Flickenger: Rantz on Sano, Rosario & Vargas

[Seth Stohs]

http://www.beloitdailynews.com/sports/twins-satisfied-with-progress-of-prospects/article_56a05dea-fcef-11e1-bb15-0019bb2963f4.html

 

Beloit Daily News writer Jeff Flickenger talked to Jim Rantz about some of the top prospects that played for the Snappers in 2012.

[Jim Crikket]

It's going to be really interesting to see how those three guys progress next season. They certainly have the hitting side of the game in hand, but which of them will make a big jump with other aspects? Would certainly love to see one or two of them cover two levels next season.

[Thrylos]

Interesting tidbit that Rosario and Sano are heading to FL to the instructional league before they report to their winter league teams

[pipers44]

I would like to hear a little more about Rosario defensively. It mentioned that he moved around the diamond...was it more than 2nd and CF? Also, how does he look as a 2nd baseman? It would be huge for the organization if he can stick at 2nd and become a decent fieder and good hitter at that position. I am tired of having all these utility guys playing the middle infield spots.

[Jim Crikket]

I'll just relate what I observed in the 3-4 series I watched this season (and one of those series was while he was on the DL). I saw him play in April and he looked pretty lost at 2B, struggling at times to make a play on the balls hit directly at him. By August, I won't say he looked "good" but he was clearly more comfortable at the position and I saw him make some decent plays in the field. If he can make comparable improvement next year, I'd say he's got a good shot at sticking as a 2B. He's obviously very athletic, so I see no reason he shouldn't be able to continue improving. On the other hand, he's a pretty good CF, so who knows exactly what the Twins will need from him by the time he reaches the Big Leagues?

 

In the games I saw him play, I did not see him play any position but 2B, CF and DH.

[beckmt]

With these numbers and hopefully good numbers in the Florida Instruction League, I hope the Twins would move Rosario to New Britain and skip Ft. Myers. Sano probably needs FT. Myers to start, because of defense and strikeout issues. Vargas will probably start at Ft. Myers because of his limited season this year. but would hope he is quickly moved to New Britain

[Shane Wahl]

With these numbers and hopefully good numbers in the Florida Instruction League, I hope the Twins would move Rosario to New Britain and skip Ft. Myers. Sano probably needs FT. Myers to start, because of defense and strikeout issues. Vargas will probably start at Ft. Myers because of his limited season this year. but would hope he is quickly moved to New Britain

 

Both should have been moved to Fort Myers in early August. And they should both be there for most of the 2013 season until an August promotion (assuming all goes as expected) to New Britain. But alas . . . the Twins think that the low A-to-high A promotion isn't worth it for even the BEST prospects. They were wise with Arcia, but not with Sano and Rosario.

[old nurse]

With these numbers and hopefully good numbers in the Florida Instruction League, I hope the Twins would move Rosario to New Britain and skip Ft. Myers. Sano probably needs FT. Myers to start, because of defense and strikeout issues. Vargas will probably start at Ft. Myers because of his limited season this year. but would hope he is quickly moved to New Britain

 

Both should have been moved to Fort Myers in early August. And they should both be there for most of the 2013 season until an August promotion (assuming all goes as expected) to New Britain. But alas . . . the Twins think that the low A-to-high A promotion isn't worth it for even the BEST prospects. They were wise with Arcia, but not with Sano and Rosario.

 

If Sano and Rosario were outfielders you would have a case. Neither is very accomplished as an infielder. Are you forgetting or ignoring the defensive half of paying baseball?

[Seth Stohs]

yeah, the Twins were wise to keep Sano and Rosario at Beloit all season. Sano really struggled for about 6 weeks in June and early July, so it was good that he was able to stay there, make some adjustments and end strong. Also, with 30 first half errors and only 12 in the second half, he was also able to progress defensively. Rosario missed six weeks of the season to injury/surgery on top of learning a new position. They were right to keep both of them there all season.

 

I would guess that if one or both of them is having a terrific first half in Ft. Myers next year, they are likely to move up to New Britain in late June, after the FSL all-star game. The Twins have a long history of doing that with prospects, getting them to New Britain for the second half if they deserve it. But both of these guys are too talented and still too young to mess with.

[Seth Stohs]

I saw the Snappers play two games in early June and four games in early August.

 

Sano - I noted that defensively, he looked much more prepared with every pitch than he did in June. I saw him taking ground balls at SS and showing good range, range that hopefully will translate over to 3B. i really believe he can make it there if he continues to work at it. I also saw a kid who went from kind of quiet to being really great with the fans in Beloit, smiling and not looking intimidated. Offensively, he looked better most of the time in August. I did see an opposite field home run. His swing can get long at times, but he does have tremendous power.

 

Rosario - In June, he didn't have much range at 2B defensively, but clearly is athletic enough to move around once he's comfortable. In August, he did look more comfortable at 2B and made a couple of nice plays. It's still a long ways to go, but he does seem to work at it. It was interesting that when the games counted in the playoffs, they moved him back to CF and had Pettersen at 2B. Definitely a work in progress. Offensively, he's got such quick hands. He waits for the ball to get back further, giving him a natural inside-out swing. it's cliche in the organization, but he's at his best when he's hitting line drives the other way. Once in awhile, he does try to turn on one and let it fly, and when he catches it, it goes a ways! Fan-wise... I hear he's a good guy, but he does not like signing, especially for those who show up with a dozen things for him to sign!

[Vervehound]

masterful job of rantz providing us with absolutely no new information on our prospects.