Minnesota Twins 2021 Midseason Top 50 Prospects

July 24, 2021 Dave Funnell AL Central, General, MiLB, Top 50 Lists, Twins 2

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The Twins’ farm system is in a state of flux right now, as they’ve recently had some players “graduate” to the major league level, as well as have had some serious injuries towards the top of their prospect rankings. Fortunately for them, the organization looks to be deep enough to sustain the overhaul of their talent and has a new young group to help replenish what was lost. That being said, they have had some injury scares to begin 2021, so this is a fluid list that can change rapidly. As of this writing, the Minnesota Twins are well below .500 and seemingly out of contention for a playoff spot in 2021. As a team that was expecting to compete for a title this year, they are ripe with major league talent that can subsequently be sold and traded for additional prospects that can help restock their already talented farm system.

Here are my current Top 50 Twins Prospects as of July 2021. Each player’s ranking from earlier in the year from my preseason Twins Top 50 is listed in parentheses next to the player’s name and position.


Here, also, is the Prospects1500 tiering system explained.

Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential of making the majors, or have high likelihood of making the majors but providing minimal impact
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who have an outside chance of making their team’s 40-man roster

Editor note: updated 8/10 to reflect changes since MLB Trade Deadline. Both Austin Martin and Simeon Woods Richardson have been added to this list.

Tier 1

1. Austin Martin, SS/OF (Blue Jays’ January rank #1)
Age: 23
Highest Level: AA
Recently acquired for Jose Berrios, Martin is the Twins’ new number one prospect, as he possesses an elite offensive bat and could play at second base, shortstop, or in the outfield as early as 2022.

Tier 2

2. Jordan Balazovic, RHP (January rank #3)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
We have a new number one prospect who looks to be growing on the mound as the season rolls along, and is hitting his stride, as evidenced by having consistent “under-the-hood” numbers reminiscent to his 2019 breakout season.

3. Royce Lewis, SS (January rank #2)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Lewis drops a tier due to a major injury earlier this year, his uncertain role for the future, and the fact that he hasn’t hit over .250 in a minor league level since doing so in A-ball back in 2018.

4. Jhoan Duran, RHP (January rank #5)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Duran moves up the rankings after a blazing hot start to his 2021 season, but his spot remains fluid due to a recent injury to his elbow that will keep him out of action for seemingly the rest of the year, and could have long term ramifications that see him out of action for awhile and sliding down these rankings.

5. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP (Blue Jays’ January rank #4)
Age: 20
Highest Level: AA
Also a part of the Jose Berrios, Woods-Richardson possesses multiple pitches; he has not shown great command since being promoted, but could be a fixture in the Twins’ rotation next season.

6. Matt Canterino, RHP (January rank #15)
Age: 23
Current Level: High- A
An obvious miscalculation by me earlier in the year, Canterino has elevated his stock immensely with a 35:3 K:BB in High-A ball, but his future will be dictated by the seriousness and rehabilitation of his injury that was deemed to have no structural damage earlier in the year.

7. Joe Ryan, RHP (Rays’ January rank #14)
Age: 25
Current Level: AAA
Recently acquired from Tampa Bay in the Nelson Cruz deal, and after an incredible 2021 season in Triple-A where his elite fastball and command have been a major part of his success, this is what Jake Wiener (@GatorSosa) said back in January: His (2019) breakout was fuelled by elite strikeout numbers, leading all of MiLB with a 38.0 K% & 32.4% K/BB.

Tier 3:

8. Aaron Sabato, 1B (January rank #6)
Age: 22
Current Level: A
Don’t let the poor batting average fool you, there’s a lot to like here with Sabato, such as his high walk rate, his ability to spread the ball all over the field and 60 grade power potential

9. Jose Miranda, 3B (January rank #24)
Age: 23
Current Level: AAA
Whatever was working in winter ball has carried over into the 2021 season as Miranda has hit 16 home runs thus far over AA and AAA and has seen time all over the infield, leading me to believe he gets the call later this year if and when Josh Donaldson gets dealt.

