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February 19, 2009

Future Shock

Twins Top 11 Prospects

by Kevin Goldstein

top 11 prospects

MINNESOTA TWINS
Team Audit | DT Cards | PECOTA Cards | Depth Chart

Five-Star Prospects
1. Ben Revere, CF
2. Aaron Hicks, CF
Three-Star Prospects
3. Danny Valencia, 3B
4. Angel Morales, CF
5. Wilson Ramos, C
6. Shooter Hunt, RHP
7. Kevin Mulvey, RHP
8. David Bromberg, RHP
9. Carlos Gutierrez, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
10. Deolis Guerra, RHP
11. Jeff Manship, RHP

Just Missed: Steven Tolleson, 2B/SS; Anthony Swarzak, RHP; Jose Mijares, LHP

Ranking Challenges: The top two traded places a few times, and while Hicks offers a higher ceiling, Revere comes with more certainty because of his core hitting ability. After that, this system grades down significantly, becoming a bit of a crap shoot. With every one of the three-star players, there are a lot of things to like, and a lot of things to be leery about. Regardless of his promise, Guerra still slides toward the bottom based upon both his youth and what we've seen from him in the recent past.

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20 comments have been left for this article.

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ramjam36

(48297)

I'm a Ranger fan, and I am happy that they picked Smoak, but Aaron Hicks would have been my next choice if Smoak had not been there...that kid's going to be a stud! With the polish he showed this season, I can't believe you ranked him behind Revere.

Feb 19, 2009 09:00 AM

rating: 1

DGBL

(32998)

Revere-Hicks are a tough two to rank. Depending on what you're looking for, it could go either way. I'd take Hicks since his power ceiling his much higher, but they're both 5 star guys.

Feb 19, 2009 09:11 AM

rating: 0

DGBL

(32998)

... but I do think a lot of fans severely underrate Revere. They see he only hit 1 homer and ignore everything else.

Feb 19, 2009 09:15 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

and the fact that if you actually SAW him play, you'd see that he is most definitely NOT a slap hitter. He can put a charge into a ball. He's never going to be a home run threat, but he's not Juan Pierre by any stretch.

Feb 19, 2009 09:44 AM

adkbaseballchronicle

(9525)

No Mike McCardell....wow. The strikeout to walk ratio is incredible.

Feb 19, 2009 09:22 AM

rating: 0

DGBL

(32998)

Yeah, but he's also 23 and was in low-A.

Feb 19, 2009 09:40 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

The age is a factor, as are the scouting reports. He's pure finesse with an 87-90 mph fastball. I'm not totally killing the guy though. He has a nice curve, obviously plus command and he works quickly and efficiently. I think he's a good sleeper for a bullpen role down the line.

Feb 19, 2009 09:46 AM

jwillie

(36284)

Minnesota boy here, and have been waiting for the Twins top 11 for it seems like forever. Thank you so very much for the good work you do on this. I have only 2 years under my belt of becoming a baseball fanatic, studying this site and others. Hicks has me giddy and Revere brings a smile to my face. Q: Does Revere project anything more than a Juan Pierre the second?
Can anyone guess what the Twins outfield looks like in 2-4 years? Span, Gomez, and Young are still very young.
Should the organization trade the prospects or big league boys to restock there infield?
Once again, great work. Go Twins!!!!

Feb 19, 2009 10:05 AM

rating: 0

jlebeck66

(38645)

It was fun watching Manship & McCardell carve up MWL hitters when they were here, even if I knew they were a little old for the league.

And yes, Revere does have good pop for a 1-homer guy.

Feb 19, 2009 10:08 AM

rating: 0

ramjam36

(48297)

I wasn't trying to knock Revere as much as I was gushing about Aaron Hicks. Revere is definitely a quality prospect in his own right with an easy 7 hit tool. I guess Hicks just reminds me of a more advanced Engel Beltre, one of my favorite prospects. I think Hicks and Beltre will both be Top 20 prospects this time next year.

Feb 19, 2009 10:39 AM

rating: 0

jwillie

(36284)

Rumor has it that Revere played some 2b in high school. Is there any chance that he could attempt to learn the position again. He would be much more valuable to the Twins at that position. Could it really hurt him? Especially if his power has him at more of utility type guy role? I do love his bat and speed. Just curious.

Feb 19, 2009 10:48 AM

rating: 0

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

I love his bat and speed as well, but having him learn a new position at this point would be too risky for his development.

Feb 19, 2009 11:02 AM

ClubberLang

(4978)

"His fastball generally sat in the 87-89 mph range, his command went south," -- velocity drop + loss of command often indicates some sort of impending (or current) injury, no? I mean, that was a mighty drop in velo for a guy who touches 97 and usually sat in the low-mid 90s.

Feb 19, 2009 11:20 AM

rating: 0

Brock Dahlke

(44450)

I heard that the Twins were messing with his delivery and that brought down the velocity, but they are hoping that he gets more comfortable and the velocity comes back.

Feb 19, 2009 12:24 PM

rating: 0

fellajsmall

(39851)

Wow, Hicks and Reveere ahead of Gomez in the under 25. Not that Gomez is somethign to write home about, that is a little surpirsing.

Feb 19, 2009 12:58 PM

rating: -1

allstonrock

(31811)

How does Chris Parmelee not make this list?
He has the most power in the system and even though his average has not been good his obp is in the .380 range
what gives?

Feb 19, 2009 13:29 PM

rating: -1

Kevin Goldstein

BP staff

(27460)

A. He was the sleeper.
B. You point out the good, while conveniently ignoring the bad, which included a .239 average in his second season at the same level to go with 83 strikeouts in 226 at-bats. That's once every 2.75, and that's brutal.

Feb 19, 2009 13:41 PM

West21

(16224)

Delmon Young= Andy Marte........who was just DFA today.

Feb 19, 2009 14:13 PM

rating: -3

killebrew

(1749)

Kevin - Doesn't Ramos' age/level/park/league put him ahead of Valencia with the bat even before position is considered? Add his plus defense to that and I think you have him too low. You nailed it with the comment about his trade value. I'm guessing every GM in the league would ask for him in a package before of Valencia or Morales.

Feb 19, 2009 14:55 PM

rating: 0

dtothew

(13185)

Kevin, why no action for Luke Hughes? 24 years old and not the best batting eye granted but almost a 900 OPS across AA and AAA last year, seems like he could've found room towards the end of this list?

Feb 19, 2009 21:53 PM

rating: 0

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