Sleeper Prospect Report

by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2026 10:53 AM EDT Comment 34 comments

Today I want to talk about an overlooked/unsung prospect, Dirk Vadjer of the Twins. This is a bit of a cheat perhaps, as some of you know he's actually an excellent prospect, he just hasn't received much attention yet since he didn't sign until January (too late to appear in my book or Baseball America's) and as a guy from Europe he doesnt' get as much attention as US or Latin American guys. So here's the rundown.

Dirk Nikana Vadjer was born August 14, 1990, in the city of Eniootat, the Netherlands. The Twins have had an interest in European players for some time, if you remember Alexander Smit for example. Vadjer was signed by Twins international scout Howard Norsetter, who does a lot of work in Europe, Canada, and Australia. The Twins signed him for $900,000, more than last year's first-round pick Ben Revere got. I heard that at least two other teams bid similar money on Vadjer but that he was most comforable with the Minnesota organization.

Vadjer is a 6-5, 185 pound left-handed hitter and thrower, as you can see above just 17 years old. His fastball already hits 92-94 MPH and he's very projectable, the Twins think he could get into the 100 range with maturity. His curveball is erratic, but has the potential to be outstanding, perhaps a Blyleven-esque pitch. His changeup is also promising. His medical history is a bit unusual: his right forearm (not his throwing arm) was badly broken in an accident a few years ago and has never regained full strength.. It doesn't impact his throwing but it could be an issue in his fielding.

Vadjer's biggest problem is maturity: he has a lot of problems controlling his emotions and is somewhat volatile. If he can get a handle on that, learn to channel his aggression properly, he has the potential to be one of the best southpaw pitchers in the game, a Santana type. Of course learning to channel anger and aggression is a challenge many young players fail. We'll just have to see what happens with Vadjer, and we will watch his career with great interest.

NOTE: THIS IS AN APRIL FOOLS JOKE. PLEASE DON'T RUIN YOUR FANTASY TEAM BY PICKING UP THIS GUY

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by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2026 11:19 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Blyleven-esque?

That seems hyperbolic. Admittedly, I've only seen 1 Blyleven curve, and none from Vadjer, but Blyleven's was the nastiest curve I've ever seen. ESPN showed a clip and I rewound it 5 times. It started letters high just off the inside corner, the catcher caught it on the outside corner just below the knees. Absolutely amazing.

by Tyler on Apr 1, 2026 11:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

80's curves

Is it just me or did the 80's really feature some monster curve balls? From Blyleven to Doc Gooden.... Less in the 90's and the 00's. Seems like the slider really replaced the curve as the out pitch of choice.

by Lunkwill Fook on Apr 1, 2026 11:32 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I'm an idiot

that never pays attention to what the date is. Jeez. The worst was the David Wright for Jesus Colome w/ quotes from Minaya and Pinella. I was euphoric for well over an hour. Didn't bother to check anywhere else.

by Tyler on Apr 1, 2026 12:40 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

comments

Some comments are working, some are disappearing. The techs are working on it.

by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2026 11:36 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

tatooine

Man, who knew that Tatooine spelled backwards would plausibly sound like a city in the Netherlands.

Well played Mr. Sickels, well played...

by slackerjack on Apr 1, 2026 10:56 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

aprils fool?

Is this some kind of joke? I can't find any info on him.

by LCT on Apr 1, 2026 11:49 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

wow!

That is high praise and this is the first I've heard of him! I'm guessing the gulf coast league is where he gets his start if he's seventeen.

