Top 20 Twins Prospects, May 2025 Update: Two New Names to Know

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

7 minutes ago, Linus said:

Your response is confusing. In any event the guy is not a good fielder now and he is a long way from the bigs where it would be substantially harder to be a good fielder. So you can do your pie in the sky thing and I will not hold my breath for him to be manning third baseman at Target Field. 

Linus,  its only confusing if you don't want to understand it.  His defensive metrics at Clemson were below average.  When he transferred to Tennessee he had improved immensely on the defensive side.  Most baseball prospect ratings come out well before the start of the college baseball season and last year he was still primarily being graded on his prior metrics at Clemson than how he was currently performing.  

You state he is a not a good fielder now - which completely disagrees with what the article states - "Defensively, his arm and actions at third base grade out as average to above average, giving him the potential to stick on the left side of the infield."  

He had 2 major question marks in the draft.  1.  His defense,  if he can stay at 3rd it opens up his options immensely.  2. He had too much swing and miss specifically on off speed pitches.  He appears to be cleaning this up some.  Whether small sample size or due to a different approach so far the power that he was touted for has not shown up.   In either case he appears to have improved on his biggest question marks.  If he can also show up with his biggest strength then I would expect him to continue to move up the prospect rankings.  He seems to be on the Spencer Steer track in my opinion.   

This isn't pie in the sky- if it was he wouldn't be a top 20 prospect right now.   

[jmlease1]

9 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

We usually agree, but that's no indictment on the coaches....it's about the player. 

That said, fine, keep him there this year, but let's not pretend this team works HARD to develop a guy at one position and make him great....Martin is the poster child. 

Maybe Martin isn't the best comp to hang our hats on, though. Austin Martin lost most of his last season in college to COVID, was sent immediately to AA after a 2020 draft that is shaping up to be quite a first round mess.

Amick is in his first pass at High A in his first full pro season. Martin never even spent a day in A-ball. 

If they're still working Amick at 3B and he's bad there in AAA, then maybe it'll be time to get more concerned. But remember, Koskie needed quite a while before his defense really rounded into form at 3B. It does happen where guys go from average to good or poor to ok in their minor league development.

[chpettit19]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

We usually agree, but that's no indictment on the coaches....it's about the player. 

That said, fine, keep him there this year, but let's not pretend this team works HARD to develop a guy at one position and make him great....Martin is the poster child. 

Poster child for what? I'd argue Martin is an example of them working hard to make him great at a position. They gave him 591 innings at SS in 2022. What he's a poster child for is them wasting 591 innings on a position he had a physical limitation at that was never going to let him play it at the big league level. But they gave him a lot of time at one position. To Linus' point, that was bad evaluation on their part. 

But once Martin showed he couldn't impact the ball well his most likely ticket to a major league career was as a utility guy. They did him a service by getting him time at 2B and the outfield. It gave him more paths to the majors because he wasn't going to get there through his glove or bat. Unless the argument is that Austin Martin was going to be a gold glover somewhere I'm not sure what complaint there is other than them not having made him a utility player sooner and wasting all those innings at SS trying to make him great. I'd argue he's the poster child for what you're asking for going wrong. They did work hard with him at one position and it slowed his development. 

Brooks Lee played almost exclusively SS his first full season (7 games, 60 innings at 3B). Most of the complaints around here were that they didn't move him off SS soon enough. Royce was almost exclusively a SS until he got to AAA and they started figuring out how they could get him on the major league team. Correa being the reason both of them started moving around a little. Jose Miranda got over 1300 innings at 2B before they gave up on him there. Julien got a taste of a few different spots his first season and then has been essentially 2B only. Over 1800 innings at 2B with 247 at 1B being the next closest.

I think it's overstated how much they move guys around.

[Linus]

14 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Linus,  its only confusing if you don't want to understand it.  His defensive metrics at Clemson were below average.  When he transferred to Tennessee he had improved immensely on the defensive side.  Most baseball prospect ratings come out well before the start of the college baseball season and last year he was still primarily being graded on his prior metrics at Clemson than how he was currently performing.  

You state he is a not a good fielder now - which completely disagrees with what the article states - "Defensively, his arm and actions at third base grade out as average to above average, giving him the potential to stick on the left side of the infield."  

He had 2 major question marks in the draft.  1.  His defense,  if he can stay at 3rd it opens up his options immensely.  2. He had too much swing and miss specifically on off speed pitches.  He appears to be cleaning this up some.  Whether small sample size or due to a different approach so far the power that he was touted for has not shown up.   In either case he appears to have improved on his biggest question marks.  If he can also show up with his biggest strength then I would expect him to continue to move up the prospect rankings.  He seems to be on the Spencer Steer track in my opinion.   

This isn't pie in the sky- if it was he wouldn't be a top 20 prospect right now.   

