Top 50 Twins Prospects: #13 Chris Parmalee

13. Chris Parmalee

Right Fielder/First Base/DH

Bats: Left

Age: 21

ETA: 2012

Potential: Big league bat, Adam Dunn type

2010 outlook: New Britain

Chris Parmalee was the Twins 1st round pick in 2006. He is one of the Twins more intriguing prospects. He had a nice 2008 season at low A Beloit, but he only played in 69 games due to injury. This year he played for class A Fort Myers. In 422 at-bats, he hit 16 homers (2nd most in the league), 27 doubles, walked 65 times, struck out 109 times, and his triple slash line was .258/.359/.441. He is similar to Adam Dunn, because most of his at-bats will end in a homer, walk, or strikeout, and he is poor on defense.

Parmalee has 30-35 home run power, which is something most Twins hitting prospects don’t have. He is one of the Twins best power bats, but his defense is a big liability. So he will probably end up being a DH. But he could also be a backup corner outfielder and first baseman.

Meet Danny Rams and Tyler Ladendorf

Today we will talk about two of the hottest hitters in the Twins system. They are Tyler Ladendorf and Danny Rams. I haven't put up a Twins top prospect list for a while, but I'd like to put one up sometime soon, although I will probably wait until the end of the minor league season. That doesn't mean I've got somewhat of an idea of who the top ten are. I don't know where I'd put 2009 first round pick Kyle Gibson (when he signs), but he'd have to go in the top 5.

Anyways Ladendorf and Rams will likely be cracking the top 10 list. Before the season started they weren't very high, maybe at best #30. But they have been on fire.

Tyler Ladendorf was the Twins second round pick in last years draft. He plays shortstop, perhaps the weakest area in the Twins organization. Last season he didn't hit much after getting drafted. But this year he has a .439 on-base percentage, a .557 slugging percentage, and a .351 batting average. In 97 at-bats he's hit 8 doubles, 4 homers, 3 steals and 20 RBI. He's walked 14 times compared to 15 strikeouts.

Granted, those aren't a lot of at-bats to judge a guy off of, but if he plays like this for the rest of the season, he will certainly be considered one of the Twins best prospects. Ladendorf is starting to look like he could be the Twins starting shortstop in two or three years.

Danny Rams was the Twins second round pick in 2007. He plays catcher and first base. He is similar to Ladendorf, in that he didn't do much prior to this season to warrant getting excited about. But this season in 106 at-bats, he has 10 homers, 29 RBI, 13 doubles, to go along with a batting average of .327, on-base percentage of .408, while slugging .736!

Again, these are not a lot of at-bats, but if he continues this level of play then you have to consider Rams up there with Chris Parmalee as the Twins top power prospect. He plays the same position as Mauer and Morneau, but I guess he could be the DH or learn another position. With his power bat, they'll find a place for him. Rams looks like he could become a true slugger for the Twins.