Gleeman’s Top 40 Twins Prospects

[Fatbat]

13 minutes ago, farmerguychris said:

I would absolutely trade Polanco and Arraez before shopping Lewis and Lee.  I think the younger guys in this batch have higher ceilings.

Its also a bit early to predict that Lee can’t stick at SS. If he has a fantastic defensive development year, he will be the #1 prospect in 2024 and will put pressure on the team to put him somewhere on the field in MLB. 

[Rosterman]

Now it is just a matter of figuring out longer-term positions for the players (Lee, Lewis, Martin for sure) and what they can bring to a defense, as well as on the field (power=Wallner, speed=Martin).  

Pitching usually figures out itself. But the Twins have some fine arms on the cusp, and others (Canterino, Balazovic, Enlow) who jsut need to pitch healthy. Is there a stud #1-2 starter in the works?

They have to build the team now around Correa and Buxton. What pieces are tradeable (Polanco, Kepler...Arraez). At what point do you keep or move on (Larnach, Kirilloff, Celestino).

If there is a weakness, it is first base and catcher, although you may have pieces (Miranda) that can take over at one. Glad Jair Camargo was resigned. Think he might be a catcher for the future.

[FlyingFinn]

On 1/13/2023 at 5:59 AM, Doctor Gast said:

I can see Correa, Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien in the same line-up in '24. Correa SS, Lewis 2B, Lee 3B Martin OF & Julien 1B.

I see Lewis in RF. He is fast and has a good arm. Just have to let him practice and learn to play OF in St. Paul before throwing him out there with only a couple recent minor league games under his belt.

[Doctor Gast]

21 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I see Lewis in RF. He is fast and has a good arm. Just have to let him practice and learn to play OF in St. Paul before throwing him out there with only a couple recent minor league games under his belt.

Originally I had Lewis profiled as CF because of his talent & Tori Hunter's mentoring. After his ACL accident I shied away from that idea & especially after his 2nd accident. That running full blast, leaping high & coming down on that leg at that angle was what caused his 2nd ACL knee accident. Lewis will always find himself in that predicament if put in the OF. That's why I had him at 2B & far from the OF.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

On 1/13/2023 at 6:59 AM, Doctor Gast said:

I can see Correa, Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien in the same line-up in '24. Correa SS, Lewis 2B, Lee 3B Martin OF & Julien 1B.

Where do you see proven starters, Miranda (Correa's protégé, who is ready to have a tremendous year in 2023)  and current American League batting champion and clubhouse favorite, Luis Arraez, and switch-hitting 2B and former All Star SS, Polanco? 

[dxpavelka]

On 1/13/2023 at 10:05 AM, Major League Ready said:

I like it except where is Kirilloff in this scenario?  We would really be in business if Kirilloff reaches his potential.  In this scenario, Kirilloff is the primary 1B and plays some outfield while Julien plays 1B/2B/DH and I wonder if they don't experiment with him in the OF a bit too.  Julien and Martin could be the perfect complement in utility roles.  Between them they can play 8 positions and steal bases.

Kirilloff is most likely on the IL in this (any) scenario.

[Doctor Gast]

7 minutes ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Where do you see proven starters, Miranda (Correa's protégé, who is ready to have a tremendous year in 2023)  and current American League batting champion and clubhouse favorite, Luis Arraez, and switch-hitting 2B and former All Star SS, Polanco? 

This isn't necessarily my everyday line-up. That means that Miranda will still get his ABs at 3B, 1B & DH.  I'm projecting Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien to continue their upward trends to eventually squeeze out Arraez, Kepler & Polanco.

[Major League Ready]

2 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

Kirilloff is most likely on the IL in this (any) scenario.

I had not seen anything suggesting he would not be ready to start the season.   I tried an internet search and came up with nothing.  What have you seen?

[dxpavelka]

11 hours ago, Major League Ready said:

I had not seen anything suggesting he would not be ready to start the season.   I tried an internet search and came up with nothing.  What have you seen?

I've seen a  first round draft pick who has barely gotten on the field a hundred times two years into his big league career and  put up an OPS under .700 when he HAS gotten on the field.  What have you seen.

