Article: Seth's Preliminary Top 50 Twins Prospects: Part 3 (26-30)

[Seth Stohs]

After posting Part 1 and Part 2over the last couple of days, predictably, today I am going to post Part 3 of my personal (preliminary) Top 50 Twins Prospect rankings. Today I'll share with you my choices for prospects 26 through 30. Typically, that would be a list of five people. However, when someone makes a list, and that list "accidentally" has two 29s in it, well, prospects 26 through 30 will contain six prospects instead of five today.

 

So, continue on, and read of the SIX prospects ranked between 26 and 30. It is an interesting list. There are a couple of players who have spent some time in the upper levels, but the other four players are very young. Three of them remain teenagers. The teenagers all have the possibility of significantly moving up this list in 2017. Continue reading to learn more about six Twins minor leaguers deserving of recognition.REMINDER: Players eligible to be on this list include players who remain eligible for Rookie of the Year voting in 2017. That is to say, hitters with less than 130 at-bats and pitchers with less than 50 innings. (The list is preliminary. Following research for the Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook 2017 - which Cody Christie, Jeremy Nygaard and I are working on - I’ll provide my final Top 30 prospects list.)

 

Top Prospects 26-30

 

#30 – Nelson Molina - 21 – IF – Cedar Rapids Kernels

 

Molina was the Twins 11th-round pick in 2013 out of high school in Puerto Rico (same high school as Twins catcher Juan Centeno). It is fair to say that he struggled offensively in the rookie leagues his first three seasons. However, watching him, he has the size (6-3), build (175), tools and work ethic to want to stand out. In 2016, he came up to the Kernels at the end of April and played well the rest of the way. He was named to the Twins Daily Minor League All-Star team after hitting .300/.374/.381 (.755) with 15 doubles, three triples and two home runs in 94 games. Drafted as a shortstop, he has played all over the field. He mostly played third base for the Kernels this year, but he ended the season playing shortstop for the team, including in the playoffs.

 

#29 – Trey Cabbage - 19 – 3B – Elizabethton Twins

 

Cabbage was the Twins fourth-round draft pick in 2015 out of Grainger High School in Tennessee. After signing, he spent the summer in Ft. Myers, spending some time with the GCL Twins and more time rehabbing a back injury. He spent the first half of the 2016 season at extended spring training before heading north, back to Tennessee, to play in Elizabethton. The third baseman hit .204/.297/.337 (.634) with five doubles, one triple and two home runs in just 31 games with the E-Twins. At 6-3 and a little over 200 pounds, Cabbage is a tremendous athlete. He’s got a sweet, left-handed swing with line-drive power that could turn into home run power from gap-to-gap. Defense continues to be a work-in-progress at third base, but he has a strong arm and puts in a lot of extra work. He could start 2017 in extended with an opportunity to move up to Cedar Rapids.

 

#29 – Tanner English - 23 – OF – Ft. Myers Miracle/Rochester Red Wings

 

English was the Twins 11t- round pick in the 2014 draft out of South Carolina. In 2015, he was named the top defensive outfielder in the Twins system for his glove work in center field in Cedar Rapids. At 5-10 and 180 pounds, English has great speed, range and a powerful arm. Offensively, he can be a leadoff type of hitter. He takes quality at-bats and has good pop. He also is a very good base runner and base-stealer. He began the 2016 in Ft. Myers, but he went on the disabled list early in the season. When he was about ready to come back, he had his ankle rolled in an extended spring game. He returned late in the year to the Miracle. When Rochester needed a center fielder for the final week, English was pushed to the level and hit .294 in 17 at-bats. To get some extra plate appearances, English will head to Arizona to participate in the Fall League.

 

#28 – Akil Baddoo - 18 – OF - GCL Twins

 

If these lists were solely about upside, Baddoo would likely be a Top 10 prospect. Baddoo was the fourth pick in the 2016 draft and the Twins second compensation- round pick, 74th overall. He was an outstanding high school player from the state of Georgia. After signing, he went to the GCL. At 6-1 and just shy of 200 pounds, Baddoo has a lot of tools. He has good speed (8 steals in 9 attempts). He has good range in the outfield and has a strong left arm. Though he hit just .178 in his pro debut in the GCL, most believe he will hit, and he has already shown that he has some power potential (2 triples, 2 home runs). As it is with most 18 year olds, patience will be a big key.

