Interestingly, the two guys still in the M's system that I'm highest on are Pizzano and Tyler Smith. I really like those guys, and have for quite a while I would add Kivlehan to that short list, but he's elsewhere, about to hit some Texican homers.
I am pretty willing to bet that the Dipoto "player template" is pretty rare in most organizations. Guys who can hit AND walk have never grown on trees. I am not sure you can turn hitters, simply by coaching, into guys who walk a bunch, too. Wade Boggs, for example, had a 2 to 1 eye as an 18 year old rookie ini A ball. In his 6 minor league seasons he walked 366 times and K'ed 149! OMG!!!
The amazing thing is that it took the Sox 6 seasons to get him to Boston!!
But he was born that way (Thank you Lady Gaga), nobody "taught" him to be Wade Boggs. I have no doubt that Dipoto can identify young players who fit his template (as can every GM) but I'm not sure you "teach" that skill set.
Will see.
Moe