Predicting the Minnesota Twins' Top 5 Prospects On New Year’s Day 2026

[Cody Christie]

The Twins have plenty of prospects poised to impact the big-league roster in 2025. So, let’s look into the crystal ball and see who will be at the top of the team’s prospect rankings one year from now.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Brandon Winokur)

The Minnesota Twins farm system continues to evolve, and looking ahead to 2025, it’s time to highlight the future stars who could top the organization’s prospect rankings. Some of the team’s top prospects are expected to graduate from prospect lists next season such as Emmanuel Rodriguez, Luke Keaschall, and Andrew Morris. Let’s count down from No. 5 to No. 1 to see who will be at the top of the farm system’s rankings one year from now.

5. Marco Raya, RHP
Raya’s electric arm has kept him on the radar despite the organization being aggressive and cautious with him simultaneously. By the end of 2024, the Twins pushed him all the way to Triple-A, where he was six years younger than the average age of the competition. However, the Twins continue to limit his innings, with him only pitching more than five innings in one appearance last season.

His fastball, which sits in the mid-90s, pairs well with a devastating slider. In 2024, he improved his strikeout rate at the Double-A level from 8.1 in 2024 to 9.6 K/9. If he can continue to refine his command and stay healthy, Raya has the potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter or even an elite bullpen weapon if the Twins decide to go that route. Now that he’s close to the big leagues, the Twins must allow Raya to pitch deeper into games and prove his stuff can handle a starter's workload. 

2025 Prediction: Raya will pitch the majority of 2025 at Triple-A while pitching a career-high in innings. 

4. Brandon Winokur, SS/3B/OF
Winokur’s raw athleticism and power have been turning heads since he was drafted in the third round in 2023. In 2024, he played the entire season at Low-A as a 19-year-old. He slashed .249/.327/.434 (.761) with 36 extra-base hits in 94 games. He made significant strides at the plate, cutting down on strikeouts, with his strikeout rate dropping over 4% and his walk rate increasing by 2.7% compared to his pro debut.  

He also showcased the bat speed that could make him a cornerstone for the Twins. Winokur also offers positional flexibility, splitting time between shortstop, third base, and the outfield, though he may ultimately settle in a corner outfield spot. He has the tools that make scouts drool over his future potential. MLB Pipeline ranks him above average in Power (55), Run (60), and Arm (60). His blend of speed and power makes him an exciting prospect to watch as he rises through the system. In 2025, he is a player who can take a big step forward and potentially be a Top 100 prospect.

2025 Prediction: Winokur will spend 2025 in Cedar Rapids before moving to Double-A during his age-20 season. 

3. Charlee Soto, RHP
Soto, the Twins’ first-round pick (competitive balance) in 2023, has quickly established himself as one of the most promising arms in the system. His 2024 season showcased his ability to handle advanced competition while being 18 years old for most of the season. In 21 games (74 IP), he posted a 5.23 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and an 87-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 10.6 K/9 was very good, but he allowed 9.5 H/9 and 4.0 BB/9. Soto only faced younger batters in 10 plate appearances for the entire season and held them to one hit and four strikeouts. 

He has a fastball that touches 98 mph and a sinker and cutter that have good movement to keep batters off-balance. While he’s still refining his breaking ball, Soto’s poise on the mound and elite velocity have scouts projecting him as a future ace. He is a power pitcher, and many scouts believe he can throw strikes consistently as he learns to be a full-time pitcher. If he can continue his development path, he’ll be knocking on the door of the majors by 2027.

2025 Prediction: Soto will pitch the entire season at Cedar Rapids while still being a teenager. Look for him to pitch over 100 innings for the first time in his career while continuing to refine his secondary pitches. 

2. Kaelen Culpepper, 3B/SS
Last week, I wrote about why Culpepper deserves more respect on Twins prospect lists. Minnesota took him with their first-round draft pick in 2024, so he had limited time to help his prospect stock during his professional debut. In 26 games, he hit .242/.330/.394 (.724) with eight extra-base hits. In his very short time at Fort Myers, his 90th-percentile exit velocity was 102.6 miles per hour. He was also a patient hitter with a mature understanding of the strike zone, with 11 walks in 112 plate appearances.

