Travis Talks prospect list: Prospect #3

Tonight I will continue my prospect list with prospect number 3 for the Twins. This guy is someone that I have more confidence in that he will be a star than just about anybody that I have profiled so far. Let me know what you think of the selection you can either leave a comment in the comment box or shoot me an email at travis_aune@yahoo.com

3. Danny Valencia 3b 24 (9/19/1984)

2008 teams: Fort Myers and New Britain

• Danny Valencia was a 19th round pick by the Twins in the 2006 draft out of Miami University. After signing with the Twins Valencia reported to Elizabethton where in 48 games he hit .311 with 8 homeruns and 29 rbi's along with 13 doubles for an ops of .870. In 2007 Danny split the season between Beloit and Fort Myers. Valencia started the season at Beloit and in 66 games with the Snappers he hit .302 with 11 homeruns and 35 rbi's along with 15 doubles for a ops of .874. That led to a promotion to Fort Myers where in 61 games Danny hit .291 with 6 homeruns and 31 rbi's along with 8 doubles and 2 triples for an ops of .754. In 2008 Valencia split the season between Fort Myers and AA New Britain. In 60 games at Fort Myers Danny hit .336 with 5 homeruns and 44 rbi's along with 19 doubles and 3 triples for an ops of .920. That led to a promotion to AA New Britain where in 69 games with the Rockcats he hit .289 with 10 homeruns and 32 rbi's along with 18 doubles and a triple for an ops of .819. Danny started this year in New Britain and just recently got promoted to AAA Rochester. In 57 games at New Britain Danny hit .284 with 7 homeruns and 29 rbi's along with 14 doubles and 4 triples for an ops of .855. In just a few games at Rochester Danny is 7-14 with 1 homerun and 3 rbi's. Danny Valencia really took the Twins brass by surprise when he did as well as he did after being drafted in the 19th round out of Miami. He has hit every place he has been at as his .302 career batting average would say. He plays a very good 3rd base where he has soft hands and a strong arm. He has some power, not crazy power numbers, but a little pop in his bat that will lead to 15-20 homeruns at the big league level. There really is nothing about him that you look at and say yeah he needs to work on that if he is going to be in the bigs. For the last 2 years plus the thinking wasn't if he makes it to the bigs it is all about when. Danny Valencia is going to be a starting 3rd baseman in the Major Leagues you can write that down. He has good patience as his 135 walks to 289 strikeouts in 1300 at bats would indicate. He does not walk alot, but he also doesn't strike out a ton either which is big once you get to the majors. The biggest thing that Danny needs to work at is to be more consistant as he can be a little streaky sometimes where he goes into cold streaks and then will rattle off an impressive hot streak. I expect Danny Valencia to be the starting 3rd baseman for the Twins when they open up Target Field next spring and be the starter over there for the next 10-15 years because he has all the tools you look for in a 3rd baseman along with the hard work and dedication he possesses makes him a superstar in waiting.


• 2009: Play 3rd base for Rochester all season


• Projection: Starting 3rd baseman for the Twins for the next 10-15 years with superstar written all over him.