Predicting the Twins’ Top 5 Prospects On New Year’s Day 2027

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of © Gary Cosby Jr.-Tuscaloosa News / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Prospect lists are snapshots in time, and for the Twins, the picture is already starting to blur. The current Twins Daily top five of Walker Jenkins, Kaelen Culpepper, Eduardo Tait, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Mick Abel represents a system that is very close to turning the page. Jenkins, Culpepper, Rodriguez, and Abel all finished last season at Double-A or higher, and Connor Prielipp, Kendry Rojas, and Gabriel Gonzalez are right there with them. Only Dasan Hill and Tait remain below that level. With that many players knocking on the big-league door, it feels inevitable that next winter’s list will look very different.

A year ago, my New Year’s Day projection included Jenkins and Culpepper at the top, followed by Charlee Soto, Brandon Winokur, and Marco Raya. In hindsight, the exercise was always going to be unfair. Few could have predicted the fire sale at last year’s trade deadline, which reshaped the system overnight. Tait and Abel were not even in the organization at that point. Soto likely would have been closer to a Top 5 spot if not for injuries, while Winokur still has upside but needs to regain momentum after a disappointing stint in the Arizona Fall League. Raya struggled at Triple A and now looks more likely to impact the club out of the bullpen in 2026.

With that context in mind, here is an early look at what the Twins' Top 5 prospects could look like on New Year’s Day 2027.

5. Marek Houston, SS
Houston, Minnesota’s 2025 first-round pick, sneaks onto the list thanks to his defensive foundation and hope for steady offensive growth. He will never be a middle-of-the-order bat, but the Twins value shortstops who can stay at the position, and Houston has the instincts and arm to do just that. If the bat continues to progress, he becomes a very safe everyday projection. He could quickly rise through the system in 2026 and finish the year in the upper minors.
2026 Prediction: Houston makes his big-league debut in September.

4. Charlee Soto, RHP
Soto gets a second chance here after an injury interrupted his rise. He was limited to three starts last season, but there is a reason the Twins targeted him with the 34th overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. When healthy, he shows the type of fastball and breaking ball combination that can anchor a rotation. Durability remains the question, but the upside is still very real, and the Twins will give him every opportunity to start.
2026 Prediction: Soto gets back on track in 2026 and pitches over 100 innings between High- and Double-A.

3. Riley Quick, RHP
Minnesota took Quick with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft and could have been a higher pick if not for missing his entire sophomore season following Tommy John surgery. Quick represents the modern pitching prospect with power stuff and some remaining refinement needed. In his junior season, he posted a 3.92 ERA with a 3.49 FIP and a 25.9 K%. His velocity and ability to miss bats could push him quickly through the upper minors.
2026 Prediction: Quick will be the organization’s minor league pitcher of the year as he jumps from the low minors to Triple-A.

2. Eduardo Tait, C
Catchers with offensive upside can be tough to fit on prospect lists because they have to hit and provide defensive value. Tait’s bat is the carrying tool, and if he continues to hit as he climbs the ladder, his defensive questions will matter less. In 2025, he posted a 103 wRC+ across two levels while facing older pitchers in every plate appearance. By 2027, he could be viewed as the Twins catcher of the future.
2026 Prediction: Tait’s defense and game calling will make significant strides as he gets accustomed to the Twins system.

1. Justin Lebron, SS
There are many different directions the Twins could go with the number three pick in July. College shortstop Roch Cholowsky is the consensus number one pick, with prep shortstop Grady Emerson as the likely second pick. Minnesota could take Lebron if they want to go the college route, or Jacob Lombard, a prep shortstop with a baseball bloodline. LeBron is the favorite at this point, and the Alabama shortstop earns 60 grades across four of his five tools. If he lands in the Twins system, he becomes the obvious choice at the top.
2026 Prediction: Lebron solidifies himself at the top of the draft as the clear third pick for the Twins.

Predicting prospect lists is always risky, but the direction is clear. The Twins are on the verge of graduating a wave of talent, and the next era will be defined by a new group of high upside players stepping into the spotlight.

