2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 11-15

Today is the sixth installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown, and the descriptions of the player and rationalization of their rankings continue to a bit more detailed.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35 , 26-30 , 21-25 and 16-20.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.   This list has 3 prospects that were not featured in my top 40 lists before:

15. Max Kepler OF/1B (12) LHB,  DOB: 2/10/1993, 6'4", 205 lbs

Kepler does not need much introduction, since he has been a top prospect after  was singed by the Twins as an amateur free agent from Germany in 2009 for an $800,000 bonus, the highest ever for a European baseball player. What was different this season than the rest was the addition of 25 lbs to his 6'4" frame as a 21 year old.  He played the whole season at Fort Myers and played in 102 games (407 PAs) which were about twice as many as he previously did in a season.   Furthermore, he played in an additional 18 games (72 PAs) in the Arizona Fall League.  At Fort Myers he hit .264/.333/.393 and at AFL he improved to .307/.366/.440. 

Kepler has been touted as a five tool prospect since he signed with the Twins; however he has not quite reached his potential and there are some concerns in his game:   He tends to be neutralized by LHPs (.273/.301/.390 with 26:3 K:BB ratio in 80 PAs this season vs. .263/.344/.396 with 36:31 K:BB in 316 PAs against RHPs.)  With the major difference is the strikeouts (33.8% against LHPs vs 12.6% against RHPs) and his walks.  He has problems seeing the ball from LHPs and this might be a fatal flaw that could turn him into a platoon player.  Overall his power has decreased as he developed, despite the muscle gain, his IsoP going from .241 in 2012 in Elizabethton, .186 in 2013 in Cedar Rapids (and .078 in the AFL) to .129 last season in Fort Myers and .133 in the AFL.  Thirdly, he is a man with no position with a bat that does not play for a DH.  In 2014 he started most of his games at CF, 61, a position he clearly does not have the range to handle (based, in addition to seeing him take bad jumps or being tentative and waiting for the corners to catch the ball, on 125 POs in these 61 games, compared to the 80 POs in 28 games that Buxton had in the same league.)  He played 18 games at RF, 8 at LF and 12 at 1B, but the starters for the Miracle at those positions were Walker, Harrison and DJ Hicks.   There might be a numbers game going against Kepler in the organization, with at least 4 corner OF and/or 1B prospects ahead of him in this list, and this does not count players already in the majors.   Kepler will likely start in Chattanooga in 2015, and likely playing first base mostly, with the premise that the starting Chattanooga OF will be (L to R) Harrison, Buxton, Walker and DJ Hicks will be their full time DH.   Kepler does have the potential, but he has to realize it soon.  2015 will be a critical year for him and his development, otherwise he could be a trading chip for the Twins, since he is occupying a valuable 40-man roster spot.


14. Travis Harrison OF/3B (16) RHB, DOB: 10/17/1992, 6'1", 215 lbs.

Travis Harrison was the second Twins 1st round pick (after Michael) in the 2011 draft from Tustin High School (CA.)  Harrison is a lot like Max Kepler (and Adam Walker) in the respect that they have not yet realized their potential.  Harrison, Kepler and Walker have been ranked 13th, 16th and 17th in the 2014 off-season list, 16th, 12th and 13th in the 2014 mid-season list and now are ranked 14th, 15th and 21st.  For Harrison and Kepler (primarily, Walker is a year older,) it might just be age, because both of them have been one and a half year younger than league average.  They do have time and cannot be considered yet as busts.  This is what I wrote about Harrison in the 2014 off-season prospect list :

Power has been touted as Harrison's best tool, and there have been flashes of it, and his IsoPs have been around .160, which is okay for a 20 year old in pro ball, but has to increase as he grows.  Harrison has some trouble with breaking balls, especially of the in-the-dirt variety, and that is reflected by his consistent so far about a strikeout a game rate.  He has to improve his pitch recognition and contact to go to the next level.  Position-wise he has played almost exclusively at 3B (just a single game at LF finishing the game) but he will be squeezed from Sano ahead of him and potentially Minier behind him who are both better fielders.   Moving across the diamond or at an OF might be an option, but he needs some reps at those spots soon, and first base might be spoken for for a while.

Harrison took a step back in the power department in 2014 hitting .269/.361/.365 at Fort Myers compared to .253/.366/.416 at Cedar Rapids.  Like Kepler he is tentative at LF (but it is his first full year in the position,) but unlike Kelper (and thus the ranking a step ahead) he does not have a fatal flaw against same side pitching. His 2014 splits against RHPs were .272/.359/.376 with 62:46 BB:K in 392 PAs and against LHP .255/.362/.327 with 24:17 K:BB in 127 PAs.  Another thing that sets him slightly ahead of Kepler at this point is his durability, playing in 129 games in each of the past 2 seasons vs. Kepler's 102 in 2014 and 61 in 2013.  Still, like Kepler, he has a lot of development to do.  Will likely start 2015 as Chattanooga's starting leftfielder.  Third base is not an option anymore; he made 7 errors in the 15 games he played there in 2014.


13. Stephen Gonsalves LHP (20) LHSP, DOB: 7/8/1994, 6'5", 190 lbs.

Stephen Gonsalves was drafted by the Twins in the fourth round of the 2013 draft from the Cathedral Catholic High School (CA).  I think that I surprised everyone (including himself) by ranking him as the Twins' 10th best prospect and the best LHP in the 2014 off-season rankings  based on him dominating both Rookie Leagues at an age  2.5 years younger than their average, with a 32.1% K% in the GCL and 38.1% K% in Elizabethton.  However his ranking dropped to 20 overall in the 2014 mid-season list  based on what I saw from him during Spring Training, which was being very tentative and lacking command.  In 2014 he started 6 games in Elizabethton (29 IP, 26 K, 10 BB, 1.138 WHIP and 2.79 ERA) and was promoted to the Cedar Rapids rotation, where, at a full 3 years younger than the league, he started 8 games for 36.7 IP, struck out 44 and walked 11.  His WHIP was 1.145 (with a .326 BABIP,) ERA 3.19 and FIP 2.50.  His K% in the Midwest League was 29.8%. 

Gonsalves and Thorpe are very close in the race for the top Lefty prospect in the organization, but at this point the 19 year old Australian has a sight edge over the 20 year old Californian based on stuff and age.  Gonsalves came in the organization with a high 80s low 90s fastball with good action, a mid 70s change up, which was his best pitch, a slow curve and a slider, both of which were works in progress.  Now his fastball moved up a few ticks to low to mid 90s retaining the good downward movement, making it at least above average to plus, his changeup is fully plus and he dropped both breaking balls for a better slurvy sharp breaking curve, which still needs work.  Very tall and lanky, he is the post boy of "projectibility".  The command stil needs a bit of work, but he is young.  Will likely repeat Cedar Rapids to start 2015, but he might be pushed to Fort Myers depending on the recovery from TJ surgery of other pitchers who would also need a home.

