Who Has the Best Tools Among the Twins' Top Position Player Prospects?

[Cody Christie]

Minnesota’s farm system continues to rise on national rankings. Here are the position players with the top tools for the Twins.

 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Walker Jenkins)

Many national prospect rankings have updated their top-100 prospect lists following the 2024 MLB Draft. There has also been nearly a full season of action to collect scouting reports and data on current players in minor-league systems since the big round of lists came out during the offseason. MLB Pipeline updated their rankings, with the Twins having six top-100 prospects. Minnesota has seen some of these prospects already impact the big-league roster, and others are inching closer to Target Field. 

The tools below are rated on the standard 20-80 scouting scale, where 50 represents the big-league average. Players on the list must be included in MLB Pipeline’s Top-30 Twins prospects. 

Hit Tool: Brooks Lee, SS
MLB Pipeline Grade: 65
Lee is among the prospects MLB Pipeline considered for the top overall hit tool. He has exceptional bat-to-ball skills, advanced plate discipline, and a solid ability to consistently make hard contact. His swing mechanics are smooth and efficient, allowing him to cover the entire strike zone and drive pitches to all fields. Lee's keen eye at the plate enables him to work deep counts and avoid chasing bad pitches, while his strong hand-eye coordination ensures that he rarely misses when he decides to swing. His combination of pitch recognition, contact ability, and power potential makes him a highly promising hitter, positioning him as a standout prospect in the Twins' system.

Power Tool: Walker Jenkins, OF
MLB Pipeline Grade: 60
Multiple Twins prospects grade out as a 60 in the power department, but Jenkins is the prospect whom fans will get the most excited about. His strength, combined with a naturally leveraged swing, generates tremendous bat speed and allows him to barrel up the ball with authority consistently. Jenkins's power is not just a product of his physical attributes; it's also a result of his advanced approach at the plate, where he patiently waits for pitches he can drive. This combination of raw power, swing mechanics, and plate discipline gives Jenkins the potential to be a middle-of-the-order threat, with the ability to hit for both average and significant power as he continues to develop.

Arm Tool: Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
MLB Pipeline Grade: 65
González stands out in the Twins organization for his exceptional arm strength, widely regarded as one of the best among the team's prospects. His powerful and accurate throws from the outfield can easily cut down runners, whether he's gunning for home plate or stopping a potential extra-base hit. González's arm tool is game-changing, allowing him to deter baserunners from taking extra bases and contributing significantly to his defensive prowess. His quick release and strong and accurate throws add a layer of intimidation, making him a defensive standout and one of the most promising outfielders in the system.

Run Tool: Kyle DeBarge, SS
MLB Pipeline Grade: 60
DeBarge is recognized as one of the best baserunners in the organization, due to his exceptional speed, keen instincts, and aggressive (yet intelligent) approach to advancing. His quick first step and explosive acceleration make him a constant threat to steal bases, while his ability to read pitchers and anticipate their moves allows him to take extra bases and capitalize on defensive lapses. DeBarge's situational awareness is top-notch, as he consistently makes the right decisions in high-pressure moments, whether it's stretching a single into a double or advancing on a ball in the dirt. His combination of speed, intelligence, and fearlessness makes him a dynamic presence on the bases, adding significant value to his overall game and putting constant pressure on opposing defenses.

Fielding Tool: Danny De Andrade, SS
MLB Pipeline Grade: 55
De Andrade is lauded for having exceptional defensive instincts, quick reflexes, and smooth glove work. His ability to read the ball off the bat and position himself ideally allows him to cover a wide range, making even the most difficult plays look routine. De Andrade’s soft hands and precise footwork enable him to field cleanly and transition smoothly into accurate throws, even from challenging angles. His athleticism and quick reaction time make him a reliable defender in all situations, while his strong arm ensures that he can make the necessary throws from deep in the hole. These attributes, combined with his high baseball IQ, make De Andrade a defensive standout and one of the most polished fielders in the Twins' system.

