Article: Seth's Midseason Twins Top 40 Prospect Rankings: Part 2 (11-20)

[Seth Stohs]

Each year I like to update my Top Prospect rankings right before the draft. My most recent rankings were done for the 2016 Prospect Handbook, so last December. (I posted them here in March) It’s time for a new ranking as several things have happened, including players “graduating’ from prospect status as well as a couple months of games and new information.

 

Yesterday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 21-40. Today, I’ll be sharing my choices for Twins Prospects 11-20. As you could probably guess, tomorrow I’ll share my Top Ten Twins Prospects.

 

These prospect rankings are fun. They’re not scientific. They involve many factors including, but not limited to, age, performance, level of competition, reports from players, coaches, front office types, as well as my eye test from spring training, a trip to Cedar Rapids and watching several games on milb.tv.

 

There are several purposes for writing these. First, it gives you some names to consider as you are reading our minor league reports. Second, these players (and really all of the minor leaguers, but I’m not going to rank 150 players!) deserve to be recognized for their hard work and dedication to their profession. Third, it’s always fun to discuss these lists and the players involved.I’m pretty certain that not 100% of you will agree with 100% of my rankings. In fact, I’m certain no one would share the exact same Top 40, so feel free to discuss in the forum. I enjoy answering any questions you may have. With that, let’s get started.

 

#20 - LHP Randy Rosario - 22 - Ft. Myers Miracle

 

While his record is just 2-5 and he has a 3.95 ERA so far this season, Rosario is all about the tools and the talent. After missing a year with Tommy John surgery, he returned to the Kernels for half of the season last year. He was added to the 40-man roster based on stuff. He just recently turned 22, has already had a surgery and returned throwing left-handed in the mid-90s. He’s still building up and the sky is the limit for him.

 

 

#19 - 1B Lewin Diaz - 19 - Extended Spring Training

 

Diaz was the Twins big international signing in 2013 from the Dominican Republic. At 6-3 and 255 pounds, it is pretty evident what his biggest attribute is on the baseball field. He has a tremendous amount of power, but he could eventually be a solid all-around hitter. Reports from Ft. Myers are that he is hitting very well right now and has for most of extended spring training. He is a work-in-progress at first base having played some in the outfield as an amateur. His best position might be DH. He ended last season by hitting just .157 in 14 games at Elizabethton, but three of his eight hits went over the fence. He’ll likely return to the E-Twins for the short-season.

 

 

#18 - 3B Trey Cabbage - 19 - Extended Spring Training

 

At 6-3 and just over 200 pounds, Trey Cabbage is another great athlete in the Twins system. He was selected in the third round of the 2015 draft and signed quickly. He hit .252 in 33 games in the GCL. He has played mostly third but also some shortstop this spring. Reports are that he was really crushing the ball early in EST. With a strong, smooth, left-handed swing, he has the potential to hit for power while also being willing to use the whole field. In a few weeks, he’ll head to his home state of Tennessee and play for the Elizabethton Twins.

 

 

 

#17 - SS Wander Javier - 17 - Dominican Summer League

 

Based solely on his signing bonus ($4 million), Javier should be much higher up this list. However, he’s just 17 and made his professional debut on Saturday in the Dominican Summer League. In two games, he’s 1-7 with two walks and a double. The stats, of course, are completely meaningless. At that age, it’s all about the tools, and Javier is blessed with a shed full of tools. Most believe that he can stay at shortstop. He has a strong arm. He can run well. He should hit, and many think he will eventually hit for a lot of power. That’s how a guy gets a big signing bonus. Now, time for the development.

 

#16 - OF Adam Brett Walker - 24 - Rochester Red Wings

 

Walker has moved up one level each year since the Twins drafted the Milwaukee native out of Jacksonville University in the third round of the 2012 draft.Since then, he has provided a ton of power. Last year in AA Chattanooga, he led the Southern League with 31 home runs and 106 RBI. Walker has been discussed many times in the pages and forums of Twins Daily. He struck out 40% of the time last year in AA, and right now he’s striking out nearly 50% of his plate appearances in AAA. He remains productive, however, hitting just .215, but with 12 home runs and 26 RBI. He is just 24-years-old and in just his first option year, so the hope would be that he can find incremental improvements the rest of this year and into next year. Defensively he is a good athlete, but struggles throwing.

