Twins Prospect Hot Sheet, September 8, 2025: Three Under-the-Radar Prospects To Watch in 2026

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (Photo of John Klein)

Each week, standout performances from across the Minnesota Twins farm system shine a light on the next wave of potential big leaguers. This week’s hot sheet highlights a slugging infielder, a rising right-handed starter, and a pitcher quietly carving up Triple-A lineups. Together, they represent the mix of youth, development, and depth the Twins continue to build throughout the organization.

IF Billy Amick –  Cedar Rapids Kernels
How He Got Here: The Twins selected Amick in the second round (60th overall) of the 2024 MLB Draft out of the University of Tennessee. The 22-year-old has quickly emerged as one of the most advanced bats from that draft class, showing the ability to hit for both average and power while adjusting to professional pitching. Last season, he played 18 games at Low-A, where he posted a .763 OPS with nearly as many walks (12) as strikeouts (15). It wasn’t eye-popping numbers, but it showcased his college experience.

Hitting the Hot Button: Amick tore the cover off the ball this past week, hitting .480 (12-for-25) with four doubles, two home runs, and seven RBI in seven games. He also showed strong plate discipline, drawing five walks and posting a 1.461 OPS. For the season, he has hit .316/.423/.464 (.887) with a 12.6 BB% and a 26.1 K% in 58 games. Defensively, he has split time between both corner infield positions. Already one of the most dangerous hitters in the Cedar Rapids lineup, Amick’s ability to impact the game both with extra-base power and consistent contact has him climbing the organizational ladder quickly.

RHP Jose Olivares – Cedar Rapids Kernels
How He Got Here: Olivares, a 22-year-old right-hander from Venezuela, signed with the Twins as an international free agent in January of 2021. Last season, he made 13 appearances (10 starts) with Fort Myers and posted a 3.33 ERA with a 1.33 WHIP. After developing steadily through the lower levels, he’s now becoming a key arm in the Kernels’ rotation and flashing the swing-and-miss stuff that could carry him further.

Hitting the Hot Button: In his latest start against Quad Cities, Olivares was dominant, allowing just one run on one hit over six innings. He walked two and recorded a career-high 10 strikeouts, showcasing the ability to both command his fastball and finish hitters with secondary pitches. During the 2025 campaign, he has a 4.38 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP, having pitched over 90 innings for the first time in his career. His outing capped off a strong run of development, and he continues to position himself as one of the more intriguing under-the-radar arms in the system.

John Klein – RHP, St. Paul Saints
How He Got Here: Klein, now 23, signed with the Twins as an undrafted free agent in 2022 and has steadily pitched his way into relevance in the upper minors. Last season, he spent the entire year at Cedar Rapids, posting a 4.57 ERA with a 1.40 WHIP. While he wasn’t a highly touted addition at the time of his signing, his performance in the upper minors has forced evaluators to take notice.

Hitting the Hot Button: Over his last four outings with the Saints, Klein has been excellent, posting a 2.65 ERA across 17 innings. During that stretch, he has recorded 26 strikeouts compared to just five walks while holding opponents to a .523 OPS. Before his promotion, he pitched 80 2/3 innings at Double-A with a 3.12 ERA (3.21 FIP), 27.4 K%, 6.9 BB%, and 65% strikes. His consistency and ability to limit damage make him an increasingly valuable depth piece, and his recent performance suggests he could soon be on the radar for a big-league look.

Amick’s middle-of-the-order presence, Olivares’ swing-and-miss upside, and Klein’s consistency at Triple-A highlight the different ways talent is developing in the Twins system. Performances like these underscore the depth across multiple levels and provide a glimpse of the impact players who could help the Twins in the near future.

Which player’s performance stands out the most? Can Klein have a role with the 2026 Twins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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[mikelink45]

Sorry but the only way these three make it is with another team. 

[Nshore]

John Klein is the urgently sought after replacement for undrafted free agent Randy Dobnak.

[tony&rodney]

25 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Sorry but the only way these three make it is with another team. 

Tune in to watch Olivares pitch. You could be very impressed. 

If you have an mlb.com account, you can also watch the minor league games via milb.com. 

Olivares is one to follow. He should be one of the pitchers going in the playoffs versus Beloit tomorrow and thereafter. Tune in.

