Down on the farm: Crop is ready for harvest

La Velle E. Neal III
Star Tribune

The Twins' farm system has been ranked among the top six by Baseball America in each of the past three seasons, producing the likes of Joe Mauer, Justin Morneau, Jason Kubel and this year's likely starting shortstop, Jason Bartlett.

Additional help appears to be on the way, especially in the area of pitching.

A year ago, when the Twins' farm system could only come up with Seth Greisinger and Matt Guerrier when minor league pitching help was needed, manager Ron Gardenhire threatened to ask for untested Class AA New Britain righthander Scott Baker.

Gardenhire should have more choices this year if help is needed, especially among starting pitchers.

"We have a couple guys down there we've been told are just about ready," Gardenhire said.

He saw it in person this spring.

Baker was the most promising young pitcher in camp, going 1-0 with a 2.40 ERA over 15 innings. He showed a low-90s fastball that he can cut or sink, a good curve and a decent changeup. Baker, who finished last season at Class AAA Rochester, will start there this season. He's first in line if the Twins need a starter. He's 13-9 with a 3.06 ERA in 37 starts in his minor league career.

Righthander J.D. Durbin struggled with control this spring, posting a 7.88 ERA over eight innings. But he still could be close to the front of the line if he gets off to a good start at Rochester. Durbin throws a low-90s fastball with a sharp slider and improved changeup. Some feel he's destined for the bullpen.

Twins pitching coach Rick Anderson added that lefthander Dave Gassner, from Hortonville, Wis., is a decent pitcher who doesn't throw hard but hits his spots. Even relievers Willie Eyre and Travis Bowyer impressed.

Quantity and quality

Pitching, by far, is the strength of the Twins organization this year, most of it still developing in the low minors.

"Not only do we have quantity, we also have a lot of quality arms," said Jim Rantz, Twins director of minor leagues.

Bowyer, whose fastball reached 99 miles per hour a few times late last season, is getting close as a relief prospect. Lefthander Francisco Liriano, who was clocked at 97 mph this spring, could reach Class AAA Rochester this season, as soon as he fine-tunes his control. For now, he'll start at New Britain with righthander Justin Olson, who also throws hard.

Class A Fort Myers will be loaded with good pitching prospects. Righthander Adam Harben was 9-7 with a 3.09 ERA at Class A Quad City last season. Righthander Scott Tyler came back from elbow problems and has begun to fix his control problems. And former Gophers lefthander Glen Perkins, considered to be on a fast track to the majors because of his control, will open his first full minor league season at Fort Myers.

Perkins was selected with the 22nd overall pick of last year's draft. That draft also brought the club righthanders Kyle Waldrop, Matt Fox, Jay Rainville, Anthony Swarzak and Eduarado Morlan -- already considered to be a bumper crop of arms.

"We took a number of pitchers up high," Twins General Manager Terry Ryan said. "Some of those guys went out and threw the ball well. More than some, a number of them. When they came to instructional league and fared well, that's why we got those accolades."

Others in the wings

The top prospect in the organization is Kubel, who will miss most of the season after undergoing knee surgery last fall. Bartlett is expected to open the season as the Twins' shortstop, and switch-hitting third baseman Terry Tiffee showed this spring that he's ready for the majors. First baseman Garret Jones is coming off a 30-homer, 92-RBI season at New Britain and could make his debut this season.

Other than that, the wait is on for 2002 first-round pick Denard Span and 2003 first-rounder Matt Moses. Span, an outfielder, and Moses, a third baseman who might move to first, dealt with injuries all last season. Span is speedy and plays center field well, but he needs to work on his hitting. Moses can hit, but defense is a concern.

The Twins will have outfielders Jason Tyner and Todd Dunwoody -- both with some major league experience -- on call at Rochester if help is needed. Overall, Gardenhire feels most positions are covered until top prospects in the lower minors develop.

"It's pretty good when you have to start turning away good players [in camp] because you don't have room for them," Gardenhire said. "That's when you start to feel good."