Twins top ten starting pitching prospects

[Mike Sixel]

You guys are much higher on Berrios than I am......and I am higher on Wimmers than many of you.

[Oxtung]

I think previous posters have pretty well covered the options. I will just say that I think one of the guys at Elizabethton or GCL (other than Stewart obviously) will become a very highly regarded prospect getting into the top 100 prospect conversation at some point. That said my guess is it won't be until after Cedar Rapids or Fort Meyer. Unless you're a big name international or draft pick it takes a while to get noticed.

[launchingthrees]

If we separate our position players and pitching where do the Twin's prospects rank among other teams? Off the top of my head, position players are #1 by a large margin. Our pitching is somewhere between 10-15.

[kab21]

I think the Twins pitching prospects rank higher than a lot of people give them credit for. Not many teams have a 1/2 of Stewart/Meyer. Even the depth has been improving lately.

[Thegrin]

Twins starters, except for Duduno, have either been inconsistent or bad. This means that starting candidates are coming up and going straight into the rotation. In years past, a good AAA pitcher was brought up and put into the bullpen and given a chance to start when a rotation spot opened up. This was why Duensing got to be in the rotation to start 2012. He was a successful spot starter in 2011.

Now, all the starter candidates in AAA (except Albers and Darnell) have been tried by the Twins and have not been successful. We dismiss them as prospects, yet these are the pitchers that will probably get another chance before Meyer, May or any of the rest of them.

Just because we hold low expectations for them, does not mean that they are not prospects.

[Major League Ready]

What a sorry list! Only Albers is as high as AAA, and he sounds a lot like a white Bruce Chen-clone. Pheew! Meyers and May at AA--because the Twins PR machine has to agree with Ryan's trades--I sure hope they are correct, but my skepticism meter is flashing red. The rest are A-ball and lower--total hype for now.

 

There has been much back-and-forth in other threads blaming GM/not blaming GMs but let's face it the scouts, the cross-checkers, the whole personnel gang has been in place forever. If there is a group to blame it's them!

 

While I would have to agree the Twins should pay big money to recruit a couple guys that scout or develop talent for the Rays and As, our farm system is in great shape. I think you might have lost sight of the fact the Twins farm system is at the top of all of the programs in MLB. You need to find a new team to follow.

[Jim H]

I believe that the Twins have changed their scouting and even brought in new people a few years ago beginning with the new scouting director. It hasn't received a ton of attention, but various people have written about it here on this site and others. It seems that some of those changes are reflected in the influx of young talent in the orgaization. Of course some of the talent influx is a result of high draft choices and the supplemental choices of a couple of years ago, as well. As well as the increased spending in the international market.

 

It is easy to forget that scouting is a pretty inexact science. Trying to project what 16, 17, 18 year old kids are going to be like in a few years, is largely guesswork. Also nobody can project injuries, which largely wrecked several years worth of high pitching draft choices for the Twins.

 

While it easy to praise the A's, Rays and other orgaizations it well to remember that they have their down years drafting as well. Part of the reason they always seem to have a lot of good young players is that their budgets won't let them keep their good, established, expensive players; so they are always trading them for more prospects.

[TwinsFanInPhilly]

You guys are much higher on Berrios than I am......and I am higher on Wimmers than many of you.

 

And that's what makes a market! And I agree on Wimmers

[Mr. Brooks]

I think the Twins pitching prospects rank higher than a lot of people give them credit for. Not many teams have a 1/2 of Stewart/Meyer. Even the depth has been improving lately.

 

I would beg to differ. I'd say it's right in the middle of the pack in this regard. Some quick research shows that roughly half the organizations in baseball half a comparable, or better, 1/2 as Meyer/Stewart, rankings wise.

[cmb0252]

I would beg to differ. I'd say it's right in the middle of the pack in this regard. Some quick research shows that roughly half the organizations in baseball half a comparable, or better, 1/2 as Meyer/Stewart, rankings wise.

