Article: From Prospects To Playoff Push

[Seth Stohs]

Building from within.

 

It’s one of those baseball phrases (or really any business) that is used by both sides. Most would acknowledge that building from within is ideal, particularly in baseball with its pay scales. Others will use the phrase as a reason to accuse a team of not spending enough money on outside players via free agency.

 

For the Twins and their fans, it was the basis for frustration and the basis for hope over the last half-decade. It was clear the Twins needed to build up a farm system and bring players up, but others wanted the Twins to spend wildly in free agency to speed up the process. The reality for almost all organizations is that the path is somewhere in the middle.

 

While the Twins branched into free agency, it was clear that the plan long-term was all about the prospects. And right now, the organization and its fans are seeing the fruits of that patience. The hope, of course, is to see even more success over the next decade or so.If you’re looking for a blueprint for how this is supposed to work, just look back 20 years in to Twins history. The Twins made trades, drafted well, signed appropriate free agents who could then be traded later in the season for more prospects. Starting in 1998, the Twins called up rookie after rookie. Matt Lawton. Corey Koskie. Torii Hunter. Jacque Jones. Cristian Guzman. Eric Milton. Joe Mays. Doug Mientkiewicz. AJ Pierzynski. They joined guys like Brad Radke, Eddie Guardado and LaTroy Hawkins to form a group that ‘arrived’ in 2001 and reached the playoffs in 2002.

 

While that group never got to the World Series, it provided Twins fans with about a decade of winning seasons and exciting baseball in September and into October. Each year, that group would change some, adding a piece or two. Johan Santana came in the Rule 5 draft. Justin Morneau arrived. Then Joe Mauer. Then Jason Kubel. Then Francisco Liriano. And later guys like Trevor Plouffe and Danny Valencia.

 

Likewise, the Twins have been building through their farm system the last several years. Mauer is the one holdover from the previous decade’s teams of success.

 

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The first time I made the trek to watch the Twins Low-A, Midwest League affiliate play was in 2010. The five hour drive between the Twin Cities and Beloit didn’t seem too bad. Ironically, the Snappers were playing Cedar Rapids. The Kernels were an Angels affiliate at the time, and their center fielder for those games was an 18-year-old named Mike Trout.

 

Brian Dozier was the team’s shortstop in that first game I saw. After the game, he was promoted to High-A Ft. Myers. The next day’s shortstop was Danny Santana. Dozier quickly moved up the Twins system and debuted as a 24-year-old in 2012. He’s become an All-Star, hit 42 home runs last year and is having another strong second half this year.

 

 

 

In 2012, I made the trip to Beloit twice. A slender third baseman was kind of the star cleanup hitter for the Snappers. The Beloit lineup in the 2nd half included Eddie Rosario batting third, Miguel Sano batting fourth, and Kennys Vargas batting fifth.

 

 

Miguel Sano and Jhonatan Goncalves

The Minnesota Twins moved their Midwest League affiliate from Beloit to Cedar Rapids before the 2013 season. I made the trek down there for their first series. What an interesting, talented roster they had.

 

Byron Buxton was the team’s #1 pick the year before, so he was the focal point. In a press conference before the season opener, then-Kernels manager Jake Mauer said, “ Byron’s going to lead off and probably be our primary center fielder. You’ll see him out there quite a bit. Tools-wise, it’s kind of cultivating all of them. He’s going to learn some things, tendencies. He’s got a chance to steal a lot of bases. And then again, he’s got a chance to be a middle of the lineup-type hitter, and that’s kind of rare. You don’t find a guy with that tool set and the things that he can do.”

 

My first impression of Buxton? Well, in those three games, I saw him beat out ground balls to third base, shortstop and even second base. He also hit a LONG home run off of Snappers prospect Michael Ynoa.

 

 

Byron Buxton and Adam Brett Walker, 2013

My favorite story from that trip was a hitter’s press conference that included Buxton, Travis Harrison and Adam Brett Walker.

 

When Buxton himself was asked what he was going to be working on the most, he hesitated for a couple of seconds. Teammate Travis Harrison jumped in saying, “He’s pretty good at a lot of things!”

