First Base
Whereas the catchers are likely the
weakest position in the system, First Base may be the strongest. As with
catching and Joe Mauer, the Twins have a young budding superstar at first base.
Assuming that Justin Morneau doesn’t get seriously injured and that the Twins
sign him to a long term contract, the Twins will not need a starting first
baseman for some time. What they could use beginning in 2007 is a solid backup
who could double as a designated hitter. Is there a player in the system who
can fill this role in 2007?
The Rochester Red Wings (AAA) played
much of the season after trading Jason Hart to Texas with only one first
baseman, **Garrett Jones, 24,
(#9/#5). Jones is one of the premier power hitters in the
system, leading the system with 92 rbi and tying with Brock Peterson for
the home run title at 21. The wrap on Jones is that he strikes out to much and
hasn’t been able to get his batting average much higher than this season’s
.238Ave with 32 doubles and 72 runs scored. He struck out 121 times in 525 at
bats (23.0%) this season which was virtually the same as his 109 strike outs in
488 at bats (22.3%) at Rochester in 2005. Jones caught fire during the
playoffs, getting 8 hits in 15 at bats with a home run and 5 rbi in their first
round win and 5 hits in 17 at bats with 4 walks, 1 home run, 3 runs scored and 5
rbi in the championship round.
New Britain (AA) also had one
regular first baseman, Daniel Matienzo,
25+, (#19/#6) although outfielder
Doug Deeds played some first base when Matienzo needed a break. Matienzo,
who was one of the top hitters in the Eastern League in 2005, was noticeably
disappointed when he wasn’t promoted to Rochester this season. This may be the
reason his batting average took a dip from .282Ave in 2005 to .252Ave this
season. His power was also down, hitting 17 home runs and 24 doubles with 76
rbi in 472 at bats this season compared with 23 home runs and 36 doubles with 87
rbi in 531 at bats in 2005. Matienzo’s plate discipline also declined as his
strikeouts went up from 112 to 117 in 59 less at bats this season while his
walks went down from 40 in 2005 to only 25 this year. With Peterson likely
scheduled for a promotion to New Britain in 2007 the Twins have a decision to
make regarding where Matienzo fits into their plans for 2007, if at all.
The Ft. Myers Miracle (Hi-A)
expected Johnny Woodard,
21, (#79/#46) to be one of
the team’s future stars. Woodard was injured early in the season affecting his
play (.181Ave, 2 doubles, 2 home runs and 8 rbi in 72 at bats), then placed on
the disabled list for much of the season. Although several players saw limited
time at first base for the Miracle, Brock
Peterson, 22, (#12/#27)
emerged as one of the hitting stars in the Florida State League setting an
all-time franchise home run record with 21. Peterson, who had 8 errors and
needs to improve defensively, had an excellent .291Ave with 21 doubles, 4
triples, 75 rbi, 40 walks and 93 strikeouts in 447 at bats. Peterson’s power
numbers have certainly been noticed by the Twins and it is likely 2007 will find
him playing for the Rock Cats in New Britain.
The Beloit Snappers (A) had
Erik Lis, 22, (#5/#15)
at first base until he went on the DL several weeks before the end of the
season. Lis won the Midwest League Batting Title with a .326Ave which was also
second highest in the system to Jason Tyner‘s .329Ave. Lis, who
struggled at times defensively with 19 errors, was one of the most productive
hitters in the organization with a system leading 37 doubles, 3 triples, 16 home
runs, 69 runs scored, 70 rbi, 51 walks and 83 strikeouts in 411 at bats. When
Jim Rantz was questioned on WCCO one Sunday about whether or not Lis
should be converted to a DH, he responded that it was much to early in Eric’s
career to make that move. The Snappers also had
Henry Sanchez, 19, (#40/#72) on their roster until the short-season teams began
play and he was sent back to Elizabethton. Sanchez struggled at Beloit, hitting
.202Ave with 12 doubles, 4 home runs, 18 rbi, 13 walks and 69 strikeouts in 168
at bats. Sanchez didn’t play too long at Elizabethton before he was sidelined
with an injury that had been bothering him. In 12 games in the Appalachian
League, Sanchez hit .220Ave with 4 doubles, 1 home run, 8 rbi, 0 walks and 13
strikeouts in 41 at bats. The Twins have been excited about Sanchez’s power
potential since drafting him with a first round sandwich pick in 2005, however,
his performance to date indicates he will need to work very hard to
significantly reduce his strikeouts and raise his batting average if he is to
advance in a system loaded with first basemen.
The Elizabethton Twins had Henry
Sanchez for a few games prior to going on the disabled list and late in the
year, catcher Danny Berg also played some first base. Although he played some
games at third base, 19th round pick
Daniel Valencia, 21, (#20/-) was the Twins primary
first baseman after his signing in mid-July. Valencia, who had been a star for
the University of Miami in this years College World Series, kept hitting at a
torrid pace for the Twins with a .311Ave, 13 doubles, 8 homes runs, 29 rbi and
.505SLG in 190 at bats. Valencia, who was the only Elizabethton player named to
the post-season Appalachian League All-Star team, will participate in this
fall’s Instructional League. Josh Dean,
19, (#51/#22) was the top hitter on
the GCL Twins in 2005. Dean never got his bat going in 2006, therefore, he saw
limited playing time hitting .231Ave/3 doubles, 2 home runs and 15 rbi in only
91 at bats.
The Gulf Coast League Twins
didn’t have a first baseman on their squad. Seventh round pick
Jon Waltenbury, 18, didn’t sign
with the Twins until the Gulf Coast League season was nearly over and did not
play this year. Waltenbury will see his first action with the Twins in this
fall’s Instructional League. Various players shared first base including this
years top pick, outfielder Chris Parmalee and catchers Rodolpho
Palacios and Wilson Ramos. These players will all be discussed at
their primary positions.
The first basemen were one of the strongest
positions in the system during 2006. The highest ranked first baseman was Eric
Lis, who was the #5 ranked player. The eight first basemen in the system had an
average ranking of #28 out of 88 position players which compared favorable to
the #57 average ranking for catchers.
As is the case with the catchers, the Twins
will not need a starting first baseman for several years provided Justin Morneau
is signed to a long-term contract and remains healthy. They do however, need a
backup next year and finding a backup first baseman who could double as a full
or part-time designated hitter would be the best of all worlds for the Twins.
The only player in the system that appears nearly ready for the major leagues is
Garrett Jones who had another good season at Rochester. Unfortunately he did
not reduce his strikeouts or raise his batting average. His not being called up
following the Red Wings season appears to be an indication that the Twins
question whether or not he is an option for either of these roles in 2007.
Considering that Danny Matienzo appears to have stalled in his development, the
next best candidate to play for the Twins would be Brock Peterson who had a
break-out year for the Miracle. It will be exciting to follow his career to see
if he can maintain his power and solid batting average as he makes the jump to
AA. The most exciting prospects at first base (Erik Lis and Danny Valencia) are
further away from the major leagues but are both former college players who
should rapidly move through the system. With Justin Morneau playing at a MVP
level and an excellent prospect at nearly every level of the system, the Twins
should be solid at first base for another decade or longer.