Article: Palka Power And Perspective

[Seth Stohs]

Daniel Palka enters the final weekend of the minor league season with 34 home runs. Can he rack up any more over the final four games of the season? 34 home runs is a pretty large number. I was chatting with Rochester radio man Josh Whetzel and we wondered aloud how often Twins minor leaguers have had that many home runs in a minor league season.

 

You know me. I had to go do a little research, and it was a lot of fun! I went all the way back to 1961 when the Senators came to Minnesota and became the Twins.

 

Do you remember the last time a Twins minor leaguer had as many as 34 home runs in a season?Well, give it some thought before continuing. Spend a couple of minutes thinking about the power hitting minor leaguers in your lifetime. If you’re my age you may remember that 1986 FLEER Major League Prospect card of Brewers prospect Billy Joe Robidoux and Twins prospect Mark Funderburk. Funderburk had debuted with the Twins late in the 1981 season and remained a prospect through the 1985 season. He had a little time with the Twins and hit a lot of minor league home runs.

 

After Funderburk, you may remember Bernardo Brito. How about all those years when the Twins had some strong prospects in the late 90s in the Pacific Coast League?

 

But how about minor leaguers in the ‘60s and ‘70s? How many of them hit 30 or more home runs? And, if you study the minor leagues from those early years, you’ll notice that there were a lot more minor league teams and levels like B, C and D and some A ball clubs and more.

 

Here is a list of the Twins minor leaguers in their history who have hit 30 or more homers in a season.

 

 

1.) Tim Laudner - 42 in AA Orlando in 1981

2.) Moe Hill - 41 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1977

3.) Stan Holmes - 37 in A Visalia in 1983

3.) Cotton Nash - 37 in AAA Portland in 1971

5.) Richard Means - 36 in A Charlotte in 1962

6.) Miguel Sano - 35 in FM/NB in 2013

6.) Danny Walton - 35 in AAA Tacoma in 1974

6.) Luis Lagunas - 35 in A WRK in 1966

9.) Daniel Palka - 34 in AA/AAA in 2016

9.) Mark Funderburk - 34 in AA Orlando in 1985

9.) Andy Kosco - 34 in AAA/WRK in 1965

12.) Cotton Nash - 33 in AAA Evansville in 1970

13.) Chad Rupp - 32 in AAA Salt Lake City in 1997

13.) Moe Hill - 32 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1974

15.) Adam Brett Walker - 31 in AA Chattanooga in 2015

15.) Garrett Jones - 31 in A/AA (Ft. Myers/New Britain) in 2004

15.) Michael Ryan - 31 in AAA Edmonton in 2002

15.) David Ortiz - 31 in FM/NB/SLC in 1997

15.) Mark Funderburk - 31 in A Visalia in 1979

15.) Moe Hill - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1975

15.) Andy Kosco - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1964

15.) Chuck Weatherspoon - 31 in Class B Wilson in 1961

23.) Michael Cuddyer - 30 in AA New Britain in 2001

23.) David Ortiz - 30 in AAA Salt Lake City in 1999

23.) Matthew Lecroy - 30 in Ft. Myers/SLC in 1999

23.) Gary Gaetti - 30 in AA Orlando in 1981

23.) Moe Hill - 30 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1976

23.) Randy Bass - 30 in A Lynchburg in 1974

23.) Gary Ward - 30 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1974

23.) Bob Gorinsky - 30 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1970

23.) Frank Leja - 30 in AAA Syracuse in 1961

So the answer to the question, who was the most recent Twins prospect to his 34 or more homers in a season is… Miguel Sano in 2013.

 

Who knew? FSN Twins analyst, and 1987 World Champion Tim Laudner is on the top of this leaderboard with 42 home runs in AA in 1981. He debuted with the Twins in late August that year and in 14 big league games, he added two more home runs.

