Fantasy Baseball Team Previews – Minnesota Twins

AL East	AL Central	AL West	NL East	NL Central	NL West
Baltimore	Chicago WS	Houston	Atlanta	Chicago	Arizona
Boston	Cleveland	Los Angeles A	Miami	Cincinnati	Colorado
New York Y	Detroit	Oakland	New York M	Milwaukee	Los Angeles D
Tampa Bay	Kansas City	Texas	Philadelphia	Pittsburgh	San Diego
Toronto	Minnesota	Seattle	Washington	St. Louis	San Francisco

They have a ton of young talent that many fantasy owners have anxiously awaited including top prospects Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. The days on Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau mashing in the Metro Dome may be gone but the fantasy impact for this team is still there.

Projected Lineup

Byron Buxton OF
Brian Dozier 2B
Joe Mauer 1B
Miguel Sano OF
Trevor Plouffe 3B
Byung-ho Park DH
Eddie Rosario OF
Kurt Suzuki C
Eduardo Escobar SS

Byron Buxton

Byron Buxton is a prospect that many have been anxiously waiting to see at the MLB level. He got the call up late last season seeing 129 plate appearances. He showed the learning curve was steep and that it will take time for him to develop. He should get 500 plus plate appearances this season and should provide flashes of his potential. He likely won’t be hit north of .250 but double digit home runs and steals could be in the cards. Buxton is a buy for me in dynasty and keeper leagues but don’t fall over yourself trying to grab him in standard leagues.

Brian Dozier

Brian Dozier has improved every season of his big league career. He has developed his power and 25-30 home runs is reasonable for Dozier to get to this season. His RBI total is typically in the 70s due to the lineup around him. Double digit stolen bases only add to his value and he should approach the 15 stolen bases he’s averaged the last three seasons. Ben Rolfe has Dozier as his6th rated second baseman in roto scoring.

Joe Mauer

Unfortunately for Minnesota Twins fans and fantasy owners Joe Mauer is no longer the stud he used to be. He has also lost the catcher eligibility that made him extra special. He is first base eligible only which also hurts his value. As of now Mauer is only a waiver wire option that can fill in a pinch but is someone to avoid during the draft.

Miguel Sano

A season ago Miguel Sano only got a taste of the big leagues in 279 at bats but in those at bats he flashed what many fantasy owners had been anticipating. Sano hit 18 home runs and 52 RBI in those at bats. His batting average was .269 which for a power hitter like Sano is something you can live with. Hopefully he can cut down on the strikeouts as he was on pace for over 250 if he got close to a full season of at bats. Sano is making the position switch with Byung-ho Park coming in and getting the majority of the DH at bats. Ideally it doesn’t hurt his focus at the plate but I’m expecting a strong first full season in the Major Leagues. If he has third base eligibility in your league I like him close to 50th player in Yahoo’s ADP and if not RTSports ADP having him in the 70’s makes more sense. I would be fine taking him as early as the 60’s.

Byung-ho Park

Byung-ho Park is a player that is big question mark. He has flashed power during his time playing in Korean Baseball Organization. It may be rough transition for Park but as a player going in the mid to late 200’s Park could be worth the gamble especially if you are in need of power.

Trevor Plouffe

Trevor Plouffe is a player that has served me well in the past. He can be a 20 home run and 80 RBI guy as he showed a season ago. His average will float around .250 which is less than ideal. He makes a ton of sense if you find yourself waiting at either third base or corner infield. He will be hitting a line up with more potential this season. It should helped his counting stats especially in terms of runs and RBI. While he will never be a game changer for your team but can be a piece that helps put you over the top.

Projected Rotation

Phil Hughes
Ervin Santana
Kyle Gibson
Ricky Nolasco
Tommy Milone
Trevor May

The Minnesota Twins have 6 guys fighting for 5 rotation spots. None of which are guys you are crazy about owning or starting. Kyle Gibson is probably my favorite of the bunch. He has the potential to produce a K/9 over 6 but that comes with an ERA over 4.

Ervin Santana is the only other starting pitching option is Minnesota that is interesting to me for fantasy baseball. He has show the ability to hit the 200 strikeout plateau which he has done in 4 of his past 7 seasons. He also had 196 one of the seasons he didn’t hit that mark. He did spend 80 games last season suspended due to PEDs. Assuming he avoids a suspension he could produce a fantasy relevant season. Santana is coming off the board very late in drafts making him a tempting option that is easily moved on from if needed.

Closer

Glen Perkins

Glen Perkins is the guy in Minnesota. He has tallied 30 plus saves each of the last three seasons. He will have an ERA in the low to mid threes. He will have a K/9 in the high 8’s or low 9’s with the ability to get that total in the double digits.

Kevin Jepsen and Trevor May

There are two names that will be in the mix if Perkins were to falter. Jepsen has strikeout potential and has a K/9 in double digits. He also is a right hander which is something managers tend to look at. Trevor May is also a right hander. He has a K/9 is in the 8’s and not the double figures like Jepsen.

Prospect Watch

Jose Berrios

Outside of Byron Buxton, the Minnesota Twins top prospect to watch is Jose Berrios. He enters Keith Law’s Top 100 prospects at number 26. Berrios “should be able to take the ball 30 times for the Twins this year if they give him the chance. He has the command and control, the secondary stuff and the poise to succeed in the majors now” according to Law. His concern for Berrios revolves around his fastball saying “with only the risk of a few too many long balls on that straight four-seamer holding down his ceiling.” He feels like a prospect we could see this season especially with so many question marks around their rotation.

Follow @notoriouskro

Related Posts

• 
  NASCAR DFS: Monkey Knife Fight Picks for the Ally 400
• 
  PGA DFS and Monkey Knife Fight Picks: US Open
• 
  Key Analysis of FFPC ADPs Part 1