Minor League Report...December 5, 2009

by roger13 on Dec 5, 2009 9:24 AM EST

As we approach the end of the year, little is happening in the organization other than several players playing in the various winter leagues.

Thursday Seth Stohs and I started the balloting process for this year's Twinkie Town Top 50. This will be an ongoing process that will continue until late January. There will be a vote for one slot in the Top 50 beginning shortly after 3pm, every day. I would encourage you all to stop by Twinkie Town and vote each day. I would also encourage everyone to vote only once for each slot, if in fact some have found a way to vote more frequently.

When reviewing the boxscore of an Aragua game earlier this week I noticed that Jason Pridie made his first appearance for the Tigres. He and Dustin Martin are now playing together in the Tigre outfield. This is exciting for us as these two are likely under consideration for a Twins fifth outfield spot next spring...."so let the competition begin."

Pridie is off to a tremendous start, hitting .500/.500/.654 in his first 26 at bats. Martin, who has been with the Tigres since the start of their season, is hitting .306/.405/.490 in 147 at bats with 6 home runs and 25 RBI. Meanwhile, Wilson Ramos continues to be one of the top hitters in the VWL. Ramos has the third best average in the league at .361/.421/.585 in 147 at bats. The league leader is Josh Thole who hit .321 in 53 at bats with the Mets last summer. Ramos is fourth in the league with 7 home runs and his 35 RBI are second best.

Alexi Casilla is hitting .238/.314/.317 in 63 at bats for Gigante in the DWL. Since the arrival of Casilla and major league middle infielders Wilson Valdez and Ramon Santiago, Estarlin De Los Santos has seen almost no playing time.

Ryan Mullins is a lefty who very likely will move up to Rochester this spring. He has started three games for Mayaguez in the Puerto Rico Winter League, where he has a 0-1 record, 5.11 ERA and 3K/3BB in 12.1 innings. Young lefty Nelvin Fuentes who had an excellent 1.29 ERA for the GCL Twins last summer, has a 1-0 record and 3.00 ERA in 5 games (3.0 innings). Jose Morales is also on the Mayaguez roster, although has not yet reported. Seth reported earlier this week that Danny Valencia told him that he will be reporting to Mayaguez next Thursday.

Philip Humber is also pitching in the DWL, currently with a 2-1 record and 4.57 ERA in 21.2 innings with 24K/8BB.

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The Star Tribune reported this morning...

…that former Twins minor leaguer Trent Oeltgen has signed with the Brewers.

by roger13 on Dec 5, 2009 10:20 AM EST reply actions

Oeltjen

I always liked Oeltjen. He was much more productive throughout the system than Span. He was very good. I was happy to see him get some time with AZ. He’s solid all-around and I think he’ll be a solid #4 OF.

by SethSpeaks on Dec 5, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

Ramos

Will probally make the majors this year.
Has he played OF?

by clutterheart on Dec 5, 2009 10:36 AM EST reply actions

No,

He has been a catcher/DH exclusively. If memory serves me, he played a few games at first base several years ago…may have been in the GCL. I do not believe he would have adequate speed for the outfield.

by roger13 on Dec 5, 2009 11:28 AM EST up reply actions 1 recs

Winfree

I can’t believe the Twins would let Winfree walk. I’ve got to believe he’s comming back. I thought he hit as well as Velencia did. What do you do if Cuddy or Young get hurt. Pridie or Martin is’nt going to cut in. We need a bigger Stick. I guess AAA outfielder are easy to find. I’d like to see Winfree one more year in Rochester.

by b1 on Dec 5, 2009 8:17 PM EST reply actions

Agree on Winfree

He’s still quite young and has shown he can hit. I don’t know how his first full season in the OF went, but he does have a strong arm.

I am sure there will be a lot of activity after the Rule 5 draft.

by Alexi Casilla All-Star on Dec 5, 2009 10:49 PM EST up reply actions

yeah, I knew Winfree would be tough to put on that 40-man roster

But I hope he is a Twin in 2010 or at least a Red-Wing.

Deolis Guerra = Daniel Cabrera ?
I tend to think so

by SteveHoffmanSlowey on Dec 7, 2009 7:01 PM EST up reply actions

Elsewhere......

Winfree is free to choose his own destiny. He could still be back, if he feels he’d be the first call-up if Cuddy or Young go down. But not being on the 40-man is a tough nut to swallow.

You try your luck with another organization, if possible, sometimes. Same money, same playing time, maybe mroe opportunity.

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

by rosterman on Dec 5, 2009 11:50 PM EST reply actions

Pino

Watch the Rule 5 daft for someone to take Pino. I’ve always like his numbers. I thought the Twins moved other up before Him. Should have started at AAA last year.

by b1 on Dec 6, 2009 3:38 PM EST reply actions

Is this the same Pino

that was sent to Cleveland as the PTBNL in the Pavano trade? If so, he’s already gone.

by Adam Peterson on Dec 6, 2009 5:06 PM EST up reply actions

Yes

Yes, the same Pinto the Twins traded… Cleveland didnt’ protect him and a few rumor sites have suggested he could be selected in the Rule 5.

by SethSpeaks on Dec 6, 2009 6:34 PM EST up reply actions

That could turn out to be a great trade long term

You get a rental to help you with a crisis in your pitching staff. And, at the end of the year, you get a sandwich pick. Not bad for a 25-year-old soft tosser with almost no major league future.

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

by cmathewson on Dec 6, 2009 5:27 PM EST reply actions

Yes Pino is with Clev.

I missed the Sandwich pick for Pavono on that deal. That will help. I still think Pino has a shot to be a good middle man. Time will tell. Pavono for 2 months and a sandwich pick for Pino. Twins would take that every time.

by b1 on Dec 6, 2009 6:15 PM EST up reply actions