 

#27 – Jose Miranda - 18 – SS – GCL Twins

 

Miranda was selected one pick before Akil Baddoo, 73rd overall, in the June draft out of high school in Puerto Rico. He also began his career in the GCL. He played shortstop and third base equally and also played a handful of games at second base. He’ll likely be given more time at shortstop, but when he was drafted most scouts believed his future was either at third base or second base. He played in 55 games and hit .227/.308/.292 with seven doubles, a triple and a home run. Listed at 6-2 and 180 pounds, he has average speed. Most believe he will hit and has a chance to hit for above average power.

 

#26 – Engelb Vielma - 22 – SS – Chattanooga Lookouts

 

Vielma signed with the Twins out of Venezuela in mid-September of 2011, just late enough that he didn’t need to be added to the 40-man roster last year. The Twins will have to make that decision this November. Vielma has been named the Twins top minor league defensive infielder the last two years and earned an invitation to big league spring training after a solid 2015 in Ft. Myers. He spent the majority of the 2016 season in Chattanooga, though he had two stints on the disabled list and played some rehab games in Ft. Myers. With the Lookouts, he hit .271/.345/.318 (.663) with seven doubles and four triples. While he’ll never hit for power, if he can hit for average, he has a chance to be a big league shortstop because of his great defense. He is the total package at shortstop. He has good range, instincts and a powerful arm. Others discuss his leadership

 

So what do you think of Part 3, Prospects 26-30? Next up will be prospects 21-25. Feel free to discuss, comment and ask questions below.

 

Click here to view the article

[clutterheart]

Did Vielma drop from the start of the year rankings? If so why? I think he had an Ok year.

[ThejacKmp]

There are two #29s. This may be a 51 person list?

 

[Seth Stohs]

@ThejacKmp - please read 1st paragraph.

 

I made my list... went through all the names... wrote down 1-50... started Part 1, Part 2, and when I started readying Part 3, I noticed I had written 29 twice... Figured I'd just go with it. Wasn't going to move someone from 29-30 to out of the Top 50, so 51 will get recognized... and I'm OK with that. 

[roger]

Thanks for doing this, Seth. Count me among those who would rate Vielema higher, perhaps much higher.

[mikelink45]

Interesting list.  I recognize names more here as would be expected, but only Vielma seems like a real prospect for more than a bench role.  Of course this team has Logan Schafer on the MLB roster so who knows.  Am I missing the real upside?  

 

It will be interesting to see how many of the top 51 will be in the MLB top 100 - will we have any this year?

 

I look forward to the top 25 and hope to find more to be excited about. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Interesting list.  I recognize names more here as would be expected, but only Vielma seems like a real prospect for more than a bench role.  Of course this team has Logan Schafer on the MLB roster so who knows.  Am I missing the real upside?  

 

It will be interesting to see how many of the top 51 will be in the MLB top 100 - will we have any this year?

 

I look forward to the top 25 and hope to find more to be excited about. 

 

These guys are 26-30... I wouldn't expect any of them to be in any Top 100 national rankings at this time. 

 

The Twins have 5 guys that should receive really strong consideration for Top 100 nationally... 

 

In this grouping, you might find some 4th OF types... and there is huge upside in Miranda and Baddoo, but I"m not ready yet to push them any higher up this list at this time. 

[Thrylos]

FWIW, Vielma (who has zero power and OPS is not a perfect measure of his hitting skill,) had a higher OBP than (almost) everyone's darling Nick Gordon this season, and, of course, has a better glove than the aforementioned.

 

I think that he really did take a turn (albeit small) this season and will not be surprised if he is a 40-man roster addition.

 

Definitely should be ranked higher.

[Seth Stohs]

 

FWIW, Vielma (who has zero power and OPS is not a perfect measure of his hitting skill,) had a higher OBP than (almost) everyone's darling Nick Gordon this season, and, of course, has a better glove than the aforementioned.

 

I think that he really did take a turn (albeit small) this season and will not be surprised if he is a 40-man roster addition.

 

Definitely should be ranked higher.

 

I will be shocked if he isn't added to the 40 man roster... I'm guessing when I put together my final rankings in 3 months, he'll likely be higher. 

[DocBauer]

This portion of the list, I believe, could be accurately described as "who the heck knows, but look at the collective athleticism of these kids!"

