The Twins' Next Star Shortstop Could Be in Cedar Rapids This Summer

[Cody Christie]

Many fans know the names of the top prospects in any organization. However, a team must develop lesser-known prospects into regulars at the big-league level. Here’s one Twins prospect who might have some surprising long-term value.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Danny De Andrade)

Walker Jenkins, Brooks Lee, and Emmanuel Rodriguez are household names for many Twins fans and are well-known in national prospect circles. This trio of prospects all rank on top-100 lists, with each player providing a different skill set and potential long-term value to the team. For any organization, it is critical for the top prospects to develop into stars, but the rest of the roster needs players who can consistently produce value. One Twins prospect didn’t make any of the traditional top-100 lists this winter, but he has the potential to move up lists in the coming years. 

FanGraphs’ Dan Szymborski runs ZiPS projections that combine data and similar player types to project future value. He runs his projections for current MLB players and teams but also creates a top-100 prospect list, which includes many familiar names for Twins fans. Rodríguez (23rd) is the highest-ranking Twins prospect, after being ranked 39th entering last year. Lee also jumped from 42nd in 2023 to 34th in 2024. The only other Twins prospect on the list comes in at 68th overall, after not being ranked in 2023. 

Danny De Andrade was among the top-ranked prospects during the 2021 international signing period. The Twins signed the Venezuelan shortstop for $2.2 million and sent him to the Dominican Summer League for his professional debut. In 50 games, he hit .264/.340/.348, with 13 doubles and a 27-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio. It wasn’t a spectacular debut, but he wasn’t completely overmatched and showed some positive defensive signs. 

In 2022, the Twins brought him Stateside, and he played in 48 games in the Florida Complex League. He struggled out of the gate, with a .514 OPS in his first 17 games. However, he improved from there and hit .266/.380/.440 with 10 extra-base hits and nearly as many walks (16) as strikeouts (20). De Andrade faced older pitchers in all but five of his plate appearances, as he was nearly two years younger than the average age of the competition at his level.

Last season, De Andrade got his first taste of playing in a full-season league and started to show signs of the prospect the Twins hoped he would develop into when they signed him. In 105 games, he hit .244/.354/.396, with 21 doubles, three triples, and 11 home runs. Over 98 percent of his plate appearances came against older pitchers; he was one of the youngest players in the Florida State League. Some viewed it as a breakout season, and that’s why he ranked as Twins Daily’s 14th overall prospect entering 2024.

So, why does De Andrade rank so highly? Szymborski calls De Andrade a “sleeper” because he “showed some moderate power in a full season in A-ball.” He also said, “The computer is also mildly optimistic about his glove.” Even as a 19-year-old, he showed solid bat-to-ball skills and posted a 12.2% walk rate at Low-A. He was also efficient on the bases, going 20-for-24 in stolen base attempts. De Andrade made 89 starts at shortstop, showing many of the skills needed to stick at the position (hands, arm, instincts).

As he climbs the organizational ladder, it will be critical for him to avoid expanding the zone too often, which happens with players who make a lot of contact. He added more pop in 2023, but some swing adjustments last season and adding more muscle to his frame can help him compile better power totals. The Twins will likely send De Andrade to High-A Cedar Rapids for most of the 2024 campaign. There is an outside chance the team could be aggressive with him and promote him to Double-A in the season’s second half. He’s certainly a prospect to put on your watch list for the upcoming season.

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Do you believe De Andrade is part of the team’s long-term plan? How high will he rank on the team’s prospect list entering next season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[miracleb]

Love these type of articles Cody!  It would be interesting as to how his glove plays out.  Seems like he could develop a "Polanco type" bat.....but put that bat at short-stop.....now you have a perennial all-star!

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

He has some talent.   He appears to be improving even as he goes up.  He is showing as an elite prospect yet so 14 sounds about right.  Curious which level they will put him at,  keep him where he is at, or continue the aggressive approach and move him up a level.  

[Karbo]

What about Noah Miller. The guy is a slick fielder, maybe one of the best ss I've seen in the minors. His hitting needs some work, but that kid can really play.

[arby58]

13 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

He has some talent.   He appears to be improving even as he goes up.  He is showing as an elite prospect yet so 14 sounds about right.  Curious which level they will put him at,  keep him where he is at, or continue the aggressive approach and move him up a level.  

He'll be 20 in April, so it would seem a reasonable progression for him to play most or even all of this year at Cedar Rapids. He could even do a year at AA and at AAA and still arrive in time for the Twins to make a decision about where Correa plays.

