Ranking the Top Prospects in Minnesota Twins History: 6-10

[Cody Christie]

Prospect rankings have garnered more attention than ever in recent years, with more availability of data on top prospects. So, who have been the best prospects in Twins history?

Image courtesy of © Jason Bridge-Imagn Images

Over the years, the Minnesota Twins have developed an impressive list of prospects who arrived in the big leagues with sky-high expectations. From hometown heroes to international sensations, the hype around these players has shaped the franchise's identity and captured the hearts of Twins Territory. Baseball America was the first national outlet to authoritatively rank prospects in 1990, and coverage of the minor leagues has expanded significantly since that time. Here's a ranking of the top prospects in Twins history, factoring in their tools and potential at the time they were in the minor leagues. 

Honorable Mentions

• Jason Kubel: A sweet-swinging outfielder whose injuries curtailed what could have been a more impactful career as a five-tool talent. He peaked at number 17 on top-100 lists.
• Michael Cuddyer: Known for his versatility and leadership, Cuddyer blossomed into a key contributor for the Twins. He peaked at number 17 on top-100 lists.
• Aaron Hicks: A first-round pick with immense tools, Hicks flashed brilliance but didn’t fully realize his potential until leaving Minnesota. He peaked at number 19 on top-100 lists.

10. David McCarty (1991 - 3rd Overall Pick)
Top-100 Peak: 16
After finishing in last place in 1990, the Twins selected McCarty with the third overall pick in the 1991 Draft. Minnesota fast-tracked him, starting his professional career at High-A and advancing him to Double-A by season's end. His collegiate experience at Stanford contributed to an impressive .907 OPS, earning him recognition as baseball's 22nd-best prospect by Baseball America heading into 1992.

McCarty reached Triple-A the following year, posting a combined .284/.370/.448 slash line with 39 extra-base hits across 136 games. However, his major-league career fell short of expectations, ending with a .676 OPS and -2.1 WAR over 11 seasons.

9. Justin Morneau (1999 - 3rd Round)
Top-100 Peak: 14
The Twins selected Morneau in the third round of the 1999 draft, but it took a few seasons for him to emerge as a standout prospect. His breakout came in 2001, when he posted an impressive .886 OPS across three minor-league levels, catching the attention of Baseball America. Over the next three offseasons, they ranked Morneau among their top 25 prospects: #21 heading into 2002, #14 in 2003, and #16 in 2004.

During that time, he also showcased his talent by appearing in two Futures Games. Morneau went on to become one of the most pivotal players in Twins history, playing a key role in multiple division-winning teams. Since joining the television broadcast team, he has helped to bring a fresh perspective to viewers even after retiring. 

8. Willie Banks (1987 - 3rd Overall Pick)
Top-100 Peak: 13
Banks might be a lesser-known name to younger Twins fans, but Minnesota selected him with the third overall pick in the 1987 draft. His professional debut was rough, as he allowed 51 earned runs over 65 2/3 innings. However, he rebounded strongly the next season, posting a 3.72 ERA with 113 strikeouts in 125 2/3 innings. 

When Baseball America released its first-ever top-100 prospect list in 1990, Banks ranked 13th overall. He continued to improve in 1990, lowering his ERA by more than a full run and reducing his WHIP from 1.72 to 1.20 while splitting time between High-A and Double-A. Banks went on to pitch nine seasons in the majors, playing for seven different organizations.

7. Todd Walker (1994 - 8th Overall Pick)
Top-100 Peak: 7
The Twins selected Todd Walker with the eighth overall pick in the 1994 MLB Draft out of LSU. He consistently ranked among baseball's top 40 prospects throughout his minor-league career, but his 1996 season was particularly remarkable. In 135 games at Triple-A, he posted an incredible .339/.400/.599 slash line, with 28 home runs, 41 doubles, and nine triples. 

Across his entire minor-league career, Walker maintained an impressive .905 OPS, though he couldn't quite replicate that success at the major-league level. Even so, he put together a solid 12-year MLB career, hitting .289/.348/.435 in an admittedly high-offense era.

6. Francisco Liriano (Acquired via Trade in 2003)
Top-100 Peak: 6
Francisco Liriano joined the Twins as part of one of the most lopsided trades in franchise history. He was already a top-100 prospect heading into the 2003 season, but his 2005 minor-league performance cemented his status as a rising star. At just 21 years old, he dominated at Double-A and Triple-A, posting a 2.63 ERA, a 1.05 WHIP, and an impressive 11 strikeouts per nine innings.

Liriano's early MLB career was electric, earning him an All-Star nod in 2006. Unfortunately, his momentum was derailed when he suffered an elbow injury that ended his 2006 season and sidelined him for all of 2007. Some argue that with Johan Santana and Liriano anchoring the rotation, the 2006 Twins could have made a serious push for a World Series title.

Out of this group, Morneau went on to have the most accolades in his career, but they all got to the big leagues with hopes of an impactful career intact. Some players ran into injury issues, while others failed to find sustained success. Not every top prospect can turn into a superstar. 

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Should one of the honorable mentions have made the top-10? What do you remember about the prospects above? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[Blyleven2011]

You asked the question  , should any honorable mentioned players be on the top ten ....

My answer is YES  , Michael cuddyer over Mccarthy  ...

Cuddyer was a solid player and seemed to get better as the years went on  , not a superstar but very talented , solid player ...

Mccarthy I'm not even sure he should be an honorable mention as he contributed very little to the twins ...

He has sadly passed away at 54 this year ...

 

[LambchoP]

Hopefully Jenkins, ERod, Keaschal and maybe Festa can be a part of this list someday.