Article: Twins Send Seven To The Arizona Fall League

[Seth Stohs]

On Tuesday afternoon, Major League Baseball announced the Arizona Fall League rosters. The Twins will be represented by seven players in Arizona. It is a good opportunity for the Twins to learn about these guys, and for the players to see how they compare to and learn from other top prospects from other organization. The Twins will play for the Scottsdale Scorpions with players from the Boston, Cleveland, Detroit and San Francisco. Here are the Twins representatives:NICK BURDI (22) – Right-Handed Relief Pitcher

Burdi came into the year and many of us thought he’d be with the big league club by now. That didn’t happen. He started in Chattanooga, but after posting a 5.93 ERA in his first 22 games there, he was sent down to Ft. Myers in late June. After a solid month there, he returned to the Lookouts. In 10.1 innings (5 outings) since his return, he has a 1.75 ERA. That said, he has 8 walks to go with 15 strikeouts. If he can find some control, he should be terrific.

 

JAKE REED (22) – Right-Handed Relief Pitcher

Like Burdi, Reed struggled in AA. In 33 games, he posted a 5.64 ERA. He returned to Ft. Myers (actually, he had skipped Ft. Myers to start the season) where he has a 0.00 ERA in eight games. Reed pitched well in the Arizona Fall League last year. He was the Twins fifth-round pick in 2014 out of Oregon.

 

TREVOR HILDENBERGER (24) – Right-Handed Relief Pitcher

Hildenberger was the Twins 22^nd round pick just last year from California. He began the season with 28 games in Cedar Rapids and dominated to the tune of a 0.80 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP through 45 innings. He was promoted to the Miracle where he has a 3.00 ERA in 18 innings. He has 17 total saves on the season. He has twice been our minor league pitcher of the month and is a leading candidate for the annual honor.

 

TAYLOR ROGERS (24) – Left-Handed Starting Pitcher

Like Reed, Rogers pitched in the AFL last year, though he was limited thanks to a liner to his left arm. He is 9-12 with a 4.19 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP with the Red Wings this year in 161 innings. He has struggled more in the second half. He has risen pretty quickly through the Twins ranks since being their 11^th round pick in 2012 out of Kentucky.

 

ADAM BRETT WALKER (23) – Outfielder

The powerful slugger was the Twins third-round pick in 2012 out of Jacksonville University. This year in Chattanooga, he has slugged 30 doubles and 29 homers. He’s driven in over 100 runs for the second time in three full seasons. And yes, he is approaching 190 strikeouts on the season. For him, continuing to work on his strike zone knowledge and plan will be key.

 

MITCH GARVER (24) – Catcher

The Twins are sending Mitch Garver to the Fall League. He was Twins Daily’s Minor League Hitter of the Year last year in Cedar Rapids. He struggled through the first two months this season, but since June 1^st, he is hitting .273/.374/.392 (.766). He has thrown out 36% of would-be base-stealers for the Miracle this year.

 

STUART TURNER (23) – Catcher

So, the Twins are sending two catchers to the Fall League. That is unusual, I would think, though both are very solid behind the plate. Turner is definitely known more for his defense. He has thrown out 40% of would-be base-stealers in Chattanooga. He is hitting just .220/.318/.307 on the season. However, in his last 34 games, he has hit .284/.384/.371 (.755).

 

These seven will represent the Twins organization in Arizona. What are your thoughts?

 

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[drjim]

I like the list, especially giving the relief guys a chance at some redemption and to get someore looks to see if those catchers might contribute.

 

Walker seemed a no brainer too.

[nater79a]

Little surprised the Twins are sending two catchers, but happy that Garver is going. Mitch did a fair amount of DH duties with the Miracle so we could see some of that in Scottsdale too, if Turner is catching. Would anticipate one more catcher from either the Indians, BoSox, Tigers or Giants being sent to the Scorpions.

[nytwinsfan]

Makes a lot of sense to me.

[nater79a]

I guess I would have went with Aaron Slegers over Taylor Rogers. But maybe they felt Rogers didn't get the full developmental experience last year when he got hurt.

[nater79a]

Twins must have received a waiver to send two A-ball players: Hildenberg and Garver.

 

Eligibility Rules
The eligibility rules to play in the AFL are simple.

The roster size is 30 players per team.

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

All Triple-A and Double-A players are eligible, provided the players are on at least a Double-A level roster no later than Aug. 1.
One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
One foreign player is allowed, as long as the player does not reside in a country that participates in winter ball, as part of the Caribbean Confederation or the Australian winter league.
No players with more than one year of credited Major League service as of August 31 are eligible, except a team may select one player picked in the most recently concluded Major League Rule 5 Draft.
To be eligible, players on Minor League disabled lists must be activated at least 45 days before the conclusion of their respective seasons.

[Dr. Evil]

So, the Twins are cheaters? Hmmm.... I don't like that.

[mikelink45]

The catchers are an indication of the team desperation to get someone ready to assume the major league position in the next year. 

[nicksaviking]

I'm happy for Hildenberger, but I'd think the team would want to limit his innings.  Maybe it's just me, but it always seemed like side-armers have a pretty limited shelf-life.  I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a big jump next year, but I'd hope to give him a break from baseball and save those bullets for the big leagues.

[James]

That is a great list of players.  I'm glad to see both Turner and Garver going.  It should be fun to read about all of these guys.

 

Not surprised they are sending Walker, as he definitely deserves to go.  Let's hope he can continue to crush baseballs in the AFL.

