DSL Twins Prospects: Pedro Guerra

Pedro Guerra

Pitcher

Age: 19

Throws: Right

ETA: 2015

2010 outlook: GCL rotation

Pedro Guerra was born in Cagua, Venezuela in 1990. He is 6’0” and weighs 180 pounds. He pitched for the Twins Dominican Summer League team in 2008 and 2009. In 2008 he started in 14 games, and threw 84.1 innings. He had a 2.45 ERA, struck out 75, walked 12, and gave up 4 homers. So his K/9 ratio was 8.0, his BB/9 was 1.3, and his WHIP was 1.03.

He had a fantastic year in 2009. He pitched in 14 games and threw 71 innings. His win-loss was 7-0. He had an ERA of 0.38. He struck out 75 batters, and gave up 0 homers. So he had a 9.5 K/9, 1.5 BB/9, and a 0.79 WHIP. His K/BB for both years was 6.25. Those are some absolutely fantastic numbers.

Having posted two great years in the Dominican, along with the fact that he will turn 20 next month, I’d be very surprised if Guerra doesn’t play for the GCL Twins in Fort Myers, Florida. Don’t write Guerra’s name in ink for the Twins rotation in 5-6 years because he’s got a long way to go. It will be very interesting to see how he performs against tougher competition.

DSL Twins Prospects: Cesar Ciurcina

Cesar Ciurcina

Pitcher

Age: 19

Throws: Right

ETA: 2015

2010 outlook: GCL rotation

Cesar Ciurcina is from Caracas, Venezuela, and he is 5’11” and weighs 192 pounds. He was a starting pitcher for the Twins Dominican Summer League team in 2008 and 2009. In 2008, he pitched in 11 games and threw 44 innings. He had a 3.68 ERA, a 3.50 K/BB ratio and a 1.227 WHIP. His BB/9 was also 2.0. He followed up a fine 2008 with a fantastic 2009. His 2009 numbers remind me of Adrian Salcedo.

In 2009, Ciurcina pitched in 15 games, and started in 13 of those. He was able to log 84 innings. During that time, he only gave up 13 earned runs (18 total), good enough for a 1.39 ERA. He also struck out 72 while only walking eight. That gives him a 7.71 SO/9 ratio with a 0.86 BB/9 ratio, a 9.00 K/BB ratio and a WHIP of 0.69, which was the league’s best.

Ciurcina will likely pitch in America for the GCL Twins next year. I see him as next year’s Adrian Salcedo.

DSL Twins Prospects: Wander Guillen

Wander Guillen

Third Base

Age: 17

Bats: Right

ETA: 2016

Potential: Solid third baseman

2010 outlook: GCL Twins infield

Wander Guillen played for the Twins Dominican Summer League team this year. I didn’t include any DSL Twins in my top 50 prospects because the Twins Dominican academy is so far removed from Target Field. It is just really difficult to predict how the players there will perform in the other minor league levels, and if they will ever even reach the big leagues. I know my rankings included players like Jean, Kepler, Polanco, and Gibson who haven’t even played in the minors yet, but I had to draw the line somewhere. However, I still feel that there are a few players that were on the DSL Twins that are worthy of mention. I’ll start with Guillen.

Guillen is 5’11” and weighs 170 pounds. He still has time to grow bigger as he just turned 17 this August. Guillen could have played more had he started to play before the July 2nd international signing date. Guillen played in 31 games, and had 110 at-bats. In those 110 at-bats, he hit one homer, one triple, and three doubles. He walked 19 times compared to 23 strikeouts. He stole two bases. His triple slash line was .336/.443/.409. He had the team’s top batting average, and tied as the team leader of on-base percentage. Again it is hard to judge a 17 year old on 110 at-bats at such a low level.

I expect to see Guillen in the GCL Twins’ infield next season. That might end up being the Twins’ most interesting minor league infield in 2010 with Miguel Jean, Jorge Polanco, and Wander Guillen all playing there.

Other Twins prospects of note: Estarlin De Los Santos

Estarlin De Los Santos

Shortstop

Age: 22

ETA: 2012

Potential: Backup infielder

2010 outlook: New Britain shortstop

The Twins organization surprised many when they placed Estarlin De Los Santos on the 40 man roster recently. The move was unexpected because De Los Santos has not stayed healthy over the past two years, and has not posted good numbers. In 2008, he only played in 66 games at low-A ball and this year he played in only 70 games, and he's never really put together a great season.

The Twins obviously see something in De Los Santos that they like, and they apparently thought he could be selected in the Rule V draft. I doubt he would have been drafted, and even if he was selected, I don't see how a team could stash him on a big league roster for a whole year.

Here are some positives about De Los Santos. I've heard he has a good glove. The Baseball Cube rates his speed as a 95 out of 100. He did have 7 triples in 262 at-bats this year. For those wondering, his triple slash line was .290/.330/.397 at Fort Myers. Nothing spectacular.

To me, it seems like having the Dominican De Los Santos on the 40 man roster is a waste of a roster space. Trevor Plouffe is a level or two higher than him and has more potential than De Los Santos. Plus the Twins just traded for JJ Hardy, who hopefully will ably man the shortstop position for a few years. And a few levels behind De Los Santos are Jorge Polanco and Miguel Jean. So it will be interesting to see how Estarlin performs this season, but maybe he will show us why the Twins believe in him.