Tuesday

I know. It's a little early to be coming out with Top Prospect Lists, but I actually thought it was the perfect time to do one. The draft is about two weeks away, and I don't want the results of the draft to affect the rankings in any way. So, what I will be doing is ranking the Twins prospects. Please remember that this list essentially means nothing. I mean, what does my rankings really mean in the big scheme of things. However, I like to do the lists for a couple of reasons. First, I like to think that I can look at numbers, read box scores and stories and get other opinions on players and determine where I think that players will be in the future. Second, I like to give recognition to several minor leaguers who may not get the recognition that they deserve. I think that is why I choose to rank 50 prospects. Let's be honest, if this or any organization is able to send 50 players to the big leagues, that would be absolutely remarkable. The fact is, if 20 of these guys get so much as a cup of coffee with a big league team, that is impressive. That said, I think that the Twins minor league system is stacked. As we all know, there are more top ranked pitchers than hitters, but I think that there are several hitters who have a chance to be anything from special to really good. I included the following in my previous ranking, the one done following the completion of the 2005 season. It is a little dated, but I think it does a good job

Before I get into the list, I should point out a few things about the list. The first thing that I have to say is that, if they haven't played in the major leagues, I probably haven't seen them play, at least not more than a spring training at bat or two. So, my thoughts are really very opinion based. However, it is certainly more than that. Those who have been to this site the last couple of seasons know that I have posted highlights of all of the Twins minor league affiliates throughout their seasons. Looking at the box scores daily and following the player's stats and promotions, etc., I feel that I at least have some idea of what type of player each is. But I am also a firm believer that some subjectivity needs to go into scouting, and I don't have that. It isn't necessary all about numbers at the minor league levels.

A few other factors matter when coming up with this list. For pitchers, I will look at strikeouts and walks per inning. Obviously I prefer pitchers who can rack up some strikeouts without walking very many. It may be unfair, but generally, I will rank starting pitchers higher than relievers simply because I know that the Twins have a philosophy to keep their best prospects starting, unless their names are Jesse Crain, Travis Bowyer or Pat Neshek.

For hitters, I will look at power numbers. I will also look at their strikeout numbers. Remember in my past prospect lists, I included Luis Rodriguez. He may not have a high ceiling, but I look highly upon him because he has always walked more than he struck out.

For any player, though, I will look at their age in relation to their level of play. Trevor Plouffe may have hit just .230 last season, but at 19, he was the youngest player in the Midwest League for most of the season. That means something. Likewise, I have always liked Josh Rabe as a hitter, but he is now 27 years old, which makes him a borderline prospect at this time. (UPDATE - But he is playing so well at the start of the 2006 season, that he has to move up the list a little)

But in the end, these prospects lists can be defined by three words... Just a Guess. We don't know. Things like injuries or trades happen and alter the lists. There are late bloomers who will contribute to the Twins. Some of the high-level pitching prospects may never get out of AA ball. Fact is, trying to determine a list of which players will have the biggest impact at the major league level is very difficult. It may look like I have a good list, or there may be some rankings that you disagree with, but we won't know how "right" I was for another five to eight, to even ten years down the line.

So, to summarize, please don't take this list of prospects as anything too serious. It is simply a list of Twins prospects in an order that I feel is most right, right now. Remember, I last did a Top 50 prospect list back in September, and things have changed since then. Really, what it amounts to is a fun list to create some discussion. Ultimately, as someone who follows the Twins minor leagues, I feel that all fifty of the players that I rank deserve mention. They deserve a little recognition among Twins fans. To be honest, I went to a 50 player list because I didn't feel right cutting it down to 30. Well, I had to leave some players off of the Top 50 prospect list that either had very strong 2005 seasons.

That is enough of a lead-in, right? Let's get to the list! You will see that for each player, I will give their name, position and age. I will note which team or teams they played for this year. I will mention how the team acquired him. I will share a few thoughts on the player. I will try to guess where he will spend the rest of the 2006 season, and finally, I will project when the player could make a major league debut. This is, of course, assuming that the player will eventually make the major leagues. Of course, there is no way to know that, and many from this list will probably not get there.

If you have any questions or comments on any of these players or their rankings, I would love to hear your thoughts. I am not exactly sure how I will be posting these rankings. It is possible that the Top 10 will appear on Friday, but that is quite unlikely, so we will get to that sometime in the next week. If you have thoughts, or if you have a Top 10, 20, 30, or 50 Prospect list, I would love to see it and share it with other Twins fans, so please e-mail me or leave Comments down below.

