Preliminary List of 2011 Minnesota Twins Prospects

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 10:50 AM EDT

Here are 62 names from the Minnesota Twins farm system under consideration for the 2012 Baseball Prospect Book. Obviously I don't have room for 62 players. I will have to cut this back to 40-42 at most. There is a lot of Grade C in this system.

If you see someone important that I'm missing, point them out. As stated, this list has to get sheared down by about 1/3, but I thought you guys might like to see the initial run-through. Players with a "??" are candidates to cut.

Andrew Albers              LHP
Oswaldo Arcia              OF
Matt Bashore               LHP         ??
Joe Benson                 OF
James Beresford            SS        ??
Madison Boer               RHP
Hudson Boyd                RHP
David Bromberg             RHP
Logan Darnell              LHP         ??
Pat Dean                   LHP          ??
Cole DeVries               RHP     ??
Scott Diamond              LHP
Brian Dozier               SS
Kyle Gibson                RHP
Niko Goodrum               SS
Tyler Grimes               SS
Deolis Guerra              RHP    ?? but pitched much better in relief
Carlos Gutierrez           RHP
Steve Gruver               LHP     ??
Travis Harrison            3B
Matt Hauser                RHP
Liam Hendriks              RHP
B.J. Hermsen               RHP
Chris Herrmann             C
Aaron Hicks                OF
Trent Higginbotham         RHP       ??
Bret Jacobson              RHP     ??
Max Kepler-Rozycki         OF
Austin Malinowski      LHP        ??
Angel Mata                 RHP      ??
Levi Michael               SS
Josue Montanez             LHP    ??
Angel Morales              OF
Lester Oliveros            RHP
Ryan O'Rourke              LHP
Danny Ortiz                OF
Chris Parmelee             1B
Jairo Perez                3B
Josmil Pinto               C           ??
Bruce Pugh                 RHP     ??
Lance Ray                  OF         ??
Nate Roberts               OF
Tyler Robertson            LHP
Dereck Rodriguez           OF     ??
Eddie Rosario              OF
Adrian Salcedo             RHP
Miguel Sano                3B
Daniel Santana             SS      ??
Tim Shibuya                RHP
Anthony Slama              RHP
Yangervis Solarte          OF      ??
Manuel Soliman             RHP
Tom Stuifbergen            RHP         ??
Matthew Summers            RHP
Kennys Vargas              1B          ??
Kyle Waldrop               RHP
Dakota Watts               RHP         ??
Blayne Weller              RHP             ??
Jason Wheeler              LHP
Corey Williams             LHP
JaDamion Williams          OF
Alex Wimmers               RHP

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Read More: Deolis Guerra (P - MIN), Cole Devries (P - MIN), Chris Parmelee (1B - MIN), Joe Benson (CF - MIN), Anthony Slama (P - MIN), Lester Oliveros (P - MIN), Yangervis Solarte (RF - MIN), James Beresford (SS - MIN), David Bromberg (P - MIN), Scott Diamond (P - MIN), Kyle Gibson (P - MIN), Carlos Gutierrez (P - MIN), Chris Herrmann (C - MIN), Brian Dozier (SS - MIN), Daniel Santana (SS - MIN), Aaron Hicks (OF - MIN), Liam Hendriks (P - MIN), Minnesota Twins

Comments

Bruce Pugh, Brett Jacobson, and Steven Hirshfeld we can all get a better/ clearer

perspective on. WIth how they pitch in the AFL. Even the early results hopefully….

Maybe its just me but i wouldnt’ cut Yangarvis Solarte, even though defensively he’s not anthing special he can play 3B and 2B in addition to the OF, plus that bat….. I don’t care how old or young he is…. I think he makes the top 40.

I’d want to add to the mix: C Daniel Rolhfing, C Danny Rams, P Pedro Guerra and P Ben Tootle.

But i really am impressed with the initial rundown

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 6, 2025 11:47 AM EDT reply actions

comments

I was looking at Hirshfeld but at age 26 he’s pretty old to just be in Double-a.

I’m going to keep Solarte.

