Organization Discussion: Minnesota Twins

by John Sickels on Oct 12, 2025 11:18 AM EDT Comment 52 comments

I am now beginning work on the 2010 Baseball Prospect Book. The first three teams I do, traditionally, are the Minnesota Twins, Atlanta Braves, and Kansas City Royals. After that I work on whatever teams strike my fancy, although I try to alternate NL and AL teams.

Anyway, I should start writing Twins comments tomorrow. Use this thread to discuss the Minnesota farm system.

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Ramos

How good is he? is he good enough to handle the pressure of being the guy who possibly replaces Joe Mauer?

by NYSOX on Oct 12, 2025 12:19 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Not as good as Mauer but he doesn't get enough credit.

I know there is Montero, Posey, Santana, Wieters, Marson, and others in the AL, but he is not too far behind as others think. Unfortunately he didn’t play a lot this year but I think he will be a starter.

I really like Parmelee and Slama to move up the list from last year. Bromberg could too. Delaney might move up a few spots.

by sjkqw on Oct 12, 2025 12:37 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Bromberg

He is another guy I like. I was alittle suprised that BA ranked Gutierrez above him. At this time last year I was thinking Bromberg as a bullpen guy. I dont see that anymore. He def. should remain a starter. You think he spends the entire year in AA ?

by NYSOX on Oct 12, 2025 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yeah SP David Bromberg

should be in AA all year in 2010
Parmelee will probably be in AA too.
Revere is another guy, he should be in AA all year long.

As for Wilson Ramos, I’m sure the Twins will start him off at AA, but I have a strong feeling he’ll end up playing the majority of 2010 in AAA.

OF Rene Tosoni will be between AA and AAA in 2010
OF Joe Benson is a questionable case he may only start off in A+, but could be a AA candidate quickly….
3B Danny Valencia should be with the Twins in 2010
OF Aaron HIcks and Angel Morales these guys will be brought along slowly, Hicks will be in single A and Morales maybe in high single A.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hirschfeld to AA too I would imagine.

But what about Tyler Robertson?

by simsypoo on Oct 12, 2025 3:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Why wouldn't Hicks be in the FSL?

by jibs on Oct 12, 2025 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

IMO Aaron Hicks will start off in the Midwest League

I wouldn’t be surprised if he saw some to a lot of time in the FSL
But I don’t see him playing there more than half of next season.

Of course, how well he plays in Beloit next year (A) will dictate how the Twins will move him up, aggressiveness and when.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 10:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

ramos

Marson and Ramos don’t even belong in the same sentence as those 4. When I look at Ramos, I see a line drive hitter with potential strike zone problems.

by another know it all on Oct 12, 2025 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I was trying to say

the gap isn’t as big as most make it seam. I know Marson isn’t like the others either, but he has been pretty big since the trade.

by sjkqw on Oct 12, 2025 3:21 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Ramos

At all levels so far, he’s shown an above average bat and excellent defense. Plus, whether it’s winter ball of FSL playoffs, he’s shined in the playoffs. There appears to be a lot of playoff “clutchness”, to the extent that it exists in anyone. In A and A+ ball, he’s DH’d quite a bit, because of his bat. His biggest problem has been health.

I could see Ramos as early as 2011 becoming Mauer’s backup (Mauer is not going anywhere), letting Mauer DH more often.

by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2025 8:55 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

timeline

on Miguel Angel Sano? Obviously there are precedents on when he will come to the United States, play short-season ball, graduate to full-season ball, etc., but has anybody heard anything yet from the Twins or have any predictions? Obviously the Twins are generally very cautious with their prospects and Sano is probably pretty raw.

by richieabernathy on Oct 12, 2025 12:44 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Their draft...

Got great value with Gibson, then added three more quality arms on day one in Bashore, Bullock, and Tootle, though two are relievers. McCallum wasn’t great in his debut, but he’ll be a quality second base option in a few years.

My grades for their picks on the Sickels grading scale:

Kyle Gibson, RHP: B- due to injury concerns
Matt Bashore, LHP: C+
Billy Bullock, RHP: C+
Ben Tootle, RHP: C with potential
Derek McCallum, 2B: C
Tobias Streich, C: C with big power potential
Chris Herrmann, OF: C
Brad Stillings, RHP: C
Brian Dozier, SS: C

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by Andy Seiler on Oct 12, 2025 12:46 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I like it

Gibson a B maybe. I like Herrmann a lot. Tootle is good, but you do mention the potential. I would say that is pretty good.

by sjkqw on Oct 12, 2025 1:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gibson is probably a B when healthy.

