3 Candidates to Be the Minnesota Twins’ 2026 Breakout Prospect

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Eduardo Beltre)

The Twins' farm system continues to churn out intriguing players, and 2026 could be a year where several under-the-radar names take a significant jump. Minnesota leaned heavily on its young depth last season, and the front office would love nothing more than to see another wave push forward.

Each player below sits at a different stage of professional development. One arrived in the organization as part of last season’s trade deadline overhaul. Another was selected in last July’s draft and has yet to make his professional debut. The final player signed as a teenager and made his stateside debut in 2025.

Here are three prospects who delivered encouraging signs in 2025 and now look poised to take the next step.

LHP Kendry Rojas (Current TD Rank: 8)
His 2025 Performance: Rojas joined the Twins as the key piece in the return for Louis Varland at the trade deadline. Minnesota spoke highly of him after the deadline, and they pushed him aggressively to Triple-A, where the 22-year-old was over five years younger than the average age of the competition. For the year, he tossed 69 innings and posted a 4.70 ERA with a 28.8 K% and a 10.3 BB%. His strikeout rate took a healthy leap (up 1.8% compared to 2024) thanks to a sharper slider and better pitch sequencing. Rojas did not dominate every start, but he showed much more poise working out of traffic and limiting damage.

Why He Could Break Out in 2026: Rojas feels like the type of pitcher who might take off once the command settles into a stable place, especially as he gets a full season at Triple-A and more time to work with the Twins’ development staff. The raw ingredients are undeniably exciting. His fastball has life at the top of the zone, and his slider flashes above average with a late-biting shape that produces plenty of awkward swings. With a full offseason to refine his changeup and continue building confidence, he could make a legitimate run at becoming one of the most talked-about left-handed arms in the system. If he carries the momentum from late 2025 into next spring, he could be a top-100 prospect by midseason.

RHP Riley Quick (Current TD Rank: 13)
His 2025 Performance: The Twins drafted Quick with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft. Minnesota held off on him making his professional debut after he had tossed 62 innings during his final collegiate season. In 14 games, he posted a 3.92 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and 25.9 K%. The most significant step came when he noticeably reduced his walk rate (8.9 BB%) and looked more comfortable challenging hitters early in counts. While he may not have posted eye-popping numbers, Quick showed the tools of a pitcher growing into his frame and learning how to pitch with intent.

Why He Could Break Out in 2026: If you are looking for a classic pitching prospect trajectory, Quick fits the mold perfectly. His stuff is trending up as he adds strength and leans into a compact delivery that the organization believes can lead to even more velocity. He had Tommy John surgery in 2024, and many pitchers see improvements in command and stuff as they move further away from surgery. The cutter and slider combination already gives him multiple ways to finish at-bats. With more physical development ahead and a clearer understanding of how his arsenal plays, he could emerge as one of the more exciting right-handed arms in the lower minors. Based on his college experience, he could reach Double-A in the second half of 2026.

OF Eduardo Beltre (Current TD Rank: NA)
His 2025 Performance: Beltre delivered one of the most intriguing stat lines in the lower levels in 2025. Splitting time between the complex and the Florida State League, he showed flashes of an impressive all-around skill set. He was making his stateside debut after impressing in the Dominican Summer League in 2024 with a 1.071 OPS. The 18-year-old struggled to reproduce those totals with a .623 OPS in 78 games. However, he was one of the youngest players at both levels, with nearly 96% of his plate appearances coming against older pitchers. Beltre’s speed also stood out as he improved his reads in the outfield and grew more comfortable on the bases (25-for-29 in stolen base attempts).

Why He Could Break Out in 2026: Beltre has the type of athletic foundation that gives evaluators plenty to dream on. His bat speed jumps off the screen, and the Twins believe there is more power to unlock as he continues to add strength. Combine that with above-average speed, and the ingredients for a dynamic outfielder start to take shape. The next step will be to find consistency in his approach, since pitchers will challenge him more aggressively as he moves up. If he makes the necessary adjustments and continues to tap into his natural tools, Beltre could make a loud climb up the organizational rankings by the end of 2026.