[arby58]

19 minutes ago, Karbo said:

What about Noah Miller. The guy is a slick fielder, maybe one of the best ss I've seen in the minors. His hitting needs some work, but that kid can really play.

The hitting part is the rub. The top teams these days get offense as well as defense from their shortstops. You're right about the fielding part, though.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

11 minutes ago, arby58 said:

He'll be 20 in April, so it would seem a reasonable progression for him to play most or even all of this year at Cedar Rapids. He could even do a year at AA and at AAA and still arrive in time for the Twins to make a decision about where Correa plays.

Yes,  he also has the 21 year old Miller ahead of him, who I actually think has a better shot at being the next Twins shortstop of the future, as of right now.  Millers bat clicked in the second half and his OBP went up every month after June.  Damn impressive.  We will see where both of these guys are this year.  I think Millers defense is likely a little better.  However,  who has the better bat is definitely a toss up.  Both good young prospects.  

[Nashvilletwin]

Including last year’s two rookies, the Twins have seven legit non-1B (although one or more of them could end up there) infielder prospects coming over the next three or so seasons:

Lewis (now)
Julien (now)
Lee (2024)
Schobel (2026)
Keaschall (2026)
Andrade (2027)
Miller (2026)

That’s a solid level of talent with decent spaced timelines coupled with a definite weighting to near term projectability. 

Interestingly, including Wallner, we have seven outfielders as well:

Wallner (now)
Jenkins (2026)
ERod (2025)
Gabby (2026)
Martin (2024)
Winokur (2027)
Rosario (2026)

Pretty similar to the infield situation, except the projectability is weighted more toward the later years.  ERod showing up and producing at a high level in 2025 is a very important piece assuming at least one of Wallner or Martin can be a reliable above average everyday player.

 

[roger]

I would respond to the title of your piece, Cody, no, their next shortstop played at Cedar Rapids last year.

And no way is this kid an unknown prospect.  He was a huge signee a few years ago and shouldn’t be flying under anyone’s radar.

[sweetmusicviola16]

27 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Including last year’s two rookies, the Twins have seven legit non-1B (although one or more of them could end up there) infielder prospects coming over the next three or so seasons:

Lewis (now)
Julien (now)
Lee (2024)
Schobel (2026)
Keaschall (2026)
Andrade (2027)
Miller (2026)

That’s a solid level of talent with decent spaced timelines coupled with a definite weighting to near term projectability. 

Interestingly, including Wallner, we have seven outfielders as well:

Wallner (now)
Jenkins (2026)
ERod (2025)
Gabby (2026)
Martin (2024)
Winokur (2027)
Rosario (2026)

Pretty similar to the infield situation, except the projectability is weighted more toward the later years.  ERod showing up and producing at a high level in 2025 is a very important piece assuming at least one of Wallner or Martin can be a reliable above average everyday player.

 

I would be putting J Rod on the OF list.

[terrydactyls]

38 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

Including last year’s two rookies, the Twins have seven legit non-1B (although one or more of them could end up there) infielder prospects coming over the next three or so seasons:

Lewis (now)
Julien (now)
Lee (2024)
Schobel (2026)
Keaschall (2026)
Andrade (2027)
Miller (2026)

That’s a solid level of talent with decent spaced timelines coupled with a definite weighting to near term projectability. 

Interestingly, including Wallner, we have seven outfielders as well:

Wallner (now)
Jenkins (2026)
ERod (2025)
Gabby (2026)
Martin (2024)
Winokur (2027)
Rosario (2026)

Pretty similar to the infield situation, except the projectability is weighted more toward the later years.  ERod showing up and producing at a high level in 2025 is a very important piece assuming at least one of Wallner or Martin can be a reliable above average everyday player.

 

That is a lot of potential trade material for the Twins search for a #1 or #2 starting pitcher.

[Fatbat]

@Nashvilletwin I love to see lists like this because almost everyone of those guys played SS at some point in their journey to MLB. The FO deserves compliments for drafting and development!! With 3 picks in the top 60 this year, expect to add a name or 2 to the twins top 30 prospects. 
I would expect De Andrade or Miller to be busting down the door in 3 years to take over an infield spot. 

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, sweetmusicviola16 said:

I would be putting J Rod on the OF list.

And maybe Yasser Mercedes too.  But not Salas on the IF list.  

[Doctor Gast]

My hope is in Noah Miller. His glove is elite & his hitting will come along. Correa's hitting was horrid last season but his glove carried him. At SS IMO glove trumps bats. I'd rather have a very good glove that's average hitting than a very good bat that's average fielding at least at CF, SS & catching.