 

Cabbage and Vielma are the 2 that stand out to me, no disrespect to the others on the list at all. Despite a not so great year from Cabbage, all we've heard since he was drafted was great athlete, strong arm, real power potential. Especially since we're talking about 3B and not 1B or OF, that captures my attention.

 

Vielma had a down year compared to last season no question. Im sure some of that is due to his injuries. But based on all the reports about his defense, I sure hope he can hit at the ML level, at least a bit. He doesn't need real power, just enough to be something other than punch and judy. That and decent speed could make him at least a non-liability.

 

Boy do I wish he had been healthy all season.

[Mike Sixel]

 

FWIW, Vielma (who has zero power and OPS is not a perfect measure of his hitting skill,) had a higher OBP than (almost) everyone's darling Nick Gordon this season, and, of course, has a better glove than the aforementioned.

 

I think that he really did take a turn (albeit small) this season and will not be surprised if he is a 40-man roster addition.

 

Definitely should be ranked higher.

You realize you post in nearly every thread how much you don't like Gordon, right?

[gunnarthor]

I was big on Cabbage but he really does need to start producing.  Blankenhorn has done far better.

[clutterheart]

 

I will be shocked if he isn't added to the 40 man roster... I'm guessing when I put together my final rankings in 3 months, he'll likely be higher. 

 

Why would you be shocked?  I don't think any team could keep him on a 25 man roster the whole year.  I am not sure a team would have the room for a no bat bench guy.  

I've been a Vielma doubter for a while, but he played in AA as a 22 year old and did respectable.  If his glove is as good as folks say, he has the potential to be a SS for the Twins for a few seasons.  So its right he climbs up the rankings.  But I am not sure if he is a lock for the 40 man roster.  

[bluechipper]

This was a come out of nowhere season for Nelson Molina, so I haven't really read much or paid much attention to him. Hopefully he can put together back to back seasons of production to show that this year wasn't a fluke.

[bluechipper]

 

This portion of the list, I believe, could be accurately described as "who the heck knows, but look at the collective athleticism of these kids!"

Cabbage and Vielma are the 2 that stand out to me, no disrespect to the others on the list at all. Despite a not so great year from Cabbage, all we've heard since he was drafted was great athlete, strong arm, real power potential. Especially since we're talking about 3B and not 1B or OF, that captures my attention.

Vielma had a down year compared to last season no question. Im sure some of that is due to his injuries. But based on all the reports about his defense, I sure hope he can hit at the ML level, at least a bit. He doesn't need real power, just enough to be something other than punch and judy. That and decent speed could make him at least a non-liability.

Boy do I wish he had been healthy all season.

Vielma has shown less power in the minors than Ben Revere. I doubt he would be a non liability at the MLB level if he's just barely getting by with the bat in the minors.

[clutterheart]

 

Despite a not so great year from Cabbage, all we've heard since he was drafted was great athlete, strong arm, real power potential. Especially since we're talking about 3B and not 1B or OF, that captures my attention.
 

 

This year was a big bummer for Cabbage.  Way way way too many strike outs against rookie league pitchers. I picked him to take off this year.  (I also picked Harrison, for the 3rd year in a row so that shows i know nothing about prospects)   

[goulik]

Interesting list.  I recognize names more here as would be expected, but only Vielma seems like a real prospect for more than a bench role.  Of course this team has Logan Schafer on the MLB roster so who knows.  Am I missing the real upside?  

 

It will be interesting to see how many of the top 51 will be in the MLB top 100 - will we have any this year?

 

I look forward to the top 25 and hope to find more to be excited about.

 

Yes, I think you are missing something. The odds of Cabbage developing into something are falling and Molina may need to do a lot more to be considered highly, but there are some really young guys among these six names and 18 year olds are hard to project. You never know when a Badoo, Miranda, or Cabbage will develop into a Dozier! They all very well might become flops but any of them could be MLB role players, starters, stars or even HOF. When you play the lottery, you usually lose but there are also winners out there. These six just have farther to go than the next 25 (according to Seth who often knows more than most of us)

[Thrylos]

 

You realize you post in nearly every thread how much you don't like Gordon, right?

 

You realize that the above was a comparison between Gordon (who will likely be a top 10) player and a player who is playing the same position and is ranked at this level who actually has better numbers than him, right?

