Help on the way?

Now that we have reviewed who some of the Twins' best prospects are, naturally one would wonder who can help the Twins in 2009. In 2008 several players helped tremendously such as Denard Span, Alexi Casilla, Brian Buscher, Nick Blackburn, Kevin Slowey, Glen Perkins, and Jose Mijares among others. Some, such as Casilla, Span, and Buscher weren't high on people's lists at the start of 2008. So I won't be surprised if someone not on this list helps out in a big way. With that being said here are some prospects close to the majors:

1. Jose Mijares. Left Handed Relief Pitcher. He should be the 7th or 8th inning set-up man. He was dominant in September.
2. Anthony Swarzak. Starting Pitcher. Won't start the season with the Twins unless they trade Blackburn or Perkins. Was lights out when he was called up to AAA.
3. Kevin Mulvey. Starting Pitcher. If Swarzak isn't the first guy to be called up, Mulvey would be in contention as well. Was solid, but not spectacular at AAA last year.
4. Brian Duensing. Starting Pitcher. Same story as Mulvey. Pitched in the Olympics. Had a better year in 2007 than 2008.
5. Phil Humber. Starting Pitcher. This guy will be with the Twins or dropped at the start of 2009, because he is out of options. He will likely be the long-relief out of the bullpen if Bonser is traded.

Others who could be called up if there was an emergency:
Danny Valencia 3B
Luke Hughes 2B/3B
Matt Macri IF
Roberty Delaney RP
Anthony Slama RP
Trevor Plouffe SS

It is hard to say who of these guys will be the Span or Casilla of 2009. My guess is that only Mijares will contribute out of this group. The Twins are too deep and young and they plan to fill some holes through trades or free-agency. Really it is too early to tell. Most these guys if they did come up in 2009 it would be after the all-star break, if not until 2010.

Tim's Sports Blog Top 20 Minnesota Twins Prospects

20. Carlos Gutierrez - RHP - A - 22
Gutierrez was the closer for the Miami Hurricans but the Twins intend to use him as a starter. He didn't play much for the Twins because of his long college season with the Hurricanes. It will be interesting to see how his transition goes. Was a first round draft pick this year, compensation for Torii Hunter's departure.
2009: Playing at single A level
Major League Potential - decent middle of the order pitcher
ETA: 2011

19. Phil Humber - RHP - AAA - 25
Originally the #3 pick in the draft by the Mets a few years ago. Was terrible to start the year, but in August went 4 - 1 with a 2.74 ERA. Received a September callup and played the long relief role out of the bullpen. Is out of options so will likely resume that role in 2009 or be let go.
2009: MLB
Major League Potential : Long reliever/setup man/#5 starter. Perhaps higher if he turned the corner.
ETA: 2009

18. Brian Duensing - LHP - AAA - 25
Duensing was on the American Olympic team. Would be in the majors if he was in a different organization. He is at the back end of a logjam of pitchers. In 2007 he had a 3.24 ERA, this year it was a bit higher. Potential trade bait.
2009: AAA/MLB
Major League Potential- decent #5 starter
ETA: 2009

17. Joe Benson - OF - Low A - 20
He is one of he best athletes out of the Twins prospects. Was injured for much of 2008. Had 23 XBH in 234 at bats.
2009: A
Major League Potential: 25 HR power, 25 SB, great glove
ETA: 2012

16. Jeff Manship - RHP - AA - 23
Was lights out at A ball, was a little more shaky at AA, but finished the season strong. He will pitch in the Twins top prospect Arizona fall league.
2009: AA/AAA
Major League Potential - #3 Starter
ETA: 2010

15. Trevor Plouffe - SS - AAA - 22
Had 49 extra base hits in the minors last year between AA and AAA. Plays solid defense, could be the Twins future SS of the future. I'd prefer to see the Twins get someone bigger through a trade like JJ Hardy, but he isn't a bad option for the future.
2009: AAA/MLB
Major League Potential - MLB SS with some pop and good defense
ETA: 2009

