Ranking Twins Players Age 25 and Under: Part 2 (1-5)

[Cody Christie]

Each player below is well on their way to establishing themselves at the big-league level. Which players rank among the team’s best 25 and under players?

Image courtesy of Jordan Johnson - USA TODAY Sports

The Twins have developed a solid young core carrying the team’s offense throughout the 2023 season. Each player below is in their age-25 season or younger while playing in the upper level of the minors. Some players no longer qualify for the organization’s top prospect list; others have yet to make their big-league debut. Players not eligible for the list include Ryan Jeffers, Trevor Larnach, and Willi Castro, who are all in their age-26 season.  

Part 1: 6-10. 

5. Matt Wallner, OF
Age: 25
Wallner is the organization’s reigning Minor League Player of the Year, and he dominated with a .927 OPS at Triple-A in 2023. Twins’ fans were calling for his promotion throughout the season’s first half, and now he is getting an opportunity in the middle of a pennant race. In 34 games, he has hit .244/.365/.522 (.887) with four doubles and seven home runs. He has a 31-to-10 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 107 plate appearances, but strikeouts are part of any power hitter’s profile in the current baseball climate. His outfield arm is also one of baseball’s best. The Twins should have Wallner penciled into a corner outfield spot for the foreseeable future. 

4. Edouard Julien, 2B
Age: 24
Julien rose swiftly on Twins prospect lists after a breakout 2022 season where he hit .300/.441/.490 (.931) at Double-A. His rookie season is shaping up to be one of the best in recent Twins’ history. Julien hit .286/.377/.491 (.868) with 11 doubles, one triple, and 10 home runs in his first 67 games. His below-average defense at second base is the one knock against him at this point in his career. He likely projects as a first baseman or DH in future years, and that’s why he isn’t higher on this ranking.    

3. Jhoan Duran, RHP
Age: 25
It’s hard to imagine where the Twins would be over the last two seasons without Duran. His development into one of baseball’s best late-inning weapons has been critical to the team staying in the division race. He’s pitched just over 112 innings over the last two seasons with a 2.24 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP while striking out 12 batters per nine innings. He threw the fastest pitch in MLB this season and collected 20 saves for the first time in his career. His average velocity is up on both fastballs and offspeed pitches this season. Duran ranks in the 92nd percentile or higher in Whiff%, K%, xBA, xSLG, and xERA/xwOBA. 

2. Royce Lewis, SS/3B
Age: 24
Injuries have limited Lewis to 38 big-league games over the last two seasons, but he’s showcased his dynamic skill set during that time. In 140 plate appearances, he slashed .319/.343/.496 (.839) with six doubles and six home runs. The Twins drafted Lewis as a shortstop, but there have been questions about his ability to stick at that position. The team shifted him to third base in 2023 because Carlos Correa is playing shortstop. In future years, the team’s best defensive line-up might include Lewis at second base or in the outfield. He places second on this list because injuries have impacted a large portion of his career to this point. 

1. Brooks Lee, SS
Age: 22
The Twins have been aggressive with Lee after taking him with the eighth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft. He was the first player from his draft class to play at the Triple-A level. Minnesota promoted him to St. Paul after he hit .292/.365/.476 (.841) with 31 doubles and 11 home runs in 87 Double-A games. He continues to play shortstop, but third base is likely his eventual defensive home as his body continues to mature. There is a small chance the Twins might need Lee at some point this season, but that seems unlikely unless there are multiple injuries at the big-league level. 

How would you rank the top five? Should Lewis be ranked number one over an unproven Lee? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. 

Full Rankings (with link to more Twins Daily articles on each player): 
10: Austin Martin
9: Jose Miranda 
8: Simeon Woods Richardson
7: Louie Varland 
6: Alex Kirilloff
5: Matt Wallner 
4: Edouard Julien 
3: Jhoan Duran 
2: Royce Lewis
1: Brooks Lee 

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[Nashvilletwin]

It would be nice if at least 6 of the 7 position players and 2 of the 3 pitchers on this list were everyday players on the Twins by May 1, 2024. 
 

 

[mikelink45]

I would have Lee number 6 until he moves to MN and proves himself.  The other 5 are already establishing themselves. 

[twinfan]

Interesting that you would rank Lee #1 even though he hasn't played a game in the bigs. Kiriloff could be much higher if he would stop getting injured all the time. Lewis is starting to win me over but he also tends to get hurt. Duran needs more consistent command with all his pitches but is my #1 with Kiriloff #2 and Lewis #3 as far as potential. Throwing 98+ isn't a big deal to major league hitters anymore. Hopefully 7-8 of these will really be good when they are here permanently.

