2012 Shadow Minnesota Twins Top 20 PRE-SEASON Prospects in Review

Top 20 Shadow Twins Prospects for 2012 in Review

As many of you know, for the last 16 years I've been doing a "Shadow Draft" in real time with the actual baseball June draft, and building up a sort of Alternate Universe farm system for the Minnesota Twins. Here is how it looked in January 2012.

In 2011, I graduated Brett Lawrie, Eric Thames, and Michael Bowden off the list, with Mike Fiers and Josh Satin also reaching the majors for brief looks by their real-life teams.

Of the players on the Real Twins Pre-season 2012 Top 10 Prospect List by Baseball America, I don't have Joe Benson, Aaron Hicks, Kyle Gibson, and Chris Parmelee. I drafted Lars Anderson and Matt Sulentic in 2006 instead of Parmelee and Benson (oops!), Brett Lawrie in 2008 instead of Hicks (looks good so far), and Jared Mitchell in 2009 instead of Gibson (eek). You win some, you lose some.

Here is how my Shadow system currently looks in early August.

1) Miguel Sano, 3B, Grade B+: My Shadow Twins use the international signees of the Real Twins, so I get Sano, signed by the real Twins out of the Dominican Republic in 2009. Hitting .254/.378/.509 with 23 homers, 73 walks, 128 strikeouts for Low-A Beloit. He's a monster.

2) Addison Reed, RHP, Grade B+: 3.83 ERA with 39/14 K/BB in 40 innings for the White Sox in real life, 20 saves. Very successful rookie season.

3) Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Grade B+: 12-4, 3.22 ERA with 118/41 K/BB in 120 innings, 118 hits between Double-A and Triple-A in the Royals system. No complaints.

4) Mikie Mahtook, OF, Grade B: .293/.352/.436 with seven homers, 31 walks, 86 strikeouts, 21 steals in 406 at-bats between High-A and Double-A in Rays system. I think more homers will come.

5) Eddie Rosario, OF, Grade B: Hitting .316/.372/.507 with 29 walks, 50 strikeouts in 304 at-bats between Low-A and rookie ball rehab in the Twins system. This guy kicks some serious ass and it looks like he can handle second base with more experience.

6) Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Grade B: .314/.382/.521 with 13 homers, 40 walks, 87 strikeouts in 376 at-bats between High-A and Double-A in the Twins system. No complaints.

7) Liam Hendriks, RHP, Grade B: 2.14 ERA with 72/24 K/BB in 92 Triple-A innings, 65 hits, but hammered in eight major league starts, 7.04 ERA and 10 homers in 38 innings, 57 hits. Too soon to give up, but obviously needs more adjustment time.

8) Brian Dozier, SS, Grade B-: .235/.274/.327 with 16 walks, 56 strikeouts in 306 at-bats in the majors. I think he'll improve, not a star but he's capable of better than this.

9) Travis Harrison, 3B, Grade B-: .304/.388/.437 with 17 walks, 35 strikeouts in 158 at-bats for Elizabethton in the Real Twins system. Rough with the glove, but bat looks strong.

10) Brad Miller, SS, Grade B-: .335/.412/.518 with 14 homers, 63 walks, 90 strikeouts, 21 steals in 471 at-bats between High-A and Double-A in Mariners system. Defense needs work but I don't think the bat was a Cal League illusion.

11) J.J. Hoover, RHP, Grade B-: I sure as heck didn't trade him to the Reds. 1.41 ERA with 11 saves, 47/11 K/BB in 32 innings in Triple-A, 12 hits. 3.00 ERA with 19/8 K/BB in 18 major league innings, 11 hits. Part of a very nice young bullpen that the Shadow Twins have.

12) Adrian Salcedo, RHP, Grade B-: Horrible in High-A for Real Twins, 6.39 ERA with 14/15 K/BB in 25 innings, 33 hits. On the DL. Stock down.