[Major League Ready]

6 hours ago, dxpavelka said:

I've seen a  first round draft pick who has barely gotten on the field a hundred times two years into his big league career and  put up an OPS under .700 when he HAS gotten on the field.  What have you seen.

The phrasing of your post suggested certainty.  I could not find anything of substance regarding his injury so I was hoping you had some actual information.  I see a guy with obvious talent who struggled because of an injury.  He was very good right before the wrist starting acting up.  If that injury is permanently corrected as it was in Kirk Gibson, I see a middle of the line-up bat.  I don't have a medical degree and I certainly am not a specialist in this highly specialized type of surgery.   Therefore, I would never offer a conclusion beyond a general impression.  

[Heiny]

On 1/13/2023 at 5:59 AM, Doctor Gast said:

I can see Correa, Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien in the same line-up in '24. Correa SS, Lewis 2B, Lee 3B Martin OF & Julien 1B.

You must see some trades for SP coming!  Not leaving much room for Arraez, Polanco, Miranda, Kirilloff and Larnach.

[Doctor Gast]

3 minutes ago, Heiny said:

You must see some trades for SP coming!  Not leaving much room for Arraez, Polanco, Miranda, Kirilloff and Larnach.

I see a continued uptrend in Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien where they could very well make an impact in '24. Not that they'd all make the every day line-up. Miranda will get his ABs at 3B, 1B & DH. If Kiriloff & Larnach are healthy & raking, of course they'll be starting.

I can see that these 4 prospects will eventually push out our favorites Kepler, Arraez & Polanco, to help fill other needs. SPs? It seems that our pipeline haven't been able pump out the frontline SPs that we need. I don't see Jeffers as our future catcher, so we could trade for an impact MLB ready catching prospect.

[Heiny]

12 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I see a continued uptrend in Lewis, Lee, Martin & Julien where they could very well make an impact in '24. Not that they'd all make the every day line-up. Miranda will get his ABs at 3B, 1B & DH. If Kiriloff & Larnach are healthy & raking, of course they'll be starting.

I can see that these 4 prospects will eventually push out our favorites Kepler, Arraez & Polanco, to help fill other needs. SPs? It seems that our pipeline haven't been able pump out the frontline SPs that we need. I don't see Jeffers as our future catcher, so we could trade for an impact MLB ready catching prospect.

I'm onboard with this scenario.  I could see some trading at the deadline in '23 depending on how some of these prospects develope and/or how the Twins season is going.  Color me the eternal optimist, but I like the way things are looking for '24 and beyond.  But, I still want the team to be competitive in '23.  Like I've always said,  the goal is to  win the WS "every year".  Now that may not be realistic, but it should still be the goal.

[Doctor Gast]

3 hours ago, Heiny said:

I'm onboard with this scenario.  I could see some trading at the deadline in '23 depending on how some of these prospects develope and/or how the Twins season is going.  Color me the eternal optimist, but I like the way things are looking for '24 and beyond.  But, I still want the team to be competitive in '23.  Like I've always said,  the goal is to  win the WS "every year".  Now that may not be realistic, but it should still be the goal.

I absolutely agree w/ you on everything

[Seth Stohs]

On 1/12/2023 at 7:40 AM, Brad.dahlen said:

I am very curious on Lee. Can he make an impact by fall of 2023?

 

Yes, he can, if needed. 

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

On 1/13/2023 at 6:14 AM, Doctor Gast said:

As we can see our glaring problem through our top prospects. As Jeffers is our designated future catcher & basically we don't  have anyone respectable even close to MLB. They put a band-aid on the problem by signing Vazquez. Jeffers best quality is that he's above avg. in framing & that might be obsolete soon. He has no arm that runners run at will. I'd even question him as back-up. We need a potential  elite MLB ready catching prospect, let get E Rodriguez (PIT)

Maybe they use the high lottery draft pick in this year's draft to get our catcher of the future.  Then the 3-year bandaid plus Jeffers can get us to when he is ready.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

34 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Maybe they use the high lottery draft pick in this year's draft to get our catcher of the future.  Then the 3-year bandaid plus Jeffers can get us to when he is ready.

