Twins Prospect Hot Sheet: Two Trade Deadline Acquisitions Heating Up

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Tim Grubbs, Wichita Wind Surge

The early portion of the minor-league season is often more noise than signal, but that doesn't mean there aren't meaningful trends worth tracking. For the Twins, a handful of hitters are beginning to separate themselves, not just with strong box-score lines, but also with underlying indicators that point to real development.

Two of those names arrived in recent trade-deadline deals that reshaped the organization’s roster, and their early success is starting to shift the conversation around those moves. Another is a longtime system piece who has steadily worked his way back into relevance. Together, they offer a snapshot of a farm system that blends upside, patience, and timely acquisitions into tangible production.

C Eduardo Tait – Cedar Rapids Kernels
How He Got Here: Tait began his professional career quietly, signing out of Panama with the Phillies for just $90,000 in January 2023. It didn't take long for that modest investment to look like a bargain. He posted a .917 OPS in the Dominican Summer League during his pro debut, drawing early projections of a steady, offense-first backstop.

That momentum carried into 2024, when he hit .302 with an .842 OPS and climbed from Single-A to High-A before his 19th birthday. His performance earned him a Futures Game selection and elevated his prospect status significantly. At the trade deadline, the Twins made him a key return piece in the deal that sent Jhoan Duran to Philadelphia. Tait finished the year in Cedar Rapids and gained valuable postseason experience in the Midwest League.

Hitting the Hot Button: Tait is holding his own against older competition and thriving. Over five games this week, he went 6-for-21 with two doubles, two home runs, and six runs driven in. Across 18 games this season, he owns a .924 OPS with four homers and five doubles.

What makes this production even more impressive is his age relative to the rest of the league. Tait is more than three years younger than the average Midwest League player and has faced almost exclusively older pitching. His ability to generate impact contact in those conditions speaks to an advanced offensive profile that continues to trend upward.

OF Hendry Mendez – Wichita Wind Surge
How He Got Here: Mendez has long been known for his feel at the plate. After signing with the Brewers for $800,000 in January 2021, he wasted little time proving he could hit, posting a combined .316 average between the Dominican Summer League and the Arizona Complex League in his first professional season.

He reached High-A as a teenager in 2023, then became part of a trade package to Philadelphia that offseason. While his bat-to-ball skills remained consistent through 2024 and 2025, questions lingered about his power output. That narrative began to shift late last season, when he finished strong in Double-A after a deadline deal sent Harrison Bader to Philadelphia and brought Mendez to the Twins.

Hitting the Hot Button: Mendez is showing a more complete offensive game early this season. Over the past week, he recorded four hits in 17 at-bats, including two doubles and a home run, while walking five times compared to just three strikeouts. That approach has helped him post a .409 on-base percentage during that stretch.

For the season, Mendez is slugging above .550 and carrying a .935 OPS in Double-A, all while being more than two years younger than the average player at the level. The added power, paired with his natural plate discipline, is turning him into a far more dynamic offensive threat.

C/OF Ricardo Olivar – Wichita Wind Surge
How He Got Here: Olivar has taken a longer and less linear path through the organization. Signed as an international free agent in July 2019, his development was delayed by the pandemic, and he did not make his professional debut until 2021 in the Florida Complex League. That introduction proved challenging, but a return to the level in 2022 changed everything.

He dominated that season, earning MVP honors while posting an OPS north of 1.000. From there, Olivar steadily climbed the ladder, producing solid numbers at Single-A in 2023 and continuing that success into 2024, when he reached Double-A. Last season, he hit .264 with a .768 OPS, adding 13 home runs and 13 doubles in 93 games.

Hitting the Hot Button: Now in his third stint at Double-A, Olivar may be finding another gear. In five games this week, he went 7-for-17 with a double, four home runs, and seven runs batted in. The highlight came during a two-homer performance against Northwest Arkansas.

At 24, Olivar is no longer one of the youngest players on the field, but his recent surge looks like that of a hitter beginning to fully translate his tools into production. If his power continues to show up consistently, he could quickly move into a more prominent role in the system.

The common thread among this trio is impact. Tait is proving he belongs despite his age, Mendez is adding power to an already polished approach, and Olivar is showing signs of a breakthrough after years of steady progression. What stands out about this group is how differently they have arrived at this point Yet, all three are producing in ways that demand attention.

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What stands out about this trio of prospects? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[DJL44]

What stands out about Mendez is he's still playing mostly LF, only 2 games at first base. First base is his ticket to the majors, there are like 10 guys ahead of him in line for LF. At first base he just needs to be better than Kody Clemens.

[DarrenPS]

I wasn't sold on Tait last year, but I am glad he seems to be proving me wrong. He should stay at A+ most of this year, but would love to see a promotion by the end of the year if he continues to hit like this. Hope the defense continues to grow as well

Mendez & Olivar both should be at AAA. There is nothing more for either to prove at AA. Mendez has a line of guys in front of him in the OF which just continues to be a pain due to the Twins not moving on from Outman and 1 of Wallner / Larnach yet. I hope they both get moved up ASAP

[twinssporto]

These are the types of articles that make me excited about Twins baseball. The MLB team is not good. At least I see a future.....hopefully.

