Twinkie Town 2011 Top 50

by roger13 on Feb 22, 2011 4:02 PM EST

With the pitchers and catchers working out in Florida, the Twinkie Town 2011 Top 50 is over. In one of our most unusual rounds, Danny Lehmann captured our final round with more votes than any player in any round. As this year's voting is now completed, I want to thank everyone for participating!

The following were our selections for 2011:

1) Kyle Gibson, 2) Aaron Hicks, 3) Miguel Sano, 4) Ben Revere, 5) Alex Wimmers, 6) Joe Benson, 7) Oswaldo Arcia, 8) Liam Hendriks, 9) Max Kepler-Rozycki, and 10) Angel Morales.

11) David Bromberg, 12) Carlos Gutierrez, 13) Adrian Salcedo, 14) Chris Parmelee, 15) Kyle Waldrop, 16) Deolis Guerra, 17) Billy Bullock, 18) Eddie Rosario, 19) Manuel Soliman, and 20) Rene Tosoni.

21) Trevor Plouffe, 22) Dakota Watts, 23) Anthony Slama, 24) Kane Holbrooks, 25) Luke Hughes, 26) Scott Diamond, 27) B. J. Hermsen, 28) Pat Dean, 29) Brian Dozier, and 30) Nikko Goodrum.

31) Tom Stuifbergen, 32) Jorge Polanco, 33) Danny Rams, 34) Bruce Pugh, 35) Brett Jacobson, 36) Daniel Ortiz, 37) Steve Singleton, 38) Dan Osterbrock, 39) James Beresford, and 40) Tyler Robertson.

41) Bobby Lanigan, 42) Evan Bigley, 43) Nate Roberts, 44) Matt Bashore, 45) Tony Davis, 46) Pedro Guerra, 47) Cesar Ciurcina, 48) Anderson Hidalgo, 49) Shooter Hunt, and 50) Danny Lehmann.

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Comments

Gleeman's almost done with his top 50

Gibson, Sano, Hicks, Wimmers and Nishioka are left to rank.

by DJL44 on Feb 22, 2011 4:24 PM EST reply actions

A big compliment to roger13 for doing this!

It sure is no easy task and it goes a long way in bridging the gap to spring training!

by twinscrazy_german on Feb 22, 2011 4:28 PM EST reply actions

Here Here

"I couldn't do that. Could you do that? Why can they do it? Who are those guys?"

by maxisagod on Feb 22, 2011 9:20 PM EST up reply actions

Agreed

Now I would have to give a gold medal to Bill Smith if he manages to trade off each member of our Top 50 before the season ends, and do it for beans.

by Jessy S on Feb 22, 2011 4:34 PM EST reply actions

thanks

Roger13.

by shanewahl on Feb 22, 2011 10:46 PM EST reply actions

Kevin Goldstein did his last week.

Sano was #1 and the only five-star guy. His argument on Gibson (#3 behind Hicks) was that he has a clear ceiling as a #3 starter and just isn’t star material. He didn’t love Hendricks either, despite the gaudy numbers. Here’s his list: He’s maybe a little higher than most on the toolsy outfielders and Revere.

Five-Star Prospects
1. Miguel Sano, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
2. Aaron Hicks, CF
3. Kyle Gibson, RHP
4. Ben Revere, OF
Three-Star Prospects
5. Joe Benson, OF
6. Oswaldo Arcia, OF
7. Adrian Salcedo, RHP
8. Alex Wimmers, RHP
9. Max Kepler, OF
Two-Star Prospects
10. Liam Hendriks, RHP
11. Angel Morales, OF

by Luke in MN on Feb 22, 2011 11:44 PM EST reply actions

I think Gibson has a clear floor as a #3 starter

I like the Derek Lowe comparison. #2-#3 starters cost $10M a season on the open market. That means $40M of excess value to the Twins.

by DJL44 on Feb 23, 2011 9:52 AM EST up reply actions

Twins amateur sign

“The Twins, meanwhile, have added 19-year-old infielder Darfi Ortiz for $30K” – MLB trade rumors

by DJL44 on Feb 23, 2011 9:56 AM EST reply actions

Middle infielder, 2B I think.

Grab every MI you can find.

Baseball reminds us of all that once was good, and that could be again.-Terence Mann/James Earl Jones in FoD

by Twins33 on Feb 23, 2011 12:53 PM EST up reply actions

#41-50

Not to shabby! Thanks Roger.

by b1 on Feb 23, 2011 10:37 AM EST reply actions

BA top 100

34 Gibson
45 Hicks
60 Sano
96 Wilson Ramos
100 Joe Benson

by DJL44 on Feb 23, 2011 3:24 PM EST reply actions

on Ramos

the reports all say he will be a solid defencive player. I was more impressed with his bat. I think in the long run, he’s better then Montero? (spelling) the Yanks prospect Catcher.

by b1 on Feb 23, 2011 6:10 PM EST up reply actions

No

Montero is an elite bat. Ramos has a lot of raw power, but he’s not an elite bat. He should be a good MLB catcher with some pop. But I will be surprised if he becomes a star.

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

by cmathewson on Feb 23, 2011 9:07 PM EST up reply actions

But will Montero be able to play in the field or will

he be just a DH. I guess I’m asking if Ramos is a top defencive cather and a good hitter, will that be better then just a strong DH? Time will tell I guess.

by b1 on Feb 24, 2011 3:31 PM EST up reply actions

Good question

Montero has the ability to be a good hitting first baseman. Ramos has the ability to be an average hitting catcher. Which is more valuable? Most people think the first baseman.

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

by cmathewson on Feb 24, 2011 5:22 PM EST up reply actions

Paul Bargas

Just thinkin today he maybe should’ve made the list somewhere in the back 20. Not a gripe, just a thought.

by Mr. Smokum on Feb 23, 2011 9:03 PM EST reply actions

Lf relief in single A for his age isn't that great.

Now if he can jump to AA by mid-season, you could be right.

by b1 on Feb 24, 2011 3:35 PM EST up reply actions

Paul Kelly too.

by Mr. Smokum on Feb 24, 2011 1:55 PM EST reply actions

Kelly's got a lot of playing time to make up.

I’d have him in the 40-50. If he has a off year he could get cut.

by b1 on Feb 24, 2011 3:37 PM EST up reply actions

Is he even playing anymore

Every year he comes to camp, gets assigned to FM, and shuts it down after a month. When was his last full season in the minors? 2006?

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

by cmathewson on Feb 24, 2011 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

I didn't include Kelly in any rounds because we don't know if he will be back...

…and if he is, will he be able to play. I know I was very excited when he started the season at Ft. Myers and hit about .300 for a week or two. But then he was out of the lineup and later shut down for the year. Maybe someone knows, but I don’t, if he will be back again. Unfortunately, if he had remained healthy he just might have been the Twins shortstop this year.

by roger13 on Feb 24, 2011 5:37 PM EST up reply actions