[Brandon]

I would have Balazovich on the list somewhere.  He is proving himself reliable in the pen now.  

[roger]

Can't agree with Lee over Lewis.  Why?  Simple, Lewis has proven he can get it done in the big leagues.  Lee has not.

[arby58]

10 minutes ago, twinfan said:

Interesting that you would rank Lee #1 even though he hasn't played a game in the bigs. Kiriloff could be much higher if he would stop getting injured all the time. Lewis is starting to win me over but he also tends to get hurt. Duran needs more consistent command with all his pitches but is my #1 with Kiriloff #2 and Lewis #3 as far as potential. Throwing 98+ isn't a big deal to major league hitters anymore. Hopefully 7-8 of these will really be good when they are here permanently.

I agree that, based on performance to date, Duran should be number one. Yes, a bit of a rough patch of late, but he's been a top performer for the Twins in both 2022 and 2023. After that, you can make a case for just about any combination of Lewis, Julien, Wallner, and Kirilloff, given that they have some positive MLB experience and are with the Twins at present. Of course, Lewis and Kirilloff have been injury prone, Julien doesn't have a position where he is adequate defensively, and Wallner strikes out a lot and has a very small MLB sample size. With Lee, it's pure potential, and, as the youngest on the list, I wouldn't necessarily drop him that far - given some of the shortcomings of others. So, Duran is 1, and I'd be fine with slotting everybody else, including Lee, in the same order as here after the Duran adjustment.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I would put Royce Lewis #1 (who will probably take over SS when C-4 moves to 3B in several years), Jenkins #2, Kirilloff #3, Julian #4, Wallner #5, Lee #6, Duran #7, E. Rodriguez #8, Soto #9, and Raya #10. Obviously, I am emphasizing potential more than Cody is in his rankings, and that's OK.  The Twins need more high ceiling young pitchers in the system. 

[Twins GFP]

Is this a prospect list or the best Twins players under 25?  Seems to be a mishmash of both...

[Doctor Gast]

I'd place Lewis #1 at this point. I'd place Martin ahead of Julien, both are excellent OB players but Martin is a better fielder & base runner. I don't blame Martin for prior lack of production, I blame mismanagement.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 minutes ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Is this a prospect list or the best Twins players under 25?  Seems to be a mishmash of both...

I confess I mishmashed. 

[big dog]

Every time I see Lewis play I get more impressed. He deserves to be #1. It seems like Wallner is making leaps forward, too. I don't think his defense is nearly as bad as some claim, though of course SSS.

[HrbieFan]

Lewis is my #1, dude just rakes in the bigs. I'm also putting Walker Jenkins behind Lee at #3. Have a hunch that Jenkins will be a fast track player, kid oozes with talent 

[gman]

Looking at the list neither Lee nor Martin have played with the Twins yet. They are also not on the 40 man roster. Hopefully next year changes that.

I'm ok with the list with the first and last names removed. I only see 3 other players who would qualify, Celestino, Balazavic and Henriquez. Although i lean towards Balazavic and Celestino, pick any 2 you want and added them in at #9 and #10. Or stop the list at 8.

It is interesting that 25% of the 40 man roster is 25 and under.

[Blyleven2011]

Just let the kids play the game , they are all talented players that are destined  to play in

the major leagues , some will have a long career and maybe some won't  ...

It's not whether you win or lose , it's how you play the game  ...

[JD-TWINS]

Agree with the Lewis above Lee comments because he’s done it over a couple stints in MLB.

Really though, who cares how they are listed, which is 2 or 6? What matters is, are they going to be a solid pro.

Duran - check ……Lewis - Check …….Julien - check……Wallner - check……Kirilloff - check

Lee - gotta believe yes……that’s a core of 6 guys.

Varland - Martin have a great shot with a little more time……..75% chance. Martin may be for another team?

Happy to hear Woods-Richardson is only 22……he has all of ‘24 & maybe some of ‘25 until we should expect him to help. That’s a lot more seasoning and a way to master command.

Miranda……IMO needs to go somewhere else. Unless he’s really been hampered by his shoulder injury (possible) due to hiding injury (see Larnach or Ryan) I think he’s washed. Does not seem to have any pop with normal contact……..he’s somewhat positionless not a great contact guy………..he can’t squeeze into our infield plans which seems to be his only path.