Edited September 30, 2016 by Thrylos

[Mike Sixel]

 

You realize that the above was a comparison between Gordon (who will likely be a top 10) player and a player who is playing the same position and is ranked at this level who actually has better numbers than him, right?

 

I do, but you've been doing it in every thread about either player. It was probably fair here, I'll give you that. But it is pretty clear you don't like Gordon as a prospect as much as pretty much everyone else I read.

[Mr. Brooks]

You realize that the above was a comparison between Gordon (who will likely be a top 10) player and a player who is playing the same position and is ranked at this level who actually has better numbers than him, right?

In what way did he put up better numbers than Gordon?

Unless I'm looking at bad info, it looks like Gordon out OPS'd him by 60 points, while 2 years younger.

Edited October 1, 2016 by Mr. Brooks

[John Kelsey]

 

I do, but you've been doing it in every thread about either player. It was probably fair here, I'll give you that. But it is pretty clear you don't like Gordon as a prospect as much as pretty much everyone else I read.

 

I think the Gordon hate has something to do with him always trying to hammer home that Polanco is the SS of the future. 

[Deduno Abides]

In what way did he put up better numbers than Gordon?

Unless I'm looking at bad info, it looks like Gordon out OPS'd him by 60 points, while 2 years younger.

And Vielma had better K and W rates, and a better OBP, at a higher level (the weed-out level), while battling an injury, and from all reports having a superior glove and possibly being better on the base paths.

 

It seems that Vielma has a lot of arguments why he may be more likely than Gordon to contribute to the Twins in the near future, which is why some people disagree with the generally accepted large difference in how they are perceived.

[Thrylos]

 

In what way did he put up better numbers than Gordon?
Unless I'm looking at bad info, it looks like Gordon out OPS'd him by 60 points, while 2 years younger.

 

OBP.  Read the argument.

[gunnarthor]

I think the concern with Vielma is that his bat won't play at the ML level and he'd be another Pedro Florimon.  And while he gets rave reviews around here for his defense, national scouting reports don't have him ranked as highly.  So if he's just an above average defender (instead of elite) with no bat ...

[Thrylos]

 

I think the Gordon hate has something to do with him always trying to hammer home that Polanco is the SS of the future. 

 

There is no hate of Gordon here.  I don't know the guy.    And, yes, Polanco should be the SS of the future.  He is light years ahead of Gordon. And thankfully, the future is now.

Edited October 1, 2016 by Thrylos

[Deduno Abides]

I think the Gordon hate has something to do with him always trying to hammer home that Polanco is the SS of the future.

 

A lot of reports are that Gordon is going to need to move to 2B, like his brother.

[drivlikejehu]

Vielma is a slap hitter . . . guys like that are now eaten alive by MLB pitchers and defenses. He needs to get a lot better at the plate just to be a utility option. Gordon has dramatically more upside offensively, far exceeding his lesser defense.

[gunnarthor]

 

A lot of reports are that Gordon is going to need to move to 2B, like his brother.

I have not seen a single report that says that.

[Deduno Abides]

I have not seen a single report that says that.

See Gleeman.

[gunnarthor]

 

See Gleeman.

While I don't doubt Gleeman's pessimism, he's not really a scout.  BP wrote just a few months ago:
 

"And a regular he shall likely be, as Gordon can really pick it at shortstop. He makes the plays in front of him, and he also has well above-average range. Add in a strong, accurate throwing arm, and you get a guy who turns hits into outs on a routine basis."

 

At the end of June, Quinn Berry wrote for minor league ball:

"Nick's defense at shortstop is where he really solidifies his status as a top prospect. He's not Andrelton Simmons, but he will stick at shortstop in the big leagues, a huge plus for any young player. Gordon, a former pitcher, can throw up to 94 miles per hour across the diamond and couples that arm strength with soft hands, good instincts, and quick feet.

Further, while Gordon does not have elite speed, he stays low and athletic when fielding and gets tremendous reads on the ball. Overall, he is a very smooth fielder, which shows through the numbers. Gordon's .960 fielding percentage is tops in the Midwest League among players with at least 35 games at short.

FV Field Grade: 55/60

FV Arm Grade: 70"

 

And Sickels just reexamined his top 100 and moved Gordon up to 40.

 

It'll be interesting to hear what the evaluations of Gordon say the next few months but I suspect they still see him sticking at short.