Twins Prospect Hot Sheet: Khadim Diaw is on a Heater

[Cody Christie]

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (Photo of Khadim Diaw)

The middle third of a big-league season is when you find out how you can fix what ails your team, be it in the short term or the long term. For the Minnesota Twins, the major-league club's 2026 playoff hopes will not be determined by players currently developing in the minor leagues. However, these summer months remain critical for evaluating long-term building blocks. Prospect's changing values and future outlooks can change what a team does at the trade deadline, or just prompt a youngster to get a look in the big leagues.

Several position players throughout the organization have caught fire recently, providing another reminder that prospect development rarely follows a straight line. While none of these players are expected to impact the Twins this season, strong performances can quickly elevate a prospect's standing inside the organization and shape future roster decisions.

OF Kala'i Rosario– Wichita Wind Surge

How He Got Here: Few baseball hotbeds are as isolated as Hawaii, making the path from the islands to the major leagues especially challenging. Rosario has spent the last several years attempting to become the next Hawaiian prep hitter to reach the highest level.

Minnesota selected Rosario with its final pick in the shortened 2020 MLB Draft, betting on his impressive raw power and offensive upside. His professional career has featured both highs and lows. Rosario broke out in a massive way during 2023, earning Midwest League MVP honors and establishing himself as one of the more intriguing bats in the organization.

The momentum slowed somewhat over the next two seasons. An elbow injury cost him significant time during 2024, and his production fluctuated as he climbed the ladder. Even so, Rosario showed his power remained legitimate by launching 25 home runs during his age-22 campaign at Double-A.

Hitting the Hot Button: Rosario is putting together one of the hottest stretches of his professional career. The 23-year-old homered in three consecutive games from Thursday through Saturday, while delivering a monster performance Friday against Tulsa. He collected five hits in that contest, including both a double and a home run, while driving in four runs.

Over the last 28 days, Rosario has slashed .348/.545/.587, with three home runs and two doubles. Perhaps the most encouraging development is his approach at the plate. During that span, he has drawn 18 walks while striking out only 14 times. Power has never been the question for Rosario. If he can continue pairing damaging contact with improved strike zone discipline, he could force his way back into the conversation as a legitimate corner outfield prospect.

C/OF Khadim Diaw– Cedar Rapids Kernels

How He Got Here: The biggest challenge for Diaw throughout his baseball career has never been talent. It has been availability. When healthy, Diaw consistently produces. He showcased that ability at Loyola-Marymount, posting a .314/.396/.500 slash line during the 2023 season. Unfortunately, injuries repeatedly interrupted his development. A back fracture essentially wiped out his freshman year, while a broken left thumb limited him to only 20 games in 2024.

Even in those brief opportunities, Diaw continued hitting. Strong performances in both the Cape Cod League and the MLB Draft Combine convinced the Twins to select him in the third round of the 2024 Draft. The pattern continued during his first full professional season. Diaw hit for average (.297 BA), reached base consistently (.450 OBP), and looked poised for a breakout before suffering a broken wrist. Shortly after returning, a hamstring injury sent him back to the sidelines, and he was limited to 42 games. 

Hitting the Hot Button: The 22-year-old appeared in four games this week and went 10-for-20 at the plate. Those 10 hits included two doubles and three home runs while he drove in seven runs. His slugging percentage reached an eye-popping 1.050, and his OPS climbed to 1.550 for the week.

The longer-term numbers are equally impressive. Over the last 28 days, Diaw owns a .413/.479/.700 slash line with four home runs, nine doubles, and one triple. Just as encouraging is his command of the strike zone. Across 94 plate appearances during that stretch, Diaw has drawn 11 walks and struck out only 11 times.

The health concerns remain real, but Diaw continues to prove that when he is on the field, he can flat-out hit. Few prospects in the organization have done more to boost their stock over the past month.

C/3B/OF Ryan Sprock–  Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

How He Got Here: Sprock arrived in the Twins organization carrying a unique profile. Minnesota selected him in the eighth round of last year's draft after an impressive career at Elon University. In college, Sprock was a true two-way player, contributing both as a hitter and a relief pitcher.