It was confusing because of the way it was written. The information provided in the article is not persuasive compared to independent scouting reports. We obviously disagree and that’s fine. 

[bean5302]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Yeah I noticed that as well.  His numbers are going to come down and they were until he got hurt.  Still I think the fact that he is taking his fair share of walks and getting so much solid contact seem to dispel some of the concerns that he might not improve much.  

I'm not as pessimistic, but I also don't think you are wrong to be concerned.  I think the power will return. If I had to guess I would think they wanted him to focus on contact in the zone first as that was a pretty major concern coming out of college and likely the reason he fell to mid second round (he had late first round buzz if you looked past the warts).  If his injury isn't too bad I expect a power surge later in the year.

We'll see.  I was extremely pessimistic when they made the pick and am on record as not liking it. There is still plenty to be concerned about, but he hasn't been the train wreck I expected he might be.

I'm honestly not concerned about Amick. To me, there's no reason to get bent out of shape with prospects who are well down the list or really far away. More concerning to me is what's going on with our upper level prospects. If players are performing well, they'll generally push into our top 10 list, and those are usually the guys I expect to potentially be big contributors.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

7 minutes ago, Linus said:

It was confusing because of the way it was written. The information provided in the article is not persuasive compared to independent scouting reports. We obviously disagree and that’s fine. 

I had a post a couple months ago about Amick.  I mentioned then there were some scouts and even a contingent of Twins fans who had a very negative view of him.  I guess I just don't understand the pessimism.  At pick 60 he was well worth the roll of the dice.  This draft was considered to be light on hitting prospects.   So to get  a player who has very good power potential,  and by all accounts is working at and continues to get better better at 3rd base.  I am more than willing to give him that shot.   He has been getting opportunities at 1st base as well, so the Twins may be easing him into that position.  He has cut down on some of his swing and miss although it is higher than it was last year.  If he can maintain this chase rate and strikeout rate he should be able to continue to rise the prospect ladder as well as the organizational ladder.  He easily could flame out, on the defensive side and the offensive, but at this point there is some solid potential there.    Its still early though.  
 

[Mike Sixel]

29 minutes ago, chpettit19 said:

Poster child for what? I'd argue Martin is an example of them working hard to make him great at a position. They gave him 591 innings at SS in 2022. What he's a poster child for is them wasting 591 innings on a position he had a physical limitation at that was never going to let him play it at the big league level. But they gave him a lot of time at one position. To Linus' point, that was bad evaluation on their part. 

But once Martin showed he couldn't impact the ball well his most likely ticket to a major league career was as a utility guy. They did him a service by getting him time at 2B and the outfield. It gave him more paths to the majors because he wasn't going to get there through his glove or bat. Unless the argument is that Austin Martin was going to be a gold glover somewhere I'm not sure what complaint there is other than them not having made him a utility player sooner and wasting all those innings at SS trying to make him great. I'd argue he's the poster child for what you're asking for going wrong. They did work hard with him at one position and it slowed his development. 

Brooks Lee played almost exclusively SS his first full season (7 games, 60 innings at 3B). Most of the complaints around here were that they didn't move him off SS soon enough. Royce was almost exclusively a SS until he got to AAA and they started figuring out how they could get him on the major league team. Correa being the reason both of them started moving around a little. Jose Miranda got over 1300 innings at 2B before they gave up on him there. Julien got a taste of a few different spots his first season and then has been essentially 2B only. Over 1800 innings at 2B with 247 at 1B being the next closest.

I think it's overstated how much they move guys around.

I should not have typed martin and my other part close together.....my bad.

In any event, not a fan of their development process so far. Hoping it changes, but I have doubts.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

7 minutes ago, bean5302 said:

I'm honestly not concerned about Amick. To me, there's no reason to get bent out of shape with prospects who are well down the list or really far away. More concerning to me is what's going on with our upper level prospects. If players are performing well, they'll generally push into our top 10 list, and those are usually the guys I expect to potentially be big contributors.

Overall I am fine with how the prospects are doing.  Yes Jenkins hasn't played,  but so far Raya, Winokur and Lewis are the only ones really struggling.  I think the positives have outweighed the negatives so far, and my guess is things will continue to improve on the prospect front as the season goes on.  Keaschall looks like a stud.  If Jenkins can get healthy and solidfy his top 5-10 status this minor league season is effectively a win.  The long term pitching hopes fall on 4 young arms,  Soto, Hill, Questad and Priellip.   There will be others that do well as well, but all 4 have very high ceilings (Questad may still be a work in progress).  

[LA Vikes Fan]

8 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Excellent profiles.  I am ready for McCusker to be on the Twins bench and at DH right now.