 

Half the teams in baseball have two pitchers in the top 30-40 prospects in baseball? I'm not very good at math but if you add in all the bats, in say the top 50, I don't see it.

[Mr. Brooks]

Half the teams in baseball have two pitchers in the top 30-40 prospects in baseball? I'm not very good at math but if you add in all the bats, in say the top 50, I don't see it.

 

I'm going off Jonathan Mayo's rankings, in which case Meyer and Stewart are in the top 70. I wasn't aware that someone had them ranked both in the top 40. In that case you are probably correct.

[cmb0252]

I'm going off Jonathan Mayo's rankings, in which case Meyer and Stewart are in the top 70. I wasn't aware that someone had them ranked both in the top 40. In that case you are probably correct.

 

I forgot about Mayo's ranking so i guess we are both right (wrong?). Jim Callis and Law both had Stewart at 30. Callis has Meyers at 32 while Law has him at 38.

 

I might be biased but I just don't see many pairs I like better than Meyer/Stewart. Bundy/Gausman would be better if Bundy wasn't out for a year+. Cole/Tallion but Cole will lose his prospect status this year. Gray/Butler maybe. Skaggs and Hutlzen have taken a step back so their paring with Walker and Bradley isn't as impressive.

[Mr. Brooks]

I forgot about Mayo's ranking so i guess we are both right (wrong?). Jim Callis and Law both had Stewart at 30. Callis has Meyers at 32 while Law has him at 38.

 

I might be biased but I just don't see many pairs I like better than Meyer/Stewart. Bundy/Gausman would be better if Bundy wasn't out for a year+. Cole/Tallion but Cole will lose his prospect status this year. Gray/Butler maybe. Skaggs and Hutlzen have taken a step back so their paring with Walker and Bradley isn't as impressive.

 

Wacha/Martinez don't even get a mention? That's the duo I'd take over all of them. (except Bundy/ Gausman, injury or no injury)

I'd also take Wheeler/Syndergaard and Appel/McCullers over Meyer/Stewart.

Surprised none of those duos get a mention.

[Kwak]

While I would have to agree the Twins should pay big money to recruit a couple guys that scout or develop talent for the Rays and As, our farm system is in great shape. I think you might have lost sight of the fact the Twins farm system is at the top of all of the programs in MLB. You need to find a new team to follow.

 

No, I don't! The fact that the list is devoid of upper MiL talent is indicative of the failures of the previous decade. We all hope (me too!) that the newly drafted pitchers (6/12 and 6/13) all pan out. But, they won't be in the majors soon and definately not soon enough. I won't bother with the failure rate of pitching prospects because that's obviously way too negative for you--so I'll just assume (like the rest) that these new guys all succeed. But, there is ample evidence to conclude that it won't be in two years. That means two more years of the same guys. If you're Ok with that--well great! Enjoy.

There will be BB in 2016 too and quite likely with a much better cast of characters than today.

[cmb0252]

Wacha/Martinez don't even get a mention? That's the duo I'd take over all of them. (except Bundy/ Gausman, injury or no injury)

I'd also take Wheeler/Syndergaard and Appel/McCullers over Meyer/Stewart.

Surprised none of those duos get a mention.

 

I'm not as high on Wacha as most. Above average fastball, plus to plus-plus change up, but a average curve shouts mid rotation starter to me. His numbers have been good but I worry he won't be more than a #3 if his curve doesn't develop. I value upside.

 

Wheeler/Syndergaard combo I didn't consider because there is a good chance Wheeler will go over his rookie eligibility and won't be considered a prospect by the end of the year. If he doesn't than yeah, throw them in there.

 

As for Appel/McCullers I just don't see it being a better combo. Call it a personal preference. McCullers's mechanics and lack of a third pitch scares me.

[John Bonnes]

Looking at these names, I'll admit, I'm happier than I thought I would be with these lists. While it's true there isn't much help on the immediate horizon, it looks like I can expect a couple of fairly promising arms every year from 2015-2018. That's encouraging.

