Twinkie Town Community Prospect Vote: Round 9

Congratulations to Alex Kirilloff for winning round 8.

Twins Top 30 prospects for 2018

1. Royce Lewis - 57% (Gonsalves 25%, Gordon 18%)
2. Stephen Gonsalves - 55% (Gordon 30%, Javier 10%, Romero 5%)
3. Nick Gordon - 65% (Romero 19%, Javier 9%, Kirilloff 7%)
4. Zack Littell - 57% (Romero 27%, Javier 13%, Kirilloff 4%)
5. Fernando Romero 46% (Rooker 24%, Javier 21%, Kirilloff 9%)
6. Wander Javier 44% (Rooker 31%, Kirilloff 13%, Enlow 7%, Graterol 5%)
7. Brent Rooker 55% (Kirilloff 26%, Baddoo 7%, Graterol 7%, Enlow 5%)
8. Alex Kirilloff 47% (Thorpe 23%, Graterol 13%, Baddoo 10%, Enlow 7%)

Like round 8 we add another lefty pitcher with high expectations who is dealing with injuries.

Blayne Enlow, SP

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Gulf Coast (Rookie)

Blayne Enlow was picked in the 3rd round of the 2017 MLB draft out of high school but was signed for an overslot $2M bonus similar to the level of a low first round pick. The scouts use the word “projectable” often when describing Enlow which usually means the kid has a big frame (Enlow is 6’4”) and he should be able to put on enough muscle to make it as a starting pitcher. Scouts also love Enlow’s curve ball which was rated as one of the best in the draft. Enlow was sent to the Gulf Coast Twins after signing and he had a good summer posting an 8.4 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and 1.77 Run Average in six games. He will probably spend time in extended spring training this summer before being sent to Elizabethton. The major leagues are not likely before 2021.

Brusdar Graterol, SP

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

I have seen Graterol’s name mentioned as a “sleeper” so many times he should get a pillow from Dan Gladden. Graterol was signed as international free agent from Venezuela in 2014 for a modest bonus. Just a few games into the 2015 Dominican Summer League season he was injured and needed ligament replacement surgery (Tommy John). He came back from the surgery throwing his fastball 93-98MPH and a nice upper 80s slider. Toward the end of the season he was clocked throwing 100MPH and everyone noticed. He finished last season in advanced rookie ball and posted a 10.9 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and 3.92 RA in five games. Since he only pitched 40 competitive innings last summer he could start the season in extended spring training to work on his changeup and build strength but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him on the Cedar Rapids roster in 2018.

Akil Baddoo, OF

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

Akil was drafted in the second round in 2016 and was considered a toolsy work in progress with exceptional athletic talent (comparisons to Carl Crawford and Jacque Jones) but in need of refinement at the plate. Not unexpectedly, he hit .178 that summer in rookie ball. In 2017 it all seemed to come together in a hurry. He improved to .267/.360/.440 playing for the Gulf Coast Twins and was promoted to Elizabethton where he did even better. He hit .357/.478/.579 with more walks (27) than strikeouts (19) at Betsy and drew rave reviews for his approach at the plate. He had a 13-game hit streak from July 31 to August 19 where he hit .460/.557/.680 with 10 walks and just 5 strikeouts. His grade 70 speed allows him to cover CF but his arm might keep him in LF in the majors. Expect to see him in Cedar Rapids in 2018 but by 2021 he might be patrolling the spacious LF of Target Field.

Lewis Thorpe, SP

2018 Age: 22

2017 High Level: Chattanooga (AA)

Confirmed Australian Lewis Thorpe was signed for a $500k bonus by the Twins in 2012. By 2014 he had reached Cedar Rapids with a performance of 10.0 K/9, 4.5 BB/9, 4.65 RA despite being 4 years younger than the average player in the Midwest League. That offseason the young lefty made the Baseball Prospectus top 101 list. Unfortunately in 2015 he had elbow issues in spring training which led to ligament replacement surgery. During his 2016 comeback he contracted mono and was shut down without pitching in a game. By 2017 he had faded into the background with newer prospects getting the attention of prospect lists. He started the season with Fort Myers, gradually building up his pitch count while posting a nice 9.8 K/9, 3.4 BB/9, 3.16 RA in 77 innings. That earned him a spot start for Chattanooga in August. Thorpe throws four pitches and his curve ball was fantastic before surgery. The Twins added him to the 40 man roster to keep him from being selected in the Rule 5 draft this offseason. Expect him to spend the whole season at Chattanooga improving his feel for his breaking pitches but now that he is on the roster a September callup is possible in 2018.

Tyler Jay, RP

2018 Age: 24

2017 High Level: Chattanooga (AA)

Tyler Jay was the Twins first round pick in the 2015 draft at #6 overall. He was mainly a reliever at the University of Illinois but the Twins thought he was a good candidate to convert to a starter. He was started his minor league career at advanced-A Fort Myers and starting went pretty well. At the end of the season Jay was appearing on top 100 prospect lists. In 2016 he was promoted to Chattanooga after posting an 8.8 K/9, 2.7 BB/9 and 3.1 RA at Fort Myers. He struggled at AA, suffered a neck strain and missed the last month of the season. In 2017 the Twins decided to keep Tyler Jay in the bullpen to accelerate his path to the majors and help keep him healthy. Unfortunately neither of those happened as he suffered from biceps tendinitis, a sore shoulder and finally thoracic outlet syndrome. Jay was able to come back and pitch in the Arizona Fall League in November and while the results weren’t outstanding he did stay healthy. Jay has electric stuff. If he is able to stay healthy he should be able to contribute in a big league bullpen soon.