 

#15 - RHP Alex Meyer - 26 - Rochester Red Wings

 

2015 was a tough year for Meyer on many counts, including on the mound. He began this season in the Red Wings starting rotation and after three starts, he was called up to the Twins to pitch long relief. However, two starters went on the disabled list and Meyer had to be pushed back to allow him to make a start. He made one start in Houston, and knowing that Ervin Santana would make his next scheduled start, Meyer was sent down to Rochester right away to allow a bullpen arm to be called up to take a spot until Santana came off the DL and made the start. That’s where things get interesting. Upon his return to Rochester, he pitched a bullpen and felt some soreness in his right shoulder. The organization decided to shut him down and skip a start. The soreness hadn’t subsided and the timing kept being pushed back. Because the minor league 7-day DL is not retroactive, they were hopeful that he would soon be better and get right back into the rotation. However, when it had been four weeks, he was given an MRI and it showed some inflammation. He was put on the DL. At 26, the hope is that he can be healthy soon and find a role he can be successful with with the Twins. As we saw early this year, his 96-97 mph fastball is terrific, and his curveball can be devastating.

 

#14 - LHP Lewis Thorpe - 20 - Extended Spring Training

 

Thorpe had Tommy John surgery last April and missed the entire year. This spring, he was feeling well and starting to get back on the mound. Recently, he had a setback. Thorpe came down with mono which will cost him time again, building his strength up. Hard to believe after he missed a full year that Thorpe is still just 20. Signed in 2011 from Australia, Thorpe burst on the scene when he added weight and fastball velocity, touching 95, in 2013 in the GCL. He pitched for the Kernels in 2014. Hopefully he can get back on the mound soon and eventually spend some time with an affiliate in 2016.

 

 

 

#13 - LaMonte Wade - 22 - Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

Wade was the Twins ninth-round draft pick in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. After playing 1B for a couple of years, he moved out to center field for his junior season. Unfortunately, he broke his hamate bone and missed time that year. That’s how he was available in the ninth round. He immediately started showing his talent in Elizabethton where he hit .312 with 22 extra base hits. He also walked 46 times and struck out just 34 times. He ended the season with a few games in Cedar Rapids, including their playoff run. He was our choice for Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month in Apriland continued to play well in May. Overall, he’s still hitting .318 with a .438 on base percentage and nine extra-base hits. Again he shows a very professional at-bat and has struck out 22 times to go with 38 walks. He was named a starter in the Midwest League All Star game in Cedar Rapids and could be in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers in the season’s second half.

 

 

 

#12 - RH RP Nick Burdi - 23 - Chattanooga Lookouts

 

Burdi struggled a year ago in his first full season as a professional at AA until he went down to Ft. Myers for a short time. He turned things around and pitched well for the Lookouts late in the year and then in the Arizona Fall League. He had a strong showing in big league camp this spring. Unfortunately, he has been shut down twice already this year with arm ailments. Neither was the shoulder or the UCL, so that’s the positive. He is currently on the DL with a bone bruise on his elbow which can be very painful. He is starting a throwing program. It’d be nice to have him back in the second half. At this point he may not be an automatic for a call up in the second half.

 

 

 

#11 - OF Daniel Palka - 24 - Chattanooga Lookouts

 

The Twins acquired Palka this past offseason from the Diamondbacks in exchange for catcher Chris Herrmann. Palka made a strong first impression when he joined the big league club for a game in spring training and homered in his first two at- bats. And then hit another one the next day. He is tied with Adam Brett Walker for the organizational lead in home runs this year with 12. Palka can play some first base though this year Doug Mientkiewicz has played him mostly in right field. He is willing to take walks and, like Walker, one area to watch with him is his strikeout rate which currently is sitting at 30% this year (Walker was at 35% last year in AA.. A year ago in Visalia, he hit .280 with 36 doubles, 29 homers and 90 RBI. He also stole 24 bases, but has just three so far this year. Palka was the third-round pick of Arizona’s in 2013 out of Georgia Tech, though he is just 10 days younger than Walker.