 

In the 55 years since the Twins moved to Minnesota, 31 Twins minor leaguers have had seasons in which they hit 30 or more home runs. Some have done it multiple times, but the list of names is certainly interesting. There are some players who have become stars. Some have had solid MLB careers. A few had cups of coffee, and several never saw the big leagues. Some are familiar names to Twins fans and many likely have caused the word “Who?” to be uttered.

 

 

MULTIPLE 25 HOME RUN SEASONS

 

Did you know that there are ten players in Twins minor league history who have had multple seasons with 25 or more homers in the minor leagues? Here is that list.

 

Andy Kosco - 1964-65

 

In 1964, Kosco hit 28 home runs in the Northern League. In 1965, he hit 27 in AAA Denver and seven more in Winter Rookie League ball. He had come to the Twins before the 1964 season . He played 89 games for the Twins between 1965 and 1967, hitting a combined 3 home runs. After leaving the Twins, he played for the Yankees, Dodgers, Brewers, Angels, Red Sox and Reds. He hit a combined 73 MLB home runs.

 

Cotton Nash - 1970-71

 

The Twins have always had a connection to the University of Kentucky. . Cotton Nash played basketball for Adolph Rupp there and then played a year in the NBA. After two years, he played a season in the ABA. At the same time, he was playing minor league baseball in the White Sox system. He played three games with them, then came to the Twins organization. In 1970 in AA Evansville, he was 27 and hit 33 homers. He played four games for the Twins. The following year, he hit 37 homers in AAA Portland as a 28 year old but didn’t get called up to the Twins. In all, he played 10 games for the Twins between 1969 and 1970. He had no home runs in MLB.

 

Randy Bass - 1974, 1977

 

Randy Bass was the Twins seventh-round pick in 1972. In 1974, he hit 30 homers for Lynchburg in the High-A Carolina League. He jumped to AAA and hit 18 and 21 in 1975 and 1976 , respectively. Then in 1977 at AAA Tacoma, he hit 25 homers. As a 23-year-old, he hit .321/.456/.560 (1.016). He was called up to the Twins late in the season and went 2-19. He hit a total of nine MLB homers for the Twins, Royals, Expos, Padres and Rangers. In 1983, he went to play in Japan and over the next six seasons, he hit a lot of home runs . In 1986, he hit 54 homers, and he hit another 47 homers in 1987.

 

Stan Holmes - 1983 -1984

 

In 1983, Holmes was a 23-year-old and hit .302/.397/.586 (.983) with 37 homers. In 1984, he moved to Orlando and hit .280/.358/.485 (.843) with 25 homers. He spent several more years in the minors but never played in the major leagues.

 

Moe Hill - 1974-1978

 

In five straight seasons Moe Hill hit 25 or more home runs. For eight straight seasons, he played for Class A Wisconsin Rapids. He had been in the Orioles organization from 1965-1968. He started playing for Wisconsin Rapids in 1971 and stayed there through the 1978 season. Remember, it was Low Class A ball. As a 24-year-old in 1974, he hit .339/.418/.621 (1.038) with 32 homers. He hit 31 homers in 1975, and 30 homers as a 29-year-old in 1976. As a 30-year-old and still in Low A, he hit .304/.420/.610 (1.030) with 41 homers. Then he hit 25 homers in 1978. The Twins let him go and he spent the next two seasons in the Royals system.

 

It was such a strange situation that I had to go to an expert on Twins history. I contacted 1500 ESPN personality and Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse. Apparently Hill was a folk hero in Wisconsin Rapids. Since the Twins didn’t see him as much of a prospect, they kept him there. Not that there weren’t a few big supporters for Hill getting a call up to the big leagues. According to Reusse:

 

“Twins didn't like to take advice from sports writers in those days, so the more (Tribune writer Mike) Gelfand wrote about it, the less chance there was the Twins would embrace such a gesture to a minor-league legend.”