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Do you agree with the grades given above? Would you rank any prospects ahead of those listed above? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this article as highlighting the prospects with the best of each tool but surely Emmanuel Rodriguez has the best power tool in the system, right?

Speed is always the most exciting tool for me. DeBarge has had a slower go of it that I would have hoped of a college bat in Fort Meyers (in an extremely small sample size), but the 10 walks and 11 steals to 1 caught stealing in 13 games is great to see. 

[chpettit19]

51 minutes ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

Maybe I'm misunderstanding this article as highlighting the prospects with the best of each tool but surely Emmanuel Rodriguez has the best power tool in the system, right?

Speed is always the most exciting tool for me. DeBarge has had a slower go of it that I would have hoped of a college bat in Fort Meyers (in an extremely small sample size), but the 10 walks and 11 steals to 1 caught stealing in 13 games is great to see. 

Emma has a 60 grade power on pipeline's rankings, too. Author probably could've/should've listed both guys since they're the only 2 guys in their rankings with 60 grade power.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

25 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Emma has a 60 grade power on pipeline's rankings, too. Author probably could've/should've listed both guys since they're the only 2 guys in their rankings with 60 grade power.

That they have the same grade is surprising to me. I'd put Emma solidly above Jenkins in that department. 

[chpettit19]

1 minute ago, CCHOF5yearstoolate said:

That they have the same grade is surprising to me. I'd put Emma solidly above Jenkins in that department. 

Current power for sure, but Jenkins is still living off his draft scouting reports. You can certainly see why people think we should hit for power as he advances just by his size, but his swing certainly looks like it should produce power as well. But he really hasn't this year.

It will be interesting to see what Jenkins does the first half of next year. Mid-season rankings next year could see a big change for him. Or he could be in AA with a bunch of us begging for them to send him to AAA. Will be fun to follow.

[LambchoP]

I wonder how much Lee's shoulder injury contributed to his minor slump before he went on the IL. He was very exciting to watch when he first got called up, really showing that hit tool. Some power mixed in occasionally too. He looked real good on defense. If we can get him healthy and productive again, he should definitely factor into our second base mix along with Julien. It'd be a big boost to our lineup if both these guys got hot and were competing for more starts at 2nd. Possibly auditioning for the starting gig next year.

[FlyingFinn]

Bummer De Andrade missed so much time this year. Would like to have seen him have a chance to improve with the bat. Is he Noah Miller or does he go much higher?

[mikelink45]

Interesting.  I have no way to judge these so I just absorb the various articles. But I wonder how Seth views this - not from stats, but from his eye test.

[gman]

I'm not sure who hits for more power, but I think Rodriguez walks more and Jenkins has more hits. I expect OBP for both will be about the same, as long as its high that'll be good. It'll be nice for the lineup if they both wind up in that 30 homer territory. That'll probably 2-3 years from now.

I was surprised about the hit number for Lee. 65 seems high for what he has shown so far. Still developing apparently.

[CCHOF5yearstoolate]

2 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Current power for sure, but Jenkins is still living off his draft scouting reports. You can certainly see why people think we should hit for power as he advances just by his size, but his swing certainly looks like it should produce power as well. But he really hasn't this year.

It will be interesting to see what Jenkins does the first half of next year. Mid-season rankings next year could see a big change for him. Or he could be in AA with a bunch of us begging for them to send him to AAA. Will be fun to follow.

Oh sure, like how some places do "game power" vs "raw power". I agree Jenkins looks like he should be able to hit for power, but Emma is already there and his calling card is power. I think of it like Jenkins may end up with a higher SLG due to his much better hit tool, but Emma will have the higher ISO.

