2018 Twins Midseason Top Prospect List: 16-20

Struggling horrifically with A+ pitching in his age 21 year...almost never walks, power tool showing little sign of development, and zero defensive flexibility. Yeah, Diaz might be a little too high.

With regard to Jeffers, I don’t know that I’d say the Twins are “believers” in him behind the plate. I’d say it’s more like the Twins felt that it would be “worth a shot” to see if he sticks...given availability at 59th pick...and that if he doesn’t, he still would have a decent chance at providing value at DH/1B. It seems that if the scouting consensus had him sticking as a probability, he would have been long gone by the 59th pick.

Arraez is simply an amazing hitter with contact and OB ability. Even with solid play at 2B, eventually, he will have to fill out a bit and drive the ball more or his his hit ability will be nullified. But as I've said before, he has me re-thinking my ideal infield in the future.

I get Person being, IIRC, an athletic 3rd round pick, and I get youth and adjusting to pro ball and wooden bat, but to me he was a "let's see" after a not so great debut. (Though with a decent finish). So far, so very good.

Can Jeffers really call a game and catch and throw? Or is he another LeCroy? Time will tell. But hitting potential, decent eye and power potential at least have me intrigued.

What is it with Davis? I'm no scout or expert by any means. But there must be some potential I'm not understanding that ranks him so high on so many lists. The production just doesn't seem to match rankings thus far.

Interesting set of players.  One item I am noting is that the Twins seem to be moving more toward contact and drive hitters and not the swing and miss or hit it a long way types.  I like the new approach and am very interested to see how it plays out in the next couple of years. 

I really like this group.  And will repeat Thrylos' comment that this system just might be loaded.

If Arraez begins to hit at AA like he did in June at Fort Myers, look out.  Am more in line with Seth as far as where Diaz should be ranked.  But Pearson, Jeffers and Severino really strengthen this organization.  And all were brought on board in the last six months, or so.

I really like Arraez's bat.  I haven't seen a player swing it that well in the minors since maybe Ben Revere.  I hope he finds a defensive home because his bat is crazy good.

I too thought Pearson would start in the short season league especially since he struggled last year.  Glad I was wrong as it looks like he will be ready for A+ ball next year for sure.

Jeffers OBP is almost 500.  That is crazy good.  He really needs to be better challenged with the bat hope they move him up soon.

Not a fan of Diaz and never was a fan of that pick.  He played well last year though and I think he has enough bat to stay on the list.  Sometime guys need to repeat a level.  I believe Polanco did and he made it.  Diaz is young so I am not giving up on him yet.  Glad to hear he is staying in shape.  There is still time for the bat to turn around the rest of this year.

Severino is a pleasant surprise.  He is quite young so I wondered if the bat would play.  He appears to have a good approach for being so young.  Looks like a good pickup for the FO.

I am pretty excited about all of these guys.  They all have a pretty strong chance to make it.  Hopefully they can meet the many challenges ahead and continue to be successful.

Third round. 104th pick.

In the third round ... out of high school. And Mookie Betts was drafted in the fifth round, does that mean DaShawn Keirsey Jr. is going to be better then him?

 

C'mon man, I answered your question. Do you really view Jeffers as a typical second-round pick?

Yeah I have never seen analysts at such a loss for words when the Twins picked Jeffers in the second round.  To be honest I expected him to sign for half the slot amount.  So I agree, I don't see Jeffers as your typical 2nd round pick. 

After complaining about the pick I do like his bat.  I know Elizabethton stats mean nothing as Max Murphy exploded there and flamed out in AA but with an OBP of nearly 500 I think Jeffers will do OK as he moves up. High A ball will tell the tale.  If he hits there I believe he will make it.

Still between Jeffers and Larnach the Wonder Twins saved 1M in bonus pool money.  I guess I don't know why they had to pay Sands and Kiersey so much over slot unless maybe they had deals in place for them?  They did manage to nab a decent amount of high school guys with the savings I am just not sure they have as high of upside as you would like to see for those kinds of picks.

For anyone wondering, these rankings were compiled prior to the official announcement that the Twins had singed 16-year-old Venezuelan Misael Urbina to a $2.75 million bonus, so he is not included in the rankings.

He can't be a supplemental pick?  

I really like this group.  And will repeat Thrylos' comment that this system just might be loaded.

Maybe. But these farm teams are losing a lot more than they have been for being so loaded. Sure, it is about development, but real good players and systems win at all levels.

Well, it's probably good nobody took Diaz in the Rule 5 draft, huh? Don't think he would have looked very good in the majors.