14. Chris Parmalee - OF/1B - Low A - 20
Parmalee was injured for much of last season. In more or less half a season he had 14 HR and 49 RBI. Probably would have led the organization in HR's had he stayed healthy. Bad BA and strikes out a lot. An Adam Dunn type. The Twins best power prospect.
2009: A
Major League Potential - Corner outfielder who either hits a HR, strikes out, or walks most at bats
ETA: 2011

13. Shooter Hunt - RHP - Rookie League - 22
A first round draft pick for the Twins in 2008. Started out with the Elizabethton Twins and gave up 1 run in 19 innings. Was moved up and didn't fare quite as well but the potential is definitely there. Has the best curveball in the Twins organization.
2009: Low A/A
Major League Potential: #2 or 3 pitcher
ETA: 2013

12. Anthony Slama - RHP (Reliever) - A - 24
Slama likely had the best season of any Twin minor leaguer. It is hard to know how to rate his numbers because for his age he should have been in AA or AAA ball. But in 51 games (71 innings) he was 4-1, had 25 saves, had a 1.01 ERA, a .95 WHIP, struck out 110, gave up just 43 hits and 24 walks. I was hoping he would be up with the Twins in September but alas he wasn't called up. He better get some serious innings at higher levels so the Twins can see what they have on their hands.
2009: AA/AAA
Major League Potential: Lights out reliever, perhaps future closer
ETA: 2010

11. Tyler Robertson - LHP - A - 20
In 15 starts he went 5-3 and had a 2.72 ERA. He was injured most the rest of the season, or else he likely would have ranked much higher. Some people rate him sas the Twins best pitching prospect.
2009: A
Major League Potential: #2 or 3 pitcher
ETA: 2011/2012

10. Kevin Mulvey - RHP - AAA - 23
Mulvey had a 3.77 ERA and struck out 121. He was the most consistent starter in AAA, and could step into the rotation if something happens to one of the big league starters.
2009: AAA/MLB
Major League Potential: Solid back end of the rotation starter
ETA: 2009

9. Deolis Guerra - RHP - A - 19
Ok Guerra didn't have a great season, but he the youngest player in A ball. Really most players his age are a few steps back, if not just getting out of high school. He still has the potential to be an ace and the biggest piece in the Johan Santana trade.
2009: A/AA
Major League Potential: #1 Starter/Ace
ETA: 2011

8. Wilson Ramos - C - A - 21
The Dominican Ramos hit 13 HR and 22 doubles while hitting around .300. A very good catcher with a great arm. Those are good numbers for a 20 year old in a pitcher friendly league. He could take turns DHing and catching with Mauer when he arrives.
2009: AA
Major League Potential: Slugging catcher who could move Mauer from the plate
ETA: 2010

7. Luke Hughes - 3B/2B/CF - AAA - 24
Hughes came out of nowhere to climb high onto the Twins prospect lists. In April alone he slugged 8 HR's and hit well over .300. He was injured off and on but made his way to the all-star game and earned a promotion to AAA. He could add some needed power to the Twins in 2009 as one of the team's infielders.
2009: AAA/MLB
Major League Potential: decent power bat
ETA: 2009

6. Anthony Swarzak - RHP - AAA - 23
Swarzak was stuck at AA at the beginning of last year and he didn't do so hot, perhaps disappointed he wasn't at AAA. When he did move up he was lights-out. He went 5-0 with 1.80 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. The best starting pitching prospect. If Perkins or Blackburn are traded he could step into the Twins pitching rotation.
2009: AAA/MLB
Major League Potential: #2 starter
ETA: 2009

5. Jose Mijares - LHP (Relief) - AA - 23
Mijares was in a terrible accident before the season that cut his season short. However he was called up to the Twins in September and quickly evolved into the 8th inning set up man. He was amazing and was the best reliever down the strech. Look for more of the same, although might be moved to 7th inning with Neshek coming back.
2009 : MLB
Major league Potential : Great lefty, primary setup man, future closer
ETA: 2009


