Article: Part 4: Seth's Midseason Top 40 Twins Prospects (11-15)

[Seth Stohs]

Last week, I began review of my updated, midseason Top 40 Minnesota Twins prospects with Part 1 (31-40) and Part 2 (21-30). Yesterday, we entered the Top 20 with my selections for Twins Prospects 16-20. And today, in Part 4, I present my choices for Twins prospects 11 through 15. Below you’ll find brief profiles on those five prospects, and we certainly welcome your questions and discussion in the forum.This group of prospects is a little more experienced than most you’ll find. Four of these five players are at least in AA, with three of them spending most of this season in AAA, one step away from the big leagues. So grab some coffee and check out who is in this section.

 

 

15. Jermaine Palacios, SS, 20

While he has cooled off from his torrid April in which he was the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Month, Palacios has reclaimed his place as a top prospect in the organization. The Twins signed Palacios out of Venezuela in September of 2013. He burst on the scene in 2015 when he hit .421 in the GCL and .336 in Elizabethton as an 18-year-old. Last year, he went to Cedar Rapids and really struggled. Whether it was the adjustment to a full season or the weather in the Midwest League, Palacios hit just .222/.276/.287 (.564) in 71 games before being hit by a pitch ended his season. He is healthy and he returned to Iowa where he has put up strong numbers offensively while also playing a very solid defensive shortstop.

 

Preseason Ranking: 32

Pre-2016 Ranking: 21

 

 

14. Zack Granite, OF, 24

It’s been an interesting year for Zack Granite. Consider he began the 2016 season in Chattanooga in large part due to an injury to Shannon Wilkerson. But, given that opportunity, he took off and had a terrific season, one commemorated by the Twins with their Minor League Player of the Year award. He hit .295/.347/.382 (.729) with 18 doubles, eight triples and four home runs. He also collected 56 stolen bases. The Twins 14th-round pick in 2013 out of Seton Hall, he was added to the Twins 40-man roster after last season. He made a great impression on teammates and his future manager during spring training. Unfortunately, he missed a little more than a month because of an oblique injury, but after a short rehab stint with the Miracle, he moved up to Rochester. He has hit .247 in his first 21 games since his return to the Red Wings. He has already stolen seven bases in AAA.

 

Preseason Ranking: 25

 

 

13. Mitch Garver, C, 26

Since the Twins made him their ninth-round pick in 2013 after four years at the University of New Mexico, Garver has been a very good hitter. He was the Twins Daily choice for Minor League Hitter of the Year after a strong 2014 season in Cedar Rapids. He moved up to Ft. Myers in 2015. Last year he was a Southern League All- Star for the Lookouts in the first half, and he finished the season by hitting .329/.381/.434 (.815) in 22 games for the Red Wings. He was added to the Twins 40- man roster in the offseason and reported to his third big league spring training (first as a rostered participant). He was sent to Rochester where he had hit .256/.413/.463 (.877) with eight doubles and three homers in his first 26 games. His defense has steadily improved over the years to the point that he’s ready. Now it’s about opportunity as Jason Castro and Chris Gimenez are in the big leagues. He should see big league time in 2017.

 

Preseason Ranking: 11

Pre-2016 Ranking: 24

Pre-2015 Ranking: 26

 

 

12. Felix Jorge, RHP, 23

Jorge signed with the Twins in February of 2011 out of the Dominican Republic. The Twins were able to sneak him past the Rule 5 draft following the 2015 season, but they didn’t try it again after a nice 2016 season. He started the season with Ft. Myers where he went 9-3 with a 1.55 ERA in 14 starts. He walked just 11 and struck out 77 in 93 innings. He moved up to Chattanooga where he went 3-5 with a 4.12 ERA in 11 starts. He has made nine starts this season with the Lookouts and gone 5-1 with a 3.48 ERA. Like Stewart, Jorge will need to figure out a way to miss more bats. He attacks the zone, sitting in the low-90s and touching 94 at times. He gets good movement on all of his pitches. He generally has thrown a lot of strikes. Ideally he can spend the full season at Chattanooga though a late season promotion to Rochester is possible.

