By John Manuel
January 12, 2010


Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects lists are based on projections of a player's long-term worth after discussions with scouting and player-development personnel. All players who haven't exceeded the major league rookie standards of 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched (without regard to service time) are eligible. Ages are as of April 1, 2009.

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TOP TEN PROSPECTS

1. Aaron Hicks, of 2. Wilson Ramos, c 3. Kyle Gibson, rhp 4. Miguel Sano, ss/3b 5. Ben Revere, of 6. Danny Valencia, 3b 7. Carlos Gutierrez, rhp 8. Angel Morales, of 9. David Bromberg, rhp 10. Max Kepler, of

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average Ben Revere Best Power Hitter Wilson Ramos Best Strike-Zone Discipline Aaron Hicks Fastest Baserunner Ben Revere Best Athlete Aaron Hicks Best Fastball Carlos Gutierrez Best Curveball Tyler Robertson Best Slider Kyle Gibson Best Changeup Deolis Guerra Best Control Bradley Tippett Best Defensive Catcher Wilson Ramos Best Defensive Infielder Jorge Polanco Best Infield Arm Estarlin de los Santos Best Defensive Outfielder Aaron Hicks Best Outfield Arm Aaron Hicks

PROJECTED 2013 LINEUP

Catcher Joe Mauer First Base Justin Morneau Second Base Alexi Casilla Third Base Danny Valencia Shortstop J.J. Hardy Left Field Delmon Young Center Field Denard Span Right Field Aaron Hicks Designated Hitter Jason Kubel No. 1 Starter Kyle Gibson No. 2 Starter Scott Baker No. 3 Starter Kevin Slowey No. 4 Starter Nick Blackburn No. 5 Starter Brian Duensing Closer Carlos Gutierrez

TOP PROSPECTS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2009 2000 Michael Cuddyer, 3b Twins 2001 Adam Johnson, rhp Out of baseball 2002 Joe Mauer, c Twins 2003 Joe Mauer, c Twins 2004 Joe Mauer, c Twins 2005 Joe Mauer, c Twins 2006 Francisco Liriano, lhp Twins 2007 Matt Garza, rhp Rays 2008 Nick Blackburn, rhp Twins 2009 Aaron Hicks, of Twins

TOP DRAFT PICKS OF THE DECADE

Year Player, Position 2009 2000 Adam Johnson, rhp Out of baseball 2001 Joe Mauer, c Twins 2002 Denard Span, of Twins 2003 Matt Moses, 3b Twins 2004 Trevor Plouffe, ss Twins 2005 Matt Garza, rhp Rays 2006 Chris Parmelee, of/1b Twins 2007 Ben Revere, of Twins 2008 Aaron Hicks, of Twins 2009 Kyle Gibson, rhp Twins

LARGEST BONUSES IN CLUB HISTORY

Joe Mauer, 2001 $5,150,000 Miguel Sano, 2009 $3,150,000 B.J. Garbe, 1999 $2,750,000 Adam Johnson, 2000 $2,500,000 Ryan Mills, 1998 $2,000,000

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The Twins experienced a slew of firsts and lasts in 2009, most notably wrapping up the final season in the Metrodome with a dramatic playoff run.

The hermetically sealed Dome had its warts, but it also provided one of sport's great home-field advantages. It gives way to Target Field and its open air and natural grass for 2010.

Minnesota extended the dome's run by a couple of games by charging through September. It was 68-68 on Sept. 6 and trailed the Tigers by seven games before rallying to catch Detroit on the second-to-last day of the regular season, forcing a 163rd game for a second straight season. After losing 1-0 to the White Sox in 2008, the Twins won in walkoff fashion, 6-5 in a 12-inning thriller.

That would have been a tremendous sendoff for the Metrodome, but Minnesota came back home for one more game, the finale of a Division Series sweep at the hands of the Yankees. New York won all 10 meetings between the two clubs.

The Twins' offense couldn't match that of the Yankees, but offense was the team's strength in 2009. They ranked fourth in the American League in runs thanks to a homegrown group of hitters, with AL MVP and three-time batting champion Joe Mauer leading the way with an epic .365/.444/.587 season. Michael Cuddyer hit 32 homers, Justin Morneau added 30 and Mauer and Jason Kubel belted 28 each.

They needed all that offense because Minnesota didn't pitch or defend up to previous standards, posting a 4.50 ERA (11th in the AL) with much the same cast of characters that put up a 4.18 mark in 2008. Even closer Joe Nathan looked mortal down the stretch and blew Game Two against the Yankees, which the Twins led 3-1 entering the ninth inning.

To settle the rotation and infield, general manager Bill Smith made two August deals, trading minor leaguers for Carl Pavano, Jon Rauch (who both will return in 2010) and Orlando Cabrera. Cabrera was a stopgap, and Minnesota acquired J.J. Hardy in November after the season as a more long-term answer at shortstop.

Those moves should improve Smith's trade track record, sullied early in his tenure when he gave Jason Bartlett and Matt Garza to the Rays in a deal for Delmon Young and sent Johan Santana to the Mets for four players who have done little since. Minnesota gave up the best player in that foursome, Carlos Gomez, to get Hardy from the Brewers. For his next act, Smith must lock up Mauer, whose contract expires after the 2010 season.

The Twins were active acquiring talent all summer. With the 22nd overall pick in June, they drafted Missouri righthander Kyle Gibson, a projected top-10 pick choice who was available because he had a stress reaction in his right forearm. Gibson signed at the Aug. 17 deadline for $1.85 million, marking the first time Minnesota took a premier talent who slid and paid him a seven-figure, above-slot bonus.

In another first, the Twins paid the highest bonus on the international market in 2009 and the highest for an international player in franchise history when infielder Miguel Sano signed in September for $3.15 million. Minnesota had kicked off the international period by signing German outfielder Max Kepler for $800,000, the largest bonus ever given to a European position player.

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