Article:Minnesota Twins 2008 Top Ten Prospects

The Twins at this point in time find themselves caught between the inevitable rock and a hard place. When long-time GM Terry Ryan resigned this past September after 13 seasons on the job, he took with him a track record of building through the draft. Almost immediately, his replacement, former assistant Bill Smith, traded the Twins #1 prospect (Matt Garza) and the team's starting shortstop (Jason Bartlett). Granted, the player(s) they received back are all ML ready players, but former #1 pick Delmon Young was exiled from Tampa despite finishing second in the Rookie of the Year voting because of off-field issues involving his manager and teammates. How will this play out in the Minnesota clubhouse, a team almost as young as Tampa? Then Smith, on the eve of the General Managers Meetings in November, made it known that for the right package, ace lefty Johan Santana could be had in trade. Pending free agency at the end of 2008, Santana had turned down a four year, 80 million deal from the Twins. In his defense, Smith has held steadfast in his demands for Santana, he wants ML caliber players, and alot of them. Despite their financial constraints and their less than stellar market value, the Twins surprised some people by signing outfielder Michael Cuddyer and first baseman Justin Morneau to long-term deals. The Twins do not have any bargaining chips in their system, so any movement will have to be off the ML roster, which is why Smith is so adamant about who he gets in return on any deal, there is no one in the system ready to play at the ML level.


 * 1) Nick Blackburn, 25, RHP, draft and follow, 2001

A slow developer, Blackburn repeated each Class until 2006, at which time he underwent two knee surgeries and missed most of the season. Healthy in 2007, he began to show the promise the Twins had placed in him,  which included a dominating stint in the Arizona Fall League after the season. Blackburn throws five pitches, a plus fastball and change, a curve, and cutter. He has the experience and is confident on the mound but sometimes will let the hitter dictate what he throws. The Twins would like him to ditch the cutter and throw his curve more but they haven't been as successful yet convincing Blackburn of the future benefits. Has an outside shot of making the Twins rotation in the spring, if he doesn't, time in Triple A won't be a bad thing.


 * 2) Joe Benson, 19, righthanded hitting and throwing outfielder, second round, 2006

Best tools and highest ceiling of anyone in the system. Good arm, good speed, is quick enough to play CF and throws well enough for RF. Has a short, compact swing but is lacking on overall knowledge of how to hit. Struck out once every three AB's and will need extensive coaching to re-define his approach at the plate. High Class A in 2008


 * 3) Wilson Ramos, 20, righthanded hitting catcher, free agent, 2004

Considered now a better defensive catcher than Joe Mauer. Threw out 41 percent of basestealers in '07. Solid behind the plate with plus catch and throw skills and game management ability. Runs well for a catcher. A good hitter with a line drive swing, Ramos likely won't hit for much power at the ML level but should be around .300 consistently. Missed the final month of the season with a thumb injury on his throwing hand, likely will repeat Low Class A with a quick move up possible if he's healthy.


 * 4) Tyler Robertson, 20, LHP, third round, 2006

Best slider in the system. Fastball average with potential to become plus. Change and curve improving, both could become ML average. Twins impressed with his makeup and determination, he kept a book on hitters in Class A. Throws out of a delivery with a lot of movement, Twins would like to eliminate some moving parts but haven't pushed the issue as yet feeling Robertson will make the adjustments on his own. High Class A


 * 5) Anthony Swarzak, 22, RHP, second round, 2004

Suspended 50 games for violating MLB drug policy, involved substance was not a performance enhancer. Plus curve and average fastball, non-existent change or slider. Needs to develop a solid third pitch in order to remain a starter, if he becomes a reliever he could reach Minnesota this year. Will start season as a starter in Double A.


 * 6) Ben Revere, 19, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder, first round, 2007

A diminutive (5'9", 152) player, some feel the Twins overdrafted on Revere, most clubs didn't have him close to the first round. The fastest player in the draft, (6.3 60), he projects as a prototypical leadoff hitter with an outside chance of developing just enough power where pitchers can't take him for granted. Obviously covers alot of ground in CF although at best his arm projects to average. With a lack of a true leadoff hitter in Minnesota, he will not be held back and should move quickly. Low Class A


 * 7) Jason Pridie, 24, lefthanded hitting, righthanded throwing outfielder, second round, 2002 (Tampa)

In his second go-round in Minnesota, (he was a Rule V pick in 2006, returned to Tampa after a knee injury). The Twins insisted he be included in the Matt Garza Delmon Young trade. Best ability is defense, a legit centerfielder with good speed, runs good routes and has a plus arm for a CF. Compared early in his career to Steve Finley, Pridie hasn't developed offensively as had been hoped, he hit over .300 last season  but with only 14 homers and 66 RBI in over 500 AB's. The Twins got him back for one thing, to start opening day in CF, and barring a terrible spring should do just that.


 * 8) Brian Duensing, 24, LHP, third round, 2005

Led system with 167 innings pitched, played for victorious Team USA in the World Cup where he started the gold medal game against Cuba. Has four pitches with three average and a plus change. Not a big strikeout guy, Duensing is a gutty competitor who knows how to pitch and is the definition of a grinder. Not a top athlete, he is not a good fielder and also has struggled in the past with his weight. Along with Nick Blackburn, a contender for a spot in the Twins rotation.


 * 9) Jeff Manship, 22, RHP, fourteenth round, 2006

Best curve in system. Average to plus change and slider, average to slightly below fastball. A hard worker who knows he has to be on his game every pitch because he lacks a true power pitch, Manship has the best mound presence and pitchability in the system. Along with Duensing, neither will give in to hitters and has the makeup and desire to succeed, a trait the Twins seem to bring out in their pitching prospects. A bit behind Duensing in experience, Manship is ticketed for a full season of Triple A.


 * 10) Trevor Plouffe, 21, righthanded hitting shortstop, first round, 2004

Plouffe had developed so slowly the Twins considered converting him to pitcher in the spring of '07. They decided on one more shot for him and he responded by posting career highs in most every category. He grades as average across the board tool wise excepting a plus arm. His footwork has been slow to develop, especially when transitioning from fielding to throwing, he did make 32 errors last season. With his arm and hands being above average, the Twins would not hesitate moving him to third base at some point. Plouffe played well at times in the Arizona Fall League, a positive sign for a 20 year old. Double A in 2008.


 * Kelsdad provides the Minor League Prospect Reports exclusively for ArmchairGM

Rankings by Baseball America, contributing text by John Manuel

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