With minor league seasons over, we turn our prospect attention to breaking down the top talents in each division. We break down the top five prospects for each organization for 2009, taking into consideration: games, at-bats, innings and major-league service time. We expect these players to have rookie status remaining heading into next year.
According to MLB rules: "A player shall be considered a rookie unless, during a previous season or seasons, he has (a) exceeded 130 at-bats or 50 innings pitched in the major leagues; or (b) accumulated more than 45 days on the active roster of a major league club or clubs during the period of 25-player limit (excluding time in the military service and time on the disabled list)."
Note: Statistics are those at each stop in the minors this season and age represents how old they will be on opening day 2009.
Minnesota Twins
They seem to be perennially rebuilding, but usually find themselves in the postseason hunt. This is a real solid organization top to bottom that thrives with its pitching, defense and player development program. Their best talents are years away, but they have a lot of depth now (thanks in part to the four-player haul in the Johan Santana trade last winter, which was led by Carlos Gomez).
1. OF Aaron Hicks, 19
This year's first-round pick has ridiculous tools -- all five of them -- and showed good plate discipline in his pro debut out of high school. He is years away but he has already drawn Darryl Strawberry comparisons, according to Baseball America. Consider him an outstanding long-term keeper prospect but nothing to concern yourself with for a few years at least. His ceiling next year figures to be high Class A.
| Level | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLUG | OPS |
| Low A | .318 | 45 | 173 | 32 | 55 | 10 | 4 | 4 | 27 | 85 | 28 | 32 | 12 | 2 | .409 | .491 | .900 |
2. OF Ben Revere, 20
They love toolsy outfielders, especially ones that can run. Revere can -- like the wind -- and the next in line. There is not a whole lot of power here, but he projects to be a high-average, base-stealing leadoff man anyway. We won't see him in Minnesota in a significant role next year, but long term he can be a Rotisserie factor.
| Level | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLUG | OPS |
| Low A | .379 | 83 | 340 | 51 | 129 | 17 | 10 | 1 | 43 | 169 | 27 | 31 | 44 | 13 | .433 | .497 | .930 |
3. SP Kevin Mulvey, 23
Mulvey didn't have a good enough year to earn a September call-up, but he could prove to be the best of the haul for Santana, at least among the pitchers. He might not have a real shot to win a rotation spot in the deep Twins rotation, but he should be on call sometime next year. The Twins churn out Fantasy pitching sleepers like butter and Mulvey has the makings of the next Kevin Slowey, Scott Baker or Nick Blackburn.
| Level | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GO/AO | BAA |
| Triple-A | 7 | 9 | 3.77 | 27 | 27 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 148 | 152 | 80 | 62 | 16 | 48 | 121 | 0.79 | .265 |
4. SP Tyler Robertson, 21
The Twins always seem to have it all in their system. Robertson is their future rotational left-hander -- and one with a pretty high ceiling. The third-rounder out of high school in 2006 was an ace in high Class A and could be one real hot streak from helping the Twins in 2009.
| Level | W | L | ERA | G | GS | CG | SHO | SV | IP | H | R | ER | HR | BB | SO | GO/AO | BAA |
| High A | 5 | 3 | 2.72 | 15 | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 82 2/3 | 78 | 36 | 25 | 3 | 31 | 73 | 1.71 | .247 |
5. 3B Luke Hughes, 24
The overlooked Australian had a real good season and could prove to be a useful third baseman for the Twins in 2009, if they don't slot someone there in the offseason. It has been a position that has plagued them for years before this one. Maybe Hughes could be the answer next spring and be a sleeper for deeper AL-only formats.
| Level | AVG | G | AB | R | H | 2B | 3B | HR | RBI | TB | BB | SO | SB | CS | OBP | SLUG | OPS |
| Double-A | .319 | 70 | 285 | 53 | 91 | 15 | 3 | 15 | 40 | 157 | 28 | 70 | 4 | 1 | .385 | .551 | .936 |
| Triple-A | .283 | 29 | 106 | 17 | 30 | 7 | 1 | 3 | 21 | 48 | 7 | 30 | 2 | 0 | .325 | .453 | .778 |
| Totals | .309 | 99 | 391 | 70 | 121 | 22 | 4 | 18 | 61 | 205 | 35 | 100 | 6 | 1 | .369 | .524 | .893 |
Best of the rest: RP Anthony Slama, OF Jason Pridie, SP Jeff Manship, SP Deolis Guerra, C Wilson Ramos, OF Chris Parmelee, SP Phil Humber, SP Mike McCardell, SP David Bromberg, OF Joe Benson, SP Anthony Swarzak, 1B Randy Ruiz, OF Angel Morales, RP Jose Mijares, SP Brian Duensing, SP Shooter Hunt, SP Carlos Gutierrez, OF Erik Lis, SP Bradley Tippett, SP Ryan Mullins, 3B Trevor Plouffe, OF Joe Gaetti, SP Rob Delaney, SP Tim Lahey, 3B Steve Tolleson, 3B Danny Valencia, OF Dustin Martin, 3B Juan Portes, C Drew Butera, SP Loek Van Mil, SP Alex Burnett, SP Oswaldo Sosa, OF Jair Fernandez, SS Sergio Santos, 3B Matt Macri, OF Rene Tosoni, SS Estarlin De Los Santos, 3B Deibinson Romero, OF Matt Moses and RP Bobby Korecky.
2008 rookies to exhaust eligibility (expected): SP Glen Perkins, SP Nick Blackburn, OF Denard Span, 3B Brian Buscher, SS Matt Tolbert (service time) and RP Craig Breslow.
Last year's top five here: Perkins, Swarzak, Blackburn, Robertson and Buscher.
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