#50 – Adam Hawes – RHP – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 43

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 40th round pick in 2003 out of Connors State College

Last year, many ranked him as the top pitcher in the Appalachian League. That deserved notice, but at 22 years old, I would expect him to do well. Will he be able to sustain success in his first full season year? It is hard to tell so far. He has not pitched much due to injury, and when he has pitched, he has been inconsistent. He has pitched in five games (4 starts) and just 22.2 innings. He is 1-1 with a 4.37 ERA. His WHIP is high, at 1.37, but he has 20 strikeouts. It is hard to make any definitive prediction on Hawes based on so few innings. It will be interesting to see how the rest of the season treats him.

2006 Projection: Hopefully will remain in the Beloit starting rotation

Potential: #4 starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#49 – Ricky Barrett – LHP – 25

Last Sept. Ranking: 44

2006 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 7th round pick in 2002 out of the University of San Diego

Barrett was awful in the Arizona Fall League issuing way too many walks. In 31.1 innings this spring, he already has 15 walks, but he does have 33 strikeouts. He has a 4.03 ERA, but his WHIP of 1.15 is very solid, especially considering the walk total. To me, Jason Miller is the better prospect, even if he doesn't throw quite as hard. That said, if he can even gain his control, he could be a nasty lefty reliever.

2006 Projection: He will remain in the Red Wings bullpen all season.

Potential: Important situation lefty reliever.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#48 – Deacon Burns – OF – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 39

2006 Team: Ft. Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 26th round pick in 2004 out of Northern State University

Burns fell quite a bit on this list because he is just not hitting well at all in the Florida State League. That is certainly not unusual as it is known as a hitter's league. He is hitting .200/.270/.296 with eight extra base hits in 125 at bats. Last year, he hit .271/.345/.457 in 132 games at Beloit. He had 36 doubles, 13 triples, 12 homers and 78 RBI. He was also 13/16 in stolen base attempts. I've always thought that he was playing older than his competition and believed that the jump to Ft. Myers might show the type of long-term prospect he may be. It is still too early to say anything too certain, but he does need to start hitting a little more.

2006 Projection: In the Ft. Myers outfield

Potential: 5th outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

#47 – Felix Molina – SS/2B – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Teams: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 21st round pick in 2001 out of high school in Puerto Rico

Molina is an interesting prospect to me. I have always considered him as a AA or even AAA utility player. He never really hit much in his minor league career until he moved up to New Britain last year. So far this year, he is hitting .303/.364/.495 with four doubles, five homers and 16 strikeouts in 99 at bats. He also has six stolen bases. His numbers are solid for a middle infielder in AA. However, they are nothing compared to the numbers Luis Maza put up in New Britain in 2004, and the Twins seem to see no future for him, so I am not quite ready to put Molina any higher on this list yet.

2006 Projection: SS/2B for the Rockcats

Potential: 2nd Utility Infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#46 – Johnny Woodard – 1B – 21

Last Sept. Ranking: 41

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 3rd round pick in 2003 from Cosumnes River College

Woodard has been 'hurt' in the past by injuries that have cut into his playing and development time. He is a big 6-4 hitter who should develop some power. However, at this point, he is not doing well at all for the Miracle. The lefty is splitting time with Brock Peterson. In just 72 at bats, he is hitting just .181/.256/.292 with four extra base hits and 27 strikeouts! That is not good. A trip back to Beloit for the rest of the summer might be good for him.

2006 Projection: I think he should head back to Beloit.

Potential: power hitting 1B/DH.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#45 – Brock Peterson – 1B – 22

Last Sept. Ranking: 47

2006 Team: Fort Myers Miracle

Acquired: Twins 49th round pick in 2002

Peterson is another big man with a lot of power. He is returning to the Florida State League primarily because of the organization's logjam at 1B at the higher levels. He too started out slow, but he has come on of late. He is now hitting .267/.318/.414 with four homers and 16 RBI. Peterson has always been a favorite of mine because of his size and power, his late-round draft status and the fact that he has been successful despite being young for the levels that he has played at.

2006 Projection: 1B at Ft. Myers until they can get Matienzo up to Rochester.

Potential: Could be middle of the lineup power hitter, more likely a pinch hitter.

Could be in Minnesota in: 2008

#44 – Josh Rabe – OF – 27

Last Sept. Ranking: 50

2006 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 11th round draft pick in 2001 out of Quincy (IL) University

Rabe is probably not considered a prospect because of his age. That is what kept him low last year. However, the start he got off to this year moved him up the list a little more. He has cooled off some, but he is still hitting .329/.410/.427 with 11 doubles. He has more walks than strikeouts. I have compared him to Michael Restovich in a number of ways. Resto had more power, but Rabe is probably a better all around player. I don't know if he will ever get a shot, but this is now his fourth year with Rochester.

