Twins scout Earl Winn spotted lefthander Andrew Albers pitching for Kentucky four years ago, but he then watched the Padres select him in the 10th round of the 2008 draft. The next time Winn got a look at Albers, he made sure the Twins didn't hesitate again.
The Twins questioned whether Chris Herrmann's arm was up to the task of playing catcher when they drafted him in the sixth round of the 2009 draft out of Miami. "He's got a better arm than we thought, and it's gotten better the more he's played," vice president of player personnel Mike Radcliff said.
Former general manager Bill Smith has spent several months in Venezuela over the years, and he told the St. Paul Pioneer Press in November that he has "never had a minute when I didn't feel safe." Twins players can't say the same.
"He wasn't as high a profile guy, but his athletic tools are as good as anyone's," said Twins head of player personnel Mike Radcliff of 20-year-old outfielder J.D. Williamson. "With his bat speed, he's got a lot to be excited about."
The Twins will enter the offseason with no position settled in their infield, and in a late-August radio interview, manager Ron Gardenhire added another name to the mix. "Brian Dozier has had a great season," he said. "I want to take a look at him, too."
Correspondent Phil Miller selects end-of-season awards for the Twins organization, naming a best player, best pitcher and a player to monitor in 2012.
Twins second-rounder Madison Boer, who grew up in the Minneapolis suburb of Eden Prairie, signed early and quickly ascended to the role of closer with Rookie-level Elizabethton. Then he moved on to low Class A, in contrast with first-rounder Levi Michael, who signed in mid-August.
Lefthander Logan Darnell, drafted in 2010 and promoted to Double-A in August, has a chance to join rare company if he one day pitches in the Twins rotation.
Midway through the Rookie-level Appalachian League season, Miguel Sano's OPS was 40 points higher than his fielding percentage. He had as many errors (18) as RBIs. The Twins chose to emphasize the hitting part of that equation at this stage of Sano's development.
A 22-year-old native Minnesotan who grew up in South Dakota, righthander J.R. Krogstad has given up his career as a fossil hunter to focus on baseball after the Twins spotted him among 91 other hopefuls at their annual tryout.
Twins correspondent Phil Miller hands out midseason awards for the system's best player, biggest leap forward and biggest disappointment.
The 19-year-old Dereck Rodriguez, son of Ivan, is a do-everything outfielder who has plus potential both offensively and defensively for the Twins. "He's a five-tool guy," director of player personnel Mike Radcliff said.
North Carolina shortstop Levi Michael's ability to play through a variety of injuries this season impressed the Twins, who selected him with their top pick.
Six batters into his 2011 season, righthander Alex Wimmers had thrown more pitches over his catcher's head than through the strike zone. Yes, the Twins are a little worried.
Righthander Dakota Watts entered pro ball with an entertaining pitching style—until the Twins asked him to throw strikes. Pitching coordinator Eric Rassmussen helped Watts remake his delivery without sacrificing velocity.
The Twins moved 2008 first-rounder Carlos Gutierrez to the bullpen last season, where his mid-90s sinking fastball plays up and where his future may lie with the uncertainty surrounding long-time closer Joe Nathan.
Gunning for a utility job in spring training, Twins shortstop Trevor Plouffe batted just .206 while struggling with throwing accuracy. He heads back to Triple-A for a fourth season.
The Twins drafted a pair of Tampa-area prep products last June from Brooks-Debartolo High's graduating class. In a touch of irony, the school was founded a pair of football icons.
After drafting lefty Pat Dean in the third round, the Twins were eager to get him on the mound to see how quickly he would adapt to pro competition. After a brief detour, he was on his way. This season the reins come off completely.
The Twins still claim to see major league potential in 21-year-old righthander Deolis Guerra, the last man standing from the February 2008 Johan Santana deal with the Mets.
Baseball America