 

Harrison is another very exciting prospect in the Twins system. He was the team’s first supplemental first round pick in 2011 out of high school in California. He gave up a scholarship to USC to sign with the Twins. He hit for average last year in Elizabethton, but did struggle early in that short-season with the glove at third base. It’s an area he knows he needs to improve upon.

 

“I want all parts to see improvement. Everyone knows I need to get better at defense. I know that. That’s what I’ve been working really hard in the offseason trying to get better at. But then again, I can always be a better hitter as well, so, if you were to say a strength, I’d say hitting, but hopefully by the end of the season, it’ll be both.”

 

I’d say he’s done a good job with that defense thing, and the offense, well, hopefully we are now seeing the player that he will be.

 

The starting pitcher for the Kernels in their first game as a Twins affiliate? Left-hander Taylor Rogers. He made about three starts for the Kernels before being promoted to the Miracle. He ended the 2013 season as the Twins Daily Starting Pitcher of the Year.

 

Jorge Polanco started the season batting second and playing second base. He also got time at shortstop when Niko Goodrum got a day off or was hurt. Two days into the season, the Kernels Opening Night leadoff hitter, Drew Leachman, hurt his shoulder sliding into second base on a stolen base attempt. By game three, Polanco was batting third. In his first at bat that night, he homered. I asked Mauer about Polanco batting third after the game, and Mauer chuckled, saying that wasn’t the plan, but he was very high on Polanco. Said he had coached him shortly after he signed as a little, skinny 16-year-old and he had grown so much. Obviously he has continued to hit, and grow stronger, and after the first prolonged slump of his career, he has been hitting right in the middle of the Twins lineup. He’s also been an adequate shortstop.

 

I was there for the first three games (the third started by Mason Melotakis), and as I was driving the 5 hours home, I learned that Tyler Duffey had started and threw the first seven innings of a combined no-hitter.

 

 

Max Kepler, 2013

When I went back to Cedar Rapids in July, Buxton had already been promoted to Ft. Myers. However, Max Kepler, a very raw but very talented Max Kepler had taken over. He spent time at all three outfield spots and first base. Also in the Cedar Rapids starting rotation was Jose Berrios. He hadn’t been there to start the season only because he had pitched for Puerto Rico in the WBC.

 

 

Jose Berrios and Mason Melotakis, 2013

I didn’t get to Cedar Rapids until later in the season in 2014. When I was there, Aaron Slegers was in the rotation. Also, a kid from extended spring training had recently been called up and was pitching well. That was Stephen Gonsalves. One of the catchers was Mitch Garver, though he was on the disabled list when I was there. He went on to be the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year that year.

 

 

Stephen Gonsalves, 2015

In 2015, Gonsalves was still there in the first half. Trevor Hildenberger starred in the Kernels bullpen. After struggling in Cedar Rapids in 2014, Felix Jorge was one of the best pitchers in the league in 2015. Randy Rosario was also on the team, returning from Tommy John surgery.

 

Zack Granite was the team’s leadoff hitter in April. He had spent 2014 with the Kernels, but he missed most of that season with injuries. By May 1st, Granite was moved up to Ft. Myers.

 

 

Zack Granite, 2015

Recently-promoted John Curtiss began the 2015 season in the Kernels rotation. After May, he went on the DL before returning in the Kernels dugout as a reliever in August. He then spent April of 2016 in the Kernels bullpen, dominating, which he has done at every level since.

 

Nick Gordon was the “star prospect” from that 2015 season. He’s one of baseball’s top prospects and hopefully a piece that we’ll see added sometime in 2017.

 

Sure, I am trying to encourage Twins fans to get to Cedar Rapids to watch games this year (not many left, but they will have some playoff games too) and in the future. Pretty much every minor league team will have at least a couple of players that will get to the big leagues.

 

But I am trying to illustrate that it is often a long process to develop players. As a young player, Berrios was in Cedar Rapids in 2013. He debuted in 2016, and he’s establishing him in 2017. That’s pretty normal, maybe even fast progression for a high school draft pick. The college guys typically move up more quickly, barring injury.

 

 

Miguel Sano, 2012, batting in Davenport, vs Quad Cities

But it’s important to have a pipeline. That group of top prospects we had heard about for so long is now the core of the Twins. I’ve talked about the Core Four Twins prospects; Miguel Sano, Byron Buxton, Max Kepler and Jose Berrios. All four of them have had their very strong moments this year and look like they’re starting to get it.