 

 

 

So there they are, my choices for Twins prospects 11-20. What are your thoughts these ten guys? Discuss them below in the comments or feel free to ask any questions you may have. Tomorrow we’ll post the choices for the Top 10 Minnesota Twins prospects At that point, you will have my choices, and I’d enjoy comparing my list to your Top 10 or Top 20 or Top 30, etc.

 

Click here to view the article

[CwK]

There sure are a lot of reports about guys "crushing in Fort Myers/EST..."

[Seth Stohs]

 

There sure are a lot of reports about guys "crushing in Fort Myers/EST..."

 

Yup, several high-ceiling types in Extended Spring Training... Aren't stats readily available so I've talked to a few people... 

[Dman]

Nice to see Wade moving up the list.  He was quite a find in the ninth round.

 

I love Walker but the K's are a killer.  I think I am on to rooting for Palka.  He appears to be a bit more well rounded.

 

Bummer about Thorpe.  I have been anxiously awaiting his return.  Was hoping he could get himself moved up to high A by the end of the year.  

 

With all the past arm problems does this mean Meyer is officially a bullpen arm?

Edited June 8, 2016 by Dman

[blindeke]

Thorpe has mono? Oof da.

 

PS. I think you mean "walked" here...

 

Wade was the Twins ninth-round draft pick in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. ... Again he shows a very professional at bat and has struck out 22 times to go with 38 strikeouts. He was named a starter in the Midwest League All Star game in Cedar Rapids and could be in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers in the season’s second half.

[goulik]

I too have moved on to Palka though I have not given up on Walker. If he can be more capable of taking a walk than Walker (ironic name in that situation), then it becomes Palka > Walker.

[Blackjack]

Diaz -- 6'3" and 255 at the age of 19!!! Going to be a big, big man!!!

[ericberget]

Looks likes Lamonte's already developed an elite mustache. It'll be fun to watch how that develops through the system. 

 

 

[diehardtwinsfan]

In regards to Wade, I think it's wise to be skeptical a bit of college guys beating up low A pitchers.  I have to think at one point he gets moved up to Fort Meyer.  He's clearly ahead of the curve in Cedar Rapids. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thorpe has mono? Oof da.

 

PS. I think you mean "walked" here...

 

Wade was the Twins ninth-round draft pick in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. ... Again he shows a very professional at bat and has struck out 22 times to go with 38 strikeouts. He was named a starter in the Midwest League All Star game in Cedar Rapids and could be in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers in the season’s second half.

 

Updated... yes, meant walked!

[Seth Stohs]

 

I too have moved on to Palka though I have not given up on Walker. If he can be more capable of taking a walk than Walker (ironic name in that situation), then it becomes Palka > Walker.

 

Walking isn't really the problem for Walker. 

I mean, his IsoD this year in AAA is .076. Palka's in AA is .082. 

It's just about the contact. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Looks likes Lamonte's already developed an elite mustache. It'll be fun to watch how that develops through the system. 

 

Man, it's a good one! In fact, before the game, the on-field PA guy did a segment with Wade on his mustache before one of the games i was at. Ha!

[Kevin]

 

Thorpe has mono? Oof da.

 

PS. I think you mean "walked" here...

 

Wade was the Twins ninth-round draft pick in 2015 out of the University of Maryland. ... Again he shows a very professional at bat and has struck out 22 times to go with 38 strikeouts. He was named a starter in the Midwest League All Star game in Cedar Rapids and could be in line for a promotion to Ft. Myers in the season’s second half.

Fixed-  ed.

[Vanimal46]

Since Thorpe was signed 5 years ago, does that mean he needs to be added to the 40 man this off-season? Or do the Twins still have another year or so before that needs to happen?