Who will make the Twins top prospect list in one year? What direction will the Twins go with the third pick next July? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Jeff K]

And hopefully our current top five (outside of Tait) are playing well for the big club!

[nclahammer]

Nice article, I would strongly disagree that Marek Houston will make his MLB debut in 2026 after seeing him play in Cedar Rapids last season.  His bat is not close to being ready, yet, he struggled mightily in High A.  I think AAA by the end of the year could even be a stretch.

[arby58]

Assuming Kaelen Culpepper is with the Twins in 2026 (since he's not on this list), it seems highly unlikely/implausible that Houston debuts with the Twins in September 2026. When was the last time a Twins minor leaguer made the jump from high A one year to the majors the next? About the only one I can think of is Zebby Matthews, but the Twins starting pitching was decimated when that happened in late 2024.

[bunsen82]

Naming a top 5 is futile.  Even still you are looking for players who really flash. Houston will never be a flashy prospect.  
 

Not all of our prospects will jump up to the big leagues or lose their prospect status.  Gonzalez, Rodriguez and Jenkins all moving up isn’t realistic. That’s 3 outfielders meaning we traded Buxton Wallner Larnach and Roden didn’t show enough.  Right now I think Jenkins is the one with eligibility left to try to get rookie of the year next year.  
 

As to prospects I really like that I think could flash. Pitchers - Soto- his stuff improved to start the season before injuries. I think he comes back and regains a top 5 spot.  Dasan Hill has some dominant stuff for his age and is a lefty.  
 

I don’t know that Quick will be the best pitcher this year from his draft class.  They picked up 4 potential high ceiling pitchers. Odds are 1 of those 4 is pushing a top 5 ranking.  Quick overall package at draft time was the best so still odds on favorite, but Ellwanger Barr of Reitz coming out and dominating at the lower levels would not surprise me one bit. 
 

As to hitters. I think Mendez takes the Gonzalez path this year.  You have Winokur or Young who have the highest of ceilings. I think this is the year Winokur has everything come together.  
 

Draft as of now odds are it’s LeBron, but I have a sneaking suspicion Emerson will fall to our pick. 

[Nashvilletwin]

2027 Post-Strike Starting Lineup:

1. Keaschall, 1B
2. Culpepper, 2B
3. Jenkins, CF
4. Buxton or FA/Trade acquisition, DH
5. Rodriguez, RF
6. Gonzalez, LF
7. Lebron, 3B
8. Tait, C
9. Houston, SS

Power, average, speed, solid D, cheap, controllable, exciting to watch. Ready to go in ‘28. What’s not to like? 

Only one, possibly two players currently on ‘26 team breaking camp.

The window would then be wide open.  For years.  Let’s see if Shelton can transition the youngsters successfully and if Falvey and T-Cubed don’t screw it up.

 

 

 

[mikelink45]

I can't see a player we haven't drafted and with no minor league experience as nunber one and I am not buying into Soto and Quick.  Hill will be there as number one and Tait number two.  I do like Houston and think he will be three.  But then I think we will still have a carryover from our current five.  And then we will know who gets drafted. 

[terrydactyls]

43 minutes ago, Nashvilletwin said:

2027 Post-Strike Starting Lineup:

1. Keaschall, 1B
2. Culpepper, 2B
3. Jenkins, CF
4. Buxton or FA/Trade acquisition, DH
5. Rodriguez, RF
6. Gonzalez, LF
7. Lebron, 3B
8. Tait, C
9. Houston, SS

Power, average, speed, solid D, cheap, controllable, exciting to watch. Ready to go in ‘28. What’s not to like? 

Only one, possibly two players currently on ‘26 team breaking camp.

The window would then be wide open.  For years.  Let’s see if Shelton can transition the youngsters successfully and if Falvey and T-Cubed don’t screw it up.

 

 

 

I like that lineup a lot.

[Fatbat]

@bunsen82 I agree with your assessments. Emerson will likely be our draft pick. LeBron will be gone by #3 and thats good because it restocks the high A shelf in ‘27. 

