Minnesota Twins Top 10 Prospects Chat

Michael Lananna: Hey everyone, thanks for your questions. Let’s dive right in.

Kelly (St. Cloud, MN): Gut feeling, Mike - is Tyler Jay going to be a SP or RP in five years' time?
Michael Lananna: Hi Kelly, I think Jay ultimately ends up in the bullpen. And he should be a weapon there, with his plus fastball and plus slider and closer’s mentality. Given where they drafted him, the Twins will give Jay every opportunity to start, but by and large, most of the feedback I’ve heard points toward him being a reliever. He could get his feet wet in the big league bullpen at some point this year, much like what the White Sox did with Carson Fulmer.

Morris (Paducah, KY): How far off your list was Akil Baddoo? thanks
Michael Lananna: Not very far. He’s just outside the top 10. Baddoo is an interesting one. When the Twins drafted him, they envisioned him as a leadoff, speedy center fielder type, but he’s actually added some size already, and if he continues to grow, it’s possible he could develop into more of a power corner outfielder type. So he’s at sort of an interesting crossroads as a prospect, but whichever direction he goes in, he’s shown great feel for the barrel and has bat speed. Evaluators like his bat.

Kyle (Dallas, TX): Very impressive season overall for Luis Arraez. Was he considered for the list, and what does he need to work on?
Michael Lananna: The Twins love Arraez. He’s been one of the first names brought up on all of my calls. You’re right; he did have a very impressive season, leading the Midwest League in batting average as a 19-year-old. He’s got an excellent feel for hitting and a smooth line-drive swing, and he’s done nothing but hit at every level he’s played. With that said, he is a very tricky prospect to rank because that hit tool is the only tool he has. He’s a below-average runner and a fringy defensive second baseman without a ton of arm strength, and he doesn’t project to hit for much power. His ceiling is directly tied to his bat because his bat is all he offers. It does seem that most believe in his hitting ability, so he’s got a chance. But there’s some risk involved, too. If he stops hitting at any point, game over. He’ll be in the top 30, though.

Kelly (St. Cloud, MN): Adam Walker - prospect or suspect?
Michael Lananna: Somewhere in between, maybe? He’ll be in the Prospect Handbook, as he has been for the last several books. But he’s the same guy he’s always been: He’s either going to tear the cover off the ball, or he’s going to strike out. One positive development is he did make some improvements on the defensive side this year, so he’s not strictly a DH, although he’s not going to be your first option on the field, either. I’d expect him to play in the big leagues this year, and I’d expect him to hit a few majestic home runs, but his chances of sticking in the majors longterm are shaky, given his swing-and-miss issues. We’ll should learn shortly if he can handle big league pitching.

Mike M (South Dakota): Keep hearing varying reports on Mitch Garver's defense. Can he play catcher in the major leagues, and how close is he?
Michael Lananna: I’d expect Garver to compete for a roster spot out of spring training. He’s made huge strides from a defensive standpoint, especially throwing out baserunners, and the Twins view him highly. He’s very much narrowed the defensive gap between himself and Stuart Turner, and with his offensive upside, he should be the next catcher up. He’ll be in the Prospect Handbook.

Cory (St. Paul): Thoughts on Fernando Romero and Tyler Jay? Am I crazy to think they both pitch in the majors in 2017?
Michael Lananna: You’re not crazy to think Jay will pitch in the majors in 2017. Barring health, it’s very likely he’ll at least get a cup of coffee. Both he and Romero are potential short-term bullpen options should the Twins get desperate there this year. But Romero is more likely for 2018. The Twins have several bullpen arms in the minors ahead of him, so I wouldn’t bank on seeing him. That said, Romero is an intriguing prospect. He had a strong bounce-back year this year from Tommy John and might have the best pure stuff in the organization. He shouldn’t have any restrictions this upcoming season.

James (Illinois): Hi Mike, thrilled about the chats ! have Twins definitely decided Jay is a starter with 3 pitches ? he only started 2 of 5 at AA level ; was that just an innings reduction ? many thanks
Michael Lananna: Hi James. Yes, that was purely innings related. The Twins haven’t given up on Jay as a starter, but as I’ve mentioned earlier in the chat, I think he ultimately ends up in the ‘pen.

Eric (Milwaukee Wi): When can we expect Lewis Thorpe's return to full action?
Michael Lananna: Thorpe has been a frustrating one for the Twins. It’s now two lost years for him after dealing with mono and a knee injury while rehabbing Tommy John this year. The Twins still love his ceiling, and if his stuff returns to what it was pre-surgery—and there’s no reason as of now to think it won’t—he’s got the chance to be a No. 3 starter. Thorpe likely won’t ramp things up until the spring, and the plan as of now is to keep him in extended spring training when the season starts before eventually moving him to full-season ball. He’s obviously behind where the Twins had hoped he’d be. He’s got upside, but the health uncertainty kept him out of the top 10.

Mick (Chicago): Did Aussie Lewis Thorpe have a set back in his rehab from T. J. surgery? He was expected to pitch by mid season this past year and was nowhere to be found. Will he pitch in the WBC?
Michael Lananna: There was talk of him possibly pitching for Team Australia—and maybe it still happens—but it seems unlikely.