Twins have the 5th pick in 2023. The highest rated catching prospect is a H.S. player who is rated # 13 by MLB. I don't think the Twins will get a catcher with that #5 pick. The next highest rated catcher is a college catcher at # 28. by MLB and that is it until another college catcher at #63. I think the Twins missed the boat last year. I wanted them to draft Prada, but then Lee fell into the Twins laps at # 8 and Parada went to the Mets at #11 and Susac went to the A's at #19.  The Twins could not pass Lee by at # 8.  I understand that and agree with taking Lee under the facts that existed at the 2022 draft. Hopefully the International prospect will develop, but that will be 5 years from now at best. I hope that some trade made this off season will include a catcher with the Pirates or Parada with the Mets who have the #1 prospect, Alvarez, who is a catcher. 

[Doctor Gast]

53 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Maybe they use the high lottery draft pick in this year's draft to get our catcher of the future.  Then the 3-year bandaid plus Jeffers can get us to when he is ready.

It take more than 2yrs for a high lottery catching draftee to make it to the MLB. I'd say  least 3yrs. (and that's a college draftee). Then it would be some time to be mentored by a veteran, that means being backup for however long that might be. (I agree with you 100% that we need to draft a high catcher this year.)

You see it's a very long process, it's not that you get your high draft pick & "poof" your problem is solved you have your starting catcher. That process should have been done 3 yrs. ago. We need that prospect now to be mentored by Vazquez.

Yes we can delay that process & suffer through Jeffers for 3yrs & maybe that draftee will be ready then but we have no one to mentor him so you'll have to find another suitable veteran. I'd rather not dilly dally around, I'd trade Jeffers while he's worth something, get a high prospect MLB ready catcher to be a mentee. After 3 yrs. you have your elite starting catcher.

[Doctor Gast]

1 minute ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Twins have the 5th pick in 2023. The highest rated catching prospect is a H.S. player who is rated # 13 by MLB. I don't think the Twins will get a catcher with that #5 pick. The next highest rated catcher is a college catcher at # 28. by MLB and that is it until another college catcher at #63. I think the Twins missed the boat last year. I wanted them to draft Prada, but then Lee fell into the Twins laps at # 8 and Parada went to the Mets at #11 and Susac went to the A's at #19.  The Twins could not pass Lee by at # 8.  I understand that and agree with taking Lee under the facts that existed at the 2022 draft. Hopefully the International prospect will develop, but that will be 5 years from now at best. I hope that some trade made this off season will include a catcher with the Pirates or Parada with the Mets who have the #1 prospect, Alvarez, who is a catcher. 

Thank you Tarheels for expounding on that. I was too tired to do that.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

See if Farmer can catch some more. He has a good attitude, was the Reds MVP last year, is obviously athletic (since he can play SS) and would be an above average hitter for a catcher. His arm probably is good if he can play SS (but then Polanco played SS with his weak arm...so I really don't know about Farmer's arm strength).  The more I think about this suggestion of mine, the more I like it.

[tony&rodney]

On 1/12/2023 at 8:56 AM, Fatbat said:

I think we will hear a lot about Lee if he has a great spring training and starts at SS with the Saints. As soon as he lights up AAA pitchers, the twins will be forced to find a place for him in MLB. If Lewis and Lee are here in June/July and there is a roster squeeze, then we can shop for an Ace SP before the trade deadline. 

Royce Lewis is ready to play and contribute as soon as June or July and Brooks Lee is a wild card who I think may prove to be ready this summer. I still think that Julien could rake at the MLB level too. These guys are coming soon. Don't forget about Austin Martin. A player no longer eligible to be considered a prospect may have the biggest impact on the Twins 2023 lineup. Alex Kirilloff is supposedly swinging pain free but just a little bit behind schedule. It is expected that he will be fully ready to go full out by mid March. We shall hear more about this in February. If the Twins know that Alex is ready to roll, they are free to move on a trade or two.

