Which prospect group are you most intrigued by?

[wsnydes]

There's been a lot of discussion lately regarding the prospects in the Twins organization.  With the lockout, that's given a lot of attention to the minor league system that it might not otherwise get.  With that in mind, is there group of prospects that you find more exciting or intriguing than the other?  The next wave of prospects seems to be largely pitching.  But there's also some highly regarded position players lurking as well.  

[wsnydes]

For me, it's the pitchers.  That's partly because this team needs pitching, but it's also because the crop, if healthy, looks like it could produce a few quality arms.

[Unwinder]

Easily the pitchers. I'm very interested in plenty of position player prospects (Miranda, Lewis, Martin, Celestino, Wallner, etc.) but my expectation for our position player prospects is that they keep the team stocked at a talent level pretty similar to what we've already got at the MLB level right now. The pitching prospects look like something new that could improve an area that's been shaky for a long time.

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, Unwinder said:

The pitching prospects look like something new that could improve an area that's been shaky for a long time.

Well said, and an excellent point.

[Squirrel]

50 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

There's been a lot of discussion lately regarding the prospects in the Twins organization.  With the lockout, that's given a lot of attention to the minor league system that it might not otherwise get.  With that in mind, is there group of prospects that you find more exciting or intriguing than the other?  The next wave of prospects seems to be largely pitching.  But there's also some highly regarded position players lurking as well.  

You need to add a choice 'Yes'

[wsnydes]

3 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

You need to add a choice 'Yes'

Done!

Should we just fill in @USAFChief's vote now, or wait for him to get around to it? 

[Squirrel]

28 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Done!

Should we just fill in @USAFChief's vote now, or wait for him to get around to it? 

Yes

[USAFChief]

31 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

 

Should we just fill in @USAFChief's vote now, or wait for him to get around to it? 

Yes.

 

Edit: OMG!

 Ninja'd by Squirrel. The humiliation...

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Yes

Well played, Squirrel.

[wsnydes]

Just now, USAFChief said:

Yes.

No, see, I added that as an option in the poll!  You're doing this wrong!

[Riverbrian]

How do I choose between Caramel and Butterscotch? It's like asking which one of my kids do I love more.  

It's harder to find Butterscotch so I'll choose Butterscotch I guess. 

What was the question again?

Oh Yeah...  Pitching I choose pitching because of scarcity. 

[Richie the Rally Goat]

Many of the hitters are more “certain”… less intriguing as it seems like we know what we have. None of ‘em are the next Ken Griffey Jr, but there’s some quality to continue to build around.

While there’s a couple “relatively certain” ones, the Pitchers generally  have a lower floor and a higher ceiling than the hitters. I’m intrigued by the variability

[wsnydes]

57 minutes ago, Sconnie said:

Many of the hitters are more “certain”… less intriguing as it seems like we know what we have. None of ‘em are the next Ken Griffey Jr, but there’s some quality to continue to build around.

While there’s a couple “relatively certain” ones, the Pitchers generally  have a lower floor and a higher ceiling than the hitters. I’m intrigued by the variability

The wider range of possibilities is intriguing to me.  Couple that with the need for them to be on the higher end of that range for this team to really blossom, and you've got a recipe that could be very exciting...

...or you could end up with something that is oversalted like my dinner...

[nclahammer]

I have always been surprised at the lack of top tier pitching prospects for the Minnesota Twins that make it up to the Major League level and succeed.    When I think of the names over the past 30+ years that the Twins have drafted and developed as starting pitchers who have made it to the big leagues and experienced sustained success, I think of Brad Radke and Kyle Gibson...and that's about it.     That's all?    I wonder...is drafting and devloping starting pitching that much of a crap shoot, or have the Twins just drafted that poorly?  Or is it a combination of both?   With this track record, are the Minnesota Twins foolishly putting their chips in the middle of the table by "hoping" their pitching prospects develop?

[Physics Guy]

On 1/22/2022 at 6:56 AM, Riverbrian said:

How do I choose between Caramel and Butterscotch? It's like asking which one of my kids do I love more.  