 

Preseason Ranking: 10

Pre-2016 Ranking: 22

Pre-2015 Ranking: NR

Pre-2014 Ranking: 19

 

 

11. Daniel Palka, OF, 25

Palka came to the Twins from Arizona in the offseason following the 2015 season in exchange for catcher Chris Herrmann. He had a strong debut season in the Twins system and was named by Twins Daily as the Minor League Hitter of the Year. Between Chattanooga and Rochester, he hit .254/.327/.521 (.848) with 24 doubles and 34 home runs. He was added to the Twins 40-man roster in November and impressed the manager during his time in big league spring training. He is currently hitting .261/.316/.452 (.768) with six doubles and eight homers through 41 games. Unfortunately, he is now on the DL with a fractured left index finge and will be out for some time. He is another guy that we could see in 2017.

 

Preseason Ranking: 15

Pre-2016 Ranking: 25

 

Starting soon, we’ll jump into the Top 10 Twins prospects. Feel free to discuss this group, your Top 10 or Top 20, and ask any questions you may have.

 

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[diehardtwinsfan]

I'm curious if Palka's K rate has dropped... The slash lines indicate some patience, not a ton, but not like ABW in that he will take a walk. The K rate is what will make or break Palka.

[Blackjack]

I just read thru your 16-40 reviews, its amazing how many of the pitching prospects have had Tommy John surgery!!!!

 

Do other teams have the same problem??

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'm curious if Palka's K rate has dropped... The slash lines indicate some patience, not a ton, but not like ABW in that he will take a walk. The K rate is what will make or break Palka.

 

In 54 games in Rochester in 2016, he's struck out 38.6% of the time.

In 41 games in Rochester in 2017, he's struck out 24.6% of the time.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I just read thru your 16-40 reviews, its amazing how many of the pitching prospects have had Tommy John surgery!!!!

 

Do other teams have the same problem??

 

I can't answer that completely or accurately. I would think that the TJ rate for the Twins would be within an average range, but it definitely does seem like a lot. It would probably be worth longer investigation.

[zenser]

I think this list goes to show that the thought that the system lacks star power but has depth is spot on.  At a moments notice, Palka, Garver, or Granite could come up and contribute.  These are nice prospects that are in our top 15.  I think in a lot of organizations they would be top 10 for sure.

[Seth Stohs]

 

I think this list goes to show that the thought that the system lacks star power but has depth is spot on.  At a moments notice, Palka, Garver, or Granite could come up and contribute.  These are nice prospects that are in our top 15.  I think in a lot of organizations they would be top 10 for sure.

 

I don't think they'd be top ten, maybe in a few, but I agree with your bigger point. The high-end guys are in the big leagues. Nick Gordon fits that category too. Gonsalves, Romero, Kirilloff could reach close to that level. And after that there are some young question marks and depth pieces... Guys like Diaz and Javier could take off. Graterol could take off. Thorpe could move up... But there are a lot of guys who can be big league contributors. 

[Deduno Abides]

Palka's walk and power numbers were at career lows this year before he suffered a broken finger. Something would have to go really wrong for him to see time in 2017 with the Twins. He doesn't field that well, so he'd be behind Granite as a fourth outfielder, assuming the team didn't want to get by with Grossman and Adrianza, and Vargas would be the first choice for a bat. Garver and perhaps Park would also probably be ahead of him for a call-up.

[Mike Sixel]

Granite and Wade>>>>>>>>>>>>>>Palka, IMO. they can play good or very good defense, and they can get on base.

 

This part of the list has guys that will play in the majors for sure.

[nater79a]

Been thinking about this for a couple days now since Kennys Vargas was demoted and the Twins went to a 13-man staff:   Any chance Mitch Garver could be the position player that is brought back when they eventually go back to a 12-man staff?  Vargas was having a really tough time from the right side of the plate; something that Mitch could provide.  Garver has a ton of flexibility also; can be the 3rd catcher but most importantly can DH (again, as some RH pop) as well as fill in for Joe at 1B. 

 

After a bit of a slow start at the plate in Rochester he has really been good the past two weeks or so - slashing .270/.413/.514  That's a .927 OPS.  Also has 9 walks against 10 K's - a solid ratio. Not too shabby overall.

 

I could be way off base on this. But I think he could help the Twins.