I tend to agree because the opportunity is now while Wallner and Keaschall are out. I would like to see McCusker get 50 ABs over the next 2-3 weeks to see what he’s got, at the expense of either Clemens or Keirsey. They’ve both had a chance to show if they could hit MLB pitching and have come up short. Let’s see what McCusker can do. If he’s not good enough, no worries, send him back down. The 40 man roster spot is a challenge, but they can move Tonkin or Keaschall to the 60 day IL to create room. There is an opportunity here to see what McCusker can do without much downside risk. He’s earned it, let’s give him a shot. 

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Overall I am fine with how the prospects are doing.  Yes Jenkins hasn't played,  but so far Raya, Winokur and Lewis are the only ones really struggling.  I think the positives have outweighed the negatives so far, and my guess is things will continue to improve on the prospect front as the season goes on.  Keaschall looks like a stud.  If Jenkins can get healthy and solidfy his top 5-10 status this minor league season is effectively a win.  The long term pitching hopes fall on 4 young arms,  Soto, Hill, Questad and Priellip.   There will be others that do well as well, but all 4 have very high ceilings (Questad may still be a work in progress).  

What prospects (hitters) are in AA or AAA right now? 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Just now, Mike Sixel said:

What prospects (hitters) are in AA or AAA right now? 

Keaschall (AAA to Majors take your pick)  -  McCusker -  Looks like a solid power options.  Rodriguez (probably not ready).   Eeles,  who knows when he will be healthy.  

Then you have the rest of the prospect hitters that have had some shine come off but could still be options to help the team,  Martin, Julien,   Miranda.   

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Keaschall (AAA to Majors take your pick)  -  McCusker -  Looks like a solid power options.  Rodriguez (probably not ready).   Eeles,  who knows when he will be healthy.  

Then you have the rest of the prospect hitters that have had some shine come off but could still be options to help the team,  Martin, Julien,   Miranda.   

Which of those is a realistic option for this year or next? Who would ERod even replace, he's not going to be a 4th OF?  They haven't promoted McCusker, even with Wallner out. Eeles? He's a 2b only. Where does he play if keaschell and Lee are in MN?

ERod is it (as I'd count keaschell as in MN at this point, but I'll give you him). That's it. An OF that hasn't hit at all this year, and a 2B/OF. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 minute ago, Mike Sixel said:

Which of those is a realistic option for this year or next? Who would ERod even replace, he's not going to be a 4th OF?  They haven't promoted McCusker, even with Wallner out. Eeles? He's a 2b only. Where does he play if keaschell and Lee are in MN?

ERod is it (as I'd count keaschell as in MN at this point, but I'll give you him). That's it. An OF that hasn't hit at all this year, and a 2B/OF. 

Why not just run with Larnach, Buxton and Wallner.    Again what is your issue.  Mccusker and E rod can continue to mature.   What happens if Miranda, Julien, or Martin suddenly start to click.  Or someone flips a switch like Holland, Severino, Gasper or Ford.   

Why don't we worry about this year rather than next year.  

[twinstalker]

14 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

Amick could be the home grown 1B of the future. Out with an oblique injury right now but he seems destined for Wichita in the 2nd half of the summer. 
 

McCusker would add some needed thump  to the lineup. He’s not on the 40 man but dropping Bride or Clemens would make it relatively easy. 

Amick has zero traits of a 1B, except a too high K rate.  Right now he's projecting as overmatched and is certainly not who I'd rank 13.  Maybe he improves, but I don't think he will ever be of impact.  Meanwhile, I'm guessing Payton Eeles is not on any list.  One of those two will produce positive results for the Twins.  Wanna bet which one?  Any updates on Eeles' knee?

[HerbieFan]

Could McCusker play 1B?  That's a big freaking target.

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Why not just run with Larnach, Buxton and Wallner.    Again what is your issue.  Mccusker and E rod can continue to mature.   What happens if Miranda, Julien, or Martin suddenly start to click.  Or someone flips a switch like Holland, Severino, Gasper or Ford.   

Why don't we worry about this year rather than next year.  

Because we're taking about prospects?

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

11 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Because we're taking about prospects?

I think I am done with this topic.  We have had the prospects come up Lee and Keaschall from the last 2 drafts.  We have 5 players starting who Falvey has drafted.   It really seems the goalposts are being moved and I am not sure what the argument is anymore. 

I think the minors is the strongest and most balance overall it has been in decades, pitching and hitting.  The MLB ready bats have already been called up this year due to injury and underperformance in Lee and Keaschall,  there isn't as much currently ready other than McCusker which wasn't a drafted player, but does provide some depth to the outfield if we have more injuries.  

[TopGunn#22]

This is always an interesting time of year.  Not only for the major league team where you can begin to get a sense of who is figuring it out (Larnach) who is continuing to disappoint you (Julien, Miranda) and who seemed to look pretty darn good ahead of schedule (Keaschall).  