12.  Nick Gordon SS (8) LHB, DOB: 10/24/1995, 6'0", 160 lbs.

The Twins drafted Nick Gordon in the first round of the 2014 draft (5th overall) from Olympia High School (FL).  Mainly because he is the son of Flash Gordon and the brother of Dee Gordon (of Dodgers' and Marlins' fame and a career .272/.314/.345 MLB slashline and 86 OPS+,) he was propelled very high in all Twins' prospect rankings after the draft, all the way up to the 6th spot in the 2014 Baseball America list.    I would have to see more that his .294/.333/.366 line in Elizabethton (which, btw, was worse than his brother of 86 career OPS+ first pro slash line of .331/.371/.430) to think of him as a top 10 prospect in this organization.  Also his 11:45 BB:K in 256 PAs is somewhat worrisome for a non-power hitter.  Why 12th instead of 20th then?  He does have a nice compact swing with doubles power and makes good contact.  He does have good speed, but nothing close to his brother and he does have good hands and good range as an infielder.  I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt at this point and want to see more to determine whether he is more like Levi Michael or like Byron Buxton.  Also he was 2.2 years younger than the Appalachian League average.

If shortstop does not work for Nick, he has a low to mid 90s fastball and a curveball allegedly close to wickedness to his father's, so that might be an option for the Twins down the road, if the bat does not work out.  For 2015 I think that the Twins (unless they saw something to hold him for EST) will have him start as the starting SS in Cedar Rapids, where he will be around 3 years too young for the league.  Time will tell whether Gordon becomes and elite prospect, but right now, in my opinion, he is not.  

11. Lewis Thorpe LHP (15) LHSP, DOB: 11/23/1995, 6'1", 160 lbs.
Thorpe was signed on July of 2012 by the Twins to the largest bonus ever given for an Australian player, $500,000.  He played his first professional season in the GCL in 2013, pitching 44 innings, striking out 64 and walking just 6 for a 2.05 ERA (1.43 FIP) and 0.86 WHIP, despite a .319 BABIP  His 38% K% and 10.7 K/BB were just phenomenal and (with the addition of about 5 mph to his fastball) propelled him really high on Twins' prospect lists, including 7th in the Twins 2014 list by Baseball America .   Thorpe was ranked 18th best prospect a year ago in my list, then moved up 3 spots to number 15 mid-season and he is now up to 11.  This might seem contradictory to his performance in Cedar Rapids this summer (71.2 IP, 80 K, 36 BB, 1.367 WHIP, 3.52 ERA, 4.24 FIP) until someone realizes that he was a full 4 years younger than the league average. In addion, he went to Cedar Rapids from EST, to fill in for the starting pitcher injuries there and was rushed.  Furthermore, to UCL bug hit him as well and was diagnosed with a "strained UCL" that did not require surgery.  I discussed a bit in the Gonsalves entry why Thorpe is my top ranked lefty prospect in the organization.  I think that he young enough so, even if he requires surgery, it will not be a huge set back. 

Thorpe has four pitches:  A plus fastball with a lot of lateral movement that sits at 92-95 mph, a plus changeup and a curve and slider, which both are works in progress.  His elbow will dictate where Thorpe will start in 2015, but if all (including the temperature) checks out, he will likely return to Cedar Rapids' rotation.

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 16-20

Today is the fifth installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown, getting into the top 20 so the descriptions of the player and their rankings are a bit more detailes.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35 , 26-30 and 21-25.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.   This list has 3 prospects that were not featured in my top 40 lists before:


20. Engelb Vielma SS (21) SHB, DOB: 6/22/1994, 5'11", 155 lbs

Vielma was signed by the Twins as a 17 year old International Free Agent from Venezuela.  Before last season he played professional baseball for 2 seasons, starting in the DSL at 2012 and moving to the GCL and Elizabethton in 2013.  Once he moved to the States, he captured the eye of the scouts with his ability on the field, with some of them proclaiming him a top 10 Twins' prospect.  As usually, I do not buy into hype, unless I see someone play or results of play and his combined .234/.318/.253 in the Twins' Rookie League teams in 2013, left me enough lukewarm feeling about him to be included in my top 2014 off-season list.   I had the opportunity to have a good look at Vielma last Spring Training and wrote the following :

Engelb Vielma.  This is the single one most unknown superstar in the making in the Twins' organization.  He turned two unassisted double plays (one a line out/throw out the other a step on second throw at first) today and he made them seem so easy.  Like it is an everyday kind of thing.  Looks like his contact tool is getting better.  He has crazy nutty speed and as a cutoff guy, he almost threw a guy out at third on a easy triple. Very strong arm.  And he has room to grow.  I think that he will move into second in my SS rankings after 6th overall ranked Jorge Polanco.  

Indeed, he would have been second in my SS rankings in my 2014 mid-season list , had the Twins not drafted a SS on the first round of the 2014 draft.   Vielma moved to Cedar Rapids this season and hit .266/.313/.323 in 112 games, while continuing his solid SS play.  At first, that slash line seems a bit disappointing; however subtracting a record cold Midwest April when he hit .187/.247/.227, he hit .283/.326/.391 for the season, very respectable for a player who is a year and a half younger than the league.  Furthermore, this included his .231/.268/.282 July when he was shaking out a concussion.   

How good is Vielma with the glove?  I will let the numbers speak for themselves and the number I would like to use as a criterion of a good SS is the percentage of Put Outs that were double plays.  Omar Visquel, the perennial AL gold glove winner, had a 40% of his Put Outs being double plays, in average of his gold glove years 1994-2001.  Last season for Vielma 39.6% of Put Outs were Double Plays.  In other words, four out of ten outs were in double plays.  I know that defensive metrics like RZR, RangeF, UZR etc are not believable by some people, because it involves a lot of math, but % POs that were double plays, is a very tangible concept.  For comparison's purpose, here are these numbers for the 2014 Twins with more than 50 POs: Escobar 49/130, 37.7%  and Santana 15/53, 28.3% - (Santana's MiLB career numbers are 209/622, 33.6%). Vielma will likely begin 2015 in Fort Myers as a 22 year old.  If he continues to improve with the bat, he will fly through the Twins' system, but do not expect any power numbers, other than doubles and triples from him.


19. Jorge Fernandez C (--) SHB, DOB: 3/30/1994, 6'3", 188 lbs.

Fernandez was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 7th round of the 2012  Draft from International Baseball Academy in Puerto Rico.  In 2012 and 2013 seasons he played in the GCL, where he put lack luster numbers with the bat (.263/.288/.293 and .236/.276/.398 respectively) as a younger than the league player.  In 2014 he moved up to Elizabethton at a league average age and had a breakthrough season hitting .321/.361/.440 to produce the second highest OPS for a Catcher in the Twins' organization (Hint: read on to find out who had the highest).  Was that enought to propel him in the top 20 of the Twins' prospect rankings?  No. Fernandez is an interesting prospect.  He has very good approach and mechanics at the plate and as a switch hitter, he is lethal against RHP (.341/.367/.462 as a LHB vs .222/.333/.333 as a RHB.)