4. Danny Valencia - 3B - AA - 23
Had an .850 - .950 OPS between A and AA ball last season. Hit 15 HR as well. Many view him as the Twins 3B of the future, perhaps as early as next year, but if not, then in time for the new ballpark.
2009: AAA / MLB
Major league potential: Good power & average, and good defense
ETA: 2009


3. Angel Morales - CF - Rookie ball - 18
Had a .623 slugging percentage and 15 HR in a short season with the Elizabethton Twins. A 5 - tool prospect. Could have easily been #1 on this list.
2009: Low A ball.
Major league potential: Solid middle of the order bat with power.
ETA: 2012

2. Aaron Hicks - CF - Rookie ball-19
The Twins first pick in the 2008 draft. He is one of the best prospects they have had in years. Many teams wanted to draft him as a pitcher, which tells me he will have an amazing outfield arm. A solid athlete who can hit for power, average, has speed, amazing defense, and a cannon arm.
2009: Low A ball.
Major league potential: Solid middle of the order order bat.
ETA: 2012

1. Ben Revere - CF - Low A - 20
Revere had the best season of any minor league Twin in 2008. He flirted with .400 BA for most the season and hit .379 with a .433 OBP and .497 SLG. He had 17 doubles and 10 triples, and 44 steals. Perhaps isn't the best defender at this point but he should improve thanks to his blazing speed.
2009: Play in A/AA ball.
Major league potential: SB machine, good leadoff bat.
ETA:2010/2011

A look ahead: 2010 Minnesota Twins

In 2010 the Twins new ballpark will open. This will be a huge day for the Twins shall be getting out of the Metrodome, perhaps the worst baseball ballpark in MLB. The Twins aren’t necessarily rebuilding but they are regrouping, trying to be a World Series caliber team. It’s not a bad idea, most this team is really young especially the core. Only Michael Cuddyer and Joe Nathan are over 27. So the 2008 Twins are kind of like the beta 2010 Twins. Here is what the 2010 Twins might look like on opening day:

C Joe Mauer
1B Justin Morneau
2B Alexi Casilla
SS Trevor Plouffe
3B Danny Valencia
LF Delmon Young
CF Carlos Gomez
RF Michael Cuddyer
DH Jason Kubel

SP Francisco Liriano
SP Scott Baker
SP Kevin Slowey
SP Phil Humber
SP Deolis Guerra

CL Joe Nathan

And the lineup:

CF Gomez
C Mauer
LF Young
1B Morneau
RF Cuddyer
DH Kubel
3B Valencia
SS Plouffe
2B Casilla

All of those guys have great potential. Only Joe Nathan and perhaps Michael Cuddyer have reached their ceiling. Casilla and Gomez could combine for over 100 SB. Mauer/Young/Morneau/Cuddyer/Kubel will be one of the best middle of the lineup combinations. Valencia and Plouffe have great offensive potential as well. Valencia will be the best Twins 3B since Koskie and Plouffe will have the most extra-base hits for a Twins shortstop in a long long time.


And the rotation, well it could be amazing. Liriano could end up being the best pitcher on the planet (yes, better than Santana), Baker has the potential to rack up high strikeout totals and low walks issued, Slowey reminds many of Greg Maddux and Brad Radke due to his command and deception, Humber was the #3 pick in his draft for a reason, and Deolis Guerra should be ready for the rotation around this time and will help anchor the top of the rotation for a very long time.

This post comes at a bad time. 2008 just started, I know. The Twins could be very good this year. But they are more likely to disappoint. So if the season gets to be rough then we can just look 2 years to the future and therein lies great hope and potential.

Tim’s Minnesota Twins Top Prospects

1. Carlos Gomez, CF ETA: 2008

A prospect the Twins received in the Johan Santana trade. He is the best all-around athlete in the Twins system now. He is the fastest runner in the Twins organization if not the major leagues. He has power to hit a lot of double and a good number of home runs. He has a cannon arm and is an excellent defender. He is still very raw but will likely be the Twins opening day starting center fielder and leadoff hitter if he has a solid spring training.


