Inside the Twins First Base Pipeline

[Cory Moen]

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Aaron Sabato)

Depth is something every organization tries to create, whether through the draft, international free agency, or even minor league free agency. Let’s take a look at how the Twins’ system stacks up at various positions. I started with catchers and decided to work my way around the diamond. This list for first basemen is shorter, mostly due to the fact that very few prospects are only first basemen and often are listed at other positions instead. 

Most first basemen started playing another position and moved down the defensive spectrum either because they were blocked at the position they were drafted at, or they weren’t cutting it defensively elsewhere and things were working out better at first base. A few examples in Twins history who became first baseman but played elsewhere when younger or in the minors include Justin Morneau, Harmon Killebrew, and more recently, Carlos Santana. 

For each player below, I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season.

Aaron Sabato
Acquired: 2020 Draft, 1st round
Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A

Sabato is one of many college sluggers the Twins have taken early in the draft over the last handful of years. In College at UNC, he hit for a 1.158 OPS with 25 home runs over 83 games played. He’s had his ups and downs since being drafted and the prospect shine has worn off, but in 2025, he appeared to turn a corner, hitting 23 home runs with a .809 OPS over 109 games played and 449 plate appearances. He did go unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 draft, again. Always seen as a bat-first prospect, Sabato can still carve out a role if his offense is up to it. While he is a first baseman by trade, his future could be at designated hitter, depending on what other first base options there are.

Andy Lugo
Acquired: Trade, Boston Red Sox, June 2025
Highest Level in 2025: High-A

Lugo was acquired from the Red Sox in late June so the Red Sox could jump the other teams on the waiver wire to acquire relief pitcher Jorge Alcala, after he was designated for assignment.

Lugo has also played some second base and third base, along with a bit of left field as well. After the trade, he hit well at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he posted a .889 OPS over 28 games. He will be playing his age 22 season in 2026 and with experience just in the low minors, he is still a decent distance away from making an impact, but his bat will be an interesting thing to watch. He might get his first crack at Double-A this year, and we will see how that goes, as this step up in levels is often a key challenge for young prospects.

Jaime Ferrer
Acquired: 2024 Draft, 4th round
Highest Level in 2025: High-A

Another college slugger, who posted a .989 OPS over three college seasons at Florida State. Since being drafted, he has struggled at the plate, hitting for a slash line of .227/.312/.345 with limited power (5 home runs over 101 games played). He has played first base, but has also been tried out at catcher and in the corner outfield. Like many prospects, Ferrer is looking to take the next step in his development, and depending on his long-term position, his development trajectory could change. Catchers have a lower bar offensively for example, but if he ends up being a corner bat, he will have to hit to move into the Twins future plans. 

JP Smith II 
Acquired: 2025 Draft, 17th round
Highest Level in 2025: Single-A

Are you starting to notice a trend here? Smith was a college bat who mashed at Sacramento State. He had a .953 OPS over three seasons, hitting 48 home runs and showing a good eye at the plate as well. He got his first taste of professional ball at Single-A Fort Myers where, like many prospects, he didn’t hit for as much power, but that typically comes with time. He held his own over his first 101 professional plate appearances, where he struck out at a 24.8% clip and he walked 6.9% of the time. As a later-round draft pick, he doesn’t have the pressure of living up to high expectations, but if he is able to continue making adjustments, he might just be able to continue slowly climbing the minor league ladder. Mark him down as a player to check in on from time to time to see how he adjusts to his first full year in the Twins system.

Jayson Bass 
Acquired: International Free Agency, 2023
Highest Level in 2025: Single-A

Signed out of Mexico in 2023, Bass will be just 20 in 2026. He is a contact-oriented hitter, with just three home runs since signing. In previous years, he was tried in the corner outfield, but in 2025 was tried at first base a bit more to see where he best fits defensively. He was a great hitter in the Dominican Summer League after signing, hitting .308/.406/.378 at age 17. He played the 2025 season mostly in the Florida Complex League and did get his first taste of Single-A, where he played eight games this past year. Still very early in his career, seeing if he can develop some power will be key in seeing if he can continue to develop.

Do any of these future first base options catch your attention? Which other sleepers in the system might you add to the list? Sound off in the comments!

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[Parfigliano]

I give Sabato a 1 in 14 chance of getting a MLB AB in 2026.

[AceWrigley]

Lets see, Mickey Gasper was the headline photo in the Catcher's Pipeline article and got DFA'd, and now Aaron Sabato is the headline photo for the first baseman. What's the over/under on Sabato being DFA'd next week?

[Dman]

I'm a little surprised Mendez isn't on there or does he not count since on the 40 man?  Given he seems to have no positive defensive value 1st base seems like a good spot for him.

Strictly 1st base guys seems in short supply given those names, but lot's of players get moved to the position as needed IMO.  While The Twins have a few high end bats at AAA they could use more top level high end hitters in the system from AA on down IMO.  I presume that will be the focus of this years draft.

[Cris E]

You should definitely start including MLB players who need a position change on these. Wallner might be OK here, or Lewis maybe,  plus usual the Keaschall and Julien types.

[Linus]

That’s quite a list…😀

[DJL44]

Billy Amick should be on the list. He's like the only 1B prospect in the entire system.