 

But several others have taken big strides in 2017, particularly of late. Eddie Rosario is just 25 and has been the team’s top hitter over most of the last three months. Polanco is 24 and having an incredible month. Zack Granite showed that he can be a solid fourth outfielder and he can contribute well when needed as a starter. Mitch Garver is getting a chance now.

 

 

And there will be pitching to go with all the young bats.

 

Adalberto Mejia was acquired as a 22 year old in a trade and debuted with the Twins. Trevor Hildenberger and Alan Busenitz (who may have been a throw-in in that Nolasco/Meyer/Santiago trade) have come up and been given more and more high-leverage opportunities. John Curtiss is now there.

 

But don’t forget about JT Chargois and Nick Burdi, who were likely supposed to be up by now, have missed most of this year. Jake Reed missed time early, but he’s been pitching great and should be up in September. We will likely see Aaron Slegers return as well as the debut of Stephen Gonsalves. If not soon, Gonsalves will likely be up early next year. Felix Jorge and Randy Rosario have had brief cups of coffee, and Fernando Romero and Zack Littell are doing well in Chattanooga.

In other words, the future looks really bright. It looks bright while the present is providing them with an opportunity for the playoffs this year. And, worst-case scenario, they will get to play in important September games in a playoff race. That can only make them better.

 

It’s an exciting time to be a Twins fan. Terry Ryan and those who worked under him deserve a ton of credit. So does Brad Steil, along with all of the player development personnel. The new Twins leadership knew what they were signing on for, a very talent-laden organization. Hopefully they’re able to lead this group of homegrown talent back to the playoffs for years to come, and maybe even celebrate another World Series championship in years to come.

 

 

We can wish, at least.

 

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[nmtwinsfan]

On a road trip in August 2012 I stopped at a game in Elizabethton where Max Kepler went 4-4, Tyler Duffey got the win, and Byron Buxton went 2-4 in his 3rd game with E-Town. J.T. Chargois also pitched in relief. The next night I watched Beloit Play in Quad Cities with the same lineup that included Eddie Rosario, Miguel Sano, and Kennys Vargas batting 3,4,5. In hindsight its amazing to have seen that many, not just future big leaguers, but star level future big leaguers in just two games.

[nmtwinsfan]

That summer I also saw the New Britain Rock Cats walk off with a Chris Colabello 3 run homer in a game that included 7 future Twins as well as a game in Rochester. It was a fairly baseball centered trip.

[ashbury]

Miguel Sano, 2012, batting in Davenport, vs Quad Cities

Who does not love seeing a game at that ballpark, particularly at night when the lights are on all around?

 

[Shaitan]

I'd just like to comment on how ugly those red, white and blue Kernels uniforms are.

 

Nice article.

[PDX Twin]

 

I'd just like to comment on how ugly those red, white and blue Kernels uniforms are.

 

Nice article.

 

I agree, but good heavens they're not as bad as the Star Wars night duds (in both senses of the word) that they wore this year!

[howieramone2]

The old regime took a lot of crap on this board, but they are certainly shining now.

[Rosterman]

What struck me most when Falvine talked at the State Fair, both are still getting their feet wet with knowledge about the players in the system. They are pleased with the progress of the guys already in the majors, and they talked of players in the minors stepping up when called upon them, using the example of Hildenberger, Curtiss and Busenitz -- all three pitchers were on the Twins radar but behind such names as Chargois, Melotakis, Reed, Burdi, Jay, Bard -- for being a part of the Twins this season or next season. 

 

It is a funny game, baseball. With a team like the Twins, especially on the pitching side, you CAN get the opportunity to come to the majors. Some only get a sip of coffee and then are gone (Wheeler, Melville) as you almost MUST produce, especially if from outside the organization. And then you get Slegers, who could easily get lost in the shuffle, too, even after a most fine start for the team.

 

Of course, just pitching well for a moment in the majors doesn't always translate into a job the next season, or even another chance in the majors, yet we still have the Andrew Albers of the world that show strange things can happen.

 

 

Fun looking at the lineups above and remembering the names that were supposed to make it, and wondering what happened to the many that didn't.

 

[mattkummer]

I live near Appleton, WI-- so I try to make it to a Wisconsin Timber Rattlers game when the Twins affilate is in town. It's been a couple years though.

