5 Twins Prospects Who Could Make Their MLB Debut on Opening Day

[Nick Nelson]

Image courtesy of John Vittas-Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

The Twins shipped out nearly a dozen veteran players at the trade deadline last year, and have done little to replace the lost talent and experience. Team leaders have asserted their intention to build from within, and to succeed on the strength of a system that is viewed by baseball executives (per a recent MLB Pipeline survey) as one of baseball's most underrated.

If the Twins really want to follow through and put their (lack of) money where their mouth is, they'll give some of their prospects a chance to seize Opening Day jobs. There are at least five credible candidates, looking beyond Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez, who — while arguably deserving of a look after reaching Triple-A last year — are crowded out of a lefty-heavy outfield mix.

That's one player type these current Twins don't presently need. Here are a couple they badly do need: relief pitchers, and right-handed bats. For that reason, I could envision any of these five players who've yet to debut in the majors catching on with the big-league team if they take spring training by storm. 

Connor Prielipp
One of the factors that often prevents MLB teams from carrying a rookie straight out of spring training is service-clock manipulation. By waiting a few weeks, you can game the system for an extra year of control. That's not so much of a consideration for Prielipp, who turned 25 a few days ago. If all went perfectly and he stuck in the majors for good after making the team, he'd still be under Twins control through age 30.

Among the arms they currently have, I'm pretty confident Prielipp is one of Minnesota's best relief options, injury and workload question marks aside. With his fearsome fastball/slider combo from the left side, he may very well be the best, or at least the highest-upside. Could Prielipp step into a setup or closer role out of the gate, with no major-league experience, just as Jhoan Duran did in 2022? I could definitely see it. Like with Duran, there's not really any reason to waste more bullets in the minors if he's healthy.

Marco Raya
Raya struggled mightily in Triple-A last year while working mostly as a starter. By now he and the Twins should be embracing the shift to a reliever role, and Derek Falvey has hinted as much. In short stints, able to maximize his effort and lean heavily on his standout slider, Raya could be a force. He seems to be an X-factor they are relying on for their rebuilt bullpen.

That won't necessarily happen right away. Raya undoubtedly has the stuff but he's got to harness it consistently and manage his emotions. But if he is throwing heat and finding the strike zone in spring training, why not gamble on his potential in a relief corps that is currently lacking for it?

John Klein
Maybe my favorite dark horse heading into camp. Most Twins fans probably hadn't heard of Klein before he was added to the 40-man roster in November, but that decision came on the heels of a very strong season in the minors where the 6-foot-5 righty ramped up his arsenal and fanned 128 hitters over 106 innings in the high minors.

He only threw 25 innings after reaching Triple-A, but Klein turns 24 in April and has the makings of a bullpen-uptick guy with a five-pitch mix that could be whittled down. His presence on the 40-man roster gives him an edge over other prospects or minor-league signings who would need to be added.

Gabriel Gonzalez
Shifting our focus from relief pitching to another need: right-handed hitting. The Twins are deep on lefty-swinging corner bats, including Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens, Alan Roden and James Outman. Meanwhile they are very short on right-handed options to complement and balance this proliferation of portsiders.

Yeah, you've got Austin Martin, but he hasn't proven to be much of an offensive force. Scrap-heap pickup Eric Wagaman is probably the de facto favorite to fill a platoon-type role, but he's not very exciting, and also he's got minor-league options so there's no obligation to go with him. Gonzalez distinguishing himself in spring camp and claiming an Opening Day roster spot is a fun thought.

If the Twins want real right-handed punch, and a true weapon against lefties, he's maybe their best bet to offer it even at just 22 years old. Last year Gonzalez raked through three levels of the minors, slashing .368/.430/.592 against lefties and finishing with an .862 OPS in 150 PAs at Triple-A. 

The big snag here is consistent playing time. The Twins aren't going to have him on the roster starting twice a week, which is what a true platoon role would entail. For Gonzalez to have a chance, space will need to be cleared ahead of him.

Kyler Fedko
Fedko could be looked at as Gonzalez Lite. The underlying concept is similar. Promoting him straight to the majors would be a lot less audacious than Gonzalez, since Fedko is 26 and no longer really a development project. Because of that, the Twins would also probably be far more comfortable carrying him in a part-time role. 

Despite Fedko posting a strong .855 OPS at Triple-A last year, he didn't make believers of the Twins, who declined to promote him late in the year or add him to the 40-man roster after. Fedko went unpicked in the Rule 5, so apparently the rest of the league weren't big believers either. But he's still a guy on the prospect radar — ranked 18th on Twins Daily's list, and 33rd on Aaron Gleeman's latest — with a skill set that could suit the club's short-term needs. 

Anyone I'm missing? Who's your dark horse prospect to make his MLB debut on Opening Day? Share your thoughts in the comments.

