Twins Prospect Hot Sheet, Jun. 23, 2025: Brandon Winokur Finding His Stride

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Jonathan Dyer-Imagn Images

As the Twins continue their push for contention at the big-league level, the farm system is quietly developing names that could impact the future in Minnesota—or serve as valuable trade chips at the deadline. This season, a pair of young hitters and an emerging pitcher are making notable progress. These three players are each turning heads for different reasons, and their recent performances have them climbing the organizational ranks.

INF/OF Brandon Winokur, Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Twins selected Winokur in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school in California. A multi-sport athlete with rare physical tools, Winokur drew attention for his combination of size, speed, and raw power. The Twins gave him second-round money ($1.5 million) and signed him away from a commitment to UCLA, betting that his loud, athletic profile would translate well to pro ball with the right development plan. His first full season in the Florida State League was filled with numerous learning experiences. Still, he showed glimpses of the potential that made him a top-100 draft prospect, launching a few long home runs and flashing defensive versatility in the infield and outfield. In 94 games, he posted a .761 OPS with 14 home runs and 19 doubles with 28.0 K% and an 8.3 BB%.

Hitting the Hot Button:
Winokur started slow this season as he adjusted to High-A, but he is starting to see the pieces come together. In his age-20 season, he’s playing in the Midwest League, where he's over two years younger than the average age of the competition. Over his last 22 games, he has hit .241/.300/.566, with seven home runs, four doubles, and six stolen bases. Winokur posted these totals while the Kernels were in the thick of the first-half playoff race. Most importantly, his strikeout rate, which was a concern coming out of high school, has improved, as he’s shown a better two-strike approach and a willingness to use the whole field. He cut his strikeout rate from 28.0% in 2024 to 23.3% during his recent hot stretch. If Winokur keeps trending upward, a promotion to Double-A later this summer is a possibility, and his long-term ceiling as a potential five-tool player remains intact.

RHP Pierson Ohl, Wichita Wind Surge
The Twins drafted Ohl in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Grand Canyon University. Ohl wasn’t a high-profile pick at the time, but the Twins were intrigued by his excellent control and feel for pitching. In his first two professional seasons, Ohl worked his way steadily through the lower levels, showing off his ability to limit walks and fill the strike zone with a diverse mix of pitches. While his stuff didn’t jump off the page—his fastball sits in the low 90s—his command and pitch efficiency made him a reliable rotation option as he reached Double-A Wichita. Last season, he posted a 4.68 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP with a 16.3 K%, and a 3.7 BB%

Hitting the Hot Button:
Ohl has taken a significant step forward in 2025, as the Twins have shifted his role. He is one of a handful of pitchers being used in a unique bulk inning role that the Twins are implementing this year. In 15 appearances (44 innings), he has posted a 1.84 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP. Scouts have noticed a slight uptick in velocity and sharper breaking pitches, which have helped him miss more bats than in previous years. His K% has increased to 33.1% in his new role, while also maintaining a low walk rate of 3.0%. He’s held batters to a .499 OPS for the season, and he’s limited them to a .138 OBP in June. Ohl’s consistent performance and improved stuff have pushed him into the conversation as an MLB-ready arm when the Twins need him. On Monday, Ohl was promoted to Triple-A, so he's one step closer to the big leagues. 

INF Haritzon Castillo, DSL Twins
Castillo signed with the Twins in January 2025 as part of their international signing class out of Venezuela. The Twins were drawn to the switch-hitter's raw power potential and physical projection as a corner infielder. FanGraphs ranked him as the 39th-best international prospect in the class, while MLB Pipeline ranked him 43rd. Castillo will need to spend time adjusting to professional pitching, focusing on improving his pitch recognition and overall approach at the plate. His bat is his ticket to the big leagues, but he has a long way to go before reaching Target Field.  

Hitting the Hot Button:
Castillo has quickly made an impact in his professional debut and is already popping up on prospect lists as one of the best bats in the Twins’ system. In 11 games in the DSL, the 17-year-old is slashing .395/.500/.684, with six extra-base hits and nearly as many walks (7) as strikeouts (8). Castillo’s ability to drive the ball to all fields has drawn praise from Twins development staff. His blend of youth, power, and an improving plate approach has raised his prospect profile considerably, making him a name to watch closely as the organization’s next potential impact corner bat.

These three prospects exemplify the various ways talent can emerge within a system. Winokur is the high-upside prep bat whose tools are starting to turn into production. Ohl is the command-first arm turning into a legitimate option for the big-league bullpen. And Castillo is the international teenager whose offensive breakout is turning heads and pushing him up prospect rankings.

As the Twins continue their push for contention, the organization’s depth is quietly building underneath. Whether it’s as future contributors in Minnesota or valuable trade assets, Winokur, Ohl, and Castillo are proving they deserve attention. Their progress is good news for a franchise that values both player development and roster flexibility. Stay tuned. These names may become even more significant as the 2025 season progresses.

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What stands out about these three names so far this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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[DocBauer]

I make it a habit to generally not comment on DSL prospects, though I appreciate getting to know them. It's just such a long haul before possible ML appearances that I sort of "ignore" them before they come state side. It's NOT a slight, it's just so hard to know what you might have until they at least hit the FCL, if not low A ball. J Rodriguez is a recent example. Still waiting to see him come close to replicating the potential he showed. But please keep bringing these kids to our attention. 

