Minnesota Twins 2012 Pre-Season Top 15 Prospects

Here is my Top 15 Prospect list for the Minnesota Twins. The stats are from the 2011 season unless otherwise noted.





1. Miguel Sano, 3B - 267 AB, .292/.352/.637, 20 HR, 59 RBI, 23 BB, 77 K, 5 SB 4 CS (RK)

Sano

Sano is living up to the lofty expectations set for him when he signed, showing plus-plus power while maintaining a good approach at the plate. Now it is just a matter of seeing what position he plays and how he performs at the higher levels.

2. Eddie Rosario, 2B/OF - 270 AB, .337/.397/.670, 21 HR, 60 RBI, 27 BB, 60 K, 17 SB 6 CS (RK)

After putting up video game numbers in the Appalachian League, Rosario will team up with Sano as two of the youngest stars in the Midwest League.

3. Liam Hendriks, RHP - 12-6, 3.36 ERA, 139.1 IP, 137 H, 21 BB, 111 K (AA/AAA)

Hendriks should see significant starts in Minnesota this year and I wouldn't be surprised to see him have moderate success as a rookie.

4. Joe Benson, OF - 400 AB, .285/.388/.495, 16 HR, 67 RBI, 56 BB, 109 K, 13 SB 9 CS (AA)

A fantastic athlete, Benson should also contribute at the Major League level with his power/speed combo. He can also take a walk and should provide above-average defense.

5. Oswaldo Arcia, OF - 292 AB, .291/.335/.531, 13 HR, 51 RBI, 18 BB, 70 K, 3 SB 3 CS (A/A+)

The strong, stocky Arcia shows immense power potential, however he has struggled with his strike-zone discipline and it will be a while until we see him in Minnesota.

6. Aaron Hicks, OF - 443 AB, .242/.354/.368, 5 HR, 38 RBI, 78 BB, 110 K, 17 SB 9 CS (A+)

The former 1st-round pick has not been able to turn his ridiculous tools into production on the field. You can't write Hicks off yet, but this could be a make or break year for the 22-year old.

7. Levi Michael, SS - 242 AB, .289/.434/.434, 5 HR, 48 RBI, 49 BB, 47 K, 15 SB 1 CS (College)

Doesn't have superstar potential and his tools aren't what you'd expect from a 1st-rounder, but he should be a solid everyday player who doesn't have any gaping holes in his game.

8. Travis Harrison, OF - 77 AB, .481/.643/1.130, 13 HR, 30 RBI, 29 BB, 19 K, 9 SB 3 CS (HS)

Harrison received a ton of attention over the course of his high school career and he has a ton of power potential. However he needs to show he can hit as a professional and there are some questions about where he fits defensively.

9. Chris Parmelee, 1B - 530 AB, .287/.366/.436, 13 HR, 83 RBI, 68 BB, 94 K, 0 SB 1 CS (AA)

Coming off a breakout year, Parmelee doesn't have the big-time power you usually see from a 1B, but he should be an above-average hitter at the next level with good on-base skills.

10. Niko Goodrum, SS - 204 AB, .270/.352/.382, 2 HR, 20 RBI, 21 BB, 56 K, 8 SB 1 CS (RK)

An athletic specimen who really came on at the end of last season, Goodrum can really improve his stock if he shows more polish to go with his tools.

11. Brian Dozier, SS - 491 AB, .320/.399/.491, 9 HR, 56 RBI, 55 BB, 66 K, 24 SB 11 CS (A+/AA)

Dozier continues to prove doubters wrong by hitting everywhere he goes. There is little room for error for the 24-year old as he's not very toolsy, but has one of the better baseball IQ's in the minors.

12. Alex Wimmers, RHP - 2-3, 4.20 ERA, 40.2 IP, 28 H, 22 BB, 39 K (A+)

Wimmers seemed to figure it out near the end of 2011 after struggling mightily for most of the year. If he can get back to his college form he could be the top pitcher in the system come next year.

13. Madison Boer, RHP - 2-1, 3.91 ERA, 25.1 IP, 25 H, 3 BB, 43 K (RK/A)

A Minnesota native, Boer is moving to the rotation this year after dominating in the bullpen in the Appalachian League.

14. Kyle Gibson, RHP - 3-8, 4.81 ERA, 95.1 IP, 109 H, 27 BB, 91 K (AAA)

Probably the best pitcher in the system when healthy, he will be missing the entire 2012 season with Tommy John surgery. If he can bounce back he has the upside of a No. 2

15. Adrian Salcedo, RHP - 6-6, 2.93 ERA, 135 IP, 131 H, 27 BB, 92 K (A)

Salcedo control the zone and has been very effective so far in his career, but he will need to show he has what it takes at the upper levels of the minors.

SLEEPER

Deolis Guerra, RHP - 8-7, 5.59 ERA, 95 IP, 102 H, 28 BB, 95 K (AA)

His name might look familiar as the last remaining piece of the Johan Santana trade, Guerra appeared to have fallen out of the picture as a prospect, but rejuvenated himself with a move to the bullpen. If he continues to progress he could see time in Minnesota's pen by the end of the season.