Prospect Watch: Fort Myers

1. Aaron Hicks
.273/.351/.364--The number one prospect is off to a so-so start.  Still excellent plate discipline, but with only 2 extra base hits and an 0 for 2 showing on the basepaths, Hicks still has to show something more.

20. Kane Holbrooks
17 2/3 IP, 2.55 ERA, 1.13 WHIP, 5/4 K/BB. I am a big fan of this guy and expect great things this year. He'll be 24 in a few months and I honestly think he could be vying for a Twins roster spot one year from now. It won't be as a starter though.

29. Dakota Watts
5 IP, 5.40 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 4/0 K/BB.  Rough last two appearances, but Watts is the real deal.  With Holbrooks, I think next year he could contend for a Twins 'pen spot.  I like the heat he brings. At 23 1/2, he needs to maintain solid command this year to impress.

30. James Beresford
.368/.395/.400--One of several underappreciated Twins middle infield prospects (what is the deal with that?), he is a singles-hitter and will need to develop more power. A solid all-around player, the 22-year-old should progress one step a year from now on.

31. Anderson Hidalgo
.240/.296/.400--I think this 3B will become a 2B soon. One homer this year, the 22-year-old is a sleeper in the system who is facing a make or break year.

32. Tom Stuifbergen
9 IP, 10.00 ERA, 2.00 WHIP, 8/2 K/BB. His second start was really bad.  I like the command a lot.  He's 22, Dutch, and promising, but needs to shake off this rough beginning.

34. Bruce Pugh
5 1/3 IP, 0.00 ERA, 1.31 WHIP, 8/1 K/BB. Closing for FTM right now, he has been very impressive. He will turn 23 in July and should be back up at New Britain by that time. If Gutierrez falters as the next closer, look for Pugh to be in the running in a few years.

35. Chris Herrmann
.342/.409/.526--A fantastic start for the versatile OF/C. At 23 1/2, if he can develop some pop and maintain plate discipline, he has a lot of promise.

36. Brian Dozier
.317/.408/.463--The Twins are high on Dozier, and maybe he is giving them good reason to be this season. He turns 24 soon and will not be at Fort Myers for very long.

46. Danny Rams
.313/.371/.500--striking out too much, but he showing at 22 1/2 that he is ready for AA pitching.  The Twins catching situation will mean that he should get every opportunity.

Others doing very well:
Batters: Nate Hanson and Nicholas Romero.
Pitchers: Brad Stillings, Edgar Ibarra, and Matthew Tone.

New Britain will be next.