Twins high on prospect Jones

So, how good is Justin Jones anyway?

That's the big question for Twins fans who grew accustomed to seeing Doug Mientkiewicz play first base the past few seasons.

Jones, a 19-year-old left-handed pitcher, is the prospect the Twins received for the former Gold Glove first baseman. The Twins have assigned Jones, a second-round draft pick of the Chicago Cubs in 2002, to their lower-level Class A team at Quad Cities.

Twins' minor league scouts are familiar with Jones because he pitched in the Midwest League for Lansing, Mich., where he was 3-5 with a 2.28 earned-run average. In 71 innings, he allowed 56 hits and 32 walks and struck out 87.

"Our field people had seen him since he signed professionally," said Twins director of minor league operations Jim Rantz. "They like his size and that he's left-handed. It's going to be a matter of experience, getting innings pitched and staying healthy. He's a starter."

The 6-foot-4, 190-pounder spent much of the 2002 season pitching in the Dominican Summer League. In 11 games, he went 3-1 with 1.80 ERA. He struck out 63 and walked 18 in 50 innings.

Jones possesses a good mix of pitches. His fastball is in the 90-91 mph range, and he tosses in a curveball and changeup.

"He's a guy who has a high ceiling to improve," Rantz said. Jones was scheduled to make his first start for Quad Cities on Friday.

The Twins hope this is another successful minor league acquisition. Their recent history has been pretty good.

Shortstop Jason Bartlett, called up to the big leagues a week ago, filled the need for a top middle infield prospect when he joined the organization via a trade with the San Diego Padres for Brian Buchanan.

The Twins also are excited about pitcher Franciso Liriano, promoted to Class AA New Britain this week. Liriano was acquired with closer Joe Nathan in a trade with the San Francisco Giants for catcher A.J. Pierzynski last December. He struck out 10 in seven innings in his first Class AA start this week.

Liriano's velocity tops out at 92 mph, and he throws a slider, curveball and changeup.

Outfielder Lew Ford was acquired from the Boston Red Sox system in exchange for reliever Hector Carrasco in 2000.

More arms on the way: Rantz spent this week at the Twins' minor league facility in Fort Myers, Fla., watching the team's Gulf Coast League affiliate. He came away impressed with pitchers Kyle Waldrop and Jay Rainville, who were high draft picks in June.

Waldrop (6-5, 205), selected 25th overall in the draft, and the 6-3, 230-pound Rainville, taken 39th overall, were drafted out of high schools from Chattanooga, Tenn., and Pawtucket, R.I., respectively.

Briefly: J.D. Durbin, the Twins' top pitching prospect, made his Class AAA debut last week after missing two months because of shoulder surgery. He struck out 13 in seven scoreless innings. Durbin allowed a triple to start the game, then struck out the next six batters. • Reliever T.J. Prunty, a native of St. Paul, was released this week from Class A Quad Cities. Prunty, a 21st-round draft pick in 2002, was 0-0 with a 5.93 ERA. Billy Mauer, an older brother of Joe Mauer, was put on the disabled list because of a sore shoulder. He is 0-3 with 4.19 ERA at Quad Cities.