The Minnesota Twins have had their ups and downs with respect to their collection of prospects over the years. Their farm system is usually defined in one of two ways: either they have a bunch of talent that is primed and ready to make an impact, or they are in rebuild mode as they prepare to restock their system. This year feels a little different because they have a bit of both sides of the coin, as evidenced by the first few names on their list. With players ready to make an impact now alongside potential studs in the future, the franchise seems ready to help the Twins remain competitive with a lot of home-grown talent. (@sportz_nutt51)
Special guest Tanner Gronowski (@MOX13) contributed to this column and rankings, in addition to eight Prospects1500 writers: Dave Funnell (@sportz_nutt51), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
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 to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
J15 international signees Daiber de los Santos, SS (would be around 20) and Eduardo Beltre, OF (40-50 range) could be included in the Twins Top 50 midseason update later this summer.
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
1. Walker Jenkins, OF, 18, Single-A
Jenkins finished his first professional season by absolutely cruising through the first two levels of the Twins’ minor league system. His overall stat line of .362/.417/.988 is beyond impressive, as evidenced by his getting at least one hit in 22 of his 26 games played. He looks to continue this surge next season and could see a promotion to Minnesota by the age of 20 if this continues. (@sportz_nutt51)
Tier 2
2. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, 20, High-A
Rodriguez came into the 2023 season a ton of fanfare and hope for a promising future. His season didn’t necessarily go as planned, as he suffered an abdomen injury that cost him some time. While he may have been playing through this injury upon his slow return, it does raise concerns about how his body will hold, given that this is his second big injury in as many years. And while his walk rate of 20.2% shows his knack for a patient approach, he will need to show some aggression if he is ever going to take that next step and live up to the expectations set from his breakout season in 2022. (@sportz_nutt51)
3. Brooks Lee, SS, 22, Triple-A
Lee had a terrific season at Double-A Wichita, displaying power and patience at the plate. While he did struggle after his promotion to Triple-A St. Paul, it may be just a matter of time before he gets the call to Minnesota regardless of performance. The only problem is the question of where he will actually play. The Twins currently have both third base and shortstop locked in for the foreseeable future, so he may have to wait for his turn or be a depth piece when he does get the call to the majors. Either way, it won’t be long until he does in fact make his debut. (@sportz_nutt51)
Tier 3
4. Marco Raya, RHP, 21, Double-A
The 2020 draft pick was young for his class at 17 and on the shorter side, but the Twins snagged him at the 128th spot due to what appeared to be advanced feel for offspeed and a solid low 90s fastball. The Twins slow played his first 18 months, keeping him out of professional games until his purported electric stuff from fall instructs debuted in 2022. He continually impresses, adding velocity to his fastball that now sits in the mid 90s and continually developing three quality off speed pitches. The training wheels are still on partially though, as the 21-year-old was the Texas League’s youngest pitcher, but has yet to pitch more than 4 innings in an outing. The potential is here for a legit starter on an aggressive track to make the majors, but the lack of innings should damper the expectations. (@MOX13)
5. Charlee Soto, RHP, 18, High School
Soto still has a projectable body despite adding about 15 pounds during his senior year. With plenty of leg drive and a lower ¾ whippy arm, his stuff plays up thanks to the quick arm action and extension. Even without playing up, he has a fastball that gets up to 97 that is heavy with plenty of run. The slider flirts with plus in the mid-80s but the shape is still too inconsistent. He has a split change that really falls and runs, meaning he throws nothing that doesn’t move. On top of it all, he repeats his delivery well giving him good command and has the body of a starter. Expect Soto to be a key piece in the rotation in the Twin Cities within a few years. (@ShaunKernahan)