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[Major League Ready]

Jax was 31 this year.  Do we think he won't be valuable the next two years?   Ryan and Lopez both turn 30 next year.  Would it be inconsequential to give up the final year of control for both Lopex and Ryan?  I guess it would be inconsequential to trade Prielipp's final year of control for 3 weeks in 2026 if Prielipp is not very good but if he turns out to be really good that's an exceptionally poor value proposition, especially in a year they are highly unlikely to contend.

[mike8791]

Just a few comments:

1. Glad to see Gonzalez on this list.  In my view, he would fill a major hole in one of the corners if he continues his rapid ascent.

2.  What about Culpepper.  Lee is certainly not rock solid at SS.  Granted, Culpepper hasn't had much experience at SS but his tools seem superior to Lee.  A strong spring training could propel him to the bigs.

3.  You have 3 minor league arms as possibles for the pen.  While one might contribute(probably Prielipp) the odds are against more than one contributing.  Just no experience in the pen even in the minors.

So some lineup help possible, but the pen is a big hole with slim chances for adding quality prior to opening day.  Truly unbelievable!!

[K.Hibl]

6 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

Just a few comments:

1. Glad to see Gonzalez on this list.  In my view, he would fill a major hole in one of the corners if he continues his rapid ascent.

2.  What about Culpepper.  Lee is certainly not rock solid at SS.  Granted, Culpepper hasn't had much experience at SS but his tools seem superior to Lee.  A strong spring training could propel him to the bigs.

3.  You have 3 minor league arms as possibles for the pen.  While one might contribute(probably Prielipp) the odds are against more than one contributing.  Just no experience in the pen even in the minors.

So some lineup help possible, but the pen is a big hole with slim chances for adding quality prior to opening day.  Truly unbelievable!!

Even with no prior experience, Raya and Klein may do better than some of the other options they have out of the pen. They both look to be decent relievers without much hope for great starter careers. May as well get them in the pen as soon as possible if that is the case imo.

[miracleb]

Sheesh...go easy on Prielipp and Raya.  Neither of them had numbers last year that say they are going to be major league players......ever.   Hopefully, Raya can turn things around or he won't even be with in the Twin's organization in 2027.  Fedko intrigues me.  His 26 year old season is so far removed from the rest of his career that I hope we don't find out that he has been living in the same Florida townhouse complex as........Kepler.  (did I just say that out loud....)

[DJL44]

Where is Emmanuel Rodriguez? He’s far more likely to debut than Fedko. I disagree that he’s crowded out by guys like Roden and Outman.

[Drtwins]

I guess we’re doing the whole we need a right hand hitting corner outfield thing again this year. IMO lineup balance is more important than which position that balance comes from. The twins already have Martin, buxton, Lewis, keaschall, Jeffers as right hand bats with bell, Lee, and Caratini as switch hitters. Leaving 5 roster spots open, even if all those spots were to go to some combination of left handed batters Wallner, Clemens, Larnach, outman, Julien, Roden which I don’t expect with the need for backup ss and rostering Wagaman, it would leave them with 5 rhb, 5 lhb, and 3 switch. The need of a rh hitting corner outfield narrative has been overplayed on this site for the last several years. The roster is already balanced and is more likely to have more rh bats on the opening day roster than lh bats when only 20% of abs are against lhp.

[arby58]

48 minutes ago, mike8791 said:

3.  You have 3 minor league arms as possibles for the pen.  While one might contribute(probably Prielipp) the odds are against more than one contributing.  Just no experience in the pen even in the minors.

So some lineup help possible, but the pen is a big hole with slim chances for adding quality prior to opening day.  Truly unbelievable!!

Duran wasn't a relief pitcher and stepped right into the role as a rookie. For that matter, the Twins penchant for taking former starting pitchers and making them into relief pitchers is well known - they also did it with Jax, and, of course, Varland.

Relief pitching, if you are coming in at the start of an inning with the bases clear, isn't all that different (other than the warm up process) than starting pitching. It can be 'learned' on the fly.

[JD-TWINS]

Prielipp has had perpetual arm issues until ‘25 ……… I like him in the PEN v. burning good innings in Minors in ‘26………due to his high health risk, I’m not terribly concerned with where he might be relative to team control after 2030.

ALL 4 guys on the dirt should be better offensively than what was shown at that position in 2025 (Keaschall will be better than his replacements in ‘25). Martin is on upswing - Larnach should be better in a more strict platoon - Vazquez replacement can’t be worse at the plate - Wallner has to be better. Eliminating Kiersey - Gasper - Vazquez - Julien AB’s has to be helpful to Club in ‘26.

Gonzalez - Rodriguez - Jenkins (2 of 3) should ultimate contribute.

