MINNESOTA TWINS

1999 was a rebuilding year for the Twins, who put a whole bunch of rookies in their lineup. Some of them were very good, and some of the young pitchers were terrific. The Twins still desperately need some power hitters in the middle of their lineup, and some of their young players will need another year to mature... but 2000 should be an interesting season in Minnesota, if not a particularly successful one.

CHAD ALLEN (OF, 25, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 A 105 401 124 18 4 3 66 45 40 51 309 373 397 27 15 1998 AA 137 504 132 31 7 8 70 82 51 78 262 334 399 21 9 1999 MIN 137 481 133 21 3 10 69 46 37 89 277 330 395 14 7

CHAD ALLEN (OF, 25, R)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997       A 105 401 124 18  4  3  66  45  40  51  309 373 397  27  15

 1998      AA 137 504 132 31  7  8  70  82  51  78  262 334 399  21   9



 1999     MIN 137 481 133 21  3 10  69  46  37  89  277 330 395  14   7

Allen skipped Triple-A, and had a solid rookie season for the Twins. Next year is crucial for him; he is not yet a quality regular, and he needs to take another step forward as a hitter. He needs to raise his average or draw more walks or hit for more power; I think he should be a quality player for a few years, but he will never be an All-Star.

SEAN BERGMAN (30, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 SD 2 4 44 9 0 0 0 99 126 38 74 609 1998 HOU 12 9 31 27 1 0 0 172 183 42 100 372 1999 HOU-ATL 5 6 25 16 2 1 0 105 135 29 44 521

Bergman's career sprang to life after a fine 1998, but fell apart again last year. He has no star potential, but his control is good enough that he is capable of having a good year with a good team behind him. If he starts this season badly, his career will probably end within a few months.

HECTOR CARRASCO (30, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 CIN-KC 2 8 66 0 0 0 0 86 80 41 76 440 1998 MIN 4 2 63 0 0 0 1 61 75 31 46 438 1999 MIN 2 3 39 0 0 0 1 49 48 18 35 496

Carrasco had a decent year in middle relief, maybe pitching better than in 1998, though his ERA was up. His performance hasn't changed much over the last three years, and will probably remain the same again this season.

RON COOMER (1B/3B, 33, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 MIN 140 523 156 30 2 13 63 85 22 91 298 324 438 4 3 1998 MIN 137 529 146 22 1 15 54 72 18 72 276 295 406 2 2 1999 MIN 127 467 123 25 1 16 53 65 30 69 263 307 424 2 1

RON COOMER (1B/3B, 33, R)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997     MIN 140 523 156 30  2 13  63  85  22  91  298 324 438   4   3

 1998     MIN 137 529 146 22  1 15  54  72  18  72  276 295 406   2   2

 1999     MIN 127 467 123 25  1 16  53  65  30  69  263 307 424   2   1

I have great respect for Joe Torre, but I have to think that Coomer's 1999 All-Star Game appearance represents the worst selection in the history of the game. His average is dropping, he doesn't walk, he doesn't have much power, he doesn't run, he doesn't have a defensive position... and he's getting older. But the fans love him in Minnesota, so he will keep his job so long as the team has no pretentions about winning.

MIDRE CUMMINGS (OF, 28, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 PIT-PHI 115 314 83 22 6 4 35 31 31 56 264 330 411 2 3 1998 BOS 67 120 34 8 0 5 20 15 17 19 283 381 475 3 3 1999 MIN 16 38 10 0 0 1 1 9 3 7 263 310 342 2 0

MIDRE CUMMINGS (OF, 28, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997 PIT-PHI 115 314  83 22  6  4  35  31  31  56  264 330 411   2   3

 1998     BOS  67 120  34  8  0  5  20  15  17  19  283 381 475   3   3

 1999     MIN  16  38  10  0  0  1   1   9   3   7  263 310 342   2   0

A former prospect with the Pirates, Cummings has improved the past couple of seasons, but spent most of 1999 in the minors. He needs to find a team that needs a veteran fourth outfielder; he can thrive if he finds the right niche with the right team.

