3 Hitting Prospects Who Can Have a Huge Impact for 2025 Minnesota Twins

[Twins_Fan_in_NJ]

If Walker Jenkins is up with the Twins in 2025, something went horribly wrong. The Twins don't rush prospects, even if they're hitting well in the minors so if he's with the big club, injuries have ravaged the roster.

[tony&rodney]

11 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Look, I have ZERO belief McCusker is going to be a ML ballplayer. OK, maybe a 5-10% chance. I'm just saying, for giggles

How many plate appearances have you seen in the last two years of McCusker? I have only seen him about 50+ times, so super small sample. The improvement and adaptation has been nothing short of impressive. McCusker is athletic as well. There isn't anyone in the organization who hits the ball harder. He finished last season in St. Paul and was really good. Of the players who have appeared at AA or AAA, McCusker is in the top five among Twins prospects. Repetitions and experience are still needed but nobody should ignore Carson McCusker. https://zonecoverage.com/2024/mn-twins-news/carson-mccuskers-2024-season-is-defying-everyones-expectations/

[tony&rodney]

Anyone paying attention to Payton Eeles?

[bean5302]

Walker Jenkins honestly has no playing time above High-A Cedar Rapids, and Jenkins struggled out of the gate in Ft Myers after missing 6 weeks with a strained hamstring. Jenkins also struggled out of the gate after his promotion to Cedar Rapids, despite the overall stat line looking good. I'd put his chance of being in a Twins uniform during the regular season next year at 5%. I think the Twins pushed him from A+ to AA too quickly, and I think Jenkins is going to have a rough time in AA next year. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez could potentially help the Twins as early as May, I'd guess. Minnesota is incredibly thin on center field right now with no control over any player you'd want playing CF on an every day basis after the 60-80 games they might get from Buxton. That gives Rodriguez a huge leg up on chances to make the 26 man. Plus he's already on the 40 man and burned an option last year. The clock is ticking.

Luke Keaschall could also get the call mid season depending on how Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien look and if Keaschall absolutely dominates. He's not required to be on the 40 man until Dec '26 so there's no reason to push him and start his clock.

[tony&rodney]

1 hour ago, bean5302 said:

Walker Jenkins honestly has no playing time above High-A Cedar Rapids, and Jenkins struggled out of the gate in Ft Myers after missing 6 weeks with a strained hamstring. Jenkins also struggled out of the gate after his promotion to Cedar Rapids, despite the overall stat line looking good. I'd put his chance of being in a Twins uniform during the regular season next year at 5%. I think the Twins pushed him from A+ to AA too quickly, and I think Jenkins is going to have a rough time in AA next year. 

Emmanuel Rodriguez could potentially help the Twins as early as May, I'd guess. Minnesota is incredibly thin on center field right now with no control over any player you'd want playing CF on an every day basis after the 60-80 games they might get from Buxton. That gives Rodriguez a huge leg up on chances to make the 26 man. Plus he's already on the 40 man and burned an option last year. The clock is ticking.

Luke Keaschall could also get the call mid season depending on how Brooks Lee and Edouard Julien look and if Keaschall absolutely dominates. He's not required to be on the 40 man until Dec '26 so there's no reason to push him and start his clock.

I have not watched Walker Jenkins enough times to get a feel for him. I agree that his chances to reach MLB next season are remote. He does seem to have a good idea of the strike zone and keeps his swing on line. The opportunity for Jenkins to do well at AA will determine his availability for 2026.

Emmanuel will need to show some of his skills in Spring Training and prove that his swing decisions and focus are ready. Agree that he going to get a chance to prove himself.

It is hard to know where Luke Keaschall fits on the roster. He sure looked confident and talented last season. Keaschall has a dynamic swing and his athleticism should play at second base. If the Twins stand pat with Brooks Lee and Julien, they will get an opportunity to turn the page on their 2024 seasons. If they slip, Keaschall would be a good choice.

I still can't help but wonder whether Payton Eeles has the skills to stick with the Twins. I haven't seen him enough to have a strong sense of his talents. The numbers at AAA were impressive.

[Fatbat]

On 10/29/2024 at 10:00 AM, chpettit19 said:

A Michael Harris II season for Jenkins is the best hope. And I don't think it's completely unrealistic, even if it's not the most likely option. For those who don't follow the league that closely, Harris is the center fielder for the Braves. In 2022 he debuted on May 28th at the age of 21. After 43 games in AA. Total. For his life. Ever. He'd played 101 games in A+ ball the season before. He was a top 40-60 global prospect before that season so wasn't a nobody by any means, but wasn't a top-5 guy like Walker. Yes, Walker is a year younger than that, but Harris also missed his age 19 season in 2020 due to the pandemic. Am I predicting this? Absolutely not. Do I expect it? Also, absolutely not. But it's not completely unrealistic. But a July call-up and a real impact on the season? I do think that's entirely possible and relatively realistic. Worst case, for me, is a September call-up and a rookie of the year award in 2026.

If Emma isn't up by the end of May things are either going very well for the presumed (as in still on the roster) Larnach-Buxton-Wallner outfield or very poorly for Emma in AAA. I know he's young, and I'm by no means saying his career is over or he's a bust if he isn't up by then, but that's what superstars do. He should've/would've been up already if he could stay healthy. And that may be the "very poorly" thing in AAA for him (again). If he's going to be a super star, poor man's Soto for the Twins he needs to light Fort Myers up and tear St Paul apart to start the year and be up before June. We need to be all over these boards complaining that they're wasting him in AAA for most of May. He shouldn't be waiting for an injury, but should be doing the proverbial "forcing his way onto the roster" thing. It's time. He's young, but it's time. I'd actually argue he should be making a real argument for an opening day roster spot and pushing Larnach to the DH spot and being the CFer when Buxton needs a day.

Keaschall may have to be a little patient, but he should have a chance this year as a right handed bat that can play a little infield and a little outfield. I despise the idea of calling him up to make him a short-side platoon bat. His lack of 40-man spot is going to hurt him early, too. They moved him pretty quick his first full year, though, so hopefully that's a sign they're willing to displace guys who aren't performing and give him a chance. Their lack of spending power this offseason is likely going to work in his favor as well as there will be fewer veterans on the big club who they steadfastly refuse to move on from and instead he'll be fighting against other guys with options and it'll come down to performance over money and roster rules.

 

I love the Harris comparison! 
 

Enma has that advanced patience that may set him up to have a monster spring so if he does, he will be the in the bigs most of ‘25.  

[chpettit19]

6 hours ago, tony&rodney said:

Anyone paying attention to Payton Eeles?

Wish they would've given him a chance to be a spark plug during their September collapse. No reason I can see that he shouldn't be a ST invite and get a shot next year when someone inevitably gets hurt or struggles.

[TopGunn#22]

With non-roster guys like Eeles and McKusker I wonder if there may be "some" guys currently on the 40-man roster who may be on thin ice.  I hope the Twins are willing to consider guys like Kiersey, Eeles and McKusker and not joined at the hip with certain guys.

I also think that with the aforementioned guys the Twins should be VERY active in moving some prospects currently on the 40-man in trades to help balance the roster.  That would open up some spots for guys who look to be figuring things out and who should be included in conversations about "internal" options.   

[UK Twin]

I think Jenkins could be a superstar one day. His potential is enornmous. But no need to rush his development. He should end next year in AAA if it all goes to plan.

Like others have said, I think Rodriguez is the one who will be next up. His bat is pretty much ready for MLB now.