Spring Training Roundup: Berrios Ripe For Twins?

Baseball is back and at Baseball America, that means it’s time again to track the progress of prospects. We’ll update you each day on how some of the game’s most prominent prospects fared at spring training.

The Twins might pump the brakes on his quick rise, but Jose Berrios is certainly make them think.

Minnesota’s No. 2 prospect and No. 28 overall in the Top 100, the Puerto Rican righthander hurled three one-hit innings against what should largely be Boston’s Opening Day lineup.

Berrios is battling veteran righthander Ricky Nolasco, lefthander Tommy Milone and young righthander Trevor May for the final spot in Minnesota’s rotation.

“He’s trying to state his case,” Twins manager Paul Molitor told reporters. “He’s only a couple appearances in, but he’d like to be considered. He’s going about his business very professionally for a young man.”

One evaluator said he doubted the Twins would bring Berrios north out of spring training, noting the organization’s reluctance to place that much pressure on prospects. But Berrios’ makeup and poise, as well as obvious talent—fastball up to 97, sharp curveball and an out-pitch change of pace—could force Minnesota’s hand.

The Twins are more likely to have Berrios return to Rochester—where he was superb in 12 starts last year—to work on the consistency of his secondary offerings as well as command, but he’s not likely to stay there long.

THE LINEUP

Nine newsmakers from Thursday’s action.

1. Kenta Maeda, rhps, Dodgers: The Japanese import again showed he’s more finesse than fastball, but kept the A’s off balance on Thursday and has now pitched five innings of scoreless ball. Detractors point to his size—just 6-foot and 154 pounds—but an evaluator who saw Maeda’s first start said his use of finger pressure and his poise should overcome shortcomings in velocity.

2. Chris Stratton, rhp, Giants: The 20th overall pick in 2012 out of Mississippi State after a dominant junior year, Stratton has struggled with command the past two seasons, sliding down the Giants’ prospect list to No. 26 entering 2016. Stratton’s stuff has backed up, but he was added to the 40-man roster in November, so the Giants still believe there’s enough in there. He showed well Thursday, pitching three hitless innings with two strikeouts.

3. Colin Moran, 3b, Astros: Houston’s No. 8 prospect, the sixth overall pick in 2013, is in danger of being overshadowed in the organization by lower-pedigree players such as Tyler White and Matt Duffy, both of whom are making a push for the big league roster. All three are pedestrian in the field, but White and Duffy have more dynamic bats. Moran has a good approach and good feel to hit, but his lack of thump, especially if he ends up a first baseman, limits his appeal. He was 2-for-3 with an RBI. He’s 4-for-10 this spring with no extra-base hits.

4. Sean Manaea lhp, Athletics: The A’s No. 2 prospect, acquired from the Royals for Ben Zobrist, is rising in stature, and not just from his statuesque hair. A power lefthander, Manaea was flat-out dominant for Double-A Midland—albeit in a tough place for hitters—and has put himself in a position to help the big league team perhaps as soon as 2016. He allowed a hit and a run in 2 2/3 innings Thursday.

5. Carson Fulmer, rhp, White Sox: The eighth overall pick in 2015, the White Sox will be more deliberate in bringing the former Vanderbilt star to the bigs than they were with Carlos Rodon. The White Sox decided against altering Fulmer’s unique mechanics—he sort of jumps at hitters—but they have stressed he stay tall in his delivery. On Thursday, he pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing two hits and a run with two strikeouts. He’s likely to begin the season in the rotation at Double-A Birmingham.

6. Yohander Mendez, lhp, Rangers: Finally healthy in 2015, Mendez showed some of what enticed the Rangers to plunk down $1.5 million in 2011 to sign him. Tall and lithe, Mendez isn’t overpowering—sitting 88-91 mph with his fastball—but his plus changeup helped him baffle low Class A hitters to the tune of 10 strikeouts per nine innings in 2015. He struck out one in two scoreless innings Thursday against the White Sox.

7. Robert Gsellman, rhp, Mets: Overlooked in the wake of the fireballing staffing now pawing the mound at Citi Field, the tall, lanky righthander has moved steadily to Double-A since being drafted out of high school in Los Angeles in 2011. While Gsellman lacks the heat of organization-mates such as Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey and Jacob DeGrom, his changeup and athleticism make him a good bet to reach his profile as a back-end starter. He pitched two scoreless frames Thursday.

8. Dylan Bundy, rhp, Orioles: Out of options, the Orioles are determined to determine what they have in the No. 4 pick in the 2011 draft. Having pitched just 63 innings since 2013, the O’s are being cautious with the big righthander. He worked an inning Thursday in his third appearance this spring, allowing four hits and two runs against the Yankees.

9. Kyle Barraclough, rhp, Marlins: The fire-balling Barraclough—a starter during his college days at St. Mary’s—was acquired from the Cardinals for Steve Cishek last July. Barraclough has averaged more than 11 strikeouts per nine innings as a pro, but control issues have dogged him. That was true Thursday as he struck out three but walked two in a scoreless inning. If he can harness his stuff—what one Texas League manager called a wipeout slider as well as a fastball that touches 98 mph—Barraclough could be in line for a high-leverage job with Carter Capps out.