13) Madison Boer, RHP, Grade B-: Decent in Low-A for Real Twins (3.58 ERA, 20/10 K/BB in 28 innings) but awful after moving up to High-A (6.43 ERA, 51/32 K/BB, 91 innings, 124 hits). I suspect he ends up in relief.

14) Scott Barnes, LHP, Grade C+: 3.21 ERA with 51/20 K/BB in 42 innings in Triple-A for the Indians, 8.10 ERA with 10/7 K/BB in 10 major league innings. I think he could be a fair starter, but right now it looks like he's a reliever, would look solid in pen with Reed and Hoover.

15) Alex Wimmers, RHP, Grade C+: Hurt all year.

16) Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Grade C+: 4.94 ERA with 46/17 K/BB in 58 innings in Low-A for the Pirates, 64 hits. It just isn't coming together for him. Throws strikes but stuff hasn't improved the way scouts projected.

17) Austin Wright, LHP, Grade C+: 3.23 ERA with 115/51 K/BB in 128 innings in High-A for the Phillies, 125 hits. Having a very solid season, stock rising.

18) Charlie Lowell, LHP, Grade C+: 4.21 ERA with 111/57 K/BB in 105 innings in Low-A for the Marlins, 85 hits. Very good stuff, command is still a work-in-progress.

19) Max Kepler, OF, Grade C+: Breakout: .301/.410/.558 with 24 walks, 24 strikeouts in 163 at-bats for Elizabethton. Power developing, much better feel for hitting this year.

20) Mike Fiers, RHP, Grade C+: 1.80 ERA with 80/16 K/BB in 80 major league innings for the Brewers, 65 hits. I wish the Real Twins had him, and Shadow-Drafting him in the 21^st round in 2009 may be one of the best fake decisions I ever made.

21) Manuel Soliman, RHP, Grade C+: Injured.

Nine Shadow Twins have reached the majors this year: Mike Fiers, Addison Reed, J.J. Hoover, Scott Barnes, and Brian Dozier from the top 20 list, plus Sam Freeman, Tyler Robertson, Cole DeVries, and Barrett Browning. It's been a good year for my fake farm system. Another Shadow talents who has performed well is Donn Roach. Jared Mitchell looks like he's got a chance to salvage his career.

I went pitching-heavy in the 2012 draft. The next thing I want to try doing is have my own international free agent class, rather than just signing whoever the Real Twins do. That would be a lot more complicated to organize however.

Here is my complete Shadow Draft list from 2003 through 2012. Players who have appeared in the majors are in bold.

2003

1) *Brandon Wood, SS, Horizon HS, Scottsdale, Arizona
2) *Scott Baker, RHP, Oklahoma State University
3) Tony Richie, C, Florida State University
4) Eddie Kim, 1B, James Madison University
5) Jeff Cook, OF, University of Southern Mississippi
6) Luke Appert, 2B, University of Minnesota
7) *Daryl Thompson, RHP, La Plata HS, La Plata, Maryland
8) *Jamie Vermilyea, RHP, University of New Mexico
10) Tila Reynolds, SS, University of Washington
12) Michael Brown, OF, College of William and Mary
13) Jose Cortez, C, University of Pomona-Pitzer
14) Mikela Olsen, OF, Sacramento State University
15) Greg Conden, RHP, George Washington University
17) Matthew Pali, OF, Florida Atlantic University
18)*Ed Maysonet, SS, Delta State University
19)*Leo Rosales, RHP, Cal State Northridge
20) Travis Garcia, SS, Iona College
22) D'Ante Brinkley, OF, Southwest Missouri State University
23)*Josh Sharpless, RHP, Allegheny College
24) Antoin Gray, 3B, Southern University
28) Chad Prosser, SS, University of North Carolina
32) Frank Scott, SS, Florida A&M University
33) Ben Morgan, OF, Florida A&M University
34) Evan Zupancic, OF, Tufts University
35) Tyson Hanish, SS, University of Northern Iowa
36) Josh Bolen, OF, University of Louisville
37) Heath Anderson, C, Pensacola JC
39) Jesse Collins, C, University of North Florida
41) John Rumsey, OF, San Diego Mesa JC
43) Travis Kalin, SS, Bishop Moore HS, Orlando, FL
44) Larry Jones, OF, Baldwin County HS, Minette, Alabama

