Minnesota Twins Top-15 Prospects of 2011, 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 2011 Top Prospect List Primer for more information as it relates to prospect grading and philosophy.

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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. Relief pitchers must have 25 or fewer Major League innings to qualify. Ages are listed as of May 1st, 2011. Levels are based on the highest level in which a prospect played in 2010. All grades are subject to change based on any new information I receive before the season starts.

Prospects 1 and 6 are available for everyone to read. All other scouting reports can be accessed by Premium Members only.

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Quick Rundown on Prospects 6 – 20

6. Joe Benson | CF | Age – 23 | Grade – B- … See his report below…

7. Liam Hendriks | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – B- … Advanced pitcher with a deep repertoire of pitches and an ability to throw strikes.

8. Ben Revere | CF | Age – 22 | Grade – B- … High contact hitter with possibly plus defense in center…power is minimal and arm strength is fringy.

9. Max Kepler | CF | Age – 18 | Grade – B- … Held his own at a young age in the Gulf Coast League last year…lots of projection and has multiple tools.

10. Adrian Salcedo | RHP | Age – 19 | Grade – B- … Projectable and throws lots of strikes.

11. Carlos Gutierrez | RHP | Age – 24 | Grade – B-/C+ … Close to MLB-ready reliever has an outstanding sinker, but just average secondary stuff.

12. Manny Soliman | RHP | Age – 21 | Grade – B-/C+ … Converted infielder is intriguing thanks to a clean and compact delivery and three average or better pitches.

13. Angel Morales | CF | Age – 21 | Grade – C+ … Outstanding athlete has made gradual improvements, but he’s still quite raw. Out with an arm injury at the moment.

14. Eddie Rosario | OF | Age – 19 | Grade – C+ … Advanced and athletic hitter performed well in his pro debut…shows solid all around potential.

15. Pat Dean | LHP | Age – 21 | Grade – C+ … Potential back of the rotation starter.

16. Nate Roberts | OF | Age – 22 | Grade – C+ … A sleeper who I expect to make a big move up next year’s rankings.

17. Billy Bullock | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+ … Has power stuff and misses lots of bats, but he walks way too many hitters.

18. Bruce Pugh | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+ … Quality frame and good stuff make him an intriguing prospect.

19. David Bromberg | RHP | Age – 23 | Grade – C+ … Possible back of the rotation starer or a long man in relief…he’s injured at the moment, however.

20. Dallas Gallant | RHP | Age – 22 | Grade – C+ … Sleeper prospect with a solid fastball and a really good curveball.

HONORABLE MENTIONS (in no particular order) –

*Alex Burnett and Danny Valencia are no longer considered prospects based on the criteria set forth for these lists.

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Player Grades
Contact – 45 Now | 50 Future
Power – 45 | 50/55
Discipline – 45 | 55/50
Speed – 60 | 60
Defense – 55 | 55
Arm – 55 | 55
Instincts – 50 | 55
ETA – 2012
Final Grade – B-

Last Year’s Team Ranking – No. 10

Last Year’s Grade – C+

Body Type – Athletic and muscular frame.

Scouting Report

Joe Benson is still a mostly under-the-radar prospect. I suspect he won’t be once this season ends.

He’s an excellent athlete who’s been around for a long while, but is still young for prospect standards. He was raw coming out of high high school and has taken some time to develop. In reality, his breakout season came out of nowhere. it came after three straight years of mediocre production at Single-A Beloit. So who knew his production would suddenly jump at a better level of competition without having proven himself?

Benson’s development has been a little schizophrenic. Different parts of his game haven’t developed in a way where you can pick up a discernible pattern. For instance, he increased his contact rate in his breakout year back in 2009, but saw that improved rate evaporate once he moved to Double-A. In addition, his W% during his breakout year was 14.1%, a figure he hadn’tt come close to touching. That figure reverted to normal levels — around 9% or 10% — the next year.

At the same time, Benson saw his power spike in 2010. So it’s difficult to decipher which way Benson’s development is going to go. I figure the power will stay for the most part, while seeing a slight improvement in contact rate, and a little increase in walks taken.

Benson is always going to strike out at a decent clip. He has a pretty aggressive loading process that can add length to his swing. You can get him to chase pitches up in the zone, or you can bust him inside effectively. He also could do a better job of cutting down on his swing when the situation calls for it.

*Credit to bbnewshound

However, Benson shows a willingness to work the count and get his pitch. He’s a quick twitch-athlete with excellent bat speed. He shows an ability to make hard contact, and his approach has improved a lot over the years.

His power can probably give you 15 – 20 home runs and lots of doubles annually, while his speed gives you something around 20 steals, though he’s capable of more. He’s just not that aggressive a base stealer.

His speed allows him to cover good ground in center where his strong arm plays well.

Benson hits off his front foot, so his upper body is at risk for leaking too far out in front. This will typically occur when Benson is fooled by something off speed. He has to do a better job of keeping his upper body and hands back.

Many feel Ben Revere is the team’s center fielder of the future, but Benson will have something to say about that.

Best Case Outcome – Above average everyday player in center fielder.

More Likely Outcome – Average hitter who hits for some power, steals some bases, while playing solid defense in center.

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

UP NEXT – Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects, No’s 1 – 5

Other References and Resources Used for This Article – First Inning