I think all of the posts concerning the Miami pitchers is hopeful of acquiring a pitcher now, before the price goes up. Pablo Lopez has been the main guy in most articles. Miami has declared Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez as "off limits", stictly "unavailable". which still leaves some real potential to gain via trade. One or two guys is best, in this order (for me): Edward Cabrera, Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Dax Fulton, Max Meyer, and Jake Eder. The gamble is trading now and counting on the Lewis, Lee, Julien trio to step in and be good this year, and have the pitchers who are acquired (hopefully Cabrera +1) be healthy and successful in the starting rotation. Waiting until July may be missing the boat on a couple of potential aces.

[Brad.dahlen]

19 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Yes, he can, if needed. 

Where would he be his most valuable? Full time 3B? 

[Fatbat]

16 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Royce Lewis is ready to play and contribute as soon as June or July and Brooks Lee is a wild card who I think may prove to be ready this summer. I still think that Julien could rake at the MLB level too. These guys are coming soon. Don't forget about Austin Martin. A player no longer eligible to be considered a prospect may have the biggest impact on the Twins 2023 lineup. Alex Kirilloff is supposedly swinging pain free but just a little bit behind schedule. It is expected that he will be fully ready to go full out by mid March. We shall hear more about this in February. If the Twins know that Alex is ready to roll, they are free to move on a trade or two.

I think all of the posts concerning the Miami pitchers is hopeful of acquiring a pitcher now, before the price goes up. Pablo Lopez has been the main guy in most articles. Miami has declared Sandy Alcantara and Eury Perez as "off limits", stictly "unavailable". which still leaves some real potential to gain via trade. One or two guys is best, in this order (for me): Edward Cabrera, Jesus Luzardo, Braxton Garrett, Dax Fulton, Max Meyer, and Jake Eder. The gamble is trading now and counting on the Lewis, Lee, Julien trio to step in and be good this year, and have the pitchers who are acquired (hopefully Cabrera +1) be healthy and successful in the starting rotation. Waiting until July may be missing the boat on a couple of potential aces.

Id rather trade Gordon, kepler, TL, Pagan, Celestino and keep everyone else. Something in that should be enough to get 1 or 2 of Miami’s extra pitchers. Keep all the best athletes and find a place for them. 

[tony&rodney]

3 minutes ago, Fatbat said:

Id rather trade Gordon, kepler, TL, Pagan, Celestino and keep everyone else. Something in that should be enough to get 1 or 2 of Miami’s extra pitchers. Keep all the best athletes and find a place for them. 

Yes, we all want to keep our very best players, but in order to acquire a potential (emphasis on potential) ace a player of high value will be need to be moved. When a team does not develop a top of the rotation starting pitcher or use free agency to acquire a top pitcher, trades are the last avenue for success. That said, many people have stated that a top pitcher is not needed and the team is fine with what they currently have on the roster. That is fair and I get that thinking. However, I would. like to see Cabrera pitching for the Twins the next six years. 

[Fatbat]

9 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

Yes, we all want to keep our very best players, but in order to acquire a potential (emphasis on potential) ace a player of high value will be need to be moved. When a team does not develop a top of the rotation starting pitcher or use free agency to acquire a top pitcher, trades are the last avenue for success. That said, many people have stated that a top pitcher is not needed and the team is fine with what they currently have on the roster. That is fair and I get that thinking. However, I would. like to see Cabrera pitching for the Twins the next six years. 

Definitely need a young Ace SP. I see the FO patiently looking for one as that seems to be the last big piece in the 2023 player puzzle to solve. 

[chpettit19]

On 1/18/2023 at 3:06 PM, Doctor Gast said:

It take more than 2yrs for a high lottery catching draftee to make it to the MLB. I'd say  least 3yrs. (and that's a college draftee). Then it would be some time to be mentored by a veteran, that means being backup for however long that might be. (I agree with you 100% that we need to draft a high catcher this year.)

You see it's a very long process, it's not that you get your high draft pick & "poof" your problem is solved you have your starting catcher. That process should have been done 3 yrs. ago. We need that prospect now to be mentored by Vazquez.