[Seth Stohs]

 

In regards to Wade, I think it's wise to be skeptical a bit of college guys beating up low A pitchers.  I have to think at one point he gets moved up to Fort Meyer.  He's clearly ahead of the curve in Cedar Rapids. 

 

I mean, I get that, but he's essentially league average age, and I'd rather have him tearing it up and taking the types of at bats that he is than seeing him struggle. He can only play at the level he's playing at. 

[birddog]

Seth, do you really think AB Walker will make it to the Twins or will his K rate and low BA force the Twins to drop him from the 40-man? I have loved his power numbers for the past few years, but now it seems like we have too many "all or nothing" types. I saw he was recently batting 8th for Rochester. That's not a good sign.

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

I mean, I get that, but he's essentially league average age, and I'd rather have him tearing it up and taking the types of at bats that he is than seeing him struggle. He can only play at the level he's playing at. 

 

Wholeheartedly agree.  But in terms of guys that should be promoted, this one I think is far more pressing.  He's doing exactly what he should be doing in low A.  I think this is far more important than Chargois and his 11 innings in AAA, that's for sure. 

[diehardtwinsfan]

 

Seth, do you really think AB Walker will make it to the Twins or will his K rate and low BA force the Twins to drop him from the 40-man? I have loved his power numbers for the past few years, but now it seems like we have too many "all or nothing" types. I saw he was recently batting 8th for Rochester. That's not a good sign.

 

Not Seth, but personally I'd like to see how he handles repeating AAA next season.  But yeah, he's a DFA candidate at some point (probably when those options expire).  He might be able to carve out that pinch hit bat off the bench type career.  He's definitely a guy I want at the plate with bases loaded and down by a couple. 

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Diaz -- 6'3" and 255 at the age of 19!!! Going to be a big, big man!!!

Right now he's holding the weight pretty well, he has a large frame/shoulders that's only going to get stronger the more he develops.  As Seth said, he's a work in progress still at first, and he's been DHing alot this EXST.  The power is legit, he's been getting better with taking pitches, working counts, his contact is still questionable.

[Bob Sacamento]

Thorpe having Mono likely means he won't pitch in affiliated ball and if he does it will be very little.  I talked to Kolten Kendrick and his parents about him coming down from mono last year right before the draft and has taken him nearly a year to get back to feeling full strength.  Cottontop Kendrick said he'd take a couple of swings and just be exhausted and he looked gassed in GCL last year but this EXST he looks like the kid the Twins had drafted.  As for Thorpe, there is no reason to push him, he's still young enough it's not an issue but look for a really strong 2017 season out of Lewis.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Seth, do you really think AB Walker will make it to the Twins or will his K rate and low BA force the Twins to drop him from the 40-man? I have loved his power numbers for the past few years, but now it seems like we have too many "all or nothing" types. I saw he was recently batting 8th for Rochester. That's not a good sign.

 

I think he'll play in the big leagues, but when you have a 35% K rate in AA, and now a 50% K-Rate in AAA, imagine what his K-Rate would be in MLB... 

 

He's been batting 7th most of the season. The story is the same as it always has been... Some adjustment needs to be made. He has increased is BB-Rate the last several years, but he'd have to take advantage of every mistake pitch to be successful. He'll likely get a shot, but something needs to click.

 

That said, he's just 24 in AAA. Nothing wrong with him spending a couple of years there working on putting the ball in play. If he can drop that rate to 30%, then there's a chance, and this is just his first option year so no real rush.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Wholeheartedly agree.  But in terms of guys that should be promoted, this one I think is far more pressing.  He's doing exactly what he should be doing in low A.  I think this is far more important than Chargois and his 11 innings in AAA, that's for sure. 

 

Well, the All Star game is in Cedar Rapids in two weeks. He'll probably play in that and move up the next day. I'm OK with two weeks. At that point, he'll have like 60 games in Low A, which isn't a lot. So, he's not behind any curve or anything. 