[jkcarew]

2 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

However,  who has the better bat is definitely a toss up.

Yes, they are both early enough in their developmental that it is still yet to be determined.

But De Andrade seems clearly ahead offensively as of now. Last summer, his age 19 year in Fort Myers was significantly better than was Miller’s the previous season. And it’s not like Miller set a high offensive bar last season at Cedar Rapids. I do like how Miller seems to be able to get on base via BB.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

6 minutes ago, jkcarew said:

Yes, they are both early enough in their developmental that it is still yet to be determined.

But De Andrade seems clearly ahead offensively as of now. Last summer, his age 19 year in Fort Myers was significantly better than was Miller’s the previous season. And it’s not like Miller set a high offensive bar last season at Cedar Rapids. I do like how Miller seems to be able to get on base via BB.

Noahs .823 OPS in August in A+.  compared to De Andrade .886 in August also in A ball is pretty compareable.  Biggest difference I saw was Miller was a steady crescendo of improvement while De Andrade's was a bit all over the place - august appeared to be outlier to everything else.  Its not that I am discounting De Andrade, its that I think Miller figured something out and with his defense, and higher lever has a leg up on De Andrade.  He will also most likely get 1st crack at either SS or as the utility since further developed.  

[Rosterman]

Was just thinking that the Twins do have some SS depth for trading. This guy, as well as Miller, have TOP Prospect value written all over them ... now. Sadly, both are probably three years away from coming to the majors. A rebuilding team like, say, the A's could find some value. 

TRhe Twins already have a logjam in the infield and NO clear paths about who will be playing where. At what point does Correa move from shortstop. And then where, third base? Is Lewis the future second baseman? Is Julien a longterm guy, and will he end up at first base, or become a valuable radechip himself if he puts together a solid 2024.

Right now out infield seems to be made up of guys who aren't playing positions they will be playing someday soon. It then questions where you play certain guys in the minors. Like Lee, keep him at short and move Correa to third next season?

[FlyingFinn]

Interesting decision for the Twins on who plays SS in the minors at the different levels this year. I see both De Andrade and Miller as the primary SS's on their team. If you hold Miller back at Cedar Rapids at the beginning of the season for his confidence/improvement of his bat before going to Wichita, then you hold De Andrade back. Or are we pushing both up a level right away at the beginning of the year?

[TopGunn#22]

I agree that the Twins have some solid depth at the SS position in the minors.  I always get confused WHO the Platinum Gold Glove winner we had at SS in the minors was last season...Miller?  Or Schobel?  It's not that I'm discounting De Andrade, but I also am not willing to concede that Brooks Lee is doomed to either 2B or 3B either.  

De Andrade, Miller, Schobel are all good prospects and are in some respects similar to Emmanuel Rodriguez.  This year will determine if Emm-Rod is a BIG TIME prospect, or if he has some major flaws that need correcting.  All three of these SS's could take a big step forward, or stall.  

To me, of these three SS's the one constant and least likely to slip or stall is the Platinum Gold Glove talent.  That really caught my attention.  Defense plays and is a consistent talent season over season.  Whoever that guy is (Miller/Schobel) is who I think eventually takes over at SS when Correa needs to move to 3B.  (unless of course, Brooks Lee fulfils all expectations.

It's also why you could see Lewis in LF at sometime if Correa is destined for 3B in a couple of years.  But a lot of THAT depends on how our OF prospects develop.  

[wabene]

When watching highlights of Miller in the field, he's got the instincts, and good range, but man the arm stands out. Every throw is a chest high rope until he's deep in the hole, then you see the money one hopper. Correa one hops most of his throws to good results. Miller only when deep in the hole. 

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, TopGunn#22 said:

I always get confused WHO the Platinum Gold Glove winner we had at SS in the minors was last season...Miller?  Or Schobel?

Miller is the Platinum winner. Schobel isn't going to be a SS in the majors. 2B or 3B are his main positions (though someone might want to check exactly what he played last year as I am going off of memory).

[Blyleven2011]

4 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

My hope is in Noah Miller. His glove is elite & his hitting will come along. Correa's hitting was horrid last season but his glove carried him. At SS IMO glove trumps bats. I'd rather have a very good glove that's average hitting than a very good bat that's average fielding at least at CF, SS & catching.

I'm greedy , I want it all ....

Seriously I would take defense and run savers over hitting  , used to be that way , teams would have a slick shortstop that didn't hit all that well , 240 was acceptable back then for a shortstop  ...