Culpepper combines a solid hit tool with surprising pop for his size, making him a threat in the middle of any lineup. His defense is another strength, as he’s capable of playing both third base and shortstop at a high level. He’ll likely start the year in High-A Cedar Rapids, where he ended the 2024 season. At that level, he can build on the adjustments he began to make late in his pro debut. A midseason promotion to Double-A Wichita could be on the horizon if he performs well. Success at that level would firmly establish him as one of the Twins’ top prospects and put him on the radar for a 2026 big-league debut.

2025 Prediction: Culpepper will enter next winter as a global Top 100 prospect. 

1. Walker Jenkins, OF
It’s no surprise that Jenkins takes the top spot on this list. The fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has lived up to the hype. Jenkins’ smooth left-handed swing generates both average and power, making him a future anchor in the Twins’ lineup. In 2024, he continued to crush minor league pitching while improving his defense and baserunning. Jenkins finished the year at Double-A as a 19-year-old while hitting .282/.394/.439 (.833) with 32 extra-base hits in 82 games. More impressively, he coaxed more walks (56) than strikeouts (47) while facing older pitchers in all but eight of his at-bats. 

Scouts rave about his makeup and leadership qualities, adding to his superstar potential. The Twins have continued to use him in center field because of his athleticism and strong arm. MLB Pipeline’s scouting grades include a 60 for hit, power, and arm. If everything goes as planned, Jenkins could be a mainstay in the Twins’ outfield for the next decade.

2025 Prediction: Jenkins will be considered baseball’s top overall prospect by the season’s end. 

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The Twins’ system is in excellent shape, with these five players leading the way. As the organization looks to return to playoff contention, the contributions of these rising stars will be crucial to their success in the years ahead.

What stands out about the five names mentioned above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[Andy_Twins]

My guess is an assumption that Keaschall makes the majors this year and loses prospect eligibility.   Same for Emmanuel Rodriguez.

[beckmt]

What this article implies is that Rodriquez will be in the Twins outfield before the end of the season.  That starts the question, do you move Laurach or Wallner to 1B, or do they become trade bait this spring.  Also the 2B from wichita last year either needs to be on this list, or does the author have heard something about a trade?  Interesting questions to be answered. 

[old nurse]

For Keaschall to use up his rookie status would mean that 4 out of 6 things have happened. Julian o, Miranda, r Lee have failed, Castro is traded, Correa or Lewis are hurt. Not necessarily a rosy outlook  Morris right now lines up as the eight pitcher behind Lopez,Ober,Ryan, SWR, Festa, and Matthews. Converting Jax back to a starter drops him further. Again, not a rosy outlook 

[old nurse]

9 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I keep reading great things about Luke Keaschall.  Why didn't he make this list?

Reread the paragraph before the list starts

[mikelink45]

An interesting New Years exercise with so many assumptions.  I do not think all the players you projected to lose prospect status will accomplish that this year.  In fact I wonder if Walker doesn't become the one who moves up!  Still waiting on Soto.  I also like Eeles - Our Altuve.

I do think the Twins have to move some of the surplus - Julien, Miranda.

I still like McCusker getting 1B time, although either Wallner or Larnach makes sense for me too -  both DH and 1B.  

[dxpavelka]

1 hour ago, beckmt said:

What this article implies is that Rodriquez will be in the Twins outfield before the end of the season.  That starts the question, do you move Laurach or Wallner to 1B, or do they become trade bait this spring.  Also the 2B from wichita last year either needs to be on this list, or does the author have heard something about a trade?  Interesting questions to be answered. 

