Baseball America Selects Minnesota Twins Top Prospects

USA - Baseball America announced today their Top 10 Prospects for the Minnesota Twins organization and five former Fort Myers Miracle players are listed.

Last year pitcher Nick Blackburn was Baseball America’s top Twins prospect. Blackburn won 11 games for the Minnesota Twins in 2008.

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. The publication also ranked the players with the best tools in the organization. Players that have worn a Miracle uniform are listed in bold.

TOP 10 PROSPECTS

1.Aaron Hicks, of…Twins selected Hicks 14th overall in the June 2008 MLB Draft.

2. Ben Revere, of…Twins selected Revere 28th overall in the June 2007 MLB Draft. The speedy outfielder could see time in Fort Myers in 2009.

3. Wilson Ramos, c…named to the post-season Florida State League All-Star team. He hit .288 with 13 home runs and 78 RBI in 126 games with the Miracle in 2008. Ramos was recently added to the Twins 40-man roster.

4. Jose Mijares, lhp…spent part of 2008 with the Miracle, after pitching in Fort Myers in 2005 and 2006. Battling back from injury, the left-hander pitched 10 1/3 innings compiling a 2.61 ERA. The Caracas, Venezuelan native was promoted to Minnesota in September and become a key cog in the bullpen during the pennant race.

5. Danny Valencia, 3b…The University of Miami product began the year in Fort Myers and picked up a mid-season All-Star spot and a call up to New Britain. He led the league at the time of his departure with a .344 batting average. The 24-year old hit five home runs and drove in 44 runs, over 60 games with the Miracle.

6. Anthony Swarzak, rhp…Spent portions of the 2005, 2006 and 2007 seasons pitching at Hammond Stadium. He won 11 games in 2006 helping the Miracle to the Florida State League playoffs.

7. Shooter Hunt, rhp…selected by Twins with the 31st overall pick in the 2008 June MLB Draft. Hunt was tabbed an All-American at Tulane in 2008.

8. Kevin Mulvey, rhp…acquired as part of Johan Santana trade with the New York Mets in January. Went 4-1 after the AAA All-Star break.

9. Carlos Gutierrez, rhp…The former Miami Hurricane was the 27th overall pick in the June 2008 MLB draft. He posted a 3-1 record with a 2.10 ERA, striking out 19 in 25 2/3 innings.

10. Angel Morales, of…named Baseball America Rookie All-Star after hitting .301 with 15 home runs at Elizabethton.

BEST TOOLS

Best Hitter for Average
Ben Revere

Best Power Hitter
Chris Parmelee

Best Strike-Zone Discipline
Aaron Hicks

Fastest Baserunner
Ben Revere

Best Athlete
Aaron Hicks

Best Fastball
Carlos Gutierrez

Best Curveball
Shooter Hunt

Best Slider
Bobby Lanigan

Best Changeup
Deolis Guerra

Best Control
Bradley Tippett

Best Defensive Catcher
Wilson Ramos

Best Defensive Infielder
Matt Tolbert

Best Infield Arm
Yancarlos Ortiz

Best Defensive Outfielder
Aaron Hicks

Best Outfield Arm
Aaron Hicks

Media Release: Fort Myers Miracle