The Twins will rely heavily on their young depth over the next few seasons, and these three prospects have a chance to push themselves into that mix. A strong offseason and a little momentum could turn them into some of the most talked-about names in the system by this time next year.

Will these prospects break out in 2026? Who will you be keeping an eye on in the Twins’ farm system? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

 

View full article

[the_brute_squad]

Rojas' delivery at first glance reminds me of Francisco Liriano. That reminds me of arm issues. I hope I'm wrong.

[old nurse]

The average age of MLB players is somewhere over 28 years old. As the excuse for failure is below average age for level there should be a few breakout stars on the parent club. Of course if Scherzer Verlander and Hill retired thr average age of the MLB players would drop at least by one year

[dxpavelka]

1 hour ago, the_brute_squad said:

Rojas' delivery at first glance reminds me of Francisco Liriano. That reminds me of arm issues. I hope I'm wrong.

Also reminds me of the best pitcher on a team with the Cy Young winner.

[jmlease1]

I'm very interested to see what a healthy Charlee Soto looks like in 2026; I think he could take a major leap if he's able to stay on the field.

I'm more than a little concerned that the Twins might have screwed up Rojas' development by pushing him too aggressively last season; to me he looked like a player that was not ready for AAA, but the team left him up there in a misguided attempt to justify an unpopular trade. I hope I'm wrong.

There's quite a bit of talent in the Twins farm system. The challenge as of late has been in making the last step it seems.

[old nurse]

52 minutes ago, jmlease1 said:

I'm very interested to see what a healthy Charlee Soto looks like in 2026; I think he could take a major leap if he's able to stay on the field.

I'm more than a little concerned that the Twins might have screwed up Rojas' development by pushing him too aggressively last season; to me he looked like a player that was not ready for AAA, but the team left him up there in a misguided attempt to justify an unpopular trade. I hope I'm wrong.

There's quite a bit of talent in the Twins farm system. The challenge as of late has been in making the last step it seems.

Every team has that challenge. I think the hard part is knowing when to trade them for other talent. 

[Otaknam]

They really need Rojas and Abel to become established ML starters to give fans some hope after the carpet bombing of the roster by this sad sack ownership. When was the last time they had a legit lefty starter, not just a lefty reliever making a one inning start? The future of this team is for the young starters, of which they have unproven depth, to become successful starters. That’s assuming they still have Lopez and Ryan, and that Ober bounces back from injuries. And a successful transition to the big leagues by Jenkins, EROD, Culpepper, and Gonzalez.

[Whitey333]

Good luck to those players.  Much more likely though is they join the long list of Twins failed prospects.  Im afraid it could just as easily or more so be products of over hope and over hype.

[Blyleven2011]

The twins have relied on prospects talent in past years at the major league level  , that minor league hype hasn't proven to be productive at the major league level ...

In baseball i don't live on hope , I live for production  , maybe our new coaching staff can turn this around and they can coach these talented players at the major league level to be more successful  ...

It's wait and see for me , will new coaching help first rounders like Lewis , larnach and Lee turn it around in 2026 , can keaschall continue developing ...

Im banking on a new livelier atmosphere helping these players perform better than under Rocco  ...

[bunsen82]

For me a breakout - means someone who is either ranked moderately and blows up ala a Miranda, or a lower level player that continues to move up the rankings due to good performances like Luis Arraez.  

For me here is what I am looking at:  

13.  Winokur:  He is a potential 5 tool player.   If the hit tool continues to improve he could be viewed as a top 5 prospect.  I anticipate him hitting better and potentially flashing more regularly like he did in August (Quinten Young is similar but I take Winokur over Young).

15. Soto - Soto prior to the injury was viewed as one of our top arms.  He has elite velocity and some good secondary pitches.  prior to injury he had a 1.38 ERA at A+.  

