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Biggest selling point to sign today versus waiting three years is that tax rate on big bucks is probably going up. Will still take a couple weeks for him to develop residency inFlorida. That saves another couple hundred thousand in taxes.

Great game by Javier. Add a big home run by Urbina and two top prospects had big days.

Like you, Matt, watched the Wind Surge last night, well at least as long as Balazovic was pitching. Want to thank Tom for that video. If you haven't watched it, watch the first hitter. After a long at bat he hits a dribbler between Balazovic and first base. Balazovic fields it and rather than toss to first runs there for the put out. Well, if he is gonna run there he should keep running and not slow down so the batter beats it out for a single. Doubt he will ever do that again. The other concern I had was that there were too many 3-ball counts, can't believe he didn't walk anybody, His second hit allowed was a blooper to right that I thought Cabbage should have gotten to. Expect he was concerned about a collision with the second baseman, but if he runs hard he could have gotten it...at least in my opinion. What impressed me most with his outing was that several of the hits were to the lead off hitter in the inning, which he followed with an important strike out. After back to back games with home runs, Javier had a solid night last night. One for three with a sac fly and walk is a solid night after a couple big games. Keep it up young man, the Twins need you for much of the rest of this decade. And who is this German guy? Seems to be doing one heck of a job for the Fort Myers team. Unfortunately, if he was signed as a 16 year old he will be eligible for the Rule 5 draft this year, right? Even as good as he has been doing, can't imagine his being added to the 40-man. Hopefully, someone doesn't take a flyer on a guy at low-A, hopefully. It seems like every Fort Myers game is low scoring, what a job by their pitching staff. I expect they have allowed fewer runs than any other Twins full-season team, expect a lot less. See that our newest Rosario got another hit. But this Pena guy was 3-4 and is now hitting .556...with only a couple handful of at bats.

Thanks, Andrew. I already know what I need to know regarding the Twins draft. Their first two selections today will be a player with a big bat, lots of strikeouts and questionable defense. The other will be a high school player with lots of tools who most of baseball believe was selected too high. Neither will help the Twins in 2022, 2023, 2024 or 2025. And for those of you who disagree, I hope like heck you are right and I am proven wrong. And those of you who remember what I have written for the past 15 or 20 years, I have often been accused of being to optimistic!

When Javier hit his walk-off home run the other night, was hopeful that would be the start of another hot streak. One day later with two hits last night, including another four bagger, maybe it is. Hopefully, he wasn't injured when HBP after a big night...hate that. Who is Alexander Pena? I see he was signed at the beginning of the International signing period in 2018 and played in the DSL in 2019. Although early, see he is hitting .400. Was he one of their big signings that year? Is this kid a potential top prospect we should be watching? Will be watching Wichita tonight with Balazovic on the mound. Seems I don't recognize most of the starting pitchers for the Saints the way the Twins have been signing a minor league guy seemingly every day. And who is this Astudillo guy playing for the Saints? Seems like he gets a couple hits nearly every day. Twins may have to make a spot for him on their roster before the season is over.

The only two I would have an interest seeing drop to the Twins are the two Vandy pitchers. And that ain't gonna happen. The rest are all HS or college bats and the Twins need pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Maybe those in the Twins FO should remember Tom Kelly's old belief, "you are only as good as your next day's starting pitcher."

I pray that all of their hints at what they will be doing are out there to mislead others and they go out and draft a couple college pitchers. Could they be so fortunate to have one turn out to be the next Chris Sale? Didn't he make it to the Sox within a year or so of being drafted?

I was sick to my stomach when I read the comment about taking college bats because they won't be available later. Look at what that has got them, lots of big powerful bats that strike out a lot with a home run once in awhile. Meanwhile, their pitching is a disaster. Come on guys, draft college pitchers with both of those Day 1 picks, two guys that can be playing for them in two or three years. Other clubs do it, why won't the Twins? As for the list above, Jamie, the only guy I want them to take is Williams. They need pitching, and they need it now. Taking another big bat or high school players sure doesn't help get them back in the hunt while some of us are still around to enjoy it.