He needs to prove he is before I give him that grade.

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by Andy Seiler on Oct 12, 2025 1:16 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

B+

when healthy

by joegonzo on Oct 13, 2025 7:09 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

If you think McCallum is going

to be a good second base option in a couple years shouldn’t he be graded higher than a C?

by Birdfan01 on Oct 12, 2025 8:28 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think you're low on Bashore and Gibson

Bashore looks like a solid college starting prospect, and will be at least a B- and maybe a B. Gibson is a wildcard because of his injury problems, but I think he might even get a B+ if he looks good over the off-season

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by OldProspects on Oct 13, 2025 9:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Michael Tonkin

Great numbers as a 19 y/o in the GCL this year… Above average stuff with considerable upside. Any chance he cracks the top 20 this year?

by another know it all on Oct 12, 2025 1:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

nope

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 3:04 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not book stuff

but of their guys that graduated this year, who would be the ones that you see improving on their performance going forward, and who is likely to regress?

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 12, 2025 2:03 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

for instance...

my top two for each would be swarzak improving, duensing likely regressing some as he’s not shown this level of success before…

anyone else?

Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting different results.

by biggentleben on Oct 12, 2025 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

not sure but.....

Graduates:
Duesning - regressing likely
Swarzak - should improve, but not by much
Jose Morales - really is what he is

Trades:
Kevin Mulvey - could be D-Backs #4 starter for a long time - very modestly improve
Yohan Pino - I think this was an underrated pickup by the Indians org. -stay same
Tyler Ladendorf - The A’s really like him, but so far he hasn’t produced. -he should improve

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 3:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Graduates

I’m with you on Duensing, expect some regression.

I think Swarzak was a bit rushed this year with the injuries, he should compete for the Twins #5 spot next year with Manship, Duensing and Perkins.

Jose Morales is a wild card. I don’t think he’s really a .300 major league hitter at this point, and his defense needs to improve. Can be a good backup catcher next year while the Twins wait for Wilson Ramos.

by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2025 8:41 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Span

Ive been really impressed, he’s exceeded expectations. Does anyone see him as star potential or a good,solid player.

.300+ avg
good defense
.800 OPS+
he hits lefties well
With all the hype of gomez replacing hunter before, span took that job and locked it up for awhile

by Asfan4ever723 on Oct 12, 2025 3:09 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Span's ability to play all 3 OF positions

probably gives Carlos Gomez one more shot at locking down CF…
but I really don’t see it anymore.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 3:24 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

solid...

lack of power prevents him from being a star, but he has certainly blown away any expectations. Labled a 4th OFer 3 years ago he is know the best leadoff hitter in the Al Central (Granderson and Sizemore are NOT leadoff hitters and would be better suited 5th or 6th).

by ScottAZ on Oct 12, 2025 3:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

we kind of blew this one

His rate numbers were never much to speak of, but he showed the ability to hit for average, made a lot of contact and walked a decent amount of the time. With all the things he can offer (hitting for average and getting on base, speed on the bases, solid defense with flexibility), it wasn’t going to take the development of all that much power out of him to make him a useful regular.

Considering that Ben Revere looks an awful lot like Span except with better aptitude for gap power and strike zone awareness at the same age . . .I have to say, Revere’s a guy I’m starting to get really excited about.

by mrkupe on Oct 12, 2025 7:08 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

The light turned on for Span

In 2008, his strike zone discipline improved a ton. This coincided with laser eye surgery, FWIW.

I don’t think Span will ever be an all star, but he’s a solid 3-4 WAR outfielder and anchors the top of the lineup. Ideally, Minnesota would put him in left with Gomez in center, maximizes the team’s outfield defense.

by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2025 8:39 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

+1 good post, Adam

the light turned on and the LASIK eye surgery must of helped.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 10:31 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not to mention

the arrival of Carlos Gomez. One look at Gomez and Span knew that If you want to differentiate yourself from Gomez, working counts and taking pitches would be one way to do it. It’s amazing what can happen when a little competition arrives and the job you thought was going to be yours is now up for grabs. Span could see what needed to be done and he did what he needed to put himself at the top of that lineup.

by smoooooth on Oct 13, 2025 12:35 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I wouldn't say we blew it on Span

For every guy like Span (decent average, decent BB/K, good speed, poor SB %, no power) who succeeds, there are ten guys who fall by the wayside. He absolutely exploded at the age of 24, and I would be highly reticent to forecast a similar happening for others of his skill set.

Just because a player defies the odds, doesn’t mean the odds are poorly calculated.

by aCone419 on Oct 13, 2025 11:16 AM EDT up reply actions 1 recs

I have no Clue where Miguel Angel Sano should rank...

