The Best Twins Prospects Outside Top-100 Lists

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (Photo of Dasan Hill)

The Minnesota Twins' farm system has quietly reloaded over the last few seasons, and the national rankings are finally starting to catch up. Depending on the publication, the organization currently boasts as many as six prospects landing on Top 100 lists, a reflection of aggressive drafting, targeted international spending, and meaningful deadline trades that infused the system with upside.

Even with that level of recognition, prospect lists can only stretch so far. Every organization has players just outside the cut line, and in the Twins' case, several names feel far closer to breaking through than their current status suggests. Some are polished hitters whose statistical profiles lag behind flashier peers. Others are arms with loud tools but have incomplete resumes due to age or health.

Two of the players below arrived via trade, while two were selected in the MLB Draft, a snapshot of how Minnesota has diversified its talent acquisition. None currently carry Top-100 prospect labels, but each has a clear path to forcing that conversation by this time next year.

Gabriel Gonzalez, OF
Gonzalez has already lived the Top-100 life once with MLB.com ranking him 79th in 2024, which makes his exclusion now feel more like a temporary detour than a verdict. Signed out of Venezuela by Seattle in 2021, Gonzalez established himself as a premium bat-to-ball hitter early in his career and reached national prominence before being dealt to Minnesota in the Jorge Polanco trade.

A back injury derailed his 2024 season and robbed him of the impact he showed the year prior. Rather than stagnate, Gonzalez used that lost year as motivation. He reported to camp in better shape in 2025, added strength, and reminded everyone why his offensive foundation is so appealing. Across three levels, he hit well north of .300 with a 148 wRC+ and finished the year as one of the youngest regulars in Triple A, holding his own against advanced pitching.

The profile is built around contact and aggression. Gonzalez rarely strikes out (14.5 K%) and consistently finds barrels, even if his swing plane and approach are not optimized for over-the-fence power. Defensively, he has improved with better conditioning, but still projects best in a corner, which places pressure on his bat to carry everyday value.

2026 focus: Gonzalez tightening his strike zone and lifting the ball more consistently would go a long way. Even a modest power bump would change how evaluators view his ceiling.

Kendry Rojas, LHP
The Twins did not acquire Rojas for what he has already done. They acquired him for what they believe he can still become. Injuries limited his workload in Toronto’s system, but Minnesota saw enough raw stuff at the deadline to part with meaningful big league pieces (Louis Varland, Ty France) to bring him over.

When healthy, Rojas flashes a fastball that creeps into the upper 90s and a slider that misses bats at a high rate. His changeup gives him a third legitimate weapon, and the ingredients are there for a starter who can turn over a lineup. Last season, he posted a 28.8 K% while reaching Triple-A in his age-22 season. The problem has been availability and consistency. His brief Triple-A run highlighted both sides of the coin: dominant stuff paired with erratic command that led to far too many free passes (15.9 BB% after the deadline) .

Rojas will pitch the entire 2026 season at 23 years old, and for the first time in years, the priority is simply staying on the mound. The Twins have a strong track record of maximizing arms with this kind of profile, and even if the rotation path narrows, there is a fallback as a high-leverage reliever.

2026 focus: Health and strike throwing. A full season with improved command would quickly push Rojas into national conversations.

Dasan Hill, RHP
Hill may not have cracked any Top 100 lists yet, but the ingredients scream breakout. A towering right-hander with premium velocity, Hill overwhelmed Low-A hitters with pure stuff in his first full professional season (40.2 Swing%). Opponents struggled to make contact, and when they did, it was often weak.

The challenge was control. Walks piled up as Hill adjusted to longer outings and a professional workload (15.0 BB%), and his late-season jump to High-A exposed how far he still needs to go with fastball command. That said, it is hard to overstate how rare it is to find a teenager with this combination of size, velocity, and secondary pitch quality.

The Twins have been patient with similar arms in the past, and Hill’s development arc suggests his biggest gains are still ahead. If the control comes even a step forward, the upside looks like a rotation anchor.

2026 focus: Throwing more strikes and working deeper into games. Efficiency will determine how fast Hill climbs.