[Mr. Brooks]

I'm not as high on Wacha as most. Above average fastball, plus to plus-plus change up, but a average curve shouts mid rotation starter to me. His numbers have been good but I worry he won't be more than a #3 if his curve doesn't develop. I value upside.

 

Wheeler/Syndergaard combo I didn't consider because there is a good chance Wheeler will go over his rookie eligibility and won't be considered a prospect by the end of the year. If he doesn't than yeah, throw them in there.

 

As for Appel/McCullers I just don't see it being a better combo. Call it a personal preference. McCullers's mechanics and lack of a third pitch scares me.

 

Johan Santana became the best pitcher in baseball for half a decade with that combo.

[kab21]

Wacha/Martinez don't even get a mention? That's the duo I'd take over all of them. (except Bundy/ Gausman, injury or no injury)

I'd also take Wheeler/Syndergaard and Appel/McCullers over Meyer/Stewart.

Surprised none of those duos get a mention.

 

You still aren't close to half and that is including guys in the majors.

 

Cole/Taillon - one is not a prospect

Bundy/Gausman - I don't care if bundy is injured - he's good

Gray/Butler - Butler is closer to Berrios imo

Bradley/Skaggs

Walker/Hultzen

Wacha/Martinez

Wheeler/Syndergaard - one is not a prospect

Appel/McCullers - mcculllers is again closer to Berrios imo

Barnes/Ball - one more to help you

[Mike Sixel]

Would you rather have Appel and ummmm, or Meyer and Gibson? I'd trade them both for Appel right now, I'd trade any two pitchers for Appel right now....All said, I think I like Pitt or Sea combos the best.

[kab21]

Would you rather have Appel and ummmm, or Meyer and Gibson? I'd trade them both for Appel right now, I'd trade any two pitchers for Appel right now....All said, I think I like Pitt or Sea combos the best.

 

I would take Stewart and Meyer over Appel and nobody.

[Badsmerf]

You all seem pretty cavalier about Meyer's arm injury. Shoulder problems are bad, and he hasn't pitched for 2 months. I'm pretty worried about his future right now.

 

Side note, we are still likely a month away from learning of a torn ligament needing surgery in his shoulder. If that happens I swear I will lose it. I'll ask Brock for a week ban just so I don't consistently freak out and swear every other word.

[kab21]

You all seem pretty cavalier about Meyer's arm injury. Shoulder problems are bad, and he hasn't pitched for 2 months. I'm pretty worried about his future right now.

 

Side note, we are still likely a month away from learning of a torn ligament needing surgery in his shoulder. If that happens I swear I will lose it. I'll ask Brock for a week ban just so I don't consistently freak out and swear every other word.

 

Torn ligament in the shoulder. That does sound horrible.

[Mike Sixel]

Again, I am with the blue guy, and that's why I'd rather have Appel and random prospect than Stewart and Meyer right now. If Meyer was healthy, I would probably answer differently.

[Willihammer]

Johan Santana became the best pitcher in baseball for half a decade with that combo.

 

Just to split hairs, Johan's slider was a very good pitch for him back in the day.

 

And I don't believe a changeup gets you as far as it used to, now that teams have learned to reverse-platoon in order to neuter it when guys can't offer a very good 3rd selection.

[drjim]

Just to split hairs, Johan's slider was a very good pitch for him back in the day.

 

And I don't believe a changeup gets you as far as it used to, now that teams have learned to reverse-platoon in order to neuter it when guys can't offer a very good 3rd selection.

 

Also Santana had basically plus plus command of all his pitches. This is about as informative as all the Greg Maddux comps we hear.

[cmb0252]

Johan Santana became the best pitcher in baseball for half a decade with that combo.

 

You can point to random exceptions all you want but the reality is that combo rarely gives you more than a #2. Heck, that comparison doesn't even fit. Last time I checked Santana was a lefty while Wacha is a righty, you know, unless the Cards taught him to throw with his other hand.