Minnesota Twins: International Players

International Signings

A look through the rosters of the Twins affiliates shows that the organization has spent time and money scouting players all around the globe. The Twins organization can boast players from the United States, Venezuela, the Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, Curacao, Russia, Czech Republic, France, South Korea, Aruba, Brazil, Canada, The Netherlands, Saint Maarten, South Africa, Taiwan and Australia.

2009 was a banner year for the Twins international scouting department with no less than four significant signings. Scouts speak highly of Jonatan Ynojoso. Baseball America ranked Jorge Polanco the 22nd best free agent in Latin America. The highly touted shortstop is known to be terrific with the glove and have a very strong arm.

The Twins gave nearly $800,000 to German 16-year-old Max Kepler. The outfielder who possesses all five scout’s tools is touted as the top prospect ever to come out of Europe.

But the big news for the Twins was the late-September signing of Dominican shortstop Miguel Sano. After much controversy, the Twins and Sano agreed that he would become a Twins player for a $3.15 million signing bonus, the highest bonus given to a Latin American free agent in 2009.

Each of these signings was significant for the Twins. To gain top talent from Latin America (Baseball America ranked Sano easily the #1 prospect in Latin America) is as important as anything in baseball today. However, reaching other markets is becoming increasingly important as well. As you’ve seen above, the Twins have had tremendous success in Australia.

But they have also started making a name for themselves in countries across Europe. Some of these countries are not noted for baseball, but by signing some players from those countries, the Minnesota Twins name is out there, so in a few more years, when that country can boast top talent, the Twins already have a name. An example of this would be Germany. In previous years, the Twins have signed two other players from Germany, Tim Henkenjohann and Rodney Gessman. Henkenjohann went 2-3 with a 6.69 ERA in 25 games from 2002-2005 in the Twins system. Gessman was born in Hawaii, the son of a Japanese mother and a German father. He moved back to Germany early in his life and played in the German professional leagues. He played for the GCL Twins in 2007, but he hurt his arm early in 2008 and was soon after released by the Twins and is back in Germany. Now, I don’t know how much those two signings helped the Twins in their quest to sign a top talent like Max Kepler from Germany, but it couldn’t have hurt.

The Twins will need to continue to build their scouting resources and reputation around the globe to continue to find players who can help the organization. The ultimate quest is to find more diamonds in the rough. The Twins have made a strong commitment to international scouting, and in 2009, those efforts were rewarded with terrific signings.

Player Development

The final area where Twins fans can see the Twins efforts in the international markets coming through is in player development. So far, we have discussed Twins players who have represented their countries in international competition. We have also discussed their international scouting efforts and some terrific signings in 2009. But the ultimate goal in scouting the international markets is to find big league players. It’s great to sign talent, but the reward is when they contribute to the big league club, and that happens through player development.

Many of the players who are competing in international competitions are legitimate prospects. From the Australian team, Luke Hughes has already had success at the Triple-A level and is on the 40 man roster. Liam Hendriks and Brad Tippett both have the arms and the baseball IQ to develop into big leaguers. James Beresford signed a significant signing bonus and he is very well regarded.

Rene Tosoni is a very well regarded prospect and he has had a lot of success and developed very quickly.

Tom Stuifbergen showed his high ceiling in his game against the Dominican Republic’s big league lineup this spring, but he also showed a great ability to pitch during his regular season in Elizabethton.

Fellow Dutch pitcher Loek Van Mil is 7-foot-1 and throws 97 mph. He was recently added to the 40 man roster. So was Dominican shortstop Estarlin de Los Santos.

The Twins have worked hard over the past decade to be better in the international markets. They have made some very good signings. But the ultimate test will be when these players start making it to the big leagues.