Minor League Report...November 20, 2010

Hasn't it been a busy week for the Twins front office?  They announced late yesterday that David Bromberg, Rene Tosoni, Chris Parmelee and Joe Benson were added to the 40-man roster.  It was also announced that Kyle Waldrop and Jair Fernandez were assigned to the Twins, however, not added to the 40-man roster.  It is a bit surprising that Waldrop wasn't added as many speculate he is at risk of being lost in next mont'hs Rule V draft.   

In addition to previously signing three of their own six year free agents, Juan Portes, Fernandez and Waldrop, the Twins signed seven minor league free agents.  They were pitchers Eric Hacker, Yorman Bazardo, Jake Stevens, Phil Dumatrait and infielders Justin Huber, Chase Lambin and Jeff Bailey.  It has been reported in several websites, including Joe Christensen and Seth Stohs, that Hacker has been added to the 40-man roster.  Yet, when the 40-man roster was updated last night he wasn't on it. 

As Terry Ryan hinted last summer, the Twins are looking to strengthen the Red Wings with an influx of veteran talent.  Several of the recent signings have some major league experience and will provide competition in spring training and valuable depth should the Twins need help during the coming season.  With most of these players headed to Rochester, there won't be many openings for players moving up from New Britain.  Does this mean that most of a group including Parmelee, Benson, Singleton, Tosoni, Robertson, Guerra and Gutierrez will begin their 2011 season back in New Britain?     

Looking ahead, I will continue my review of the 2010 Top 50 so that it is completed by December 1st.  We will begin the selection process for the Twinkie Town 2011 Top 50 after the Winter Meetings are completed on December 9th.  I will also be posting my sixth annual Twins Organization All-Star team on Seth's site.  I believe he will have it posted by Thanksgiving, probably on Wednesday morning.

A look at the past week of winter ball continues after the jump.

The Arizona Fall League wrapped up play this week with only the championship game remaining later today.  With a 9-22-1 record, the Peoria Saguaros finished last in their three team division.  Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com posted an article on the AFL website, in which he discussed the league's 20 top prospects based on discussion with scouts who closely followed the league.  Ben Revere was eighth on his list, stating that..."Revere continued to make his case as a future leadoff hitter in the AFL, showing off his plus speed (13 of 13 in steals), great reads in center and improved discipline at the plate."    Revere cooled the last few weeks to finish at .295/.358/.330 in 112 at bats with 20 runs scored, 12 strikeouts and 11 walks.

Chris Parmelee tied for the league lead with 11 doubles while hitting .339/.405/.477 in 109 at bats with 17 strikeouts (15.6%).  Joe Benson didn't get many hits early, finishing at .236/.300/.400 in only 55 at bats with one home run.  David Bromberg was the Twins only starter, pitching his best game in Monday's 9-4 loss when he pitched 4.0 innings with 4 hits, 1 run, 8 strikeouts and 1 walk.  Bromberg finished with a 0-2 record and 6.75 ERA in 6 starts (22.2 innings) with 25 strikeouts and 7 walks.  Tyler Robertson was 0-1 in 12 games (14.0 innings) with a 4.50 ERA.  Carlos Gutierrez was 1-0 with a 6.55 ERA in 12 games (11.0 innings) with 9 strikeouts and only 2 walks.  Kyle Waldrop won't want to remember his last appearance Tuesday when he pitched 0.2 inning with 7 hits and 8 runs.  Waldrop finished with a 16.05 ERA in 10 games (12.1 innings), which may help the Twins when teams are considering him in the upcoming Rule V draft.

Joe Christensen posted that Luke Hughes would be leaving his hometown Perth Heat and travelling to Venezuela next week.  Perth is currently tied for first at 5-2, with Hughes one of their leading hitters at 9-27 with two doubles, a triple and home run.  Liam Hendriks has appeared in three games for the Heat (7.0 innings) with one start.  Hendriks, who was my second ranked pitcher in the organization this year, has given up three hits and no runs with nine strikeouts and no walks.  Alan de San Miguel is also with Perth, hitting .211/.423/.263 with only two strikeouts and six walks in 25 plate appearances.  Rory Rhodes is 4-19 for Brisbane. 

The Indios de Mayaguez are in last place (4-16) in the Puerto Rican League, 10.0 games out of first.  The Twins have several young prospects with Mayaguez, including outfielders Eddie Rosario and Daniel Ortiz.  In limited playing time, Rosario is 2-13 while Ortiz is 2-19.  Bobby Lanigan has started four games (14.2 innings) with a 0-1 record, 3.68 ERA, 13 strikeouts and 5 walks.  Steve Hirschfield also is 0-1 with a 4.40 ERA in five games (14.1 innings) with 14 stikeouts and 3 walks.  Lefty reliever Nelvin Fuentes has a miniscule 1.08 ERA in nine games (8.1 innings) with 9 strikeouts and no walks.  Angel Morales didn't play for Ponce this week. 

Estarlin De Los Santos is 2-6 with Gigantes de Carolina in the Dominican League.  Alexi Casilla is also with Gigantes, hitting .292/.361/.415 in 65 at bats with three doubles and four stolen bases in seven attempts.  Former Twin, Carlos Gomez was 4-4 yesterday.  Gomez, who is with Escogido, is hitting .269/.364/.388.  Deibinson Romero is 0-1 for Escogido.

The Tigres de Aragua are in seventh place (14-17) in the eight team Venezuelan League, 6.0 games out of first.  Yangervis Solarte is 9-34 (.265 average) with one home run while former Twin, Wilson Ramos, is hitting .259/.338/.431 in 58 at bats with two home runs.  Recent signee Yorman Bazardo is the Tigres top starter with a 4-1 record and 1.71 ERA in six starts.  Jose Mijares has a 1-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in four games (5.0 innings) with one save, four strikeouts and two walks.  With more veteran players reporting to the Tigres, Twins prospects Anthony Swarzak, Cesar Ciurcina, Jhon Garcia, Miguel Munoz and Edgar Ibarra didn't play this week.   

Finally, I have a question.  The Twins have signed seven minor league free agents and may sign more before spring.  Most of these players will be with Rochester, limiting roster spots that in the past would go to the top prospects moving up from New Britain.  These veteran players will also provide competition for the few spots open on the Twins roster as well as added depth when callups are needed during the 2011 season.  In what appears to be a change in philosophy, Is signing a larger than normal group of minor league free agents the right move for the Twins?