The Twins might see him as a 1B/OF because of his tall, slender build, but he has made improvements as a Catcher and I think that he can stick at the position.  Biggest problems right now with the glove are a. his ability to block passed balls, but this will come with time, and b. his ability to throw out runners, which I think it is more of a learning than arm strength issue and this is also something that he can develop into.   I foresee at least Pinto-like numbers with the bat from the Left side, as he fills in, with a better glove than Pinto, as his catching insticts develop, as long as the Twins allow him to be a Catcher.  That's the reason he is in my Twins' top 20 prospects list.

18. Chih-Wei Hu RHP (--) RHSP, DOB: 11/4/1993, 6'1", 209 lbs.

Chih-Wei Hu was singed from Taiwan by Twins for $220,000 in 2012.  Last season he played for the Gulf League Twins, sometimes starting, sometimes relieving, pitching 36.7 innings, striking out 39 and walking 8. (0.982 WHIP, 2.45 ERA, 1.99 FIP.)  As a young pitcher in Taiwan he had the opportunity to represent his country in International Tournaments and was more polished that hitters his age who were touching wooden bats for the firs time, so, even though impressive, his 2013 numbers had a huge grain of salt attached them.  However his season he started in Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids and both his numbers and stuff improved.  He always had 4 pitches:  Fastball (low 90s), Curve and 2 changes (one a slow palmball).

This season, his fastball improved both in velocity (up to mid 90s) and movement and has been commanding his off-speed stuff better.  In 71 IP between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids, the 20 year old had 64 Ks and 15 BBs, for a 2.15 ERA, 0.873 WHIP and 2.33 FIP.  What you don't see in those numbers are a 62:36 (or 1.72) Ground Out to Fly Out ratio, which is a result of his ground ball inducing FB, hammer curve and palmball. One thing to consider is that his BABIP was .243, which was the result of all those ground balls.  He was 2 years young for the Midwest League, but his K% was not stellar (22.2%)  Add to the considerations the way he is built (think a young Carlos Silva,) and there are some considerations about his future.  A Carlos Silva is a good comparable for his potential (mid of rotation starter) and, like Carlos Silva, to reach it, Hu needs to have impeccable control and induce many ground balls.  So, even though, a lot of people will see his numbers and rank him even higher, I do have serious concerns. 

17. Mitch Garver C (17), RHB, DOB: 1/15/1991, 6'1", 220 lbs

Mitch was the Twins' 9th round pick in the 2013 draft from the University of New Mexica and was not much on the radar last off-season after a .243/.313/.366 performance in Elizabethton, while 1.5 years older than the league average.  Garver really impressed me last Spring Break with his bat, his athleticism and his ability to handle pitchers, thus he was my highest ranked catching prospect in the Twins' organization in my mid-season list as he is in this list.  Puting the highest OPS for a Catcher in the organization .289/.399/.481, does not hurt. He was also 1.5 years too old for the Midwest League, but displayed great selectivity (61:65 BB:K ratio, that translated to an OBP a hair below .400) which is not really related to level of play.  He has excellent power (hit 16 HR in 430 AB and .183 IsoP.)

Mitch looks like a catcher and has good insticts behind the plate.  He did spent time as a DH but the Twins rotate their catchers to DH in the low level leagues.  Mitch will start 2015 at Fort Myers and might finish in Chattanooga, depending on performance and health and how his bat responds to higher level of play, potentially reaching the majors for a cup of coffee in 2016 and maybe as the Twins starting catcher in 2017.  Further improving his ability to call a game, will be critical for his development.  His 17th overall ranking is quite conservative and a reflection of Garver being older for the league.  He has four tools (and average speed) so with a good showing in 2015, I expect him to break into the Twins' top ten prospect list.

16. Jake Reed RHP (--) RHRP, DOB: 9/29/1992, 6'2", 190 lbs.

Jake Reed was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2014 draft from the University of Oregon and has raised eyebrows from the first to his last pitch in his first season as a pro.  He started his career at Elizabethton (0.5 years older than the league) where he pitched 6 innings in 4 games, allowing a single hit, striking out 8 batters (0.00 ERA, 0.167 WHIP.)  He moved up to Cedar Rapids, where a year younger than league average, he pitched 25 innings, had 31 Ks and 3 BBs (0.36 ERA and 0.520 WHIP).  His pro season was not over, as he represented the Twins in the Arizona Fall League, pitching 12.7 innings, striking out 10 and walking 3 (0.71 ERA, 1.03 WHIP.)  Jake started his 2014 season as a junior in Oregon, pitching 31 innings, striking out 34 and walking 15 (1.95 ERA and 1.00 WHIP.)  His full 2014 season in all of his 4 stops, he pitched 80.7 innings in 61 games, accumulating 22 saves, striking out 83 and walking 22 (and most of those in College) while pitching at an ERA close to 1.00 and WHIP under 1.00.  His 0.452 WHIP and 0.29 ERA with Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids were the lowest for any pitcher in the Twins organization.

Reed has two pitches:  a plus plus fastball with a lot of movement that sits in the mid 90s and touches 97-98, and an above average slider in the low 80s.  The biggest change he made from Oregon to the pros was to change his high effort delivery to a simple delivery.  This increased his command and control (15 BB in 31 IP in College vs 7 BBs in 49.7 IP in the Pros.)  Also the changes in his mechanics added about 2-3 mph to his FB compared to College.  With additional work on the slider and the development of a third pitch (changeup?)  Reed will be well on his way to being a late innings reliever for the Twins.  Will likely start 2015 in Fort Myers with a promotion to Chattanooga mid season.  Both in these rankings and in the organization, there is only one reliever ranked higher than Reed.

My 2015 MLB Hall of Fame Ballot

Members of the BBWAA have until today to send in their annual HOF ballots (via fax or snail mail only.)   The results will be announced in two days, so I decided to post my fictional ballot.  A couple of notes:

•  I explain this more in depth here, but I believe that entry to the Hall of Fame should be restricted to the very few select players.   It is ok to have displays on Jack Morris' game 7, as a great game in baseball and a great appearance, but it is not ok to induct the player, just for this.  The same with Mark McGwire and Samy Sosa and their HR title contest.  Thus, my cut offs are more stringent than others.  The Hall has 306 members, some of the players have an under .700 career OPS.  This is not right, unless you want it to be the Hall of Very Good.
• I am going with performance and not proven or suspected PED use.   This witch hunt has to stop.  If someone wants a "clean Hall", Hank Aaron should be kicked out, since he publicly admitted to using "greenies" that are now banned from baseball. A position of not voting for modern PED suspects, but wanting to keep already enshrined PED users, is a hypocritical position.  So is, celebrating Tony LaRussa's induction while not voting for Mark McGwire because of steroid use.   Unless LaRussa was blind or absent, he at least knew what was going on in the Canseco/McGwire/Giambi clubhouse.

