Michael Ryan

Organization Prospect Rankings

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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #25 prospect in 2004
  Ryan is a good example of a natural line-drive hitter developing power as he matures. Along with Lew Ford, Ryan was so impressive last September that the Twins felt comfortable dealing Dustan Mohr in December to clear the way for them as reserve outfielders in 2004. Originally signed as a third baseman, Ryan shifted to second base in 1999 because he lacked pop. When his defense didn't come around, he moved to the outfield full-time in 2002, when he exploded for a career-best 31 home runs and tied Diamondbacks top prospect Scott Hairston for the minor league lead in extra-base hits. Outside of Joe Mauer, Ryan might have the best pure swing in the system. His stroke is so fluid and he makes solid, square contact. Most of his power is to right field and he's a bit of a guess hitter. Ryan is in attack mode early in the count, looking to crush the first pitch he sees in his zone, which isn't conducive to drawing walks. Though he's been tabbed as a platoon player, he hangs in against lefties. He's adequate defensively with fringe-average range and arm strength. He doesn't have a high ceiling, but is an ideal extra outfielder with lefthanded juice off the bench. After hitting .404 in September, Ryan hit .303 with six homers in 89 at-bats in Venezuela over the winter.
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  Ranked Minnesota Twins #29 prospect in 2003
  After six undistinguished seasons in the Twins system, Ryan emerged as an intriguing prospect in his second tour of the Pacific Coast League. He had earned a reputation as a onedimensional hitter with limited versatility, before he tied Diamondbacks prospect Scott Hairston for the minor league lead in extra-base hits and launched a career-best 31 home runs. Ryan drove in 101 runs primarily hitting out of the leadoff spot. A converted infielder, Ryan was drafted as a third baseman and move to second base in 1999 because he didn't hit for enough power. Last year was his first full season in the outfield. Ryan hit 27 of his homers against righties and slugged just .439 against lefties, so he has been labeled as a platoon player. Still, that kind of juice from the left side of the plate isn't easy to come by. Strong wrists enable him to turn on hard inside stuff and drive the ball. Ryan also impressed the Twins by turning up his aggressiveness after playing tentatively early in his career. Ryan's running, throwing and fielding grade out as below-average, likely limiting him to a reserve role. He'll be hard-pressed to win a job in the Twins' crowded outfield and could be headed for another season of Triple-A ball.