Twinkie Town 2010 Top 50...Voting for Prospect Number 8!

by roger13 on Dec 10, 2009 4:18 PM EST

On Tuesday, Danny Valencia held a tight six vote lead (52-46) over Angel Morales causing our first runoff. About 1pm today, Morales pulled within two votes. However he could never close the gap as Valencia won the runoff, again by six votes (63-57) out of 120 votes cast. That tight race confirms that Danny Valencia is our Sixth ranked prospect and Angel Morales is Seventh ranked.

We will now move forward with the voting for our eighth top prospect. I am going to fine tune our rules a bit. In future rounds, should we have more than three players with less than five percent of the vote, only the lowest three will be removed from the following round.

Players who will be eliminated from the next round include Alex Burnett (2), Adrian Salcedo (1) and Anthony Slama (2). Five players will be added to the next round, including Deolis Guerra, Joe Benson, B. J. Hermsen, Max Kepler-Rozycki and the Twins recent surprise addition to their 40-man roster, Estarlin De Los Santos.

The selections for the first seven rounds have been: 1) Miguel Jean (fka Miguel Angel Sano); 2) Aaron Hicks; 3) Wilson Ramos; 4) Kyle Gibson; 5) Ben Revere; 6) Danny Valencia; and 7) Angel Morales. Is anyone curious that we have only one pitcher in our first seven picks, and he has yet to throw his first inning of professional ball?

Poll

Who is the EIGHTH best prospect in the Twins System?

Joe Benson

16 votes

David Bromberg

104 votes

Estarlin De Los Santos

2 votes

Deolis Guerra

19 votes

B. J. Hermsen

18 votes

Max Kepler-Rozycki

12 votes

Chris Parmelee

8 votes

Rene Tosoni

26 votes

205 votes | Poll has closed

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Comments

Bromberg

is my choice here. My next vote probably would have gone to Tosoni and than Kepler.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by BCTwins on Dec 10, 2009 4:41 PM EST reply actions

O.K., maybe the next round will start to see some variance

Early, but Bromberg (my vote) is dominating. I’d start to consider Salcedo with the next slot.

by Han Joelo on Dec 10, 2009 4:45 PM EST reply actions

Guerra

He’s only 20 years old at AA, I liked the way he stepped it up. Some players slide when they are moved up. The studs step it up.

by b1 on Dec 10, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions

for me it was simply between 2 players

they are David Bromberg and Chris Parmelee

I went with the pitcher….

Any factual evidence at all towards this rumor?

Carlos Carrasco, Alex White along with Tanner Scheppers to the Twins
Glen Perkins and Beau Mills to the Rangers
Francisco Liriano and the rights to Boof Bonser + a PTBL to the Indians

(will Smoak and Feliz go to Fla. for Josh Johnson?)

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 10, 2009 4:54 PM EST reply actions

Bromberg in a landslide, but

a slew of players deserve consideration: Salcedo, Benson, Tosoni, Parmelee, Guerra, Gutierrez, and Robertson coming immediately to mind for me.

by shrike on Dec 10, 2009 5:16 PM EST reply actions

I actually went Tosoni over Bromberg here.

by Jesse on Dec 10, 2009 6:29 PM EST reply actions

I also went with Tosoni

He struggled early…and late in the season, so his numbers slipped at the end. But just prior to his late season slide, his OPS against RHP was over 1.000. He struggles against lefties. But I think people need to give him the benefit of the doubt that he will improve with experience.

Last year, Angel Morales, one of my favorite prospects, could not touch LHP. This year he made a dramatic improvement against lefties. Also, reduced his strikeout rate.

Tosoni is the same…needs to make adjustments. Clearly needs some experience. But his upside is much higher than people on this board are suggesting. Stats only tell part of the story with Rene…give him another year and you will see many things you like. He is very good against RHP. He is a very good defensive outfielder. He can work a walk…he does many things very, very well. …I know I have said this in the past, but he reminds me very much of Jason Kubel.

by NorthDakotaTwinsFan on Dec 10, 2009 8:49 PM EST up reply actions

I voted Bromberg

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 10, 2009 6:39 PM EST reply actions

Just for conversation

How is Bromberg better then Guerra. He 2yr older and pitching a level lower.

by b1 on Dec 10, 2009 6:58 PM EST reply actions

The two year age difference is a plus for Guerra...