2004

1) *Glen Perkins, LHP, University of Minnesota
1) Justin Orenduff, RHP, Virginia Commonwealth University
1S)*Matt Fox, RHP, University of Central Florida
2) Erik Cordier, RHP, Southern Door HS, Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin
3) Josh Baker, RHP, Rice University
4) Jason Quarles, RHP, Southern University
5) Ben Harrison, OF, University of Florida
6) Brian Hall, 2B, Stanford University
7) Chip Cannon, 1B, The Citadel
8) Drew Moffitt, OF, Wichita State University
9) Matt Scherer, RHP, LeMoyne
10) Armand Gaerlan, SS, University of San Francisco
11) Rod Allen, OF, Oklahoma State University
13) Kyle Schmidt, RHP, University of South Florida
14) Korey Feiner, C, University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh
15) Randy Beam, LHP, Florida Atlantic University
16) Rhett James, RHP, Florida State University
17) Dontavius McDowell, OF, Tucker (GA) HS
18) Nathan Johnson, RHP, University of Iowa
19) Jodam Rivera, SS, Academia Bautista HS, Puerto Rico
20) Stephen Edsall, RHP, Rollins College
21) Anthony Festa, 3B, UC-Riverside
22) Jose Delgado, 2B, Texas Tech
24) J.D. Cockroft, LHP, University of Miami-Florida
25) Deacon Burns, OF, Northern State University (South Dakota)
31) Clayton Jerome, RHP, Texas Christian University
35) Jeff Mousser, RHP, Arizona State University
43) Robbie Hebert, RHP, Nicholls State University

2005

1) Matt Torra, RHP, University of Massachusetts
1S)*Michael Bowden, RHP, Waubonsie Valley HS, Aurora, Ill.
2) Ryan Mount, SS, Ayala HS, Chino Hills, California
2) *Kevin Slowey, RHP, Winthrop University
2S) Drew Thompson, SS, Jupiter Community HS, Tequesta, Florida
3) *Kevin Whelan, RHP, Texas A&M
3) *Brent Lillibridge, SS, University of Washington
4) *Jonathan Meloan, RHP, University of Arizona
5) Jeff Corsaletti, OF, University of Florida
6) Yahmed Yema, OF, Florida International University
7) Andrew Lopez, OF, Elk Grove HS, Elk Grove, CA
8) *Scott Richmond, RHP, Oklahoma State University
9) Karl Amonite, 1B, Auburn University
10) Jason Twomley, OF, University of Massachusetts
11)*Mike Zagurski, LHP, University of Kansas
13) Mark James, RHP, Sinclair SS, Whitby, Ontario, Canada
14) Sean Richardson, C, University of Kansas
15) Chad Steiner, 3B, Lamar (Colorado) CC
16) Jake Elder, C, University of Minnesota
17) Andy Lytle, SS, University of Iowa
19) Erik Averill, LHP, Arizona State University
22) Curtis Leavitt, RHP, Oxnard JC
32) David Bromberg, RHP, Cypress JC
36)*Rene Tosoni, OF, Chipola JC
41) Toby Gardenhire, SS, University of Illinois
44) Jose Cordero, RHP, Miami