A better bet is that (at least) one of Wallner or Larnach falls flat this year and the only thing they might be traded for IS bait.  Not a bad asset around these parts but doesn't do much on the ball field.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Rosey outlook. I'll be checking all these prospects and others in Ft. Myers in 2 months. I can't wait.   I received a "Salty Papa's Shrimp House" (located at Ft. Myers) gift card and tee shirt for my birthday. two days ago. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

[mark sills]

I think Connor Prielipp ill be highest pitcher by 2025

[Clear Lake Twinsfan]

That's an exciting list.  Three thoughts:

1. As Seth Stohs has reminded us for many years, prospect growth is not always linear.  Unfortunately, there is always the chance that someone on your list is impacted by an injury or simply doesn't show the anticipated growth.
2. I think that there is a good chance that one of the three prospects that you assume to graduate from the prospect ranks this year doesn't.  That could be due to injury, under performance, or lack of opportunity at the major league level.  
3. With the 16th pick in next year's draft, there is a good chance that our first pick lands in the top 5 of next year's prospect list.

I enjoyed the article.

[Fatbat]

I can see a way that Raya is no longer a prospect by 1/‘25. He may be in the twins bullpen by July.  This years rookie class may go much deeper than expected simply because of all the questions involved with the last 2 rookie classes.  Either way, this is a great list!

[tony&rodney]

Winokur made so many improvements last year. His speed, athleticism, and potential make him the ultimate prospect with an unbelievably high ceiling even while his floor could be A+ ball; crazy disparate outcomes possible. I'm excited to see his progression this year.

[Doctor Gast]

4 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Rosey outlook. I'll be checking all these prospects and others in Ft. Myers in 2 months. I can't wait.   I received a "Salty Papa's Shrimp House" (located at Ft. Myers) gift card and tee shirt for my birthday. two days ago. Just when I thought I was out, they pull me back in.

A belated Happy Birthday & a Happy New Year, friend.

[Doctor Gast]

I'd rank Raya higher & think he has a good chance to become a MLB opener this season.

[nicksaviking]

Usually a less familiar name pops, so I gotta throw one out for a prediction.

I kind of want to pick Ty Langenberg as he fits that no-name low-draft profile starter the Twins have been hitting on, and he pitched well last year with little fanfare. However, he's a Big 10 pitcher, and Big 10 pitchers don't tend to pan out. So I'm going to go with Rayne Doncon instead.

[h2oface]

Bummer. Jenkins still in the minors getting old 😇.

[Patzky]

8 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

An interesting New Years exercise with so many assumptions.  I do not think all the players you projected to lose prospect status will accomplish that this year.  In fact I wonder if Walker doesn't become the one who moves up!  Still waiting on Soto.  I also like Eeles - Our Altuve.

I do think the Twins have to move some of the surplus - Julien, Miranda.

I still like McCusker getting 1B time, although either Wallner or Larnach makes sense for me too -  both DH and 1B.  

Nobody is mentioning the slippery Mr Eeles.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

4 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

A belated Happy Birthday & a Happy New Year, friend.

Thanks Doc. Happy new Year to you too. 

[ashbury]

9 hours ago, Clear Lake Twinsfan said:

 

1. With the 16th pick in next year's draft, there is a good chance that our first pick lands in the top 5 of next year's prospect list.

A player who our front office will express surprise and great pleasure was even there for the taking at number 16.  😊

[DocBauer]

It's a good list. I can't really argue with anyone on it. But I agree Prielipp is probably in the top 5 as well. Not sure who gets bumped.

I also think there's an outside shot Dason Hill impresses enough in 2025 to make this list. 

[UK Twin]

I wouldn't be that surprised if Jenkins had had his first taste of MLB by then. If he continues on his trajectory, I think at the very least he's a September call up candidate in the 2025 season. He'll most likely still qualify as a prospect unless he does something truly special and skips AAA completely like Soto did. Very unlikely though - but I think he's capable of it. Don't see the Twins being that aggressive with him though.

[Blyleven2011]

Raya , prielipp and canterino I think with their risk of injuries will at best be bullpen arms in the future  , maybe Raya will be a starter at some point in his career but work loads have been light for all 3 pitchers ...

I don't have that crystal ball for the right answers for the future   ...

