Baseball Prospectus 1996
The '95 season was, in many ways, the last sputtering flame of the great Twins teams, with recognizable leftovers like Puckett and Rick Aguilera, Kevin Tapani and Scott Erickson in the rotation, and Chuck Knoblauch and Scott Leius in the infield. The team opened with a dismal 24-50 start, and pundits speculated that the team had a pretty good chance of losing 100 games, even with the strike-shortened schedule. So the Twins threw in the towel, and promptly turned Aguilera, Erickson, Tapani and Mark Guthrie into Frankie Rodriguez, Scott Klingenbeck, Jose Parra, Greg Hansell, Ron Coomer, and Chris Latham. The pundits and season ticket holders howled. If the team was bad with its veterans, wouldn't it only get worse with a bunch of nobodies? A 100-loss season seemed guaranteed. Like so many other predictions from baseball's fourth estate, it didn't happen. The Twins did a great job of playing spoiler down the stretch, putting an end to the Brewers' delusions of grandeur over Labor Day weekend, and seriously frightening the Mariners two weeks later. Despite some rough times for the rookie pitchers, the team went 36-44 after the trades of Aguilera and Erickson.
Despite the disaster of the first half, the Twins had some reasons to be pleased with themselves at the major league level. Marty Cordova turned out to be a much better player than anyone expected on the way to winning the league's Rookie of the Year award. Previous scouting reports had written Cordova off as a minor league slugger and poor defender, and when he came up he showed power to all fields, good patience, and superb fielding instincts. Chuck Knoblauch continued to improve, to the point where even the most casual fan should think twice before claiming Roberto Alomar is the best second baseman in the game. Pat Meares turned the corner, going from a player two bad weeks away from AAA to a solid contributor in a manner reminiscent of the way Greg Gagne put away Lenny Faedo and others once and for all in 1986. On the mound, despite enduring the worst pitching staff in Twins' history, Brad Radke displayed some talent after jumping from AA, Dave Stevens showed promise as a reliever, and Frankie Rodriguez and Jose Parra suitably both their teammates and fans.
Now it's 1996, and most of the last vestiges of the great teams of '87 and '91 are gone, with only the always-entertaining Puckett as a slender thread to the glorious past. In many ways, GM Terry Ryan and the Twins are in the same situation that the organization was in entering the '80s, when the front office had to work around Calvin Griffith's commitment to mediocrity. These Twins have a solid farm system, some good major league talent, and some genuine opportunities for young pitchers opportunities created by the worst pitching staffs in Twins/Senators history. The horrors of the last few seasons have let Ryan and manager Tom Kelly get ambitious in their use of minor league pitchers, in the wake of the profound incompetence of the team's veterans. In '95, the team had Brad Radke and LaTroy Hawkins effectively skip AAA, although Hawkins had to return to the minors. Given Radke's relative success compared to young veterans like Pat Mahomes, Eddie Guardado or Mike Trombley, it's very possible the Twins could give long looks to youngsters Travis Miller, Dan Serafini, Brett Roberts and Dan Naulty.
On the offensive side, the Twins have some definite strengths. They've managed to scrape together enough money to buy Paul Molitor and David Hollins, neither of whom may be used up. They'll certainly bring a pair of strongly contrasting personalities to the clubhouse. Centerfield will be a wide-open competition between three very talented youngsters, Rich Becker, Matt Lawton, and Chris Latham, so the Alex Cole days have ended as quickly as they started. Twin fans can look back at the team's past and be satisfied. But they can also look forward to what could be a much-improved team and a challenging future. The Indians can't be great forever, the White Sox may not have bottomed out, the Brewers have little to look forward to. Only the Royals are already rebuilding, so don't be surprised if the AL Central is a battle between the Royals and Twins by the century's end.
THE FRONT OFFICE: Terry Ryan was given the general manager's job after Andy MacPhail left for a sweetheart deal with the Cubs. There's been some whining about the returns on the midseason trades, especially since Scott Klingenbeck doesn't resemble a major league pitcher, but the veterans they traded (other than Aggie) weren't playing well enough to inspire major bidding wars between the contenders. It's early yet, but Ryan seems to be doing well enough.
THE MANAGER: Tom Kelly has nothing to say to you, and if he did, he wouldn't tell you. TK has a well-earned reputation for being close-mouthed, but there seems to be a method behind the taciturn demeanor. I think of him as Buck Showalter's media doppelganger, in that like Showalter, he has no time to waste on rehashing the same tired old generalizations and observations that managers have been spouting for the public's benefit since Cap Anson. Unlike Showalter, who's known for his thoughtful insights and fresh responses to tired questions, Kelly simply doesn't say anything, and why blame him? If you've been asked for the twelve thousandth time what your team has to do to win, you wouldn't be human if didn't want to tell the reporter to look up what you said last year or remember what you said fifteen minutes ago.
Kelly catches a lot of flack for some of his lineups, like when he has Chip Hale DH. I think much of the kvetching is unreasonable. Tom Kelly believes in keeping his bench sharp and fresh, and you won't find a better manager when it comes to using all of his position players effectively. The only way you're going to be able to use that bench and rely on it down the stretch or at an important point in-game is if you play the guys. Kelly's method was a major reason for the Twins' successes in the past, and helps explain unlikely heroes like Al Newman, Randy Bush or Gene Larkin. Chip Hale isn't anyone's first choice to DH, but if he's going to be an effective pinch-hitter for the season, he'll need the occassional start. If that hurts the team in one game, Tom Kelly's willing to take that hit, because he knows it pays off in the long term. Managers who don't develop their bench, like Leo Durocher in 1969 or John MacNamara in 1986, can wind up paying a very heavy price.
RICH BECKER 1972 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KEN 508 117 18 1 11 47 10 3 .230 .295 .335 .224 114 47 1992 VIS 493 124 16 1 11 77 15 6 .252 .353 .355 .255 126 62 1993 NAA 522 137 16 4 12 78 21 5 .262 .358 .377 .266 139 71 1994 SLC 268 69 10 1 2 33 6 1 .257 .339 .325 .242 65 29 1994 MIN 97 26 0 0 1 11 7 1 .268 .343 .299 .246 24 11 1995 SLC 119 33 2 0 5 22 6 1 .277 .390 .420 .292 35 20 1995 MIN 389 94 11 1 1 29 11 11 .242 .294 .283 .202 79 28 1996 PRJ 391 101 19 2 10 47 16 7 .258 .338 .394 .261 102 51Held back by several knee injuries, Becker finally got an extended big league trial. He was awful early on, but he improved during the last two months of the season. He's ditched switch-hitting, and is now strictly a lefty. He showed limited range in center, but a very good arm. He'll have to fight off Lawton and Latham for the centerfield job.
BRENT BREDE 1972 RF/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KEN 160 24 3 1 0 10 2 2 .150 .200 .181 .073 12 1 1992 KEN 375 70 5 1 1 36 5 5 .187 .258 .213 .151 57 14 1993 FTM 184 52 7 1 1 25 5 2 .283 .368 .348 .261 48 23 1994 FTM 430 108 16 2 4 53 13 3 .251 .333 .326 .240 103 46 1995 NBR 456 117 19 2 3 56 11 5 .257 .338 .327 .240 110 49A definite contender for the Honorary Randy Bush clone roster spot.
BERNARDO BRITO 1964 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 423 101 11 1 20 19 1 0 .239 .271 .411 .237 100 44 1992 POR 560 145 17 2 26 22 0 1 .259 .287 .436 .250 140 65 1993 POR 309 94 10 1 14 20 0 1 .304 .347 .479 .285 88 47 1993 MIN 54 13 2 0 4 0 0 0 .241 .241 .500 .251 14 6 1994 SLC 417 110 14 1 18 24 3 0 .264 .304 .432 .257 107 51 1995 SLC 180 50 6 1 11 15 1 0 .278 .333 .506 .287 52 29 1996 PRJ 288 75 6 1 13 15 0 0 .260 .297 .424 .251 72 34The real Crash Davis/minor league homerun king. Here's hoping Brito can be a good hitting coach or something. He's off to Japan for '96.