 

Mark Funderburk - 1978-80, 1985, 1987

 

Funderburk certainly had an interesting career. In 1978, he was a 21-year-old in Wisconsin Rapids. He hit .258 (.774) with 25 homers. In 1979, he moved up to Visalia where he hit .310/.384/.548 (.931) with 31 homers. He was a 23-year-old in 1980, playing in AA Orlando. He hit .250 (.762) with 26 home runs. He spent most of 1981 in AAA before spending eight games at season’s end with the Twins.

 

He then spent 1982 in AA Orlando. He went to the Royals system in 1983 and ended up playing in Mexico that year too. He was out of baseball in 1984. He returned to the Twins in 1985> He was 28-years-old and in AA Orlando. He hit .283/.343/.520 (.863) with 34 homers. He finished the season by hitting .314 with an .879 OPS, and two home runs , in the big leagues. He hit just ten combined home runs between AA and AAA in 1986. In 1987, he was 30 and hit .250/.306/.498 (.863) with 28 homers. And that was the end of his pro baseball career.

 

Bernardo Brito - 1990-92, 1994

 

Brito came to the Twins organization following the 1987 season from Cleveland. In 1990, he was a 26-year-old at AAA Portand. He hit .282/.330/.566 (.897) with 25 homers. In 1991, he was 27. Still in Portland, he hit .259/.311/.498 (.808) with 27 homers. In 1992, Brito hit .270/.313/.480 (.794) with 26 homers. In 1993, he hit 20 AAA homers and added four in the big leagues for the Twins. In 1994, he was 30 and played for Salt Lake. There, he hit .309/.353/.572 (.925) with 30 homers.

 

Brito played in 40 games for the Twins between 1992, 1993 and 1995. He hit .219/.237/.466 (.703) with five homers in 76 plate appearances. I recall hearing about how much he struck out in the minor leaguers. He struck out between 20% and 25% of his plate appearances.

 

David Ortiz - 1997, 1999

 

In 1997, Ortiz was 21 years old and split the season between Ft. Myers, New Britain and Salt Lake. He hit .317/.372/.568 (.940) with 31 homers. He hit 13 for the Miracle, 14 for the Rock Cats, four for Salt Lake. And, he added one more with the Twins.

 

He spent most of 1998 with the Twins but returned to AAA in 1999. There, the 23-year-old hit .315/.412/.590 (1.002) with 29 homers.

 

Miguel Sano - 2012-2013

 

In 2012, Sano was a 19-year-old playing in Beloit. He hit 28 home runs and hit .258/.373/.521 (.893). 2013 was even better. .He split the season between Ft. Myers and New Britain and hit a combined .280/.382/.610 (.992) with 35 homers. 16 came with the Miracle. 19 came with New Britain.

 

Since then he missed a year with Tommy John surgery. He came back in 2015 and by July 1st, he was in the big leagues. Still just 23, he should have years of 30 home run seasons.

 

Adam Brett Walker - 2013-2016

 

Walker was drafted in the third round of the 2012 draft out of Jacksonville, and he’s been hitting homers ever since. In Cedar Rapids in 2013, he hit .278 (.844) with 27 homers. As a 22-year-old in Ft. Myers in 2014, he hit .246 (.743) with 25 homers. In 2015 he moved up to AA Chattanooga and hit .239 (.807) with 31 homers. He led his league in homers each of those years. He is currently one homer behind the International League leader with 27 home runs for Rochester this year. Four more games to go! The 24-year-old is on the Twins 40-man roster and could be up by Tuesday for September.

 

SUMMARY

 

So, Palka has been one of the most prodigious home run hitters in Twins minor league history. Does it mean he’ll be a big, power-hitting big leaguer? Maybe, or maybe not. These lists are a good reminder that even with major minor league success, big league success isn’t guaranteed.

However, the Red Wings power combination of Daniel Palka and Adam Brett Walker is very, very exciting. Hopefully we’ll see them both spend the majority of September in a Twins uniform.

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Cool read!