Marek Houston, SS
Houston entered pro ball with one carrying tool that never came into question. His defense. Widely viewed as the best shortstop glove in last July’s draft class, Houston immediately showed why Minnesota valued him so highly with his range, arm strength, and instincts on the left side of the infield.

The offensive side remains the swing factor (pun intended). Houston surprised evaluators with a power spike during his final college season (.597 SLG), but skepticism followed him into his debut due to park factors and underlying contact data. His first taste of pro ball offered a mixed picture, with a strong start at Low-A (.868 OPS) followed by a difficult transition after a promotion (.459 OPS).

The floor here is relatively high because elite defense at shortstop is always valuable. The ceiling depends on whether Houston’s bat settles somewhere above playable. If it does, the Twins may have found a long-term answer at a premium position.

2026 focus: Adjusting to better pitching and finding a consistent offensive approach at higher levels will determine his trajectory.

The Twins system is no longer just top-heavy. Prospects like Gonzalez, Rojas, Hill, and Houston illustrate the depth that exists beyond the headline names. If even one or two take the expected step forward in 2026, Minnesota’s presence on national Top 100 lists could grow even stronger heading into 2027.

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Which prospect has the best chance to be on next winter’s top-100 lists? Would you add any other prospects to the ones outlined above? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

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[High heat]

I like the read but I have a tough time believing you know what your talking about when you have Dasan Hill list as RHP and then in the article you refer to him as a big tall righty….. Dasan Hill pitches with his left hand…

[NYCTK]

Not one of the major ones, but some dude online puts out a list, and it's wildly different than the big outlets. Puts some more names on radar. He likes the Twins pitching prospects right now, with all of Hill, Soto, and Prielipp on there. 

https://tjstats.ca/2026/01/27/2026-top-100-prospects/

[Chembry]

Dasan Hill was named by Baseball America as one who just missed their top 100.

https://www.baseballamerica.com/stories/20-mlb-prospects-who-just-missed-the-2026-top-100/

[DJL44]

22 minutes ago, High heat said:

I like the read but I have a tough time believing you know what your talking about when you have Dasan Hill list as RHP and then in the article you refer to him as a big tall righty….. Dasan Hill pitches with his left hand…

As shown in the picture

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Lefty ?  Righty ? Maybe he is amphibious. 

[rdehring]

Really don't care all that much about these rankings.  What I care about is how they are going to play in 2026 and after they join the Twins.

Like most of us, was disappointed by GG's play in 2024.  Looking back, it seems that his injury may have been a big part of why.  My only question going forward is whether or not they will even try to move him to first base as his outfield D is only ok and first base is a huge position of need for this club.

Hill is so young, I just want to hold my breath and hope this kid develops into that special young stud who comes up to the Twins by mid-2027 and never looks back.  It's been way too long since the Twins have had that special young lefty.  Heck, I suspect a lot of us on this site don't even remember what it was like watching Liriano that first year?

I don't care if Houston hits only .225 if his D is as special as most seem to think.  My question is whether Lee is holding the position until Culpepper arrives?  Then Culpepper holds for Houston?  Finally, Houston will hold it for this year's third overall pick who will be the Twins shortstop for a decade plus?

[bunsen82]

For me we have around 5 players that could be ranked in that 75-150 range.  

1. Gonzalez should be ranked in the top 100.  That season he just put up was crazy good.   Last year Keaschall was a top 100 prospect and our 2024 minor league hitter of the year with a .303/.382/.445 slash line in A+ and AA.  In A+, AA and AAA  Gabby was .329/.395/.513.     

2. Soto - I don't think he was included because he was on 1 list - in my opinion he has a higher ceiling than Hill.  He did have an injury,  that sideline,  but the stuff looked great.  I actually anticipate him to be quite the workhorse.   I've said it before.  If you are in Fort Myers you are in for a treat - Soto Hill and Quick wowsers.   About as good as the 1 week in Wichita where we had Gonzalez, Jenkins, Culpepper and Mendez in the lineup together.  They put up back to back 16 runs,  then they moved Gonzalez up and later Jenkins.  There was no place to hide in that lineup for a pitcher.   

3. Dasan Hill -  He had a really solid 1st season.  I like the overall arsenal.  He kept healthy and kept refining his pitches.   