2006 Projection: Likely stay in Rochester for the season.

Potential: 5th Outfielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#43 – Allan de san Miguel – C – 18

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 5th round pick in 2005 out of USC (South Carolina)

Any 18 year old playing full season ball deserves mention. Even if de San Miguel is only hitting .188/.273/.246 with four doubles. Especially if that player is a catcher. The Australian was promoted to Ft. Myers at the end of last season. He is quite a ways away from the big leagues, but the team obviously thinks highly of him.

2006 Projection: splitting catching time in Beloit, maybe back to Elizabethton

Potential: starting catcher

Could be in Minnesota in: 2011

#42 – Kevin Cameron – RH RP – 26

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 13th round pick in 2001 out of Georgia Tech

Cameron is a case of right place-right time. He went to Ft. Myers to start working out early. The Twins needed arms to help them fill a roster during the WBC. He happened to be at the ballpark working out and Terry Ryan asked him to participate in big league camp. He pitched very well, making a name for himself in the organization. It likely helped him to start the season at Rochester instead of returning to New Britain. So far, he is 3-1 with a 3.05 ERA and three saves in 20.2 innings. He has 20 strikeouts, but he also has walked 11. I'm not saying he's a big prospect, but I do think he can help the Twins bullpen down the road.

2006 Projection: full season at Rochester

Potential: long-relief

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#41 – Alexander Smit – LH RP – 20

Last Sept. Ranking: 32

2006 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 9th round pick in 2005

Smit is all about potential. A tall, lanky, hard-throwing lefty, Smit could become a special pitcher. However, because of lack of control, it has not happened yet. In the past, we could always say that he was just so young, but that is becoming less and less the case. He will need to start producing soon. This year, he is 1-1, but he has a 6.23 ERA. In 21.2 innings, he has an impressive 21 strikeouts, but he also has 17 walks and given up 21 hits.

2006 Projection: Reliever at Beloit

Potential: Could be a top of the rotation starter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#40 – Jason Miller – LH RP – 23

Last Sept. Ranking: 38

2006 Teams: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: Twins 4th round draft pick in 2000

Jason Miller was a guy that I thought should have been given a shot at the left-handed reliever job for the Twins this spring. He wasn't even added to the 40 man roster and wasn't taken in the Rule V draft. I was surprised because I thought he could contribute. He did alright in a few spring outings with the Twins. After a slow start at Rochester this year, he has come on well of late. In 13 games, he has gone 19.2 innings. He has 22 strikeouts and just three walks. He has given up 22 hits though, which is a little high, but the low walk numbers even that out. I still think Miller can contribute to the big league team.

2006 Projection: Although I think he would do just fine with the Twins, I am pretty sure they will keep him in Rochester the whole season.

Potential: Quality Lefty of any bullpen

#39 – Danny Matienzo – DH – 25

Last Sept. Ranking: 36

2006 Team: New Britain Rockcats

Acquired: Twins 23rd round pick in 2002 out of University of Miami

How Matienzo is still at New Britain is beyond me, but then again, there are several prospect placements for the Twins that I am completely unable to comprehend. Matienzo put up huge numbers there last year, so I think getting sent back was a kick in the stomach, and it showed especially early in the year. He has come on some and is now hitting .247/.280/.380 with eight doubles and four HR in 150 at bats. It isn't close to what he did a year ago. But at some point, he does need to turn it around to reclaim his status as a prospect, at least in my mind. I have the feeling that if he were to be moved up to Rochester, he would hit well again.

2006 Projection: Hopefully getting promoted to Rochester

Potential: DH, or pinch-hitter

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#38 – Luis Maza – RHP – 25

Last Sept. Ranking: 29

2006 Team: Rochester Red Wings

Acquired: signed by Twins as free agent from Venezuela in 1997

I just don't understand why the team does not bring up Maza. I mean, would he really be any worse than Juan Castro or Nick Punto? After hitting well last year after moving up to Rochester, he started out slow again this year. I expect him to turn it around. Right now, he is hitting .226/.283/.316 with nine extra base hits and 19 RBI. He got a lot of playing time this spring with the Twins, so I think they know what he is capable of.

2006 Projection: Probably all year at Rochester

Potential: Solid utility infielder

Could be in Minnesota in: 2007

#37 – Eli Tintor – OF – 21

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Teams: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 18th round pick in 2003 out of Hibbing (MN) high school

The Minnesota native spent three seasons playing in extended spring training. This is his first year of full-season ball. A move to the OF may have been the best thing to happen to his career. He is playing most every day in RF. So far, he is hitting .277/.287/.375 with six doubles, a triple and a homer.