TONY BYRD 1971 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KEN 153 29 3 1 1 7 3 1 .190 .225 .242 .152 23 6 1993 FTW 490 126 9 4 12 40 13 6 .257 .313 .365 .242 118 53 1994 NAA 517 113 17 4 6 34 20 6 .219 .267 .302 .204 105 39 1995 NBR 447 104 15 5 3 19 17 8 .233 .264 .309 .204 91 33
JERALD CLARK 1964 OF/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SDP 375 93 13 1 11 31 2 1 .248 .305 .376 .239 90 40 1992 SDP 498 127 22 5 15 25 3 0 .255 .291 .410 .245 122 55 1993 COL 466 120 20 4 11 21 9 6 .258 .290 .388 .237 111 48 1995 MIN 108 37 8 3 2 0 4 0 .343 .343 .528 .305 33 18The scouts who called this guy the new Andre Dawson need to tied up in a canvas sack and thrown into a lake.
ALEX COLE 1966 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLE 391 124 13 4 0 58 37 19 .317 .405 .371 .283 111 61 1992 CLE 97 21 1 0 0 9 9 2 .216 .283 .227 .197 19 7 1992 PIT 209 64 5 6 1 19 7 4 .306 .364 .402 .273 57 29 1993 COL 340 77 6 3 0 41 28 12 .226 .310 .262 .214 73 29 1994 MIN 340 100 12 4 2 39 34 9 .294 .367 .371 .275 93 49 1995 MIN 77 27 1 2 1 7 1 4 .351 .405 .455 .288 22 12 1996 PRJ 413 119 14 6 1 61 37 11 .288 .380 .358 .276 114 61The ultimate pachinko ballplayer, bouncing and skittering from base to base or buzzing around the outfield. He's been signed by Boston, where he'll probably get three weeks as a starter before boarding the Pawtucket yo-yo.
RON COOMER 1967 3B/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 BIR 525 134 19 3 14 45 0 2 .255 .314 .383 .244 128 58 1992 VAN 261 58 4 0 9 11 2 0 .222 .254 .341 .207 54 20 1993 BIR 266 84 11 1 10 12 1 1 .316 .345 .477 .285 76 40 1993 NAS 209 64 12 1 10 9 2 2 .306 .335 .517 .289 60 33 1994 ABQ 508 145 18 2 15 21 4 2 .285 .314 .417 .257 130 61 1995 ABQ 311 88 13 1 13 15 5 2 .283 .316 .457 .269 84 42 1995 MIN 100 26 4 1 4 8 0 1 .260 .315 .440 .258 26 13 1996 PRJ 347 96 18 1 18 27 0 1 .277 .329 .490 .280 97 52More of a line drive hitter than all-or-nothing flyout or slug type, Coomer is a natural platoon mate for Stahoviak at either first or third, depending on what happens with plans to have Molitor play the field and which corner David Hollins mans.
MARTY CORDOVA 1970 LF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VIS 191 33 2 1 4 8 1 1 .173 .206 .257 .142 27 6 1992 VIS 498 141 14 2 19 46 7 3 .283 .344 .434 .273 136 70 1993 NAA 512 118 19 3 14 53 8 3 .230 .303 .361 .234 120 53 1994 SLC 362 109 13 2 12 32 15 5 .301 .358 .448 .284 103 56 1995 MIN 505 141 25 4 20 46 25 8 .279 .339 .463 .281 142 78 1996 PRJ 600 175 32 3 22 63 39 11 .292 .359 .465 .291 175 100The '95 Rookie of the Year for succeeded in the #5 slot in the order, played excellent defense in left, and refuted many of the complaints from previous years about his limitations. He moved up with Becker and Stahoviak, and was consistently the best hitter of the three, yet he rarely got the same kind of consideration. He's very good at hitting where he's pitched, going to right field.
ANDRES DUNCAN 1972 SS/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLN 356 67 6 3 1 18 17 5 .188 .227 .230 .157 56 14 1992 SJO 310 59 5 2 1 21 9 4 .190 .242 .229 .157 49 12 1993 SJO 112 22 0 1 1 7 8 2 .196 .244 .241 .178 20 6 1993 SHV 76 11 2 1 0 4 1 0 .145 .188 .197 .085 6 1 1994 NAA 401 94 8 1 7 25 14 5 .234 .279 .312 .212 85 32 1995 NBR 233 49 3 2 0 9 8 4 .210 .240 .240 .163 38 10 1995 SLC 35 8 1 1 0 4 2 0 .229 .308 .314 .234 8 4A San Pedro de Macoris non-success. How many kids growing up there insist on playing shortstop, I wonder.
MIKE DURANT 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KEN 223 38 5 0 2 16 10 3 .170 .226 .220 .149 33 8 1992 VIS 411 90 8 1 5 33 10 6 .219 .277 .280 .196 80 28 1993 NAA 440 97 14 1 6 35 12 3 .220 .278 .298 .206 91 33 1994 SLC 328 80 14 2 2 29 8 2 .244 .305 .317 .225 74 30 1995 SLC 288 62 10 2 2 18 11 6 .215 .261 .285 .192 55 19Durable catchers with solid defense get to play into their thirties if they want to. Ron Tingley or Jerry Narron must run a support group for these guys.
CHIP HALE 1965 PH/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 349 73 12 2 1 37 3 2 .209 .285 .264 .190 66 22 1992 POR 470 126 22 5 2 59 3 2 .268 .350 .349 .250 118 54 1993 POR 206 50 8 2 1 17 2 1 .243 .300 .316 .219 45 18 1993 MIN 184 63 6 1 2 16 2 1 .342 .395 .418 .292 54 28 1994 MIN 116 31 5 0 1 15 0 2 .267 .351 .336 .242 28 12 1995 SLC 48 12 3 0 0 6 0 1 .250 .333 .312 .225 11 4 1995 MIN 102 28 1 0 2 9 0 0 .275 .333 .343 .242 25 11One of those guys who cause many people to ask "why does he get to play at all?" The problem with that kind of day-after boxscore quarterbacking is that it doesn't appreciate the long view. Tom Kelly likes to keep his bench fresh, and that means a couple of starts a month for his pinch-hitters. When everything goes right, like 1991, Kelly has a bench that's ready to be used when needed, like Gene Larkin or Paul Sorrento were for the World Series. It can be an advantage in a short series, and it probably keeps his bench happy to boot.
STEVE HAZLETT 1970 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KEN 373 82 11 2 5 35 10 5 .220 .287 .300 .208 78 29 1993 FTM 116 34 4 1 1 11 7 3 .293 .354 .371 .263 31 15 1994 NAA 463 127 15 1 13 33 7 2 .274 .323 .395 .255 118 55 1995 SLC 414 108 17 3 4 36 9 8 .261 .320 .345 .235 97 42
DENNY HOCKING 1970 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KEN 447 94 11 5 2 52 11 6 .210 .293 .271 .199 89 32 1992 VIS 535 140 19 4 6 43 19 8 .262 .317 .346 .239 128 56 1993 NAA 410 98 6 2 6 28 11 3 .239 .288 .307 .214 88 33 1993 MIN 36 5 1 0 0 6 1 0 .139 .262 .167 .137 5 1 1994 SLC 378 85 7 2 4 23 12 5 .225 .269 .286 .197 75 26 1994 MIN 30 10 2 0 0 0 3 0 .333 .333 .400 .282 8 4 1995 SLC 386 95 14 1 7 22 13 7 .246 .287 .342 .224 86 35Voted the best defensive shortstop in the Pacific Coast League, Hocking's misfortune is that he's a step behind Pat Meares, and he didn't do enough to mount a challenge to Meares before '95. Now that Meares has enjoyed his best season, Hocking's future is probably in another organization.
DAVE HOLLINS 1966 3B/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SWB 227 56 7 3 8 35 4 1 .247 .347 .410 .267 61 32 1991 PHI 154 49 11 2 6 17 1 1 .318 .386 .532 .312 48 29 1992 PHI 598 176 27 3 34 81 10 6 .294 .378 .520 .305 183 110 1993 PHI 544 150 25 3 17 85 2 3 .276 .374 .426 .280 152 82 1994 PHI 162 38 5 1 4 23 1 0 .235 .330 .352 .243 39 18 1995 PHI 202 45 9 2 6 52 1 1 .223 .382 .376 .269 54 30 1996 PRJ 261 65 10 0 8 56 0 0 .249 .382 .379 .272 71 38One of the game's most infamous red asses, it will be interesting to see what kind of effect Hollins has on the generally laid-back Twins. He's an awful defensive player at either corner, and a series of wrist injuries have cut deeply into his power. A team has to accept his limitations and not expect that he hit like he did in '92 and '93.
JOHN JACKSON 1967 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SJO 45 11 0 1 0 5 1 1 .244 .320 .289 .216 10 4 1992 MID 152 39 3 1 1 15 9 3 .257 .323 .309 .234 36 15 1993 MID 238 61 9 1 2 33 8 4 .256 .347 .328 .245 58 27 1993 VAN 198 51 6 2 2 14 9 3 .258 .307 .338 .235 46 20 1994 VAN 347 87 8 2 2 39 17 9 .251 .326 .303 .229 79 34 1995 VAN 115 35 5 1 1 20 9 3 .304 .407 .391 .292 34 19 1995 NBR 58 16 2 1 2 9 3 3 .276 .373 .448 .278 16 9 1995 SLC 189 47 7 2 4 19 8 2 .249 .317 .370 .248 47 22
CHUCK KNOBLAUCH 1969 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIN 564 164 17 6 2 58 31 5 .291 .357 .353 .264 149 73 1992 MIN 604 190 19 7 2 86 37 12 .315 .400 .379 .286 173 94 1993 MIN 596 167 21 4 2 60 34 10 .280 .346 .339 .253 151 71 1994 MIN 439 137 35 3 3 35 42 7 .312 .363 .426 .290 127 70 1995 MIN 526 176 28 7 8 71 59 22 .335 .414 .460 .311 163 100 1996 PRJ 614 199 39 7 15 77 63 16 .324 .399 .484 .315 193 120He's probably the best second baseman in the game today, but he lacks the Alomar media machine. He's started hitting in an extreme, Rickey Henderson-style crouch, and its driven his walk totals and his power up.
CHRIS LATHAM 1973 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 YAK 199 44 1 2 3 23 11 5 .221 .302 .291 .216 43 17 1993 BAK 27 4 0 0 0 3 1 1 .148 .233 .148 .090 2 0 1994 YAK 292 76 8 3 4 35 14 11 .260 .339 .349 .244 71 33 1994 BAK 192 35 4 1 1 21 16 5 .182 .263 .229 .183 35 12 1995 VRO 265 67 7 2 6 44 28 8 .253 .359 .362 .268 71 38 1995 SAN 216 60 10 2 8 28 12 7 .278 .361 .454 .282 61 34 1996 PRJ 477 122 19 3 11 65 51 18 .256 .345 .377 .265 126 67Young, blazing fast centerfielder with good patience (90 walks this season, 83 the year before), good power for his age, switch-hitter. As you can see, he shot up from A ball to AAA, and succeeded doing it. He's came to Minnesota as the last throw-in on the deal that brought Kevin Tapani to the Dodgers. Tore up the Arizona Fall League, and will probably win a job with the Twins in spring training. He's got a future, probably at Richie Becker's expense.
MATT LAWTON 1972 CF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 FTW 351 86 10 1 7 48 13 8 .245 .336 .339 .241 85 39 1994 FTM 460 131 18 1 9 67 32 13 .285 .376 .387 .276 127 68 1995 NBR 418 107 13 3 11 45 21 7 .256 .328 .380 .255 107 52 1995 MIN 59 19 2 1 1 6 1 1 .322 .385 .441 .289 17 9 1996 PRJ 455 131 22 1 14 83 26 10 .288 .398 .433 .296 135 80The third option in the Twins' jumbled centerfield situation. Lawton's considered only adequate in center, so he'll have to hit like he did in September to beat Becker or Latham. Lawton followed up his good debut with a very good AFL season, so he may be the favorite to win the CF job in camp.
SCOTT LEIUS 1966 3B/SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIN 199 59 6 2 5 29 7 5 .296 .386 .422 .284 56 31 1992 MIN 411 109 17 3 2 33 7 5 .265 .320 .336 .234 96 41 1994 MIN 347 87 11 1 12 32 3 5 .251 .314 .392 .244 85 39 1995 MIN 367 92 13 4 3 45 3 1 .251 .333 .332 .238 87 38 1996 PRJ 323 80 12 3 8 30 6 4 .248 .312 .378 .243 78 36The disappearance of his power has been blamed on his bulking up too much with off-season weight lifting, but even with it, he was essentially a utilityman with too much playing time.
PATRICK LENNON 1968 OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 CLG 399 111 16 1 12 34 10 4 .278 .335 .414 .265 106 53 1992 CLG 46 14 2 0 1 4 3 1 .304 .360 .413 .279 13 7 1993 CAN 155 37 4 1 3 25 3 1 .239 .344 .335 .245 38 18 1994 NBR 438 136 18 3 13 39 12 6 .311 .367 .454 .288 126 68 1995 TRN 101 39 3 0 2 11 6 2 .386 .446 .475 .330 33 20 1995 PAW 128 31 3 1 3 14 6 3 .242 .317 .352 .239 31 14 1995 SLC 110 40 6 0 6 10 2 1 .364 .417 .582 .338 37 24 1996 PRJ 564 164 23 3 15 67 11 5 .291 .366 .422 .279 158 83He's stuck in the same situation as Geronimo Berroa was three years ago: he can clearly hit, but no one's been in a tight enough situation to give him a shot yet.
RENE LOPEZ 1972 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 FTW 349 72 6 1 2 32 0 0 .206 .273 .246 .176 61 18 1994 FTM 392 98 8 1 7 38 2 2 .250 .316 .329 .229 90 37 1995 NBR 268 62 4 0 3 20 0 0 .231 .285 .280 .197 53 18He's a great throwing catcher, which might be enough to get him an eventual shot.
DAN MASTELLER 1968 1B/OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 ORL 379 87 12 3 5 33 5 3 .230 .291 .317 .214 81 31 1992 ORL 367 89 17 2 7 20 2 2 .243 .282 .357 .223 82 33 1993 NAA 121 30 2 0 2 9 2 1 .248 .300 .314 .219 26 10 1993 POR 205 58 7 1 6 19 3 3 .283 .344 .415 .265 54 27 1994 SLC 323 82 14 2 5 17 4 1 .254 .291 .356 .230 74 31 1995 SLC 147 40 8 3 4 13 4 1 .272 .331 .449 .273 40 21 1995 MIN 196 47 9 0 3 16 1 2 .240 .297 .332 .219 43 17Tom Kelly obviously misses Randy Bush pretty badly, because he hooked onto the first left-handed firstbaseman-outfielder he could find, in this case a scab. He's hitting .220 in winter ball, and he could probably hit .220 anywhere, at any time.
PAT MEARES 1969 SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VIS 357 88 11 1 5 8 7 3 .246 .263 .325 .208 74 27 1992 ORL 300 68 10 1 3 10 5 3 .227 .252 .297 .190 57 18 1993 POR 53 14 3 0 0 2 0 0 .264 .291 .321 .216 11 4 1993 MIN 345 89 7 3 1 4 6 5 .258 .266 .304 .200 69 23 1994 MIN 227 61 9 1 1 11 6 1 .269 .303 .330 .230 52 21 1995 MIN 388 106 17 4 10 9 13 5 .273 .290 .415 .249 97 44 1996 PRJ 545 138 24 5 11 12 16 6 .253 .269 .376 .230 125 52His sudden power surge has been attributed to his new stance crowding the plate. At this point, he's decisively won the shortstop job; he and Cordova are probably the only two players on the team guaranteed to be starting at the same positions they were at in '95.
DAMIAN MILLER 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 KEN 273 51 4 1 3 14 2 1 .187 .226 .242 .148 40 9 1992 KEN 388 94 14 1 4 36 3 1 .242 .307 .314 .221 86 34 1993 FTM 328 59 8 1 2 24 4 2 .180 .236 .229 .148 48 11 1994 NAA 333 81 5 0 7 31 3 3 .243 .308 .321 .222 74 30 1995 SLC 287 72 13 1 3 13 3 3 .251 .283 .334 .217 62 24
PAUL MOLITOR 1957 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIL 664 223 31 12 17 74 24 8 .336 .402 .495 .314 208 124 1992 MIL 623 219 38 8 14 73 35 6 .352 .420 .506 .327 204 126 1993 TOR 627 211 34 5 20 72 25 4 .337 .405 .502 .319 200 121 1994 TOR 446 153 23 3 11 49 24 0 .343 .408 .482 .321 143 85 1995 TOR 519 143 25 2 13 55 15 0 .276 .345 .407 .270 140 72 1996 PRJ 582 174 26 4 15 88 11 0 .299 .391 .435 .296 172 97He finished strong, so he may be able to contribute like he did in '93 and '94. He's still in great shape, and in better health than he was in the '80s. He's much more comfortable batting second. He should coach baserunning, since you'll almost never see him make a mistake. The real question is whether or not he'll be able to play first if asked, since the Twins are considering lineups with Puckett or Hollins at DH.
TIM MOORE 1972 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KEN 396 91 12 1 8 47 21 11 .230 .312 .326 .229 91 40 1993 FTM 224 51 7 1 7 22 11 2 .228 .297 .362 .239 53 24 1994 NAS 431 100 14 1 14 35 10 8 .232 .290 .367 .229 99 42 1995 NBR 315 73 11 1 8 17 3 2 .232 .271 .349 .216 68 27This is what the DH rule is for? To torture season ticket holders in New Britain?
PEDRO MUNOZ 1969 DH YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 208 59 13 1 4 14 8 4 .284 .329 .413 .262 55 27 1991 MIN 138 41 7 1 7 8 4 0 .297 .336 .514 .295 41 23 1992 MIN 420 120 14 4 13 16 5 5 .286 .312 .431 .258 108 52 1993 MIN 324 77 12 1 12 23 1 2 .238 .288 .392 .235 76 33 1994 MIN 241 72 12 2 9 16 0 0 .299 .342 .477 .283 68 36 1995 MIN 372 114 14 1 15 14 0 4 .306 .332 .470 .275 102 52 1996 PRJ 586 180 19 1 28 32 0 1 .307 .343 .486 .287 168 90His knees are completely shot, so he can't play the field in anything other than an emergency. He can still help a team as an occasional DH and pinch-hitter, and he's learned how to hit to all fields. Looks like the DH in Oakland
GREG MYERS 1966 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 TOR 308 83 15 1 9 20 0 0 .269 .314 .412 .254 78 37 1992 TOR 61 15 3 0 2 5 0 0 .246 .303 .393 .243 15 7 1993 CAL 288 75 6 1 7 15 4 3 .260 .297 .361 .232 67 28 1994 CAL 125 31 3 0 2 8 0 2 .248 .293 .320 .211 26 10 1995 CAL 272 73 10 2 8 14 0 1 .268 .304 .408 .248 67 31 1996 PRJ 324 81 11 4 9 14 0 0 .250 .281 .392 .235 76 33He isn't as bad a thrower as has been rumored, but his reflexes are slowing, making him a poor plateblocker. He calls a good game, and can poke a pitch against RHPs, so he's a useful catcher when matched up with a good defensive catcher who can hit LHPs, like Matt Walbeck.
JAMIE OGDEN 1972 1B/OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 KEN 384 76 7 1 3 35 4 1 .198 .265 .245 .173 67 19 1993 FTM 399 87 12 1 9 25 4 1 .218 .264 .321 .204 82 30 1994 FTM 255 63 7 0 7 12 9 5 .247 .281 .357 .226 58 24 1995 NBR 389 105 13 1 11 38 5 4 .270 .335 .393 .256 100 48
KIRBY PUCKETT 1961 RF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 MIN 610 201 29 6 14 29 14 5 .330 .360 .466 .290 177 94 1992 MIN 643 222 35 5 21 42 19 7 .345 .385 .513 .311 200 116 1993 MIN 616 185 34 3 21 42 10 5 .300 .345 .468 .282 174 92 1994 MIN 433 138 26 3 16 23 7 3 .319 .353 .503 .295 128 71 1995 MIN 529 168 28 2 20 49 4 2 .318 .375 .491 .300 159 90 1996 PRJ 608 182 27 3 23 47 5 3 .299 .350 .467 .284 173 92In good times, in bad times, whether the air conditioner is on or off, Kirby Puckett exists to make Twins fans happy. That may seem simple, but sometimes getting to watch a player enjoy playing is the most important part of the game.
TOM QUINLAN 1968 3B/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 SYR 467 106 16 3 10 57 9 3 .227 .311 .338 .231 108 47 1992 SYR 354 74 13 1 5 38 1 2 .209 .286 .294 .201 71 25 1993 SYR 465 106 14 2 13 50 6 1 .228 .303 .351 .232 108 46 1994 SWB 262 59 7 1 7 24 4 2 .225 .290 .340 .222 58 24 1994 PHI 35 7 2 0 1 3 0 0 .200 .263 .343 .208 7 3 1995 SLC 454 113 13 2 15 33 6 3 .249 .300 .385 .241 109 49
BRIAN RAABE 1968 2B/3B/SS YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VIS 312 62 1 1 1 22 6 2 .199 .251 .218 .155 48 12 1992 MIA 375 95 13 1 3 41 5 3 .253 .327 .317 .231 87 36 1992 ORL 108 26 3 0 2 2 1 2 .241 .255 .324 .198 21 7 1993 NAA 526 134 15 1 5 46 13 5 .255 .315 .316 .228 120 49 1994 SLC 450 117 15 2 1 41 8 6 .260 .322 .309 .226 102 41 1995 SLC 427 115 20 3 4 38 14 0 .269 .329 .358 .252 108 50He'll make a fine utility infielder for somebody, but with the Twins he's stuck in a line behind Knoblauch, Meares, and Reboulet, and he's going to be passed by Todd Walker. Almost impossible to strike out.
JEFF REBOULET 1964 INF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 POR 387 85 18 2 3 45 4 2 .220 .301 .300 .212 82 32 1992 POR 159 42 8 1 2 30 3 2 .264 .381 .365 .267 43 22 1992 MIN 138 29 8 1 1 22 3 2 .210 .319 .304 .222 31 13 1993 MIN 237 62 5 0 1 34 7 5 .262 .354 .295 .236 56 24 1994 MIN 187 49 9 1 2 16 0 0 .262 .320 .353 .239 45 19 1995 MIN 212 63 6 1 3 25 1 3 .297 .371 .377 .266 56 27 1996 PRJ 360 95 10 1 5 46 0 0 .264 .347 .339 .247 89 40If anyone drove the Elias Sports Bureau out of the business of projecting rookies' futures, I like to think that it was Jeff Reboulet. Elias projected that he'd never return to the majors after his rookie season. Maybe they ran a projection for Shooty Babbitt by mistake, but I thought the projection was ridiculous at the time, and it's proved to be even more stupid with time. Reboulet is very possibly the best utility infielder in major league baseball, capable of doing a little bit of everything. He won't have a season as good as his '95 again, but to be good at his job, he doesn't need to.
CHAD ROPER 1974 3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 FTM 455 98 8 1 10 33 1 1 .215 .268 .303 .197 90 31 1994 FTM 344 77 9 1 5 26 6 5 .224 .278 .299 .202 69 25 1995 NBR 448 96 14 1 10 19 2 2 .214 .246 .317 .193 86 29He isn't as highly regarded as Cory Koskie as a third base prospect, but he's both younger and ahead of him. His future with the team is irrelevant now that Todd Walker is being moved to third.
MITCH SIMONS 1969 2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 JAM 159 38 3 0 2 25 10 3 .239 .342 .296 .239 38 17 1991 WPB 52 9 2 1 0 4 1 0 .173 .232 .250 .161 8 2 1992 SUM 496 118 15 3 2 41 16 6 .238 .296 .292 .212 105 40 1993 WPB 160 38 4 1 1 15 9 4 .237 .303 .294 .218 35 14 1993 HAR 78 17 0 1 0 5 1 0 .218 .265 .244 .176 14 4 1994 NAA 397 116 10 1 5 35 21 6 .292 .350 .360 .261 104 50 1995 SLC 464 131 23 2 3 40 31 13 .282 .339 .360 .255 118 57Speedy mighty mite, Simons is in the same boat as Raabe: if the Twins can't come to an agreement with Chuck Knoblauch and have to trade him, Simons will get a crack at the major league job. If Knoblauch signs, Simons can learn about the thrills of minor league free agency.
VAN SNIDER 1964 1B/OF YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1992 PAW 385 86 15 1 10 20 2 1 .223 .262 .345 .211 81 31 1993 LOU 421 109 21 3 11 23 4 1 .259 .297 .401 .245 103 47 1995 SLC 111 36 2 0 6 6 1 0 .324 .359 .505 .299 33 18
SCOTT STAHOVIAK 1970 3B/1B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 VIS 158 35 6 1 0 13 4 2 .222 .281 .272 .195 31 11 1992 VIS 400 97 16 1 4 54 8 3 .242 .333 .317 .235 94 41 1993 NAA 335 85 13 1 10 46 8 2 .254 .344 .388 .261 87 44 1993 MIN 57 12 3 0 0 2 0 2 .211 .237 .263 .153 9 2 1994 SLC 414 109 23 2 9 58 6 6 .263 .354 .394 .262 109 55 1995 SLC 32 8 1 0 0 5 2 0 .250 .351 .281 .245 8 4 1995 MIN 260 70 11 1 3 26 7 1 .269 .336 .354 .251 65 30 1996 PRJ 335 93 18 1 9 44 11 4 .278 .361 .418 .277 93 50Along with Coomer, Stahoviak will have to take care of himself in the spring and see what Kelly decides to do with Hollins and Molitor and the slots at first, third, and DH. I loved watching Stahoviak bat at Creighton, and along with several scouts, I've been disappointed by his lack of progress as a power hitter. He looks clumsy at third, but he's probably better than the top-heavy Leius or Coomer's striking Ron Cey impersonation.
RAMON VALETTE 1972 SS/2B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1993 FTW 388 79 6 1 5 13 7 4 .204 .229 .263 .164 64 17 1994 FTM 410 93 14 1 5 17 14 5 .227 .258 .302 .199 82 29 1995 NBR 350 71 6 1 4 15 15 2 .203 .236 .260 .176 62 18
MATT WALBECK 1970 C YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1991 WNS 261 58 4 0 3 12 2 1 .222 .256 .272 .181 47 14 1992 CHR 389 107 12 1 7 29 1 3 .275 .325 .365 .243 95 42 1993 IOW 328 88 10 1 5 16 2 2 .268 .302 .351 .231 76 31 1993 CHC 30 6 2 0 1 1 0 0 .200 .226 .367 .202 6 2 1994 MIN 337 70 7 1 4 13 1 1 .208 .237 .270 .168 57 16 1995 MIN 390 103 10 1 1 20 4 1 .264 .300 .303 .216 84 31 1996 PRJ 415 104 13 2 4 18 0 0 .251 .282 .320 .212 88 32Another exhibit for my pet theory that left-handed pitching gets a greater share of the workload in the minors: Walbeck can't frighten even the most feeble RHP, but he's reasonably useful against lefties. Presto, prospect status. In the wake of the pitching disasters and staff turnover the past two years, its hard to get a read on whether or not Walbeck helps his pitchers.
TODD WALKER 1973 2B/3B YEAR TEAM AB H DB TP HR BB SB CS BA OBA SA EQA EQH EQR 1994 FTM 177 53 4 1 9 27 5 2 .299 .392 .486 .304 54 32 1995 NBR 520 144 17 1 18 50 19 7 .277 .340 .417 .268 140 72Named one of the top ten prospects in both the Eastern League and the Arizona Fall League this year, Walker is ready to handle major league pitching. He's considered an inadequate second baseman, so the team is trying to move him to third, where he's doing a good job of frightening people. If the Twins trade Knoblauch, he may get to stay at second. One way or another, the Twins need to settle his position soon, before the shifting can undermine his offense.
Organizational Pitching Report
OPR Points: 21 Rank in MLB: 22nd Rank in AL Central: 4th
Name Lvl Age IP Work H/G K/BB K/G ERA Adj Ttl Grade Serafini, Dan 6 5 8 0 3 2 3 3 0 30 C+ Hawkins, LaTroy 8 5 7 0 1 3 0 2 +3 29 C Miller, Travis 6 3 8 0 1 4 6 1 0 29 C Fultz, Aaron 3 3 6 0 4 6 7 2 -2 29 C Roberts, Brett 6 -1 9 0 3 5 3 3 0 28 C Trinidad, Hect 6 5 5 0 0 8 3 0 0 27 C- Bowers, Shane 3 0 7 0 5 7 2 5 -3 26 D+ Fidge, Darren 0 3 6 0 3 6 4 2 0 24 D Tatar, Jason 3 5 3 0 6 2 3 4 -3 23 D- Best Prospect in 1994: Brad Radke (A) Best Rookie Starter in 1995: Brad Radke (A)
After having the worst pitching staffs in Twins history in back-to-back years, you'd better believe that the Twins are going to take a good long look at what they have in the minors. Although you won't find Roger Clemens lurking in this chain, the Twins had a lot of starting pitching depth at AA and below in 1995, although almost all of the Twins' affiliates had poor or indifferent bullpens.
Salt Lake, despite being in the fearsome Pacific Coast League, hasn't been too unkind to pitching, relative to the rest of the PCL. Nevertheless, the Buzz wound up leading the PCL in homers allowed, and were near the bottom in walks and strikeouts. LaTroy Hawkins is the prospect you've probably already heard about. He made the Twins coming out of camp, got hammered quickly, and was sent back to Salt Lake. He sulked and was mauled early on, but pulled himself together and pitched well in the second half, both for the Buzz and the Twins. The only other Buzz starter that the Twins have good hopes for is Marc Barcelo, who suffered through an awful season in '95. Again, the speculation is that he didn't take the demotion out of spring training well, and couldn't put his season together afterwards. The closer for Salt Lake, Scott Watkins, was well-regarded in the league and made the PCL all-star team.
At New Britain/Hardware City, the Twins' AA affiliate, the news was somewhat better. The team finished in the top half of the league in strikeouts and second in shutouts. New Britain has a well-deserved reputation as a pitcher's park, which certainly helped. The Rock Cats' entire rotation has been talked up by the Twins, and expectations for this group are high. The ace was Dan Serafini, backed up by power lefty Travis Miller and the huge Brett Roberts. The bottom of the rotation was ex-prospect Todd Ritchie, who was recovering from shoulder surgery two years after being ranked the best pitching prospect in the organization, and Hec Trinidad, a good control pitcher. Manager Sal Butera essentially did without a closer, as no reliever pitched well enough consistently enough to hold the role. Onetime closer "prospect" Gus Gandarillas split time between Salt Lake and New Britain, and was awful at both levels.
In the low minors, the Twins had some talent of note. Enjoying a good season in which they lost the championship to FSL powerhouse Daytona, Fort Myers allowed the fewest runs in the league. Three of the league's four all-star pitchers worked for the Miracle: Shane Bowers, Troy Carrasco, and Benj Sampson. Bowers is known for his control, despite his size, while Carrasco is considered wild and agressive. Beyond that trifecta, the team also had highly regarded power lefty Aaron Fultz, although his pitching did not translate into a good won-lost record. Fultz struck out more than a man per inning, and tossing a pair of shutouts. OPR took a liking to swingman Jason Tatar, who lost most of the season to injury after a good '94 campaign in Fort Wayne. The Fort Wayne Wizards led the league in strikeouts, although the only standouts were Aussie import Darren Fidge, who switched between the bullpen and the rotation, and relievers Deron Dowhower and Paul Pavicich.
RICK AGUILERA 1962 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 MIN 68.3 50 20 3 29 71 2.63 6 2 6.59 3.82 9.35 1992 MIN 65.7 65 27 8 17 63 3.70 4 3 8.91 2.33 8.63 1993 MIN 71.7 58 19 8 12 66 2.39 6 2 7.28 1.51 8.29 1994 MIN 44.0 54 19 4 8 49 3.89 3 2 11.05 1.64 10.02 1995 MIN 24.7 20 5 2 5 32 1.82 2 1 7.30 1.82 11.68 1995 BOS 30.0 25 7 2 6 25 2.10 2 1 7.50 1.80 7.50Aggie has been brought back to anchor the shaky rotation. He's lived almost entirely on his forkball, but as a starter he'll have to take his fastball, slider and curve out of the attic. There are two ways to think about his move into the rotation: either he won't be able to do it, in which case he'll still be helpful as one of the AL's best closers, or used with careful attention to his workload he could do it. Unfortunately, the injuries were always caused by the stress of having to throw too many forkballs, and he hasn't stopped doing that. He'll bear watching in spring.
