One Prospect Who Could Fill a Donovan Solano-Like Role for the Twins

[Cody Christie]

Last spring, the Twins signed Donovan Solano after spring training started, to fill a bench role. He proved invaluable to the 2023 team. One Twins prospect can fill a similar role for the 2024 campaign.

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

Last spring, the Twins signed Donovan Solano after spring training started, to fill a bench role. He proved invaluable to the 2023 team. One Twins prospect can fill a similar role for the 2024 campaign.

Donovan Solano was a late addition to the Twins roster last spring, signing a one-year, $2-million contract. His value to Minnesota was much greater than that figure, as he played in a career-high 134 games while hitting .282/.369/.391, with 26 doubles, one triple, and five home runs. During his age-35 season, he combpiled 1.7 rWAR, and FanGraphs pegged his value at nearly $10 million. Earlier this winter, reports surfaced that Solano would like to return to the Twins, but that is unlikely to transpire. Instead, the Twins might already have a younger version of Solano on the 40-man roster, ready to take the next step. 

Yunior Severino ranked as one of the top international prospects during the 2016-17 signing period. At the time, he signed with the Braves organization for nearly $2 million and made his professional debut for their rookie league teams in 2017. Following the season, he was one of a handful of prospects declared free agents by Major League Baseball, because the Braves violated rules about recruiting and signing international free agents. Minnesota swooped in and handed Severino a $2.5 million bonus. Since then, his time in the organization has seen mixed performance. 

Severino has steadily climbed the organizational ladder, especially since the minor-league season was lost to the pandemic. In 2021, he split time between Low-A and High-A and hit .273/.372/.430, with 29 doubles and eight home runs in 98 games. His power took a giant leap in 2022, while playing for Cedar Rapids and Wichita. In 83 games, he smacked 19 long balls, and his .907 OPS was a career high. Unfortunately, injuries limited him to fewer than 100 games in back-to-back seasons, but there were signs of life with his bat that impressed evaluators. 

The 2023 season was the true breakout campaign for Severino. He destroyed the ball at Double-A to start the year, hitting .287/.365/.560 with 15 doubles and 24 home runs in 84 games. He was then promoted him to Triple-A in the second half, and continued to hammer the ball with an .832 OPS and 11 more home runs to add to his season total. The switch-hitter combined for 35 home runs, which was tied for the most in all of the minors. No Twins minor leaguer has hit more than 35 home runs in any season since 2000. Following the season, Twins Daily named him the organization’s 2023 Minor League Hitter of the Year.

The front office rewarded Severino’s performance by adding him to the 40-man roster this winter--a more momentous decision than it sounds, given his age and proximity. Brooks Lee and Austin Martin have received plenty of hype regarding their potential roles with the Twins in 2023, but Severino shouldn’t be forgotten. Severino’s splits have been almost identical from both sides of the plate, due to his tremendous bat speed and high exit velocities. In his brief time in Triple-A, he hit six balls at least 101.9 miles per hour from the right side (facing lefties) and 10 at least that hard from the left side. He generated some lift from each side.

Like any power hitter, there are concerns about his strikeout rate, including 173 strikeouts in 120 games last season. However, he was young for both levels last season and faced older pitchers in nearly 84% of his plate appearances.

So, how can Severino fill a Solano-type role for the Twins? Both players have some defensive flexibility, but aren’t considered strong defenders at any position. In 2023, Severino started 64 games at third base, the most of any position. He also played over 125 innings at second base and first base. Solano played all three of those positions for the Twins in 2023. Obviously, their offensive profiles are very different. Solano has a .711 OPS for his MLB career, while Severino’s .832 OPS for his entire professional career has only included minor-league stats to this point. Severino won't hit for average or get on base the way that Solano has, but Severino certainly has much more power in his bat than Solano.

Severino probably isn’t going to start the season with the Twins, but that takes nothing away from his potential long-term value to the team. His power is legitimate, and there are things he can continue to work on at Triple-A. His strikeout numbers were high last year, so returning to a level he knows could help him learn to be more selective at the plate. Defensively, he must prove he won’t be a liability at whatever position the Twins need him to play after he is called up. “Donnie Barrels” was vital for Minnesota last season, and Severino can fill a similar role in the years ahead.

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When will Severino make his debut this season? Which defensive position is best for his long-term value? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

Research assistance provided by TruMedia.

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[tarheeltwinsfan]

I am a big Severino fan. I wish him well this year. It is an important year for him.  He must convince the Twins that the Twins need him on their 26 man roster this year or next year, at the latest. That will be difficult with Lee and Martin knocking on the 26 man roster door also. 

[tony&rodney]

Severino certainly could have an MLB career and you do a fine job of profiling the young slugger. It makes some sense that, if injuries occur and Severino is pounding the ball at AAA, the Twins may give a call,

The comparison to Solano is pretty narrow though. The similarity, which you point out clearly, is that both are poor defensively at numerous positions. The differences are stark. Solano is a veteran who can sit for days and come off the bench with a bat that makes solid contact. The slashing style of Solano was valuable precisely because he was a good match to hit the ball against any pitcher. Severino is still young, unproven, and strike outs a load, which you did point out. I'm not confident that Severino can sit for long periods and be a threat at the plate late in games as a contact pinch hitter. 

