I’ve decided to write a series of posts regarding the depth in the Twins system or possibly lack thereof depending on how you feel about a particular position. I plan to go position by position in hopes to shed some light on who could make an impact as early as 2025, or who may make an impact within a few years. I started doing this back in 2023 and then life happened, so let’s try again! I started with catchers and 1^st base and will work my way around the diamond from there! I’ll be using Roster Resource’s depth chart, which can be found at FanGraphs.

Here is a short write up of each player at 2^nd base in the Twins System that is not on the 40-man roster. I’ll include how they were acquired, and the highest level played at in 2024.

Luke Keaschall

2^nd round, 2023

Highest Level: AA

               If you follow prospects closely, you probably know about Keaschall, whom the Twins selected in the 2^nd round in 2023 and signed for $1.5 million. Keaschall is ranked as the #61 prospect on the most recent prospect rankings on mlb.com. Keaschall has hit since being drafted, moving up multiple levels, having most recently gotten up to AA Wichita in his second professional season. His 2024 season ended early due to an elbow injury, but he played 58 games at AA where he hit .281/.393/439 after hitting even better in Cedar Rapids. He will likely start the year in St. Paul and could get the call to the majors sometime in 2025 depending on how the major league team performs and where needs end up. I’m excited to see what his long term position ends up being, or if Keaschall will hit enough to be a super-utility player who doesn’t need a set position.

Payton Eeles

Non-drafted Free Agent, 2024

Highest Level: AAA

               Eeles seemingly came out of nowhere signing with the Twins in May of 2024 as an undrafted free agent and climbing as high as AAA St. Paul after starting in single-A. Eeles played college ball at Coastal Carolina and started the year in Independent league, playing for the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs of the Atlantic League.  Listed at 5’5”, 180 lbs, the 25 year old has put himself in prospect discussions and has climbed up to the top 30 prospects in the Twins system. Eeles has shown more power than you might expect, hitting 12 home runs over 111 games in 2024. He’s a guy who is easy to root for, given his background and I’m excited to see how he continues to develop.

Jose Salas

Trade, 2023 (with Pablo Lopez)

Highest Level: AAA

               Acquired in 2023 along with some guy named Pablo Lopez from the Marlins for Luis Arraez. Salas’ prospect shine has lightened since acquiring him, having been a borderline top 100 prospect when the Twins acquired him. He is still only 21 years old, so maybe there is a chance he could still develop. He has stolen some bases, stealing 22 bases in 2024. While he has good tools, his offense needs to develop for him to be considered part of the long term plans.

Dameury Pena

Amateur Free Agency, 2023

Highest Level: Complex League

               Pena signed as part of the 2023 international free agent class and no one really knew what to expect. He’s listed at 5’9” and 150 lbs, so he lacks power, but has been compared to Luis Arraez, having had a 33:18 BB to K ratio. His future value, similar to Arraez, hinges on being able to hit for a high batting average.

Kyle DeBarge

1^st round, 2024

Highest Level: A

               Taken in the 1^st round and signed for a slightly under-slot $2.4 million after hitting .356/.418/.699 with Louisiana-Lafayette, a college shortstop, DeBarge got his first taste of professional baseball playing with Fort Myers playing mostly at second base. He struggled a little bit, as many young hitters do, and will likely start at single-A and see if he can continue to develop. He  has shown he has the potential to have massive power after hitting 21 home runs in his final year with the Rajun Cajuns. It will be interesting to see how he develops going forward, but the upside is definitely there.

Angel Del Rosario    

AAA Rule 5, 2023

Highest Level: AA

               Taken in the AAA Rule 5 draft in 2023, Angel Del Rosario played 61 games in the Twins system and 56 with single-A Fort Myers in 2024 having hit .226/340/.287 so he has shown to have a decent eye at the plate but has also struck out in about a quarter of his at bats over the past couple of years.  Del Rosario has also played quite a few games in the outfield, most specifically in left field.