Its hard to imagine how erod,jenkins and gabby fit in the ‘26 mlb OF. It would be exciting tho!

the minors are stacked with infielders that need to develop their hit tools in ‘26! Winoker needs to spend time at 1B. Can you imagine a 6’6” athletically gifted 1B that can be in the 30/30 club for a decade. Crazy to think about. If Houston finds the Arraez hit tools. He will be HOF. 
 

The ‘27 day one prospect list is going to be loaded for sure!

[Fatbat]

@Nashvilletwin Even if Lebron is drafted, No way he will be our post lockout starting 3B in ‘27. I do like your lineup tho for 28/29 but it may also make include allstar 3B Royce Lewis.

[FlyingFinn]

I've got:

1. Whoever is our #1 draft pick.

2. Rojas - won't get enough MLB time in 2026

3. D. Hill

4. Tait

5. Soto

[tony&rodney]

I plead guilty to being a prospect goon. I watched way too much minor league baseball the last couple of years. My focus was mainly with players within the Twins system but I ranged pretty wide to include dozens of other minor league prospects. When I travel my preference is to watch high school baseball.

When one watches a fair amount of baseball it is natural to see players have bad days as well as good, so I try to give guys the benefit of doubt on their struggles. The more times I see a player the more times one can pick up small details.

Brandon Winokur has a ways to go before he even gets a Spring Training invite, but his athleticism is unmatched in the Twins system. He can look awkward, hesitant, and unsure at times. At other times Winokur does things that no other player can match, be it a fielding play, running the bases, a throw, or crushing the ball. Whenever I watch Winokur I pay closer attention. His swings can be deflating and his lack of consistency at the plate makes it difficult to keep thinking positively about him. Then there is a line drive casually crushed. 

I don't know if Brandon Winokur can put it together with two more full years in the minor leagues, but in my opinion there isn't a greater talent within the Twins organization right now. I might not rank him in the top ten as far as performance and he is an extremely high risk, but he also plays wherever he wants if that bat clicks into gear and he then becomes a superstar. We all know that these minor leaguers have a rough journey and most just don't have the physical skills and run into repeated failure. I'm hoping Winokur moves past those obstacles and aligns all of his moving parts. I'll be watching.

[bunsen82]

21 minutes ago, terrydactyls said:

I like that lineup a lot.

I don’t know how you can like a lineup that has 3 players that won’t be at the mlb level to start 2027. Houston Tait and LeBron who odds are won’t be our pick will continue to try to improve in the minors.

[saviking]

How many shortstops do we need. 

[tony&rodney]

5 minutes ago, saviking said:

How many shortstops do we need. 

13

[GNess]

1 hour ago, Nashvilletwin said:

2027 Post-Strike Starting Lineup:

1. Keaschall, 1B
2. Culpepper, 2B
3. Jenkins, CF
4. Buxton or FA/Trade acquisition, DH
5. Rodriguez, RF
6. Gonzalez, LF
7. Lebron, 3B
8. Tait, C
9. Houston, SS

Power, average, speed, solid D, cheap, controllable, exciting to watch. Ready to go in ‘28. What’s not to like? 

Only one, possibly two players currently on ‘26 team breaking camp.

The window would then be wide open.  For years.  Let’s see if Shelton can transition the youngsters successfully and if Falvey and T-Cubed don’t screw it up.

 

 

 

Your optimism is appreciated, but it is highly unlikely that all those unproven players to emerge as starting caliber players by 2027. Also in your forecast what did the Twins acquire for current players such as Lewis, Jeffers, Wallner etc. since they have disappeared from the line up?

It would be awesome though if your projection is spot on!!

[Linus]

There is zero chance that Houston sees the bigs this year. There is a better chance that he never sees the big leagues than is up this year. Dude has some serious work to do with the bat. 

[Nashvilletwin]

1 hour ago, Fatbat said:

@Nashvilletwin Even if Lebron is drafted, No way he will be our post lockout starting 3B in ‘27. I do like your lineup tho for 28/29 but it may also make include allstar 3B Royce Lewis.

We can only hope!  That would be awesome. 