Martin - Miranda - Larnach are potential trade pieces to me for pitching.

Lewis to outfield - Rodriguez coming after Kepler - Wallner is there too. ‘24 - ‘25 & forward.

 

[TwinsDr2021]

2 hours ago, JD-TWINS said:

Agree with the Lewis above Lee comments because he’s done it over a couple stints in MLB.

Really though, who cares how they are listed, which is 2 or 6? What matters is, are they going to be a solid pro.

Duran - check ……Lewis - Check …….Julien - check……Wallner - check……Kirilloff - check

Lee - gotta believe yes……that’s a core of 6 guys.

Varland - Martin have a great shot with a little more time……..75% chance. Martin may be for another team?

 

Me personally not ready to put a check next to any of those players except Duran. He has actually done it for 1 1/2.

I do feel pretty confident in Lewis (if he can stay healthy) and AK if he comes back this year and does well (otherwise that will be 3 lost year and still unknown how good he is or if he can stay healthy)

I need to see more in Julien and Wallner they both have way, way less at bats than Miranda had.

With that said I feel pretty comfortable going into next season giving Lewis, Julien and Wallner (with a shorter leash because he will be 26 next season)  starting spots.

[John Belinski]

It appears the Twins have some good young players who will help them in the coming years so the future looks bright for many years to come. I am still not a fan of how Rocco manages players, but think he will be around for a long time based on the Twins history with past managers. I think we can only hope that he becomes a better manager. Twins need to reduce strikeout and hit into fewer double plays.

[Minny505]

5 hours ago, roger said:

Can't agree with Lee over Lewis.  Why?  Simple, Lewis has proven he can get it done in the big leagues.  Lee has not.

Agreed. I'd probably put Duran at #1, then Julien/Kirilloff/Lewis/Wallner in any order at 2-5 due to their ability to perform at the MLB level. Lee then goes to 6.

Unproven vs guys who are all OPSing over .800 in The Show? Yes, please, to the guys performing at a high-level in The Show.

Lee may be #1 in this exercise a year from now, but not as of 8.16.2023.

[Mike Sixel]

I don't get how Lee is on this list, given he's barely played in STP, let alone MN......

Lewis can't be that high for me, given his inability to be healthy.

[old nurse]

5 hours ago, Fire Dan Gladden said:

Is this a prospect list or the best Twins players under 25?  Seems to be a mishmash of both...

It is clickbait

[jorgenswest]

I think comparing an organization’s 25 and under talent is more valuable than prospect lists. I would suggest that the work would be done in tiers instead of ranking.

I do think ranking is helpful in getting clicks and conversation about 1v2 or 9v10 but those conversations don’t have much value particularly when looking within one organization itself where the sum of the pieces is what matters.

That top tier in the central might include Luis Robert and Bobby Witt. Would Duran or Clase also be included. The next tier might include players like Greene, Bibee, Lewis, Julien and others who have shown tier 1 promise but not sustained it yet. 

The conversation now turns to comparing the organizations in the central and discourse about individuals and whether they have met a bar for a tier. It would also give a picture of the health of the organization as cost controlled players are extremely valuable to the teams in the central.

 

 

[tony&rodney]

Why not include Jenkins, Rodriguez, or other prospects? Miranda, SWR, and Varland have worn a Twins uniform. Martin and Lee have not made an appearance with the Twins. I do like the possibilities of the five currently rostered: Wallner, Julien, Lewis Duran, and Kirilloff (IL). I might have missed the explanation.

[Ric]

These players all have strengths and weaknesses. I don't believe in hierarchies and rankings very much. it is the players who learn how to be true professionals and work diligently on their weaknesses that will make a difference. I do like certain of these players. I am more comfortable speculating on position players than pitchers. There is no such thing as a pitching prospect. I don't believe any of these guys have a lengthy enough resume at the major league level to determine if they will keep their floor or hit their ceiling. Some of them will have to be traded. There are logjams that can't be reconciled by position changes. Second guessing and judging executives is fun but as far as talent evaluation goes the gurus and pundits, in my opinion, look less at a full body of work over time than if a player happens to be awesome at one level and suck at the next or vice versa. We just need to keep developing the talent we have and hope for the best. One thing I do agree with is let the kids play. The Twins won 2 world series after they brought up a bunch of prospects from Double A at pretty much the same time around '83. It took a few years but it was worth it.