The Twins immediately locked him in on the position-player side, drafting him primarily as a third baseman and allowing him to focus his development on hitting. That transition often creates additional upside because players can dedicate all of their time and energy toward refining one skill set. The offensive track record certainly supported the decision. During his final college season, Sprock hit .321/.411/.593 with 14 home runs while also logging 17 innings on the mound and recording 19 strikeouts.

Hitting the Hot Button: Sprock continues showing why the Twins were intrigued by his versatility and offensive profile. This week, he recorded the first four-hit game of his professional career, another encouraging milestone for the young hitter.

His overall season has highlighted his defensive flexibility. Sprock has appeared in 20 games behind the plate, 13 games at third base, and five games in left field. That type of versatility can create numerous pathways to a major league role.

At the plate, he has demonstrated advanced strike-zone awareness, walking more than he strikes out this season. Behind the plate, he has also impressed with his game management, successfully overturning 68.4% of his catcher challenge opportunities. For a player still adapting to full-time professional hitting, those well-rounded contributions are exactly what the Twins hoped to see.

Summer often serves as a dividing line for both teams and prospects. While the Twins are focused on climbing the major-league standings, performances like these matter for the organization's future.

Rosario is showing improved plate discipline, Diaw continues reminding everyone how dangerous his bat can be when healthy, and Sprock is building value through versatility and strong fundamentals. None may factor into Minnesota's plans this season, but all three are giving the organization reasons to keep a close eye on their development as the second half approaches.

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Can these three hitters continue their hot streaks in the weeks ahead? Leave a comment and start the discussion.

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[Linus]

Would like to see Rosario get moved to St Paul. Time to see what we’ve got as the clock is ticking 

[um_stevenel]

I noticed Aaron Gleeman seemingly downplayed Diaw’s potential as a major league starter in his last post:

“Their best catcher prospect, Eduardo Tait, is 19 and batting .204 at Single-A. No other Twins prospect profiles as a starting catcher, although that could change soon.”

I’ve wondered why Diaw doesn’t seem to get much hype for his catching potential. I don’t recall any concerns about his defense ever being highlighted. Anybody know why Diaw might not be considered a viable ML catcher (at least as a regular starter)? Because in the event they don’t get Lackey, I still hold out some hope that perhaps Tait/Diaw might form a good L/R tandem behind the plate one day in the not-too-distant future.

Regardless, it seems like he’s due for a promotion to AA. 

 

[DocBauer]

Unfortunately, Rosario was pushed back to AA ball, same as Mendez, due to a "crunch" at AAA that I don't necessarily agree with. Just as a reminder, his TREMENDOUS 2025

season SHOULD have been his SECOND MVP season. But he lost out to an older journeyman player. I have no idea if bad luck, fighting an injury, or being pissed off made Rosario start the season slow.  But he has really been cranking up his game and it's about time he gets a AAA promotion.

***IF the Twins had just gone the logical route and trusted in their TOP prospects, Roden and Gonzalez would have been with the team and Rosario would already be at St Paul.

I was a bit surprised when I saw Sprock playing catcher. As a former 3B, you have to think the arm is there. His bat offers some potential and some power potential. As a 2025 draftee, he did play 23 games last season and did OK. He's hitting hitting even better this season as a still 21yo. While he's still splitting time, which is normal, they must think he's got real potential behind the plate. We'll see. He's at least off to a decent start with the bat at least.

And then comes Diaw. Look, I wouldn't DARE to compare him to Mauer! But athletically, and base HITTING ability, he's as close as we've drafted in years! First off, Mauer was an AMAZING catcher. Diaw is not, and has a lot to learn behind the plate. But he's a good enough athlete to play CF on his days off. Doesn't that kind of athlete intrigue you behind the plate? And his BAT is similar to Mauer, or maybe Harper considering he's RH. 