10. Matt Wallner, 1B (January rank #9)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
A tale of Jekyll and Hyde, as despite his massive BA, SLG and OPS in 2021, his potential will be limited due to his high strikeout rate that will destroy him against upper level pitching.

11. Gilberto Celestino, OF (January rank #10)
Age: 22
Current Level: MLB
While it remains to be seen whether or not he graduates from the prospect list this year, one thing for certain is that Celestino has the tools to be an everyday player with some good bat-to-ball skills, though he is transitioning into that player the hard way after debuting much earlier than expected.

12. Josh Winder, RHP (January rank #32)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Massive jump here for a guy (2021 Futures Game participant) who I believed needed a real 2020 season to develop, but he apparently did well on his own as he’s already moved up two levels since we last saw him pitch competitively and flirted with a no-hitter in his Triple-A debut.

13. Keoni Cavaco, SS (January rank #7)
Age: 20
Current Level: Low-A
Cavaco dropping down three spots has nothing to do with what he’s done on the field, as he’s started his life in Low-A quite well, showing speed and some patience at the plate, though a concussion has slowed any progress he was making.

14. Misael Urbina, OF (January rank #14)
Age: 19
Current Level: Low-A
What’s not to like about a 19-year-old in A-ball with eight extra base hits, nine stolen bases and a 43:29 SO:BB rate?

15. Bailey Ober, RHP (January rank #25)
Age: 26
Current Level: MLB
Almost ready to “graduate”, Ober has struggled as of late, but still possesses enough talent and the physical acumen to be someone worth rostering in 2022 and beyond, as he works out the kinks this season.

16. Cole Sands, RHP (January rank #17)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Sands has levelled himself up a bit this season, as his velocity and subsequent strikeout rate have all increased, but until he stops walking batters, his upside is limited.

17. Chris Vallimont, RHP (January rank #26)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Vallimont projects a lot like the aforementioned Sands, as a high strikeout high walk pitcher, and he is one my unheralded favorites within the organization.

18. Brent Rooker, OF (January rank #11)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
I had much higher expectations for Rooker, but he struggled during his time in the majors and still strikes out too much for my liking, but the power potential is there to be a DH somewhere.

Tier 4

19. Blayne Enlow, RHP (January rank #16)
Age: 22
Current Level: AA
Here’s the part of the list that can jump up levels if everything goes right; Enlow is talented and could be one of the best pitchers within the Twins’ system, but it will all depend on how he recovers from Tommy John Surgery.

20. Edwar Colina, RHP (January rank #21)
Age: 24
Current Level: MLB
Another pitcher who could very well be lights out, this time in the bullpen, but it all depends on how he recovers from an arthroscopic debridement of his posterior elbow, which has kept him from even throwing a baseball throughout 2021.

21. Spencer Steer, 3B/2B/SS (January rank #31)
Age: 23
Current Level: AA
After scuffling in May, Steer has hit eleven home runs in June and July, and overall in 2021 has just a few more strikeouts than walks, leading one to believe that if he could raise his batting average just a bit, he’d be quite the versatile utility man for the Twins in the future.

22. Alerick Soularie, 2B/OF (January rank #19)
Age: 21
Current Level: N/A
Pure speculation here and going solely on the talent scouts, but Soularie has the physical makeup to be an absolute stud for the Twins; he is however years away from appearing in the majors.

23. Nick Gordon, 2B/OF (Rays’ January rank #22)
Age: 25
Current Level: MLB
Seemingly about to graduate in 2021, Gordon has shown his versatility this season with the Twins, playing all over the field, and actually thriving in center field while making decent contact and showing good speed on the base paths.

24. Jovani Moran, LHP (January rank #45)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Arguably the best LHP within the Twins’ system, Moran has upgraded himself in 2021 as a relief arm with a K/9 in the teens and a low BB/9, while surrendering a minimal amount of home runs.