2006 Projection: Probably learning the OF in Beloit, but possible promotion to Ft. Myers

Potential: potential starting RF

Could be in Minnesota in: 2010

#36 – Caleb Moore – RHP – 22

Last Sept. Ranking: NR

2006 Team: Beloit Snappers

Acquired: Twins 4th round pick in 2005 out of East Tennessee State University

When the Twins drafted him, he was listed as Michael Moore. I'm glad that he is going by his middle name or something so that I can like him. I think it is fair to say that his bat probably has a lot of people liking him right now. In 35 games this year, he is hitting .295/.347/.395 with four doubles, two triples and a homer. Sure, you'd like to see a college catcher hitting for a little more power in Low-A, but Moore is doing very well and could be a backup for Joe Mauer in a few years.

2006 Projection: Catching and DHing a lot for Beloit

Potential: backup catcher

Could be in Minnesota in: 2009

Any thoughts, let me know. E-mail me. Be sure to check back soon for Prospects #21-35!

Monday SethSpeaks Player of the Day - Ryan Callahan, Ft. Myers Miracle

Monday SethSpeaks Pitcher of the Day - Jeremy Pickrel, Ft. Myers Miracle

Be sure to check out Roger's comparison of Matt Garza to the Tigers' Justin Verlander. And, if you're missing out on Jim Mandelaro's Extra Bases, I would encourage you to check it out daily! Great information on the Rochester Red Wings and more.

Here are the weekend updates. If you have any thoughts on the Twins system, please e-mail me.

ROCHESTER REPORT

Monday - Red Wings – No Games Scheduled in the International League

NEW BRITAIN NEWS

Monday - Rockcats 4, Trenton 7 – Gary Sheffield was 1-3 with an RBI in his first rehab game for Trenton. Adam Harben started for the Rockcats and in just three innings he gave up five hits and five walks which led to four runs (3 earned). He struck out just one. I think he could be called the anti-Slowey pitcher as he now has 26 walks and 19 strikeouts on the season. Tristan Crawford came in next and gave up three runs (1 earned) in four innings. Bobby Korecky threw two shutout innings. The Rockcats were able to score four runs off of Yankees Top Prospect Philip Hughes despite just five hits. Felix Molina was 2-3 with a walk and his sixth homer of the year.

FT MYERS MEMOS

Monday - Miracle 6, St. Lucie 5 – The Miracle allowed five runs in the first three innings, but they scored three in both the second and the sixth inning and held on for the one-run win. Kyle Aselton started and gave up five runs on seven hits and five walks over just 2.2 innings. Ryan Callahan picked up the win by throwing 3.1 scoreless innings. Josh Hill threw a shutout frame before JP Martinez got his eighth save with two shutout innings. Garrett Guzman and Jeremy Pickrel were each 2-3. Pickrel recorded his seventh triple of the young season.

BELOIT BITS

Monday - Snappers 9, Clinton 0 – Brian Duensing started with seven shutout innings. Unfortunately, he got just one out in the 8th and gave up two runs to take a 2-1 loss. The lefty walked one and struck out six. Frank Mata gave up a hit that allowed the go-ahead run to score and then the final two outs. The Snappers managed just five hits on the game, but Tarrence Patterson, Eli Tintor and Josh Land each had a double. Land's scored the lone run.

Do you have any further thoughts on any Twins prospects, minor leaguers, or these summaries? I would love any input, or ideas to make it better. Thanks! E-mail me, or also feel free to leave comments below.

Since the Twins will have a new stadium to play in for the 2010 season, I thought it would be fun to put a Discussion Question here on the subject. We have had several Discussion Questions on this site in the past, but it has again been awhile. So, what you need to do if you're interested in participating is, read the below question, take a little time to think over your response, and then e-mail me your thoughts on the question.

Please do not discuss this in the Comments below. I will post all responses on Friday, so please send me an e-mail if you would like to participate. Obviously none of us will get all 25 correct, and there will be unforeseen trades. I mean, we are four seasons from the new stadium. But, it is fun to project. Which current Twins will still be around? Which minor leaguers will be a part of the team? It will be interesting to see what others think.

And on that note, I will call it good and say, "Have a great day!" I certainly hope that you have found some things that were worth reading. I hope you'll be back tomorrow where maybe you can see the next 15 top Twins prospects! If you have any questions or comments, please e-mail me.