[arby58]

8 hours ago, DarrenPS said:

I wasn't sold on Tait last year, but I am glad he seems to be proving me wrong. He should stay at A+ most of this year, but would love to see a promotion by the end of the year if he continues to hit like this. Hope the defense continues to grow as well

Mendez & Olivar both should be at AAA. There is nothing more for either to prove at AA. Mendez has a line of guys in front of him in the OF which just continues to be a pain due to the Twins not moving on from Outman and 1 of Wallner / Larnach yet. I hope they both get moved up ASAP

Agree about Mendez, but even if they move OFs, his best path to playing time is at 1B, and I don't understand why they aren't playing him there more.

[twinstalker]

Anybody at a level a third time is going to hit.  When your home park is a hitter's paradise, it means that a too old Ricardo Olivar (or Ben Ross) is possibly going to mash.  I wouldn't take it too seriously. 24 at AA means they are prospects in name only.

[arby58]

7 hours ago, twinssporto said:

These are the types of articles that make me excited about Twins baseball. The MLB team is not good. At least I see a future.....hopefully.

The MLB team at least isn't as bad as some predicted - it is hard for me to believe, for example, that they will lose 100 games (and some around here predicted that). With pretty good starting pitching and my belief that we will see some of the next young core coming up from AAA later in the spring/summer, they might get to around 75 wins this year.

[old nurse]

19 minutes ago, twinstalker said:

Anybody at a level a third time is going to hit.  When your home park is a hitter's paradise, it means that a too old Ricardo Olivar (or Ben Ross) is possibly going to mash.  I wouldn't take it too seriously. 24 at AA means they are prospects in name only.

Andrew Cossetti  wishes you were making a true statement 

[thelanges5]

We only have Caratini on the roster to catch in 2027. Seems like Olivar could have a path to the MLB. 

[High heat]

Not one mention of anything defensively.

 

The Twins have a whole mess of DHs already, we need Mendez at 1B learning the position. we need Olivar and Tait getting every opportunity behind the plate to sharper there skills.  
 

It’s nice they hit some balls hard the last week but after watching the 26 Twins defense doesn’t slump or have hot and cold weeks.  1 tool players can be tough to watch.

[Bangkok Twins Fan]

43 minutes ago, thelanges5 said:

We only have Caratini on the roster to catch in 2027. Seems like Olivar could have a path to the MLB. 

I think that Tait will rise through the system much faster than many people think, but yeah, 2027 may be a year too soon. Then again, in this wacky game of baseball, stranger things have happened. I recall a catcher by the name of Ivan Rodriquez who made his MLB debut at the age of 19. Okay, that may be an outlandish comparison, but just saying: all things are possible, and Tait seems more mature and talented than most prospects his age. 

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, arby58 said:

Agree about Mendez, but even if they move OFs, his best path to playing time is at 1B, and I don't understand why they aren't playing him there more.

Partly because they're splitting recent draft pick Billy Amick's time at 1B too. There's probably room for a few more starts there for Mendez, but Wichita has a bit more of an infield logjam right now than an OF one and making sure he plays is more important than waiting for 1B time. Hopefully he continues to work on it outside of game activity as well and actively learn the position even if he's not getting tons of game action, because the bat might be good enough to keep moving him up. Not a bad pickup for a rental.

Tait is a guy I like; the bat is loud when he makes contact and if he can stick at catcher it would be a big deal for the Twins, who might lose Jeffers to the dreaded self-imposed budget cap and only have Caratini under contract for one more season. Having an offensive weapon at catcher is a competitive advantage, so I hope Tait is able to keep developing there. But it usually takes longer for these guys to be ready, and I wouldn't be shocked if Tait spends most or all of 2026 in Cedar Rapids.

I was a little surprised to see Olivar still catching so much; I thought they were transitioning him out of that role, but he's still mostly splitting time with Cossetti. Problem is, he still looks more like a hitter who tries to catch than a catcher who can hit. While you have to take some minor league defensive metrics with a grain of salt, the 13% caught stealing is pretty rough and teams run on him with abandon. (Cossetti, on the other hand is sitting at 40% CS and teams simply test him far less because of it. But Cossetti can't hit.)

[DJL44]

3 hours ago, arby58 said:

Agree about Mendez, but even if they move OFs, his best path to playing time is at 1B, and I don't understand why they aren't playing him there more.

The only thing I can infer is he’s really bad there defensively.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, jmlease1 said:

Partly because they're splitting recent draft pick Billy Amick's time at 1B too. There's probably room for a few more starts there for Mendez, but Wichita has a bit more of an infield logjam right now than an OF one and making sure he plays is more important than waiting for 1B time. Hopefully he continues to work on it outside of game activity as well and actively learn the position even if he's not getting tons of game action, because the bat might be good enough to keep moving him up. Not a bad pickup for a rental.

Tait is a guy I like; the bat is loud when he makes contact and if he can stick at catcher it would be a big deal for the Twins, who might lose Jeffers to the dreaded self-imposed budget cap and only have Caratini under contract for one more season. Having an offensive weapon at catcher is a competitive advantage, so I hope Tait is able to keep developing there. But it usually takes longer for these guys to be ready, and I wouldn't be shocked if Tait spends most or all of 2026 in Cedar Rapids.