 

 

 

 

[Mike Sixel]

 

Been thinking about this for a couple days now since Kennys Vargas was demoted and the Twins went to a 13-man staff:   Any chance Mitch Garver could be the position player that is brought back when they eventually go back to a 12-man staff?  Vargas was having a really tough time from the right side of the plate; something that Mitch could provide.  Garver has a ton of flexibility also; can be the 3rd catcher but most importantly can DH (again, as some RH pop) as well as fill in for Joe at 1B. 

 

After a bit of a slow start at the plate in Rochester he has really been good the past two weeks or so - slashing .270/.413/.514  That's a .927 OPS.  Also has 9 walks against 10 K's - a solid ratio. Not too shabby overall.

 

I could be way off base on this. But I think he could help the Twins.

 

Isn't Grossman the RH DH? he should be, imo. Not much power, but he avoids outs very well.

 

I do agree, Garver could possibly help this team, but I'm not sure I'd want him to DH over Grossman right now.

[nater79a]

 

Isn't Grossman the RH DH? he should be, imo. Not much power, but he avoids outs very well.

 

I do agree, Garver could possibly help this team, but I'm not sure I'd want him to DH over Grossman right now.

 

The flexibility is intriguing to me.  Rather have Garver sub for Joe instead of throwing Gimenez over there at 1B.  Even a bench bat, hitting for Castro late in a game without putting your catching in dire straits (still have Gimenez).  

 

Maybe even free up Robbie to play a little OF against lefties and give Rosario  a break.

[Mike Sixel]

 

The flexibility is intriguing to me.  Rather have Garver sub for Joe instead of throwing Gimenez over there at 1B.  Even a bench bat, hitting for Castro late in a game without putting your catching in dire straits (still have Gimenez).  

 

Maybe even free up Robbie to play a little OF against lefties and give Rosario  a break.

 

Good point on the pinch hitting for sure!

[mikelink45]

This is a list of role players unless Palacios can pass up Vielma and Gordon at SS.  I see more value in Granite than in Palka - I am not a fan of the big K rate and I do like defense.  Granite would have been a nice fill in when Buxton came out with the cut hand.  We have Grossman, Vargas as bats for DH and what we need is a good right hand/left hand combination for that position and the bench.  I would like to see Adrianza as a good fielding infielder (until they bring up Vielma) and Granite as a good fielding OF on the bench.   I am not sure how Garver is going to get in to the mix.  He is not a starter and right now the team seems to really like Giminez (maybe because he can pitch).  

 

Hopefully Jorge will continue to rise - we need to see so more starters coming up. 

[rghrbek]

 

Isn't Grossman the RH DH? he should be, imo. Not much power, but he avoids outs very well.

 

I do agree, Garver could possibly help this team, but I'm not sure I'd want him to DH over Grossman right now.

That's a good question.  I'd lean to play the player with more upside in Garver, but I understand that Robby provides value with the getting on base tool.

 

More importantly, I would rather have Garver up here instead of Gimenez.  It's nice to have an all catch and no hit cather, but having two of them?  Plus, it seems to me that Castro is a defensive upgrade over Gimenez (eye test only here), so why not bring Garver up?  Between catching 2 times a week, 1b once a week and DH every 7 or 8 games, that's plenty of at bats (4 games a week) for a kid who is only getting older at AAA and appears to have the hit tool at his disposal (not to mention on base tool).

[Mike Sixel]

 

That's a good question.  I'd lean to play the player with more upside in Garver, but I understand that Robby provides value with the getting on base tool.

 

More importantly, I would rather have Garver up here instead of Gimenez.  It's nice to have an all catch and no hit cather, but having two of them?  Plus, it seems to me that Castro is a defensive upgrade over Gimenez (eye test only here), so why not bring Garver up?  Between catching 2 times a week, 1b once a week and DH every 7 or 8 games, that's plenty of at bats (4 games a week) for a kid who is only getting older at AAA and appears to have the hit tool at his disposal (not to mention on base tool).

 

I agree on the gimenez thing completely.

 

IMO, this team needs to be setting up for next year....

[Thrylos]

I don't get the Granite ranking at all.   You either rank based on potential ceiling or on actual performance plus age combination.   Granite is a guy who needs to get on base to steal bases to succeed.  He is 24 and hitting .247/.287/.315, so he is not performing up to par for this type of ranking.   His ceiling is Jason Pridie at this point if he ever makes the majors.   The other thing that makes zero sense is that he jumped 11 spots while actually sucking... 