6. Connor Prielipp, LHP, 23, High-A
The 6’2” lefty out of Alabama (2022) is the epitome of the high risk and high reward of pitching prospects. Prior to the draft, he was considered by many an easy top 10 draft pick due to his recent increase in velocity and already plus command, but Connor succumbed to TJS allowing him to drop to the Twins in the 2nd round. He oozes potential with his mid 90s fastball and great off speed, and has a legitimate ceiling of a playoff caliber starter. But with only logging 28 college innings due to the pandemic and injuries, and then only tossing 9 1/3 innings as a professional before blowing out his elbow for a second time, it’s hard to imagine him ever hitting his ceiling at this point. TJS brace procedures typically recover faster than the full procedure, so hopefully we see more from him later in the 2024 season and we’re not calling TINSTAAPP in his name. (@MOX13)
7. Tanner Schobel, 2B/3B, 22, Double-A
The Virginia Tech product played his first full professional season in 2023 and already stands out for his contact numbers. He’s a smart player that can control the strike zone, and the right-handed hitter also has some pull-side pop that resulted in 16 home runs. Schobel is athletic enough to play around the infield and he has good range and a strong arm. He’s not going to kill you with his speed, but it’s good for a couple steals a season and profiles as a future utility man with high upside. (@aj_greene1015)
8. David Festa, RHP, 23, Triple-A
Festa opened a lot of eyes with his performance two years ago, and now stands as one of the better pitchers in the Twins system. He struck out a career high 109 between Double-A and Triple-A, and was completed by a velocity spike for his four seam fastball. Festa can improve in the consistency of his slider and changeup in terms of command, but did have a 37.5% whiff rate once he reached St. Paul. Festa’s stuff is good enough for him to keep his role as a starter, and could be pitching in the majors as soon as this season. (@aj_greene1015)
9. Luke Keaschall, 2B, 21, High-A
After two seasons in the Bay Area at the University of San Francisco, Keaschall moved to the desert and had an outstanding year for Arizona State. He had more home runs in a tougher division than he had in the previous two seasons combined, and hit an impressive .353 his final college season. After being selected 49th overall, he hit .288 over three levels in 31 pro games. The power he showed off as a Sun Devil is unlikely to be a major part of his game, but the hit tool is real. He has above average speed and enough arm to get by on the left side of the infield, but his future is really at second base and he likely won’t ever be more than an average defender there. He isn’t a guy who is going to turn into a star, but he is absolutely the kind of player that can be a quality double play partner and hit near the top of a big league lineup. (@ShaunKernahan)
10. Brandon Winokur, SS/OF, 19, Rookie (FCL)
Winokur was the Twins 3rd pick in last year’s draft. The 6’5″ 19-year-old has massive raw power and a cannon for an arm that would fit very nicely in right field. In 17 complex league games, he slugged .545 but also struck out 32% of the time. There will likely always be a swing and miss aspect to his game, but if he can get to even an average hit tool, he could be a 30-35 home run guy. The upside is massive and the Twins can take their time with his development. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 4
11. Austin Martin, 2B/OF, 24, Triple-A
12. Danny De Andrade, SS, 19, Single-A
13. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, 23, MLB
14. Kala’i Rosario, OF, 21, High-A
15. Cory Lewis, RHP, 23, High-A
16. Matt Canterino, RHP, 26, Injured (Double-A in 2022)
17. Yasser Mercedes, OF, 19, Rookie (FCL)
18. C.J. Culpepper, RHP, 22, High-A
19. Jose Salas, 2B/3B, 20, High-A
20. Jose Rodriguez, OF, 18, Rookie (FCL)
21. Zebby Matthews, RHP, 23, High-A
22. Andrew Cossetti, C/1B, 23, High-A
23. Tanner Hall, RHP, 21, College
24. Noah Miller, SS, 21, High-A
25. Jay Harry, SS/2B/3B, 21, Single-A