Second base continues to be a black hole.  Other than the the HR he hit in front of Mom and Dad in Fenway Park, Cody Clemens is a zero.  At least Clemens in more consistent defensively than Julien.  It sure would be nice to see Keaschall back with the Twins and there is about a 2 month timeline for that to happen.  I wish Eeles was healthy and making a case for himself to be given an opportunity.

What it crystal clear to me is that Miranda and Julien have no future with the Twins at this point.  I would have liked to see them packaged in a trade in the off season, but could understand giving each one more chance to show they belong.  Alas, neither has shown any consistency or ability to do so.  As long as Rafael Devers continues to be a "Me First" instead of a "Team First" guy, the Red Sox are going to be in a tough position.

I say give Boston a call and see what kind of a deal you can make.  I still have my doubts about Brooks Lee as a SS.  I worry about Correa's long term outlook and that we really don't have anybody with the athleticism to play SS once Correa moves to 3B. 

Two players that it appears Boston is trying to move are Devers (who they can't give away despite the fact that he's a really good hitter) and Ceddane Rafaela, someone who is an excellent SS and CF.  About the only only Devers (-64.7 value) trade that gets any kind of positive feedback is straight up for deGrom (-60.8 value).  It's the classic "you take my bad contract and I'll take yours" deal.  

Rafaela is intriguing because he's only 23 and has cost certainty for another 5 years.  He's kind of the perfect "super utility guy" in case Correa or Buxton goes down.  Bader is a fine outfielder, but he's only here for one year.  The Red Sox also have a couple young SS prospects that seem head and shoulders above anybody we currently have in our system.

Marcelo Mayer is a 21 year old SS prospect with a value of 47.0.  Franklin Arias is an 18 year old SS with a BBTV of 15.0.  If the Twins offered Jose Miranda 1B/3B (12.3) and SWR SP (21.0) and Billy Amick 1B/3B (7.0) total of 40.3 to the Red Sox for Mayer SS (40.7) Rafaela SS/CF (-2.4) and Tristan Casas (currently with a value of ZERO) total 38.3 the BBY+TV numbers work out.  (Casas injury has seen his previous 28.3 value just plummet).  

The Red Sox get a SP for their rotation, a 1B in Miranda since Devers refuses to play there,  and a young prospect like Amick to eventually replace Casas.  The Twins get a 21 year old SS who could be major league ready by 2026 (giving the Twins a better SS option than Brooks Lee who looks more 3B/2B) an immediate defensive upgrade at SS, 2B and CF than Castro in Ceddane Rafaela and a major league 1B in Casas who just needs time to recover.  Rafaela is expendable to the Red Sox because uber-prospect Roman Anthony is pushing for a major league call up and the Sox already have capable CF's in Jarren Duran (LF) and Wilyer Abreu (RF).  The Twins can sell high on SWR with Festa, Matthews and Morris pushing for a call up.   

The Twins will be moving on from Willi Castro either at the trade deadline or next off season.  Rafaela is the longer term replacement for Castro and would allow the Twins to trade Castro and get something back in return for him.  Maybe the Dodgers are still interested?

 

[amjgt]

 

I personally am not huge on McCusker.  He is about to be 27 and not made MLB yet.  He strikes out at a very high rate, which is expected with a power hitter like he is showing. Yes, some guys can be late bloomers, but many times they have some expected upside to give them the time to develop.  Two guys came to mind just based on their a little later call ups, and one really did not thrive until around 30.  Now, I am not saying he will be either, as I said I am not big on him.  

However, Nelson Cruz was a guy ....

I read the first half of your first paragraph, then went to go look up Nelson Cruz stats, years, etc. 

Then I came back with receipts and would you look at that... I had wasted my time. You already had them.

Obviously that's a 10 out of 10 outcome, but stuff like that DOES happen and there's maybe even a better example, more recently than Cruz....

Brent Rooker

[KBJ1]

McCusker or Rodriguez can't be any worse than Keirsay. Bring one up soon. Dfa Bride or Clemmons.

[Possumlad]

ESPN (Kiley McDaniel) just updated their team-by-team top 10 Prospects lists. 

They have Khadim Diaw (Catcher) number #9 overall for the Twins w/ this note: "I liked Diaw and Schobel before the year and they have taken big steps forward this season."

Haven't seen almost any discussion of Diaw around these parts. Although I may have just totally missed some discussions. Anyone who spends time on these things have any thoughts or insights? Always nice to a see Catching prospect in the top 10.

Diaw was our 3rd rounder in 2024 out of Loyola Marymount. 21 Years old. Played 24 games last year at Fort Myers (0.715 OPS). Been at Cedar Rapids (High A) this whole year - 38 Games, 116ABs, 0.886 OPS.