Article: Twins Daily 2019 Top Prospects: 11-15

[Hosken Bombo Disco]

 

Those are right now at least, significantly different prospects, with significantly different perceived ceilings. One is considered by many as one of the top 20 best prospects in all of baseball. Larnach has only played a little at A ball, I am sure many think highly of him, but he is not now on or probably even close to any top 100 lists. Rooker isn't likely to headline any trade. With low defensive value and questionable on base skills, he will have to show more this year to headline any trade.

Kiriloff could probably headline a trade, but you better get somebody pretty darn good and for more than 2 years.

That seems to be the consensus on those guys. Opinions will vary and change over time. 

[Mike Sixel]

 

I am not sure what you mean here. The Twins made a bunch trades at the trade deadline, most were prospects, are none good in your view? If you mean great prospects, what about the prospects the White Sox obtained last year? Or do you mean right now the winter of 2019?

 

None are Kiriloff, Lewis, Larnarch gop 10-50 types, not even close.

 

It is rare to get great prospects in trades right now. There just aren't that many trades occurring, as teams horde prospects (this isn't just a random opinion, there have been articles written about it).

[Mike Sixel]

 

Those are right now at least, significantly different prospects, with significantly different perceived ceilings. One is considered by many as one of the top 20 best prospects in all of baseball. Larnach has only played a little at A ball, I am sure many think highly of him, but he is not now on or probably even close to any top 100 lists. Rooker isn't likely to headline any trade. With low defensive value and questionable on base skills, he will have to show more this year to headline any trade.

Kiriloff could probably headline a trade, but you better get somebody pretty darn good and for more than 2 years.

 

Lanarch is 92 on Fangraphs board, FWIW.

[DocBauer]

So many people in this thread I want to quote.  DocBauer, I view you as a solid sage on each thread that emits from TD.  I'm glad someone brought up the Gerritt Cole proposition.  I remember it as, Gordon, Tyler Jay, and Gonsalves.  Should've, could've, and stop regretting.  Geez he was good this year though...

Gonsalves haters, Stephen Gonsalves has eventually owned every level he's been at.  I stress eventually.  He doesn't ever come up and "wow" everyone.  He is a product of his work ethic.  He has figured out every level w/below stunning "stuff".  I, for one, am excited for what Gonsalves has yet to show.  He'll figure it out.

 

Gordon is 22.  I'm over his "prospectusness".  As is many of people w/any AAA player, unless they tear it up right away.  Now it's just wait and see.  Let's give this kid a chance.  Dozier was the most recent guy to move from SS to 2B.  That didn't happen overnight, but it worked out pretty well.

 

Jeffers comes off as more self-confident guy than Rortvedt.  Rightfully so, if you like that type.  I really like Rortvedt, after much criticism of his bat, but I like him as I like Drew Butera.  Jeffers has the potential to be an A.J. Pierzynski, not as likeable, but likeable because he produces.

Thank you for the ego boost Jrod! Lol (pointless but interesting, one of my best friends is named Jarrod and we call him J-rod). But seriously, thank you for the compliment! No ego on my end, but if you are willing so gracious publicly, then I can graciously thank you publicly as well. Quick...how do I post a blush icon? LOL

 

On a serious note, I always try to maintain an even balance when it comes to the Twins, despite being a fervent fan since I was 5yo courtesy of my father. I've always believed it's OK to being an optimist, but jts also OK to call out your team as well.

 

I liked your comment about Gonsalves to "haters" and his eventual "owning" each level be has been at. I have often commented on this, and expressed candidly I expected him to struggle initially. The move to the ML is seldom easy. This kid is smart and has ALWAYS learned to adapt. I take his last couple of appearances with a grain of salt due to being the primary, and not the actual game starter. But it's also an indication, IMO, of a young rookie settling in.

 

I also agree on Gordon, but again, IMO, if kept, he might fit best as a utility player who does a lot of things well. And despite disappointment for a 1st round pick, there is real value in that. I am a HUGE believer in Polanco as well as Lewis. In the next season or so, I can easily see those two as a tremendous keystones combo. At the end of the day, what's wrong with Gordon being a really nice role piece for a ML roster?