With those things in mind, my 2015 HOF ballot would have been:

Barry Bonds
Roger Clemens
Randy Johnson
Pedro Martinez
Mike Mussina
Jeff Bagwell
Curt Schilling

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 21-25

Today is the fourth installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35 and 26-30.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

 25. Alexis Tapia RHP (30) RHSP, DOB: 8/10/1995, 6'2", 195 lbs

Alexis Tapia was signed by the Minnesota Twins from Venezuela on Sept of 2012, and 2013 was his first professional season.   He spent that season (his age 17 season) in the DSL where he playing in 11 games (7 as a starter) pitching 42.3 innings, striking out 31 and walking 5.  His ERA was 2.13 and his WHIP a miniscule 0.874.  Last season we moved on to the Gulf Coast league, where as an 18 year old (2.5 years younger than the league average) he pitched 45 innings allowing 6 BBs and 36 Ks, for a 3.20 ERA (3.22 FIP) and 1.044 WHIP.

The 3 things that you hear about Tapia are: that he is "projectable", with a growing 6'2" frame, that he has a "good feel for the game", and that he is "throwing strikes".  His fastball is plus with plus control, his change is above average, and breaking ball is a work in progress.  Tapia will likely start in the Elizabethton rotation.  The Twins do have a lot of young good arms, but count Tapia as a sleeper, especially if he develops his secondary stuff and increases his 19.3% K%.

24. Rainis Silva C (--) RHB, DOB: 3/20/1996, 6'1", 185 lbs

Rainis Silva is an international free agent classmate of Amaurys Minier and Lewis Thorpe, signed by the Twins as a 16 year old in 2012 for $175,000.  He has been known as a defense first catcher and has represented Venezuela in several international youth under 16 tournaments.  Like Tapia, he made the transition from the DSL to the GCL and improved with the bat from .223/.289/.250 to .270/.294/.342, adding 2 inches and some bulk.  He is strikeout prone (6:25 BB:K in 160 PA) and his bat is a work in progress. 

He is ranked that high because of his defense and game calling skills that they are much more advanced than his 18 years of age.  He is probably the most polished receiver in the Twins' organization (and that includes everyone from the majors down, thus the ranking.)  About a year and a half younger than the GCL average, he will likely move in the Appalachian League in 2015.   The development of his bat will determine his future with the organization, but he is very young right now.

23. Mike Cederoth RHP (18) RHSP, DOB: 11/25/1992, 6'6", 195 lbs

Mike Cederoth was signed by the Twins in the 3rd round of the 2014 draft from San Diego State University.  Cederoth started in his first years at SDSU and he was their closer last year, dropping his ERA to about half (2.29 vs 4.26) and saving 20 games.  The Twins look at him as a starter and he started 10 games (45.7 IP) in Elizabethton where he struck out 42 and walked 18, with a 3.52 ERA, 3.65 FIP and 1.28 WHIP.  Cederoth's command and control are problematic and the source of the issue is his mechanics and large frame.  His fastball is a plus to plus plus ranging from mid to high 90s, but his secondary stuff needs work.  His mid 80s slider is average and a workable pitch, but his mid 80s change and high 70s 12-6 curve are works in progress and ineffective.

He was a half year older than the average in the Appalachian League. Will likely start in Cedar Rapids in 2015 and the Twins will be patient for his development as a starter.  Depending on whether he develops an above average third and/or a fourth pitch, his future could range from a mid to top of the rotation starter or a late inning reliever.  Either way, the next couple of years will be critical for his development, because unless he manages and improves his mechanics, he will not reach his potential.

22. Levi Michael 2B (38) SHB, DOB: 2/9/1991, 5'10", 180 lbs.

Levi Michael was drafted in the first round (30th overall) of the 2011 MLB draft from the University of North Carolina.   His 2012 and 2013 seasons at Fort Myers were lackadaisical (.246/.339/.311 and .229/.331/.340 with erratic play at SS) and Michael was flirting with being added to the list of First Round Busts for the Twins; however his 2014 play established him again as a prospect.  He started the season in Fort Meyers at a league average age now and the third time was the charm: he hit .305/.375/.395, played exclusively at second base and his glove showed major improvement. He moved to New Britain, where he was 1.7 years younger than the league and improved his hitting to .340/.444/.358 and played well at second.

What changed this season?  He finally got accustomed to making contact with the wooden bat.  His discipline has always been fine with a K:BB ratio south of 1.5 in pro ball. However his batting average dropped from .290 and .346 and .289 in college to .246 and .249 in the pros.  Those numbers are similar to his average with the wooden bat as a collegiate in the Cape Code league in 2009 and 2010 (.247 and .252.)   His glove is improving with full time play at second and I do foresee his bat improving.  Will likely start the 2015 season in New Britain.  The Twins did not protect him from the rule 5 draft this off-season, but will likely have to, next off-season.  If he repeats his 2014 performance at the higher levels, he will be knocking at the Twins door by September and might be even thought as a potential Brian Dozier replacement a year from now.  Why is he then not a top 15 prospect?  Because this is a deep organization and because he just had one good season.  Depending on how he starts 2015, he might skyrocket (or drop) in this list...

21. Adam Walker OF (13) RH,  DOB: 10/18/1991,  6'5", 225 lbs

Adam Walker by the Minnesota Twins in the 3rd round of the 2012 Draft from Jacksonville University.  I wrote the following about Walker in the 2014 off-season prospect list:

Power is Walker's most obvious tool (.246 and .248 IsoP in the last two seasons, age 20 and 21) and will likely increase. He played mostly first base in college and made the transition to full time OF (RF) in the pros. Walker is an adequate corner outfielder, even though his arm is weak, and has some speed.   His contact and [selectivity] tools need work; his K% drop from 30.2% in 2012 to 20.8 % is encouraging.  If he improves his contact he can be an All-Star corner outfielder (likely left fielder) in the majors.  Will likely start the 2014 (age 22) season in Fort Myers.

He did start this season at Fort Myers and unless one is looking at HRs (25) or RBIs (94), 2014 was a major disappointment for Walker, regressing at every aspect of the game.  His K% increased to 28.2%, his batting average decreased to .246 and, even his strong suit, his IsoP decreased to .190, dropping .058 points from 2013. Walker needs to improve in all of those numbers in 2015 at get back to at least 2013 levels in AA, to be considered as a top 20 prospect in this organization.  There are major concerns about his ability to make contact and hit for average as well as about his plate discipline.  If those are not addressed, his ceiling will be Steve Balboni...

