Now that Hicks, my choice for #1 Twins prospect is off the list, I jump to the guy I picked at #3, Angel Morales. Younger than Hicks and Revere. Five tool talent, but like many, needs to cut down on the strikeouts.

…for the fourth time. Maybe this will be the time he wins! Certainly has as much upside as any player in the organization.

His position just makes him much more valuable IMO, and he’s performed at a higher level.

…this is not only fun, but everyone on this (and your) site knows a lot about many of the better young players in the organization. When rookies now get a callup, we no longer read about it in the STrib and wonder….who is he? Thank you Sir, this is fun!

on the team is Joe Nathan. Maybe in four years Morales or Ramos or Hicks or Revere will be ready to join the big club and have a Carlos Gomez or B.J. Upton type rookie year, but here’s hoping that in four years Mijares will be ready to replace Nathan as closer. He certainly showed he wasn’t intimidated by high-pressure situations, he’s a hard throwing lefty, and he’s young.
Meanwhile, he can play an integral part in the bullpen. Heck the Twins don’t even have to consider resigning Reyes for what, $12 mil for three years? There’s your Punto money right there—so I guess you have to factor that into Mijares’ value—he’s practically worth two players in one…

Relievers may have a built in downgrade on prospect lists—I understand when a guy like Delaney or Slama is downgraded. They are lower level guys already relieving, while most big league relievers rise through the ranks as starters. But good relief pitchers at the big league level arevaluable. Mijares proved he belonged, quickly gaining Gardy’s confidence (a lot faster than Breslow did.) Getting Mijares on board a few weeks earlier this year would’ve been nice.

Delaney –
2-1, 5 saves, 1.05 ERA, 0.79 WHIP

Mijares –
1-1, 2 saves, 2.93 ERA, 1.50 WHIP

Delaney –
23 G, 34.1 IP, 20 H, 4 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 38 K

Mijares –
11 G, 15.1 IP, 16 H, 5 ER, 2 HR, 7 BB, 17 K

Delaney is a month and a half older than Mijares.

Seth,

Mijares was considered a solid prospect last year before the injury. He basically showed he was as productive as he was last year when he was called up this year. I probably would have pegged him 15-20 level prospect based off of that. but he also showed us he was able to handle the pressure of a pennant race and pitched great out of the bullpen in Sept. That is a huge psychological barrier to pass. He’s done it so he moves up the prospect list for that.