"I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?"

by maxisagod on Apr 1, 2026 11:50 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

hahaha

very nicely done.

by gogomets on Apr 1, 2026 12:05 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Vadjer

Vadjer is one of the more promising students of internationally famed pitching coach Ken Obi. I heard that he instructs his pitchers to close their eyes just before releasing the ball and envision the target, which is said to "force" the pitcher into the zone.

by daser on Apr 1, 2026 12:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Re: Vadjer

Yes the "force" is strong in this one.

by Illadelph on Apr 1, 2026 2:03 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

My thoughts

I saw some video of him on a scouting site, and I really like his mechanics. At times I think he's more machine than man.

by RockAndRollRaines on Apr 1, 2026 12:31 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

He's no Sidd Finch

I'm not impressed. Can he throw 168 mph with one hiking boot?

by tim_l on Apr 1, 2026 12:41 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

lunk

Lunkwill Fook was the first guy to detect the joke but he did it so early that I deleted his comment so as not to spoil it too quickly.

by John Sickels on Apr 1, 2026 12:42 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Early joke busting

I credit the fact that I do almost nothing but web surfing at work for my joke busting prowess.

by Lunkwill Fook on Apr 1, 2026 2:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Impressive, most impressive indeed

Excellent work John, as usual. I'm afraid, however, that your prospect will be affected by Carl Polhpadine's political whims. I bet Vadjer's kids will be something special, though.

by HavyBeaks on Apr 1, 2026 12:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Luke...

"Luke... I am your father..." -Dirk Vadjer

by Illadelph on Apr 1, 2026 2:01 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

heyy

i had the 1st comment... nice one though lol

by saldogg on Apr 1, 2026 5:07 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Oh, I see what you did there

Still not as great as Youtube's contribution to today, though. :)

"...and the only things I've found better than listening to Vin Scully are listening to Keith Jackson and uncut cocaine." (bleedjaxblue)

by drjayphd on Apr 1, 2026 5:33 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

What was that

I missed it?

1941 .406

by FrozenTed9 on Apr 1, 2026 5:47 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I liked

The Tatooine and channeling aggression parts best.

by TCapone30 on Apr 1, 2026 6:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Learning to control my emotions

So, I read the Sleeper Prospect Report. As I am reading the three paragraphs, I thought I felt a hook being speared through my cheek. Only I couldn't figure out why I felt like was being lead on by another sharp toug. I thought to myself "this guy has some potential". Think that having a bum none pitching arm really doesn't matter. Jim Abbott comes to mind as I am putting my comment/retort together in my head. I read on not even putting in mind something that was driven home by the Lex and Terry Radio show from this morning. Don't know if anyone here heard it. But it's April Fool's Day. After hearing that this morning I just knew I wouldn't be gotten for the day. I would be ready for it. But as the day comes to an end, I had forgot and I got got.

paw75

by paw75 on Apr 1, 2026 11:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

don't worry

you're not the only one. i got got too!

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Apr 2, 2026 10:28 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

dirk?

Okay, I get the Vadjer/Vader, and Nikana/Anakin parts of his name, but does the first name Dirk have any significance?

by journeymen on Apr 2, 2026 9:46 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Dirk

I think Dirk was used simply because "Darth" would have been a dead giveaway. Although "Garth" might have worked as well.

by Lunkwill Fook on Apr 2, 2026 10:50 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Still Laughing

Thanks, John. Because of you, I got the biggest laugh in the 7 seasons I've been commissioners of my 30 team dynasty league. Last night we got the following request from last year's league winner.

4/1 Boston Red Sox sign D. VADJER SP MIN

Followed by:

4/1 Boston Red Sox drop D. VADJER SP MIN

If the league goes another 70 years, he'll never live it down.

You're the best. Thanks for the laugh and all the USUALLY honest advice.

by chicagoyankee on Apr 2, 2026 10:32 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I'll give you one better

Not only did I pick him up in one of my dynasty leagues giving old Ben "why the F are you still in the minors" Francisco the boot but I went out and traded (in a diff. league) a 15th rnd fypd pick for a rnd 56 minor league pick thus proceeding to draft Mr. Dirk Vadjer at exactly 1 P.M. central time.

Sincerely,
not laughing one bit!

I heard Tim Lincecum will win 1 Cy Young & 11 Tim Lincecums. Question is, how many Cole Hamels will he win?

by the pinstripes on Apr 2, 2026 12:06 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs