The Minnesota Twins of 2016
By Clave Jones
March 21, 2013; Tampa, FL, USA; Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano (97) in the dugout against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
The Minnesota Twins will be miserable in 2014 and they have very few legitimate fantasy options on their roster. It’s Joe Mauer and Glen Perkins, then…well, that’s just about it. (Click here for our full Minnesota Twins team preview.)
But the Twins have the best farm club in baseball with several grade 80 prospects at the top and solid depth to fill in behind them. Can’t miss prospects miss all the time, but even the most cynical and pessimistic agree that the Minnesota Twins could have a gaggle of players filling the stat sheet for fantasy owners very soon.
Check your continuity, Crackerjack readers. Is your sky filled with zeppelins? Are you being hunted by intelligent chimps? Because through the secrets of time travel, we’re zooming into the year…2016!
Possible 2016 Minnesota Twins Starting Lineup
- Byron Buxton (CF)
- Eddie Rosario (LF)
- Joe Mauer (1B)
- Miguel Sano (3B)
- Oswaldo Arcia (RF)
- Max Kepler (DH)
- Josmil Pinto (C)
- Jorge Polanco (2B)
- Danny Santana (SS)
Byron Buxton
Buxton is the consensus #1 prospect in baseball. The Georgia athlete has been burning through the minors after being selected by the Twins second overall in 2012. Expected to make a late 2014 debut in Target Field’s spacious center field, Buxton is long gone in dynasty leagues.
Although a lofty comparison, Buxton is ahead of even Mike Trout at the stage of their careers and legitimately could found give fantasy owners multiple 20 homer, 40 steal, .300+ seasons.
Miguel Sano
I’m not saying that Sano could be the next Giancarlo Stanton, but I am typing it. Sano has legitimate 80 power on the 20-80 scouting scale.
His strikeouts will limit his batting average, but fantasy owners won’t complain about .265 if it comes with 40 home runs. Sano is a middle-of-the-order bat and it’s looking more and more like Sano will stick at 3B, making him extremely valuable in fantasy leagues.
Eddie Rosario
It’s looking like Rosario won’t stick at 2B and instead has a future in the outfield. He he would stick at second fantasy owners could be looking at a poor man’s Jason Kipnis, albeit with less steals, but a higher batting average. In the outfield he compares favorably with Christian Yelich.
Oswaldo Arcia
Arcia will have multiple 25 homer seasons and his full profile can be found here.
Josmil Pinto
Pinto is the heir apparent for Joe Mauer since he left the catcher position. It’s unfair to follow in the footsteps of a legend, but Pinto does have the makeup to be an above average hitter from the catcher position. Think Miguel Montero in his prime.
Max Kepler
Kepler is a rare prospect from Germany, a country not known for it’s baseball. He’s been inconsistent, but he’s also flashed solid left handed power. A move to first base may be in his future, allowing him to serve as a backup for Joe Mauer.
Possible 2016 Minnesota Twins Pitching Staff
Closer – Glen Perkins; Set-up – Ryan Eades, Michael Tonkin, Trevor May
The Twins have long been known for their sift-tossing, right-handed, pitch-to-contact types. Going against type, the Twins have some powerful arms in the organization. Many of their pitching prospects are also very large humans, as they regularly send 6’7″ guys out to the minor league mounds.
Alex Meyer
The 6’9″ Meyer is already better than anyone currently starting for the Minnesota Twins. With some more seasoning, Meyer’s mid-to-high 90’s fastball will be holding down the #1 or 2 spot in the Twins rotation for years to come.
Kohl Stewart
The fourth overall selection in the 2013 draft, high schooler Stewart looked like an absolute stub right out of the gate. Many scouts liked him better than Mark Appel or Jonathan Gray, the top college arms in the draft. His floor is a #3 starter, while his ceiling is staff ace.
Trevor May
May is a hard-thrower who came over from the Phillies in the Ben Revere trade. His command is wobbly so he found either be a back of the rotation workhorse or be a dominate force in the bullpen.
Jose Berrios
Berrios has the upside of a #3 starter, but he also struggles to keep the ball in the yard. Fortunately for him, Target Field is a ballpark where his fly ball ways profiles well.
All in all, the Minnesota Twins have a top 5 fantasy talent in Buxton, plus plenty of players who could be drafted in the first 3 fantasy rounds (Sano, Meyer, Stewart, and Rosario if he sticks at 2B).
Fantasy owners don’t have a lot to be happy about in 2014, but dynasty league owners need to be loading up on Minnesota projects. 2016 could be an exciting year.