Twinkie Town Prospect Vote: Round 13

Nick Burdi wins round 12. Hopefully he joins the Twins bullpen in 2017. Daniel Palka and LaMonte Wade join us for round 13.

Twins top 30 prospects for 2017

1. Stephen Gonsalves - 52% (Gordon 34%, Kirilloff 8%, Jay 7%)
2. Nick Gordon - 73% (Jay 15%, Kirilloff 13%)
3. Tyler Jay - 46% (Kirilloff 29%, Romero 17%, Stewart 4%, Mejia 4%)
4. Alex Kirilloff - 51% (Romero 35%, Stewart 9%, Mejia 6%)
5. Kohl Stewart - 43% (Romero 29%, Chargois 14%, Javier 9%, Mejia 6%)
6. Fernando Romero - 48% (Chargois 32%, Javier 11%, Mejia 10%)
7. Wander Javier - 35% (Chargois 33%, Jorge 20%, Mejia 12%)
8. J. T. Chargois - 43% (Jorge 26%, Mejia 16%, Blankenhorn 14%)
9. Felix Jorge - 31% (Mejia 30%, Garver 30%, Blankenhorn 5%, Rortvedt 4%)
10. Adalberto Mejia - 45% (Garver 32%, Burdi 13%, Blankenhorn 6%, Rortvedt 4%)
11. Mitch Garver - 47% (Thorpe 24%, Burdi 18%, Blankenhorn 7%, Rortvedt 4%)
12. Nick Burdi - 45% (Thorpe 36%, Blankenhorn 11%, Rortvedt 8%)

Lewis Thorpe, LHP

2017 Age: 21
2016 High Level: Did not pitch - 2014 High Level: Cedar Rapids (A)

Thorpe was signed as an international free agent from Australia in 2012. At his best the lefty starter has shown a 93-95 MPH fastball with good movement along with a plus changeup, a plus curveball and a developing slider. He also seemed to have a knack for knowing how to sequence those pitches to get batters out, posting an 11.2 K/9 in the minors. He was one of the youngest players on the team in 2014 while dominating batters 3-4 years older. Unfortunately that was 2014. He injured his elbow and needed to have Tommy John surgery. His comeback last season was complicated by a bout with mono. If he can recover from the two missed years he has the potential to become a top of the rotation starter. If not, his stock will fall rapidly.

Daniel Palka, OF
2017 Age: 25
2016 High Level: Rochester (AAA)

Palka was acquired by the Twins from the Diamondbacks in the Chris Herrmann trade a year ago. Palka was a third round pick from Georgia Tech in the 2013 draft. Palka does one thing very well - hit for power. He hit 34 home runs and 24 doubles last season split between AA and AAA with a .254/.327/.521 batting line. His powerful swing has led to a large amount of strikeouts: 186 Ks in 568 plate appearances. That strikeout rate makes it doubtful he will be able to succeed in the majors. His glove in the outfield rates average at best and his other tools are not particularly interesting either. If he can cut down on his strikeouts while maintaining the power production he could see some time in the big leagues. If not, he will end up with the dreaded AAAA tag.

LaMonte Wade, OF

2017 Age: 23
2016 High Level: Fort Myers (A+)

LaMonte Wade was the Twins' 9th round pick from the University of Maryland in the 2015 draft. He had a very impressive debut in Elizabethton with a .934 OPS but as a college draftee he was not young for that level. He started last season at Cedar Rapids and produced well enough (806 OPS) to earn a mid-season promotion to Fort Myers, where he hit even better (.318/.386/.518). Wade doesn't impress scouts because his athletic tools (arm, speed, power) are all considered average. He does impress coaches with his ability to produce at the plate and in the field. His best skill is his batting eye and ability to make contact as he is the rare modern player that draws more walks than he strikes out. He can play CF but is a bit stretched there athletically. In a corner outfield position he doesn't have the power that general managers normally covet (only 8 HR). However, his on-base skills and above average defense could allow him to succeed in the major leagues in a fourth outfielder role.

Ben Rortvedt, C

2017 Age: 19
2016 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

Rortvedt was the Twins second round pick in 2016 out of high school in Wisconsin. He split the season between the two Twins rookie leagues. He didn't hit all that well in his first exposure to pro ball and wood bats (.559 OPS) but scouts still like his lefthanded swing. His catching tools didn't seem to be a problem although he only had a mediocre 28% caught stealing percentage. High school catchers are notoriously high risk draftees and Rortvedt is a long ways from the majors but scouts like his chances to be a big league starter some day.