Predicting The Twins 40 Man Roster Additions

Let’s get started… but first, who is eligible for the Rule 5 draft if not protected on a 40 man roster?

• Players signed at the age of 18 or less in 2011 (signed before end of minor league season)
  
• Players signed at the age of 19 or more in 2012
  
• Players signed under the first two categories in previous years.
  

#1 – LHP Taylor Rogers

The 25-year-old southpaw has moved up a level each year since being the Twins 11^th round pick in 2012 out of the University of Kentucky. He has done well as a starter, though many believe that he could be tremendous out of the bullpen. With the Twins depth of starting pitchers, Rogers could be a guy who gets to the Twins quickly out of the bullpen. Consider left-handers hit just .177/.209/.193 (.402) off him in 2015 in AAA. Rogers has a good fastball with a really, really good slider that is devastating to lefties. He needs a better changeup if he wants to be a starter, specifically to help get right-handers out. After throwing 174 innings during the regular season, he has thrown another 25 innings, so far, in the AFL. Rogers will pitch in the big leagues for a long time.

#2 – OF Adam Brett Walker

Yes, he strikes out too much. Yes, there are concerns about his pitch recognition. However, he’s just 24, and is a legitimate 8 power on the scout’s 2-8 chart. He led minor league baseball in strikeouts (195) this year, but he also hit 31 home runs and ended with 65 extra base hits. He has led his league in home runs each of the last three seasons. Walker is adequate in the outfield, with an arm for left field. The Twins third-round pick in 2012 out of Jacksonville University has done well in the Arizona Fall League as well, with five home runs.

#3 – RH RP JT Chargois

It may sound strange to say that a guy who didn’t pitch in 2013 and 2014 is a given to be added to the 4- man roster, but I believe he is. Why? He is capable and frequently hit 100 mph with his fastball. He was consistently at 98 and 99 mph. He was the Twins second round pick in 2012 out of Rice University where he was co-closer with Tyler Duffey. He pitched 16 innings in Elizabethton that year and then missed the next two years with elbow problems that culminated in Tommy John surgery. He’s not a finished project. He can throw more strikes and his slider, while a terrific pitch, can be inconsistent. Two big league pitches and he can be a dominant late-inning reliever, soon.

#4 – LHP Pat Dean

After a 2014 season in AA that he described as remarkably disappointing, Dean responded with a terrific 2015 season in Rochester. The lefty, who was the Twins third-round pick in 2010 out of Boston College. In 2015, he went 12-11 with a 2.82 over a minor league-leading 179 innings pitched. If he isn’t protected, there is a good chance that he is selected in the Rule 5 draft.

#5 – 2B Levi Michael

Michael was the Twins first-round pick in 2011 out of the University of North Carolina. His biggest issue through his professional career has been the injury bug. However, the last two years when he has been healthy, he has been good. In 2014 he played in just 65 games but he hit a combined .313/.389/.387 (.776). He spent 2015 in Chattanooga and played just 63 games. He hit .267/.369/.434 (.804) with 12 doubles, five triples and five home runs. Michael may not have any tools that jump out of the roof, but he is a solid player all around. He’s got good speed, puts together good at-bats, has doubles power, and plays solid defense. He is primarily a second baseman, but he could probably make a team as a 25^th man who can play all three infield positions. Still just 24, he is a guy who could stick with a big league team.

#6 – RHP Zack Jones

A year ago, Zack Jones was on path to be an easy add to the roster at this time. However, after being a Southern League All-Star following a strong first half in AA, he really struggled and ended his season back in Ft. Myers. However, that doesn’t negate his upside. It also doesn’t negate his upper-90s fastball. He also has a very good slider. However, he can struggle with control of each. There may be a team out there willing to give him an opportunity in some low-level situations throughout 2016. He was the Twins fourth-round pick in 2012.

#7 – RHP Felix Jorge

Jorge is just 22. He signed out of Venezuela in 2010. He struggled mightily in Cedar Rapids in 2014. He returned to the Kernels and was remarkably consistent all year. In fact, he completed six innings in 19 of his 22 starts and never went less than five innings. I think he’s a longer-shot to be added because he is still quite far from being big league ready.

#8 – LHP Corey Williams

Williams came back from Tommy John surgery in early June after having the surgery on April 1, 2014, and missing that season. He split his time between Fort Myers and Chattanooga and pitched well. He is definitely one to watch following a regular offseason. Left-handed. Throws hard. Stuff described as nasty. I feel like he should be higher up on this list.

The same might be said of another power lefty. Mason Melotakis had Tommy John surgery late in 2014 and will return to action in 2016. When healthy, his 97 mph fastball and three-pitch mix make him intriguing. However, he is behind Williams in the return schedule which makes him unlikely to be taken.

#9 – OF Travis Harrison

Twins supplemental first-round pick in 2011 (50^th overall) out of high school in California, Harrison has worked his way up one level at a time each year. To this point, his best tool has been his patience and approach at the plate. Still just 23, he has very good power potential despite not hitting home runs the last couple of years. Defensively, he is adequate in right field and has a strong arm. I think it might serve him best to get another half-season in Chattanooga, but there’s still enough upside and talent that a team might be willing to have him take up a roster spot.

#10 – RHP Yorman Landa

Signed by the Twins out of Venezuela in 2010, Landa has fought some shoulder injuries the last couple of seasons. When healthy, he is another guy who is capable of reaching into the upper-90s and has a good slider as well. Over time, he could develop into a late-inning power arm. However, having just finished a season in Cedar Rapids, he is likely too far away from the big leagues to be selected in the Rule 5.

OTHER ELIGIBLES:

RHP Jose Abreu, RHP Jason Adam, RHP Nick Anderson, RHP Luke Bard, RHP Omar Bencomo, OF Edgar Corcino, RHP DJ Baxendale, RHP Sam Gibbons, RHP Miguel Gonzalez, IF/OF Niko Goodrum, 1B/3B Bryan Haar, 1B Dalton Hicks, LHP David Hurlbut, RHP Cole Johnson, LHP Brett Lee, RHP Kuo-Hua Lo, IF Aderlin Mejia, RHP Alex Muren, C Carlos Paulino, RHP Greg Peavey, C Michael Quesada, RHP Dereck Rodriguez, C Jairo Rodriguez, OF/1B Reynaldo Rodriguez, LHP Randy Rosario, RHP Tim Shibuya, RHP Matt Summers, RHP Loek Van Mil, RHP Todd Van Steensel, IF/OF Logan Wade, LHP Jason Wheeler, IF/OF Stephen Wickens, RHP Alex Wimmers.