I was a little surprised to see Olivar still catching so much; I thought they were transitioning him out of that role, but he's still mostly splitting time with Cossetti. Problem is, he still looks more like a hitter who tries to catch than a catcher who can hit. While you have to take some minor league defensive metrics with a grain of salt, the 13% caught stealing is pretty rough and teams run on him with abandon. (Cossetti, on the other hand is sitting at 40% CS and teams simply test him far less because of it. But Cossetti can't hit.)

Lots of playing time at first base available in St Paul.

[Dman]

4 hours ago, thelanges5 said:

We only have Caratini on the roster to catch in 2027. Seems like Olivar could have a path to the MLB. 

I don't know if you have watched Olivar catch but he is not much of a catcher. Teams ran at will on him and he was no where close to throwing them out. He is not overly agile back there either.  I just don't see him as a catcher at the MLB level

[twinstalker]

6 hours ago, old nurse said:

Andrew Cossetti  wishes you were making a true statement 

I dismissed Cossetti when he was 23 in low A, and there's documentation to prove it!

Actually, as I look back, I should have at least given him a chance to fail, as he did at high A that same year with a 26% K rate.  It's way, way too high, age vs level, for someone of his medium power profile (at best).

Unfortunately, Olivar, too, is too old now to be anything much if at all.  He's an old 24.  Ben Ross is in his age 25 season.

In terms of guys with a decent prospect of more than a cup of coffee, Hendry Mendez is the only hitter at AA, and his prospect status is based on last year when he handled AA at age 21 with 14% K rate.  He has real issues (no loft, no defense) that make him a very mediocre prospect, but if he can fix his swing a bit to stop hitting it into the ground, he has a chance.

[arby58]

5 hours ago, Bangkok Twins Fan said:

I think that Tait will rise through the system much faster than many people think, but yeah, 2027 may be a year too soon. Then again, in this wacky game of baseball, stranger things have happened. I recall a catcher by the name of Ivan Rodriquez who made his MLB debut at the age of 19. Okay, that may be an outlandish comparison, but just saying: all things are possible, and Tait seems more mature and talented than most prospects his age. 

Johnny Bench was also 19 when he first made MLB. He went from A to AAA at 18 and then most of his age 19 season at AAA.

[twinssporto]

On 4/14/2026 at 3:43 AM, twinstalker said:

I said time and time again, trade Stewart for an outfielder named Hitman.  I mean, everything's easy in hindsight, but I swear...Outman was the last name I wanted.  Can he pitch?

 

57 minutes ago, arby58 said:

Johnny Bench was also 19 when he first made MLB. He went from A to AAA at 18 and then most of his age 19 season at AAA.

Mauer was 20 years old when he came up....Let's go, Tait!

[DocBauer]

I don't know how you can't be encouraged by what Tait is doing with the bat. But what's just as important is continued growth BEHIND the plate. He's got a good arm and appears to be a mature kid. I have no problem if he spends most of 2026 at A+ to just work on game calling and defense, even if his bat looks ready for AA soon.

I have zero problem with Mendez continuing to play some OF. And I'm going to include Gonzalez in this discussion as well. There is no major issue, as I see it, with a 1B ALSO being able to play at least a "competent" corner OF spot once in a while. But IF Mendez has been "lifting" the ball along with his production, he's ready for AAA now. He and Gonzalez should be getting regular turns at 1B for St Paul, along with a couple games in the OF here and there. Not only is there room at St Paul...it's cool that Fedko is getting some time there, but Sabato is no longer a prospect...but it's also a black hole position for the Twins and the best career path for BOTH Gonzalez AND Mendez. And again, there is NOTHING wrong with them also being able to play a little corner OF once in a while. It just deepens the roster flexibility. But opportunity and projected talent indicates the organization should be working both at 1B at this point.

I've just never been as high on Olivar as others have been. Some have seen him as a good hitting catcher option who was athletic enough to play CF, without looking deeper. He only played CF in low A ball as a fill-in. He's a LF without great power, and can play catcher as a potential #3. He's just not a real catcher prospect. He's a solid hitter with a solid OB and gap power that leads to some HR here and there. But he's no slugger. He's an OK RH bat who's best position is LF. So he's got a long way to go to replace Martin or Gonzalez as RH options...even if Gonzalez ends up mostly at 1B...and might even be behind Rosario...off to a slow start but should have been at AAA to begin the season...before I can accept him as a legitimate option. It's not his age that bothers me. It's not having any discerning traits that have always made me question his prospect status.

He's always been a solid hitter, solid OB, and solid OPS batter. While no speed demon, he can steal a base once in a while, and not clog the bases. That's the profile of an interesting #3-4 OF who can be a #3 catcher. And I just don't know how he fits prospect wise with all that considered.

[arby58]

7 hours ago, DJL44 said:

The only thing I can infer is he’s really bad there defensively.

He's 6'3" and left-handed, which is a pretty good starting point.