25. Drew Strotman, RHP (Rays’ January rank #38)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Acquired from Tampa Bay in the Nelson Cruz trade, Strotman is in Triple-A following Tommy John surgery and has looked much improved with a high 90’s fastball and an above-average slider; as Bailey Srebnik (@xwoBailey) said back in March: He is rather cheap to acquire right now in dynasty leagues, so I would recommend buying and then intently watching his 2021 season.

26. Edouard Julien, 3B/DH/2B (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Julien has shown patience at the plate, speed on the base paths and versatility to play all over the infield, making him someone to watch going forward.

27. Wander Javier, SS (January rank #23)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Javier has struggled to stay healthy prior to 2021, but recently in the month of June he has been showing the Twins that maybe he does have what they believed he possessed all along: power and patience.

28. Seth Gray, 3B/OF (January rank #38)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Gray had a focussed offseason of learning and studying the game, and the results have shown on the field, as he’s utilized his power potential already.

29. Marco Raya, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 18
Current Level: N/A
Think of him as a lottery ticket going forward where you already know the first two numbers, Raya has electric stuff and a good work ethic that should make an impact once he starts his professional ball career, though it isn’t yet determined if he will be a starter or a reliever.

30. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 18
Current Level: Rookie
Another lottery ticket here, he may be more of a defensive outfielder as opposed to making quite the impact at the plate, but the tools and time are there to make him into something special.

31. Yennier Cano, RHP (January rank #33)
Age: 27
Current Level: AAA
Cano can get close to triple digits on his fastball, and has had a nice start to his 2021 season, as he projects to be a nice bullpen piece should he continue to develop.

32. Gabriel Maciel, OF (January rank #30)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Speed and ball to bat contact are the two characteristics that highlight, but possibly limit, Maciel’s potential with the Twins.

33. Yunior Severino, 2B (January rank #34)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
While improvements with regards to his power and patience have been there in 2021, they aren’t great enough to warrant anything more than notoriety for them actually being there on paper.

34. Kala’i Rosario, OF (January rank #29)
Age: 19
Current Level: Rookie
Though really early into his professional career, Rosario is batting over .300 in Rookie ball with plenty of extra base hits and decent patina at the plate.

35. Griffin Jax, RHP (January rank #41)
Age: 26
Current Level: AAA
Look for Jax to get the call back to the Twins later this year for spot starts, but as for his minor league numbers, he made small progress to start the year and was likely called up out of necessity.

36. Luis Rijo, RHP (January rank #44)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
Projected as a back of the rotation starter, Rijo would have benefitted from a 2020 season to develop, but has since fallen behind due to inactivity and a forearm strain.

37. Gabe Snyder, 1B/OF (January rank #39)
Age: 26
Current Level: High-A
Since we last saw him in 2019, Snyder has been able to lower his strikeout rate, walk more often, and hit for more power.

38. Chase Petty, RHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: 2021 Draft pick
The Twins’ first pick in the 2021 draft is a high school prospect with a plus plus fastball and above average slider that will need to be developed if he has a chance to stick in the rotation.

39. Noah Miller, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 18
Current Level: 2021 Draft pick
The Twins’ second pick in the 2021 draft (Competitive Balance round, 36th overall) is someone that the Twins have been costing for a while and is a switch hitting shortstop who should have power on either side of the plate, but may end up being even better with his glove.

40. Danny De Andrade, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 17
Current Level: N/A
Signed by the Twins earlier this year during the International prospect signing period, it will be interesting to see how De Andrade grows into his body and develops power in his swing.

41. Will Holland, SS (January rank #28)
Age: 23
Current Level: Low-A
Holland is doing almost the same thing he was in Rookie ball back in 2019, and that’s hit for power with a low batting average and steal bases, leading one to believe he is who he is right now.

