Promising prospect Portes leaves team

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

The Twins' high hopes for shortstop Juan Portes won't be realized for a while, if ever.

Portes, the Twins' 15th-round pick in last year's draft, left the organization for personal reasons. He has a child in the Boston area and wanted to be closer to his family.

Even though Portes left without permission (he later called to explain his decision), the organization is not upset with him.

"He just took off," said Jim Rantz, the Twins director of minor leagues. "We got hold of him by phone. He's got some things going on at home, some people who are putting pressure on him. He had a baby during instructional league [last fall].

"We hope it works out. He's a young man with a lot of responsibility."

The Twins think highly of Portes, 19, who was born in Boston but lived in the Dominican Republic for a while. He didn't play high school baseball and was scouted in amateur leagues.

Portes batted .327 with eight homers and 31 RBI in 44 games last year for the Twins rookie league team in Fort Myers, Fla., and the plan was to move him up to their rookie league team in Elizabethton, Tenn., this summer. They aren't sure if he can stick as a shortstop, but he has intriguing offensive potential.

The Twins, who signed Portes for around $20,000, told him he would be welcome to return if he wishes.

"I don't think we've heard the last of him," Rantz said. "He's going through some tough times. This kid is all right. I think he's got some things he has to address, then carry on."

Bowen getting plate appearances

If the Twins finally get comfortable with Joe Mauer and can't slip Corky Miller through waivers to send him to the minors, Rob Bowen could emerge as the top emergency catcher.

Bowen on Wednesday hit his first homer of the year for Class AAA Rochester, a shot that apparently left the stadium. Hitting is only part of the story, as the organization feels that Bowen still has some rough edges to smooth out.

But the organization also defends Bowen, pointing out that being called up in each of the past two seasons to sit on the bench has not helped. Bowen has not had more than 275 at-bats in a season since 2002.

"Is he going to hit? We won't know that until he gets 400 at-bats," Rantz said.

Molly to Fort Myers

Paul Molitor will begin his coaching tour of Twins minor league affiliates when he heads to Fort Myers this week.v

Molitor said he's been tracking the progress of two former first-round picks, third baseman Matt Moses, who was 17-for-27 over a recent stretch, and outfielder Denard Span, who was 5-for-5 on Thursday and is batting .373. The organization is thrilled with both their starts.

Molitor also will work with players with the Twins' extended spring training program. Most will wind up on rookie league teams in June.

Give me a Z

Outfielder-first baseman Mark Zamojc is the last player listed in the minor league section of the Twins media guide. He was a 42nd-round pick out of the University of British Columbia in 2003, but hit only .239 with one homer in 96 games at Class A Quad Cities.

The Twins switched their affiliate to Beloit, Wis., this year, and Zamojc has changed his fortunes, batting .367 through 17 games with three homers and 11 RBI. Nine of his 22 hits have been for extra bases.