CLEATUS DAVIDSON (IF, 23, S)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 A 124 478 122 16 8 6 80 52 52 100 255 327 360 39 9 1998 A 130 527 127 12 7 2 97 45 45 99 241 303 302 44 16 1999 AA 127 491 120 16 10 2 88 40 53 110 244 318 330 40 14

CLEATUS DAVIDSON (IF, 23, S)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997       A 124 478 122 16  8  6  80  52  52 100  255 327 360  39   9

 1998       A 130 527 127 12  7  2  97  45  45  99  241 303 302  44  16

 1999      AA 127 491 120 16 10  2  88  40  53 110  244 318 330  40  14

A prospect with Minnesota, Davidson played a few games for the Twins last year. He can't hit, and should spend all of 2000 in the minors.

EDDIE GUARDADO (30, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 MIN 0 4 69 0 0 0 1 46 45 17 54 391 1998 MIN 3 1 79 0 0 0 0 65 66 28 53 452 1999 MIN 2 5 63 0 0 0 2 48 37 25 50 450

He is almost exactly the same as Hector Carrasco, except he is left-handed. Both pitchers are middlemen in the Twins' bullpen, both are 30 years old, both are decent pitchers, neither has had a change in performance over the last three years. It seems like Guardado has been around forever, but he is a lefty, and will probably pitch until he is 45.

CRISTIAN GUZMAN (SS, 22, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 A 124 495 135 21 4 4 68 52 17 105 273 309 356 23 12 1998 AA 140 568 157 29 5 1 68 40 21 111 277 304 352 23 14 1999 MIN 131 420 95 12 3 1 47 26 22 90 226 267 276 9 7

CRISTIAN GUZMAN (SS, 22, R)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997       A 124 495 135 21  4  4  68  52  17 105  273 309 356  23  12

 1998      AA 140 568 157 29  5  1  68  40  21 111  277 304 352  23  14



 1999     MIN 131 420  95 12  3  1  47  26  22  90  226 267 276   9   7

What are the Twins trying to do here? Guzman is a very young shortstop who skipped Triple-A, despite having no offensive skills. He doesn't hit for average, has no power, has poor strike zone judgment, and is a poor base stealer. He is certainly young enough to improve, but I think he would be better off developing his skills in the minors. The Twins' record in developing young players has been pretty lousy the last few seasons.

LATROY HAWKINS (27, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 MIN 6 12 20 20 0 0 0 103 134 47 58 584 1998 MIN 7 14 33 33 0 0 0 190 227 61 105 525 1999 MIN 10 14 33 33 1 0 0 174 238 60 103 666

He has been in the Twins' starting rotation for three years now, and he hasn't gotten anybody out. The Twins love his arm (or, they love his arm relative to all their other pitchers), but obviously he needs to change his approach. Leaving Minnesota, for starters; Hawkins had an 8.36 ERA at home. His K/BB ratio is okay, and makes you think he might have a sliver of hope of being a good pitcher, probably with another team.

DENNY HOCKING (IF, 30, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 MIN 115 253 65 12 4 2 28 25 18 51 257 308 360 3 5 1998 MIN 110 198 40 6 1 3 32 15 16 44 202 259 288 2 1 1999 MIN 136 386 103 18 2 7 47 41 22 54 267 307 378 11 7

DENNY HOCKING (IF, 30, R)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997     MIN 115 253  65 12  4  2  28  25  18  51  257 308 360   3   5

 1998     MIN 110 198  40  6  1  3  32  15  16  44  202 259 288   2   1

 1999     MIN 136 386 103 18  2  7  47  41  22  54  267 307 378  11   7

Hocking rebounded from a miserable 1998 to have a decent season, similar to the numbers he posted in 1997. He plays all over the infield, and is a solid utility player; he really shouldn't get any more at bats than he had last year.

TORII HUNTER (OF, 25, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 AA 127 471 109 22 2 8 57 56 47 94 231 305 338 8 8 1998 AA-AAA 108 400 118 31 3 10 57 52 20 77 295 333 463 13 11 1999 MIN 135 384 98 17 2 9 52 35 26 72 255 309 380 10 6

TORII HUNTER (OF, 25, R)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997      AA 127 471 109 22  2  8  57  56  47  94  231 305 338   8   8

 1998  AA-AAA 108 400 118 31  3 10  57  52  20  77  295 333 463  13  11



 1999     MIN 135 384  98 17  2  9  52  35  26  72  255 309 380  10   6

Hunter was one of Minnesota's many rookies last season, but is not among their more impressive young players. He might be okay, could hit .280 in a season with a little power and speed, but I don't expect him to ever be a very valuable player. For now, he has a regular job.

