TD Midseason Top 20 Twins Prospect Rankings 11-15

[Ted Schwerzler]

Matt Braun kicked off the Twins Daily Midseason Top 20 Prospect Rankings. He shared the honorable mentions and then went through the last quarter on the list. Looking ahead to the final five before getting into the top ten, that’s where we find ourselves now.

It is worth noting that prospect graduations have and will happen throughout 2021. Names like Kirilloff, Larnach, Jeffers, Gordon, and Rortvedt are no longer eligible for consideration. With that said, let’s get into who’s next.

15. Misael Urbina OF

Age: 19

ETA: 2024

2021 Stats (A): 42 G .191/.298/.268 3 2B 3 3B HR 24 RBI 23 BB 39 K

2021 Ranking: 14th

Minnesota signed Urbina out of Venezuela back in 2018 during the International Signing Period. Jesse Sanchez called him, “one of the most coveted prospects from Venezuela in this year's international class” at the time. The bonus came in at $2.75 million, and that’s indicative of how the Twins see his tools developing. Urbina is playing in his first stateside season this year, and while the numbers aren’t gaudy by any means, controlling the strike zone is something he’s shown a strong ability to do as a young player.

14. Brent Rooker OF/1B

Age: 26

2021 Stats (AAA): 43 G .243/.386/.547 6 2B 13 HR 28 RBI 31 BB 54 K

2021 Ranking: 12th

Rooker was the 35th overall pick by Minnesota back in the 2017 draft. He made his MLB debut in 2020 before injury ended his season with just seven games played. Rooker has appeared in just eight games for the Twins this year going 3-for-29. Despite crushing Triple-A, his opportunities have been limited with the outfield capabilities being stretched, and him not being a true fit at first base. Should the Twins deal Nelson Cruz, Brent would appear to be in line for substantial big league at bats as the DH.

13. Cole Sands RHSP

Age: 23

2021 Stats (AA): 31 2/3 IP, 2.84 ERA, 1.263 WHIP, 3.10 FIP, 30.7 K%, 13.1 BB%

2021 Ranking: 15th

Sands was a 5th round selection in the 2018 draft and it didn’t take long to see that Minnesota had something special here. There’s velocity, there’s command, there’s a real starting pitcher. Sands dominated three separate levels in 2019, and has picked up where he left off in 2021. The 11.9 K/9 is a strong number at Double-A, and while the command has slipped some, there’s no long term worry there. Currently injured, Minnesota hopes to have Cole back on the bump sooner rather than later.

12. Bailey Ober RHSP

Age: 25

2021 Stats (AAA): 16 IP, 2.81 ERA, 1.125 WHIP, 1.67 FIP, 32.3 K%, 7.7 BB%

2021 Ranking: 20th

Now in the big leagues taking regular turns with the Twins, Ober parlayed his quick Triple-A success into six turns in the big league rotation. He owns a 5.84 ERA there but has been bit most by the home run. Strikeouts and command continue to play, while his velocity has seen an uptick and is, in part, what has elevated his prospect status. There’s a good back-end rotation piece here, and it’d be a good bet he gets plenty of leash to showcase that the rest of 2021.

11. Blayne Enlow RHSP

Age: 22

2021 Stats (A+): 14 2/3 IP, 1.84 ERA, 1.295 WHIP, 2.80 FIP, 39.0 K%, 10.2 BB%

2021 Ranking: 10th

Arguably one of the most exciting prospects to see showcased following the 2020 minor league hiatus, Enlow came out as expected. He below the doors of High-A hitters and looked the part of a prospect that could put together an amazing season. Unfortunately, it ended quickly as he’s now recovering from Tommy John surgery, but look for him to be back stronger on the back half of 2022, and still with a ceiling that could be among the highest in the system as far as pitchers go.

 

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[jmlease1]

Two of the five in this group are injured. Yuck. I like Enlow a lot, but you never know what happens after Tommy John

I hope Rooker comes through in his next chance, but I'm concerned he's a AAAA player.

[roger]

I hate all these bloody injuries.  I believe Enrow has to be added to the 40-man this year, correct?  Will there be room?  Assume he is gone if not added, assuming there is a Rule 5 draft with the CBA expiring?