Thanks for that video, Tom. One heck of an at bat. And this kid has such a beautiful swing. He's got to take that last step, and when he does look out!

Thanks for the report, Ted. Another great day at the plate for Rosario. Long way to go before he is close to MLB, but the kid is sure off to a great start. Also great seeing Mack and Garry, Jr. with big games. Ton of talent and potential, but both are so very raw. Love seeing Javier with a big walk-off hit. Maybe that will be the start of another hot streak to get his numbers and confidence up. Miranda sure should be getting the Twins attention hitting this well at AAA. Also great seeing La Tortuga smashing the ball all over CHS Field. Great guy to have in the organization! Sure seems like Moran is the Rodney Dangerfield of the Twins organization. He has to get promoted so he has some AAA experience if they have any intention of bringing him up some time after the trade deadline...and soon. What does this kid need to do to get some R-E-S-P-E-C-T?

Will agree with the above comment, hurt my eyes reading this, Tom. Most of the loss comes from trading Pressley and Lynn. Just don't understand how Lynn could be so good since leaving Target Field after being worthless while here? And on the flip side, so much of what they received still isn't ready to provide value. Duran, Celestino, Alcala, De La Trinidad all could return enough value to offset the difference. Will they? Who knows, probably not. But what your report does point out is that when trading guys maybe they should try to get something back that can contribute value a hell of a lot sooner than three, four years in the future. Heck these trades were three and four years ago and we are still waiting for the return. Gonna have to be different this month if they want to compete in 2022 and fill any seats with paying customers, or even 2023.

Was watching the Saints game and found myself holding my breath when Winder got hit with that line drive. Never showed a replay, but looked to be his neck although the trainer was checking the side of his face. Hopefully, he is back on Tuesday. You indicated that Minaya pitched two scoreless innings. He didn't have an earned run, but did allow the runner to score who was on first with the hit that went off Winder's head. Was surprised to see Rhodery Diaz was released. If memory serves, he put up better numbers two years ago than Urbina while both 17 year olds in the DSL. Any information on why he was let go? Great seeing Urbina with another two hit game. Wasn't able to check on Javier as your link to the Kernels game went to Tuesday's game, not last night. Thanks for the report, have a great day. [Edit: Just went to MiLB and checked the Kernels box score. Javier was 0-2, but had a walk and was HBP with one run scored.]

I love the core the Twins have, Polanco, Sano, Kepler, Buxton, Berrios. With that said, I don't understand what went wrong. Weren't they as good as we thought as they came up thru the system? Or are they merely having off years? Or did they not get the right coaching to get them to their respective ceilings? Whatever, it ain't working. Can't see them trading all of the core, nor should they. Expect trading any will depend on what they can get in return. Someone blows them away with an offer they are gonna have to think long and hard about saying 'deal.' Coming into this year most of us thought the Twins were set to compete. Maybe not win it all, but certainly would be back in the playoffs. Honestly, I don't understand what went wrong, although their record with Buxton on the IL remains terrible while they were winning the last time he was back. Only problem he was only back for what, four games? I expect and hope the front office believes they have what it takes to get this team back to being competitive in 2022. Sure gonna be interesting seeing how they go about it. Was going to say fun instead of interesting, but nothing about this team has been fun of late. No way do I want to speculate who gets traded and to where for what. Just want to see them making several good deals that puts the team in better shape to compete in 2022 and beyond. Then hope like hell that this team has a little fire in their guts and several of that core plays like we expected in 2022, preferably with a new coaching staff who works on the fundamentals needed to play the game the right way.

Love these pieces on some of the players we read about in a box score but don't know anything about. Sure seems like another top notch young man. Hopefully, his journey will lead him all the way to his ultimate goal. Always curious also about who he is personally. Is he married? Has he started his family? If so, how do they handle his spending four months in Northeast Iowa?