MARC BARCELO 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FTM 22.3 17 10 4 4 20 4.03 1 1 6.85 1.61 8.06 1994 NAA 171.0 190 85 20 56 132 4.47 8 11 10.00 2.95 6.95 1995 SLC 133.3 209 110 25 62 63 7.43 3 12 14.11 4.18 4.25He suffered a major setback at Salt Lake after expecting to be handed a rotation spot in camp. He's a strikeout-flyball type, and the thin air in the PCL didn't help. Righthanded batters pounded him at a .385 clip, so something wasn't working.
SHAWN BRYANT 1969 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KIN 135.3 192 115 26 121 80 7.65 3 12 12.77 8.05 5.32 1992 KIN 152.3 179 99 14 83 88 5.85 5 12 10.58 4.90 5.20 1993 CAN 158.7 204 85 16 65 93 4.82 7 11 11.57 3.69 5.28 1994 SLC 130.7 156 89 18 67 55 6.13 4 11 10.74 4.61 3.79 1995 SLC 45.0 62 27 2 18 27 5.40 2 3 12.40 3.60 5.40Adapted well to the role of lefty spotman in Salt Lake this year.
JOHN COURTRIGHT 1970 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 CWV 154.3 195 93 15 63 97 5.42 6 11 11.37 3.67 5.66 1993 CHT 158.0 219 83 5 79 80 4.73 8 10 12.47 4.50 4.56 1994 CHT 20.3 22 19 5 17 11 8.41 0 2 9.74 7.52 4.87 1994 IND 135.0 160 60 9 48 72 4.00 8 7 10.67 3.20 4.80 1995 IND 32.3 34 21 3 18 12 5.85 1 3 9.46 5.01 3.34 1995 SLC 79.7 106 60 9 37 42 6.78 2 7 11.97 4.18 4.74
GUS GANDARILLAS 1972 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FTW 60.3 76 40 15 23 37 5.97 2 5 11.34 3.43 5.52 1994 FTM 43.3 39 10 0 14 32 2.08 4 1 8.10 2.91 6.65 1994 NAA 34.0 40 15 2 12 25 3.97 2 2 10.59 3.18 6.62 1995 NBR 30.3 39 24 3 16 21 7.12 1 2 11.57 4.75 6.23 1995 SLC 27.3 33 19 6 20 17 6.26 1 2 10.87 6.59 5.60How many closer prospects ever turn out to be major league closers? At this point, more closers have been found on the waiver wire or are ex-Cubs than come out of the minors.
SEAN GAVAGHAN 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 49.0 80 34 5 20 24 6.24 1 4 14.69 3.67 4.41 1993 FTW 20.3 17 7 0 8 16 3.10 1 1 7.52 3.54 7.08 1993 FTM 28.0 37 14 2 9 20 4.50 1 2 11.89 2.89 6.43 1993 NAA 34.3 24 5 0 13 24 1.31 4 0 6.29 3.41 6.29 1994 NAA 79.0 66 40 9 66 54 4.56 4 5 7.52 7.52 6.15 1995 NBR 28.0 19 10 1 10 25 3.21 2 1 6.11 3.21 8.04 1995 SLC 44.0 52 27 4 32 28 5.52 2 3 10.64 6.55 5.73
EDDIE GUARDADO 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 90.3 129 69 14 32 64 6.87 3 7 12.85 3.19 6.38 1992 VIS 45.3 53 16 3 5 30 3.18 3 2 10.52 .99 5.96 1993 NAA 61.0 61 14 1 10 46 2.07 6 1 9.00 1.48 6.79 1993 MIN 93.0 116 50 12 33 51 4.84 4 6 11.23 3.19 4.94 1994 SLC 142.3 163 74 23 53 82 4.68 7 9 10.31 3.35 5.19 1994 MIN 16.7 24 11 3 3 8 5.94 1 1 12.96 1.62 4.32 1995 MIN 90.3 96 40 10 39 77 3.99 5 5 9.56 3.89 7.67Guardado came up with a lot of promise, but his problems at the major league level reflect those of the Twins' young pitchers. As a whole, the Twins staff is very flyball oriented, with one of the highest flyout to groundout ratios in the league. In the dimly lit Humpdome that can be a disadvantage; in a league in which offense in general is going up, it can be especially dangerous. Guardado generates a lot of flyballs with a good curve and a fastball he keeps high in the strike zone, and he enjoyed a solid season as a middle reliever after being removed from the rotation.
GREG HANSELL 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 BAK 136.3 177 68 13 28 93 4.49 7 8 11.68 1.85 6.14 1992 SAN 85.7 95 49 12 40 51 5.15 4 6 9.98 4.20 5.36 1992 ABQ 63.3 82 39 11 34 37 5.54 2 5 11.65 4.83 5.26 1993 ABQ 92.7 121 70 13 63 52 6.80 3 7 11.75 6.12 5.05 1994 ABQ 118.0 101 36 8 32 95 2.75 9 4 7.70 2.44 7.25 1995 LAD 19.0 31 16 5 6 13 7.58 0 2 14.68 2.84 6.16 1995 ABQ 14.7 24 12 3 6 15 7.36 0 2 14.73 3.68 9.20 1995 SLC 30.7 39 17 4 4 17 4.99 1 2 11.45 1.17 4.99Between injuries and ineffectiveness, the Dodgers weren't able to figure out what to do with Hansell. The Twins seem to have concluded he should work as a reliever.
LATROY HAWKINS 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FTW 148.7 126 65 13 42 114 3.93 9 8 7.63 2.54 6.90 1994 FTM 37.0 33 10 3 6 30 2.43 3 1 8.03 1.46 7.30 1994 NAA 69.0 56 28 4 34 46 3.65 4 4 7.30 4.43 6.00 1994 SLC 76.3 88 35 6 35 35 4.13 4 4 10.38 4.13 4.13 1995 SLC 136.3 152 57 10 42 75 3.76 8 7 10.03 2.77 4.95 1995 MIN 26.7 38 21 3 10 10 7.09 1 2 12.83 3.38 3.38Almost certain to win a slot in the rotation, although he got pasted in the AFL.
VINCE HORSMAN 1967 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KNX 74.0 103 36 4 18 65 4.38 4 4 12.53 2.19 7.91 1992 OAK 42.7 43 16 2 21 22 3.38 3 2 9.07 4.43 4.64 1993 TAC 31.7 37 23 12 9 20 6.54 1 3 10.52 2.56 5.68 1993 OAK 24.3 25 12 3 14 19 4.44 1 2 9.25 5.18 7.03 1994 OAK 28.7 31 14 2 10 22 4.40 1 2 9.73 3.14 6.91 1995 SLC 12.0 22 12 3 6 10 9.00 0 1 16.50 4.50 7.50Another lefty who isn't well-suited to the spot role most major league teams force on them, Horsman hasn't been horrible against righties or dominating against lefties. He could still help a team.
SCOTT KLINGENBECK 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KNE 63.0 57 39 9 32 40 5.57 2 5 8.14 4.57 5.71 1993 FRD 122.3 194 81 11 46 102 5.96 4 10 14.27 3.38 7.50 1994 BOW 133.3 173 82 22 40 96 5.54 5 10 11.68 2.70 6.48 1995 ROC 40.3 50 17 2 12 27 3.79 2 2 11.16 2.68 6.02 1995 BAL 30.7 37 17 4 17 17 4.99 1 2 10.86 4.99 4.99 1995 MIN 47.3 66 35 11 21 29 6.65 1 4 12.55 3.99 5.51He was started off the '95 season pitching badly, and it got worse from there. He was the major compensation for Scott Erickson, so he may stick in '96 to keepthe Twins from admitting a mistake.