[ziggy]

I think the best anology for Sabato is it's time to fish or cut bait.

A nice article but uninspiring list of prospects.

[ashbury]

45 minutes ago, AceWrigley said:

Lets see, Mickey Gasper was the headline photo in the Catcher's Pipeline article and got DFA'd, and now Aaron Sabato is the headline photo for the first baseman. What's the over/under on Sabato being DFA'd next week?

Zero or infinity, whatever way you define a betting line. He's not on the forty-man so doesn't need to be Designated For anything and is already qualified to be Assigned to one of their minor league teams at the conclusion of Spring Training, assuming they still have room for him then.

Anyway, Bad Hitters 'R' Us™, that is our 1B pipeline.  Maybe one of the guys listed hasn't yet proved to be officially Bad - let's pin our hopes on him for 2030.

[Rod Carews Birthday]

Ugh.

[AceWrigley]

14 minutes ago, ashbury said:

Zero or infinity, whatever way you define a betting line. He's not on the forty-man so doesn't need to be Designated For anything and is already qualified to be Assigned to one of their minor league teams at the conclusion of Spring Training, assuming they still have room for him then.

Anyway, Bad Hitters 'R' Us™, that is our 1B pipeline.  Maybe one of the guys listed hasn't yet proved to be officially Bad - let's pin our hopes on him for 2030.

Nothing like facts to get in the way of a good meme. Now watch him crush baseballs in Spring Training and muck up the 1B issue even further.

[farmerguychris]

I can't figure out why they wouldn't even try to put someone over there like Larnach.  A big lefty over there, who is bad in the outfield seems like the kind of guy you'd at least give a look at for that role.  Larnach is obviously as good of an athlete as someone like Tortuga, who did have that job off and on for a bit.  What's the worst that could happen - they fail and you move on.

[FlyingFinn]

Call a plumber!! Our 1B pipeline seems to now be permanently plugged. Nothing is getting through.

[TBo45]

The FO doesn't seem to care much about 1B and they also aren't very good at drafting college bats, thus the perpetual black hole. Prior to last year I thought Royce would be best there but he seemed to make some strides in the field last year, which was about the only positive thing from his 2025.

[Scott51104]

I hope the Twins play Mendez at first in 2026 (in the minors). 

[TJSweens]

I think your playing fast and loose with the phrase first base pipeline. 

[HerbieFan]

Wait....there's a "pipeline"??

[gil4]

5 hours ago, ashbury said:

Anyway, Bad Hitters 'R' Us™, that is our 1B pipeline.  

And the hitting is their strong suit. 😒

[DocBauer]

Mendez should have been included as he's a MILB player converting to 1B.

Amick also should have been included as he's been splitting time there as well as 3B.

Sabato has been a disappointment for sure. His strong AA in 2025 didn't carry over to AAA past his first couple of weeks there. (His college career still marked him as a solid prospect).

There was a time when teams used to draft 1B. But the game has changed over the decades. But even Hrbek was a 17th round pick back in the day. Doug Mientkiewicz was a 2B/3B, IIRC correctly, before moving to 1B. Morneau was originally a catcher before moving to 1B.

What's been bizarre and unexplainable to me is the FO lack of vision as to what a quality 1B could mean to the lineup. I love the idea of moving Mendez to 1B since his OF defense is questionable. Considering the same, in addition to prospect depth, why aren't Gonzalez and Rosario also being mentioned as possible 1B converts?

Over the years, the FO has "shoved" Sano, Arraez, and Solano over to 1B and basically asked them to learn on the fly. (I do believe Salono had played at least a little 1B previously). So why would you "shove" someone to 1B at the ML level but not be imaginative to maybe do that at the MILB level where a kid with a strong bat could LEARN the position while coming up? I understand you don't want to move someone off their "natural" position too soon, but if you're not sure said prospect is a quality defender at X position, why not move him to 1B and still allow him to play a few games in his X position as well, just in case?

It's so damn frustrating! Imagine if Gonzalez or Rosario could play a competent 1B and have a decent bat with 20+ HR power? And I'll take it a step farther, what if Roden and Fedko...who have previous 1B experience...could provide solid gloves, decent bats, and a mix of pop/power and speed at 1B? Wouldn't that be a good thing? And both could be squeezed out of the Twins OF picture if/when Rodriguez and Jenkins debut.

Another step forward? What if Keaschall's arm never comes back...it probably will...or for some reason his athleticism just doesn't translate to being a GOOD 2B? (I think it will). Then how about K-Pepper takes over SS, Lee moves to 2B, and Keaschall becomes a solid 1B with a great offensive game but just not the power you expect from a traditional 1B?

There are SO MANY WAYS to have a solid 1B who can contribute offensively in various ways instead of leaving it as a dark hole position that seems to change yearly.

This FO is lacking imagination for a position that may be at the bottom of the defensive spectrum, but has the potential to be a big producer in the lineup.

[saviking]

That's more of a pipe bomb than a pipeline.. 

[Jeff K]

Maybe Morneau will come out of retirement...jeez

[Otaknam]

“He held his own over his first 101 professional plate appearances, where he struck out at a 24.8% clip and he walked 6.9% of the time.” I’m not sure why striking out 25% and a strikeout to walk ratio of 4/1  is holding his own.