Edited May 31, 2017 by Thrylos

[bird]

 

I don't get the Granite ranking at all.   You either rank based on potential ceiling or on actual performance plus age combination.   Granite is a guy who needs to get on base to steal bases to succeed.  He is 24 and hitting .247/.287/.315, so he is not performing up to par for this type of ranking.   His ceiling is Jason Pridie at this point if he ever makes the majors.   The other thing that makes zero sense is that he jumped 11 spots while actually sucking... 

 

 

Apparently your stat sheet of his paltry 89 ABs doesn't have an injury column. The rest of us are accounting for this.

[Seth Stohs]

 

That's a good question.  I'd lean to play the player with more upside in Garver, but I understand that Robby provides value with the getting on base tool.

 

More importantly, I would rather have Garver up here instead of Gimenez.  It's nice to have an all catch and no hit cather, but having two of them?  Plus, it seems to me that Castro is a defensive upgrade over Gimenez (eye test only here), so why not bring Garver up?  Between catching 2 times a week, 1b once a week and DH every 7 or 8 games, that's plenty of at bats (4 games a week) for a kid who is only getting older at AAA and appears to have the hit tool at his disposal (not to mention on base tool).

 

Do we think Garver has more upside than Grossman? Grossman is about a year older, but he's put up terrific numbers over that year. So, I'm not sure where the perceived upside is...

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm a big Garver fan/supporter and would love to see him up, but Grossman's put up numbers in the big leagues that are higher than those put up by Garver in the minors (acknowledging and somewhat adjusting for Garver playing about half of the time so far this year)... I think people need to start realizing that Grossman is fairly good.

[Deduno Abides]

I don't get the Granite ranking at all.   You either rank based on potential ceiling or on actual performance plus age combination.   Granite is a guy who needs to get on base to steal bases to succeed.  He is 24 and hitting .247/.287/.315, so he is not performing up to par for this type of ranking.   His ceiling is Jason Pridie at this point if he ever makes the majors.   The other thing that makes zero sense is that he jumped 11 spots while actually sucking...

 

Pridie was more of a slugger with a high K rate, for his era. Granite is considered better at defense. The issue right now for Granite is whether he can increase his BABIP and use his good plate judgment to get more walks. If he has enough strength to hit for a decent BABIP, the idea is that his speed and defense can turn him into Jarrod Dyson, a 2.5 WAR player, which would be an improvement over the current left fielder.

[DocBauer]

Jorge is a guy that interests me. He seems to throw pretty hard and have at least solid secondary stuff. He seems to have good control and has been a model of consistency the past couple of years. I've even read reports from teammates and the such that he's got solid/good stuff. So why aren't his SO numbers better?

[caninatl04]

After reading about Palka, and following other top prospects, perhaps Twins Daily should change their name to:

 

"Unfortunately, he is now on the DL "

[Shaitan]

I've never seen a call for a third catcher before under the guise that it "adds flexibility" to the roster.

 

Man, this team needs some reliable arms so they can downsize the bullpen and get a real bench.

[drivlikejehu]

 

Jorge is a guy that interests me. He seems to throw pretty hard and have at least solid secondary stuff. He seems to have good control and has been a model of consistency the past couple of years. I've even read reports from teammates and the such that he's got solid/good stuff. So why aren't his SO numbers better?

 

There are a lot of factors in pitcher success. Jorge obviously doesn't fool opposing hitters, whether its because his delivery isn't deceptive, his secondary pitches are easy to pick up, or whatever reason or combination of reasons. 

 

The bottom line is that starters who can't strike guys out in the minors cannot start in the Majors. It just doesn't happen. Jorge's only chance at the Major League level is to move to the bullpen in the hopes that his stuff improves significantly during short stints.

 

There's no harm in starting him in the meantime - most MLB relievers started games in the minors.

 

On the other hand, that means his prospect value is limited . . . Seth has him 10 spots or so too high.

Edited June 1, 2017 by drivlikejehu

[Thrylos]

 

After reading about Palka, and following other top prospects, perhaps Twins Daily should change their name to:

"Unfortunately, he is now on the DL "

 

or maybe Twins DaiLy