Granite, Gonsalves named Twins' top minor leaguers for 2016

It's not fair to say Zach Granite stole the Twins' minor league player of the year award Wednesday. But theft was definitely involved.

Granite stole 56 bases in 70 attempts for Class AA Chattanooga this season, leading the Southern League. Combined with his .295 batting average and .347 on-base percentage, Granite's performance earned him the organization's top honor for 2016.

Stephen Gonsalves, meanwhile, posted a 2.06 ERA at Chattanooga and Class A Fort Myers last season, earning the left-handed starter the Jim Rantz Award as the Twins' minor league pitcher of the year.

Granite and Gonsalves will receive their awards at the Diamond Awards banquet at Target Field in January.

Gonsalves, a 22-year-old San Diego native who was drafted in the fourth round in 2013, went 5-4 for the Miracle before being promoted in June to Chattanooga, where he closed the season with seven consecutive victories. Gonsalves didn't allow more than two runs in any start after July 1, and he struck out 155 hitters in 140 total innings, while walking 57. In four minor-league seasons in the Twins' organization, Gonsalves owns a 2.13 ERA in 67 starts and three relief appearances.

Granite, a 24-year-old Staten Island native who was drafted out of Seton Hall in the 14th round of the 2013 draft, is a .282 career hitter in the Twins' organization. He finished the season with 42 walks and only 43 strikeouts.

"That kind of discipline jumps out when you see him, especially at that level," said Rob Antony, the Twins interim general manager. "He's got ideal leadoff-hitter skills."

Sherry Robertson Award

(Twins Minor League Player of the Year)

2016 — Zach Granite, OF

2015 — Max Kepler, OF/1B

2014 — Kennys Vargas, 1B/DH

2013 — Byron Buxton, OF

2012 — Oswaldo Arcia, OF

2011 — Brian Dozier, SS

2010 — Joe Benson, OF

2009 — Ben Revere, OF

2008 — Ben Revere, OF

2007 — Brian Buscher, 3B

2006 — Alexi Casilla, IF

2005 — David Winfree, 3B

2004 — Jason Kubel, OF

2003 — Joe Mauer, C

2002 — Lew Ford, OF

2001 — Michael Cuddyer, 3B

2000 — John Barnes, OF

1999 — Michael Restovich, OF

1998 — Doug Mientkiewicz, 1B

1997 — David Ortiz, 1B

1996 — Todd Walker, 3B-2B

1995 — Javier Valentin, C

1994 — LaTroy Hawkins, P

1993 — LaTroy Hawkins, P

1992 — Marty Cordova, OF

1991 — Pat Majors, P

1990 — Denny Neagle, P

1989 — Paul Sorrento, 1B

1988 — Pete Delkus, P

1987 — Mike Dyer, P

1986 — Gene Larkin, 1B

1985 — Mark Davidson, OF

1984 — Curt Wardle, P

1983 — Tim Teufel, 2B

1982 — Jeff Reed, C

1981 — Kent Hrbek, 1B

1980 — Bob Konopa, P

1979 — Steve Green, P

1978 — Steve Douglas, OF

1977 — Greg Field, P

1976 — Dan Graham, C

1975 — Steve Luebber, P

1974 — Butch Wynegar, C

1973 — Craig Kusick, 1B

1972 — Tom Smithson, C

1971 — Steve Brye, OF

1970 — Mark Wiley, P

Jim Rantz Award

(Twins Minor League Pitcher of the Year)

2016 — Stephen Gonsalves, LHP

2015 — Jose Berrios, RHP

2014 — Jose Berrios, RHP

2013 — Andrew Albers, LHP

2012 — B.J. Hermson, RHP

2011 — Liam Hendriks, RHP

2010 — Kyle Gibson, RHP

2009 — David Bromberg, RHP

2008 — Anthony Slama, RHP

2007 — Kevin Slowey, RHP

2006 — Matt Garza, RHP

2005 — Francisco Liriano, LHP

2004 — Scott Baker, RHP

2003 — Jesse Crain, RHP

2002 — J.D. Durbin, RHP