Jose Berrios is the top pitching prospect in the Minnesota organization
photo by Tim Evearitt
FT. MYERS, Fla - Former Lookouts, Jose Berrios, Nick Burdi, Kennys Vargas and Jorge Polanco were among the Twins second round of cuts as they were told on Friday morning that they will be going to minor league camp.
The Twins also sent former Lookout Stu Turner down to minor league camp. With just more than two weeks until Opening Day, the Twins need to make more moves soon. They still have 43 players
Jose Berrios had hoped to travel north with the Twins as a member of Minnesota's rotation. However, the talented right-hander struggled with command in his first outing this spring. He pitched a great three innings against the Red Sox in his second outing. However, in a minor league outing on Tuesday, he really struggled with his command again. He will head to AAA Rochester, but he should be expected to join the Twins in 2016.
By optioning Berrios, and keeping him in the minors for roughly two weeks after the start of the season, the Minnesota Twins will maintain contract control until after 2022, versus 2021 if they do not.
Berrios, 21, was taken by the Twins with the 32nd overall pick in the 2012 Draft. The right-hander pitched for the Double-A Chattanooga Lookouts and Triple-A Rochester last season, combining for a 14-5 record and a 2.87 ERA. Berrios was especially good at Rochester, where he logged a 6-2 record and a 2.62 ERA.
Berrios has a terrific combination of stuff and feel, especially for someone his age. A terrific athlete, he has a live, quick arm that can consistently fire fastballs at the mid-90s level. Berrios' curveball has improved so much that it's almost an out pitch for him at this point. His changeup has the chance to be plus as well, which would give him three "60s" in his repertoire. The only times Berrios gets into trouble are when he speeds himself up too much and tries to do too much, which Minnesota feels he'll control as he continues to mature.
Considering Berrios was basically a shortstop until his senior year of high school, there is no question he has come much farther, and done so faster, than anyone anticipated. The Twins think he could be a future No. 2-type starter in the future, one with 20-win potential.
Jorge Polanco was hitting .280/.357/.440 (.797) with a double and a homer this spring. However, still young, the Twins want him to play every day. With Brian Dozier, Eduardo Escobar and Trevor Plouffe locked into the infield, Polanco will head to Rochester where he has played just 22 games.
Polanco, the team's No. 6 prospect, played briefly for Minnesota in each of the past two seasons. He spent most of last season with the Southern League champion Lookouts where hehit .289 with six home runs.
Nick Burdi is a hard-throwing right-hander who made a strong impression at big league camp this year. After a difficult season in 2015, he rebounded strongly late and in the Arizona Fall League. He has shown much improved control this spring, still throwing 97+ and working with a good slider. He is another guy we will see this year.
Burdi, the organization's No. 9 prospect, was originally acquired with a second-round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft.
Kennys Vargas was in a tough spot this spring. The acquisition of Byung Ho Park meant that playing time would be sparse for the large first baseman. He had just two hits in 23 plate appearances this spring and struck out seven times (with five walks). He will head to Rochester where he will get playing time. Should there be an injury to Park or Mauer, Vargas would be in line for a call up.
Stuart Turner is one of their top catching prospect, Turner missed time earlier in camp with some back issues, though he is 100% now. He had just three plate appearances.
Two days ago the Twins Daily projected (speculated) this lineup for their Triple-A team and the Double-A Lookouts.
Triple-A Rochester Red Wings
C: Jairo Rodriguez
1B: Dalton Hicks
2B: Heiker Meneses
SS: Niko Goodrum
3B: Stephen Wickens
LF: Travis Harrison
CF: Shannon Wilkerson
RF: Daniel Palka
DH: Adam Brett Walker
Double-A Lookouts
C: Joe Maloney
1B: Bryan Haar
2B: Levi Michael
SS: Engelb Vielma
3B: TJ White
LF: Keury De La Cruz
CF: Zach Granite
RF: Alex Swim
DH: Tanner Vavra
Sources: MLB.com, twinsdaily.com
Nick Burdi is a hard throwing RHP.
photo by Tim Evearitt