2006

1) *Lars Anderson, 1B, Jesuit HS, Fair Oaks, CA
2) Matt Sulentic, OF, Hillcrest HS, Dallas, TX
3) *Tyler Robertson, LHP, Bella Vista HS, Citrus Heights, CA
4) Jordan Newton, C, Western Kentucky University
4) Garrett Olson, 3B, Franklin Pierce College
5) *Dustin Richardson, LHP, Texas Tech
6) Billy Muldowney, RHP, University of Pittsburgh
7) Steve Singleton, SS, University of San Diego
8) Toddric Johnson, OF, Southern Mississippi University
9) Justin Fuller, SS-2B, Lewis-Clark State (Idaho)
10) Ricky Ibarz, LHP, University of Texas-Pan American
12) Orlando Rosales, OF, University of Tampa
14)*Jeff Manship, RHP, Notre Dame
15) Mark Dolenc, OF, Minnesota State-Mankato
19)*Danny Valencia, 3B, University of Miami-Florida
20) Gilbert Buenrostro, C, Cuesta (Cal) JC
21) Eric Santiago, SS, Miami Dade CC South
23) Thomas Wright, RHP, McGavock HS, Nashville, Tenn
24) Nick Papasan, SS, Granbury (Texas) HS
25) Zach Jevne, RHP, University of Northern Iowa
26)*Barrett Browning, LHP, Florida State University
40) Michael Cowgill, 2B, James Madison

2007

1) Nevin Griffith, RHP, Middleton HS, Tampa, Florida
2) Brian Friday, SS, Rice University
3) David Newmann, LHP, Texas A&M University
4) Tim Smith, OF, Arizona State University
5) Marcus Davis, OF, Alcorn State University
6) Damon Sublett, 2B, Wichita State University
7) Wynn Pelzer, RHP, University of South Carolina
8) Chris Kissock, RHP, Lewis Clark State College
9) Austin Krum, OF, Dallas Baptist University
10) Eamon Portice, RHP, High Point College
11) Andrew Schmiesing, OF, St. Olaf College
12) Josh Oslin, RHP, University of Minnesota
13) Keith Conlon, OF, Texas Christian
15) Daniel Latham, RHP, Tulane
18) Dusty Napoleon, C, University of Iowa
19) Kenny Smith, 2B, Western Carolina University
20) Aaron Jenkins, LHP, University of Northern Iowa
21) Tyler Rhoden, RHP, Vanderbilt
25) Spencer Steedley, LHP, UNC Charlotte
27) Nick Derba, C, Manhattan College
28) Roydrick Merritt, LHP, Southern University

2008

1) *Brett Lawrie, OF, Brookswood SS, Langley BC
1) Jake Odorizzi, RHP, Highland (Illinois) HS
1S)*Conor Gillaspie, 3B, Wichita State University
2) Tyler Ladendorf, SS, Howard CC (Texas)
3) *Eric Thames, OF, Pepperdine University
4) *Scott Barnes, LHP, St. John's University
5) Ben Petralli, C, Oral Roberts University
6) *Josh Satin, 2B, University of California
7) Dan Osterbrock, LHP, University of Cincinnati
8) Brett Moorhouse, RHP, Indian River CC (Fl)
9) Jay Jackson, RHP, Furman University
10)*J.J. Hoover, RHP, Calhoun CC (Al)
11) Dominic De la Osa, OF, Vanderbilt University
12) Kyle Carr, LHP, University of Minnesota
13) Erik Davis, RHP, Stanford University
14) Rob Musgrave, LHP, Wichita State University
17) Dwayne Bailey, 2B, University of Central Florida
18) Brian Van Kirk, OF, Oral Roberts University
19) Pat Venditte, RHP-LHP, Creighton University
21) Erich Diedrich, C, Youngstown State University
23) Zach Pitts, RHP, University of Louisville
26) Jake Stewart, OF, University of Houston
27) Blake Murphy, C, Western Carolina
28) Nathan Hanson, 3B, University of Minnesota
30) Tyler Cox, LHP, Illinois State University
31)*Sam Freeman, LHP, University of Kansas