That said - assuming Team can’t compete in AL Central isn’t clear to me. Sign one or two arms to help solidify PEN & go with youth you point out, amongst another 3-4 candidates from AAA. No reason to not TRY to compete.

[Drtwins]

24 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Where is Emmanuel Rodriguez? He’s far more likely to debut than Fedko. I disagree that he’s crowded out by guys like Roden and Outman.

Agreed, I think Emma is the most likely outfielder if he stays healthy in April and May. If buxton goes down or Martin can’t hack it at the plate and a full time spot opens up he would be the most likely choice imo.

[Whitey333]

Well yet another in a long list of articles about great prospects.  This has been going on for years with the Twins.  And almost steady since Falvey took over.  That is sell hope and hype.  That's all the Twins have. It is a good article though it's the.e is so tiring.

[JD-TWINS]

14 minutes ago, Drtwins said:

Agreed, I think Emma is the most likely outfielder if he stays healthy in April and May. If buxton goes down or Martin can’t hack it at the plate and a full time spot opens up he would be the most likely choice imo.

Health? - Health? - Health…….. Emma has really shown nothing that lets us assume he’ll contribute for any reasonable length of time. His skill set & results seem to have warranted him a real shot but IF he’s healthy in April/May, how long is he available after that if called up? I realize he might be good with health for the next 3 full seasons, I just have zero confidence in it actually happening. Fingers crossed I guess.

[Blyleven2011]

I have to agree with nick  , the bullpen hasn't been addressed so far this off season to fill the bullpen with quality arms  ...

My guess is they have finally accessed their pitching prospects to be better quality than the dumpster diving philosophy so they are going to add to the bullpen with in-house players  , starters that don't make the rotation will get there innings in the bullpen and raya and Prielipp most definitely with their injury concerns need to be bullpen options  ...

We are building our bullpen with our pitching pipeline , that's how I see it because the pitching has been the only strength the team has showed for 3 seasons now ...

Has anyone heard anything about Canterino ???

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

Where is Emmanuel Rodriguez? He’s far more likely to debut than Fedko. I disagree that he’s crowded out by guys like Roden and Outman.

He's covered in the second paragraph.

[FlyingFinn]

Have to disagree with your list (as I think the Caratini signing signals a Jeffers trade and even less of a chance of winning even 70 games) - Rodriguez, Jenkins and Culpepper are my top three. I'd rather win 65 games with those 3 in the lineup than fringe players we hope will suddenly emerge or retreads we know won't. Prielipp and Raya only have a shot to start the year with the Twins because there isn't much of a bullpen. Klein - he needs more time at AAA.

Remember that if a rookie is with the team all year and wins Rookie of the Year, that's an extra 1st round pick. Gold for the non-large market teams.

[TJSweens]

Moving Raya to the pen seems a logical move. Moving Prielipp, arguably their best pitching prospect, is not. Move Prielipp to the pen at 25 years old and he won't return to the rotation. Complete waste of a top pitching prospect. 

It would make more sense to move guys like Zebby and Festa to the pen short term. They have built up enough innings to easily transition back to starting if the Twins want to.

[JD-TWINS]

Lewis - Lee - Keaschall - Bell,   Jeffers - Caratini

Martin - Larnach - Buxton - Wallner - GONZALEZ is the youth guy (along with PEN)

A Back - up SS or better yet an everyday SS and Clemens as a placeholder for coming youth.

That Team can compete with 10th best Rotation results and 12-18 best Relief results.

[Cory Engelhardt]

I think all the pitchers will be up at some point this season. I don’t know if any debut opening day, we will see.

I could be very wrong, but I have a hard time planning around Gonzalez. I like the bat to ball along with the speed and defense that Martin alone, let alone maybe Roden, ahead of the defense Gonzalez can provide. And Jenkins isn’t far behind, and I guess same with Rodriguez if he is healthy. But if Gonzalez carves out a spot with everyone ahead of him, I’ll gladly be wrong.

I can’t see Fedko being more than a backup to the backup to the backup bench option against lefties 

[GNess]

I can't confirm this, but it seems to me almost every team has needs they hope to fill with promising, but unproven players with positive traits advancing from the minors.

It's just in the Twins case they need a lot of production from a lot of emerging players to be even close to competitive. But I'll be hoping it happens.

[rdehring]

Thanks, Nick.  Interesting read.

Correct me if I am mistaken, but neither Prielipp nor Raya has any experience coming out of the pen?  For that reason, in addition to the team control issue, it makes sense that they begin in St. Paul's bullpen.  Give them a month or longer to get comfortable with the new role.

As for any position players, I sincerely hope the Twins remove some of the clutter from their current roster by the end of spring training.  That is needed to open spots both on the roster and on the field for any youngsters.  Also, any idea what happens to Jackson now that they have two well paid catchers ahead of him?

