The Twins are reportedly the favorites to land Korean free agent pitcher Suk-Min Yoon, who is a starting pitcher, but some scouts feel will end up being successful as a reliever and not a starter. Twins are also in on Hughes from the Yankees and Arroyo from the Reds. I'd prefer Hughes myself, and it sounds like the Twins are one of the leaders on him too. When it comes to trades to add a starter the Twins have been linked to Bailey of the Reds and Hellickson of the Rays. Depending on the prospects we'd have to give up, would affect if I'd like either deal.
One trade possibility the Twins should explore is for Burch Smith of the Padres. He struggled with control in his short time in the majors this season but still struck 47 batters in 36 innings and struck out 102 in 92 innings in the minors this season as well. He is a power righty who is a strike out pitcher and can help us much earlier than most of our prospects. Padres are reportedly looking for a lefty bat and/or reliever. Twins can help with both by sending them 1B/OF Chris Parmelee, C/OF Ryan Doumit, RP Caleb Thielbar, and prospect 1B Kennys Vargas. Padres get 2 lefty bats that can help them now and 1 to help them later, along with a very good lefty reliever in Thielbar.
Twins should still be pretty active in the market and make at the very least 1 more move. And now here are my top 5 starting pitching prospects:
5. Lewis Thorpe RHP (Rookie Gulf Coast League)
Thorpe absolutely dominated the Gulf Coast Rookie League as a 17 year old who was signed out of Australia. He threw 44 innings and gave up only 32 hits, only walked 6 batters, and struck out 64 batters. He had an ERA of 2.05 and a WHIP of 0.86 which is outstanding. If he keeps this pace, he could rise very, very quickly in our system. It's realistic to think he could be at Target Field as early as 2017.
4. Stephen Gonsalves LHP (Rookie Elizabethton)
Gonsalves opened in the Gulf Coast Rookie League and was promoted to Elizabethton. He was the Twins 4th round pick last June and pitched like a 1st round pick. He is a tall crafty lefty. His fastball is usually around 90-91 mph, but his great splitter and curve are what have made him successful thus far. He struck out 39 batters in just 28 innings. He had an ERA of 0.95 and WHIP of 1.02. He still needs some work, but has a very high ceiling. We could see him as early as 2017 at Target Field.
3. Felix Jorge RHP (Rookie Elizabethton)
Felix has continued to move up a level each year and had his best season in 2013. In 61 innings he had 72 strikeouts and only gave up 56 hits. He is more of a power pitcher with his fastball hitting the mid 90s consistently, throwing in a very above average curve as well. He has the stuff to be a front line starter for the Twins one day. Unfortunately, that day probably won't be until at least 2017.
2. Kohl Stewart RHP (Rookie Elizabethton)
Stewart was the Twins 1st round pick in last June's draft and in his short time in rookie ball he pitched very well. He threw 20 innings and struck out 24 and only walked 4. He is a power righty with front line potential as well. His fastball regularly hits 95-96 mph, and has an outstanding slider. Both his fastball and slider are well above average for his young age and with the addition of a good changeup and maybe 1 more pitch he could be the ace of the Twins faster than most people think. He could get here as early as 2016 barring injury.
1. Alex Meyer RHP (Double-A New Britain) (Pictured Above)
Had Alex not had some shoulder issues last season, I believe we would have seen him as a September call up. He pitched very well at Double-A last season throwing 70 innings and striking out 84 while walking 29. He only gave up 60 hits and just 3 home runs. He is a power pitcher period. His fastball was clocked around 100 mph numerous times in the Arizona Fall League this year and has a power slider and very good sinking change to go along with that fastball. He is one of the top pitching prospects in all of baseball and barring injury we will see him at Target Field at some point in 2014. Once he gets here he will become our ace and not go back to the minors ever again. When he comes up he will be the first of hopefully numerous power pitching prospects and create a rotation we haven't seen here in a long time. No more pitching to contact here, bring on the strikeouts!
All in all, Twins still need to add a starter or 2, but unfortunately don't have many options on the farm as of now. After Meyer it could be until 2017 that we see another front line starting pitcher come to Target Field. Hopefully the Twins can add a couple of more arms before this winter is over, to give us hope to win before 2017.
Written by Nick Calo, follow me on Twitter for more updates and sports thoughts @PRH1987