[존 시켈스] 미네소타 트윈스 유망주 TOP 20

존 시켈스가 미네소타 트윈스의 유망주 랭킹을 올렸습니다. 원래 미네소타 트윈스의 팬이기 때문에 매해 미네소타 트윈스부터 유망주 랭킹을 올립니다. 항상 세련된 투수들이 많다는 평가를 받았던 미네소타 트윈스 팜인데 올해는 상대적으로 좋은 타자 유망주들이 넘쳐 난다는 평가네요. 올해 아론 힉스가 많이 좋아진 모양인데 내년에 메이저리그에서 볼 기회가 있지 않을까 싶습니다. 그리고 올해 드래프트를 통해서 영입한 호세 베리오스가 어떻게 성장해 나갈지 궁금합니다. 미네소타에서 보기 힘든 파워 암 유망주 같은데...

1) Miguel Sano, 3B, Grade A-: I think he will be a monster power hitter. Questions about defense persist, and we'll have to see what his batting average looks like, but I am optimistic that he will make the necessary adjustments as he moves up.

2) Oswaldo Arcia, OF, Grade B+: Another masher. Upside isn't quite at Sano's level, but he'll be ready sooner. Venezuelan Jason Kubel.

3) Byron Buxton, OF, Grade B+: Would rank ahead of Arcia on pure tools, but Buxton has enough rough edges for me to put Arcia ahead at this point. Tremendous speed/power combination but probably four-five years away. Will battle Sano for top ranking entering 2014.

4) Aaron Hicks, OF, Grade B: Substantial progress refining his hitting skills last year, tapping into his power more readily. Patience, speed, defense are also assets. Broader skill base than Arcia, but bat isn't as potent.

5) Eddie Rosario, 2B-OF, Grade B: A personal favorite, should hit for average, draw walks, and produce moderate power. Not sure he sticks at second base. Plays with intensity.

6) Kyle Gibson, RHP, Grade B: This assumes the reports out of the Arizona Fall League are accurate. Appears fully recovered from Tommy John, throwing hard like he did before injuries began hampering him in '09.

7) Jose Berrios, RHP, Grade B: One of my favorite pitchers from the 2012 draft. Throws hard, throws strikes, good secondary pitches, nice delivery, athletic and strong, good makeup. Complete package. Just needs innings. 

8) Max Kepler, OF, Grade B: German outfielder took huge step forward, tapping into his power and maintaining his plate discipline. Transition to full-season ball might be a challenge but I'm optimistic that the progress is real.

9) Travis Harrison, 3B, Grade B-: He probably doesn't stay at third base, but the bat looks promising to me. Reports from Appy League are oddly subdued, but he mashed in high school and has mashed as a pro so far. Gets the benefit of the doubt right now.

10) Mason Melotakis, LHP, Grade B-: One of several lively relief arms drafted in 2012.

11) Luke Bard, RHP, Grade B-: Impressive fastball/slider combination. Bard and Melotakis have the most complete packages of the large group of relievers the Twins drafted in '12.

12) Joe Benson, OF, Grade C+: At this point the placement on the list becomes problematic, with slots 12 through 20 being plausibly ordered in many different ways. Benson's tools (power, speed, defense) continue to stand out. The grade is generous but I'm willing to write off his poor '12 season due to injuries. He really needs to take a step forward in '13, given the outfielders coming up behind him.

13) Jorge Polanco, 2B-SS, Grade C+: Big bonus ($750,000) signee from Dominican Republic in 2009 took a huge step forward with strong season for Elizabethton thanks to better strength and physical maturity. Very good with the glove at second base.

14) Niko Goodrum, SS, Grade C+: Made incremental progress refining his tools. Needs to take a step forward in '13 as he moves up to full-season baseball after two years in the Appy League.

15) J.T. Chargois, RHP, Grade C+: Another relief arm from 2012 draft, has closer potential (as do Bard and Melotakis) and should move through system rapidly.

16) Zack Jones, RHP, Grade C+: Another bullpen prospect from 2012 draft, performed well at Beloit and touched 100 MPH in instructional league, though secondary pitches need some work.

17) Michael Tonkin, RHP, Grade C+: Another relief prospect whiffed 97 in just 69 innings in A-ball this year due to improved command of 92-95 MPH fastball and nasty slider. Pitching well in Arizona Fall League. 

18) Adam Walker, OF, Grade C+: Outstanding raw power, also a skilled basestealer with good overall tools. Strikeout rate is very high, and questions about contact are enough for me to be cautious with the grade until we see him at higher levels.

19) D.J. Baxendale, RHP, Grade C+: Excellent pro debut, polished, would rank higher if he threw harder, but knows how to pitch and will make short work of A-ball. 

20) Nate Roberts, OF, Grade C+: Has been held back by injuries and was old for the Midwest League, but has a smooth swing, excellent plate discipline, can swipe a base, and is tearing up the Arizona Fall League.

21) Corey Williams, LHP, Grade C+: Another relief prospect features plus stuff from left side, still working to refine command, extremely tough on left-handed hitters.

OTHERS TO CONSIDER: A.J. Achter, RHP; Hudson Boyd, RHP; David Bromberg, RHP; Tyler Duffey, RHP; Deolis Guerra, RHP; B.J. Hermsen, RHP; Chris Herrmann, C; Pedro Hernandez, LHP; Tyler Jones, RHP; Felix Jorge, RHP; Austin Malinowski, LHP; Angel Mata, RHP; Levi Michael, INF; Amaurys Minier, SS; Josue Montanez, LHP; Josmil Pinto; C; Bruce Pugh, RHP; Taylor Rogers, LHP; Daniel Santana, SS: Caleb Thielbar, LHP; Kennys Vargas, 1B; Jason Wheeler, LHP; Alex Wimmers, RHP.