Rolfhing doesn’t hit enough. Rams has horrendous contact problems. Guerra is interesting but is another Grade C type. Tootle…good arm, dismal results

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:10 PM EDT up reply actions

I like Pugh as well

He seems to have good stuff and has had good stats at times

by John Kelly on Oct 6, 2025 12:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Also I'm a big fan of the GB specialist SP Matt Tomshaw

he should be a candidate for top 40 honors….

and although it pains me to say it, Anthony Slama may be a candidate to be cut.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 6, 2025 11:52 AM EDT reply actions

other cutt candidates for me:

Cole DeVries and Trent Higginbotham

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 6, 2025 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

devries

I’m not a big devries guy but he could get into the majors next year. Higginebotham is a very interesting sleeper from the 2011 draft and I want to keep him

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions

tomshaw

is interesting but the low strikeout rate concerns me

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions

slama tough call due to elbow injury

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

what are your thoughts on Nate Roberts?

I think he is a big time under the radar prospect, he can get on base, has some pop, one of the 5 tool players that aren’t great at any 1 but decent in all areas.

by Dbullsfan on Oct 6, 2025 11:55 AM EDT reply actions

roberts

I gave Roberts a good review heading into 2011, and other than the injury he did well.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions

Guerra / Solarte

I would keep these two over any of the other guys mentioned as cuts and would agree with SHS on the two cuts to include. Perez (old for that league) I would cut too.

I think Guerra pitches for the Twins at some point in 2012 out of the pen. Solarte is one of the guys that is often mentioned by Molitor and other guys on the development side as someone to watch. They seem to think his bat will ultimately give him a chance.

by drjim on Oct 6, 2025 12:09 PM EDT reply actions

cuts

I am cutting Vargas….poor plate discipline and posiitonal factors.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:15 PM EDT reply actions

beresford

I think I have to cut Beresford. I respect his athleticism, but a sub .300 SLG in High-A just isn’t going to get it done.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:16 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

agreed

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions

This post brings up an interesting question

You’ve been doing this for fifteen years, now, John. How has the internet changed your perspective? And, specifically, does this community alter your perception of prospects or your evaluation process?

by robbbbbb on Oct 6, 2025 12:17 PM EDT reply actions

well

Well my process is a lot more transparent now. I use the community to make sure I’m not missing someone important, and as a sounding board.

Ultimately all decisions on 1) who to include and 2) how to grade/rate players are mine, obviously, since it is my book, and my responsibility. But I am always open to listening to ideas.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:20 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

That's a terrific perspective

You freely admit that the buck stops with you, which provides accountability. These are, after all, your informed opinions. But giving the community a chance to have input gives you extra chances to catch mistakes.

Neat.

by robbbbbb on Oct 6, 2025 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions

book

It’s my book, and people are paying me to analyze players and give my opinions about them. The responsibility is mine. If I’m wrong about a player, that’s my fault. If I’m right about a player, that’s my reward.

However, i am covering 30 different organizations. There are some teams I know a lot about (the Twins are one of them, the Royals another) and others that I don’t know as much about and have to dig deeper. There is always going to be someone out there who knows more about something than I do. Part of my job as a writer and analyst is to found out what I don’t know. I have contacts and resources to tap, some inside the game, and some outside the game, and the community is one of those resources.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions

so ultimately

So, when all is said and done, my final goal is to get it right, and opening up my process to some extent, showing how the sausage is made, helps me do that.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:33 PM EDT up reply actions 2 recs

D lefties

Darnell, Dean, and Diamond are all marginal types. I think I have to stick with Diamond because he could easily pitch quite a bit in 2012. Darnell and Dean…Grade C types, college arms, mediocre stats, but both could still do something.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:18 PM EDT reply actions

I still like Dean, but 'd understand if he get's cut.

He has that, typical MN starter make-up to him.

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

by maxisagod on Oct 7, 2025 12:55 PM EDT up reply actions

cut

Gonna cut Weller, Darnell, and Dean. I have to get ruthless here, I’m still over 50.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:39 PM EDT reply actions

cutting

Josmil Pinto. He hasn’t hit well since the Appy League.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:41 PM EDT reply actions

cut

cutting gruver, who was OK in the Appy League but is a college guy with so-so stuff

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:45 PM EDT reply actions

cut

Cutting Dakota Watts….great arm but horrible control. He may be reinstated if he performs well in Arizona Fall League.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:46 PM EDT reply actions

yeah he's been a big dissapointment

wasn’t long ago he had the best Fast-ball in the org.

and now the results speak for themselves….. poor.