[PDX Twin]

I remember Brito well from his Portland days! Civic Stadium, where the Beavers played, had a big blue version of the Green Monster. It was tailor-made for Brito's powerful uppercut right-handed swing. I even suggested that the concession stands start selling Bernardo Burritos! (Perhaps packaged with Hale Chips, in honor of 2B Chip Hale.)

 

Those were fun days, going to games with a total attendance of a couple hundred in a stadium with a capacity of about 20,000 made me feel like a true die-hard. I used to sit in front of the scouts behind home plate and listen to their banter. You could actually hear the sarcastic comments of fans on the other side of the stadium. A different fan experience ...

[Winston Smith]

I wonder what the K rate for these guys was. I've read that a very high K rate, like Walker and Palka have, is a very good indicator that the player likely won't suceed in the majors.

[Mike Sixel]

 

I remember Brito well from his Portland days! Civic Stadium, where the Beavers played, had a big blue version of the Green Monster. It was tailor-made for Brito's powerful uppercut right-handed swing. I even suggested that the concession stands start selling Bernardo Burritos! (Perhaps packaged with Hale Chips, in honor of 2B Chip Hale.)

 

Those were fun days, going to games with a total attendance of a couple hundred in a stadium with a capacity of about 20,000 made me feel like a true die-hard. I used to sit in front of the scouts behind home plate and listen to their banter. You could actually hear the sarcastic comments of fans on the other side of the stadium. A different fan experience ...

 

Welcome to the site! Ever to go a Hops game? I just moved out there, and live close....

[scottz]

The first name I thought of was Bernardo Brito. I really wanted him to be something with the Twins. I loved his name.

[Thrylos]

Good stuff, but check this list out:

 

1.) Tim Laudner - 42 in AA Orlando in 1981
2.) Moe Hill - 41 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1977
3.) Stan Holmes - 37 in A Visalia in 1983
3.) Cotton Nash - 37 in AAA Portland in 1971
5.) Richard Means - 36 in A Charlotte in 1962
6.) Miguel Sano - 35 in FM/NB in 2013
6.) Danny Walton - 35 in AAA Tacoma in 1974
6.) Luis Lagunas - 35 in A WRK in 1966
9.) Daniel Palka - 34 in AA/AAA in 2016
9.) Mark Funderburk - 34 in AA Orlando in 1985
9.) Andy Kosco - 34 in AAA/WRK in 1965

12.) Cotton Nash - 33 in AAA Evansville in 1970

13.) Chad Rupp - 32 in AAA Salt Lake City in 1997

13.) Moe Hill - 32 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1974

15.) Adam Brett Walker - 31 in AA Chattanooga in 2015

15.) Garrett Jones - 31 in A/AA (Ft. Myers/New Britain) in 2004

15.) Michael Ryan - 31 in AAA Edmonton in 2002

15.) David Ortiz - 31 in FM/NB/SLC in 1997

15.) Mark Funderburk - 31 in A Visalia in 1979

15.) Moe Hill - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1975

15.) Andy Kosco - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1964

15.) Chuck Weatherspoon - 31 in Class B Wilson in 1961

 

Other than the 4 in bold, (and 3 because it is too early to determine), the rest are not very good players, so home runs by themselves is not a great indicator of stardom.  Take those 4 out and the list reads like the who is who of mediocrity (and I know that Laudner has a WS ring, but he could not hit his weight.)

 

Laudner's total in '81 was 44.  He was called up and hit 2 HRs with the Twins. 

[blindeke]

David Ortiz... remember that guy? What ever happened to him?

[PDX Twin]

Welcome to the site! Ever to go a Hops game? I just moved out there, and live close....

 

 

Thanks, Mike. Haven't been to a Hops game yet. I live on the east side and it's a long drive usually at a bad time of day ...

[dxpavelka]

FUNDER.  A few fun blasts from the past on that list.  Bob Gorinsky, Randy Bass, Danny Walton & Funder.  On a side note, if you debut in 1981 and are still on a prospect list in 1985, you probably never were a prospect.