[bunsen82]

Amick is under the radar? He was a second round draft pick and our current #17 prospect? He is doing well better than expected but he is not under the radar. He was a 30ish ranked prospect that dropped due to hit tool and defense and both look much better than anticipated. 

[Otaknam]

Curious sure why Olivares is on this list. His hits per inning pitched numbers are way down, but he averages 6 walks per nine innings, not a prescription for success moving forward. Great stuff doesn’t do much good if he can’t throw strikes. The Twins are learning that with all three high end arms they traded for in Abel, Bradley and Rojas. 

[rdehring]

Interesting that two of the three are with the Kernels.  Wishing them well for their upcoming series against the Twins former affiliate.

As for Amick, there is an open spot in the Twins lineup awaiting he, or anyone, at first base.  Unfortunately, he won't be ready to fill it in 2026.  

[gman]

Klien is 23, a real old timer.  121 strikeouts and 31 walks, in 98 inning. Why do we bother with guys like this. I just wonder if he's a good starter or a top of the bullpen arm next year.

Amick 22, I assume if he has the arm for first since he can play third. He got a few more games at first than at third this year. Too bad he missed 2 months. A 307/417/867 batting line looks pretty good for a first year player, It may be 2027 before he gets close to the Twins. But they will probably need a player or 2 by then. 

Oliveras, another oldtimer at 22. Looks like he needs work on his control, but also appears he good be a very good bullpen arm in 2 years. He walked 57 batters and gave up 66 hits in 90 innings.

[LambchoP]

Klein could be a potential pen arm next year. Guys like Adams, Ohl, Festa, Raya and Prelipp should all get looks. We need to rebuild our pen from scratch, so anyone who they don't think can stick as a starter could be a relief option.

[Mike Sixel]

4 hours ago, gman said:

Klien is 23, a real old timer.  121 strikeouts and 31 walks, in 98 inning. Why do we bother with guys like this. I just wonder if he's a good starter or a top of the bullpen arm next year.

Amick 22, I assume if he has the arm for first since he can play third. He got a few more games at first than at third this year. Too bad he missed 2 months. A 307/417/867 batting line looks pretty good for a first year player, It may be 2027 before he gets close to the Twins. But they will probably need a player or 2 by then. 

Oliveras, another oldtimer at 22. Looks like he needs work on his control, but also appears he good be a very good bullpen arm in 2 years. He walked 57 batters and gave up 66 hits in 90 innings.

Sarcasm about Klein being old?

[gman]

31 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Sarcasm about Klein being old?

Of coursse

[twinstalker]

On 9/8/2025 at 6:38 PM, mikelink45 said:

Sorry but the only way these three make it is with another team. 

???

Amick makes it with nobody.  He's 22 with a 26.1% K rate at A+.  This won't go anywhere, and no other team will improve the issue.  One thing I've found is that players are who they are.  I hated the pick, and he hasn't disappointed.

As for any pitcher, I'd bet on the Twins over an average team.

[DocBauer]

I'm kinda late here so I'm going to be brief.

AMICK: The two biggest questions about him were could he be viable at 3B, and his actual bat to ball ability. 

According to his draft profile he had shown some improvement at 3B. The Twins are still playing him there, and should still for now, so maybe he can stick there with enough time and work. But I think he ends up at 1B eventually.

So far, he's made MAJOR improvement in his bat to ball skills and both BB and K numbers. The power is still there, it's just not shining this season. He definitely seems ready for AA in 2026.

OLIVERAS: The 22yo is still sitting at a BB % per 9 of 4.9. But hits per 9 are just under 8, which isn’t bad, and he's just under 10K. Control/command takes time and can be worked on. Pure stuff, you either have it or not. There is some reliever "risk" there certainly. But he  just recently reached A+ and should be part of a really interesting rotation for CR next season.

KLEIN: He's got an ideal frame and mid 90's velocity. He's 23 1/2yo and has reached AAA in his 3rd professional season. With 70 hits in 80 IP and 2.7 BB and 10.6 K per 9 innings at AA he's taken a major step this season and has earned his finish to 2025 at AAA. He's off to a mediocre start, not surprising, but has had a handful of nice appearances as of late. He's a legitimate prospect. Do we care he wasn't drafted? We really shouldn't.  We should only focus on build, velocity, production, and a good age for AAA.