16.  Amick - he struggled in fall ball - but he had a .310/.418/.455 slash line at high A ball.  His contact was much improved from expectations - the power wasn't quite there from prior years.  His defense was also better than expected - allowing him to stay at 3rd if need be of move to 1st.  If he can maintain the average and increase the power potentially he will rocket up the boards.    

21. Diaw - other than injuries holding him back he looked like a legit C prospect.  If he can stay healthy and maintain the numbers he is another one that could rocket up the boards.  

25. Mendez -  how he is rated this low is mind boggling.  He is a more powerful Arraez.  If there is any nitpick is he hits too many groundballs.  He has been improving this and if he can continue to hit more line drives or fly balls that get out of the ballpark he becomes a major part of the offense.  For the bat only, I think he is in the territory of Gonzalez and Jenkins, so I think he is well underrated.  Like Arreaz defense may be the only thing holding him back.  Like Amick they are wanting to try him some at 1st.  

27.  Jimenez - he was a defensive catcher coming over that suddenly started hitting bombs.  .269/.431.551  slash line at A ball after coming up from the international leagues.  Currently only 20 if he replicates these numbers at all or does them at high A,  he will also rocket up the boards.  

I am going to lump Quick (who is already rated high) - Ellwanger, Barr, Reitz.   One of these pitchers is going to look like a legit MLB arm if not multiple.  The all have legit stuff,  the majority of the questions have been control so far.  Next year will be very interesting for how the prospects performs.   Top to bottom - it could be one the deepest the minor league systems have been in my memory.  

 

 

 

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, Whitey333 said:

Good luck to those players.  Much more likely though is they join the long list of Twins failed prospects.  Im afraid it could just as easily or more so be products of over hope and over hype.

the odds are against basically every prospect. It's always going to more likely that a prospect fails than succeeds, and it's like that for every team (yes including Tampa Bay and the Dodgers, who are frequently cited as being uniquely more clever than the Twins, and still have more prospect misses than hits)

But players will break out and crush their level of the minors, and that's a) worth celebrating, and b) fun to speculate on. Get out of the bitter barn and come play in the hay! :P

[weitz41]

All legit choices. Beltre would be my fav. 

I'm going with Marek Houston. The D is already close, so the bat takes off and makes the July draft for the Twin more complicated. 

My dark horse breakout prosect is Matt Barr

[TopGunn#22]

Winokur is very interesting because he still gets a lot of time at 2 very premium positions (SS & CF).  The kid is a legit 5-tool player.  Because he runs so well, I'd like to see him make more consistent contact.  He's got the size and frame that his power will hopefully get even better.

Charlie Soto is an excellent addition.  Without the injury we would probably be speaking about him and Dasan Hill in the same sentence.  

I love the inclusion of Jimenez but I'm a little shocked he's only ranked 27th.  I agree that he's got a chance to rocket up the boards and advance quickly is his power is real, because the defense, by all accounts is impressive.

And Weitz, I really like your inclusion of Marek Houston.  Yes, he was a #1 draft pick.  But there seems to be an inordinate amount of skepticism about his hitting.  I've seen enough highlight reels of him in college and in the Twins system to agree that he can be an elite defender.  it seems like a lot of people think any offense by him will be a bonus.  I would love to see it be more than just a "bonus."

 

[tony&rodney]

Two players I am excited to watch next season are Brandon Winokur and Charlee Soto.

Winokur needs to make more contact and hit for a better average while drawing a few more walks.

Soto needs innings where he throws all of his pitches and throws strikes.

[old nurse]

1 hour ago, ElaPettе said:

Below-average age doesn't guarantee breakout stars. Development isn’t linear, and veterans retiring wouldn't magically fix roster performance either.

Welcome to TD. You probably have not noticed that any minor league layer here that is under the average age of the level they are at that statistic gets mentioned. It is either a wow type thing or why they are having difficulty at that level.  Considering that players are usually assigned levels by talent it should be meaningless.  The same wow bit is not applied at the major league level.  My post was sarcasm. Two people even acknowledged it as such. The clue was mentioning the old players and the obvious math error that three players retiring would drastically change the average age of well over 600 players who play at the major league level every year.