Despite limited velocity, and being more of a control pitcher, I was really surprised Ohl didn't climb to AAA following his 2023 season. But his 2024 was mediocre at best, and I was disappointed. I'm very pleased about his 2025 results so far, and his recent promotion to AAA. In today's game, I think it's becoming optimal to have roster flexibility in you 8th spot in the pen, and maybe even in your last 2 spots. In this area...as has been discussed in a different OP a couple weeks ago...I believe the Twins are ahead of the curve in future thinking. Why not a TOP 6 in the pen that are your dominant arms, and 1 or even 2 guys who are really good quasi-starters who have good enough stuff to be really good for a turn, or two, through the lineup to bridge the gap to the top 6? NOT just throw away, churn and burn inning eating options who might be sent down or DFA and recycled, but a couple guys who aren't set up and closer types, but who you can actually RELY on to be good for a couple 2-3 IP ever 3 days? The Twins are starting to develop that type of option with Adams, as well as Ohl. Suddenly a mediocre starter might be a really good middle option that you can actually trust vs some sacrificial IP lamb. I like this idea and am encouraged about the idea, as well as Ohl taking a step forward.

As far as Winokur is concerned, you won't find a bigger fan or believer in his ability and potential! I recall the Futures Game where he made a great play to his right at SS and then threw an off target to 1B. Later in the game, he made as difficult grab and threw a perfect missile to the 1B to get an amazing out. Even still, I doubt his future is at SS despite being an amazing athlete for his size. Too much growth potential, IMO.

His potential is enourmance. If you were to rank prospects only on athletic ability and potential, he's easily in the Twins top 10. While there are absolutely contact and K and OB% worries, he got better as his 2024 season went along. Despite a rough start to 2025, the 20yo has continued to grow and adapt and get better as the season goes along. (Reminds me somewhat of Wallner). 

He's got the frame to handle more muscle/weight, without losing speed. He's got not only a powerful bat, but reportedly a good arm as well. With a need to continue to harness his bat and decision making at the plate, I'm still thinking he's probably 3yrs away from MLB. 

While he's still super young and really raw, you just can't deny the tools and the fact that he's growing and producing as a 20yo at A+. Defensively, I see him as the Twins best CF prospect in the system in a couple of years, provided no major weight gains, which he doesn't really seem to need. Offensively, I see him as a RH version of Wallner, with more speed. At worst I see him as a young Gallo type, again with more speed, and a better CF. 

He OBVIOUSLY needs to continue to work on contact and laying off poor pitches. What 20yo doesn't? He's still got a long way to go. He could easily flame out. But he could also continue to work hard, develop, improve, and harness all that athleticism and be a really good and dangerous player. 

IMO, he's the most INTRIGUING prospect in the entire system. It's not hard to squint just a little bit and see a Twins OF of Rodriguez, Jenkins, and Winokur in a couple 2-3 seasons.

At the very least, his speed starts to escape him, he could be a hell of a 1B!

[Dantheman]

I mean if ohl can find similar success at triple A this year as he has so far at double A, could we possible see an Adams and ohl combo in the big league pen, have two long guys that both throw strikes and can manage to throw multiple innings with our young starting staff of festa, Zebby, and woods who haven’t proven the consistency yet of being able to go 5-6 every start. Is this likely to happen no, but just a different way to look at pen options with the games the Twins have now days. 

[MinnInPa]

sorry ..I dont get too excited about any player hitting .241 in the minors......at any level

[TopGunn#22]

That was me to some extent MinninPa.  But if that player turns into Kyle Schwarber, then I'm learning to adapt my thinking somewhat.  Especially if that player stays healthy and plays 150 games per year.  

I like the strategy with the pitching staff regarding a pitcher like Ohl.  I just don't understand how the Twins can get a RP warmed up, into the game, he throws 4 pitches, gets them out of the jam, and then he's done for the night.  And they wonder why their BP is worn down and exhausted.  

The idea of having TWO of these type of pitchers holding down the last two slots of your BP and a top 6 with highly defined roles makes a lot of sense.  I kind of think SWR could be an excellent candidate for this type of role...2 or three innings at a time, once of twice a week with sufficient rest in between.

However, this would require a manager who would manage his BP completely differently than Rocco Baldelli, and with the news that Rocco is coming back next year, this type of BP philosophy will have to wait until 2027.  Unless the new owners tell the Pohlad's "Thank You"  we've got other ideas.  

[LambchoP]

Hopefully Ohl can continue getting good results at AAA because all our other starters there have been bad. Raya, Morris and Lewis have all been shelled this year. I really hope we can get some minor league pitching at the deadline. Selling off guys like Bader, France, Vasquez and Castro might be able to get us some AA SP depth. It's clear we need better pitching help and we know the Twins aren't going to pay for it.

[twinstalker]

21 hours ago, MinnInPa said:

sorry ..I dont get too excited about any player hitting .241 in the minors......at any level

You don't have to.  He's hot, he'll soon be not.  So he made it here.

The difference with Winokur is there's a tiny bit of hope.  If someone has more than a tiny hope, it's a false hope.  But there's a tiny bit of hope, which is more than you can say for most (including, say, Billy Amick who probably fits your criterion).  And it's noticeable that Winokur's hot.  So probably worth a mention.  I've also noticed Ohl and H. Castillo in my studies.

All worthy of mention in this series.