Winokur has solid speed and power potential and could climb this list quickly. Martin may have been overrated when he was taken 5th overall in 2020. The hitting ability hasn’t played well in the minors and the power hasn’t developed. De Andrade is a young middle infielder who seemed to have broken out last year with a solid year in A ball. Woods Richardson struggled in 2023 in AAA and in his one game for the major league team after a very solid 2022. He could still develop into a back-end type starter. Rosario has very good power and is coming off an impressive year in High-A along with the AFL. Canterino won’t pitch until later this season after Tommy John surgery last year. He’s looked good when healthy but is already 26 years old. Mercedes struggled in his second year of Rookie ball but has solid tools to bounce back this season. Salas has a good feel for hitting and could develop some more power as he matures. Matthews had a good arsenal of pitches and may be a mid-rotation starter if he continues with his solid command. Cossetti looked great in his first year in MInnesota with a high OBP and some power. Hall is a finesse pitcher with low velocity on his fastball but could be of some value in fantasy leagues. Miller is more of a defense-over-offense player who could get to double digit steals if he makes the major leagues. Harry has a great eye at the plate but with limited power potential. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
26. Yunior Severino, 3B, 24, Triple-A
27. Jaylen Nowlin, LHP, 22, Double-A
28. Andrew Morris, RHP, 22, High-A
29. Misael Urbina, OF, 21, High-A
30. Hendry Chivilli, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
31. Byron Chourio, OF, 18, Rookie (FCL)
32. Ben Ross, 3B/1B, 22, Double-A
33. Ricardo Olivar, C/OF, 22, Single-A
34. Bryan Acuna, SS, 18, Rookie (FCL)
35. Ronny Henriquez, RHP, 23, Triple-A
36. DaShawn Keirsey, OF, 26, Triple-A
37. Alejandro Hidalgo, RHP, 20, High-A
38. Keoni Cavaco, 1B/3B, 22, High-A
39. Noah Cardenas, C, 24, High-A
40. Ariel Castro, OF, 17, Rookie (DSL)
41. Alerick Soularie, OF, 24, Double-A
42. Cesar Lares, LHP, 20, Rookie (FCL)
43. John Klein, RHP, 21, High-A
44. Jorel Ortega, 3B/2B, 23, High-A
45. Pierson Ohl, RHP, 24, Double-A
46. Travis Adams, RHP, 24, Double-A
47. Dylan Questad, RHP, 19, High School
48. Carlos Silva, C, 17, Rookie (DSL)
49. Ross Dunn, LHP, 21, College
50. Endy Rodriguez, 2B/3B, 20, Rookie (FCL)
Severino has been around since 2017. His 35 home runs last year almost doubled his career total up to 2023. He’s one to keep an eye on if the newfound power is real. Urbina was an international signing of some note a few years back but hasn’t shown much at the plate so far. Chivilli is a fine defensive shortstop with a good all-around set of tools at the plate. Chourio has great speed but not much power as of now. He could develop some pop as he matures. Olivar is a good hitting catcher with some pop in his bat. He’s also played in the outfield giving him another avenue to the major leagues. Acuna is Ronald’s younger brother. If he hits half as well as him, he could be a regular in the majors. Keirsey had a great 2023 that seemingly came out of nowhere. Cavaco has struggled to put it all together since being selected in the 1st round in 2019. Castro is all about potential now having just signed back in January but has a solid approach at the plate along with power. Soularie is a low average/solid-speed/solid-power type of player. Lares has been inconsistent but only has 77 innings pitched over two years. Ortega has a good eye at the plate with blossoming power. Ohl has great control with a developing fastball. Questad hasn’t pitched since being taken in the 5th round last summer. Silva is a defensive-minded catcher and not the same player who pitched for the Twins from 2004 through 2007. (@tonybps1)
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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.
Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
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Jeremy Mahyhttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/athletics006/
Can you clarify your expectations for Charlee Soto? It says “On top of it all, he repeats his delivery well giving him good command and has the body of a starter. Expect Soto to be a key piece in the bullpen in the Twin Cities within a few years”
So are we looking at a starter or a reliever here? It seems like a starter profile, but I’m obviously no expert.
We apologize. Shaun just confirmed that was just a typo. Should read “key piece in the rotation”. This is fixed in the article. Thanks for reaching out!