…but while they were together at Ft. Myers, Bromberg was clearly a better pitcher:

Guerra – 4.69 ERA 1.39 WHIP 86.1ip 57K/25BB

Bromberg – 2.70 ERA 1.23 WHIP 153.1ip 148K/63BB

by roger13 on Dec 11, 2009 7:58 AM EST up reply actions

And the age difference is really about a year and seven months...

by roger13 on Dec 11, 2009 8:00 AM EST up reply actions

I do like Brombergs K's

I also like the way Guerre improved at AA. Better fielders? Caoching? I don’t know but at 20 he’s on the 40 man roster and could be a starter in two years. I was surprised they advanced Guerre over Bromberg last year. Bromberg deserved it. He could of had 1/2 a year at AA.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 9:36 AM EST up reply actions

He had good games and bad games in AA

This year, if he can be more consistent, he could land in my top 10. Not until. Bromberg, on the other hand, is consistent.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 11, 2009 3:29 PM EST up reply actions

Guerra never led his league in strikeouts

Bromberg has done it three times.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 10, 2009 8:40 PM EST reply actions

Benson

My prediction is that he will be a better overall ballplayer than either Revere or Morales.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Dec 10, 2009 10:07 PM EST reply actions

really?

Revere maybe – due to fielding and power…but Morales?

Maybe I think to highly of him but I personally would have Morales in our top 5

by clutterheart on Dec 10, 2009 10:40 PM EST up reply actions

Morales has more tools than Benson

They have similar batting eyes, but Morales has better power, a better arm, better contact skills and comparable speed.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 11, 2009 9:18 AM EST up reply actions

Tools?

I think you have this backwards. Benson has higher tools than Morales. He has speed comparable to Revere, one of /if not the best outfield arm in the organization and puts on a show in in bp. The question remains whether or not he can put this power to use in game situations and if he will continue to improve as a hitter.

2010 will be a big year for Mr. Benson.

by bballfan on Dec 11, 2009 10:52 AM EST up reply actions

exactly

why Morales is better than Benson. You just stated it.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by BCTwins on Dec 11, 2009 2:08 PM EST up reply actions

I disagree

I’ll give you that Benson has better speed. Otherwise, people have said that Morales has an arm comparable to Hicks, which is to say, if he were a pitcher, he would throw 95 MPH.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 11, 2009 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Will Benson move to leftfield

and Morales to Right, Revere’s in center.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

by the time

we have both Benson and Morales in the big leagues, we will also have Hicks. Revere will probably be traded at some point. It would probably run Benson – LF, Hicks – CF, Morales – RF.

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by BCTwins on Dec 11, 2009 3:46 PM EST up reply actions

I think so but

were do that leave Tosoni

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 5:34 PM EST up reply actions

Revere's arm makes him a left fielder

Hicks is your center fielder of the future. Morales in right. Benson’s a fourth outfielder or traded. And everything gets rejiggered if they move Jean to the outfield.

"You're thinking too much. Just have fun." -- Bennie "The Jet" Rodriguez in Sandlot

by cmathewson on Dec 11, 2009 6:38 PM EST up reply actions

I say Revere will be the best out of himself -Morales , Benson, and Tosoni..

Any factual evidence at all towards this rumor?

Carlos Carrasco, Alex White along with Tanner Scheppers to the Twins
Glen Perkins and Beau Mills to the Rangers
Francisco Liriano and the rights to Boof Bonser + a PTBL to the Indians

(will Smoak and Feliz go to Fla. for Josh Johnson?)

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 11, 2009 10:08 PM EST up reply actions

If that's how it turns out

I think Benson will be in Left and Rever’s out. I’m looking for Benson to be better all-round. Power-average-speed, unless Revere gets some POP in his bats.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 10:19 PM EST up reply actions

as I told bballfan

he has already said that Morales is the better hitter.

puts on a show in in bp. The question remains whether or not he can put this power to use in game situations and if he will continue to improve as a hitter.

anybody can put on a “show” in bp. Even Jason Tyner put on a few shows while he was still in MN. It was unbelievable that Tyner had so much power; alas, it was only in bp. Thus, how they hit in bp means absolutely nothing. BP pitchers do two things…throw fastballs and throw them in the area the batter wants them. That is a LOT different than game pitchers. Thus “putting on a show in bp” means absolutely nothing!

