Mound Talk

1. Tyler Robertson, LHSP, A. The Twins third round pick in 2006 out of high school, Robertson throws a plus slider but could use some work on his fastball and change. Both are good, but need more work. Ace potential if he can continue to develop his fastball and changeup. He had a great season throwing 102.1 innings striking out 123 while walking only 33.
2. Anthony Swarzak, RHSP, AA. An odd season, to say the least. Swarzak was in AA, suspended for drugs, AA, A+ and back to AA. He ended up with a decent season overall and continued to show he has #2/#3 stuff. He just needs to continue to refine it.
3. Trevor Plouffe, SS, AA. The Twins first round pick in 2004 has seen an up and down start to his professional career. In 2007, he got back on track in a big way. He added some power this year (in the form of 37 doubles) and has begun to live up to some of his expectations. He needs some work defensively which he’ll get next year in AAA.
****4. Jeff Manship, RHSP, A+. Manship dominated Low-A before a promotion to High-A. While he didn’t have a bad showing in High-A, Manship was unable to repeat his remarkable first half. Manship may begin next year in High-A as a precaution but if he does well in Spring Training or early in the season, he’ll be on the first train to New Britain. Manship projects as a #2 starter.
5. Eduardo Morlan, RHRP, AA. Morlan’s future is as a relief pitcher and he’ll fit in nicely as a setup man. He is a power pitcher who struggles with control. However, this should be correctable to some extent with a move to the bullpen. He struck out 33.9% of batters in A+ (where he spent the majority of the season). He’ll start 2008 in AA but with the potential to move up. If he can harness his pitches a little bit, he has closer written all over him.
6. Chris Parmelee, OF/1B, A. His 2007 season wasn’t as bright as some, myself included, would have projected, but there are many bright spots. Despite the .239 batting average and striking out every 3.26 at-bats, Parmelee drew enough walks to sport a .313 on-base percentage and slugged .414. Of course, his big problem is contact, but if he can fix this, he’ll be one of the better hitters in the minor leagues. He is easily the high ceiling Twins hitter. The Twins are still going to try to keep him in right field.
7. Brian Duensing, LHSP, AAA. Duensing is a nice back of the rotation pitcher. He throws to contact and outside of a few good stretches, he’s been fairly unremarkable, but consistently good. Duensing may have a role in the Twins 2008 plans out of Spring Training.
8. Danny Valencia, 3B, A+. Valencia hit well enough in Low-A to be named an All-Star and earned a promotion to Double-A where he continued to hit well. Valencia was taken in the 19th round of the 2006 draft out of Miami University. He has firmly established himself as a prospect.
9. Ben Revere, OF, Rk. Taken with the first round pick in 2007, Revere was given much less than slot money and was seen by many as a poor pick. Revere has plenty of speed and if he reaches his potential, could be one of the elite base stealers in the game. In a short season in Rookie-ball, Revere hit well. Low-A will be a real test for a guy with this much potential.
10. Erik Lis, OF, A+. Lis is a poor defender and should ultimately end up as a DH. He can hit very well and for plenty of power. Finding a defensive home is going to be his biggest problem.
Flier. Joe Benson, OF, A. Benson struggled in Low-A this year but has five-tool talent. He can be a threat on the base paths, a talented defender and a very good hitter. He just needs a little refinement.

The Twins have graduated a lot of talent recently. Some was drafted, some was acquired, but either way, the Twins have worked to build from their system. Though the talent is not what it once was, the Twins have a lot going for them.

****Eduardo Morlan was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays. To update this list, everyone below moves up one slot and Nick Blackburn slides into the tenth slot.

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