[gunnarthor]

Nice write up, Seth.

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Cabbage plays this year.  The early videos Bob posted showed a bigger guy with a nice swing.  It would be really nice if the Twins got a steal with him.  

[Bob Sacamento]

 

#18 - 3B Trey Cabbage - 19 - Extended Spring Training

 

At 6-3 and just over 200 pounds, Trey Cabbage is another great athlete in the Twins system. He was selected in the third round of the 2015 draft and signed quickly. He hit .252 in 33 games in the GCL. He has played mostly third but also some shortstop this spring. Reports are that he was really crushing the ball early in EST. With a strong, smooth, left-handed swing, he has the potential to hit for power while also being willing to use the whole field. In a few weeks, he’ll head to his home state of Tennessee and play for the Elizabethton Twins.

 

 

 

I'm probably the biggest Cabbage fan here, great kid, great athlete.  He's been hitting cleanup and in the heart of the order for the duration of EXST as well as playing a strong 3B.  Kid has a beautiful lefthanded stroke and the further that he develops and matures he has 20+ homerun power.

 

 Here are just a sampling of some of the videos I've taken on Trey this Spring

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y5wSFfmoMI4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-WWZmwsCaQc

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vRtwroyg-_E

[Bob Sacamento]

 

Nice write up, Seth.

 

I'm really looking forward to seeing how Cabbage plays this year.  The early videos Bob posted showed a bigger guy with a nice swing.  It would be really nice if the Twins got a steal with him.  

I'm thinking they did, looks like a 2nd round talent instead of a 4th (although he was paid like a 3rd).  The older he gets the more muscular he's going to be as well, he just needs to keep his flexibility as he already had a stress reaction in his lower back at the end of GCL.  Told him yoga and pilates with lots and lots of hotties will help 

 

[d-mac]

 

I'm probably the biggest Cabbage fan here, great kid, great athlete.  He's been hitting cleanup and in the heart of the order for the duration of EXST as well as playing a strong 3B.  Kid has a beautiful lefthanded stroke and the further that he develops and matures he has 20+ homerun power.

 

 

 

I was really big fan of the Cabbage and Blankenhorn pics.

[Rick Niedermann]

AB Walker reminds me of Bobby Darwin who hit 65 HR for the Twins from 72-74.  He also led the league in K's all 3 years.  I'm anxious for Wade's promotion to see if he can continue to hit like he has in CR.  Having seen him a couple of times, I think he has a chance to be really good.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Since Thorpe was signed 5 years ago, does that mean he needs to be added to the 40 man this off-season? Or do the Twins still have another year or so before that needs to happen?

 

I believe he has to be added this offseason... or potentially be lost. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I was really big fan of the Cabbage and Blankenhorn pics.

 

Thanks! Like I tell everyone, I take a ton of pictures and hope a few turn out well.

[GMinTraining]

Since Walker has incorporated the leg kick, he has seen his K rate increase yearly.  His K rate in A ball was 20% and has increased greatly each year thereafter.  Look at his ABs in A ball (video) and you will see that he didn't have a big leg kick then.  He hit the ball to the gaps much more too.  His power numbers are relatively the same (mostly).  His walk rate (2016) is the highest it has ever been (9.7).  He even has a .316 BABIP.  Too much movement in his load and swing.  They tend to happen at the same time IMO.

 

Watkins had him down to a 20% K rate.  Don't send Walker down, but maybe have Watkins work with him via the phone.  Look at the rebound year Harrison and Hicks are having in AA.  Maybe it is just that they are repeating a level or maybe it is just them having another voice.  Both players had career years under Watkins in 2013. Young players should have new voices yearly to work on their game.  Especially if they are struggling.  Walker has been with Chad Allen (AA - AFL - & AAA).  His 3 worse K rate seasons.  Chad is an excellent coach and did wonders for Kepler, but maybe there is a disconnect with Walker.  Time to hear a new approach?  I think it was Showalter who said - "Either you are allowing it or teaching it"  as it pertains to performance.