4. Mendez - I'm calling it now - he will be the Minor league hitter of the year.  .300+/.375+/.430+.  He is going to get more line drives, more balls in the air and utilize his elite bat skills and 90+% exit velocity. 

5-8   Quick, Reitz, Ellwanger, Barr -  I feel fairly safe saying one of these pitchers will likely be a top 100 prospect on 1 or more lists by the end of the Year.  Quick has the best overall profile,  Ellwanger's ceiling is incredibly high.  Reitz is a unicorn.  6'11".  If he fills out at all -  the guys a toothpick -  watch out.  Then you have Barr at 6'6". Mid 90's fastball with excellent spin on all 3 pitches.   I take any of these players over Houston who I see as a slightly better hitting Noah Miller.  

 

 

[terrydactyls]

Even if all four make a top-100 list next year, it won't increase the total number of Twins on it because there "could" be an equal number joining the Twins this year and no longer eligible for top-100 lists. (I hope).

[Jim H]

Several years ago I read a comment by a national prospect guru that the Twins had a lot of interesting prospects. Right now the Twins have Jenkins and a lot of interesting prospects. The major question is whether all these interesting prospects can turn into  at least some effective major league contributors.

[TopGunn#22]

There is a lot to like in the Twins farm system.  Both hitting and pitching.  I love that TD keeps us informed as to the progress of our young prospects throughout the year.  It's also exciting to have the #3 overall pick in this year's draft with the opportunity to add some serious young talent to an already talented system.

And, as is the case in baseball, there is always somebody that slips, or for whatever reason isn't thought too highly of, like a Mike Piazza, who suddenly transforms into something nobody thought he would be.  

[TJSweens]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

As shown in the picture

I think a greater offense is calling Ty France a meaningful major league piece.

[GNess]

Given the sheer volume players traded at the 2025 deadline for mostly prospects it shouldn't be surprising the Twins have a lot of depth in the minors. (That was at least one of the features of the big sell off.)

Having a lot of players ranked in the system is window dressing unless and until a some of these prospects turn into legit MLB players. (Fingers crossed - can the Twins organization development get the job done.)

[Peter Gravett]

5 hours ago, bunsen82 said:

For me we have around 5 players that could be ranked in that 75-150 range.  

1. Gonzalez should be ranked in the top 100.  That season he just put up was crazy good.   Last year Keaschall was a top 100 prospect and our 2024 minor league hitter of the year with a .303/.382/.445 slash line in A+ and AA.  In A+, AA and AAA  Gabby was .329/.395/.513.     

2. Soto - I don't think he was included because he was on 1 list - in my opinion he has a higher ceiling than Hill.  He did have an injury,  that sideline,  but the stuff looked great.  I actually anticipate him to be quite the workhorse.   I've said it before.  If you are in Fort Myers you are in for a treat - Soto Hill and Quick wowsers.   About as good as the 1 week in Wichita where we had Gonzalez, Jenkins, Culpepper and Mendez in the lineup together.  They put up back to back 16 runs,  then they moved Gonzalez up and later Jenkins.  There was no place to hide in that lineup for a pitcher.   

3. Dasan Hill -  He had a really solid 1st season.  I like the overall arsenal.  He kept healthy and kept refining his pitches.   

4. Mendez - I'm calling it now - he will be the Minor league hitter of the year.  .300+/.375+/.430+.  He is going to get more line drives, more balls in the air and utilize his elite bat skills and 90+% exit velocity. 

5-8   Quick, Reitz, Ellwanger, Barr -  I feel fairly safe saying one of these pitchers will likely be a top 100 prospect on 1 or more lists by the end of the Year.  Quick has the best overall profile,  Ellwanger's ceiling is incredibly high.  Reitz is a unicorn.  6'11".  If he fills out at all -  the guys a toothpick -  watch out.  Then you have Barr at 6'6". Mid 90's fastball with excellent spin on all 3 pitches.   I take any of these players over Houston who I see as a slightly better hitting Noah Miller.  

 

 

Gabby is a platoon-ready pairing for Wallner. No question. Strong arm and he seriously trimmed down and bulked up last off-season. 