[Senior Softball Guy]

And embarrassment of riches? Indeed! As the #1 Payton Eeles fan in TD, I can't wait for February to see how all this sorts out. Peace in the new year everyone.

[miracleb]

10 hours ago, DocBauer said:

It's a good list. I can't really argue with anyone on it. But I agree Prielipp is probably in the top 5 as well. Not sure who gets bumped.

I also think there's an outside shot Dason Hill impresses enough in 2025 to make this list. 

Hopefully you are correct on Dason Hill!  A definite posibility since a 5+ ERA will get you into this year's top 5!    :-O   he he

 

[JD-TWINS]

4 hours ago, Blyleven2011 said:

Raya , prielipp and canterino I think with their risk of injuries will at best be bullpen arms in the future  , maybe Raya will be a starter at some point in his career but work loads have been light for all 3 pitchers ...

I don't have that crystal ball for the right answers for the future   ...

Prielipp & Canterino are hurt nearly 90% of the time. I am hoping that one or both can get 50-60 innings in this season as relievers. To me that seems to be their only potential path. With health, possible to see one of them at Target in September.

Raya is/has been young and thus limited due to continual physical maturing. I like him in relief by late August or September at MLB level.

[TopGunn#22]

This is an excellent list.  Remember, the headline says "Twins Top Prospects on New Year's Day 2026."  (Happy New year Everybody!!)

I think Clear Lake guy made a good point that our #1 pick this June, #16 overall, could very well make this list.  The question becomes, who gets bumped from the 5 Cody listed??

It's possible Jenkins gets a call up in September, but that still doesn't drop him from the list as he would still be a rookie even if he broke camp with the Twins at the end of March, 2026.

Raya could possibly be called up after the All Star break as bullpen arm.  I don't think it's likely, but it's possible depending on a lot of things.  Raya may never have the stamina to be a SP, but his stuff says he could be a closer.  (there's always my annual "hope" for Canterino as well).

Winokur is the quintessential prospect.  With his size, speed, power and athleticism (plus he's a RH bat in the midst of the LH Jenkins, E-Rod, Wallner, Larnach stack) he's probably due for all of 2025 and at least half of 2026 in the minors.  He could start striking out way too much or bulk up too much like Royce Lewis and lose a chunk of his athleticism.  But the kid really intrigues me.

Soto and Culpepper are destined for at least 2 more years in the minors and will need to make it to St. Paul and play/pitch well so 2027 or 2028 is more their trajectory to me.

Whoever that #16 pick in June ends up being, he'll have to be pretty good to bump someone off this list.  It will also depend on what kind of player the Twins pick at #16.  Is he an advanced college player with a couple of really solid tools who fell short in a couple areas and that's why he was available at #16 instead picked top 5?  Is he a high school pitcher or SS who is REALLY TOOLSY, but scared some teams off because he was committed to a power college baseball team, and the Twins paid enough above slot to get him to forgo the college path? 

When you're picking #16th, those are the types of players who could fall to the middle of the draft.  Seeing this list, and with the real prospect of E-Rod joining the Twins by the All Star break or sooner, I wonder what the Twins will do about the Wallner/Larnach situation. 

I'm going to speculate that the Twins swing a trade with Baltimore for Ryan Mountcastle.  The prospect cost to acquire Mountcastle won't be prohibitive and his cost for the next 2 seasons is manageable.  I think we could also offer Baltimore Paddack in a Mountcastle deal.  That means neither Wallner or Larnach are picking up a 1B glove anytime soon.  The Twins won't pull E-Rod up to sit him 50% of the time, especially since he, Wallner and Larnach all hit LH. 

To me, one of Wallner/Larnach gets traded around the time E-Rod arrives in Minneapolis.  There are other spare parts like Julien and Miranda as well, especially if Brooks Lee performs to expectations and/or if Luke Keaschall is destroying pitching in AAA.  If E-Rod/Keaschall/Lee do well Julien and Miranda MUST be moved. 