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 9:00 AM EDT up reply actions

list

Andrew Albers LHP
Oswaldo Arcia OF
Matt Bashore LHP
Joe Benson OF
Madison Boer RHP
Hudson Boyd RHP
David Bromberg RHP
Cole DeVries RHP
Scott Diamond LHP
Brian Dozier SS
Kyle Gibson RHP
Niko Goodrum SS
Tyler Grimes SS
Deolis Guerra RHP
Carlos Gutierrez RHP
Travis Harrison 3B
Matt Hauser RHP
Liam Hendriks RHP
B.J. Hermsen RHP
Chris Herrmann C
Aaron Hicks OF
Trent Higginbotham RHP
Bret Jacobson RHP
Max Kepler-Rozycki OF
Austin Malinowski LHP
Angel Mata RHP
Levi Michael SS
Josue Montanez LHP
Angel Morales OF
Lester Oliveros RHP
Ryan O’Rourke LHP
Danny Ortiz OF
Chris Parmelee 1B
Jairo Perez 3B
Bruce Pugh RHP
Lance Ray OF
Nate Roberts OF
Tyler Robertson LHP
Eddie Rosario OF
Adrian Salcedo RHP
Miguel Sano 3B
Daniel Santana SS
Tim Shibuya RHP
Anthony Slama RHP
Yangervis Solarte OF
Manuel Soliman RHP
Matthew Summers RHP
Kyle Waldrop RHP
Jason Wheeler LHP
Corey Williams LHP
JaDamion Williams OF
Alex Wimmers RHP

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:47 PM EDT reply actions

that's 52. I need to cut at least 8 more. See how hard this is? You can make a case for everyone on there.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:48 PM EDT reply actions

cut

I think I have to cut Lance Ray (lots of strikeouts, can’t hit lefties), Anthony Slama (old, health)

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:51 PM EDT reply actions

philosophical question

Would you rather read about Grade C future middle relievers like DeVries and Jacobson who might get to the majors in 2012, or a Grade C infielder like Danny Santana who is young but might never hit enough to even reach the majors?

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 12:55 PM EDT reply actions

younger in general

I’ve noticed the last couple of years that you’re very hesitant to cut players who may be marginal MLBers the following year because you don’t want to look like you’ve missed players. That’s understandable, but I usually am least interested in those player comments.

I’d prefer you acknowledge that you can’t get everybody in, be more ruthless on leaving out marginal role players and filling those spaces with younger players I know less about. My 2 cents, fwiw.

by philly on Oct 6, 2025 12:58 PM EDT up reply actions

yes, that's right

I hate it when someone gets to the majors and wasn’t in the book. I REALLY hate that!

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 1:02 PM EDT up reply actions

Understandable, BUT...

I hope you don’t kick yourself for missing a guy who gets <100 career big-league innings of mediocre mop-up work. Particularly if that guy has to hit the cutting room floor in favor of a Danny Santana type.

But that’s just me.

by realitypolice on Oct 6, 2025 5:37 PM EDT up reply actions

Personally

I think if a player is likely to make the majors - either as a long relief guy or simply out of options type, I’d like to read about him. I know that isn’t sexy but if they’re that close to making the majors, they should be included. While that might limit your list, it could also increase your potential sleepers list, which is a really fun thing to watch.

by Gunnarthor on Oct 6, 2025 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

dilemma

I got back and forth on that myself, which is why it is a dilemma. I wish i could include 50 players for each team, but I simply don’t have the time or room.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 2:31 PM EDT up reply actions

I’m going to cut DeVries and Jacobson because I just don’t think they are that good. Of the Grade C middle relief types, I would rather include Waldrop who at least has pitched in AAA, and Albers who has an interesting background.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 1:04 PM EDT reply actions

Waldrop

Also got a cup of coffee this year in September. He could start next year in the bigs.

by drjim on Oct 6, 2025 1:34 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed

cut DeVries, and Jacobsen

include Waldrop

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 9:01 AM EDT up reply actions

list

Andrew Albers LHP
Oswaldo Arcia OF
Matt Bashore LHP
Joe Benson OF
Madison Boer RHP
Hudson Boyd RHP
David Bromberg RHP
Scott Diamond LHP
Brian Dozier SS
Kyle Gibson RHP
Niko Goodrum SS
Tyler Grimes SS
Deolis Guerra RHP
Carlos Gutierrez RHP
Travis Harrison 3B
Matt Hauser RHP
Liam Hendriks RHP
B.J. Hermsen RHP
Chris Herrmann C
Aaron Hicks OF
Trent Higginbotham RHP
Max Kepler-Rozycki OF
Austin Malinowski LHP
Angel Mata RHP
Levi Michael SS
Josue Montanez LHP
Angel Morales OF
Lester Oliveros RHP
Ryan O’Rourke LHP
Danny Ortiz OF
Chris Parmelee 1B
Jairo Perez 3B
Bruce Pugh RHP
Nate Roberts OF
Tyler Robertson LHP
Eddie Rosario OF
Adrian Salcedo RHP
Miguel Sano 3B
Daniel Santana SS
Tim Shibuya RHP
Yangervis Solarte OF
Manuel Soliman RHP
Matthew Summers RHP
Kyle Waldrop RHP
Jason Wheeler LHP
Corey Williams LHP
JaDamion Williams OF
Alex Wimmers RHP