KEVIN LEGAULT 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 FTW 22.7 37 17 2 14 18 6.75 1 2 14.69 5.56 7.15 1993 FTM 100.0 138 71 12 34 49 6.39 3 8 12.42 3.06 4.41 1994 FTM 141.0 196 79 14 55 55 5.04 6 10 12.51 3.51 3.51 1995 NBR 81.7 88 31 5 27 43 3.42 5 4 9.70 2.98 4.74
PAT MAHOMES 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 ORL 107.3 99 41 10 62 109 3.44 7 5 8.30 5.20 9.14 1991 POR 50.3 56 29 3 38 40 5.19 2 4 10.01 6.79 7.15 1992 POR 104.3 105 45 12 41 88 3.88 6 6 9.06 3.54 7.59 1992 MIN 68.3 80 39 6 37 53 5.14 3 5 10.54 4.87 6.98 1993 POR 108.3 95 51 16 59 85 4.24 6 6 7.89 4.90 7.06 1993 MIN 36.7 45 25 8 14 25 6.14 1 3 11.05 3.44 6.14 1994 MIN 118.0 113 48 13 56 56 3.66 7 6 8.62 4.27 4.27 1995 MIN 93.3 97 54 19 41 73 5.21 4 6 9.35 3.95 7.04He's an extreme flyball pitcher, like Guardado, and he has serious problems in the dome (6.88 career ERA at home, 4.26 on the road). He's also extremely inconsistent with his velocity and the movement of his curve. A project by any standard.
TRAVIS MILLER 1973 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1994 FTW 50.0 61 20 3 13 34 3.60 3 3 10.98 2.34 6.12 1995 NBR 152.0 187 88 25 65 126 5.21 6 11 11.07 3.85 7.46A strikeout-groundout pitcher whose good slider racked up enough strikeouts to finish second in the Eastern League.
MIKE MISURACA 1969 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 VIS 103.0 156 71 20 29 57 6.20 3 8 13.63 2.53 4.98 1992 MIA 140.3 188 101 21 83 82 6.48 4 12 12.06 5.32 5.26 1993 NAA 105.7 109 57 14 44 65 4.85 5 7 9.28 3.75 5.54 1994 NAA 99.0 130 62 17 28 69 5.64 4 7 11.82 2.55 6.27 1994 SLC 61.7 85 35 5 13 48 5.11 3 4 12.41 1.90 7.01 1995 SLC 135.3 173 81 20 37 67 5.39 5 10 11.50 2.46 4.46
DAN NAULTY 1970 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 15.7 26 15 5 8 9 8.62 0 2 14.94 4.60 5.17 1993 FTW 103.7 120 52 10 53 61 4.51 5 7 10.42 4.60 5.30 1993 FTM 26.7 39 20 5 15 16 6.75 1 2 13.16 5.06 5.40 1994 FTM 82.7 78 33 12 34 67 3.59 5 4 8.49 3.70 7.29 1994 NAA 44.0 53 35 8 26 25 7.16 1 4 10.84 5.32 5.11 1995 SLC 85.3 90 48 13 50 76 5.06 3 6 9.49 5.27 8.02Durability has been a question, but Naulty definitely saw his stock rise after racking up a good number of strikeouts in the Arizona Fall League.
JOE NORRIS 1971 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 SUM 30.0 49 28 7 19 25 8.40 1 2 14.70 5.70 7.50 1992 ROK 142.0 198 109 15 93 89 6.91 4 12 12.55 5.89 5.64 1993 WPB 74.3 74 36 9 33 55 4.36 4 4 8.96 4.00 6.66 1994 NAA 102.7 119 64 11 55 71 5.61 4 7 10.43 4.82 6.22 1995 NBR 77.3 86 40 7 37 68 4.66 4 5 10.01 4.31 7.91
KEVIN OHME 1971 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FTW 42.7 44 22 3 16 29 4.64 2 3 9.28 3.38 6.12 1995 NBR 95.7 96 49 9 46 43 4.61 5 6 9.03 4.33 4.05
JOSE PARRA 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 BAK 129.0 175 79 12 36 82 5.51 5 9 12.21 2.51 5.72 1992 SAN 13.3 25 13 1 9 6 8.78 0 1 16.88 6.08 4.05 1993 SAN 104.0 117 53 16 16 68 4.59 5 7 10.12 1.38 5.88 1994 ABQ 136.3 175 70 10 38 83 4.62 6 9 11.55 2.51 5.48 1995 ABQ 49.7 60 28 9 18 33 5.07 2 4 10.87 3.26 5.98 1995 LAD 10.0 11 8 3 6 7 7.20 0 1 9.90 5.40 6.30 1995 MIN 60.3 81 43 9 18 31 6.41 2 5 12.08 2.69 4.62What the Twins saw, no one else has seen. Although he's supposed to have good stuff, he hasn't dominated or fooled anyone at any level.
CARLOS PULIDO 1972 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 VIS 73.7 94 40 6 15 72 4.89 3 5 11.48 1.83 8.80 1992 ORL 93.7 104 52 12 43 71 5.00 4 6 9.99 4.13 6.82 1993 POR 134.3 184 77 11 48 71 5.16 6 9 12.33 3.22 4.76 1994 MIN 83.0 81 39 14 35 34 4.23 4 5 8.78 3.80 3.69 1995 SLC 67.0 88 37 10 19 38 4.97 3 4 11.82 2.55 5.10
BRAD RADKE 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 149.0 186 90 22 50 79 5.44 6 11 11.23 3.02 4.77 1993 FTM 86.0 83 41 8 23 58 4.29 5 5 8.69 2.41 6.07 1993 NAA 71.0 87 42 10 17 61 5.32 3 5 11.03 2.15 7.73 1994 NAA 174.0 192 77 16 44 106 3.98 10 9 9.93 2.28 5.48 1995 MIN 179.7 191 83 27 37 82 4.16 10 10 9.57 1.85 4.11He definitely settled down after the All-Star break, giving up only fourteen home runs in 104 IP with a 4.76 ERA. Despite the hullaballoo about how he only allows solo homeruns and pitches like a cagey veteran, let's not be comparing him to Bert Blyleven or Doyle Alexander just yet. If anything, he pitches a lot like a young Bill Wegman.
TODD RITCHIE 1972 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 KEN 101.7 150 72 12 54 67 6.37 3 8 13.28 4.78 5.93 1992 VIS 157.0 199 103 26 53 97 5.90 5 12 11.41 3.04 5.56 1993 NAA 43.3 50 22 3 16 33 4.57 2 3 10.38 3.32 6.85 1994 NAA 15.3 27 12 1 8 8 7.04 0 2 15.85 4.70 4.70 1995 NBR 104.3 145 71 17 54 50 6.12 4 8 12.51 4.66 4.31He's got a shoulder made up of rubber bands and duct tape, but the Twins are hoping that he recovers the form he had before his injuries in '93-'94.
BRETT ROBERTS 1970 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 20.0 26 21 9 18 14 9.45 0 2 11.70 8.10 6.30 1993 FTM 155.7 180 86 15 94 89 4.97 7 10 10.41 5.43 5.15 1994 FTM 108.0 120 62 12 51 61 5.17 4 8 10.00 4.25 5.08 1994 NAA 18.0 33 19 3 15 9 9.50 0 2 16.50 7.50 4.50 1995 NBR 164.3 178 71 15 48 113 3.89 9 9 9.75 2.63 6.19He doesn't get mentioned on the prospect lists much, but he's got that huge build scouts like (6'7"), and seems to have come around as he fills in and moves up. He only allowed nine homeruns despite a pretty heavy workload, so he'll be going to Salt Lake in '96.
RICH ROBERTSON 1969 LBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 AUG 63.7 91 66 12 62 38 9.33 1 6 12.86 8.76 5.37 1991 SLM 41.3 37 35 7 48 23 7.62 1 4 8.06 10.45 5.01 1992 SLM 35.0 35 24 11 12 20 6.17 1 3 9.00 3.09 5.14 1992 CAR 115.3 143 56 9 48 88 4.37 6 7 11.16 3.75 6.87 1993 BUF 125.7 148 61 9 55 71 4.37 6 8 10.60 3.94 5.08 1994 BUF 113.7 120 44 6 37 70 3.48 7 6 9.50 2.93 5.54 1994 PIT 15.3 19 9 2 10 8 5.28 1 1 11.15 5.87 4.70 1995 SLC 42.7 31 12 3 13 41 2.53 4 1 6.54 2.74 8.65 1995 MIN 50.7 46 20 3 28 41 3.55 3 3 8.17 4.97 7.28He's been much more successful as a starter, and he really impressed Tom Kelly down the stretch. Like many lefties, he lives and dies with his breaking stuff. If he's at all consistent, he'll quickly become important to the Twins.