[DannySD]

I have E-Rod penciled into my opening day lineup. He can back up CF, and I don't see any reason for this team to keep Larnach around.  

[FlyingFinn]

6 minutes ago, rdehring said:

Correct me if I am mistaken, but neither Prielipp nor Raya has any experience coming out of the pen? 

Raya has pitched out of the pen, 10 times last year. But I believe it is mostly (or all) piggyback situations where he started the inning.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, terrydactyls said:

He's covered in the second paragraph.

No, he's dismissed out of hand, because why would the Twins play their best prospects when they can block them with veteran minor leaguers like Kyler Fedko and James Outman.

[Nick Nelson]

3 hours ago, K.Hibl said:

Even with no prior experience, Raya and Klein may do better than some of the other options they have out of the pen. They both look to be decent relievers without much hope for great starter careers. May as well get them in the pen as soon as possible if that is the case imo.

This also might be an incentive that helps pitchers get on board with transitioning from starter to reliever before they might feel the starting path has been exhausted. "You can stay in the minors and keep chasing the unlikely starter route, behind 8-9 other guys on the depth chart, or you can jump into the relief role and be in the majors right away."

[HerbieFan]

Thanks Nick.  Always appreciate the work.  Some are questioning the bullpen arms listed.  With what they (don't) have right now in the bullpen I don't know where people think the 'pen arms are going to come from?  It HAS to be guys like Prielipp, etc..  If they were to sign/trade for more established mlb bullpen arms, then maybe they don't need as many of the "starter-turned-reliever" types.

I've seen speculation about guys like Zebby, Festa, etc. being moved to the bullpen.  I'd prefer to give them the start of the season as starters as sort of a "last chance".  By mid-season if they haven't stepped up, then I'd be more enthusiastic about moving them to the 'pen.

[DJL44]

13 minutes ago, HerbieFan said:

I've seen speculation about guys like Zebby, Festa, etc. being moved to the bullpen.  I'd prefer to give them the start of the season as starters as sort of a "last chance".  By mid-season if they haven't stepped up, then I'd be more enthusiastic about moving them to the 'pen.

They have enough starting pitchers on the depth chart to fill the MLB rotation, the Saints rotation AND part of the rotation at Wichita. Some of them NEED to move to the bullpen, which is mostly empty of talent.

Ryan, Lopez, Ober, Bradley, Woods-Richardson

Matthews, Festa, Abel, Prielipp, Morris

Rojas, Raya, Culpepper, Klein

[Jose Herrera]

I would like to see Klein establish himself this spring. He will be a great bullpen pitcher when ready.

 

[DocBauer]

Opening Day? Rodriguez has the best chance for OD, and I've been championing that idea for some time. With only 1 option remaining, a good, healthy ST, I'd give him his shot. If he needs a re-set od any type, I'd rather it be sooner rather than later. But service time, time missed in 2025, and the Twins wanting to take a look at Martin and Roden, I'm betting he begins the year in St Paul.

Presumably, Gonzalez can also hit RHP decently. So no, I don't believe he's used as strictly a platoon bat. So when he does come up, he'll play on a regular basis, no matter the pitcher. But he's also a great candidate for a 1B trial.

I like the inclusion of Fedko even though he's not on the 40 man. He's got a decent eye and some contact ability...witnessed by his career MILB OB%...along with some power and speed. Yes, he's a late bloomer. No, he's not a top prospect. But he's reportedly a quality corner OF, can cover CF acceptably here and there, and can also play some 1B. That's a solid resume for a bench guy. At at 26yo, you don't mind him being an occasional lineup presence. But I doubt he makes it OD. But I can see a possible fit. (The bench isn't great at this point).

I think Raya is behind Prielipp and Klein simply because he might need some better success before getting his ML debut. But I'd like to add Cory Lewis as another OD option. His control abandoned him in 2025, but he still had a quality 10.7 K per 9. Dialing his repertoire down a bit, throwing hard as possible for 1-2 innings, and that CRAZY knuckleball of his, he might be a ST surprise. 

[Danchat]

This regime has been very reluctant to have rookie hitters on the Opening Day roster, I don't expect any will this year either. As for pitchers, at this point a couple have to make the team, I would put Prielipp as the favorite. I would like to see him, Raya, and Klein get some appearances in the pen at AAA to build up their relieving experience. All of them were quite bad at AAA last year, obviously small sample sizes with Prielipp and Klein.

[gman]

There are a lot of youngsters on this site who don't realize that pitchers came to the majors as relievers and had to earn their stripes as bullpen pieces. Generally you knew the pitcher was going to be offered a starter role some day when he got to start the second game of a Twinbill. Of course pitchers didn't get injured as often then.