Article: From The Handbook: Organizational Depth Chart

[John Bonnes]

One of the most valuable features of Twins Daily's Offseason Handbook is Seth's complete listing of each position within the Twins organization. It's a fantastic reference, not just for the offseason, but for the rest of the year. You can check it out and name your own price right here. Here is a sample of some of the summaries, and it also includes complete lists:CATCHERS

Jason Castro is signed through the 2019 season, so he’ll be around. He had his best offensive season since 2013 and his pitch framing statistics matched his reputation. Chris Gimenez didn’t have great numbers, but everyone loves having him on the roster. He’s a free agent and with Mitch Garver ready, it’s hard to think Gimenez would be back.

 

Closest to the Big Leagues: Mitch Garver

Twins Daily’s Hitter of the Year in 2014 and 2017, Garver had a very nice year at the plate. He took a bunch of walks and showed really good power in terms of both doubles and home runs in Rochester. He made his big-league debut in August and is certainly ready for a bigger role in the majors.

 

Top Prospect: Ben Rortvedt

Rortvedt was one of the youngest regulars in the Midwest League in 2017. While he struggled immensely at the plate in the first couple of months, he showed improvement as the season went along. Defensively, Rortvedt is already very good and can get better. He’s got the athleticism and a strong, accurate arm.

 

Sleeper: Mitchell Kranson

While Brian Navarreto got to AA late in the season due to his advanced defense and cannon of an arm, Kranson has become one to watch as well. He actually did more catching when he moved up to Ft. Myers at the season’s midway point. He’s got some work to do behind the plate, but he’s got a strong, left-handed swing that could generate power in time.

 

FIRST BASE

Joe Mauer is in the final year of his eight-year contract in 2018. He’s coming off of his best season since 2013. Could he come back for 2019 and beyond? Certainly. There isn’t an heir apparent near the big leagues, but there is talent in the pipeline.

 

Closest to the Big Leagues: Brent Rooker

The Twins drafted Rooker in the 38th round of the 2016 draft following his junior year at Mississippi State. He returned for his senior season and won the Triple Crown in the SEC. Good decision. The Twins used their supplemental first-round pick this year to draft the 22-year-old again. He reached Ft. Myers this season, hitting a combined 18 home runs over 62 games in his pro debut, and could move up quickly in 2018. Rooker has been working some in the outfield, but if circumstances dictate, he could be playing first base for the Twins as soon as 2019.

 

Top Prospect: Lewin Diaz

Diaz received a big signing bonus out of the Dominican Republic in 2013. He’s a big man (6-3, 250) with a ton of power potential. But he can also hit for average and use the whole field. As a 20-year-old in Cedar Rapids in 2017, he hit .292 with 33 doubles and 12 home runs.

 

Sleeper: Zander Wiel

The 24-year-old was Minnesota’s 12th-round draft pick in 2015 out of Vanderbilt. This year with the Miracle, he hit .250 but got on base over 34% of the time and added 30 doubles, six triples and 13 home runs (which is good for the Florida State League). If he were to get to the big leagues, it would be on the strength of his bat.

 

  This is part two of a five-part series of excerpts from the Twins Daily Offseason Handbook we published earlier this year. You can also check out Part 1, Part 2, Part 3, Part 4 or just download the Handbook at whatever price you deem fair.  

 

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[mikelink45]

Rooker looks like the real option for filling the void if Mauer leaves and he would give us a good and typical 1B bat.  I am not as excited about Ben at catcher but pleased to know there are other options coming along too. 

[ThejacKmp]

 

Rooker looks like the real option for filling the void if Mauer leaves and he would give us a good and typical 1B bat.  I am not as excited about Ben at catcher but pleased to know there are other options coming along too. 

 

Rooker bats RH and can play some corner OF so he'd actually be ideal in a situation where Mauer stays - he can be a 5th OF who spells Eddie and Max against tough lefties and be the right handed half of a 1B platoon when Mauer needs extra days off (with Sano in the mix at 1B on those days as well).

 

He fits this Twins teams a lot better than the left-handed hitting Granite.

[Seth Stohs]

 

Rooker bats RH and can play some corner OF so he'd actually be ideal in a situation where Mauer stays - he can be a 5th OF who spells Eddie and Max against tough lefties and be the right handed half of a 1B platoon when Mauer needs extra days off (with Sano in the mix at 1B on those days as well).

 

He fits this Twins teams a lot better than the left-handed hitting Granite.

 

I can't imagine there is any plan in which Brent Rooker is a 5th OF or backup 1B. My guess is whenever he's ready, they'll bring him up to start. 

[clutterheart]

Mitchell Kranson as a catcher sleeper is a head scratcher.  He has played more games as DH and only 33% of games have been at catcher (even at FM)  Also he has only hit .257/.316/.364 despite being old for his level.

 

If he is the sleeper, why not simply say "there are no legitimate sleeper catcher candidate" 

[rdehring]

 

Mitchell Kranson as a catcher sleeper is a head scratcher.  He has played more games as DH and only 33% of games have been at catcher (even at FM)  Also he has only hit .257/.316/.364 despite being old for his level.

 

If he is the sleeper, why not simply say "there are no legitimate sleeper catcher candidate" 

The truth is there really isn't anyone else, at least in full season ball. 

 

The Twins are going to have to sign several free agent catchers over the winter.  One for AAA who will be competition for Garver as backup, someone like Giminez.  They are also going to need a couple to fill out Rochester and Chattanooga.  

[MVPMAKER]

 

The truth is there really isn't anyone else, at least in full season ball. 

 

The Twins are going to have to sign several free agent catchers over the winter.  One for AAA who will be competition for Garver as backup, someone like Giminez.  They are also going to need a couple to fill out Rochester and Chattanooga.  

 

The Twins catching situation appears thin at best and is wide open.The minors have seen guys excel both offensively and defensively at different times, but inconsistent or lacking overall.

For example Garver has done very well at every level hitting, yet the organization has not accelerate or promoted him at the rate many would think or believe he deserves. His ability to hit has not been questioned, however he is unproven at the MLB level and there is a big question mark on his defensive skills.Rortvedt conversely has done well defensively at the lower levels, however offensively he has been anemic at best, with the exception of a short period during the 2nd half last year at CR.Kranson seems to be a hybrid of the other two... he has shown some pop and gap to gap power consistent with hard contact and above average exit speed numbers, but his average doesn't correlate.Kranson has shown his game calling and receiving skills are above average, however, he hasn't shown he can stand up to the rigors of catching everyday.

The challenge and something most casual fans don't understand, is the guy who is a stud in the GCL may stall or peak at CR or FM.Every player either continues to develop and improve or peak and get released. I don't get too excited or project starting lineups until a player gets to AA.By that time they have either earned it and are on there way, or they need to prove they are worth keeping within the organization.

It does't really matter whether you are prospect, organizational guy or sleeper... you are either rising or falling among your peers and within the organization. The good news is that either through development, trades or free agency, the pond will always get restocked and next years stud may may be last years nobody.