2. Deolis Guerra, RHP ETA: 2010-2011

He is somewhat similar to Gomez, a player received from the Mets who has tons of potential but is still somewhat raw. He is from Venezuela and is only 18 years old. He has a huge body frame and has the potential to be an ace and be the Twins #2 starter behind Francisco Liriano.


3. Tyler Robertson, LHP ETA: 2010

6-5, 225 pound, 19 year old lefty. He has three solid different pitches. Last year he struck out 123 batters in 102 innings in A ball. Hitters hit just .227 off of him. He had an ERA of 2.29 and looks to be a top of the rotation starter. Should start the year in AA ball.


4. Anthony Swarzak, RHP ETA: 2009
Anthony Swarzak is a young right-hander in AA. He has hit 95 mph on the radar gun and his curveball is his out pitch and his changeup gives him plenty of strikeouts as well. .Swarzak was the fifth of six pitchers the Twins selected in the first three rounds of the 2004 draft, but he has emerged as one of their top prospects. He has the potential to be a #2 starting pitcher.


5. Ben Revere, CF ETA: 2011
The Twins first round draft choice in 2007. Baseball America said he was the fastest player in the draft. He had a great first year in the minor leagues, with 10 triples and 21 steals in 50 games, to go along with a .388 on-base percentage and a .461 slugging percentage. One problem is that he is unlikely to develop home run power.


6. Jeff Manship, RHP ETA: 2010
The Twins took him in the 14th round of the draft, in 2006. Manship posted a 1.26 ERA in his 14-inning pro debut. Last year he dominated low Single-A with a 1.51 ERA and 77-to-9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 77.2 innings. He was then promoted to high Single-A and had a 3.15 ERA there. So Manship had a hugely successful first full season. He doesn’t have overpowering stuff but he should be at least a mid-rotation starter.


7. Kevin Mulvey, RHP ETA: 2008
Acquired from the Mets in the Santana trade. Was the Mets Minor League Pitcher of the Year. He has modest strikeout numbers, but is very good at keeping the ball in the park. He’s just given up 5 home runs in 173 innings. Should develop into a solid #3 or #4 starting pitcher.


8. Trevor Plouffe, SS ETA: 2009

The Twins first round draft pick in 2004. He struggled at low Single-A and high Single-A over the first two seasons. Despite this, the Twins put him in AA as a 20 year old. He had the best year of his career with 9 home runs and 48 extra-base hits. His 37 doubles ranked third in the league. Plouffe has been pushed through the minors quickly, but he is just 21 and he is headed in the right direction.


9. Chris Parmalee RF ETA: 2011-2012

Drafted by the Twins with the 20th overall pick in the 2006 draft. He had a great first pro season with a .369 on-base percentage and a .532 slugging percentage. He had a disappointing last season, and he struck out in 27 percent of his plate appearances. He did rank in the league’s top 10 in homers. He looks like he will develop into a major power threat, since he has 23 homers, 63 extra-base hits in just 184 games as a teenager. But he needs to improve his .249 batting average and 193 strikeouts to be a potential impact bat.


10. Wilson Ramos C ETA: 2011-2012

The Twins signed Ramos of Venezuela as a 16-year-old in 2004. Wilson Ramos made his pro debut at rookie-ball in 2006 and hit .286 with three homers and 16 total extra-base hits, in 46 games. Last year he had a great season and adjusting for his age, level of competition, defensive position, and offensive environment, Ramos' performance was the best of any position player in the Twins' minor-league system. It is tough to say how well Ramos will do in the future because he is a teenage catcher. But Ramos has hit .290 through his first 119 games and has thrown out 41% of basestealers. It looks like he could develop some power as well. If he does reach the majors, he possesses the greatest threat to consider moving Joe Mauer from catcher to 3B.