I have no doubt he still has a lot to learn being a CATCHER first and foremost. And that's where I'd like him to spend the majority of his time. His biggest obstacle is just staying healthy. I have no idea how much HR or XB power he might grow in to. But he can flat out HIT. 

I think he's a prospect that is being ignored by many. I think he's about ready for AA in regard to his BAT. Not yet 23yo, but close, I think he's ready. Now, how much time it takes him to refine his catching skills is a different story. He's certainly not a part of 2027. And if it takes him another year, year and a half, or two years, I think many are sleeping on a potentially quality bat with at least some power, and maybe underated as to the Twins "future" catcher.

[Wizard11]

Diaw was promoted to AA today

[twinstalker]

The one guy on here who really matters, Diaw, is an interesting prospect in some respects.  He's too old for his slash line to be overly impressive at A+ (turns 23 this summer), and it's unclear why he's even there at this point.  I'm interested in how he handles AA.

Sprock is unlikely to be much of anything but his relative youth and likely promotion do put him into play, I guess.  He's sort of repeating low A, and his improvement is modest, so let's get it over with and promote him to see if there's something there.

Rosario is good for organizational depth, nothing more.

[Trov]

Rosario is still young enough to make a surge up the prospect lists.  He was a HS draftee and was high on some lists for a few years but then stalled out.  If he can continue to do what he has this past month the rest of the year he will fly back up lists.  

[Road trip]

16 hours ago, um_stevenel said:

 

I’ve wondered why Diaw doesn’t seem to get much hype for his catching potential. I don’t recall any concerns about his defense ever being highlighted. Anybody know why Diaw might not be considered a viable ML catcher (at least as a regular starter)? Because in the event they don’t get Lackey, I still hold out some hope that perhaps Tait/Diaw might form a good L/R tandem behind the plate one day in the not-too-distant future.

Regardless, it seems like he’s due for a promotion to AA. 

 

A great athlete, but a career caught stealing percentage of 11% in the minors is not going to be good enough in MLB.  Can it improve?  Perhaps, but he's been even worse this year at 6%.  Yes, that's not a typo.  Against 69 stolen base attempts, Diaw has thrown out... 4.

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff		G	GS	CG	Inn	Ch	PO	A	E	DP	Fld%	RF/9	RF/G	PB	WP	SB	CS	CS%

2026	22	Cedar Rapids	MIDW	A+	MIN	C	21	21		181.1	236	225	8	3	0	.987	11.56	11.10	1		65	4	6%

 

[um_stevenel]

1 hour ago, Road trip said:

A great athlete, but a career caught stealing percentage of 11% in the minors is not going to be good enough in MLB.  Can it improve?  Perhaps, but he's been even worse this year at 6%.  Yes, that's not a typo.  Against 69 stolen base attempts, Diaw has thrown out... 4.

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff		G	GS	CG	Inn	Ch	PO	A	E	DP	Fld%	RF/9	RF/G	PB	WP	SB	CS	CS%

2026	22	Cedar Rapids	MIDW	A+	MIN	C	21	21		181.1	236	225	8	3	0	.987	11.56	11.10	1		65	4	6%

 

Ah, thanks. That’s an angle I hadn’t considered or looked at his stats. That does sound extremely low, but if he’s got the arm and athleticism to play center field as well, I still would guess there’s at least a good chance that could improve greatly with coaching and repetition. Hopefully he gets more reps at catcher now that he won’t be splitting the position with the top prospect in the organization. 

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, Road trip said:

A great athlete, but a career caught stealing percentage of 11% in the minors is not going to be good enough in MLB.  Can it improve?  Perhaps, but he's been even worse this year at 6%.  Yes, that's not a typo.  Against 69 stolen base attempts, Diaw has thrown out... 4.

Year	Age	Tm	Lg	Lev	Aff		G	GS	CG	Inn	Ch	PO	A	E	DP	Fld%	RF/9	RF/G	PB	WP	SB	CS	CS%

2026	22	Cedar Rapids	MIDW	A+	MIN	C	21	21		181.1	236	225	8	3	0	.987	11.56	11.10	1		65	4	6%

 

It's also A-ball, where pitchers notoriously don't hold runners on. But yes, he may not stick at catcher. But pretty intriguing to see a guy who can work behind the plate and play a credible CF.