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 26-30

Today is the third installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  Previous rankings: 36-40, 31-35.  You can find the 2014 off-season summary list here   In these listings in parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

 30. Ryan Eades RHP (19) RHSP, DOB: 12/15/1991, 6'2", 178 lbs

Eades was the Twins second round pick in the 2013 draft.  After he signed he played 10 games in the Elizabethton pen pitching 15.7 innings striking out 13 and walking 12.  He had a 4.60 ERA (4.22 FIP) and 1.596 WHIP.  Eades was ranked 11th in last season's rankings, but he dropped to 19th in the mid-season rankings based on what I saw from him last Spring Training.  His potential is a mid to top of the rotation starter with four good pitches.  He reported had a plus fastball that sits at 93-95 mph and peaks at 97-98, with good command.  However, the Eades I saw was a good 5 mph below those numbers and was pitching really tentatively.

In his 2014 season he started 25 games in Cedar Rapids (133 IP).  He was at an average age with the list and finished with 5.14 ERA (4.44 FIP) 98 Strikeouts and 50 BBs.  His K% fell down to 16.6 %.  His loss in velocity and inability to strike out players his age, further dropped him to number 30 in these rankings. Will likely move to Fort Myers for 2015, but Eades really needs to regain his velocity and start missing bats, because pitching to contact with low 90 mph FB, will result to contact with bad consequences for his teams.


29. Felix Jorge RHP (23) RHSP, DOB: 1/2/1994, 6'2", 170 lbs.

Felix De Jesus Jorge  was signed by the Twins out of the Dominican in February of 2011 for $250,000.  He started his pro career at the DSL where he pitched in 9 games (5 starts) for 27 innings, walking 9 and striking out 26 (2.67 ERA, 2.50 FIP, 1.037 WHIP).   He move to the States and pitched 12 games (7 GS) in the GCL in 2012 with similar results (34.7 IP, 37 K, 12 BB, 2.34 ERA, 2.28 FIP, 1.212 WHIP, .303 BABIP) and moved up to Elizabethton as a 19 year old in 2013 starting 12 games (61 IP) striking out 72 and walking 18, with a 2.95 ERA, 2.25 FIP and 1.213 WHIP (.338 BABIP.)   He started the season in Cedar Rapids (1.5 years too young for the league) and  he did not respond well: 39 IP, 1.974 WHIP, 9.00 ERA (7.70 FIP) 20 BB and 23 K.  He lost command and control and resulted in demotion to Elizabethton again (about half a year younger for the league) were he improved in all aspects, but his K%:  66 IP, 1.091 WHIP, 14 BB, 61K, 22.9% K%. 

Jorge is also one of those rare pitchers who had 3 above average pitches when he signed at 16 and he has been improving them.  He has a low 90s fastball with decent downward movement, which he hides really well with his delivery.  Above average slurvy curveball and change up.  He commands all three pitches well, has good control and he mixes pitches well.  Endurance is a question mark, thus the drop in the rankings.  Will likely repeat Cedar Rapids in 2015.


28. Stuart Turner (--), RH, C, DOB: 12/27/1991, 6'2", 220 lbs

Stuart Turner was drafted by the Twins in the third round of the 2013 draft from the University of Mississippi.   He spend all his season (but one game he filled in for the Rock Cats) for the Elizabethton Twins, where he played at 35 games (146 PAs) and hit .272/.345/.384 with 3 HRs and 19 RBI.  He walked 12 times, struck out 23 and hit by a pitch 4.    Last season he played for Fort Myers, hitting .249/.322/.375 in 364 PAs with 7 HRS and a 31:61 BB:K ratio.

Turner has been always described as an excellent defensive catcher with a great feel for the game, but his bat will determine his potential as a prospect.Turner has a large frame and projectable power that will come as he grows.  He will likely start his age 23 season in Fort Myers again with a mid-season promotion, but bat development (even though there are good signs) is crucial, despite this organization's persistence in promoting soft hitting catchers.

27. Brandon Peterson RHP (36) RHRP, DOB: 9/23/1991, 6'1", 190 lbs

Brandon Peterson is a Burnsville, MN native who was drafted by the Twins in the 13th round of the 2013 draft from Wichita State.  He has been a continues surpise with his ability to strike out hitters at a rate about double than his best at College.  In 2013 he played for the Elizabethtown Twins, pitching 27.3 innings walking 9 and striking out 40, 1.134 WHIP, 2.96 ERA, 2.92 FIP, 36% K%.  He started 2014 at Cedar Rapids (age average) pitching 12.3 innings walking 2 and striking out 19 (0.71 ERA, 0.96 FIP, 39.6% K%, 0.87 WHIP and with a .333 BABIP) before he promoted to Fort Myers where he was a year and a half younger than the league.  In the FSL he pitched 45 innings striking out 65 and walking 5 (36.3% K%) with an 1.80 ERA, 1.64 FIP and 1.00 WHIP.   Peterson has a low to mid 90s fastball, a good slider and working on a change up.  Will likely start 2015 in Fort Myers.  Depending on development and his ability to strike out batters in New Britain, we might see him in the Minnesota pen as soon as 2016 or 2017.

26. Max Murphy OF (--) RHB, DOB: 11/17/1992, 5'11", 195 lbs

Max Murphy is a New Hope, MN native who was drafted by the Twins in the 9th round of the 2014 draft from Bradley University.  Max terrorized Appalachian League pitching at a rate of .378/.483/.723 and 10 HRs in 35 games, making a fine transition to the wooden bat, despite being about 1 year older than his league mates.  He moved to Cedar Rapids where he landed back to reality hitting .242/.314/.395 and 4 HRs in 32 games with 8 BBs and 40 Ks.  The strikeout was his issue in Cedar Rapids (he had a 22:34 BB:K ration in Elizabethton) and pitch selectivity and laying off bad pitches is something that the 22 year old needs to work on.  Very good power potential from a small frame, the ability to play a good CF, might propel him pretty fast, if his bat develops.  He reminds some of Rich Becker, who actually was Murphy's age when he made the Twins...

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 31-35

Today is the second installment in the top 40 Twins' Off-season prospects countdown.  You can find all installments here in reverse chronological order.  This is the 31-35 rankings. Previous rankings: 36-40.

35. Mat Batts LHP (--), LHSP, DOB: 7/6/1991, 5'11", 190 lbs.

The Twins drafted Harrison Mathis Batts in the 17th round of the 2014 draft from the University of North Calorina Wilmington.  The Lefty breezed through 3 levels in the organization from the Gulf Coast to Elizabethton to Cedar Rapids and finished the season with an impressive 1.78 ERA, 67 K and 7 BB in 60.7 Innigns Pitched.  His WHIP was 0.775, his FIP 2.34, his K% 29.5%, 10 K/9 and an impressive 9.6 K/BB.  Adding these numbers to his 2014 College numbers (2.68 ERA, 103.7 IP, 105 K, 18 BB, 1.05 WHIP), tells a very impressive story for the 23 year old who pitched 164 innings last season. 

