Minnesota Twins Prospect Hot Sheet, June 30, 2025: Is John Klein the Next Big Thing?

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (Photo of Kyler Fedko)

Welcome to another edition of the Minnesota Twins Prospect Hot Sheet. This week’s trio of prospects features some players who have flown under the radar. While top prospects often garner headlines, depth players often become the backbone of an organization. In 2025, several previously unheralded names are forcing their way into the conversation. These three names are making the most of their opportunities this summer and are quickly rising in a system that thrives on internal development.

OF, Kyler Fedko – Wichita Wind Surge
The Twins selected Fedko in the 12th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of the University of Connecticut, where he was known for his bat-to-ball skills and polished offensive approach. A native of Pennsylvania, Fedko entered pro ball with a solid offensive foundation, but lacked the traditional power profile for a corner outfield role. During his first few years in the minors, he bounced between levels as he attempted to add strength and adjust to professional pitching. Last season, he played 77 games at Double-A, hitting .227/.327/.319 with three home runs and 14 doubles. Though he showed flashes of potential, consistency remained elusive. That changed in a big way during a recent stretch with the Double-A Wichita Wind Surge.

Hitting the Hot Button:
Fedko turned heads with a blistering week in Wichita, hitting .391 across six games with five home runs, 10 RBIs, and a jaw-dropping 1.527 OPS. For the season, he has a .910 OPS, a 265-point jump compared to last season. At 25 years old, he’s no longer considered a young prospect, but his recent surge has reignited interest in what his bat can bring to the table. He’s always had a patient approach and solid contact skills, but now the added power could push him into a more serious depth conversation. The Twins need right-handed bats with some pop in the upper minors, and if Fedko keeps swinging like this, he could play his way into the St. Paul roster by late summer and potentially put himself in position for a big-league look down the line.

RHP Chase Chaney – Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Twins added Chaney as a minor-league free agent during the offseason, from the Angels organization. He topped out at Double-A last season with a 4.30 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 138 innings. At 25 years old, he wasn’t a flashy pickup, but the Twins believed there was untapped potential in his mix of movement, command, and competitiveness. Chaney has pitched at High- and Double-A this season, showing the versatility to slide between levels while continuing to miss bats.

Hitting the Hot Button:
Chaney’s most recent start for Cedar Rapids on June 25 reminded everyone why the Twins took a shot on him. He threw 6 1/3 innings, scattering four hits and allowing just two earned runs while striking out six. Between High- and Double-A this season, Chaney has posted a 3.52 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP and a 5.4% walk rate. While he may not have the pedigree of a top-10 system arm, his performance is demanding attention. If he continues to string together quality outings, Chaney could rise into a depth role similar to other pitchers who weren’t hyped but made the leap with steady progress and strong results.

RHP John Klein – Wichita Wind Surge
Klein’s path to the Twins organization is a hometown story worth watching. The Brooklyn Park, Minn. native was signed by the Twins as a minor-league free agent in August of 2022. After finishing his college career at Iowa Central Community College, he joined the organization with little fanfare. Last season, he posted a 4.57 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP in 100 1/3 innings at High-A. Early results were solid but unspectacular, with Klein primarily working as a depth option. Now 23 years old, he’s making a push to move up the ladder after a dominant start for Wichita this week.

Hitting the Hot Button:
In a recent outing against Springfield, Klein delivered five innings of one-run ball, while allowing just two hits, striking out nine and walking only one. The performance marked a new high for the right-hander, whose strikeout totals have steadily increased this season. He registered 17 whiffs, including 13 on his fastball. His fastball velocity is up slightly (97 mph), and he’s shown more confidence in his secondary pitches, especially a sharp-breaking slider that generated several swings and misses in that start. Klein’s rise is about his improved totals and about showing that he can handle a starter’s workload and maintain his effectiveness deep into outings. If the trend continues, a promotion to Triple-A seems well within reach, and he’s quickly gone from organizational depth to someone who could be knocking on the door before long.

Fedko, Chaney, and Klein weren’t expected to be headliners in the Twins’ system entering the year. Still, their performances in recent weeks are proving just how deep and opportunistic the organization can be. Whether it’s a college bat finally tapping into power, a minor-league signee finding new life on the mound, or a hometown arm turning potential into results, these three are redefining their futures in real time.

As injuries and trades test the Twins' depth throughout a long season, don’t be surprised if one or more of these players earns a bigger role. Development doesn’t always follow a linear path, and these under-the-radar risers are reminding everyone why it pays to look a little deeper into the system. Keep an eye out. This trio might not be flying under the radar for much longer.

---

Which performance stands out the most? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

View full article

[jkcarew]

Klein would be a great story. Great body/frame to work with as a pitcher.