42. Beau Burrows, RHP (Tigers’ January rank #15)
Age: 24
Current Level: AAA
Once considered an elite arm within the Tigers’ organization, Burrows was scooped up by the Twins off waivers and sent to their Triple-A affiliate in the hopes of writing the ship for the right handed pitcher who has struggled mightily over the past two years.

43. Aaron Whitefield, CF (January rank #37)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Despite having minimal MLB experience, Whitefield found himself in AA to begin 2021, but has excelled while utilizing his speed in the outfield, but while he could shoot up the rankings, it’s hard to imagine he jumps into another tier.

44. Ben Rortvedt, C (January rank #36)
Age: 23
Current Level: MLB
Called up as a necessity since Mitch Garver has spent time on the Injured List, Rortvedt will likely graduate soon, which is way ahead of schedule, and his offensive output shows it.

Tier 5

45. Freddy La Flor, SS (January rank N/A)
Age: 16
Current Level: N/A
Signed the same day as De Andrade, La Flor signed for $1.1 million and is a long work in progress to be a middle infield with an athletic frame.

46. Steve Hajjar, LHP (January rank N/A)
Age: 20
Current Level: 2021 Draft pick
Armed with a plus changeup, Hajjar was the second round pick for the Twins in the 2021 MLB Draft out of college, but doesn’t possess anything more than average overall as of yet.

47. Jair Camargo, C (January – unranked)
Age: 22
Current Level: High-A
A part of the Kenta Maeda deal, Camargo has a 65 grade of raw power, which has translated into eleven home runs thus far in 2021, and someone to monitor if he could ever make more consistent contact.

48. Willie Joe Garry, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
Garry already has double digit steals, and if he can tap into his 55 grade of raw power and his 50 grade of in game power, he could be someone to watch.

49. Charles Mack, C/3B (January rank #42)
Age: 21
Current Level: Low-A
A converted catcher, Mack has lowered his strikeout rate and increased his walk rate, which is a nice step forward, but he’s got many more steps before making any sort of impact.

50. Jermaine Palacios, SS (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
What could be something or could be nothing, Palacios is on the verge of having double-digit power and speed by mid-July.

Plus a few more for good measure:
51. Austin Schulfer, RHP (January rank #43)
Age: 25
Current Level: AA
Interesting numbers after his promotion to AA, Schulfer has seen his K/9 drop significantly but has also lowered his BB/9 and his HR/9 as well, proving that perhaps his 2019 season was no fluke.

52. Derek Molina, RHP (January – unranked)
Age: 23
Current Level: High-A
Molina has posted an 11.8 K/9 to start his 2021 campaign and seems quite good at keeping the ball in the yard, though it remains to be seen if that can continue.

53. Trey Cabbage, OF (January – unranked)
Age: 24
Current Level: AA
Already promoted once, he is on track to surpass his career-high in home runs and has shown increased patience at the plate.

54. Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 3B (January rank N/A)
Age: 21
Current Level: 2021 Draft pick
College hitter taken by the Twins in the fourth round of the 2021 MLB Draft, Encarnacion-Strand has power potential, but will likely need the holes in his swing fixed before making any progression forward.

Dave Funnell

Dave Funnell covers the Minnesota Twins minor leagues for Prospects1500. Located just south of Toronto in the city of Hamilton, he's an hour away from Buffalo (and the Bisons). He's been a fan of baseball his entire life and doesn't have a favorite team, which hopefully gives way for objectivty in analysis. Dave is in multiple keeper fantasy baseball leagues and is active on Twitter at @sportz_nutt51.

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2 Comments

  2. I noticed you’ve listed Chase Petty, the Twins first round selection as the Twins 38th best prospect and a tier 4 player. In contrast, the White Sox writer (at P1500) has 15th round pick Cameron Butler as a tier 3 and a top 20 in their organization. Is Petty really that poor of a selection by the Twins? Every other first rounder appears to be a tier 3 at minimum.

    Reply

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