It's harder to find Butterscotch so I'll choose Butterscotch I guess. 

What was the question again?

Oh Yeah...  Pitching I choose pitching because of scarcity. 

While I do love caramel, it's butterscotch hands-down.

[Physics Guy]

As the most recent episode of Gleeman and the Geek discussed, I don't think the Twins have had this level of pitching prospects as long as I can remember.  Of course, until they make it to the bigs, it doesn't matter (TINSTAAPP).  I really fell like Falvey and Levine are staking their future with the Twins on whether these guys can make the next step.  I really hope they are right, because it has been a long time since we have had multiple exciting young pitchers.

[gman]

I chose 'Yes" but my answer is really pitching first because of the constant lack of same. On the hitting side we are looking at better players stepping up to replace decent players. We haven't said that on the pitching side since the stone ages.

[Brock Beauchamp]

I chose pitchers because of the quantity and how Falvey built his reputation as a pitching guy. I view this crop of pitchers as the ultimate decision-maker for this front office's continued employment. This is the season we need to see pitchers graduate to a Twins uniform and maybe not have immediate success, but show enough potential we're moderately confident that future success is in the cards.

[stringer bell]

There appear to be tiers in the prospect lists—Lewis, Martin and Miranda are at or near the top for basically three different reasons to whit: Lewis has superstar tools and temperament, Martin is nearly ready, has an interesting and rare skill set and a high floor and Miranda blew the doors off the high minors. Beyond those three there isn’t a lot to be excited about in the near future. 
 

The next tier would include a large number of pitchers who could at least be solid rotation/bullpen pieces and perhaps more. Most of the pitchers have had recent health issues, but could blossom with a full season. 
 

As most have stated, pitching has been a scarce commodity for years, so I’m a bit more excited about the arms than the position players. Let’s hope the owners and players can work something out soon so that we can see another full season play out. 

[Squirrel]

Despite all that 'yes' business above, I chose pitching. Not because of the scarcity, although, there's always that, but the question was 'most intrigued by'. The upcoming group of pitchers, whether near or far, are intriguing. Some of the names out there, and after reading Seth's pitching prospect articles, I just have to say ... it is the most intriguing for me in that ... dare I say it and be dashed? ... they make me a little itchy with hopefulness. Right, I know, many won't 'pan out' despite their early promise, but we have more than we've had in a long time of hopeful pitching. Doesn't help us right now ... but it is, nonetheless, the most intriguing group of Twins hopefuls, imo.

Oh ... and just so y'all are clear ... the butterscotch vs caramel debate? I always have both on hand for ice cream. As long as both are of good quality, they are both good to have on hand. And for those that don't know the difference between the two ... yes, there is a difference, but there is a similarity, too ... here you go ... but ... butter will always win out. 

"With enough butter, anything is good." - Julia Child

 

[wsnydes]

2 minutes ago, Squirrel said:

Despite all that 'yes' business above, I chose pitching. Not because of the scarcity, although, there's always that, but the question was 'most intrigued by'. The upcoming group of pitchers, whether near or far, are intriguing. Some of the names out there, and after reading Seth's pitching prospect articles, I just have to say ... it is the most intriguing for me in that ... dare I say it and be dashed? ... they make me a little itchy with hopefulness. Right, I know, many won't 'pan out' despite their early promise, but we have more than we've had in a long time of hopeful pitching. Doesn't help us right now ... but it is, nonetheless, the most intriguing group of Twins hopefuls, imo.

Oh ... and just so y'all are clear ... the butterscotch vs caramel debate? I always have both on hand for ice cream. As long as both are of good quality, they are both good to have on hand. And for those that don't know the difference between the two ... yes, there is a difference, but there is a similarity, too ... here you go ... but ... butter will always win out. 

"With enough butter, anything is good." - Julia Child

 

Not to hijack my own thread, but I can't see Julia Child putting butter on ice cream.