[Nashvilletwin]

26 minutes ago, GNess said:

Your optimism is appreciated, but it is highly unlikely that all those unproven players to emerge as starting caliber players by 2027. Also in your forecast what did the Twins acquire for current players such as Lewis, Jeffers, Wallner etc. since they have disappeared from the line up?

It would be awesome though if your projection is spot on!!

I’d actually be pleased if three worked out. That would be WAY better than we’ve done for years. 

[rdehring]

Interesting read, Cody.  Enjoyed it.

Would be beyond exciting should Houston merit a callup come September.  Expect you weren't thinking of one issue that will affect anyone not on the 40-man being added this September.  I doubt the Twins, or any team, will want to add someone to the 40-man who doesn't have to be added.  That way they won't be either on strike or locked out in 2027.  Would rather keep these players in the minors so they can play.

[Fatbat]

27 minutes ago, Linus said:

There is zero chance that Houston sees the bigs this year. There is a better chance that he never sees the big leagues than is up this year. Dude has some serious work to do with the bat. 

Im not disagreeing with you, he definitely has to find his hit tools. So did Gabby heading into ‘25. 
Houston is gold glove caliber so when he finds his bat, he will get pushed to AAA and be an injury away from mlb. 

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, bunsen82 said:

I don’t know how you can like a lineup that has 3 players that won’t be at the mlb level to start 2027. Houston Tait and LeBron who odds are won’t be our pick will continue to try to improve in the minors.

I still like that line up.

[TNtwins85]

2 hours ago, arby58 said:

Assuming Kaelen Culpepper is with the Twins in 2026 (since he's not on this list), it seems highly unlikely/implausible that Houston debuts with the Twins in September 2026. When was the last time a Twins minor leaguer made the jump from high A one year to the majors the next? About the only one I can think of is Zebby Matthews, but the Twins starting pitching was decimated when that happened in late 2024.

Matt Garza. I agree. Things would have to go disastrously for Houston to be called up. Although plausible I wouldn’t expect it especially if the bat isn’t showing, He’ll be lucky to get to AAA this year

[TNtwins85]

2 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

2027 Post-Strike Starting Lineup:

1. Keaschall, 1B
2. Culpepper, 2B
3. Jenkins, CF
4. Buxton or FA/Trade acquisition, DH
5. Rodriguez, RF
6. Gonzalez, LF
7. Lebron, 3B
8. Tait, C
9. Houston, SS

Power, average, speed, solid D, cheap, controllable, exciting to watch. Ready to go in ‘28. What’s not to like? 

Only one, possibly two players currently on ‘26 team breaking camp.

The window would then be wide open.  For years.  Let’s see if Shelton can transition the youngsters successfully and if Falvey and T-Cubed don’t screw it up.

 

 

 

Pohlads will never allow this lineup unless Falvey convinces them of it. It’s too young and if it came to that Buxton is gone. LeBron isn’t advanced enough of a college bat to be up that fast. Even if he has a monster half year after being drafted he sure isn’t starting at 3B the following year. Tait is gonna need to go to another world as well. The bat was good for a 18 year old in the middle of that lineup at A+. I watched him quite a bit on MILB last year. He handles him self well behind the plate but needs to get much better to be in MLB defensively as the starting C. From what I’ve heard Houston is MLB average to above average right now. If he can simply show any ability to hit somewhat competently I could see him in this ‘27 lineup. If total system failure 2.0 happens this summer expect some more upper minors talent as well as it seems Falvey would like to turn this around fast.

[Hashim]

3 hours ago, Nashvilletwin said:

2027 Post-Strike Starting Lineup:

1. Keaschall, 1B
2. Culpepper, 2B
3. Jenkins, CF
4. Buxton or FA/Trade acquisition, DH
5. Rodriguez, RF
6. Gonzalez, LF
7. Lebron, 3B
8. Tait, C
9. Houston, SS

Power, average, speed, solid D, cheap, controllable, exciting to watch. Ready to go in ‘28. What’s not to like? 

Only one, possibly two players currently on ‘26 team breaking camp.