"Don't take life for granted, because tomorrow isn't promised to any of us." - Kirby Puckett

by BCTwins on Dec 11, 2009 3:50 PM EST up reply actions

The rest of his thought was.

The question remains whether or not he can put this power to use in game situations and if he will continue to improve as a hitter.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 5:33 PM EST up reply actions

I heard that Benson

was more of a Football player, athlete. To me, some of the Hispanic player play better in the early years but are slow to improve. I’ve heard Benson is still learning to play the game. He might have a high upside if he keep improving. We’ll see next year.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions

What a pleasure

it is to discuss the ceilings of Tosoni, Benson, Revere, Hicks, Morales, and Kepler. A year or so ago, we were discussing the ceilings of guys like Juan Portes, Trent Oeltjen, and Alex Romero.

by shrike on Dec 11, 2009 10:37 AM EST reply actions

And didn't Portes have a nice season last year?

…really had the best season of his career, imo. He was such a raw prospect when drafted, and always has had a lot of potential. Will be anxious to see if he returns to New Britain or moves up to Rochester next spring.

by roger13 on Dec 11, 2009 11:01 AM EST up reply actions

The change is pretty drastic

especially considering that out MLB club has been improving and is still young. I think the 2010 Twins will be one of the better Twins teams of the past decade.

by lookatthosetwins on Dec 11, 2009 1:13 PM EST up reply actions

That's a lot of outfield depth

when six outfield prospects rank higher than Winfree, Pridie, Portes, and Martin. These four will all likely be marginal MLB players at the very best, but still…

by shrike on Dec 11, 2009 11:15 AM EST reply actions

Pridie

I think he profiles well as a reserve outfielder. Plus defense in centerfield, good speed, some lefthanded pop. He doesn’t have the contact skill and OBP to play everyday though.

by Jon Kammerer on Dec 11, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions

Pridie

I think Tyner. Plus Ford and Mohr. Remember those guys?

Visit www.TwinsCards.com and check out "rosters" to see my collection!

by rosterman on Dec 11, 2009 2:39 PM EST up reply actions

I'd take any of those

as a forth outfielder.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 3:07 PM EST up reply actions

BP top prospects to consider for next round

8. Carlos Gutierrez, RHP

10. Joe Benson, OF
11. Billy Bullock, RHP
12. Jeff Manship, RHP:
13. Tyler Robertson, LHP:
14. Adrian Salcedo, RHP:
15. Rene Tosoni, OF

I think Gutierrez needs to come back for next round.

by DJL44 on Dec 11, 2009 11:50 AM EST reply actions

I agree

by roger13 on Dec 11, 2009 12:13 PM EST up reply actions

I voted Guerra

was between him and Bromberg. While Bromberg has been very productive the last two years in A and A+ ball, everything I’ve read indicates that Guerra’s stuff translates better to the majors. Add his age (nearly two years younger) and the fact that he’s only recently adjusted to a complete mechanical overhaul, and it’s Guerra for me followed by Bromberg and Tosoni. Very close, and I readily admit that in this case I may be blinded by “potential”.

Next season will be very important for both pitchers, as they’ll likely be side by side in AA.

by Adam Peterson on Dec 11, 2009 12:15 PM EST reply actions

I took Bromberg but I think I'll be voting Guerra soon

The guy has dropped off the charts and I think mostly because the Mets rushed him and overhyped him. He’s still ridiculously young for his level and more than holding his own. I like his chances to put up good number at AA this year with a possible late season AAA callup.

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

by halfchest on Dec 11, 2009 1:17 PM EST up reply actions

I see this will only be the 2 pitcher in top 8.

I’ve got to believe that it’s because we have most of the top pitching prospects in AAA or they lost their eligbility. Duensing,Swarzac,Mijares,Mulvey. The AAA pitchers loss some of their Luster as they get close to the biggs. ie Manship,Delaney,Slama. But they are solid just not as high a cieling as when they were in the lowwer levels.

by b1 on Dec 11, 2009 3:19 PM EST reply actions