7/21/18

Twins Trade Activity and Rumors: 7/21

Since we are getting close to the deadline, I am keeping track with the various Twins trade rumors and activity to date.  I will add to this on a daily basis, when news appear.   Hypothetical trades and "good fits" are not in the list, only reports of actual interest by a particular team for a particular player.  Another thing not listed will be negations by Twins' officials that they are not shopping anyone.

Rumors:

The Red Sox, Phillies, and Braves have been scouting the Twins' series at Royals, presumably for players in both teams (7/20)

The Brewers are interested in Brian Dozier per Ken Rosenthal.  and "multiple reports" (7/19)



Activity:

The Twins have acquired OF Jeremy Hazelbaker from the Rays for cash and assigned him to AAA Rochester. (7/19)

Not a trade, but Twins' relievers Ryan Pressly and Trevor Hildenberger were engaged over the All-Star break  (7/19)

7/16/18

2018 Twins mid-season preliminary prospect list

Now that the 2018 draft signing deadline has passed and a substantial amount of international free agents signed for the Twins, it is time to update my 2018 mid-season prospect list.  As usual my  mid-season lists are preliminary, unlike the off-season lists, and they have minimal commentary and analysis.  Also, unlike other lists, players who made it to the majors have graduated from mine,  also players older than 25 are not included.     As a reminder, here is my off-season 2018 list:

The off-season top 60 list (2017 off-season in parenthesis) and ETA included.

1. Royce Lewis (--), SS/OF, 2020
2. Wander Javier (1), SS, 2020
3. Brusdar Graterol (13), RHP, 2020
4. Brent Rooker (--), 1B/LF, 2018
5. Fernardo Romero (4), RHP, 2018  - graduated
6. Rainis Silva (32), C, 2020 - traded
7. Blayne Enlow (--), RHP, 2020
8. Zack Littell  (--), RHP, 2018 - graduated
9. Stephen Gonsalves (6), LHP, 2018
10. Lewin Diaz (3), 1B, 2020
11. Akil Baddoo (24), OF, 2020
12. Tyler Jay (2), LHP, 2018
13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020
14. Luis Arraez (11), IF, 2019
15. Michael Montero (--), RHP, 2021
16. Nick Gordon (5), IF, 2018
17. Tyler Wells (54), RHP, 2020
18. Jose Miranda (--), IF, 2021
19. Jean Carlos Arias (36), CF, 2020
20. Jovani Moran (--), LHP, 2020
21. Lewis Thorpe (30), LHP, 2019
22. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018
23 Yunior Severino (--), IF, 2022
24. Chris Paul (--), UT, 2019
25. Landon Leach (--), RHP, 2021
26. Andrew Bechtold (--), 3B, 2020
27. Travis Blankenhorn (15), 3B/1B/OF, 2020
28. Charlie Barnes (--), LHP, 2020
29. Tyler Watson (--), RHP, 2020
30. David Banuelos (--), C, 2020
31. Ben Rortvedt (16), C, 2021
32. Kohl Stewart (17), RHP, 2018
33. Alberoni Nunez (--), OF, 2021
34. Derek Molina (--), RHP, 2021
35. Bryan Sammons (--) LHP, 2020
36. Bailey Ober (--), RHP, 2020
37. Pedro Garcia (45), RHP, 2021
38. Lachlan Wells (29), LHP, 2020
39. Wander Valdez, (--) 3B, 2021
40. Aaron Whitefield (59), OF, 2020
41. Ricky De La Torre (--) SS, 2021
42. Jake Reed (25) RHP, 2018
43. Jacob Pearson (--), OF, 2022
44. Yeltsin Encarnacion (--) IF, 2022
45. Ryley Widell (--) LHP, 2022
46. Andrew Vasquez (52), LHP, 2019
47. Tom Hackimer (--), RHP, 2019
48. Kerby Camacho (--), C, 2021 - released
49. Hector Lujan (--), RHP, 2020
50. Colton Burns (--), OF, 2021
51. Cody Stashak -(55), RHP, 2019
52. Jaylin Davis, (39), OF 2019
53. Alex Robles, (--), OF, 2022
54. Ruben Santana, (--), IF, 2022
55. Carlos Suniaga, (--), RHP, 2022
56. Sandy Lugo, (--), RHP, 2020
57. Nelson Molina, (47), IF, 2020
58. Ben Rodriguez (--), C/1B, 2022
59. Carson Crites (--), 2B, 2022 - released
60. Jesus Toledo (--), LHP, 2022

Here is my mid-season 2018 list (2018 off-season ranking in parenthesis, followed by ETA) :

1. Brusdar Graterol (3), RHP, 2019
2. Royce Lewis (1), SS/OF, 2020

Same age, played at the same level.  Could have gone either way.  Graterol has ace stuff and his performance at the same team as a pitcher was a bit more impressive than Lewis's as a hitter thus this switch.  17 errors at SS in half a season for Lewis, also a concern. Might not remain the same this off-season.  These two are very close.

3. Wander Javier (2), SS, 2020

Taking a mulligan for surgery in non-throwing, non-hitting shoulder.  Still a true 5 tool player.

