2003 Minnesota Twins Preview Part 3
March 16, 2003
Part 3 of the 3 part series deals with the Twins “Hot Prospects.” It has been a long time since the Twins minor league system was this deep with talent. GM Terry Ryan knows that to be successful on a tight budget, player development is the cheapest way to reload a team. The Twins have highly touted prospects throughout their organization. From Triple A all the way down to Rookie Level.
Positional Prospects
OF- Michael Cuddyer has the best opportunity to help the Twins in 2003. Cuddyer is slated as the starting RF when the 2003 season opens. Cuddyer had a brief call-up last year and performed well in the Divisional Series versus Oakland, but struggled against the Angels in the League Championship Series. So far this Spring, Cuddyer is batting under .200. Not a good way to impress Manager Ron Gardenhire. With the Twins possessing so much OF depth, Cuddyer better be ready to produce once the real season begins. If Cuddyer gets off to a good start, he should produce solid numbers. Well worth a look in Keeper Leagues.
2002 Stats – Triple A
86 Games, .309 AVG, 102 Hits, 20 HR and 53 RBI
OF- Michael Restovich is another of the Twins highly touted OF prospects. Restovich is from Minnesota, so the fans want to see Restovich do us proud. Restovich had a solid year in Triple A last year, and will start there in 2003 as well. Restovich isn’t the best defensive player, so eventually will become a DH. If Matthew LeCroy struggles as the Twins DH in 2003, don’t be surprised if Restovich gets a shot. The Twins need a right-handed power hitter, and that is what Restovich is. Not much, if any, fantasy value this year. But if your league has a minor league system/roster, he is well worth being on it.
2002 Stats – Triple A
136 Games, .286, 148 Hits, 29 HR and 98 RBI
OF- Lew Ford came over to the Twins from the Boston Red Sox a couple years ago. The Twins received Ford in exchange for RP Hector Carasco. Ford impressed the Twins management with his emergence at Double A and then continued his solid performance at Triple A. Out of all the Twins OF prospects, Ford is the only true CF. With Torii Hunter patroling CF for the Twins, Ford will need to learn the other OF positions as well. Another plus for Ford is he is a classic lead-off hitter. Ford will start the year at Triple A and will only be called up if the Twins are bombarded with OF injuries. No fantasy value, except as a possible pick for your minor league system/roster.
2002 Stats – Double and Triple A combined
140 Games, .318, 180 Hits, 20 HR, 75 RBI, and 28 SB
1B- Justin Morneau will be pushing hard to unseat Doug Mientkiewicz in 2004. Morneau has been an excellent hitter at every level. He was on fire this Spring after coming back from a broken toe at the beginning of Spring Training. Morneau will start the year at Triple A, splitting time between 1b and DH with Todd Sears (see below). Morneau is a definite pick in a minor league draft.
2002 Stats – Double A
126 Games, .298 AVG, 147 Hits, 16 HR and 80 RBI
1B- Todd Sears came over to the Twins a few years ago from the Colorado Rockies in the Todd Walker deal. Sears tore apart Triple A last year, and is making a bid to make the Twins opening day roster as a backup infielder/DH. I believe he will be the final cut this Spring, but will be called up if Mientkiewicz continues his poor hitting. Mientkiewicz’s defense can only keep his position safe for so long. The Twins need offensive producation from that corner infield position. Keep an eye on Sears during 2003.
2002 Stats – Triple A
129 Games, .310 AVG, 150 Hits, 20 HR and 100 RBI
C- Joe Mauer is the most highly ranked minor league catcher, barring the Indians Victor Martinez. Mauer was the First Overall pick in the 2001 draft. In 2001, Mauer batted .400 at Rookie Level and in 2002 Mauer hit .302 at Single A. Mauer is a minimum of 2 years away from the Bigs. But he has opened some eyes this Spring batting over .400. Mauer doesn’t have much power yet, but that should develop as he gets older. He is only 20 years old. Well worth a pick in your minor league draft.
2002 Stats – Single A
110 Games, .302, 124 Hits, 4 HR and 62 RBI
SS- Jose Morban was the Twins Rule 5 pick this off-season. Morban was in the Rangers system in 2002. Morban is battling Chris Gomez for a roster spot this Spring Training. The Twins love Morban’s defense and speed. They also are thin at middle infield, and feel Morban could take over for Cristian Guzman in a couple of years. If Morban doesn’t make the team this Spring, look for the Twins to make a deal with the Rangers to keep him. No fantasy value.
2002 Stats – Rangers Organization
126 Games, .260 AVG, 126 Hits, 8 HR, 66 RBI and 21 SB
OF Jason Kubel made a name for himself at Single A in 2002. Kubel was a high schooler that was drafted in 2000. Kubel led the Twins Single A Quad City team in most offensive categories. Kubel is still 3 years minimum away from being Major League ready, but is one to keep your eye out for in the years to come.
2002 Stats – Single A
115 Games, .321, 136 Hits, 17 HR and 69 RBI
Pitching Prospects
SP- Adam Johson has been a huge disappointment. Not only have his stats been awful, so has his attitude. Johnson was a top prospect coming out of college, but has not really been able to break through as a professional. Johnson has a good fastball, but doesn’t have much command of his breaking stuff. If he can learn to mix his pitches and be able to throw all his pitches for strikes, he has the talent to be a solid major league pitcher. Johnson will start the 2003 season at Triple A.
2002 Stats – Triple A
13-8, 5.47 ERA, 1.57 WHIP, and 112 K’s
SP- J.D. Durbin is another outstanding Twins prospect that spent the 2002 season at Single A. He had a great strikeout to walk ratio (163 K / 51 BB) in 2002. Durbin has a nice fastball, and like most young pitchers, needs to work on his off speed stuff. Durbin is still a ways off, but has the talent to be a successful major league pitcher.
2002 Stats – Single A
13-4, 3.19 ERA, 1.21 WHIP, and 163 K’s
RP – Beau Kemp is yet another Top Prospect in Single A. Kemp was the closer and was lights out the entire 2002 season. Kemp will probably start the 2003 season at Double A and the Twins will watch his progress intently. Eddie Guardado is in his free agent year, and the Twins will not spend big money to keep him. Eventually Kemp may fight J.C. Romero for the Twins closers job.
2002 Stats – Single A
3-2, 0.66 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 29 Saves, and 49 K’s
SP – Scott Tyler spent the year at Rookie Level Elizabethton in 2002. In 2003 we’ll see how he reacts to a full season at Single A. He numbers were awesome in 2002. In 68 innings pitched, he fanned 92. Tyler’s fastball has been clocked at 95 MPH, and he is suppose to also have excellent breaking stuff.
2002 Stats – Rookie Level
8-1, 2.93 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, and 92 K’s
Some stats and information received from ESPN.com and baseballamerica.com
Next Twins Report will take a look at their 2003 Opening Day Roster