FRANKIE RODRIGUEZ 1973 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 LYN 133.0 165 76 16 80 95 5.14 6 9 11.17 5.41 6.43 1993 NBR 159.3 164 84 26 85 126 4.74 7 11 9.26 4.80 7.12 1994 PAW 176.7 213 104 23 64 149 5.30 7 13 10.85 3.26 7.59 1995 PAW 26.0 20 12 4 9 17 4.15 1 2 6.92 3.12 5.88 1995 BOS 14.7 20 14 3 9 15 8.59 0 2 12.27 5.52 9.20 1995 MIN 89.3 90 47 7 42 49 4.74 4 6 9.07 4.23 4.94If the DH is abandoned, Frankie will be ready with his batting prowess. The speculation is that he's still learning how to mix his assortment of good fastball, slider and curve well, and the Twins are probably willing to take their lumps until he figures it all out.
ERIK SCHULLSTROM 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 FRD 77.3 83 39 10 49 51 4.54 4 5 9.66 5.70 5.94 1991 HAG 12.0 14 7 0 2 8 5.25 0 1 10.50 1.50 6.00 1992 HAG 117.7 135 72 15 72 109 5.51 4 9 10.33 5.51 8.34 1993 BOW 101.3 136 67 10 49 81 5.95 3 8 12.08 4.35 7.19 1993 NAA 11.7 17 8 1 7 9 6.17 0 1 13.11 5.40 6.94 1994 NAA 38.3 41 17 4 8 37 3.99 2 2 9.63 1.88 8.69 1994 SLC 10.7 12 4 0 3 8 3.38 1 0 10.12 2.53 6.75 1994 MIN 13.0 12 5 0 4 14 3.46 1 0 8.31 2.77 9.69 1995 MIN 46.0 64 27 4 19 23 5.28 2 3 12.52 3.72 4.50Aside from being the instigator of a brawl after a beaning in '94, there hasn't been much to see or say.
DAN SERAFINI 1974 LSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1993 FTW 126.3 131 79 11 95 93 5.63 5 9 9.33 6.77 6.63 1994 FTM 126.3 146 73 21 61 105 5.20 5 9 10.40 4.35 7.48 1995 NBR 151.7 170 72 12 73 103 4.27 8 9 10.09 4.33 6.11Probably the top pitching prospect in the chain besides Hawkins, Serafini has been durable and has a good fastball for a lefthander. Since Radke made the jump from AA to the majors, Tom Kelly and Terry Ryan are obviously willing to push talent when they want to, so Serafini can create his own opportunity in spring training.
DAVE STEVENS 1970 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 GEN 41.3 64 28 7 12 27 6.10 2 3 13.94 2.61 5.88 1992 CHR 139.3 181 101 28 64 76 6.52 4 11 11.69 4.13 4.91 1993 ORL 64.0 75 36 10 39 40 5.06 3 4 10.55 5.48 5.62 1993 IOW 33.3 24 15 4 15 29 4.05 2 2 6.48 4.05 7.83 1994 SLC 40.7 40 13 2 16 28 2.88 3 2 8.85 3.54 6.20 1994 MIN 44.3 51 24 5 20 25 4.87 2 3 10.35 4.06 5.08 1995 MIN 64.0 72 32 9 28 51 4.50 3 4 10.12 3.94 7.17He's got slider which doesn't fool too many people, and a fastball with no movement, but because he's big and he pitches in relief, he gets called a "young Goose Gossage." Hell, he isn't even as good as Lance McCullers (the last "Little Goose") yet. He hasn't figured out how to put away righties yet, and he's a disaster against lefties. The Twins aren't too satisfied with the slider, since they're having Stevens tinker with a split-fingered fastball. He'll be the closer unless or until Aguilera moves out of the rotation.
PHIL STIDHAM 1969 RRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 FAY 29.3 33 14 1 18 12 4.30 1 2 10.12 5.52 3.68 1992 LAK 46.7 77 40 7 37 37 7.71 1 4 14.85 7.14 7.14 1993 LAK 27.3 26 10 4 10 21 3.29 2 1 8.56 3.29 6.91 1993 LON 31.0 44 21 3 20 32 6.10 1 2 12.77 5.81 9.29 1994 TOL 66.3 50 24 4 33 52 3.26 4 3 6.78 4.48 7.06 1995 NOR 66.3 65 36 6 41 53 4.88 3 4 8.82 5.56 7.19
HECTOR TRINIDAD 1974 RSP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 GEN 83.3 122 62 19 16 41 6.70 2 7 13.18 1.73 4.43 1993 PEO 138.3 181 71 13 26 76 4.62 6 9 11.78 1.69 4.94 1993 ORL 22.7 37 19 5 7 10 7.54 1 2 14.69 2.78 3.97 1994 DAY 163.3 193 80 19 43 119 4.41 8 10 10.63 2.37 6.56 1995 NBR 114.0 150 63 12 18 77 4.97 5 8 11.84 1.42 6.08He was what the Twins received in exchange for letting Andy MacPhail leave for the Cubs front office. He strikes me as very similar to Frank Castillo: no dominating fastball, great control. He does an excellent job keeping the ball in the park, allowing only six home runs last season.
MIKE TROMBLEY 1967 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1991 ORL 178.7 191 85 26 58 141 4.28 9 11 9.62 2.92 7.10 1992 POR 155.7 160 72 27 54 140 4.16 8 9 9.25 3.12 8.09 1992 MIN 45.3 47 20 6 17 46 3.97 3 2 9.33 3.38 9.13 1993 MIN 112.3 126 54 14 36 95 4.33 6 6 10.09 2.88 7.61 1994 SLC 57.0 72 30 7 20 59 4.74 2 4 11.37 3.16 9.32 1994 MIN 47.7 52 25 8 16 34 4.72 2 3 9.82 3.02 6.42 1995 SLC 65.7 71 29 4 28 60 3.97 4 3 9.73 3.84 8.22 1995 MIN 96.0 104 50 15 36 74 4.69 5 6 9.75 3.38 6.94He's said time and again that he really prefers being a starter, so he was handed a slot in the rotation, and did little to justify that confidence. Another flyball pitcher, Trombley has a good fastball but doesn't have a good offspeed pitch, so he struggles.
SCOTT WATKINS 1970 LRP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 41.7 53 27 10 15 36 5.83 2 3 11.45 3.24 7.78 1993 FTW 27.7 31 15 2 9 20 4.88 1 2 10.08 2.93 6.51 1993 FTM 25.3 26 13 2 13 34 4.62 1 2 9.24 4.62 12.08 1993 NAA 15.7 20 15 4 7 14 8.62 0 2 11.49 4.02 8.04 1994 NAA 13.0 14 10 3 5 10 6.92 0 1 9.69 3.46 6.92 1994 SLC 53.3 68 36 10 29 44 6.08 2 4 11.48 4.89 7.43 1995 SLC 52.3 46 17 6 13 59 2.92 4 2 7.91 2.24 10.15 1995 MIN 21.0 21 10 2 10 12 4.29 1 1 9.00 4.29 5.14He was named the top reliever in the Pacific Coast League, and given the state of Twins pitching, that may be good enough for an automatic spot in the bullpen.
BILL WISSLER 1971 RBP YEAR TEAM IP H ER HR BB SO ERA W L H/9 BB/9 K/9 1992 KEN 69.0 65 32 3 16 37 4.17 4 4 8.48 2.09 4.83 1992 ORL 78.0 78 37 14 21 46 4.27 4 5 9.00 2.42 5.31 1993 NAA 164.0 181 89 33 52 93 4.88 7 11 9.93 2.85 5.10 1994 SLC 86.0 118 54 13 38 59 5.65 3 7 12.35 3.98 6.17 1995 SLC 56.7 69 29 6 25 26 4.61 3 3 10.96 3.97 4.13