Interesting, Lucas. Like this with the tiers also. Would disagree with having Julien and Urbina in Tier-C, which is identified as 'low ceiling.' Expect Julien and Urbina's ceilings are high. Considering Urbina played only in the DSL as a 17 year old prior to beginning this season in A-ball, expect his ceiling is very high.

Didn't know how to respond to your comment, Taildragger. Liked the work you put in to put his season into context. But the results for the year-to-date are sad, which is what I went with. Love the talent this kid has and really want him to succeed. With that said, hopefully, he has another 15 game streak in him and it starts by the end of the week. Key will be for him to continue making progress as the year winds down. Don't see how the Twins can protect him this winter, so he will likely be at risk again.

The first thing I noticed today is disappointment. Checked the Kernels box score and saw that Javier was 0-5 with four K's. Yes, is only one game, but he needs to get back on another hot streak and soon. Really don't know what to think of Whitefield. Seems his bat is frequently mentioned in these write-ups. And all indications are that his defense is first rate and we know about his speed (he has played stellar D in the games I have seen). Does this kid have a future in the big leagues? With the Twins? Similar thoughts about Bechtold who Dman talks about above. I recall he was considered a plus defender when drafted however long ago. Has that been the case, is he? Don't remember, but think it was 2018 when he didn't hit well enough to be considered much of a prospect. If memory serves, 2019 was better and he is following that up with a decent year this year. But will he hit enough to make it to the show? And if he does, stay? I guess the reason they play the games is to give these young men time to make that decision on the field. Looking forward to watching the Saints tonight with Winder on the hill.

Is great seeing three pitchers among your Top 5, especially after several years of almost no pitching this high in your rankings. The bad side of the news, however, is #1, out injured, #2, out injured, #3, late start to his season because of an injury, #4, out injured. Personally, I believe what he is accomplishing on the field puts Winder into the discussion to be included in this group. Maybe part of that is that he is pitching every fifth day and most of the above are doing rehab. The fact is, however, that he is pitching as well as any pitcher in all of minor league baseball. Doesn't that count for anything any more? Am I happy with the status of the Twins organization and their top players? No way. Would I be happy if all these guys were out there playing? Probably, assuming they were all playing at or near their best abilities, which we know ain't gonna happen.

Thanks, Seth. What does Winder have to do to be the Twins Pitcher of the Week?

Will second Dman’s comment that Winder is too low at #8. Maybe it is due to how bad the pitching is on the Twins, but the best pitcher in his AA division should be our #1 pitching prospect...at least in my opinion. So if Lewis is #1, I have Winder #2. As for all these big power bats that strike out all the time and either can’t, or shouldn’t play defense, I would have them much lower. That includes Rooker, Wallner, and Sabato.

Agree that Moran merits getting to Target Field before the season is over. Isn’t there some crazy rule this year that a player cannot be called up directly from AA or lower, rather they must pass thru AAA.

The truth really hurts, Nick, when writing about the 2021 Twins.

I hate all these bloody injuries. I believe Enrow has to be added to the 40-man this year, correct? Will there be room? Assume he is gone if not added, assuming there is a Rule 5 draft with the CBA expiring? Interesting seeing the results for both Ober and Jax. Have been lots of pitchers who put up similar results their first year or two and then go on to have very good careers. As much as we want to see the Twins pitching problems fixed, now, it is a process that is going to take time and guys like Jax and Ober taking their regular turns is part of that process.

Great seeing Julien continue his outstanding play one level higher. Although saw his On base average is down to only .444. Also great seeing Urbina with more games like yesterday. Seems to be adapting to the jump from DSL to A ball. Thanks for the holiday report.

Very interesting, Seth. If my California math is correct, four of these nine are in Fort Myers. Must have one heck of a bullpen, probably why most of there games are low scoring. Correct me if I am wrong, but all four of your top guys are Rule 5 eligible this December. That raises an interesting question. If the CBA expires at the end of the World Series, will there be a Rule 5 draft?