[tony&rodney]

Power tool based on watching these guys goes: 1. EmRod 2. McCusker

[thelanges5]

10 hours ago, LambchoP said:

I wonder how much Lee's shoulder injury contributed to his minor slump before he went on the IL. He was very exciting to watch when he first got called up, really showing that hit tool. Some power mixed in occasionally too. He looked real good on defense. If we can get him healthy and productive again, he should definitely factor into our second base mix along with Julien. It'd be a big boost to our lineup if both these guys got hot and were competing for more starts at 2nd. Possibly auditioning for the starting gig next year.

Lee is supposed to start a rehab assignment Saturday for the Saints. 

[Linus]

Did not realize Gonzalez had such a good arm.  Also excited about DeAndrades ability in the field. Watching a smooth SS is a great pleasure. 

[TopGunn#22]

I agree Linus.  As the centerpiece of the Polanco trade I primarily focused on him being a RH bat to counter all our LH corner OF bats.  That he has a cannon for an arm is interesting.  If he develops into a .280/.350/.490 corner OF with 20-25 HR production an OF that has Wallner in RF and Gonzalez in LF would be interesting. 

With Jenkins in CF I don't know where that leaves Emm-Rod but it just goes to show how much depth we have in our farm system and that all of them will not and cannot be Twins.  As far as a timeline, by this time next year we will have a much better idea where the pieces may fall.  Emm-Rod could already be a Twin.  Jenkins and Gonzalez will probably be advancing in the system.  Kepler will be gone and we will have another season to gauge where Wallner, Larnach and Kirilloff are.   

[2wins87]

 

23 hours ago, chpettit19 said:

Emma has a 60 grade power on pipeline's rankings, too. Author probably could've/should've listed both guys since they're the only 2 guys in their rankings with 60 grade power.

I'm not sure I'd even put a 50 grade on Jenkins' power tbh.  Future grade could still be a 60 maybe, but I agree with @Dman, he simply hasn't shown it with wood bats and I think the grade is out of date. His 90th percentile and max exit velocities in Ft Myers were 101.6 and 108.8. Erod's 2 years ago were 106.6 and 111.6.

Some guys can get to good power without very high EVs by pulling the ball in the air frequently, but that doesn't seem to be Jenkins' style either. He seems like more of an all-fields type to me (maybe a bit like Mauer).

There could be good scouting reasons to believe he becomes a slugger in the future, but there is no data to back up the 60 grade yet.

I think MLB pipeline tends to be a little more scouting vs data centered in their prospect ratings, and I think they do have a decent track record on guys that don't necessarily show their pedigree in the stat pages immediately.  I don't know if their tool grades are that useful though.  Of the guys ranked in their top 30, Rodriguez, Rosario, and Severino should definitely have higher power grades than Jenkins, and those are just the obvious ones.

I don't want this to come off overly negative on Jenkins, I think his hit tool is top notch and he should be a really good overall hitter even with just average power.  I think highlighting him as the best power tool in the system really sells short half a dozen other prospects though.

[roger]

Loved this post, Cody.  Thanks!

Also learned a few things.  I didn't realize that DeAndrade was this good defensively.  Will double down on the above comment from FlyingFinn about his missing so much time this year.  Will be fun following him next year to see if his bat improves.

Wasn't impressed when DeBarge was drafted.  Mostly because I knew nothing about him.  Didn't have a clue he had this type of speed and base running savvy.  Makes that pick look a lot more interesting.  Also didn't realize Gonzalez had an arm that was special.  Sure makes the Polo trade look better.  A lot better if his bat keeps developing.

Only thing that would have made this post even better, Cody, would have been if you had included a second or even two players who were in contention for the top spots.

 

[tony&rodney]

Development takes time and players get better, sometimes much better, as they learn how to play baseball. So I have some hope that Gonzalez might eventually be able to use his strong arm as an outfielder. Through hard work and thousands of repetition and study, Gonzalez should improve as an outfielder and  then his arm could be a benefit. It isn't useful right now because his fielding skills are absolutely rock bottom. Like I said though, i remain hopeful for development.