I'm not sure how confident the Twins are in E-Rod, Keaschall and Lee, but Miranda and Julien sure aren't blocking them if each of those 3 perform.  Miranda would probably be safe if Mountcastle were not acquired, but I think if the Twins get Mountcastle he makes Miranda immediately tradeable.  The Twins have too much depth in their minor leagues for them to be sitting so quietly on the sidelines this off season.  Something's got to give.  Sooner better than later.      

[Blyleven2011]

1 minute ago, JD-TWINS said:

Prielipp & Canterino are hurt nearly 90% of the time. I am hoping that one or both can get 50-60 innings in this season as relievers. To me that seems to be their only potential path. With health, possible to see one of them at Target in September.

Raya is/has been young and thus limited due to continual physical maturing. I like him in relief by late August or September at MLB level.

Though canterino hasn't pitched much minor league innings I think if he has a good showing in spring training  and after a month of AAA he will be promoted if still healthy , time is running out and they just have to see what he can bring to the major leagues in the bullpen  , I've heard over and over he has some of the best stuff when healthy , ( has a 40 man roster spot ) ...

Yes  , Raya has been limited due to maturity , but if he cracks the majors  I agree it will be in the bullpen ..

[JD-TWINS]

16 minutes ago, TopGunn#22 said:

This is an excellent list.  Remember, the headline says "Twins Top Prospects on New Year's Day 2026."  (Happy New year Everybody!!)

I think Clear Lake guy made a good point that our #1 pick this June, #16 overall, could very well make this list.  The question becomes, who gets bumped from the 5 Cody listed??

It's possible Jenkins gets a call up in September, but that still doesn't drop him from the list as he would still be a rookie even if he broke camp with the Twins at the end of March, 2026.

Raya could possibly be called up after the All Star break as bullpen arm.  I don't think it's likely, but it's possible depending on a lot of things.  Raya may never have the stamina to be a SP, but his stuff says he could be a closer.  (there's always my annual "hope" for Canterino as well).

Winokur is the quintessential prospect.  With his size, speed, power and athleticism (plus he's a RH bat in the midst of the LH Jenkins, E-Rod, Wallner, Larnach stack) he's probably due for all of 2025 and at least half of 2026 in the minors.  He could start striking out way too much or bulk up too much like Royce Lewis and lose a chunk of his athleticism.  But the kid really intrigues me.

Soto and Culpepper are destined for at least 2 more years in the minors and will need to make it to St. Paul and play/pitch well so 2027 or 2028 is more their trajectory to me.

Whoever that #16 pick in June ends up being, he'll have to be pretty good to bump someone off this list.  It will also depend on what kind of player the Twins pick at #16.  Is he an advanced college player with a couple of really solid tools who fell short in a couple areas and that's why he was available at #16 instead picked top 5?  Is he a high school pitcher or SS who is REALLY TOOLSY, but scared some teams off because he was committed to a power college baseball team, and the Twins paid enough above slot to get him to forgo the college path? 

When you're picking #16th, those are the types of players who could fall to the middle of the draft.  Seeing this list, and with the real prospect of E-Rod joining the Twins by the All Star break or sooner, I wonder what the Twins will do about the Wallner/Larnach situation. 

I'm going to speculate that the Twins swing a trade with Baltimore for Ryan Mountcastle.  The prospect cost to acquire Mountcastle won't be prohibitive and his cost for the next 2 seasons is manageable.  I think we could also offer Baltimore Paddack in a Mountcastle deal.  That means neither Wallner or Larnach are picking up a 1B glove anytime soon.  The Twins won't pull E-Rod up to sit him 50% of the time, especially since he, Wallner and Larnach all hit LH. 

To me, one of Wallner/Larnach gets traded around the time E-Rod arrives in Minneapolis.  There are other spare parts like Julien and Miranda as well, especially if Brooks Lee performs to expectations and/or if Luke Keaschall is destroying pitching in AAA.  If E-Rod/Keaschall/Lee do well Julien and Miranda MUST be moved. 