Paul (Miami, FL): Happy Veterans' Day. In keeping with that theme, what can you tell us about that Air Force kid who goes by Griffin Jax? Thanks, Mike!
Michael Lananna: Yes, Happy Veteran’s Day! Griffin Jax is a unique case because Air Force commitments have already cut into his playing time, and they’ll do the same in 2017. But once he’s ready to rock and roll, he’s got a real chance to be a big leaguer. He probably would’ve been taken somewhere in the first three rounds if not for his Air Force commitments. Some like him more as a reliever because his stuff plays up in shorter stints, but the Twins will try to groom him as a starter. He’s 92-95 mph with a plus changeup. His slider is more of an average pitch and something he’ll need to refine. He’s got great makeup and a three-pitch mix. He just obviously needs innings.

Tyler (Minneapolis): Highest ceiling out of Gonsalves, Jay, Stewart?
Michael Lananna: Good question, Tyler. To me, Jay’s got the highest ceiling—hard-throwing lefthanded starters with plus sliders don’t grow on trees—but he’s got the most risk in terms of actually sticking as a starter. Gonsalves’ ceiling is lower—the stuff doesn’t blow you away—but he’s safer. He has starter written all over him. Stewart is a mystery. Some people I’ve talked to with the Twins still think he has as high a ceiling as anybody, but his utter lack of strikeouts is baffling. It’s possible he’s just a late bloomer, and he is still learning. But the further along he goes, the more likely it seems that this is just who is—a backend guy who pitches to contact. This season will be a big one for him.

Grant (NYC): If the draft were held today, whom do you believe the Twins would grab at #1-1?
Michael Lananna: If it were purely MY decision, I would take Hunter Greene. Hudson Belinsky wrote a great story about him: https://www.baseballamerica.com/draft/get-to-know/

Sammy (St Paul MN): Does Z. Granite's speed keep him in CF, or is he likely to shift elsewhere? Can I expect to see him start in Rochester this season?
Michael Lananna: Granite can handle center, and he had a very nice season this year, with the Twins naming him their top minor league player. Realistically, he’s a fourth outfielder at the next level. Starting at Triple-A Rochester is a reasonable expectation.

Ryan (Dallas, TX): What is Jaylin Davis' ceiling? Will we get to read about him in the Handbook?
Michael Lananna: Jaylin Davis finally got on the field this year after getting hurt his last year at App State, and he had a nice year between Elizabethton and Cedar Rapids. Davis has real power, and though he can play some center, he’s going to end up in a corner. Strikeouts might hold him back. He needs to work on his offensive approach. You’re not looking at a high-average guy, but he’s got a chance to hit 20-plus homers and stick in right field.

Mike M (South Dakota): Any of the other 3 High Schoolers from early in the draft deserve consideration?
Michael Lananna: Yes. They should all be in the Handbook. I already touched on Baddoo earlier in this chat. Ben Rortvedt is a real grinder type. Great makeup and the kind of makeup and leadership skills you look for in a catcher. He’s on the smaller side, but he’s strong for his size and does have some lefthanded pop. Jose Miranda is a little raw, but he can hit and has the chance to develop power. He’s going to outgrow shortstop. He’s already gained 15 pounds and an inch since the Twins signed him. He’ll probably end up at third.

Mike M (South Dakota): Any of Lewin Diaz, Wander Javier, or Huascar Ynoa close to the top, or are they too far away yet.
Michael Lananna: All three guys are in the Top 30, but yes, they’re all far away. Diaz has serious power, and the Twins think he has the chance to hit and not just be a slugger, but he’s first-base only, so he’s going to have to really hit. There’s some risk there. Ynoa has starter traits and pitches beyond his years, but he’s got some work to do on tightening up his breaking ball and working on his changeup. Wander Javier is the furthest away of the three and the toughest to predict, but his raw tools suggest he has the highest upside. Unfortunately for the Twins, he only played in nine games this year because of a hamstring injury. He’s got a chance to stick at short and hit for some power, but he’s very, very raw and very young. The extreme risk involved with him hurts his ranking.

Tim (FL): What is highest upside Travis Blankenhorn projects at the MLB level?
Michael Lananna: Blankenhorn is somewhat similar to what Trevor Plouffe was at the same age and could possibly evolve into that kind of player, albeit Blankenhorn bats from the left side and will likely hit for a higher average. But he has the look of an offense-first player with some versatility to play multiple positions. He’s not going to be a standout defender anywhere.

Mark (Minneapolis): What do you think the future holds for Nick Burdi? He was talked about as a potential call-up when Minnesota faltered and needed help. But, again, he got hurt per usual. But what an arm.
Michael Lananna: Barring health, I think we’ll see Burdi in the big leagues at some point in 2017. He was on that track in 2016 until he got hurt. He does undoubtedly have a special arm, and there’s still closer upside with him, but we’ll see if he can command it enough and if he can stay healthy enough to stick.

Mike M (South Dakota): Is Engelb Vielma's defense good enough to play in the major right now?
Michael Lananna: He could probably hold his own. He at least wouldn’t be a liability out there. There’s no doubt Vielma can handle shortstop, and he’s easily the Twins’ best defensive infielder. But his bat is still a huge question mark.

Michael Lananna: That’s all the time I have for today. Thank you for your questions, and I apologize if I didn’t answer yours. Make sure you get a copy of the Prospect Handbook. And get ready for the Royals, handled by J.J. Cooper, on Monday.