you be breaking in one player in the regular offense, and possibly one pitcher. That doesn't mean that during the course of the year, via injuries and such, the future doesn't get more of a play on the field and from the mound. Those glimpses makes a player available before the trading deadline ends, of the waiver deadline, or moved during the off-season.

 

The Twins have Suzuki with Pinto coming up with experience. You may not be happy with Pinto behind the plate, but given an ounce more seasoning he may be equal to the current situation and bat better. Hopefully one or two guys are in the wings to show life in the majors in 2016 and 2017.

 

Mauer is stuck at first base. Dozier is stuck at second with Polanco as backup. Santana is at short with Nick Gordon in the wings. Sano will take Plouffe's place at third, unless the Twins pull a Royals-moment and move him to leftfield. Then they need a third baseman, as Plouffe just may be too arbitration expensive as we hit 2016 or 2017.

 

Buxton, Rosario, Walker, Hicks, Kepler...any number of bodies...showing up this year and next. We still have Arcia in the mix. We could pump Sano out there, or Plouffe.

 

Names like Beresford, Michael, will be bench backups.

 

There are lots and lots of candidates for the rotation. Some will shine, others won't. But even the lesser lights may be just as good as two-thirds of the current rotation. May and newcomer Meyer will get the call this year. Berrios and Stewart next year. Cederoth may get the call too, unless he becomes bullpen bound. 

 

We know there are arms in the bullpen future.

 

But, yes, we should be happy to see the return of Pinto and Hicks in 2015. Sometime given to Rosario in the outfield. Sano called up at third. Meyer for the rotation. Probably no one, unless they are a September surprise, for the bullpen.

 

Three new rookies. Maybe 2-4 next seasons. That's seven. Plus the4-5 who premiered last year. That's 12.

 

 

 

[lightfoot789]

Can we at least get to May before we sell out everybody as useless MLB players?

 

If Ervin Santana hadn't "bleaked up" we might be singing an entire different song.  Not one person on this board can blame Ryan for that poor judgement on Santana's part.  We adored Ryan for his off season signing effort before this blunder and need to show a little patience as it pertains to this truly unfortunate situation.  It's only a little over a week.   Enjoy the Ride People - Bumps and All

WOW

GIVE IT UNTIL AT LEAST "MAY"

Edited April 15, 2015 by lightfoot789

[Steve Lein]

Just so we're clear, this is not a post about who should be here now, but who we could/should see make their MLB DEBUT during the 2015 season...

[chopper0080]

Legitimately, the only guys who probably SHOULD be called up in 2015 are Hicks, and some RPs.  I don't really see any reason other than desperation that you would bring up Sano, Buxton, Rosario, Berrios, Walker or any SPs unless someone forces their way up.  There just isn't much upside in promoting these guys at this point.  The roster isn't built to support them and their learning curve, and they are just going to be moving into a losing environment.

[Mike Sixel]

I think Rosario and RP should be up this year

 

Uh....5 sentences lost ?

Edited April 16, 2015 by mike wants wins

[Steve Lein]

 

Legitimately, the only guys who probably SHOULD be called up in 2015 are Hicks, and some RPs.  I don't really see any reason other than desperation that you would bring up Sano, Buxton, Rosario, Berrios, Walker or any SPs unless someone forces their way up.  There just isn't much upside in promoting these guys at this point.  The roster isn't built to support them and their learning curve, and they are just going to be moving into a losing environment.

 

There is a ton of upside in bringing up guys on this list like Buxton, Sano, Rosario, and Berrios, and before them Alex Meyer, Michael Tonkin, Lester Oliveros, A.J. Achter... Not only is there upside on the actual field (to have better OF defense, better pitching, better hitting..) but massive amounts of marketing and fan interest potential. All these guys that fans have heard about and make this farm system one of the best in baseball, could be there.

 

You can't change a "losing environment" unless you give the guys with the potential to actually change it a chance. The guys that are there now just aren't going to do it. We've had 4 straight seasons that provide evidence of that fact. If the team had a "winning environment," this wouldn't even be a topic.

[tobi0040]

 

There is a ton of upside in bringing up guys on this list like Buxton, Sano, Rosario, and Berrios, and before them Alex Meyer, Michael Tonkin, Lester Oliveros, A.J. Achter... Not only is there upside on the actual field (to have better OF defense, better pitching, better hitting..) but massive amounts of marketing and fan interest potential. All these guys that fans have heard about and make this farm system one of the best in baseball, could be there.

 

You can't change a "losing environment" unless you give the guys with the potential to actually change it a chance. The guys that are there now just aren't going to do it. We've had 4 straight seasons that provide evidence of that fact. If the team had a "winning environment," this wouldn't even be a topic.

 

I agree.  think it is really important to bring guys up, even for a little period of time.  Get the jitter out and see how they stack up an what they need to work on.  The 10 games May had for example, I think that is really great for his development going into the off-season.