I'm not sure how confident the Twins are in E-Rod, Keaschall and Lee, but Miranda and Julien sure aren't blocking them if each of those 3 perform.  Miranda would probably be safe if Mountcastle were not acquired, but I think if the Twins get Mountcastle he makes Miranda immediately tradeable.  The Twins have too much depth in their minor leagues for them to be sitting so quietly on the sidelines this off season.  Something's got to give.  Sooner better than later.      

I don’t understand the casual nature that Wallner & Larnach are discussed with here (at TD)? Larnach was viewed as Emma is now 3 years ago. He’s had health issues but IMO he really stepped forward in becoming a professional hitter and key piece in ‘24. Wallner had the best 2nd half on the Team. Power - big arm - why consider trading him to make room for Emma?

Both of these corner guys are pieces in the Top 6 of the current line-up. We all “hope” Emma will be good. I’d like to keep all 3 and if Emma can beat somebody out through competition, one of them can DH until there is a clear cut answer in the future.

[saviking]

23 hours ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

I keep reading great things about Luke Keaschall.  Why didn't he make this list?

Keaschall is the cherry on top!

[TopGunn#22]

JD, it's not that I (or even "we") want to just cast Wallner or Larnach aside.  Larnach made some solid progress last year.  Wallner showed tremendous improvement in the 2nd half of the season, just as he did in 2023.  There is REAL talent with Larnach and Wallner.  

But there is also reality.  Emmanuel Rodriguez is VERY talented.  He's a good defensive CF with prodigious power and an extremely patient approach.  It's pretty much a forgone conclusion he's with the Twins by the All Star break if not before.  All three of E-Rod/Larnach/Wallner hit left handed. 

Something's got to give.

On top of that, the Twins #1 prospect, Walker Jenkins, who could very well be Major League Baseball's #1 prospect to begin 2025 is also a left hand hitting OF.  It's possible he gets a September callup and if he doesn't break camp with the Twins in 2026 it won't be long before he's up.

Again...Something's got to give.

On top of that...(Yes, there's more)...Luke Keaschall has the ability to play the OF and Brandon Winokur does as well.  They are both RH hitters.  Both are very good prospects.  

All of these guys could crash and burn and turn out to be bums.  But that's highly unlikely.  ALL of them could turn out to be All Stars...that's also highly unlikely.  The more likely outcome is that 2 of the 4 turn out to be pretty darn good.  

So that means...yup...Something has to give.  This is just the nature of baseball.  Younger, talented and cheaper players push out older, more expensive players.  Especially on teams operating on payroll constraints.  It doesn't mean the players who are on the major league roster are bad.  It just means they are assets who can be used to make the team better in an area or areas where there are deficiencies.  

A good example would be the trade between the Marlins and the Twins of Pablo Lopez for Luis Arraez.  The Twins needed better pitching and had Jorge Polanco at 2B and an up and comer in Edward Julien.  The Marlins had a boatload of young pitching talent ready to ascend to the majors and 2 pitchers they deemed better than Lopez in their current rotation (CY Young winner Sandy Alcantara and Trevor Rogers) as well as a young stud named Eury Perez who like E-Rod/Jenkins in the near future, was ready to make the MLB ballclub.  They needed offense.  Arraez won a batting title with Miami and Pablo got CY Young votes for the Twins.  

The trade worked for both teams.  The Twins, when E-Rod, Jenkins, Keaschall and Winokur are ready to make the MLB ballclub don't have room to play everyone.  E-Rod's ETA is THIS YEAR.  Jenkins could be 2026 after a possible cup of coffee in 2025.  Keaschall is expected in 2025, maybe sooner than later.  Winokur's ETA is probably early to mid 2027.  

Without knowing how the 2025 season starts and goes for the Twins, I expect Larnach to be the odd man out.  I think Wallner is ready to take another step and even if his OPS falls a bit to say, .800 that would still be REALLY GOOD.  I expect Larnach to also continue to show improvement.  But if E-Rod is tearing it up in St. Paul (and Keaschall for that matter too) something has to give.