Twins' class A prospects need fielding work

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

The Twins are preparing for next month's annual fall instructional league, where their prospects can build on existing skills and address shortcomings.

Two players who definitely will be working on their glovework are third baseman David Winfree and shortstop Trevor Plouffe.

Both entered the weekend with 33 errors apiece at Class A Beloit. That's 66 errors for the left side of the infield. Not good.

"Both are going to the instructional league," said Jim Rantz, the Twins' director of minor leagues. "We're going to tell them to leave their bats at home."

It's worth the extra work. Winfree, 20, was a 13th-round pick in 2003 who entered the weekend second in the Midwest League with 92 RBI. He was batting .292 with 15 homers as well.

Plouffe, 19, was a first-round pick in the 2004 whose offensive numbers don't jump out. He entered the weekend batting .228 with 13 homers and 57 RBI but he won't end the season on a down note. He batted .099 in April, .219 in May, . 250 in June, .292 in July and was batting .254 this month as of Thursday.

Another player who will benefit from the instructional league is outfielder Jason Kubel, who has missed the season following reconstructive knee surgery. Kubel, 23, working out in Fort Myers, is doing everything except running. The club hopes he can play in some instructional league games to use as a springboard into next season.

The instructional league takes place Sept. 21-Oct. 21.

Smit's fit?

Righthander Alexander Smit was 1-9 with a 5.98 ERA in 14 games at Class A Beloit, prompting a move back to the Twins short-season rookie team in Elizabethton, Tenn., Smit has stabilized, going 6-1, 1.97 in 21 games out of the bullpen. That includes 86 strikeouts over 45 2/3 innings.

Smit is still only 19, but the club hoped he would be able to stick at Beloit all season. His move back to E-Town is considered a small setback, and he needs to work on his control before he can take the next step forward in his development.

"He's still trying to establish that fastball," Rantz said. "He's working on a curveball."

World championships

Smit next week will leave E-Town to return to his native Holland, as the Dutch team prepares for qualifying games for the first World Baseball Championships. Four Australian prospects, infielder Luke Hughes, outfielder Trent Oeltjen, righthander Tristian Crawford and infielder Paul Rutgers, will leave the organization for the same reason.

That puts the Twins in a bind. Three Australian players are with Class A Fort Myers, and Rantz will have to bring in reinforcements to help the Miracle makes the playoffs.

Around the system

There were only four complete games thrown all season in the Gulf Coast League, the last one came Thursday by Twins righthander Brandon McConnell. McConnell, not considered a top prospect, finished 5-4 with a 4.14 ERA.

First baseman Henry Sanchez, the 39th overall pick of the June draft, hit his second homer last week, Sanchez only played in 21 games because of lengthy contract negotiations. "I think it was a wake-up call for him, with the heat and the activity every day," Rantz said of the 6-3, 235 pound Sanchez.

Outfielder Todd Dunwoody has returned to Class AAA Rochester after having surgery on his left knee.