Why isn't Batts ranked any higher?  Well... his pitching style is what described as a "Crafty Lefty".  His fastball tops in the high 80s but has a plus curve and a plus change.  Those are great pitches to fool lower level competition.  Batts might shoot through the organization, but his real test with be at AA.  Likely will start for Cedar Rapids or even Fort Myers next season.

34. Todd Van Steensen RHP (--), RHRP, DOB: 1/14/1991, 6'1", 190 lbs.

2014 was the second tour of duty for Todd in the Twins' organization after being released in 2011 in the heels of a 5.68 ERA, 1.351 WHIP season in Elizabethton as a starter.  Meanwhile, between then and 2014, he mimicked Glen Perkins:  Found a mid 90s fastball and re-invented himself as a reliever.   Started in Cedar Rapids as the closer and moved to Fort Myers (he is age average for high A) in the middle of the season.  He finished 2014 with 1.39 ERA (but 3.22 FIP), 1.063 WHIP, 71 Ks and 24 BBs in 58.3 IP.   His control was an issue mainly at Fort Myers, which, since he has been out of baseball, save for Aussie leagues, for a while, might be a conditioning issue.   Will likely start 2015 for the Miracle again.


33. Zach Larson OF (29) RH, OF, DOB: 10/8/1993.  6'2", 185 lbs

Zach was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 20th round of the 2012 draft out of Lakewood Ranch High School in Bradenton FL.  He played only in 15 GCL games in 2012 and his transition to the wooden bat was unremarkable (.250/.318/.325)  However, 2013 was a great season for him.  He started the season repeating the Gulf Coast League where he hit .317/.382/.467 in 137 plate appearances and moved up to Elizabethton without slowing down (.301/.407/.438 in 86 PA).  He declined severely in his 2014 season, thus the drop in the rankings.  In a season marred with injury he hit .265/.325/.358 in Cedar Rapids and had a 3.5:1 K:BB ratio.   Potentially his performance was injury-related.  2015 will be a very important year for Zach, in an organization loaded with corner OFs.  He will likely start 2015 again in Cedar Rapids, where we would be just young for the league.

32. Randy Rosario LHP (40), LHSP, DOB: 5/18/1994, 6'1", 160 lbs

The 20 year old Dominican was one of the Twins' Tommy John surgery victims this season, yet his stocked rose in these listings.  Why? First of all I am discounting his 11.7 injury innings in Cedar Rapids this season and his stuff is really good.  Rosario had a mid 90s fastball with lots of movement that complements with an above average slider and a plus change up.  His only issue has been the command of his fastball.  Based on what I have seen last Spring Training, his command was much more improved.   The question mark that dropped him to 40 was his health and how he will come back from the surgery, but at this ranking I am discount those concerns.   I feel that with correct development, he has the ability to be the top lefty in the Twins' organization.  A couple of years of development and tests in Fort Myers and Chattanooga will tell.  Will likely repeat Cedar Rapids in 2015, depending on elbow health. 

31. Aaron Slegers RHP (26), RHSP, DOB: 9/4/1992, 6'10", 245 lbs

Slegers was drafted by the Twins in the 5th round of the 2013 draft from Indiana University. His first pro campaign was for 19 relief inning in E-town later that season where he baffled younger hitters at the rate of 0.47 ERA, 18 K and 2 BB and 0.947 WHIP.  Last season he moved into a full time starter job starting at Cedar Rapids and promoted to Fort Myers for 3 starts.  Slegers finished the season (132.3 IP - 23 Starts) with a 4.35 ERA (3.82 FIP), 102 K and 24 BB and 1.179 WHIP.  His strikeout rates are of concern, dropping from 26.5% at Elizabethon to 19% at Cedar Rapids and 16% at Fort Myers.  He has a plus Fastball (helps being that tall) that sits in the low 90s and touches 95 or so and a plus change.  He is working on breaking ball.  Depending on development of a third pitch and the ability to miss bats at higher levels, he projects from a mid-rotation pitcher to a middle reliever.  Because of his size, injuries had been a problem previously, so he has to stay healthy.

2015 Twins offseason top 40 prospects list: 36-40

The Rule 5 draft is done, the Winter Leagues are in full blow, Catchers and Pitchers are 2 months away, which means that it is time for the Twins Off-season top 40 prospect list.  Like last year (you can find the summary list here with links to all the posts) I will do a count down 5 at a time starting from number 40.  I will give detailed descriptions of the players and justification why I ranked them where I did when needed.  In parenthesis, I am including their ranking in the last prospect list, which was the 2014 mid-season list, with "--" if not ranked.  You can find that list here.

Unlike several lists, in my list, once a player makes it to the show, it graduates as a prospect.  So, the following Twins' players have graduated last season (2014 mid-season ranking in parenthesis) : Trevor May (4), Kennys Vargas (5), AJ Achter (25).   The one player who is an exception to my rule, is Jorge Polanco, who, while called in the majors twice, barely played, thus I still consider a prospect and will be part of this list when his number comes.

As these posts add up, you can find all the rankings here. 

Here is the Minnesota Twins Prospects 36 to 40:

40. Luis Arraez (--) LHB, IF, DOB: 4/9/1997: 5'10", 155 lbs

Luis Arraez was signed from Venezuela before last season.  The diminutive 17 year old made his debut in the DSL in 2014 and in a pitcher's league he exhibited excellent ability to make contact and great selectivity on the plate, finishing with a .348/.433/.400 slash line.  He also stole 10 bases in 15 attempts.   Not much power, but he is just 17.  Likely will travel North and play in the DSL for 2015. He played mostly second base, but started 3 games in SS as well.  His fielding is a work in progress but he turned 20 double plays in 155 total touches, which is not a bad place to be.

39. Moises Gomez RHP (--) RHSP, DOB: 12/8/1997. 6'1", 192 lbs

Gomez is another 17 year old Venezuelan who will make the jump to the GCL in 2015.  In his first 26 pro innings in the DSL he allowed 6 runs (2.02 ERA), struck out 30 and walked 10.  Nice easy delivery, good movement in his fastball, misses bats and a good feeling for the change.  This is about as good as it gets for a teenager.  He dabbles with breaking stuff but need work.  Lots of potential, will be interesting to see how he responds in the GCL

38. Tyler Kuresa 1B (--) LHB, 1B, DOB: 11/17/1992 6'3", 190 lbs. 

Kuresa was drafted by the Twins on the 16th round of the 2014 draft from the University of California Santa Barbara and was assigned to Elizabethton.  He had no problem trading his metal bat for a wooden, hitting .298/.381/.478.  A big guy with room to grow and power to grow.  Good eye for a big guy, but fields like a big guy.  Reminds some people of a young Justin Morneau, and that is a heck of a compliment.  Likely will start in Cedar Rapids in 2015. 