Rosario has 2 issues: he's a poor defender (haven't seen much indication that he's improved) and his contact is suspect. The power production is impressive and he controls the strike zone well enough to get on base at a fine clip...but those low BA's at this level are a danger sign that he simply swings and misses too much. But you never know. He's probably organizational depth rather than a real prospect, but seems like he should get moved up to AAA as soon as they start calling up some of the other OF ahead of him (Rodriguez, Gonzalez, Mendez, and Jenkins now that Fedko is getting a look).

[ashbury]

13 hours ago, twinstalker said:

Sprock is unlikely to be much of anything but his relative youth and likely promotion do put him into play, I guess.  He's sort of repeating low A, and his improvement is modest, so let's get it over with and promote him to see if there's something there.

If they are in the middle of converting Sprock to catcher, I won't second-guess a "slow" promotion process.  The bat might suggest moving up a level, but let him get his bearings at catcher before throwing any change at him.

3 hours ago, Road trip said:

A great athlete, but a career caught stealing percentage of 11% in the minors is not going to be good enough in MLB.  Can it improve?  Perhaps, but he's been even worse this year at 6%.  Yes, that's not a typo.  Against 69 stolen base attempts, Diaw has thrown out... 4.

Sprock's CS rate isn't much different - 9 CS out of 43 attempts for 17%.  Last year he had a flat 0%, o-fer-24, so I guess that's progress.  But he needs to progress even more.

[Linus]

15 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Unfortunately, Rosario was pushed back to AA ball, same as Mendez, due to a "crunch" at AAA that I don't necessarily agree with. Just as a reminder, his TREMENDOUS 2025

season SHOULD have been his SECOND MVP season. But he lost out to an older journeyman player. I have no idea if bad luck, fighting an injury, or being pissed off made Rosario start the season slow.  But he has really been cranking up his game and it's about time he gets a AAA promotion.

***IF the Twins had just gone the logical route and trusted in their TOP prospects, Roden and Gonzalez would have been with the team and Rosario would already be at St Paul.

I was a bit surprised when I saw Sprock playing catcher. As a former 3B, you have to think the arm is there. His bat offers some potential and some power potential. As a 2025 draftee, he did play 23 games last season and did OK. He's hitting hitting even better this season as a still 21yo. While he's still splitting time, which is normal, they must think he's got real potential behind the plate. We'll see. He's at least off to a decent start with the bat at least.

And then comes Diaw. Look, I wouldn't DARE to compare him to Mauer! But athletically, and base HITTING ability, he's as close as we've drafted in years! First off, Mauer was an AMAZING catcher. Diaw is not, and has a lot to learn behind the plate. But he's a good enough athlete to play CF on his days off. Doesn't that kind of athlete intrigue you behind the plate? And his BAT is similar to Mauer, or maybe Harper considering he's RH. 

I have no doubt he still has a lot to learn being a CATCHER first and foremost. And that's where I'd like him to spend the majority of his time. His biggest obstacle is just staying healthy. I have no idea how much HR or XB power he might grow in to. But he can flat out HIT. 

I think he's a prospect that is being ignored by many. I think he's about ready for AA in regard to his BAT. Not yet 23yo, but close, I think he's ready. Now, how much time it takes him to refine his catching skills is a different story. He's certainly not a part of 2027. And if it takes him another year, year and a half, or two years, I think many are sleeping on a potentially quality bat with at least some power, and maybe underated as to the Twins "future" catcher.

Doc I think your admirable enthusiasm has led you astray. Diaw is 21-22 in A ball doing pretty well with the bat. At the same age Mauer was winning batting titles in the show. They are not in the same universe in any way. 

[purplesoldier4u]

21 hours ago, um_stevenel said:

I noticed Aaron Gleeman seemingly downplayed Diaw’s potential as a major league starter in his last post:

 

Gleeman ... pft.