[Squirrel]

20 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Not to hijack my own thread, but I can't see Julia Child putting butter on ice cream.

It is if she uses it to make a yummy butterscotch sauce  

[wsnydes]

Just now, Squirrel said:

It is if she uses it to make a yummy butterscotch sauce  

Fair enough, but I'm picturing a stick of butter on a heaping bowl of ice cream!?

Ick.

Or was it ish?

Yuck.

[Squirrel]

3 minutes ago, wsnydes said:

Ick.

Or was it ish?

yes

[wsnydes]

1 minute ago, Squirrel said:

yes

Naturally!

[DocBauer]

I don't think there's any question the young pitching group is the most interesting, and for all the obvious reasons. A couple will be traded, a couple will wash out, a couple will end up in the pen, (and there are a couple interesting RP who aren't  exactly TOP prospects by the very nature of being RP), and at least a couple will make it as solid to excellent rotation pieces. I do not, and will not, predict anyone for ACE status. With little exception, an ACE type SP develops over a few years, they aren't just drafted and promoted. And it's virtually impossible to speculate who on any list MIGHT become such, including us current prospect list. But ignoring some of the recent draftees who hold potential, it's not hard to look at Ryan, Ober, Duran, Winder, Balazovic and Canterino as a collection of guys who can be in the solid to very good category, or beyond with hope.

But if we want to expand on this idea a little bit, should we consider breaking down the option of "position player" ? FWIW, and if anyone wants to follow suite, I'd break down my personal interest as such, in reverse order:

3] CATCHER: Do we still consider Jeffers and/or Rortvedt as prospects? Considering age and experience, I think we might, especially in regard to Rortvedt. Beyond them is a collection of lower level guys who have some interesting potential but there is nobody to really single out.

2] OUTFIELD: Kirilloff, Larnach, Celestino, Wallner at the upper levels and Rodriguez, Urbina and Rosario at the lower levels allow for a great combination of immediate help and hope and some intriguing future options. 

1] INFIELD: To me, this is the #2 category of interest for me. (And yes, Kirilloff could be included here as well). I'm interested and excited to varying degrees about this position. Does Gordon turn out to be a speedy, OK hitter with some pop who can play almost anywhere as a fill-in? He might. Martin could end up at 2B...doubt it with Polanco...maybe 3B...but we have Miranda, MIGHT SURPRISE and sow he can actually be a SS, but might find his home at LF as a "do everything well" player at the top of order for years who can cover CF and even cover the infield. He might also turn out to be a younger and better "play everywhere" super utility player similar to Marwin Gonzalez. Lewis has the arm and athleticism, IMO, to be a MLB SS. Having to polish his play on standard plays, IMO, just comes with time and repetition.  He needs to be healthy, play, develop, and make the bat and all that talent work. Oh, and then there's Miranda who could be the 3B for the next 10yrs, potentially, and the Twins need to find rom for him NOW. Beyond these options are Steer, and slightly behind him, Julien. Steer could be a super utility fielder, if not a starter, as early as the end of 2022. He can also play at least a little SS. Julien is similar, but with a slightly different profile, who could be ready in 2023 at some point. BTW, Severino could be one of the biggest risers in the entire system come the end of 2022. 

So YES, pitching ranks as a clear #1 interest/intrigue point. But if you want to break down the "rest" of interest, INFIELD is #2 for me.

[DocBauer]

P.S. Butterscotch and caramel are BOTH outstanding. They might  be even better when mixed with chocolate at times. So I'm not sure there is a winner there. Does it matter considering how good each is?

[Physics Guy]

23 hours ago, DocBauer said:

P.S. Butterscotch and caramel are BOTH outstanding. They might  be even better when mixed with chocolate at times. So I'm not sure there is a winner there. Does it matter considering how good each is?

There is no wrong answer.  Chocolate often accompanies butterscotch or caramel on my ice cream.

[Squirrel]

11 hours ago, Physics Guy said:

There is no wrong answer.  Chocolate often accompanies butterscotch and caramel on my ice cream.

Ftfy