Watched these guys in FM multiple times. . . Soto is a beast, ready for a high-A breakout if bone spur procedure did the trick. Hill has got great stuff. Will be amazing once he gets command and learns how to field his position (sadly a lost art form).

Quick, Elwanger, Reitz and Barr... this could be the best season yet as one of the low-A faithful. 

[bunsen82]

22 minutes ago, Peter Gravett said:

Gabby is a platoon-ready pairing for Wallner. No question. Strong arm and he seriously trimmed down and bulked up last off-season. 

Watched these guys in FM multiple times. . . Soto is a beast, ready for a high-A breakout if bone spur procedure did the trick. Hill has got great stuff. Will be amazing once he gets command and learns how to field his position (sadly a lost art form).

Quick, Elwanger, Reitz and Barr... this could be the best season yet as one of the low-A faithful. 

I really think we are going be pretty dominant across all 4 levels.  Really strong arms in Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids.  The bats should be strong throughout but especially Wichita and St. Paul,  and the Pitching in St. Paul should be pretty strong as well due to several decent prospects playing down.  Just dependent on when the prospects hitters and pitchers start getting called up.  

[Peter Gravett]

3 minutes ago, bunsen82 said:

I really think we are going be pretty dominant across all 3 levels.  Really strong arms in Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids.  The bats should be strong throughout but especially Wichita and St. Paul,  and the Pitching in St. Paul should be pretty strong as well due to several decent prospects playing down.  Just dependent on when the prospects hitters and pitchers start getting called up.  

Agreed. Ross will go up to high-A immediately. Beyond that, Quick could make the jump ahead of any of the other holdovers.

Big question on other starters is who bumps up and when to AA (Olivares? Langenburg? Bohorquez?) and AAA (Culpepper? Gallagher?). Should be be a lot of fun to watch it all shake out.

[bean5302]

[Over The Hill Again]

13 hours ago, rdehring said:

Heck, I suspect a lot of us on this site don't even remember what it was like watching Liriano that first year?

Are you kidding? He was special right away, then out dueled Roger Clemens in 2006 in a nationally televised game. Highlight of the season for me

 

[jmlease1]

I think Charlee Soto still has huge upside and is the sort of guy that gets left off these prospect lists because of injury...and then if he stays healthy the next season rockets back up the charts. But you never know how a kid that young will respond to an injury like that, which is why TINSTAPP exisists.

I'm pretty excited to see how Dasan Hill progresses, if he gets stronger, fills out, and adds anything this season. There's huge potential there that should be fun to watch.

I like GG quite a bit for his hit tool. KLaw and others seem less impressed, but even if his ceiling is "good regular", I'm not going to be too mad because having another right-handed bat that can really hit would be nice. And considering the way he got into better shape suggests that the people slagging his ability to stay in a corner OF spot suggests they're lagging behind his potential there a bit.

I'm less enthusiastic about Marek Houston than most. While his defense is legit (he's a better SS than Brooks Lee right now) I have real concerns about his bat. I expect he starts in Cedar Rapids, and we'll see if he's able to hold up. Hopefully he just wore down from the strain of playing more than he ever had, plus transitioning to professional life, and playing in multiple levels in a single season (all reasonable), but for a college bat he looked very overwhelmed by High A last season. (admittedly, a short sample) He can go a long ways on his defense alone, but if he can't hit then he's a limited utility guy.

[rdehring]

12 hours ago, Over The Hill Again said:

Are you kidding? He was special right away, then out dueled Roger Clemens in 2006 in a nationally televised game. Highlight of the season for me

 

Wasn't my point, Over the Hill.  Was trying to say there are probably lots of people here today who were very young and not even following baseball when Frankie broke in.  Yes, all us old and older guys (and gals) remember him well.

[twinstalker]

On 2/7/2026 at 8:24 AM, High heat said:

I like the read but I have a tough time believing you know what your talking about when you have Dasan Hill list as RHP and then in the article you refer to him as a big tall righty….. Dasan Hill pitches with his left hand…

Plus he "cracked" the top 100 last midseason, no?  Removed, yes.  He was 74 in BA's top 100 at one point last season.