[Dman]

4 hours ago, 2wins87 said:

 

I'm not sure I'd even put a 50 grade on Jenkins' power tbh.  Future grade could still be a 60 maybe, but I agree with @Dman, he simply hasn't shown it with wood bats and I think the grade is out of date. His 90th percentile and max exit velocities in Ft Myers were 101.6 and 108.8. Erod's 2 years ago were 106.6 and 111.6.

Some guys can get to good power without very high EVs by pulling the ball in the air frequently, but that doesn't seem to be Jenkins' style either. He seems like more of an all-fields type to me (maybe a bit like Mauer).

There could be good scouting reasons to believe he becomes a slugger in the future, but there is no data to back up the 60 grade yet.

 

I agree.  Currently right now, as of today no way he has 60 power IMO.  Could he get there?  Yeah I think he can.  He is only 19 and guys grow into power all the time. He has a great build and his man muscles will be there soon enough.

I do like @2wins87 comp of Mauer right now.  Jenkins has been really good at drawing walks, getting in zone contact and going the other way.  Those were all things Mauer had in his tool box as well. Jenkins has a very balanced approach and that really excites me as he will be hard to defend against making him a tough out.  

I still really love the player maybe even more than I thought I would given the plate discipline he has, but power hasn't been a big part of his game so far.  I would go with Rodriguez or Severino or someone else who has higher exit velo's for now.

[chpettit19]

5 hours ago, 2wins87 said:

 

I'm not sure I'd even put a 50 grade on Jenkins' power tbh.  Future grade could still be a 60 maybe, but I agree with @Dman, he simply hasn't shown it with wood bats and I think the grade is out of date. His 90th percentile and max exit velocities in Ft Myers were 101.6 and 108.8. Erod's 2 years ago were 106.6 and 111.6.

Some guys can get to good power without very high EVs by pulling the ball in the air frequently, but that doesn't seem to be Jenkins' style either. He seems like more of an all-fields type to me (maybe a bit like Mauer).

There could be good scouting reasons to believe he becomes a slugger in the future, but there is no data to back up the 60 grade yet.

I think MLB pipeline tends to be a little more scouting vs data centered in their prospect ratings, and I think they do have a decent track record on guys that don't necessarily show their pedigree in the stat pages immediately.  I don't know if their tool grades are that useful though.  Of the guys ranked in their top 30, Rodriguez, Rosario, and Severino should definitely have higher power grades than Jenkins, and those are just the obvious ones.

I don't want this to come off overly negative on Jenkins, I think his hit tool is top notch and he should be a really good overall hitter even with just average power.  I think highlighting him as the best power tool in the system really sells short half a dozen other prospects though.

To be fair, Pipeline isn't the only one with him at 60 power. Fangraphs, for example, also has him at a 60. They even have him at a 55 raw power right now. But they have him at a 20 current game power. I have no problem with people saying he's not a power hitter right now. That's pretty obvious.

I'd expect someone who's far more "A swing all the time" like Emma to have higher exit velos early in his career. He paired that with some pretty significant K rates, though. Jenkins' approach is much different. His K rates are basically half of Emma's at the same levels. The Fangraph's raw power grade makes me think when scouts watch him just let it fly in batting practice a few times they're seeing different things than what we're seeing in the game as he works to be an all around hitter and not just try to yank it as hard as he can. He is most definitely not a "get my A swing off every time" kind of hitter.

This could just be part of his development. Or he could never develop that kind of power (much like Mauer). Will be fun to see how he does, though.

[twinstalker]

Not sure how up to date these all are or whether it's referring to now or future.  Anyway, what I do know is De Andrade is good, and I think he hits enough.  I'm not sure he's the next Greg Gagne, but it does seem like a distinct comp for him, though I hate to compare any fielder with Gagne.  I've had De Andrade ranked #7 in the system and the heir to Correa.