Solano has had a pretty decent career as a contact line drive hitter. Hopefully Severino can have a fair MLB career but his avenue for a spot with the Twins is pretty blocked currently.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I think IF his shoulder his healthy, and he can get back to even 80%^ of what he was in 2022, Jose Miranda is a closer Solano comp. Miranda's career strikeout rate is more like 15-18%^, which is a LOT less than Severino. We will see how healthy his shoulder is, but I'd absolutely give Miranda a chance on the 26 man a LOT faster than I would Severino.

[nicksaviking]

I really like Severino, though I'm not sure the Twins lineup can support he, Buxton, Wallner and Julien with all those strikeouts.

But all are good players, and I'm not opposed to making some moves to accomodate.

[High heat]

Miranda is a much better prospect comparison to Donny Bats.  At times you need a guy to pinch hit and out the ball in play (guy on third less then 2 outs) and can finish the game in the field.  
 

You rarely need a guy who might run into one but likely will strike out late in a game and isn’t an elite defender.

 

 

[GNess]

He is an intriguing prospect. Severino pounds the ball and strikes out a lot. I understand that annoys many on TD, but doesn't seem to bother the Twins' front office much. I suspect if Severino is hitting at St Paul he will definitely get some time with the Twins. 

[rhal]

Seems pretty clear he is a future full-time or platoon DH.  Lee at 2nd, Julien at 1st, Kiriloff in LF and Severino or Miranda at DH could be a long-term plan.  Seems like the competition among prospects will be between Severino and Miranda.

[Karbo]

2 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I am a big Severino fan. I wish him well this year. It is an important year for him.  He must convince the Twins that the Twins need him on their 26 man roster this year or next year, at the latest. That will be difficult with Lee and Martin knocking on the 26 man roster door also. 

The Twins FO loves their reclamation projects and to a fair degree have been successful at it, but at some point they need to have room to see what these kids can do. Between Lee, Martin, and soon Jenkins there are some really good youngsters in the minors with no room for them in the majors. A nice problem to have, but a problem no less.

[Cory Engelhardt]

41 minutes ago, rhal said:

Seems pretty clear he is a future full-time or platoon DH.  Lee at 2nd, Julien at 1st, Kiriloff in LF and Severino or Miranda at DH could be a long-term plan.  Seems like the competition among prospects will be between Severino and Miranda.

Plus with Emmanuel Rodriguez and eventually Walker Jenkins coming down the pike, the options in the outfield (with Wallner et al) will be fascinating to follow.

[mickster]

3 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I am a big Severino fan. I wish him well this year. It is an important year for him.  He must convince the Twins that the Twins need him on their 26 man roster this year or next year, at the latest. That will be difficult with Lee and Martin knocking on the 26 man roster door also. 

If Severino does just that, then Lee or Martin will be great pieces to trade

[mickster]

31 minutes ago, Cory Engelhardt said:

Plus with Emmanuel Rodriguez and eventually Walker Jenkins coming down the pike, the options in the outfield (with Wallner et al) will be fascinating to follow.

Would be awesome to have all of this come through as the need to part with top prospects to get a #1 pitcher to go with Pablo may end up being the need to push this team to a WS contender

[Brandon]

I think he would be a good prospect to include in a trade if he keeps hitting or if he can work his way into the 1B/DH equation.  Either one suits me just fine.  I like how we got him.  it is unconventional to get a player who was signed and set free.  It would be nice to see one of the extra prospects we get turn into something at the major league level.  

[Doctor Gast]

Quote

His strikeout numbers were high last year, so returning to a level he knows could help him learn to be more selective at the plate. Defensively, he must prove he won’t be a liability at whatever position the Twins need him to play after he is called up.

Those are some lofty problems. Because they have put him in some positions, doesn't mean he's credible there & SOs are a major concern. I know Twins value HRs despite weakness in defense & SOs that's why he's still around & on the 40-man. Solano is a solid contact hitter who is viable on defense Severino is neither.

[Nashvilletwin]

Could be the next Steer or CES….

[Fatbat]

Someone, please teach the man how to play defense and strikeout less. Then add him to the varsity roster. 

[jkcarew]

I don’t think Severino will ever be a bench player in the majors…and for sure not in 2024. If he can control the K’s, the bat will play…and he’ll eventually land at 1B or DH, I assume. For someone.

[Jocko87]

The addition to the 40 man wasn't exactly a reward. He would have been exposed and selected in the rule 5 if not. I suspect he's a year or better away and they would have preferred to wait.

[mikelink45]

This is a stretch comparison.  Solano was really good for us and I am surprised we did not keep him for another year.  Severino has a lot to prove before this essay resonates with me. 

[Doctor Wu]

10 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

This is a stretch comparison.  Solano was really good for us and I am surprised we did not keep him for another year.  Severino has a lot to prove before this essay resonates with me. 

Yeah, I think the comparison is a big stretch. Solano was a dependable bat, and could play various positions if needed. Severino certainly has potential, especially with his power, but the strikeout rate is a big concern. It was noted that he was young for his league last year, but does that really factor into the strikeout rate?

[specialiststeve]

He will get a cup of coffee this year with the Twins... As always those guys are "prime" trade candidates to be traded for pitching as teams are ALWAYS looking for bats and somehow we seem to have more that we have waiting for an opportunity.  

[Scott51104]

Chili Davis 2.0

[KBJ1]

Promising yes. Just wish he could play LF where we need a 5 tool, big bat. 

[Trov]

Severino is more like Joey Gallo than Salano. Salano will strike out like 40% if not more at MLB level.