SethSpeaks.net Top 50 Twins Prospects: Part 2 (21-35)

also available at www.SethSpeaks.net -

On Monday, I posted my choices for Twins Prospects 36-50. Today, I’m back with my choices for Twins prospects 21-35. I welcome your comments. I hope you enjoy this and again, please feel free to comment.

 (For a reminder of #s 36-50, and for much more detail on 21-35, please go to www.SethSpeaks.net)  

#35 – David Winfree – OF – 24 (8/5/85)

 

#34 – Andrei Lobanov – LHP – 19 (1/25/90)

 

#33 – Michael Tonkin – RHP – 20 (11/19/89) 

#32 – Santos Arias – RHP – 22 (3/17/87)

 

#31 – Steve Tolleson – IF/OF – 26 (11/1/83)

 

#30 – Billy Bullock – RH RP – 21 (2/27/88)

 

#29 – Tom Stuifbergen – RHP – 21 (9/26/88)

#28 – Max Kepler-Rozycki – C/OF – 16 (2/10/93)

 

#27 – Brian Dinkelman – 2B – 26 (11/10/83)

 

#26 – Oswaldo Arcia – OF – 18 (5/1/91)

 

#25 – Josmil Pinto – C/DH – 20 (3/31/89)

 

#24 – Michael McCardell – RHP – 24 (4/13/85)

 

#23 – Steve Singleton – 2B – 24 (9/12/85)

#22 – Carlos Gutierrez – RHP – 22 (9/22/86)

#21 – Anthony Slama – RH RP – 25 (1/6/84)

So there you have it, my selections for Twins prospects 21-35. Be sure to check back tomorrow for my choices for #11-20, and later in the week, you will also get my Top 10. If you have any feedback, comments, opinions or suggestions, please feel free to Send me an e-mail, or leave your questions or comments here.

Of Day Notes

also available at www.SethSpeaks.net -

The Twins enjoyed an off day on Monday. With the injury situation, it was much needed. The Twins hope to get healthy both physically and in terms of working their way above the .500 mark against the two lowest teams in the six-team NL Central Division. Here are the pitching matchups for the three games with the Pirates:

Tuesday – 7:10 – Glen Perkins (1-3, 5.36, 1.32, .270) vs Paul Maholm (4-2, 3.61, 1.31, .253)

Wednesday – 7:10 – Francisco Liriano (2-7, 5.99, 1.54, .277) vs Ian Snell (1-7, 5.25, 1.61, .284)

Thursday – 12:10 – Nick Blackburn (5-2, 3.31, 1.30, .264) vs Zach Duke (7-4, 3.10, 1.17, .263)

• Last night’s SethSpeaks.net Weekly Minnesota Twins Podcast was a lot of fun, with some good guests. If you’re able, please click here to listen to it and then give me your thoughts:

1. The show started with spending about 25 minutes with Phil Miller, the Twins beat writer for the St. Paul Pioneer Press. We talked about all of the top Twins stories right now from Glen Perkins starting, to what to do with Jesse Crain. We talked about the middle infield, the Outfield situation, and the upcoming home stand. Miller is always great to listen to.
2. Next, Matt Fox, a right-handed starter for the AA New Britain Rockcats called in. He is currently 5-2 with a 2.64 ERA and is really a great story within the organization. After being a supplemental first round pick out of Central Florida in 2004, he had Tommy John surgery in 2005 and missed that entire season. He came back in 2006 with Elizabethton and has moved up a level each year, seemingly getting better and better. I think he’s ready to move to AAA, and I think he has to be considered someone who could be promoted to the Twins within the next year.
3. Finally, Ronnie Richardson called in and we spent four or five minutes getting to know him. He was the Twins 11^th round pick out of high school in Florida. He is small, but incredibly quick and has a very quick bat. He fell to the 11^th round due to signability concerns. But it was really fun talking to him about some of the factors that will go into his decision to sign with the Twins or go to Central Florida.
4. I definitely encourage your comments regarding the podcasts. I am curious what you like or don’t like about the show. What you would like to hear on a Twins related podcast, maybe some potential guests to pursue, whatever ideas you have. So, if you would like, please e-mail me your comments.