37. Fernando Romero RHP (39) RHSP, DOB: 12/24/1994. 6'0", 215 lbs

Fernando Romero was signed to an Amateur Free Agent contract by the Twins on October of 2011 with a $260,000 bonus out of the Dominican Republic.  After spending the 2012 season in the Dominican Summer League, he made the jump to the Gulf Coast League in 2013.  He pitched in 12 games (6 GS) for 45 innings to a 1.60 ERA and had 47 strikeouts and only 13 bases on balls.  His WHIP was 1.00 and K% a very impressive 26, while his K/BB was 3.62. He missed 2014 with Tommy John surgery.   It will be interesting to see how Romero will rebound in his age 20 season. He had a heavy fastball is in the mid to low 90s and barely adequate supplementary stuff.  Romero does have mid rotation potential, depending on development of his secondary pitches and staying healthy.    He will likely begin 2014, his age 19 season, in Cedar Rapids where he will alternate between the rotation and pen until extended.

36. Jermaine Palacios IF (--) RHB, DOB: 7/19/1996, 6'0", 145 lbs.

Palacios is the third Venezuelan 17 year old in today's list, who will likely make his debut in the GCL next year, and was one of the most exciting position players in the DSL last season hitting .270/.404/.399 with 11 doubles and 6 triples (and 14 SB) in 49 games.  Very fast, thinner than Alexei Ramirez and still working with the glove (played mainly 3B with some 2B and SS,)  but projects more as a SS than a corner OF.

Next: 35-30.

Remember when the Twins were good?

Sadly, it has been 24 years since they last won...





 

List of Twins Spring Training non-roster invitees

The Twins announced a preliminary list of 2015 non-roster invitees for Spring Training.  I suspect that the list will increase as additional players are signed with Minor League contracts.  Of course, the 40 players on the 40-man roster are included by default.

James Beresford (IF)
Doug Bernier (IF)
J.O. Berrios (RHP)
Byron Buxton (OF)
Argenis Diaz (IF)
Tyler Duffey (RHP)
Eric Farris (OF)
Mitch Garver (C)
Tyler Grimes (C)
Mark Hamburger (RHP)
Heiker Meneses (IF)
Adrian Salcedo (RHP)
Ryan O'Rourke (LHP)
Danny Ortiz (OF)
Shane Robinson (OF)
Dan Rohfling (C)
Taylor Rogers (LHP)
Stuart Turner (C)

Ervin Santana 2014 Highlights

Torii Hunter being a prick

The signing of Torii Hunter might close a big hole for the Twins

On paper the Minnesota Twins' reunion with 39 year old Torii Hunter last night, seems a bit puzzling.  Rational thinking and looking at records and results of games, would suggest that a team coming back from seasons of 99, 96, 96 and 92 losses and hurting primarily in pitching and defense, would need an aging 39 year old outfielder with diminishing defensive skills being the marquee transaction of the season, as much as a painful communicable disease.  Not to mention that the particular outfield added injury (signing with a team withing the Twins division) two seasons ago, to the 2007 insult of leaving the Twins as a free agent for more money elsewhere.  But that is rational thinking. 

Any person who has followed the Twins should know that this is business as usual for Terry Ryan's front office.  There is no need to rationalize Hunter's signing.  It makes perfect sense, if you realize, that this is how Terry Ryan builds a team.  Here is the complete Terry Ryan transaction record from 
the 1995-2006 seasons and 2012.  I posted that before the last two off-seasons.  The Torii Hunter signing fits Ryan's modus operenti like a glove:  Ryan re-signed a 41 year old Paul Molitor in 1998, reunited the Twins with a 35 year old Mike Trombley in 2002 and washed out Matt LeCroy (the player who chose over David Ortiz after 2002) in 2007, re-signed Capps in 2012 and Carl Willing in 2005 (to release them later,) in addition to the last year's washed out trio of Bartlett, Kubel and Guerrier.  This is the same General Manager who brought old and washed out Tony Batista, Tim Raines, Rueben Sierra, Bob Tewksbury, Otis Nixon, Mike Morgan, Michael Jackson and Sidney Ponson (among others) as "solutions".  Old and washed out is Terry Ryan's specialty.  Nothing new here, nothing to rationalized.  Business. As. Usual. 

Back to non-rational thinking.  One of the biggest problems with the Twins the past 4 seasons (and beyond, as far as the post-season goes) is that they seemed to be ok with losing and they seemed not to give 100% all the time.  Last Spring Training, it became painfully obvious to me, and indicated that I just cannot see this team win, no matter what the improvements on paper (and there were a lot.)  Getting Gardenhire and most of his friends who, if not bred, they were at least ok with this attitude, is a step to the right direction, hoping that Molitor and his staff will install a winning attitude among the players.   Torii Hunter, punching short utility teammates while targeting rookie stars notwithstanding, has had the reputation of playing hard and giving it all.  And keep working.  And then work some more.  Hopefully, he will bring the right attitude to the team of so many young players with so much potential.  Hopefully he will be an example for hard work and never giving up.  And never stop working.  Not that I like that signing, rationally, but when it pours lemons...   On the other hand, Torii Hunter was a core member of the Gardenhire teams that went belly up in the post-season or when they were facing winning opponents.  I hope that 2015 is different.

List of former Twins players who are minor league free agents

I don't think that a reunion is imminent with any, but it is interesting to see how many of those have played with the Twins (in bold,) especially in the recent low times...

Joe Benson (OF, Marlins, AA)
Matt Capps (RHP, Indians, AAA)
Matt Carson (OF, Indians, AAA)
Ray Chang (IF, Reds, AA)
Scott Diamond (LHP, Reds, AAA)
Terry Doyle (RHP, Braves, AAA)
Phil Humber (RHP, Athletics, AAA)
Erik Komatsu (OF, Brewers, AA)
Dustin Martin (OF, Diamondbacks AA)
Corky Miller (C, Reds, AAA)
Ray Olmedo (IF, Rays, AAA)
Brock Peterson (1B/OF, Dodgers, AAA)
Tyler Robertson (LHP, Nationals, AAA)
Josh Roenicke (RHP, Rockies, AAA)
Sergio Santos (RHP, Blue Jays, AA)
Anthony Slama (RHP, Dodgers, AA)
J.R. Towles (C, Rangers, AAA) 

Complete list of Twins' minor league free agents

Today, the following Twins have become minor league free agents.  They can re-sign with the Twins or they can sign with any other team:

James Beresford (IF, AAA)
Eric Farris (UT, AAA)
Jim Fuller (LHP, AA)
Deolis Guerra (RHP, AAA)
B.J. Hermsen (RHP, AA)
Edgar Ibarra (LHP, AAA) 
Yohan Pino (RHP, AAA)
Chris Rahl (OF, AAA)
Wilkin Ramirez (OF, AAA)
Dan Rohlfing (C/OF AAA)
Deibinson Romero (3B, AAA)
Dan Turpen (RHP, AA)
Virgil Vasquez (RHP, AAA)
Brandon Waring (IF, AA)
Corey Wimberly (UT, AA)


The ones in italics were on the Twins' 40-man roster at some point and the ones in bold, played for the Twins.