[Seth Stohs]

They changed it to TWO players below AA a couple of years ago.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The catchers are an indication of the team desperation to get someone ready to assume the major league position in the next year. 

 

I don't know about desperation, but I do think they want to see how they do, put them in this situation. It's a good challenge for both. During the season, understandably, they want them both playing. I think this is good.

[dbminn]

Thought they might pick Levi Michael. I don't watch many MiLB games, so I'm going by stats only. He seems to have finally stayed free of injuries long enough to start hitting. He's only had 230 PAs this year and could use some more. Any comments on Michael from those who have seen him play this year?

[sane]

The Magnificent Seven include (from Baseball America Prospect Handbook Twins preseason prospect list):

#7 Burdi; #13 Turner; #15 Rogers; #17 ABWalker;  #19 Reed;  (2nd best catching prospect) Garver ;   AND

TREVOR HILDENBERGER, WHO IS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IN A LISTING OF THE TOP 94 Twins prospects!!!!

Unbelievable rise! THAT is what evaluators mean, when they say a prospect has HELIUM!!!

[sane]

 

Twins must have received a waiver to send two A-ball players: Hildenberg and Garver.

.

Each Major League organization is required to provide six players subject to the following requirements:

One player below the Double-A level is allowed per Major League team.
 

Only the first six are subject to that rule.

The SEVENTH player (Garver) is not subject to that rule.

That is why there are TWO Twins A-ball players...Hildenberger and Garver.

[DocBauer]

I don't think I could mount much of a disagreeing argument here, even if I wanted to. Probably the perfect 7 selections when you weigh all factors.

 

I don't think sending both Turner and Garver to the AFL is so much about either helping the Twins in '16, but simply more about continued improvement and experience to see what we really have in each of them. Good defense, offensive potential in both. But how good do either project out? That may help determine how serious the Twins need to be in trade searches for our catcher of the future.

 

If both show well, maybe the team feels better about short term help for 2016.

[Mike Sixel]

I'm surprised only by Rogers, due to innings limits type stuff......

 

congrats and good luck to all of them!

[sane]

Most teams need two regular catchers.

Only two catchers caught IN more than 130 games in 2014.(Lucroy and Salvador Perez)

So backup catchers on most teams are very busy.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

The catchers are an indication of the team desperation to get someone ready to assume the major league position in the next year. 

This just gives me a feeling that the team does not plan on making any meaningful changes at catcher in the offseason. 

[Shane Wahl]

That's a 4.19 ERA for Rogers, not 5.19.

 

And this will mean *a lot* of innings.

[nater79a]

 

They changed it to TWO players below AA a couple of years ago.

 

Ahhh...that explains it.

[TRex]

 

I'm happy for Hildenberger, but I'd think the team would want to limit his innings.  Maybe it's just me, but it always seemed like side-armers have a pretty limited shelf-life.  I wouldn't be surprised if he makes a big jump next year, but I'd hope to give him a break from baseball and save those bullets for the big leagues.

I am happy for Hildenberger as well. Not that all our gnashing of teeth wasn't well deserved, but it is nice to see his excellent season rewarded excellently. I wonder if the goal of the AFL isn't to see how his stuff stacks up against AA-like competition with an eye for starting him there next April (ala Reed this year).

[sane]

Adam Brett Walker at 30 HR and 103 RBI

[sane]

This just gives me a feeling that the team does not plan on making any meaningful changes at catcher in the offseason.

Turner and Garver don't figure in Twins MLB catching plans until LATE 2016 / Spring 2017.

[ShouldaCouldaWoulda]

 

Turner and Garver don't figure in Twins MLB catching plans until LATE 2016 / Spring 2017.

I know, in time for Suzuki's contract to be up. That is what I was trying to say.

[Seth Stohs]

 

The Magnificent Seven include (from Baseball America Prospect Handbook Twins preseason prospect list):

#7 Burdi; #13 Turner; #15 Rogers; #17 ABWalker;  #19 Reed;  (2nd best catching prospect) Garver ;   AND

TREVOR HILDENBERGER, WHO IS NEVER EVEN MENTIONED IN A LISTING OF THE TOP 94 Twins prospects!!!!

Unbelievable rise! THAT is what evaluators mean, when they say a prospect has HELIUM!!!

 

He still won't be in any top 30s and probably not top 50 Twins prospects due to his age, but he has had a tremendous season and frankly,if he keeps on moving up, I don't care if he doesn't debut until he's 27. It's a nice honor for him and a chance to be seen. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm surprised only by Rogers, due to innings limits type stuff......

 

congrats and good luck to all of them!

 

Last year, Rogers threw about 152 innings between New Britain and the AFL (he pitched in the championship game and I don't think that's included in the stats, but maybe). He should make one more Rochester start this week and get to 165 innings. He should get another 25 innings in the Fall league, putting him near 190. (that's 25% more than last year)

 

Also, Rogers will turn 25 shortly after the fall league. Berrios turned 21 in May. Two very, very different situations. 

[TFelton]

Some other threads reference Levi Michael. At a surface level, he reminds me of Pat Meares. Not a good or bad thing, while at what point does he get a chance or not.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Some other threads reference Levi Michael. At a surface level, he reminds me of Pat Meares. Not a good or bad thing, while at what point does he get a chance or not.

 

Pat Meares had a nice little career for the Twins and Pirates. I still think Michael will, can and should get a chance. Should go to AAA next year. He's a solid ballplayer and just needs to stay healthy!

[Guest]

I'm pretty excited about this group. Now I just need to convince myself to head back to Arizona for a few days this fall to watch them! (At least I don't have to worry about taking time off from work any more!)