• I mentioned that I was in-studio on Sunday night with Phil Mackey at KFAN recording this week’s episode of Twins Weekly. Now, if you go to the Twins Weekly On Demand page, you can listen to or download the entire June 14th show. Please do, and let me know what you think.
• The Twins have already signed a few of their 2009 draft picks. The biggest name and highest draft selection signed to this point is Gophers 2B Derek McCallum who was their 4^th round pick. He will likely go to Elizabethton to start his pro career and primarily play second base. However, I have been told that it is likely he will also get some time at shortstop. LaVelle adds that the team may be close to signing second round pick Billy Bullock as well. Bullock is really an exciting potential bullpen arm. He only recently transitioned to the bullpen. His fastball is now being clocked at 97 and 98 mph with a slider that continues to improve. 6^th round pick, Tobias Streich, a catcher from West Virginia University known for being a very good defensive catcher, signed and is already in Ft. Myers. Another catcher, 30^th rounder, Trayvon Johnson also signed and reported.
• Nick Nelson discusses the amazing Joe Mauer a day after talking about his trip to Wrigley.
• Very Well Then explains to us that Joe Mauer is already leading the American League in Batting Average despite being 21 plate appearances short of 3.1 per Twins game.

MINOR LEAGUE REPORT

Monday – SethSpeaks.net Hitter of the Day – Steve Singleton, Ft. Myers Miracle

Monday – SethSpeaks.net Pitcher of the Day – David Bromberg, Ft. Myers Miracle – Jason Jones, Rochester Red Wings

TRANSACTIONS AND NOTES

• This may be a little old news, but with Wilson Ramos back on the Disabled List, Danny Lehmann has been sent to AA New Britain. With Jose Morales with the Twins, Drew Butera is the lone catcher at AAA, so that may be worth watching.
• What was your favorite Henry “Hank” Sanchez moment? His 50 game suspension for a Drug of Abuse ended yesterday, and so did his career in the Minnesota Twins organization. Injuries and strikeouts would probably be the words that most encapsulate his career since the Twins made him a supplemental first round pick in 2005. Add in the 50 game suspension and the word “Bust” certainly applies. Maybe he’ll find his way somewhere else, but this was an easy decision, I would guess, for the Twins brass.
• Chris Parmelee will participate in the Florida State League All-Star Game Home Run Derby this weekend.
• Travis continues to work on his Top 50 Twins prospect list. Here are his choices for numbers 21-30.   

ROCHESTER REPORT

Monday –Rochester 4, Columbus 2 – Jason Jones has really been struggling most of this season, but on this day, he pitched very well to earn his second win of the season. He threw 6.1 shutout innings. He gave up seven hits with one walk. Juan Morillo got the next four outs (two on strikeouts). Rob Delaney gave up a run on two hits but got the final four outs to record his first AAA save. Brock Peterson went 3-4. David Winfree went 2-4 with his 16^th double. Matt Macri hit a big two run homer. It was his sixth home run of the season.  

ROCKCAT RECAP

Monday – New Britain – No Game Scheduled.  

MIRACLE MEMOS

Monday – Ft. Myers 1, Dunedin 2 – David Bromberg was excellent again, but there was not enough run support and poor defense in the bottom of the 9^th meant a loss. Bromberg threw 6.1 shutout innings. He gave up just three hits, walked four and struck out five. Spencer Steedley maintained the shutout through the eighth inning. But he gave up a single to lead off the bottom of the ninth and was replaced by Blair Erickson. Erickson got two outs, but a walk, a passed ball and an error meant two runs scored and the Miracle took a tough loss. Steve Singleton led the offense by going 2-4 with his 11^th double and third home run. Deibinson Romero went 1-2 with two walks and his third stolen base.   

SNAPPERS SNIPPETS

Monday – Beloit 5, Clinton 10 – Brad Tippett put together a Quality Start, but once he left the game, things went down hill in a hurry. The Australian righty went the first six innings and gave up three runs (2 earned) on five hits. He walked none and struck out six. But then Curtis Leavitt came in and gave up three hits and a walk without getting an out. All four runs scored. Bruce Pugh came in and was charged with three runs (1 earned) on one hit and three walks in his two innings. Blake Martin got the final two outs, but not before walking three batters. Ramon Santana was 2-4 with two RBI. James Beresford went 2-4 with a walk. Ozzie Lewis was 2-4 with his 11^th double. Juan Richardson was also 2-4.  

Please feel free to Send me an e-mail, or leave your questions or comments here.