The Twins have named outfielder Joe Benson their minor league player of the year and righthander Kyle Gibson Twins minor league pitcher of the year.
Benson, 22, split time between Class AA New Britain and Class A Fort Myers this season. He opened at New Britain but struggled early. He looked ready to snap out of his slump when the Twins shipped him to Class A Fort Myers. I thought the timing was bad when the move was announced..
Benson hit .294 with 4 homers, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored over 21 games and was sent back to Britain, where he finished .251-23-49 with 14 steals and 39 walks at New Britain. Benson clearly has the tools but has to continue to sharpen his plate discipline - and lift his average..
The Twins were in a little bit of a tough spot. Ben Revere's numbers - .305 average, .371 on base percentage, 36 steals - are easier on the eyes in a sense, but Revere has won the last two awards and the Twins didn't want to go there.
They did consider Oswaldo Arcia, the outfielder who batted .375/.424/.672 with 14 homers and 51 RBI in 65 games at E-Town, but they just couldn't go the short-season route.
Other than that, it was a down year in the farm system with few players having great statistical years. That doesn't mean the Twins don't have plenty of prospects. I think there are several really good ones.
Benson definitely has the tools - I lifted him to No. 3 in my prospect rankings (but probably will drop him down a couple spots for the final ones) - and is worth tracking.
Gibson, however, was the clear-cut choice for pitcher of the year. He began his pro career at Fort Myers, where he flirted with a no-hitter and kept climbing up the organizational ladder. In 26 starts at Fort Myers,New Britain and Class AAA Rochester, Gibson, 22, went 11-6 with a 2.96 ERA with 39 walks and 126 strikeouts in 152 innings.