The window would then be wide open.  For years.  Let’s see if Shelton can transition the youngsters successfully and if Falvey and T-Cubed don’t screw it up.

 

 

 

I like your spirit and optimism but that’s highly unlikely. Most minor leaguers don’t make it. I will be happy if half of them make it to the majors and make an impact. I used to be excited about Miranda and many other Twins prospects but look where they are. 

[High heat]

Boy I hope Kaelen Culpepper is on this list to start 2027.  If not something went terrible in 2026, either Culpepper completely fails or Lee/Keaschell completely failed.  
 

 

[Nashvilletwin]

Lots of doubt and/or criticism of my post-strike line-up suggestion.  

The points made are all valid.

However, it’s not outside the realm of possibility.  Why?

Keaschall, Jenkins, Culpepper, ERod, and Gonzalez all are supposed to be contributors THIS year in the majors. So why should we be surprised  if all are starters as of July/August 2027? We will be disappointed if they are not.

Houston should be more than ready to debut by late summer ‘27. Can he hit? Well, if he is one of the best fielding SS in the league, do we even care all that much?

Tait’s call up in late summer of ‘27 would be for investment purposes. So he’s a rookie in ‘28.  It’s ok. Besides, it’s not like we are deep at C, particularly at his talent level even as a 21 year old.

Lebron might be one of the most MLB ready prospects coming out of college in ‘26. Why not get him a cup of coffee in ‘27 and play him as a rookie in ‘28.  We may not draft him, but, who knows, maybe Lewis shows up and he’s starting at 3B in ‘27 and ‘28. Either would be fine.

If Buxton doesn’t like the younger player approach, then he can split. But we’d have the cash and the farm talent to get a DH. Who knows, maybe Wallner figures it out.  However, Buck may very well like being the “old grizzled” vet in this lineup tutoring the younger guys. He could relish the role and excel in it.

Sure, odds are this doesn’t work out this way.  Of course.   But there are many, many Twins fans that would rather watch this suggested lineup than be burdened with what is being offered this year (or has been the last couple of years as well). It’s an easy sell to Twins fans that this young crop is more exciting to watch and is being groomed for a wide open window.  The fans want hope - not warmed over cast offs and continuous mediocrity.  

[tony&rodney]

2 hours ago, saviking said:

How many shortstops do we need. 

Previously I responded with just the number, 13. That wasn't meant to be sarcastic. Most of the best players in baseball were once shortstops. A couple of examples are now Twins coaches. Mark Hallberg (Twins bench coach) was such a good shortstop that he moved Buster Posey, who was an NCAA D! All American shortstop as a freshman at FSU, to catcher because Hallberg was a superior glove and also a good bat and the hardest player in NCAA to strike out. Mike Rabelo was a standout shortstop and pitcher in high school in a conference that had several first round draft picks. Rabelo shifted to catcher in college and was highly thought of by Miami and part of the return for the Marlins in the trade that brought Miguel Cabrera to Detroit. A young Joe Mauer was a terrific athlete who took ground balls at shortstop and was capable of playing there. He requested to be kept as a catcher, his preferred position.

It is entirely possible to have a team where all 13 position players were once regulars as shortstops. Going further, it is even possible that all 13 pitchers could have been starting shortstops in high school. at times pitchers are not playing full time positions as players specialize and play year around. Not possible to have too many shortstops or too much pitching.

[Hashim]

44 minutes ago, Bigfork Twins Guy said:

Cannot happen.  Think of all the washed up players that Falvey can sign to block these kids.

It’s so disappointing and infuriating to see washed up has-beens and 30 year olds always being chased by the Twins. I don’t understand their obsession with washed players. They have Fitzgerald who’s going to be 31 probably starting this coming 😩😩😩

[Brandon]

7 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

I've got:

1. Whoever is our #1 draft pick.

2. Rojas - won't get enough MLB time in 2026

3. D. Hill

4. Tait

5. Soto

If three of our top 5 prospects are starting pitchers that bodes well with Ryan and Over and Lopez free agents after 2027.  We will only need to sign one.... probably Ober..  3 SP prospects with 96+ MPH fastballs will likely turn into something good for us