3 Twins Prospects Josh Donaldson Can Help the Most

Wow, sounds like the Twins are hosting the Donaldson and Cruz Academy of Baseball Developement.

I'd add Larnach to the list. Both he and Blankenhorn hit too many groundballs for their power potential (both at about 48% of balls in play last year). Donaldson can help get them some lift. 

Lewis is probably the most important. Hopefully, Donaldson can help him with his balance and timing. 

I don't really care who he helps specifically, I just like that a veteran player like both Donaldson and Cruz take the time to impart the things they have learned over the years to the young players.  From there, it's up to the young players to take that knowledge and apply it.  We saw the benefit Cruz had on Sano last year and I am hoping we see that more this year.  If Donaldson can help 1 or 2 of those young guys take a nice big step, and he delivers as we are hoping, this contract could turnout to be a bargin.

I also like the fact that Lewis worked out this off season with Torii Hunter and Torii Jr. and Matt Kemp. 

I think the prospects he impacts the most is on the prospects willingness to listen.  I think it is great the Twins have targeted vets that like to teach young guys.  Not all like to.  Some guys react better to active players telling them something than coaches, even if both telling them same thing. 

The Twins are fortunate to have the returning retired players. They all apear to be class acts. I hope someday, Every-Day Eddie will be a returning player who gives instruction at Spring Training  like LaTroy, Torii, Justin, Michael, Tony and Rod. (Who did I leave out?)

There was a post last week that showed Donaldson with several prospects around him and I commented that I hoped Lewis was one of them. Great to see he was/is.

If I were Lewis I'd spend as much time as possible with/shadowing Donaldson.

Also great to see Donaldson and Cruz willingness to do this.  

I'd vote Blankenhorn.  His path to the majors right now isn't an easy one, and the more positional flexibility he has the better off he'll be. If I'm Blankenhorn I start going to the Josh Donaldson 3B School and make damn sure I have perfect attendance and take lots of notes.

If Blankenhorn can become a legit option at 2B/3B/corner OF he's going to improve his chances of advancing in this or any organization significantly. Marwin is almost certainly gone after this season and Blankenhorn could line himself up to be the next super-utility guy. Positional flexibility is still really valuable, even with the 26th man.

Oh, and if ol' Travis wants to learn how to keep the Ks in check while adding some walks and upping the power line a bit, that'd be just fine too. I hear Donaldson knows a few things about that stuff.

Donaldson certainly appears to be a future coach/MLB manager. It's great that he wants to mentor the younger guys and I honestly think there is some real world value to the process.

Blankenhorn should be inspired by Josh. If you compare their minor league numbers, there isn't a big difference. If Josh had been with a team that had some more veterans, he might not have ever gotten the legit shot he got with Oakland.

I absolutely love the mentoring attitude of Donaldson! And while it isn't his job to coach, I sure he works with Blankenhorn.

I've been intrigued by him since drafted. IIRC, he was a multi sport athlete in HS. Correct me if I'm wrong. It's not uncommon for those kinds of kids to take a little longer to hone their skills once they settle on a single sport.

Kid is a good all around athlete with power and seemingly some hit potential. I've never heard he has a weak arm. Last year he concentrated on 2B and LF. He has the size for 1B and I would think he should be able to play at least a decent RF as well. I think it's a huge mistake to move him off of 3B so quickly.

Now, I don't know, maybe he's just a butcher at the hot corner. But if he can play the position at least passably, or develop that ability, how valuable could he be as 5 position player with power?

The biggest thing JD can do for the Twins would be to somehow find a way to get through to Buxton that he needs to stay on the field and quit running into walls.

The Twins are going to need a bigger nap room soon.