Interesting seeing the results for both Ober and Jax.  Have been lots of pitchers who put up similar results their first year or two and then go on to have very good careers.  As much as we want to see the Twins pitching problems fixed, now, it is a process that is going to take time and guys like Jax and Ober taking their regular turns is part of that process.

[mikelink45]

I read that Ober is back of the rotation as a starter and yet he is ahead of Sands who is described as an exciting pitching prospect.  Does that mean that Sands is also end of the rotation and Enlow is 3 or more in the rotation?  Just trying to see how the rankings work.

Rooker seems to be sliding over the years.  When you write of him taking over for Cruz I have to imagine that Sano fits in that slot first. 

[Danchat]

37 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I read that Ober is back of the rotation as a starter and yet he is ahead of Sands who is described as an exciting pitching prospect.  Does that mean that Sands is also end of the rotation and Enlow is 3 or more in the rotation?  Just trying to see how the rankings work.

Rooker seems to be sliding over the years.  When you write of him taking over for Cruz I have to imagine that Sano fits in that slot first. 

I would guess it's a mix of how close the player is and how likely they are to reach their ceiling. Ober has shown the ability to strike out MLB hitters and has had a few good starts, while Sands and Enlow are further back in the minors. If those two were to keep pitching well as they progress, I would imagine they would jump up higher in the rankings.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

I read that Ober is back of the rotation as a starter and yet he is ahead of Sands who is described as an exciting pitching prospect.  Does that mean that Sands is also end of the rotation and Enlow is 3 or more in the rotation?  Just trying to see how the rankings work.

Rooker seems to be sliding over the years.  When you write of him taking over for Cruz I have to imagine that Sano fits in that slot first. 

Risk....while the others have higher upside, Ober is in the majors and doing back-end stuff already. The others aren't close the majors (and injured)........rankings are about risk and reward, not just reward.

[Major League Ready]

I know it's been said often but all these injuries really suck!

[Dman]

I keep waiting for Rooker but so far he hasn't quite had what it takes.  His AAA numbers look great.  A 950 OPS, 30% K rate and decent walk rate.  If can just bring those numbers even in a slightly diminished way to MLB he is going to make it.  The way he was so easily fooled at the plate when he was called up though has really sapped my confidence in him.  Hopefully he gets another chance and does better.

[Trov]

Personally, if you are 26 years old you are no longer in prospect area, at least not high on any list.  Most players peak at 27, some later, but most peaks are 27 with primes being around 25ish to 31.  Again this will very on player.  That being said, 26 and not regular at MLB level to me means not much of a prospect.  I know generally, prospect is left for players yet to lose rookie status, but I feel Rooker should be off this list. 

[bighat]

14 hours ago, Trov said:

Personally, if you are 26 years old you are no longer in prospect area, at least not high on any list.  Most players peak at 27, some later, but most peaks are 27 with primes being around 25ish to 31.  Again this will very on player.  That being said, 26 and not regular at MLB level to me means not much of a prospect.  I know generally, prospect is left for players yet to lose rookie status, but I feel Rooker should be off this list. 

Overall I think I agree with you. But for the sake of argument, allow this counterpoint: Rooker has made it to the MLB level and - at least last year - showed some flashes that he could play at the big league level. There's a good chance that some guys on this list may never make it to The Show at all....

 

[Ted Schwerzler]

19 hours ago, Dman said:

I keep waiting for Rooker but so far he hasn't quite had what it takes.  His AAA numbers look great.  A 950 OPS, 30% K rate and decent walk rate.  If can just bring those numbers even in a slightly diminished way to MLB he is going to make it.  The way he was so easily fooled at the plate when he was called up though has really sapped my confidence in him.  Hopefully he gets another chance and does better.

To be fair, we're talking about a couple of sub-10 game sample sizes. He'll get a shot when Cruz is traded and then he'll immediately have to make it stick.

[Major League Ready]

21 hours ago, Trov said:

Personally, if you are 26 years old you are no longer in prospect area, at least not high on any list.  Most players peak at 27, some later, but most peaks are 27 with primes being around 25ish to 31.  Again this will very on player.  That being said, 26 and not regular at MLB level to me means not much of a prospect.  I know generally, prospect is left for players yet to lose rookie status, but I feel Rooker should be off this list. 

There are always exceptions.  Justin Turner comes to  mind.  He had 58 PAs prior to his age 26 season and he was not good until his age 29 season.