2009

1) Jared Mitchell, OF, Louisiana State University
1S) Matt Bashore, LHP, Indiana University
3) Ben Tootle, RHP, Jacksonville State University
4) Derek McCallum, 2B, University of Minnesota
5) Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Zachary HS, Zachary, Louisiana
6) Carlos Ramirez, C, Arizona State University
7) D'Angelo Mack, OF, University of South Carolina
8) *Brian Dozier, SS, University of Southern Mississippi
9) Charlie Ruiz, RHP, Long Beach State University
11) Alex Koronis, RHP, University of Tampa
12) Pat Lehman, RHP, George Washington University
13) Nick Greenwood, LHP, University of Rhode Island
14) Ryan Robowski, LHP, Ohio Dominican University
15) David Sever, RHP, St. Louis University
16) Dakota Watts, RHP, Cal State Stanislas
17) Scott Krieger, OF, George Mason University
18) Luke Murton, 1B, Georgia Tech
19) Devin Goodwin, SS, Delta State University
20) Sean Killeen, C, Trinity College (Conn)
21)*Michael Fiers, RHP, Nova Southeastern University
22) Zack Von Tersch, RHP, Georgia Tech
23) Kevin Mahoney, 3B, Canisius
30) Trayvon Johnson, C, Los Angeles
33) Nick Freitas, OF, Southern Utah
38) Pete Kennelly, RHP, Fordham
44) Tyler Herr, RHP, Chaparral HS, Scottsdale, AZ
45) Eddie Ahorrio, RHP, Jesus Silverio Delgado HS, Arecibo, PR
47) Richard Calcano, RHP, Dr. Jose M. Lazaro HS, Carolina, PR
49) Paul-Michael Klingsberg, 1B, Cal State Dominguez Hills

2010

1) Alex Wimmers, RHP, Ohio State University
2) *Addison Reed, RHP, San Diego State University
2) Niko Goodrum, SS, Fayette County HS, Fayetteville, Georgia
3) Donn Roach, RHP, College of Southern Nevada
4) Eddie Rosario, OF, Rafael Lopez Ladron HS, Guayama, Puerto Rico
5) Nate Roberts, OF, High Point University
6) Rett Varner, RHP, University of Texas-Arlington
8) Thomas Shirley, LHP, Xavier University
9) Aaron Senne, 1B, University of Missouri
10) Danny Lopez, SS, University of Pittsburgh
11) Derrick Poppert, SS, University of San Francisco
12) Tyler Knigge, RHP, Lewis-Clark State University
13) Ryan O'Rourke, LHP, Merrimack College
14) Jamaine Cotton, RHP, Western Oklahoma Junior College
15) Chase Whitley, RHP, Troy University
16) Clint Dempster, LHP, Nicholls State University
17) Mike Nesseth, RHP, University of Nebraska
19) Carlos Alonso, 3B, University of Delaware
20) Alfredo Lopez, SS, Compton Community College
21) Chris Duffy, OF, University of Central Florida
22) Patrick Farrell, C, Regis University
23) Jamaal Hollis, RHP, University of Miami-Ohio
24) Jay Johnson, LHP, Texas Tech University
25) Austin Goolsby, C, Embry-Riddle University
26) Seth Frankoff, RHP, UNC Wilmington
27) Brandon Henderson, OF, Fresno Community College
28) Jamaal Hawkins, SS, Jacksonville University
29) Brian Burke, 3B, Lewis-Clark State
30) Zach Robertson, LHP, University of Iowa
31) Victor Lara, RHP, Keystone College (Pennsylvania)
33) Justin Parker, LHP, Consumnes River CC
34) Kyle Necke, RHP, UC Irvine
35) Robert Gariano, RHP, Fairfield University (Connecticut)
36) Kelvin Mention, OF, Brooks-DeBartolo HS, Tampa, FL
39) Bart Carter, LHP, Western Kentucky University
41) Sam Spangler, LHP, University of Hawaii
42) Brett Carroll, LHP, William Patterson
43) Derek Christensen, RHP, Salt Lake CC
44) David Deminsky, LHP, St. Cloud State University
45) Henry Dunn, OF, Binghamton University
47) Rashad Hatcher, OF, Patrick Henry Community College