JACQUES JONES (CF, 25, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 A 131 539 160 33 6 15 84 82 33 110 297 340 464 24 12 1998 AA 134 518 155 39 3 21 78 85 37 134 299 349 508 18 11 1999 MIN 95 322 93 24 2 9 54 44 17 63 289 329 460 3 4

JACQUES JONES (CF, 25, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997       A 131 539 160 33  6 15  84  82  33 110  297 340 464  24  12

 1998      AA 134 518 155 39  3 21  78  85  37 134  299 349 508  18  11



 1999     MIN  95 322  93 24  2  9  54  44  17  63  289 329 460   3   4

Jones was one of the Twins' many rookies last season, and looked good. He appears to be a .280 hitter capable of 20 homers and stolen bases in a season. If he improves his plate discipline, he might become a .300 hitter. I like his chances of having a long career.

COREY KOSKIE (3B/OF, 27, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 AA 131 437 125 26 6 23 88 79 90 108 286 414 531 9 5 1998 AAA 135 505 152 32 5 26 91 105 51 104 301 368 539 15 7 1999 MIN 117 342 106 21 0 11 42 58 40 72 310 387 468 4 4

COREY KOSKIE (3B/OF, 27, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997      AA 131 437 125 26  6 23  88  79  90 108  286 414 531   9   5

 1998     AAA 135 505 152 32  5 26  91 105  51 104  301 368 539  15   7



 1999     MIN 117 342 106 21  0 11  42  58  40  72  310 387 468   4   4

Koskie was one of Minnesota's best rookies in 1999, but was also one of their oldest. He should have another fine season in 2000, but will probably be reduced to a being a spare outfielder within three seasons.

MATT LAWTON (RF, 28, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 MIN 142 460 114 29 3 14 74 60 76 81 248 366 415 7 4 1998 MIN 152 557 155 36 6 21 91 77 86 64 278 387 478 16 8 1999 MIN 118 406 105 18 0 7 58 54 57 42 259 353 355 26 4

MATT LAWTON (RF, 28, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997     MIN 142 460 114 29  3 14  74  60  76  81  248 366 415   7   4

 1998     MIN 152 557 155 36  6 21  91  77  86  64  278 387 478  16   8

 1999     MIN 118 406 105 18  0  7  58  54  57  42  259 353 355  26   4

He improved his base-stealing, but lost his power stroke, and that's not a trade-off the Twins were looking for. Lawton has good plate discipline, as well as power and speed, and can be a formidable player if he puts everything together. My guess is, he hasn't had his best season yet.

MIKE LINCOLN (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 A 13 4 20 20 1 1 0 134 130 25 75 228 1998 AA 15 7 26 26 1 0 0 173 180 35 109 322 1999 MIN 3 10 18 15 0 0 0 76 102 26 27 778

The Twins rushed Lincoln to the majors, and he struggled badly. I think he will be a good pitcher someday, but he probably needs an extra year of work, either in the minors or the bullpen, before he can have some success in the starting rotation.

JOE MAYS (24, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 A 16 7 28 28 2 0 0 178 170 57 161 359 1998 AA 5 3 11 10 0 0 0 58 63 21 45 499 1999 MIN 6 11 49 20 2 1 0 171 179 67 115 437

An outstanding young pitcher, Mays wasted four years toiling in the lower minors before the Twins decided to rush him to the big leagues. He had a very good rookie season, despite the losing record. I like everything about him except the fact that he pitches for Minnesota.

DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ (1B, 26, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 AA 132 467 119 28 2 15 87 61 98 67 255 390 420 21 8 1998 AA 139 502 162 45 0 16 96 88 96 58 323 432 508 11 4 1999 MIN 118 327 75 21 3 2 34 32 43 51 229 324 330 1 1

DOUG MIENTKIEWICZ (1B, 26, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997      AA 132 467 119 28  2 15  87  61  98  67  255 390 420  21   8

 1998      AA 139 502 162 45  0 16  96  88  96  58  323 432 508  11   4

 1999     MIN 118 327  75 21  3  2  34  32  43  51  229 324 330   1   1

Mientkiewicz had a fine season at New Britain in 1998, so the Twins made him their regular first baseman last year. He was awful, the worst regular first sacker in the league. He might have some ability, but he needs to go Triple-A and learn to hit there; unfortunately, he is not so young anymore, and probably is not going to get another chance.

TRAVIS MILLER (27, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 MIN 1 5 13 7 0 0 0 48 64 23 26 763 1998 MIN 0 2 14 0 0 0 0 23 25 11 23 386 1999 MIN 2 2 52 0 0 0 0 50 55 16 40 272

Miller seems to have settled into a role as the token left-hander in the bullpen. He has improved his control, and performed well the past two seasons. If he keeps throwing strikes, he could keep his job for years.

ERIC MILTON (25, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 AA 6 3 14 14 1 0 0 78 59 36 67 313 1998 MIN 8 14 32 32 1 0 0 172 195 70 107 564 1999 MIN 7 11 34 34 5 2 0 206 190 63 163 449

An outstanding young pitcher, Milton made big improvements in his second year, and even threw a no-hitter. He is young, has been healthy so far, and has great stuff; he may have trouble winning a lot of games with Minnesota, but otherwise Milton should be a great pitcher in the future.

DAVID ORTIZ (1B, 24, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 MIN 15 49 16 3 0 1 10 6 2 19 327 353 449 0 0 1998 MIN 86 278 77 20 0 9 47 46 39 72 277 371 446 1 0 1999 AAA 130 476 150 35 3 30 85 110 79 105 315 412 590 2 2

DAVID ORTIZ (1B, 24, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997     MIN  15  49  16  3  0  1  10   6   2  19  327 353 449   0   0

 1998     MIN  86 278  77 20  0  9  47  46  39  72  277 371 446   1   0



 1999     AAA 130 476 150 35  3 30  85 110  79 105  315 412 590   2   2

I don't understand what is going on here. Ortiz is an awesome young power hitter who had a hot start in 1998 with the Twins, but then lost his season to a broken wrist. Last year, he was smoking the ball at Salt Lake City while the Twins fooled around with Doug Mientkiewicz at first base.
As a team, the Twins hit only 105 home runs last season, by far the worst total in the league. Ortiz has nothing more to prove at Salt Lake; there is a good fit here.

DAN PERKINS (25, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 AA 7 10 24 24 2 0 0 145 158 53 114 491 1998 AA 13 5 20 19 1 0 0 118 140 31 79 398 1999 MIN 1 7 29 12 0 0 0 87 117 43 44 654

Why does an organization move a pitcher along slowly, then suddenly jump him to the major leagues? Perkins has been in the Twins' system since 1993, has put in his time at each level. Instead of starting the year at Salt Lake City, he was put into the Twins' rotation, and was awful. I think Perkins has ability, but he needs to go back to Salt Lake and get his feet back on the ground.

A.J. PIERZYNSKI (CA, 23, L)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1997 A 118 412 115 23 1 9 49 64 16 59 279 313 405 2 1 1998 AA-AAA 118 420 116 18 2 10 59 47 19 49 276 309 400 3 3 1999 AAA 67 228 59 10 0 1 29 25 16 29 259 307 316 0 0

A.J. PIERZYNSKI (CA, 23, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997       A 118 412 115 23  1  9  49  64  16  59  279 313 405   2   1

 1998  AA-AAA 118 420 116 18  2 10  59  47  19  49  276 309 400   3   3

 1999     AAA  67 228  59 10  0  1  29  25  16  29  259 307 316   0   0

Pierzynski entered pro ball in 1994, when he was 17 years old. He has made slow progress since then, but is still very young. He has hit well in the lower minors, but has had some trouble adjusting to Triple-A pitching. I expect him to be a good platoon player within a couple of seasons, a solid .280 hitter with some power. An Eddie Taubensee-type player; he looks good.

