Systems Audit: Minnesota Twins
October 22, 2006
Systems Audit:
Minnesota Twins
1. Matt Garza, RHP, MLB. Garza started in the Florida State League (high A) and moved all the way up to the majors, in one year. Good control, excellent velocity. Garza just needs to put it together and add the mental aspect of pitching and he'll be set as the Twins #3.
2. Kevin Slowey, RHP, AA. Slowey doesn't walk many. He also doesn't make many mistakes but when he does he's usually hit hard. He's close to making any other teams major league roster but Minnesota will undoubtedly hold him back, but I suppose that's worked out alright for some other guys already.
3. Matt Moses, 3B, AA. Moses had what some might consider a rough year in AA hitting just .252 but he made great strides in his defense and significantly improved his power stroke. He'll start at AAA next year but if he shows signs of life he'll see the turf before long.
4. Glen Perkins, LHP, AAA. Perkins pitched just 4.2 innings of AAA ball this year so that distinction is misleading. He threw well in AA this year. He isn't quite ready but he's becoming a power pitcher with every start. He can rack up the K's when his command is on. He can touch 96 with his fastball and throws a slow curve, and occasionally a fast curve as well as the best changeup in the system.
5. Alexi Casilla, SS, AA. Casilla might be a surprise to some here but he has an above average glove, good contact rate, takes walks and has tremendous speed. In 78 games last year in A ball (with Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League, Angels affiliate) he stole 47 bases against 12 caught stealing. Minnesota hasn't quite turned him loose since acquiring the speedster but he's a major league player who could be an above average leadoff hitter.
6. Anthony Swarzek, RHP, A+. Swarzek threw 50 inning in A+ last year and failed to make significant improvements in his results this year at that level. He is erratic at times and presently lacks a third plus pitch. He has made great efforts to become less hittable but that has also resulted in issuing more walks and throwing more pitches. He's still definitely on the radar but the 21 year old will need to distingsuish himself at AA next year or he'll risk drowning in the sea of pitching prospects Minnesota has amassed.
7. Chris Parmelee, RF, A. Parmelee was drafted in the first round this year. He's got a lot to prove and a lot to work on. He's a very nice all around player who could move through the system quicker than most high school players would. He needs to cut down on his strikeouts and tighten up his swing. Coaches have been working to help him improve on his free-swinging nature but have, in limited time, failed to improve him. He's got good power and could be a prototypical corner outfielder hitting .280/.350/.480 with 30 HR in Minnesota, but that's a few years away.
8. Pat Neshek, RHP, MLB. Neshek has tremendous command and a 92 mph heater. He doesn't have much room to be in the rotation in Minnesota but certainly will make a valuable reliever in 2007.
9. Denard Span, CF, AA. Span has good contact skills and should hit for good average at the major league level as a result of his above average plate discipline. Though he doesn't draw as many walks as the Twins would like, he has shown the ability to work deep into counts so the Twins are hoping that develops into walks. Span has above average speed and this year got the green light successfully stealing 22 of 26 times. He has little to no power but could be a valuable leadoff hitter.
10. Alex Romero, LF, AAA. Romero slipped this year. His production decreased, his ability to handle slumps declined and his season showed little to no improvement. Minnesota has been verbally disappointed with his season and a good 2007 campaign is the only thing that will keep him alive in the Twins organization. He certainly have the tools to succeed, plate discipline, speed, contact.
Flier. Whitney Robbins, 3B, A. Robbins was clearly undermatched in the MWL this year but he has just what Minnesota preaches, patience, OBP and defense. In his first professional year the 22 year old his over .300 with a great OBP and good slugging average.
Future Lineup (Arrival date)
C: Joe Mauer
1B: Justin Morneau
2B: Alexi Casilla (2009)
3B: Matt Moses (2007)
SS: Jason Bartlett
LF: Michael Cuddyer
CF: Torii Hunter
RF: Chris Parmelee (2009)
DH: Jason Kubel
Pitching Staff
1. Johan Santana
2. Francisco Liriano
3. Matt Garza
4. Kevin Slowey (2008)
5. Glen Perkins (2008)
Bullpen
Cloers: Joe Nathan
Setup: Pat Neshek, Juan Rincon, Jesse Crain, Denys Reyes
Middle Relief: Anthony Swarzak, Scott Baker, Boof Bonser
The Twins are pitching heavy. No surprise there. They have their pitchers work through a regulated system where they emphasize different skills at each stop along the way to Minneapolis. They are beginning to replentish their system with young position players but they are still flooded with talented young pitchers.
System Grade: B+
Posted by Koby Schellenger: Oct 22 at 10:03 AM
Fantasy Baseball 
I think at this point my decision between Perkins and Bonser was the toughest in the organization. Bonser will probably start the '07 campaign in the rotation but will either be phased out and relegated to the bullpen during the season or of Minnesota "babies" some of the prospects, move out of the way for the '08 season. Between the two Perkins has a higher ceiling, for sure. Bonser has demonstrated an ability to adjust his game to the major league level. Perkins, of course, is untested in this area. I think Perkins' upside will beat out Bonser sooner rather than later and Bonser will be in the bullpen. But this was a tough one for me to decide. So I wouldn't be too surprised to find Bonser starting in a few years.
I think at this point my decision between Perkins and Bonser was the toughest in the organization. Bonser will probably start the '07 campaign in the rotation but will either be phased out and relegated to the bullpen during the season or of Minnesota "babies" some of the prospects, move out of the way for the '08 season. Between the two Perkins has a higher ceiling, for sure. Bonser has demonstrated an ability to adjust his game to the major league level. Perkins, of course, is untested in this area. I think Perkins' upside will beat out Bonser sooner rather than later and Bonser will be in the bullpen. But this was a tough one for me to decide. So I wouldn't be too surprised to find Bonser starting in a few years.
Although I haven't seen Perkins pitch I'd tend to agree with you. Bonser could be an end of the rotation starter on most major league teams over the next few seasons, but the Twins are so crowded that there can't be a spot for everyone. Bonser is fairly consistent but it's not like he has electric stuff, so I definitely can see him being delegated to relief work as long as he's on the Twins, I just wanted to get your full take on that.
Dear God I hope not. The five man is bad enough. If the top of their rotation didn't have Santana and Liriano and they had a manager with some balls, it could but a 6 man rotation would take away ~5 starts from each starter vs. a 5 man rotation.
Dear God I hope not. The five man is bad enough. If the top of their rotation didn't have Santana and Liriano and they had a manager with some balls, it could but a 6 man rotation would take away ~5 starts from each starter vs. a 5 man rotation.
The Twins could just trade that additional pitcher for an additional bat in their lineup or something.