2011

1) Mikie Mahtook, OF, Louisiana State University
1S) Travis Harrison, 3B, Trustin HS, Tustin, California
1S) Brad Miller, SS, Clemson University
2) Madison Boer, RHP, University of Oregon
3) Nick Rickles, C, Stetson University
4) Charlie Lowell, LHP, Wichita State University
6) Brian Dupra, RHP, Notre Dame
7) Kyle Hallock, LHP, Kent State University
8) Austin Wright, LHP, University of Mississippi
9) Adam Bryant, SS, Troy University
10) Colin Rea, RHP, Indiana State University
11) Tyler Jones, RHP, Louisiana State University
12) Matt Koch, C, Loyola Marymount University
13) Justin James, OF, Sacramento Community College
14) Jhiomar Veras, OF, Western Oklahoma State College
15) Josue Montanez, LHP, Miami Dade South Community College
16) Austin Malinowski, LHP, Centennial HS, Clino Lakes, Minnesota
18) Tyler Barrett, LHP, Lewis-Clark State College
19) Tyler Koelling, OF, Southern Mississippi University
20) Tyler Robbins, 2B, Dallas Baptist University
21) Derek Trent, C, East Tennessee State University
22) Khayyan Norfolk, 2B, University of Tennessee
23) Tim Shibuya, RHP, UC San Diego
25) Casey Hauptmann, RHP, University of Nebraska
26) Michael Mergenthaler, OF, University of Richmond
27) Chad Zurcher, SS, University of Memphis
28) Matthew Neil, RHP, Brigham Young University
29) Sean Albury, RHP, Nova Southeastern University
31) Carlos Leyva, SS, Cal State Dominguez Hills
32) Sheldon McDonald, LHP, University of British Columbia
33) Ben Thomas, 1B, Xavier University
34) Shawn Payne, OF, Georgia Southern
35) Phillip Chapman, C, University of Memphis
36) Bradley Watson, RHP, Wartburg College
37) Andrew Leachman, OF, Birmingham Southern College
38) Brandon Choate, C, Southern Arkansas University
39) Cody Bartlett, SS, Washington State University
40) Shay Crawford, LHP, Lee University
42) Andre Kinder, LHP, Peru State University
43) Robert O'Neill, RHP, Biola
44) Cole Johnson, RHP, Notre Dame
46) Mike Francisco, LHP, Villanova
47) Ed Rohan, C, Winthrop

2012

1) Kevin Gausman, RHP, Louisiana State University
1S) J.O. Berrios, RHP, Papa Juan XXIII HS, Bayamon, Puerto Rico
1S) Mitchell Brown, RHP, Century HS, Rochester, Minnesota
2) Duane Underwood, RHP, Pope HS, Marietta, Georgia
2) Nolan Sanburn, RHP, University of Arkansas
3) Adam Brett Walker, OF, Jacksonville University
4) Christian Walker, 1B, University of South Carolina
5) Austin Nola, SS, Louisiana State University
6) Damion Carroll, RHP, King George HS, King George, VA
7) Wilfredo Rodriguez, C, Puerto Rico Baseball Academy
8) Luke Maile, C, University of Kentucky
9) Jamodrick McGruder, 2B, Texas Tech University
10) Danny Poma, OF, Hofstra University
11) T.J. Oakes, RHP, University of Minnesota
12) Jeremy Lucas, C, Indiana State University
13) Thomas Harlan, LHP, Fresno State University
14) Ben Klimesh, RHP, Trinity University (TX)
16) Ronnie Richardson, OF, University of Central Florida
17) Blake Schwartz, RHP, Oklahoma City University
18) Jeremy Schaffer, C, Tulane University
19) Jharel Cotton, RHP, East Carolina University
20) Jimmy Rider, SS, Kent State University
21) Mark Ginther, 3B, Oklahoma State University
22) Lance Breedlove, RHP, Purdue University
24) Lucas Herbst, OF, Santa Clara University
25) Josh Smith, LHP, Wichita State University
26) Mason McVay, LHP, Florida International University
27) Goose Kallunki, 3B, Utah Valley State University
28) Carson Goldsmith, RHP, Northwestern State University
30) Bryan Santy, C, University of Washington
33) Kaleb Merck, RHP, Texas Christian University
34) Bryan Haar, OF, University of San Diego