 

I find your comments about Rortvedt vs Jeffers interesting. What have you seen or heard that makes you feel Jeffers is more confident? Really interested in your AJ comparison to Jeffers.

 

Despite being so young I hate to make comparisons, but I could easily see Rortvedt as a better hitting and more powerful version of Butera. Jeffers is obviously older, though their trek through the system may parallel, as Seth alluded to. Jeffers, probably, is the better bat with even more power. Reports are the Twins like him behind the plate and like his framing. This could be a very interesting "battle" over the next couple of years!

[jrod23]

 

I also agree on Gordon, but again, IMO, if kept, he might fit best as a utility player who does a lot of things well. And despite disappointment for a 1st round pick, there is real value in that. I am a HUGE believer in Polanco as well as Lewis. In the next season or so, I can easily see those two as a tremendous keystones combo. At the end of the day, what's wrong with Gordon being a really nice role piece for a ML roster?

I find your comments about Rortvedt vs Jeffers interesting. What have you seen or heard that makes you feel Jeffers is more confident? Really interested in your AJ comparison to Jeffers.

Despite being so young I hate to make comparisons, but I could easily see Rortvedt as a better hitting and more powerful version of Butera. Jeffers is obviously older, though their trek through the system may parallel, as Seth alluded to. Jeffers, probably, is the better bat with even more power. Reports are the Twins like him behind the plate and like his framing. This could be a very interesting "battle" over the next couple of years!

 

I actually do agree with you on possibly trading Gordon.  I just thought that ship had sailed due to his AAA slump.  So I figured we'd just see what he has to prove now.

 

I definitely agree on Polanco.  He and Lewis up the middle could be fantastic.  They are both driven gamers.  Lewis is a bit more of an extrovert, but both are genuinely kind people as well that I'd love my children to admire (aside from Polanco's PED mistake).

 

As for Rortvedt, I would retract a bit and agree that he will hit better than Butera.  Rortvedt is a General on the field as well.  I just get frustrated that a .300 catcher is such a diamond in the rough.  Hence, my affinity for Jeffers.  When I mentioned Jeffers and the AJ comparison, I only say it because of AJ's confidence.   Word has it that Jeffers came into CR feeling he should've been there earlier, being very confident of his 2nd round draft position (even though he was projected as a 5th rounder), and again bringing up that he was on the greater side of .400 in E-Town.  All of which, I can't argue with, just as I couldn't argue with AJ's confidence.  I can attest however, that Jeffers was quite genuine with our younger one this past summer.  He gave him a game ball, and gladly signed it after the game (he didn't have a great game).  Jeffers definitely doesn't talk as much trash during a game as AJ would either.

 

Regardless, the more TD articles being posted, the more excited I get for this season.  I'm excited to read about Enlow at the #9 spot.

[caninatl04]

I know its not politic on this site to praise the front office, but what was the Twins' minor league talent ranking say four years ago? After just a few years, the Honorable Mentions List would be the envy (as a top 10) of more than a handful of Major League Teams. I especially like how the bare cupboard at catcher is now well stocked.

 

It is true they haven't fielded a 90-game winner in Target Field, but the smart way for a mid-market team to build is from the bottom up.

[bird]

 

In the Gerrit Cole example, the prospects mentioned were not "low-value" a year ago, and Pittsburgh was looking to shed salary. This was a specific situation.

 

It looks lopsided to you in hindsight, but a year ago, it looked a little more equal.

 

To your statement that the Twins fan's "main conceit ... is that if the Twins were just smarter, they could convert low-value minor leaguers into quality major leaguers" -- that is exactly what they did with Palacios and Odorizzi.

 

 

There's a valid middle ground in this question. We see plenty of examples of what drivlkejehu is trying to point out, which is unrealistic notions about the kind of MLB talent we could get in return for our prospects.

 

I agree that the Pittsburgh trade may not be a great gauge. Colin Moran as the centerpiece of that trade wasn't exactly a sign that teams are overpaying for MLB talent, as Feliz and Musgrove were uninspiring add-ons. In other words, I think an argument could be made that Cole got acquired on the cheap. 

 

But that doesn't mean the Twins somehow passed on an opportunity. We just don't know.