Organizational Depth: A Look at Hitters Throughout the Twins System

[Seth Stohs]

Twins fans rightfully are excited about having high-quality pitchers and pitcher depth. However, what makes that even more exciting is that they have done so while continuing to get strong performances from young hitters too. 

The Twins could always draft or sign and then develop position players. Consider the names drafted and signed under the regimes of Mike Radcliff and Terry Ryan. It’s a Who’s Who of Twins hitters. Hunter. Mientkiewicz. Jones. Cuddyer. Morneau. Mauer. Kubel. Span. Buxton. Sano. Kepler. Polanco.

And with many of the same people in the scouting department, we are again seeing emerging, talented position players. Many have debuted in recent years to varying success (and opportunity). Royce Lewis, Edouard Julien, and Matt Wallner were keys to the Twins second-half success.  Meanwhile, players like Ryan Jeffers, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach, Jose Miranda, and Nick Gordon have helped the Twins win over the past couple of seasons.

While there are finally more pitchers in the Twins system to be excited about, there continue to be solid-hitting prospects around the diamond.

Let’s take a look at some of the depth around the field that can be found in the Twins organization:

Catchers
The Twins have two catchers on the big-league roster, Ryan Jeffers and Christian Vazquez. Jeffers will not be eligible for free agency for three more years. Vazquez has two years remaining on his three-year deal.

Jair Camargo was added to the Twins 40-man roster since the end of the World Series. The burly backstop showed his powerful arm and his power with the bat for the St. Paul Saints in 2023. He will likely return to the Saints to start the 2024 season and be the guy called up if there is a need.

Chris Williams, who is not on the 40-man roster, has become one of Twins most prominent power prospects the past two years with the Saints. He can catch, but he’s got enough bat to be a DH or get time at first base if needed. Patrick Winkel was the primary catcher with the Double-A Wind Surge. He is arguably the best defensive backstop prospect, but he can also hit with extra-base power. Noah Cardenas spent the entire season at Cedar Rapids. He can hit and get on base at a strong clip while playing well behind the plate. Andrew Cossetti may have as much power potential and offensive prowess as any of these catching prospects. He split his first professional season between Ft. Myers and the High-A Kernels. He ended the season representing the Twins in the Arizona Fall League.

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[Bamboo Bat]

Ah, my favorite time of year. Crisp air, cool nights, & Twins Daily turning into a long advertisement for Caretakers. 

[Karbo]

I can see a time this season where Martin is in CF, and Miranda in a platoon role with AK. at 1B. Depending on what happens in trades, I can imagine a scenario where AK gets moved to LF with Julian and Miranda splitting 1B. I think Kiersey gets picked in rule 5 draft. IMO Castro is the utility guy if he doesn't get traded. Not sure what will happen with Gordon, but at this point I don't envision him on the major league roster. Trades will happen, which will probably change a lot. They should trade for a solid 2-3 tier starter, and a big decision looms over Varland. Is he a 2-3 tier starter or is he a shutdown type of reliever. I honestly think the Twins will be very heavy favorites to win the central even if they stand pat. How far they go in post season will be determined by what they can get in trades IMO. 

[Cory Engelhardt]

I still have quite a bit of hope that Miranda can get healthy and be a solid bat for this lineup. Not certain where he can play defensively other than 1B, but if he can do that AND be able to backup 3B, that is a good player to have.

[Doctor Gast]

1 hour ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

I still have quite a bit of hope that Miranda can get healthy and be a solid bat for this lineup. Not certain where he can play defensively other than 1B, but if he can do that AND be able to backup 3B, that is a good player to have.

I still have hope that Miranda can turn it around & be impactful at 1B. But IMO Miranda will have to come out of gates hitting like gang-busters in ST. The only problem with that is that Miranda is usually a slow starter.

Cosetti has a great bat & graduated to High A but IMO his defensive is lacking.

[miracleb]

Hmmm.....it would be nice to know how these catcher's defense compares to lets say...Jeffers.   But......it seems like at least one or two (or more) will have a bat that can translates to the big leagues!

[Cory Engelhardt]

7 minutes ago, Doctor Gast said:

I still have hope that Miranda can turn it around & be impactful at 1B. But IMO Miranda will have to come out of gates hitting like gang-busters in ST. The only problem with that is that Miranda is usually a slow starter.

Cosetti has a great bat & graduated to High A but IMO his defensive is lacking.

He will, absolutely. IF his shoulder is healthy, and that was the issue this past season, I think that will happen.

I also think they know where he is at right now, which will show how aggressively they go after a 1B/DH right handed hitting option via trade or free agency.