Twins Minor League Report (4/29): Field Has Field Day With Bat Against Bats

Yeah Stewart could swap with a guy or two in Cedar Rapids at this point.

Stewart sure is an interesting case.

Let's just hope people in high place don't turn this into the false "this why you shouldn't take Greene #1."

It just has to be thought about like this: 1). If Kohl had gone to college first he wouldn't be a different pitcher. 2). If Steven Strasburg had been selected 1 out of HS he wouldn't be a different pitcher.

In other words: it's not the timing of the player's selection that determines the outcome. Turning it into that, and saying, "No HS RH drafted in the top 10 has ever suceeded, etc etc," and apying that to Greene is ridiculous. It's more coincidence (after all, Roger Clemens, Max Scherzer, Instert any great RH pitcher, were a HS pitcher at one time.....and still would've been so if selected #1-10 overall out of HS).

Stewart sure is an interesting case.

Let's just hope people in high place don't turn this into the false "this why you shouldn't take Greene #1."

It just has to be thought about like this: 1). If Kohl had gone to college first he wouldn't be a different pitcher. 2). If Steven Strasburg had been selected 1 out of HS he wouldn't be a different pitcher.

In other words: it's not the timing of the player's selection that determines the outcome. Turning it into that, and saying, "No HS RH drafted in the top 10 has ever suceeded, etc etc," and apying that to Greene is ridiculous. It's more coincidence (after all, Roger Clemens, Max Scherzer, Instert any great RH pitcher, were a HS pitcher at one time.....and still would've been so if selected #1-10 overall out of HS).

That is an argument that needs to be preceeded by "in my humble opinion" because there is absolutely no way to prove (or disprove) either premise.

I'm curious if the front office has Aaron Slegers in their plans at all. He's 24 basically the whole season (turns 25 September 2) and in AAA. We hear a lot about Gonsalves, Berrios, Stewart, etc but not much about him and he has been solid the last two seasons while climbing the ladder and was the pitcher of the year in the Big Ten.

I'm curious if the front office has Aaron Slegers in their plans at all. He's 24 basically the whole season (turns 25 September 2) and in AAA. We hear a lot about Gonsalves, Berrios, Stewart, etc but not much about him and he has been solid the last two seasons while climbing the ladder and was the pitcher of the year in the Big Ten.

I've had him in my mind as well. Really, he's been promoted pretty quickly and seems to be doing well, all things considered. Still showing inconsistencies, which you'd expect for a young pitcher, especially hitting AAA for the first time. Seems to me he generally has good control, and while he doesn't have the velocity you might expect for such a big guy, I believe reports I've read indicate his length and delivery help hide the ball and play

his FB up. I'm honestly thinking we may have to add him to the Berrios, Mejia, Gonsalves, Romero and Jorge list of young SP we have hopes for.

Interesting that Goodrum is listed as a 3B on his milb page but has been mostly playing SS and CF. Hes slumped a bit lately, but is still holding his own mostly and contributing.

Granite and Garber both doing well! Glad to see Granite ready to play! I know we're a mostly young and still rebuilding team, but it's nice to see the AAAA guys at Rochester doing well. Makes you feel comfortable that there's a couple guys who could come up for a week or so if necessary and not embarrass themselves.

Just have to believe Burdi and Melotakis are close to a Rochester promotion.

I can not fathom anyone being added to the 40 man with performances anywhere close to Stewart's. Unless there's a massive 180, that would be a horrible decision and a slap in the face to non bonus baby players who deserve it. Just my 1.66 cents

I'll be interested to see how Gonsalves did after last year and now, a subsequent injury. Will he bounce back? now, with Berrios and Mejia clearly better than their triple A counterparts, and the next in line, but the rotation here to date proving themselves capable, I feel more of intrigued in his development rather than anxious and in desperate need for hope. 

After a month of play, here are my top 15 Twins prospects:

1. Nick Gordon: Has raked at AA. Only 21.

2. Fernando Romero: Promoted aggressively to AA, has held his own, especially in last two starts.

3. Mitch Garver: Raking at AAA, and everyone talking about his improved defense. Very exciting.

4. Alex Kirillof: Tommy John creates risk/delay, but not as much as it would for a pitcher.

5. Stephen Gonsalves: Still a lot of promise, but repeated shoulder problems very very worrying.

6. Adalberto Mejia: Looks great at AAA and has the stuff for majors, just needs to refine command & efficiency.

7. Wander Javier: Reports from extended spring training are glowing.

8. Lamonte Wade: Fantastic plate discipline/zone control at AA as 23 yo, and BABIP still low. If power improves a little he's a potential starting corner OF.

9. Tyler Jay: Obviously, move to bullpen hurts his stock.

10. Engelb Vielma: has been showing more of a bat at AA, only 22.

11. Mason Melotakis: Killing it in the bullpen. Lefty.

12. Nick Burdi: Killing it in the bullpen at AA, finally seems healthy.

13. Travis Blankenhorn: Has shown power at A-, but K/BB not great.

14. Zach Grantie: Injury problems, but floor of 4th/5th OF/PR.

15. Daniel Palka: Most are higher on him, but although K% is down, want to see him sustain it for longer.

Honorable Mention: Nik Turley (Can a 27 yo be a prospect!?!). Clearly doing something right, given #s.

Jermaine Palacios?