[big dog]

Thanks, Seth, really fun article and walk down memory lane.  Jones and Ryan looked like they were going to be something for a while.  Jones eventually had a bit of career.

 

For some reason I must have gotten 3 or 4 Danny Walton cards in the mid-70s, even though I didn't collect cards in any real sense.  That 1970 season, 454 ABs and a 117 OPS+, really jumped out compared to his Twins career.  And his big year in Tacoma came 4 years after his MLB breakout, so he should get an asterisk!

 

Yeah, the big scary story is how few of them went on to be successful in the majors.  Let's hope at least one of Palka/Walker breaks into that elite group.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Good stuff, but check this list out:

 

 

Other than the 4 in bold, (and 3 because it is too early to determine), the rest are not very good players, so home runs by themselves is not a great indicator of stardom.  Take those 4 out and the list reads like the who is who of mediocrity (and I know that Laudner has a WS ring, but he could not hit his weight.)

 

Laudner's total in '81 was 44.  He was called up and hit 2 HRs with the Twins. 

 

 

All true, and all mentioned in the article.

[Darius]

Good stuff, but check this list out:

 

1.) Tim Laudner - 42 in AA Orlando in 1981

2.) Moe Hill - 41 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1977

3.) Stan Holmes - 37 in A Visalia in 1983

3.) Cotton Nash - 37 in AAA Portland in 1971

5.) Richard Means - 36 in A Charlotte in 1962

6.) Miguel Sano - 35 in FM/NB in 2013

6.) Danny Walton - 35 in AAA Tacoma in 1974

6.) Luis Lagunas - 35 in A WRK in 1966

9.) Daniel Palka - 34 in AA/AAA in 2016

9.) Mark Funderburk - 34 in AA Orlando in 1985

9.) Andy Kosco - 34 in AAA/WRK in 1965

12.) Cotton Nash - 33 in AAA Evansville in 1970

13.) Chad Rupp - 32 in AAA Salt Lake City in 1997

13.) Moe Hill - 32 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1974

15.) Adam Brett Walker - 31 in AA Chattanooga in 2015

15.) Garrett Jones - 31 in A/AA (Ft. Myers/New Britain) in 2004

15.) Michael Ryan - 31 in AAA Edmonton in 2002

15.) David Ortiz - 31 in FM/NB/SLC in 1997

15.) Mark Funderburk - 31 in A Visalia in 1979

15.) Moe Hill - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1975

15.) Andy Kosco - 31 in A Wisconsin Rapids in 1964

15.) Chuck Weatherspoon - 31 in Class B Wilson in 1961

 

Other than the 4 in bold, (and 3 because it is too early to determine), the rest are not very good players, so home runs by themselves is not a great indicator of stardom. Take those 4 out and the list reads like the who is who of mediocrity (and I know that Laudner has a WS ring, but he could not hit his weight.)

 

Laudner's total in '81 was 44. He was called up and hit 2 HRs with the Twins.

I'm sure there are many examples of players in other organizations that have hit home runs, and went on to continue that in the MLB. While it may be true that home runs arent a great indicator of stardom, I can't look at the Twins organization and make that generalization about all power hitters in all systems. I think, in this case, it may lend itself more to the Twins historical inability to develop players.

 

The fact that the only member on the list to find success actually turned into one of the greatest clutch power hitters of all time, once he got into another organization, kind of reaffirms that for me (Ortiz). The guy even said himself that the Twins had him all screwed up trying to change things and having him do things that didnt come naturally.

Edited September 3, 2016 by Darius

[Mr. Brooks]

I think the main reason that very few guys on that list had any success is because if you are allowed to hit that many home runs in a season, and still spend all of it in the minors, then you are probably a very flawed prospect.

[Rosterman]

Lots and lots of fun names. I think both Fundeburk and Hill continued with long careers as coaches in the minor leagues.

 

But just hitting home runs in the minors doesn't guarantee a major league career, or even a long stint in the majors. Both Walker and Palka might fall into that category.