That’s 48. I need to cut at least 3 more.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 1:07 PM EDT reply actions 1 recs

I think

you could lose O’rourke. He is a solid pitcher, but I see him as a loogy. Quirky lefty that can touch the low 90’s, and has good ratios, but he was 23 in low A. Good athlete overall, so there is a little intrigue, but I think as a starter going forward he struggles and ends up as a specialist outta the pen.

detroitbaseballpage.com

by dbpjohn on Oct 6, 2025 2:12 PM EDT up reply actions

naw

I thought about cutting him. But my intuition likes him enough to hold.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 2:29 PM EDT up reply actions

I think you could

also lose Shibuya off of that list as well. He is a guy that I think would have to prove it at higher levels first. A strike thrower that mixes well, but lacks raw stuff.

detroitbaseballpage.com

by dbpjohn on Oct 6, 2025 2:16 PM EDT reply actions

yeah

Yeah I can see that…but I get a lot of questions about him…pitcher of the year in the appy league, etc.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 2:30 PM EDT up reply actions

just trying to help

gotta cut somewhere. :)

detroitbaseballpage.com

by dbpjohn on Oct 6, 2025 6:52 PM EDT up reply actions

early

Dozier B-
Diamond C
Arcia B
Kepler C+

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 2:30 PM EDT reply actions

Dozier is incredibly interesting

He really took off with the bat and I’m excited to hear more about his defense. I’ve heard good things like “pitchers like him back there” but nothing substantial from a scout.

Peyton's good but have you ever heard of Jeff George?

by halfchest on Oct 6, 2025 2:49 PM EDT up reply actions

dozier's D

Range/arm strength are just adequate in physical terms, however he is very reliable, hardly ever makes a mistake, great intincts.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 2:54 PM EDT up reply actions

agreed with those grades....

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 9:02 AM EDT up reply actions

John, thoughts on Tyler Robertson?

Struggled as a starter but had a solid season this year as a reliever. LOOGY only, or potential for something more there?

"I never argue with people who say baseball is boring because baseball is boring. Except, suddenly, it isn't. And that's what makes it great."
-Joe Posnanski

by free f.p. #14 on Oct 6, 2025 3:44 PM EDT reply actions

robertson

I think he deserves a shot as a LOOGY. I doubt he gets a chance at closing unless his command really sharpens up a lot.

by John Sickels on Oct 6, 2025 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions

Maybe Matt Bashore gets cut?

hard to imagine…

how about Josue Montanez?

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 9:03 AM EDT reply actions

Daniel Santana

could be a cut for me… (tough)

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Oct 7, 2025 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

list

Oswaldo Arcia OF B
Matt Bashore LHP
Joe Benson OF
Madison Boer RHP
Hudson Boyd RHP
David Bromberg RHP
Scott Diamond LHP C
Brian Dozier SS B-
Kyle Gibson RHP
Niko Goodrum SS
Tyler Grimes SS
Deolis Guerra RHP
Carlos Gutierrez RHP
Travis Harrison 3B
Matt Hauser RHP
Liam Hendriks RHP
B.J. Hermsen RHP
Chris Herrmann C
Aaron Hicks OF
Trent Higginbotham RHP
Max Kepler OF C+
Austin Malinowski LHP
Angel Mata RHP
Levi Michael SS
Angel Morales OF
Lester Oliveros RHP
Ryan O’Rourke LHP
Danny Ortiz OF
Chris Parmelee 1B
Jairo Perez 3B
Bruce Pugh RHP
Nate Roberts OF
Tyler Robertson LHP
Eddie Rosario OF
Adrian Salcedo RHP
Miguel Sano 3B
Daniel Santana SS
Tim Shibuya RHP
Yangervis Solarte OF
Manuel Soliman RHP
Matthew Summers RHP
Kyle Waldrop RHP
Jason Wheeler LHP
Corey Williams LHP
JaDamion Williams OF
Alex Wimmers RHP