Yes we can delay that process & suffer through Jeffers for 3yrs & maybe that draftee will be ready then but we have no one to mentor him so you'll have to find another suitable veteran. I'd rather not dilly dally around, I'd trade Jeffers while he's worth something, get a high prospect MLB ready catcher to be a mentee. After 3 yrs. you have your elite starting catcher.

I don't disagree with the idea that it takes a few years to get a catcher ready, but the "that process should have been done 3 years ago" quote is interesting to me. 3 years ago was 2020. Shortened draft (they had 4 total picks) aside, why should the Twins have felt the need to take a catcher high in 2020? Or even 2019? Or 2021? They had just taken Jeffers in the 2nd round in 2018 (he made it to the majors in only 2 years for what it's worth). And they'd (Twins, not this FO) taken a HS catcher named Ben Rortvedt in the 2nd round in 2016. So in 2019 they had a 21 year old Rortvedt in AA and 22 year old Jeffers in AAA. In 2020 they had a 23 year old Jeffers in the majors and 22 year old Rortvedt hot on his heals. 

"That process should have been done 3 years ago" feels like some revisionist history based on their current situation, and you not liking Jeffers. 2 former 2nd round pick catchers both making steady, and quick for Jeffers, progress through the system 3 years ago would suggest not needing to go out of their way for a high pick catcher in 2019, 2020, or 2021. Especially when Garver was coming off a really good 2018, and silver slugger 2019 in the majors. Their catching situation was fantastic 3 years ago with a very bright looking future as well.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, chpettit19 said:

I don't disagree with the idea that it takes a few years to get a catcher ready, but the "that process should have been done 3 years ago" quote is interesting to me. 3 years ago was 2020. Shortened draft (they had 4 total picks) aside, why should the Twins have felt the need to take a catcher high in 2020? Or even 2019? Or 2021? They had just taken Jeffers in the 2nd round in 2018 (he made it to the majors in only 2 years for what it's worth). And they'd (Twins, not this FO) taken a HS catcher named Ben Rortvedt in the 2nd round in 2016. So in 2019 they had a 21 year old Rortvedt in AA and 22 year old Jeffers in AAA. In 2020 they had a 23 year old Jeffers in the majors and 22 year old Rortvedt hot on his heals. 

"That process should have been done 3 years ago" feels like some revisionist history based on their current situation, and you not liking Jeffers. 2 former 2nd round pick catchers both making steady, and quick for Jeffers, progress through the system 3 years ago would suggest not needing to go out of their way for a high pick catcher in 2019, 2020, or 2021. Especially when Garver was coming off a really good 2018, and silver slugger 2019 in the majors. Their catching situation was fantastic 3 years ago with a very bright looking future as well.

"That process should have been done 3 years ago"   Was figuratively speaking pointing out that a high draft pick for catcher won't help us now of having no one a very good in our system to  have hope to be mentored by Vasquez.

 

[chpettit19]

9 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

"That process should have been done 3 years ago"   Was figuratively speaking pointing out that a high draft pick for catcher won't help us now of having no one a very good in our system to  have hope to be mentored by Vasquez.

 

That's fair.

I'm not super worried about that. There are good veteran catchers available every year. They could definitely use some more catching talent in the system, though.

[Doctor Gast]

38 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

That's fair.

I'm not super worried about that. There are good veteran catchers available every year. They could definitely use some more catching talent in the system, though.

Catching is very important IMO. And I'd like to have our catchers come up thru the system & have control over them. I've never saw Jeffers as our starting catcher. After we lost Garver & Rortvedt, I started to look for young potential catchers.

1st I followed Varsho, he was a very good hitter for a catcher but because of his arm he won't stick there besides he's very expensive. Parada, pre draft I was hoping we could draft him but I'm glad we didn't because Lee is much better & Parada's defense leaves something to desire. Later I saw PIT had 2 quality catching prospect their top prospect Henry Davis & 6th Endy Rodriguez. At the time Rodriguez was very obtainable but after Davis got hurt, Rodriguez leaped frog over Davis. He went from A to AAA. Through out this off season his stock has sky rocketed. I'd have liked if Endy Rodriguez was an early trade target.