I did get to see Miguel Sano in 2012 when he was with Beloit. I remember him seeing my Twins hat before the game and coming over to shake my hand.

 

The next year, I made a point to see Byron Buxton in a mid-July series. This is a picture I took of him on-deck. He was promoted to Ft. Myers the next day.

 

 

[Squirrel]

I keep thinking I'll make it to Kane Co. one of these days to catch the Kernels. Or Beloit. Or another that is very doable as a day trip from Chicago. But all the trips to Ft. Myers I make, trying to get to a Miracles game is something I always try to do. The crowds and atmosphere at these games are so different. It becomes sort of a game of ... continuity ... to not just follow some of these players to the Majors through the written word, but to in person treks to whatever minor league fields and games one can. It's really the big picture of the game.

[Broker]

Thanks for this informative article. It's good to be reminded about the farm teams and players. The Twins are more than than just the guys at Target Field.

[Shaitan]

 

I agree, but good heavens they're not as bad as the Star Wars night duds (in both senses of the word) that they wore this year!

 

I haven't seen those. Dare I look it up?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Who does not love seeing a game at that ballpark, particularly at night when the lights are on all around?

 

Yeah, that was a great night. We went on the Twins Train to Quad Cities and then the next morning to Beloit. Was great... Ballpark is quite scenic!

[Thrylos]

 

 

It’s an exciting time to be a Twins fan. Terry Ryan and those who worked under him deserve a ton of credit. So does Brad Steil, along with all of the player development personnel.

 

 

I'd wait for the Twins to actually win before I give credit to the people who failed to draft, and/or sign as an IFA, and develop a single top of the rotation pitcher, since they traded for Santana and Liriano.

 

What we are seeing with the 2017 Twins' team, like with those 2000s teams is a lot of potential.  The 2000s teams were lucky to play in a weak division with Detroit and Cleveland in deep rebuilding modes, and the Royals permanently horrific.  Once those teams got better, the Twins stopped competing for that division.  And the reason was pitching...

 

Let's see this group win something before start throwing accolades left and right...

Matter of fact, based on some of those lineups (full of failed top prospects;)  and the results of this decade, the Twins' player development personnel and Brad Steil should follow their fearless leader out the door...

Edited August 30, 2017 by Thrylos

[bird]

I'm glad our new guy has the wisdom and the sense to know what he inherited. He sees an historically underfunded baseball operation, lacking in certain disciplines and behind the curve in term of utilizing some of the modern tools, but he also is witnessing a farm system that those before him built. Even this year's draft is a product of the scouting organization he inherited. His is the winningest minor league system in all of baseball, thanks to those people. Derek has retained Brad Steil and all but a tiny handful of the organization's pro and amateur and international scouts. Why? Because he knows what he's talking about. He knows he has one of the ten most talented teams in major league baseball right now, a team learning how to compete and win at the highest level. He knows he has one of the ten most talent-laden minor league systems in all of baseball. And he knows he's fortunate, because very few organizations in the game have both a winning major league team and a stellar talent pipeline, with both being on the rise.

 

Think about it. A grade school soccer fan could write this winter's off-season blueprint.  What excites me almost as much as what we have in place is the fact that Falvey will have plenty of cards to play this winter. He can trade valuable assets from surplus to bolster the few areas of weakness. He has the financial wherewithal and freedom to tap into free agency. And he has depth, and I mean talented prospects here, at AA and above, in exactly the category he has the greatest need, pitching.

 

 

[FargoFanMan]

Very good article. Funny to remember following these guys since those days. I remember looking up stats and seeing how these guys were doing back in those days. That was the last time the twins were relevant wondering how these guys would contribute with a Mauer( pre concussion MVP days) or a Liriano ( waiting to regain top form post TJ) and Morneau or Span. Funny how things change fast. They are in good hands now or at least better more modernized hands. The Twins collapse was bound to happen looking back now. When the game passes you by that much and you refuse to acclimate its inevitable. Hindsight is always 20/20 though.

[Bob Sacamento]

My first GCL game was also Byron Buxton's first GCL game. Pic with Buxton on his 2nd professional game

 

 

[drjim]

This is really fun. Outside of a championship, emerging young talent is the best thing to watch as a sports fan.