[Seth Stohs]

Klein, in my opinion, is legit. Definitely one to watch. He's got the size and he's got the stuff. He's been working mostly as the piggyback, 3-4 inning guy and done well. #OneofUs

Fedko has hit everywhere. He hit in high school. He hit at UConn. While he struggled in 2024, it was more about playing time (consistency). This year, he didn't play a ton the first week... Then he started playing, crushing baseballs and they haven't really had him out of the lineup my since then. Solid defensive player. His younger brother also played at UConn and is playing independent ball now.

 

[Dman]

The only thing holding Klein back last year was K rate and a tick better control.  As noted he has a strong big body so he looks like someone who could handle a starters load.  Personally if this is who he is I like him better than Morris.  Morris had a better ERA at Double A last year but when you look at xFIP they are almost the same.  Also Morris's K rate has continued to go down from High A to AAA whereas Klein's K rate has gotten better from A ball to AA. 

Won't know how good he will be until he gets to AAA, but again if he can keep these kind of performances up he might be next in line after Festa, Matthews and SWR. Still early, but the numbers look good right now.

[nclahammer]

Great insights with these spotlights.  Been following Fedko with the TD minor league reports and saw him play during his time with the Kernels, was hoping for a write up on his improved play this year.  I think it's one of the biggest turnarounds in the Twins minor leagues so far this season.

[Doctor Wu]

Great article, I knew a bit about Fedko but next to nothing about Klein and Chaney, so this was a very informative read, Fedko's power is impressive and the two pitchers look like they might be on the right trajectory. Seems like our minor league system is doing something right lately and that's encouraging. 

[Otaknam]

The Twins need right handed power bats, so hopefully Fedko keeps it up and puts himself into the conversation for a ML spot. Klein might be another little known pitcher that the team develops into a big league starter, like Ober. Chaney’s history makes him seem like he’s just a depth piece for the minors, but who knows.

[LambchoP]

Fedko has had a solid season, hopefully he can keep it up and stay healthy. Twins need RH power bats for the OF. Hate to say it but Wallner may need to be a platoon guy. Another prospect who has impressed a ton is Gabby Gonzalez. Rough year last year but now is hitting like crazy. Not a ton of power or speed, but could be a great top of the lineup table setter if he can keep hitting well over .300.  I also have to mention Kyle DeBarge. 42 stolen bases in the first half, that's crazy! Nice to see Jenkins and E Rodriguez healthy right now. We need both guys to stay healthy and get regular at bats and field time.

[KBJ1]

Klein sounds promising.  We certainly need RH power bats. Disappointed in E. Rod's lack of progress/injuries.

We need all of Jenkin's potential and then some as well. We need some Aces to materialize, not filler, for this franchise to ever take the next step. 

[Trov]

It continues to be stories like Klein that tell you the FO and the minor development coaches are a strong team for developing pitching.  How many late round, or undrafted out of no where guys do they need to develop to have that cemented?  I know some fans want the high end 'Ace' drafted and developed, but they have tried to draft some of them, only to have tons of injuries pile up for them.  The fact that they can get guys that may give quality MLB innings not from top draft picks helps so much. 

[TopGunn#22]

The first thing I noticed about Klein was his size/frame and the smooth, easy delivery with a 95-97mph fastball.  He looks legit. 

Gabe Gonzalez is a guy who had promise when we first acquired him in the Pablo Lopez package for Luis Arraez.  But he struggled for a season and a half.  He's really putting it together this year.  He's more of a doubles/gap power guy.  Not a ton of speed.  But he also may have the best outfield arm in the Twins system.  It's a CANNON.  With E-Rod and Jenkins coming up, and Wallner and Larnach currently on the Twins and all being LH hitters, Gonzalez could be a RH corner OF bat in the not too distant future.  

[Baumer67]

I believe Gonzalez came over on the Polanco trade.

[jmlease1]

I'm not really convinced on Chaney. As with all Twins prospects, I'm rooting for the guy, but...eh.

Klein is interesting, if he's able to sustain the velocity up around 97mph consistently and get swings and misses on the fastball, then you never know. At the very least, he's putting himself in contention as someone who could be a hard-throwing reliever. He should be fun to watch.

Fedko is the one who has really impressed. He seems to need an offseason to make adjustments to a level, which has definitely held him back, but he's having a very nice run of it in AA this season. I'll be interested to see if/when he gets a promotion up to AAA and what his reaction to it is.

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, KBJ1 said:

Klein sounds promising.  We certainly need RH power bats. Disappointed in E. Rod's lack of progress/injuries.

We need all of Jenkin's potential and then some as well. We need some Aces to materialize, not filler, for this franchise to ever take the next step. 