BRAD RADKE (27, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 MIN 20 10 35 35 4 1 0 240 238 48 174 387 1998 MIN 12 14 32 32 5 1 0 213 238 43 146 430 1999 MIN 12 14 33 33 4 0 0 219 239 44 121 375

Radke is obviously one of the better pitchers in the league, but his team has stuck him with bad records. His K/BB ratio has degenerated for two straight years, something he will have to reverse if he wants remain a top-flight pitcher. I don't expect any sudden change in performance unless he is traded to another team.

MARK REDMAN (26, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 AAA 8 15 29 28 0 0 1 158 204 80 125 631 1998 AA-AAA 10 9 27 26 0 0 0 147 151 58 139 423 1999 AAA 9 9 24 24 1 0 0 134 141 51 115 505

A big left-hander with the Twins, Redman has pitched very poorly the past three seasons, but his control is also improving dramatically. He's a dark horse to have a surprise season; I think he could start pitching well at any moment.

J.C. ROMERO (24, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 R-A 4 3 25 1 0 0 3 36 38 11 38 471 1998 AA 6 3 51 1 0 0 2 78 48 43 79 219 1999 AA-AAA 8 5 51 1 0 0 8 73 69 48 73 334

A nasty left-hander in the Twins' organization, Romero needs to throw more strikes to become an outstanding pitcher. I expect him to be a solid pitcher, with the potential of becoming a closer. He should be good this season.

JASON RYAN (24, R)


 YEAR    TEAM  WN  LS  GP GS CG SH SV  IP HIT  BB  SO ERA

 1997       A   9   8  27 27  5  0  0 170 168  55 140 444

 1998      AA   3  13  30 25  2  0  0 148 172  57 121 488

 1999  AA-AAA  11   8  25 24  0  0  0 150 134  63 129 391



 1999     MIN   1   4   8  8  1  0  0  41  46  17  15 487

Ryan is a good young pitcher, had a solid debut with the Twins last season. I expect that this year will be a bit of a struggle for him, and the Twins won't help, but over the long run I expect Ryan to be a good pitcher.

BENJ SAMPSON (25, L)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 AA 10 6 25 20 0 0 0 118 112 49 92 419 1998 AAA 10 7 28 28 0 0 0 161 198 52 132 514 1999 MIN 3 2 30 4 0 0 0 71 107 34 56 811

Sampson spent almost the whole year with the Twins, and had a horrible rookie season. I like young left-handers who throw strikes, but obviously Sampson needs to return to Salt Lake City to re-establish himself. Look for him to return in another year.

JAVIER VALENTIN (CA, 25, R)
YEAR TM GM AB HT DB TP HR RUN RBI BB SO AVG OBA SLU SB CS 1998 MIN 55 162 32 7 1 3 11 18 11 30 198 247 309 0 0 1999 MIN 78 218 54 12 1 5 22 28 22 39 248 313 381 0 0

Valentin had a solid season as Steinbach's backup; to this point he is a lifetime .227 hitter, and would not be a good regular. He is young enough to take another step forward as a hitter, but will likely spend his career in a backup role.

TODD WALKER (2B, 27, L)


 YEAR      TM  GM  AB  HT DB TP HR RUN RBI  BB  SO  AVG OBA SLU  SB  CS

 1997     MIN  52 156  37  7  1  3  15  16  11  30  237 288 353   7   0

 1998     MIN 143 528 167 41  3 12  85  62  47  65  316 372 473  19   7

 1999     MIN 143 531 148 37  4  6  62  46  52  83  279 343 397  18  10

He seemed to be on the verge of a breakthrough year, but instead was a disappointment. Walker is a talented hitter, and could win a batting title this year. But I have some doubts that he will ever be a consistent player. He may be helped if he is moved to another position.

BOB WELLS (33, R)
YEAR TEAM WN LS GP GS CG SH SV IP HIT BB SO ERA 1997 SEA 2 0 46 1 0 0 2 67 88 18 51 575 1998 SEA 2 2 30 0 0 0 0 51 54 16 29 610 1999 MIN 8 3 76 0 0 0 1 87 79 28 44 381

As a member of the Seattle bullpen, Wells made a living pouring gasoline on lit fires. Moving on to Minnesota, he had a terrific year. I'm not optimistic about his chances of pitching well again this year; the team and the park are working against him, and he was never very good to begin with.