Paul Molitor is the Twins manager

It seems that the Minnesota Twins, will continue the tradition of hiring within and will offer their manager's job to Paul Molitor.  It will become official next week.  From the three finalists, Molitor was my third choice, Torey Lovullo was the first, mainly because I value outside modern thinking and winning ways.  Lovullo is fresh off a World Championship (2013) with the Red Sox, Doug Mientkiewicz, the other candidate is fresh off leading the Fort Myers Miracle to a championship, and has a ring with Red Sox World Champion team that broke the curse of the Bambino.  Paul Molitor?  He is  a Hall of Famer, he is local, and people like him.   I hope that he surrounds himself with good coaches who understand the nuances of the game in the 21st century, and, other than Brunansky maybe, goes outside the organization.   The key will be the pitching coach.   

I wish Paul Molitor all the luck in the world and hope he leads the Twins to multiple World Series Titles.

Is a Nolasco for Buehrle trade imminent for the Twins?

Nick Cafardo of the Boston Globe indicated that the Toronto Blue Jays, are shopping Mark Buehrle.  Knowing the infatuation of the Twins' General Manager, Terry Ryan for the former White Sox' slow tossing, fast working Lefty, I suspect that he might be interested.   Could the Twins also show buyer's remorse and trade disgruntled and ineffective Rick Nolasco, who after the season was over, indicated that he wish he were in LA, even further away from there, for Mark Buehrle?  I am not sure that this will be a win for the Twins, other than saving some money and getting a potential headache out of the clubhouse.

Time will show, but it might be an interesting off-season.

Full Press Conference Video of the Ron Gardenhire Dismissal

Catchers at the Outfield? The 2014 Twins and respectability

If anyone thinks that playing shortstops, first basemen, catchers and DHs at the outfield did not hurt the Twins, here is a pretty astonishing set of numbers allowed to us by the new technology that tracks hit balls.   I am just showing the significant departures from league averages:

Up the Middle RHB:

Twins: PA against: 1339 Slash line: .336/.330/.498 (.826 OPS)
AL: PA against:  19461 Slash line:  .308/.303/.439 (.742 OPS)

Opposite field RHB (i.e hit at the Twins RF):
Twins: PA against: 404 Slash line: .332/.326/.532 (.858 OPS)
AL: PA against: 6191 Slash line: .279/.274/.408 (.682 OPS)

That is a huge difference (from average and not from league best too).  I hope that someone at the Twins looks at that and adjusts accordingly.  If you are a defensive stats minded person, here are plus/minuses (which is actually appropriate for the sample size; devised by Bill James and indicates runs saved from average) and UZR/150 (which is not appropriate for numerical calculation, but the direction gives a sense of what is going on.) 

Santana (CF) plus/minus: -2, UZR/150: -12.2
Mastroianni (OF) plus/minus: -3, UZR/150: -9.2
Hicks (OF)  plus/minus: -6, UZR/150: -8.2
Schafer (OF) plus/minus: -3, UZR/150: 1.2
Herrmann (OF)  plus/minus: -4, UZR/150: -21.9
Kubel (RF)  plus/minus: -7, UZR/150: -29.1
Parmelee (OF)  plus/minus: -7, UZR/150: -7.4
Colabello (RF)  plus/minus: -6, UZR/150: -73.8
Bartlett (OF)  plus/minus: -2, UZR/150: -293.1
Arcia (OF)  plus/minus: -12, UZR/150: -6.9
Willingham (LF)  plus/minus: -5, UZR/150: -6.6
and
Escobar (OF) plus/minus: -1, UZR/150: -27.2
Nunez  (OF) plus/minus: -1, UZR/150: 19.9

Adding those plus/minuses is 57.  Which means that the Twins' outfield gave up 57 more runs than an average outfield.  In 2014 the Twins scored 715 runs and gave up 777 for a 62 run differential.  If they had an average outfield, that differential projects at -5, which projects to an 80-82 record, which, albeit not competitive, is respectable.

The 2014 outfield defense was not the reason the Twins did not compete, but it was the reason the Twins were not respectable. 

I really cannot believe that anyone should use the adjective "solid" to describe any of the above players - maybe with the exception of Schafer - as outfielders.  Some of them are young enough and they can learn and improve, but "solid" they are not.   Nope.  Mr Parmelee is not a solid outfield.  . Mr Herrmann is not a solid outfield.  Mr Santana is not a solid centerfielder.  Mr Hicks is not a solid centerfielder.

Yes, starting pitching beyond Hughes and Gibson (and maybe Pino, his FIP and WHIP are close to Gibson's) was a problem, but it was not the only problem in opponent scoring.   The Twins need to address outfield defense in 2015 as a top priority.

Interview with #MNTwins managerial candidate Paul Molitor

Interesting interview from a few seasons ago

The ball is on Terry Ryan's court: The aftermath of the firing of Ron Gardenhire by the Twins.

Today Terry Ryan held a press conference, in absentia Jim Pohlad & Dave St. Peter, who apparently had better things to do, to announce that Ron Gardenhire will not be returning as the Twins manager in 2015.   The news were so unusual that might be the reason that former Twins manager Tom Kelly suffered a minor stroke today (best wishes Tom.)  Ron Gardenhire's dismissal was long overdue.  It should had happened after the 2006 post-season.  And, as I indicated previously,  I felt that it was done deal at least a month ago.

There are a few strange things about this and I don't think that they are coincidental:

• The Twins' owner and president were not around in the press conference
• Gardenhire was and allegedly was offered a position within the organization (rumors that it is for the roving grouch instructor are not substantiated.)
• There was no word about his coaches, however their contacts are all expired and no renewals were announced and it looks like they are all gone, pending new manager's whim.
• When asked, Ryan said that he knows what type of manager he wants (and went to a great detail describing characteristics) but admitted that he has no list of candidates.
• The kicker is that Terry Ryan was adamant and on the record as late as 8/22 saying that Gardenhire will be back. 

This does not seem like a General Manager who a. wanted to do this and was ready to do it,  b. has the support of his bosses (who did not even bother attending) and c. is facing a serious health issue.  If Gardenhire's firing was demanded and imposed by Ryan's bosses recently, several things could be explained (especially his unpreparedness for a replacement.)  However,  no matter what, Ryan looks like a liar right now.  I would not be surprised if Terry Ryan resigns shortly, before he names a manager and this will probably be better for both him and the Twins.