Minnesota Twins 2012: 5 Prospects Who Should Contribute in 2012

With as many question marks coming into the 2012 season as any Twins team in recent history, fans should begin to acquaint themselves with prospects who will have a chance to prove themselves in the majors. Regardless of how the Twins' regular players perform, these guys will be called upon at some point, whether it is due to injury, trades, or poor play.

This list is comprised of only players who will still have their rookie status in available in 2012. Therefore, players like Trevor Plouffe and Lester Oliveros, who were rookies last season, will not be included in this list.

The Twins' farm system is not thought to have a lot of high-end talent. The deprived upper-levels were hurt even more in 2011, when prized-pitching prospect Kyle Gibson threw out his arm and underwent Tommy John surgery. However, there are a handful players who project to be solid players in time.

Here is a list of the prospects Twins fans should expect to contribute in 2012, ranked based on need and talent.

5. CF Joe Benson

Benson is the classic boom or bust prospect. He has the potential to develop into a five-tool player, but right now his eye at the plate is hindering his ability to hit for a high average. He can hit for power, has good speed, and is very solid defensively.

Benson will be just 24-years-old when the season starts and, with a strong showing in spring, he has a very good chance of making the 25-man roster as the Twins' fourth OF.

Depending on what happens mid-season with Denard Span and a potential trade, Benson could get anywhere between 200-400 ABs in 2012. Expect him to hit around .260, and approach double-digit HRs and SBs.

4. IF Brian Dozier

Dozier was the Twins' minor league player of the year in 2011 when he batted .320 with nine homers and 24 stolen bases. Perhaps more impressive was the patience Dozier showed while splitting time between A+ Fort Myers and AA New Britain, posting an impressive OBP of .399.

Dozier does not do anything great but does most everything well. He is an average fielder at SS, but has also spent time playing at 2B and can play 3B in a pinch. In his three minor league seasons with the Twins, Dozier has shown the ability to hit for average, and even a little power.

With big questions marks in the middle-infield coming into 2012, do not be surprised to see Dozier in the starting lineup come June. He will fight both Jamey Carroll or Alexi Casilla for playing time by seasons' end.

3. RP Deolis Guerra

The last remaining piece from the Johan Santana trade, Guerra has struggled mightily since joining the Twins' farm system in 2008. The 6'5" right-hander was finally moved from the rotation to the bullpen midway through 2011 and shinned.

Guerra posted a 2.77 ERA with a 65/13 K/BB ratio in 52 innings after being moved to the bullpen for the Rock Cats. He is still only 22-years-old, and has shown great control in the past. His best pitch is his change-up and has a mid-90s fastball to go with it.

With the loss of Joel Zumaya to another arm injury, the Twins will be looking to add a hard throwing right-handed arm to their bullpen in spring training. With a great spring, Guerra could make the big-league club. Otherwise, look for him to appear with the Twins around mid-May.

2. 1B Chris Parmelee

I have Parmelee listed at no. 2 almost by default. Former MVP 1B Justin Morneau is still not 100 percent after his concussion issues over the last few years, and the Twins need a reliable back-up. Ryan Doumit can play 1B, but is better suited as a C and DH.

Insert Chris Parmelee, the 24-year-old former first-round pick who mashed with the big league club in 21 games last season. Although nobody expects Parmelee to produce anywhere near the .355/.443/.592 line he did in 2011, you can expect the power-hitting 1B to hit around .270 and draw a good amount of free-passes.

His raw-power has yet to be realized in games, but the potential is still there. Depending on how healthy Morneau is, you can expect Parmelee to get between 200-400 ABs for the Twins in 2012. 

1. SP Liam Hendriks

Last, but certainly not least, Twins fans should expect to see a lot of Liam Hendriks throughout 2012. A rotation consisting of Carl Pavano, Scott Baker, Francisco Liriano, Nick Blackburn, and Jason Marquis fails to strike fear in even the worst-hitting MLB lineups.

Hendriks projects as a solid middle-of-the-rotation starter, with a ceiling comparable to Scott Baker. He has excellent control, and also possesses the ability to strike out a decent amount of batters.

The 23-year-old Hendriks will be the first SP called up if someone gets injured or their performance lags behind. In 2012, he should be able to maintain an ERA around 4.50, giving the Twins' rotation some much needed insurance.