?

Larnach and Wallner are the only two lefties..... What is this obsession with RHH?

[Major League Ready]

1 hour ago, Mike Sixel said:

?

Larnach and Wallner are the only two lefties..... What is this obsession with RHH?

I don't get it either.  The next 2 guys to join the club will likely be Lewis and Keaschall who are RH.  The next wave is likely to be (in rough order) E. Rodriguez / Gonzalez / Sabato / Jenkins / Culpepper / Cardenas and Debarge.  5 of the 7 are RH.

[David HK]

Thanks, Cody!  I always look for these posts when trying to get the taste of the big club's garbage play out of my mouth.

It's especially nice to read about some under-the-radar guys.

[DocBauer]

Love these reports as it gives us a chance to reflect on the prospects more. And share thoughts on them.

Good for Chaney to keep chasing the dream. And who knows, he might turn in to a usable arm one day. But if we want to talk about somewhat older prospects that were brought in, I'm much more intrigued by Trent Baker, who was recently promoted to AAA after performing well at AA, brought over in the MILB rule 5 draft from St Louis. 

Just like any sport, the draft and development is your lifeblood for an organization. But late picks and UDFA are sometimes a wonderful surprise waiting to happen. I think that's John Klein. He's got an ideal pitchers build, and can throw in the 95-97 range. That's huge! And at just over 23yo, he's young enough to be a legitimate prospect. Obviously it still comes down to control/command of all his pitches, and just how good his secondaries can be.

But what we have to remember is guys like Festa, Matthews, Morris, Culpepper, and Ober before them, often don't throw more than an inning or two...if even that...when drafted. Most debut the next season. Despite being an avid draft and MILB follower, nobody really knew who ANY of these guys were until they performed well to be noticed and stamped as quality prospects. If you look deeper in the system, you'll see the 2023 and '24 draft picks in their 2nd or 1st year of pro ball. Who becomes the next Festa, Matthews, etc?

Well, Klein is stepping up to be noticed.

To be honest, Fedko has never been on my radar. Other than maintaining a solid OB%, he really hasn't shown much and had a poor 2024. I really thought he was kept just for depth this season. But boy has he been good! While a .266 AVG isn't great, an OB% of .382, a SLG% of .527, and OPS of .910 is worth paying attention to. He's a completely different ballplayer at this point. Frankly, I think he should be at St Paul very soon.

The Twins really need a young RH OF with a good, productive bat. While Gonzalez has drawn huge attention this season...rightfully so...Rosario has been very good after a slow start. And while some are fixated on Olivar because he can catch some, and has a decent bat, his power is lacking.

To @Mike Sixeland @Major League Ready, I'm personally not obsessed with RH bats the way some are. LH bats still rule the day! But considering how generally poor most LH bats fare against LHP, having another RH bat in the OF...who doesn't stink against RHP...is a necessity to provide better balance in the lineup when facing LHP when you have Wallner. Larnach, and hopefully Rodriguez in the near future. Personally, I'm still more interested in LH options, but BALANCE is needed still. I don't want any more cheap, "can only hit LHP" options taking up a roster spot. But a solid RH OF bat who can be OK against RHP, but rake against LHP is something this team has been lacking as of late.

[twinstalker]

John Klein truly belongs on a hot sheet.  He's pitched 14 inning his last three outs, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits, 2 walks (3 hbp!!!!) with 19 strikeouts.  

However, prior to that, his line 44 ip 43 h 29 r 18 er 15 bb 55 k.

That's giving up about 6 runs per 9ip, which is terrible.  Errors allowed his ERA to be better (3.68), but this one one reason ERA isn't predictive of future ERA, especially with a bad fielding team.  Good pitchers get out of tough spots regularly.

He's interesting enough to keep an eye on, though.

Fedko is a fine organizational player.  He has fine stats for AA at a way too old of age (25) to be considered a prospect.  Even with a second time round at AA he's striking out too much for a 22 yr old non power hitter to be considered a real prospect.  Like Keirsey, he may someday contribute a very small role, but it's not worth discussing.  He may benefit from a Twins sell-off, but he might be too far away for that to eventually get him any real number of MLB ABs.

I think it's possible for anybody throwing mid 90s to find something one day and soon be unhittable.  I have zero reason to believe this is Chaney, who's been dumped and demoted.  Imagine how many players we'd have on a hot sheet if the Twins said to them all that they're going to demote them one level.  I would have left Chaney off here...for integrity's sake.

[Doctor Wu]

15 hours ago, Baumer67 said:

I believe Gonzalez came over on the Polanco trade.

I thought he was part of that Mariners trade too, unless there are multiple Gonzalez's out there and I'm more confused than usual.