Minnesota Twins Top-15 Prospects of 2010, No’s 6 – 15

ALSO SEE – Twins Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Grades are based on a prospect’s projected value over the course of his career and how likely it is that prospect will fulfill his projected value. Various factors are accounted for including upside, red flags, actual performance, and closeness to the majors. See the 2010 Prospect Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

Hitters must have 100 or fewer Major League ABs to qualify for this list. Starting pitchers must have 50 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify for this list. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2010. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2009. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

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Player Grades
Fastball – 50 Now | 55 Future
Curveball – 45 | 55
Change-Up – 45 | 55/50
Control – 50 | 65
Command – 45 | 55
Pitchability – 50 | 60
ETA – 2014
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Lean and athletic frame

Stuff

Fastball – 90 – 94 with good sink

Curveball – Hard mid-80′s pitch which he sells well, buckling the knees of hitters

Change-Up – Developing, but it already has good fade and he’s able to maintain his arm speed on the pitch

Scouting Report

There isn’t a lot to not like about Adrian Salcedo. He’s got a projectable frame with a loose arm and the potential to add more velocity as he gains strength. He has a couple of potentially above average secondary offerings. Best of all, Salcedo has shown tremendous control early in his professional career. He walked just 1.2% of the batters he faced in the GCL. He’s going to need to work on commanding his pitches within the strike zone.

He doesn’t have overpowering stuff, so Salcedo doesn’t have huge upside. However, when you consider his feel for pitching, he could move quickly despite his age.

Best Case Outcome – Middle of the rotation starter with a chance to perhaps be a bit better, considering it’s much more difficult to project somebody out who is as young as Salcedo is.

More Likely Outcome – Probably a No. 4 starter

Player Grades
Contact – 35 Now | 45 Future
Power – 50 | 60
Discipline – 35 | 45
Speed – 60 | 60
Defense – 50 | 55/60
Arm – 60 | 60
Instincts – 40 | 50
ETA – 2013
Final Grade – B-

Body Type – Very athletic

Scouting Report

Angel Morales has above average to plus tools across the board. He’s a wonderful talent, but he’s still extremely raw as a player.

It was a year of streaks for Morales. He started off poor, posting a .528 OPS in April before getting hot in May (.844 OPS), which precluded an extended slump in June (.459 OPS). However, Morales ended the season strong, posting an OPS of .900+ in July, August, and September.

Morales’ biggest problem is his lack of pitch recognition, which leads to low contact rates. He did lower his K% by a pretty large margin last year, but it still needs a lot of work.

Morales’ calling card is his power potential. The ball jumps off his bat and he gets good leverage in his swing, resulting in a large number of fly balls. He loads his hands well, though his swing can get a little long and he’s filled out since being drafted back in 2007.

*Credit to jason0016

Morales can play all three outfield spots, but he would have the most value in center field. He will most likely start next season in Fort Meyers.

Best Case Outcome – Above average center fielder though he’s long shot to reach his upside

More Likely Outcome – 4th outfielder

Brief Rundown on Prospects 8 – 15

8. Danny Valencia | 3b | Grade – B-/C+ – Not a spectacular prospect, but he could be a solid option at third base over the next couple years

9. David Bromberg | RHP | Grade – B-/C+ – Physical and durable pitcher projects to be somewhere between a back end – middle of the rotation starter

10. Joe Benson | CF | Grade – C+ – Toolsy outfielder took a step forward last year, especially with his patience at the plate

11. Max Kepler | CF | Grade – C+ – Regarded as the best prospect to ever come out of Germany, he has yet to see a pro pitch and is years away, but his tool set is tremendous

12. Ben Tootle | RHP | Grade – C+ – High velocity right hander has a two-pitch mix and could move quickly if he proves last year’s virus (where he lost 15 pounds) is truly behind him

13. Carlos Gutierrez | RHP | Grade – C+ – Extreme ground ball pitcher has trouble missing bats and getting left handed hitters out, but he projects as a solid reliever out of the bullpen

14. Chris Parmelee | OF/1b | Grade – C+ – Has plus raw power and improved his contact rate, but still needs to produce more for the position he plays

15. Billy Bullock | RHP | Grade – C+ – Another strong armed right handed reliever…stuff has been inconsistent in the past

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Other C+ Prospects

16. Anthony Slama | RHP | Age – 26 – Reliever who misses bats, but needs to do a better job of throwing strikes

17. B.J. Hermsen | RHP | Age – 20 – Doesn’t throw as hard as he did in high school, but his control his excellent and he keeps the ball on the ground…potential back of the rotation starter

18. Rene Tosoni | OF | Age – 23 – Sort of a tweener between center and left/right field…put up good numbers vs. lefties and could be a future platoon candidate

19. Michael Tonkin | RHP | Age – 20 – Intriguing right hander with a herky-jerky delivery and a dart-like fastball that has excellent arm side run and sink…potential back of the rotation starter or somebody the team could put in relief.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) – Matt Bashore (LHP) | Tom Stuifbergen (RHP) | Mike McCardell (RHP) | Danny Rams (C) | Rob Delaney (RHP) | Alex Burnett (RHP) | Daniel Berlind (RHP) | Josmil Pinto (DH) | Andrei Lobanov (LHP) | Hyeong-rok Choi (2b) | Anderson Hildago (3b) | Bobby Lanigan (RHP) | Liam Hendriks (RHP) | Daniel Santana (SS) | James Beresford (SS) | Jorge Polanco (SS) | Brad Tippet (RHP) | Tyler Robertson (LHP)

ALSO SEE – Minnesota Twins Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

UP NEXT – Chicago Cubs Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning and Minor League Splits