Baseball America’s Top 10 Prospects: Minnesota Twins

With so little to celebrate…at least Sam Mele turned 90 the other day!

1. Miguel Sano, 3b/ss
2. Joe Benson, of
3. Eddie Rosario, 2b/of
4. Aaron Hicks, of
5. Oswaldo Arcia, of
6. Levi Michael, ss/2b
7. Liam Hendriks, rhp
8. Kyle Gibson, rhp
9. Chris Parmelee, of/1b
10. Brian Dozier, ss/2b

Ryan immediately started reshaping the big league roster, signing Jamey Carroll, Ryan Doumit and Josh Willingham while allowing Joe Nathan to depart as a free agent. The big league team’s fortunes depend most on a return to health by Mauer and Morneau, however

The system isn’t as strong as it was when Ryan last was in charge, and 2011 was a rough season for the team’s previous three first-round picks. Outfielder Aaron Hicks (2008) had to rally to hit .242 in high Class A, righthander Kyle Gibson (2009) needed Tommy John surgery and righty Alex Wimmers (2010) missed half the year with a bout of wildness after walking the first six batters he faced in an April start.