Or Max Kepler for that matter……
however, I think Aaron Hicks should retain his B+
roughly followed by
Ramos B
Revere B
Valencia B- (he could have earned a raise to B)
Bromberg B- (does he deserve a B ?)
Gibson B- (I agree with as stated earlier because of durability concerns, B- looks good)
Angel Morales B- (strikes out a lot, could be concerning)
Anthony Slama B-
Chris Parmelee, Ok is he a C+ or does he squeak out a B-?

Then there is RP Carlos Gutierrez

Possible Sleepers SP Adrian Salcedo (BA apparently really likes him)
SP Brett Hermson
RP Alex Burnett
SP Michael Tonkin (maybe)
SS Brian Dozier, ’09 draftee looks really good despite lack of power…

Overall, I feel the Twins have a lot of depth and a stronger system from 2 years ago for sure and probably last year as well.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 3:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

parmelee

Can’t see how he isn’t at least a B- . . .draws lots of walks with impressive power potential, really cut down on the Ks this year. If he keeps it up that batting average is going to jump.

by mrkupe on Oct 12, 2025 7:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Pretty solid rankings

For me (an admittedly biased Twins fan):

Ramos is a B, trending toward B+. He needs to stay healthy and show he can perform over a full season to get to B+ territory.
Revere is a B, bordering on B-. Pretty one dimensional, batting average took a big dive this year in FSL.
Valencia is a B-, trending toward B based on his performance in AAA. I think it might be early for anyone to consider him the 2010 third baseman.
Parmelee should be a B-. He took a big step in Ft. Myers this year with the large ballparks. The same performance coult translate quite well in AA.
Gutierrez and Delaney are both B-, IMO.

by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2025 8:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Sano....

could get at most a C+ from me. Kepler would get a C.

by joegonzo on Oct 13, 2025 7:11 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Three low-level guys I really like..

Joe Benson (IMO, Benson’s really flying under the radar. I think he’s a B- prospect right now with potential to really grow…he’s just been around awhile but he’s still young. Much, much better prospect than Revere).

B.J. Hermsen and Mike Tonkin (You can take GCL numbers with a grain of salt, in general, but at least in Tonkin’s case he was well-regarded entering the draft. I’d be surprised if both weren’t top 20 prospects in this system).

by WrenFGun on Oct 12, 2025 5:30 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

benson and hermsen

Hermsen is actually from an Iowa high school . . .John always gives the love to Iowa guys.

Benson is a pretty good one, very good athlete with surprisingly good baseball skills despite being a bit raw. The thing that drags him down is durability . . .he’s missed a good chunk of each of the last two seasons. It’ll be interesting to see if the Twins challenge him with AA or if they start him back in the FSL.

by mrkupe on Oct 12, 2025 7:14 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

They'll probably start him back in FSL

but I’d like to see the Twins push guys a little bit more. Not to the point that the Mets do it, but more than now.

by Adam Peterson on Oct 12, 2025 8:50 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

the tough thing for Twins prospects is

Lots of difficult hitting environments. I could see holding Benson two years in the Midwest League because he was REALLY raw coming out of high school and he also grew up in the Midwest. But two years for a Cali kid like Parmelee in the Midwest League is just brutal. I would have preferred that he spent two years in playing the FSL despite the tougher competition, since the conditions are much closer to the environment he grew up in.

Hopefully they won’t do the same thing with Aaron Hicks next year. With his toolset and youth, you’re looking at the marathon and not the spring with him, so getting him into nicer conditions would do some good. I think his plate discipline is solid enough to manage.

by mrkupe on Oct 12, 2025 10:27 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

other Low Level Sleepers

DH Josmil Pinto
OF Oswaldo Arcia
SP Blane Weller

I think we are overlooking SP Blane Weller….

+ I could See Oswaldo Arcia get mention on John’s 2010 Top Twins prospects…

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 12, 2025 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

my breakdown of the twins farm system....

i think they really improved it a lot in the past 4 months, it was looking pretty blah until then.

Catcher- Wilson Ramos- looks to be their go to guy in the minors. A pretty solid bat, nothing like Mauer, but who is, and he plays some great defense. He’s got all the stuff to be a major league starting catcher.

1st- Chris Parmalee- He’s alright, but he won’t be dethroning Justin Morneau anytime soon. I don’t think he will ever be a big average guy, but he can hit for some pop. Pinch Hitter/DH type probably.

2nd Base- Dinkleman/Mccallum- I think both have decent potential but not great, probably more utility types.