[sweetmusicviola16]

28 minutes ago, Blyleven2011 said:

I'm greedy , I want it all ....

Seriously I would take defense and run savers over hitting  , used to be that way , teams would have a slick shortstop that didn't hit all that well , 240 was acceptable back then for a shortstop  ...

I agree, I also want it all. But from a GG SS I consider .240 still generally acceptable. Unless it is our present SS Correa. He needs to hit .275 with 25 HR and 85 RBI, because of the investment of 33million in 2024. We need more than good D and .230 again.

[arby58]

10 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Yes,  he also has the 21 year old Miller ahead of him, who I actually think has a better shot at being the next Twins shortstop of the future, as of right now.  Millers bat clicked in the second half and his OBP went up every month after June.  Damn impressive.  We will see where both of these guys are this year.  I think Millers defense is likely a little better.  However,  who has the better bat is definitely a toss up.  Both good young prospects.  

Well, Miller's batting average and OBP in June was .192 and .241, so pretty easy to go up from there. His OPS still bounced around and was .653 for the year. The prior year, at Fort Meyers, his OPS for the year was .627. By contrast, De Andrade at Fort Meyers last year (both in their age 19 season) had an OPS of .750. It's hard to say that Miller is ahead of De Andrade offensively. We'll see how it shakes out.

[DocBauer]

I've seen only a little of Miller in the field but the range, glove, instincts and are are LEGIT. The kid could play very good/excellent defense at the ML level right now. And that's no insult to what DeAndrade us now and can be. He was signed as a legitimate SS prospect. It's my understanding his body might grow out of the position.

Miller did get a little better with the bat in the second half last season, but when you're near the bottom there's no place left but to go up. He's got some natural athleticism, so I'm not discounting further development. But DeAndrade is clearly ahead right now. He put up better all around numbers at a year younger and a lower level, but, the Florida league is considered a dead ball league.

Does Miller show enough improvement in the offseason and ST to move to AA as a 21yo? Or is he better off at least begining the year at Cedar Rapids? DeAndre deserves to move up to CR. It would be nice if both could be the primary SS at a level, but kids always move around to accommodate and get experience for themselves. So I don't know that either is hurt if they share time at a level for now. Nothing says they have to do so for the entire season.

This is a nice problem to have, but both are still so young, they've both got a lot of room for improvement, but time and talent are on their side.

[DocBauer]

8 hours ago, wabene said:

When watching highlights of Miller in the field, he's got the instincts, and good range, but man the arm stands out. Every throw is a chest high rope until he's deep in the hole, then you see the money one hopper. Correa one hops most of his throws to good results. Miller only when deep in the hole. 

It's my understanding that Correa uses the hop to 1B for the dual purpose of timing for the 1B to make a play, and because the spin on the ball actually helps increase the speed in which it arrives. 

No expert, but that's my understanding.

[Doctor Wu]

17 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Interesting decision for the Twins on who plays SS in the minors at the different levels this year. I see both De Andrade and Miller as the primary SS's on their team. If you hold Miller back at Cedar Rapids at the beginning of the season for his confidence/improvement of his bat before going to Wichita, then you hold De Andrade back. Or are we pushing both up a level right away at the beginning of the year?

Yes, it seems like we have an abundance of very good prospects that may be competing for playing time at similar positions. Getting to be a logjam! It will interesting, or perhaps infuriating, to see which players get the most playing time this season. Anyway, I enjoyed this article. Told me a lot about a player that I knew very little about previously. Good stuff! 

[Twinsgypsy]

21 hours ago, arby58 said:

The hitting part is the rub. The top teams these days get offense as well as defense from their shortstops. You're right about the fielding part, though.

He is considered one of the best defensive ( if not the best) SS in the minors,  It would be a shame if he could not get his bat in order to go along with his defensive skills.  He is still young, but I have some concerns that he might not get to a point where he will be given a chance because others will be promoted before him.

[TopGunn#22]

Thanks for the assistance in identifying Miller.  I can only hope I finally remember it.  With a glove THAT GOOD the hope is that his offense starts to come around, which he showed some progress in the 2nd half of the season last year.  If the Twins in 2-3 years have Lewis, Julien, Walker Jenkins, Emm-Rod, Kirilloff. Wallner, Jeffers, Brooks Lee, Correa and Buxton here's hoping Noah Miller can have his mates pick him up on the offensive aspect of the game.  A glove like that at SS will always play.  Shortstops, like pitchers, will always be in high demand.  

[saviking]

You guys aren't debating with Cody. You're arguing with a computer ...