4. Brent Rooker (4), 1B/LF, 2018

Heir apparent to Joe Mauer, even as early as this September

5. Trevor Larnach (--), OF, 2020
6. Alex Kirilloff (13) OF, 2020

 Huge jump because he delivered with the stick - fielding still an issue.  Larnach similar player, but better defensively and more of a pure hitter, thus the ranking

7. Luis Arraez (14), IF, 2019

 Could be the heir apparent to Brian Dozier starting in 2019.  Purest hitter in the organization, glove will play fine in the least challenging position in the diamond.

8. Misael Urbina (--) OF, 2023

True five tool talent, he can fly through these rankings if he responds as a pro.  Still 16.

9. Nick Gordon (16), IF, 2018

 Ranking before his injury.  Second half disappearances every season signal endurance/conditioning concern. 150 lb frame does not help

10. DaShawn Keirsey (--) OF, 2022

5 tool player looks a lot like Joe Benson from here.

11. Tyler Wells (17), RHP, 2020

 The most consistent Twins' pitcher for the last two seasons; surprised he has not gained much momentum.

12. Blayne Enlow (7), RHP, 2021
13. Yunior Severino (23), IF, 2022
14. Akil Baddoo (11), OF, 2020
15. Ryan Jeffers (--), C, 2020

If he stays at catcher can be a tremendous asset for the Twins.  60+ power and 50+ contact already.

16. Michael Montero (15), RHP, 2021
17. Stephen Gonsalves (9), LHP, 2018

Disappointing season, esp. since his weakness (quality and command and control of the fastball) became even worse this season.  Still helium in the national lists; sell high candidate.

18. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018
19. Tyler Jay (12), LHP, 2018
20. Jovani Moran (20), LHP, 2019
21. Lewin Diaz (10), 1B, 2020
22. Travis Blankenhorn (27), 3B/1B/OF, 2020

 Tremendous start, not so hot when the temps rose...

23. Lewis Thorpe (21), LHP, 2019

 Might need another season to shake the spider webs.  Pre-injury FB was at 95-97 at close to 70; now down to 92-93 and about 50-55

24. Yeltsin Encarnacion (44) IF, 2022
25. Victor Herredia (--) C/1B, 2023
26. Charlie Barnes (28), LHP, 2020
27. Andrew Vasquez (46), LHP, 2019
28. Jean Carlos Arias (19), CF, 2020
29. Zander Wiel (--), 1B/OF, 2018

Should receive consideration for minor league player of the year honors for the Twins

30. Jimmy Kerrigan (--), OF, 2018
31. Jeferson Morales (--), C, 2023
32. Taylor Grzelakowski (--) C, 2020
33. Jim Caceres (--) SS, 2023
34. Ben Rortvedt (31), C, 2021

Still not much of progress as a hitter, small for a catcher, arm exposed at Fort Myers.

35. Cole Sands (--), RHP, 2021
36. Jordan Balazovic (--), RHP, 2021
37. Landon Leach (25), RHP, 2021
38. Bryan Sammons (35) LHP, 2020
39. Ricky De La Torre (41) SS, 2021
40. Ruben Santana, (54), IF, 2022
41. Charles Mack (--) SS, 2023
42. Andrew Bechtold (26), 3B, 2021

Along with David Banuelos and Jose Miranda, the biggest drops as far as position players go

43. Wander Valdez, (39) 3B, 2021
44. Nomar Urdanetta (--) SS, 2023
45. David Banuelos (30), C, 2021
46. Jacob Pearson (43), OF, 2022
47. Jose Miranda (18), IF, 2021
48. Cody Stashak (51), RHP, 2019
49. Josh Winder (--), RHP, 2021
50. Jake Reed (42) RHP, 2018
51. Alberoni Nunez (33), OF, 2021
52. Pedro Garcia (37), RHP, 2021
53. Mark Contreras (--), OF, 2020
54. Jaylin Davis, (52), OF 2019
55. Lachlan Wells (38), LHP, 2020
56. Carlos Suniaga, (55), RHP, 2022
57. Chris Williams (--) 1B, 2021
58. Griffin Jax (--) RHP, 2020

First time he has been included in my lists; full time pro now with no Air Force responsibilities.  Still lots of work to do.

59. Bailey Ober (36), RHP, 2020
60. Trevor Casanova (--) C, 2021
 - - -

Dropped:

Chris Paul (24), UT, 2019
Tyler Watson (29), RHP, 2020
Kohl Stewart (32), RHP, 2018
Derek Molina (34), RHP, 2021
Aaron Whitefield (40), OF, 2020
Ryley Widell (45) LHP, 2022
Tom Hackimer (47), RHP, 2019
Hector Lujan (49), RHP, 2020
Colton Burns (50), OF, 2021
Alex Robles, (53), OF, 2022
Sandy Lugo, (56), RHP, 2020
Nelson Molina, (57), IF, 2020
Ben Rodriguez (58), C/1B, 2022
Jesus Toledo (60), LHP, 2022