3rd Base- Dany Valencia- I think he starts for the Twins next year. He’s a college product out of Miami. He’s got a pretty good stick and should be at Target Field next year.

OF- * I think this is the strength of the their minor leagues****
1. Aaron Hicks- 5 tooler, great athlete, will be a good CF’r, look for him in High A next year.
2. Miguel Angel Sano- yes the 16 or 18 year old prospect recently signed for 3.15 million dollars. I think with his current size he projects as a Outfielder or possibly 3rd base. His upside is the best in the system possibly
3. Ben Revere- top of the order hitter, steals bags, gets on base
4. Angel Morales- Power
5.. Benson- Has a lot of tools.

Pitchers
- Kyle Gibson- Upside of a #2
- David Bromberg- will be in AA next year nice player
- Anthony Swarzak
- Brian Duensing ( if you still include him)
- Adrian Salecedo/Hermsen/Tonkin/Pedro Guerra ( all at lover levels)
- Ben tootle and billy bullock and matt bashore ( early picks this year, college guys)

Overall I think the system will yield some pretty good MLB talent. Twins I believe are really starting to invest more resources in the latin market ( Sano, Jorge Polanco) and Europe with Max Kepler, and signed overslot guy in the mlb draft Gibson. I think their Farm has a few big time upside guys that if they hit their potential will be impact bats (hicks/sano) and a potential lead off type guy in (revere).

It’s not a top 5 Farm system, but by no means is it poor.

by hotshotschamp on Oct 13, 2025 5:38 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Sano, 2?

Really? He may have upside, but he’s a complete question mark. This is the same flawed rationality that got Ynoa on top 100 lists.

by jar75 on Oct 13, 2025 9:06 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

he is saying

second-best outfielder

"If you hit .440 with 20 bombs, you don't have to do s---. You don't have to bring a glove to practice, just hit and leave whenever you want. You can bring a 40 and smoke a cigarette and call me from the parking lot asking me what time the game is, and I'll tell you. You can even say 'F--- you, Steve!' Actually, don't say that, that wouldn't be very nice." -Steve Friend, Head Coach, Chabot College Gladiators Baseball

by flipgatey3 on Oct 13, 2025 7:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Salcedo

Im really liking Adrian Salcedo quite a bit. I think he is going to become much more of a household name this next season.

by bkmhoxx on Oct 13, 2025 12:02 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

bold

He’s young so it might be a while before he is playing full season ball.

Talented for sure, but very young

by DaTwins on Oct 16, 2025 11:49 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

A little late

But LIAM HENDRIKS and TOM STUIFBERGEN need to be mentioned.

They’re so awesome that their names get to be written in all-caps.

by RedSoxFaithful on Oct 13, 2025 4:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah, actually both of those guys

Young SP
would probably rank between #32-#42 in my top twins prospects list right now.

They deserve to get mention, probably…

I’d rank the Twins overall STARTING Pitchers as follows…
(I have Swarzak, and Duensing as graduates)

1. Dave Bromberg / Gibson
2. Kyle Gibson / Bromberg
3. Deolis Guerra
4. Jeff Manship
5. Tyler Robertson
6. Adrian Salcedo
7. B.J. Hermson
8. Michael McCardell (could be higher)
9. Bradley Tippett
10. Liam Hendricks
11. Blane Weller
12. Mathew Bashore (if he would have pitched, he would be higher)
13. Tom Stuifbergen
14. Mike Tonkin
15. Bobby Lanigan

H.M. Santos Arias, Steven Hirshfeld, Matt Fox, Martie Garcia

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 13, 2025 5:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Shooter

Wow, Shooter Hunt was so bad that he doesn’t get a single mention in this whole thread… quite a fall from the thoughts last year. It seems a little harsh, as other people with poor years don’t usually fall off the cliff this fast.

by JRTwins on Oct 14, 2025 2:23 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

His bad year came last year

This year was an unmitigated fiasco. Striking out only 26 over 32 IP for a 22 year old against R and A ball hitters would be mediocre enough, if he could ever throw the ball over the plate. Unfortunately, that’s looking increasingly less likely.

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by OldProspects on Oct 14, 2025 3:19 AM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Just for kicks

I may rank Relief Pitchers as follows:

1. Anthony Slama - AAA
2. Carlos Gutierrez - AA
3. Robert Delaney - AAA
4. Alex Burnett - AA
5. Loek Van Mil - AA
6. Spencer Steedley - AA
7. Andrey Lobanov - A- (could rank higher, young Russian lefty)

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 13, 2025 5:26 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs