2018 Twins Midseason Top Prospect List: 6-10

Well, we finally made it to the Top-10 and it is a Top-10 that looks vastly different than a couple years ago. Of the players written about below, only one was in the Top-10 at the start of the 2017 campaign. Former high ranking players like Tyler Jay and Kohl Stewart have dropped in the rankings, while other top players have graduated from this list.

Many of the players listed below have been acquired during the new front office regime. These are the players who will be most associated with the success or failure of Falvey and Levine. However, only a couple of them project to play at the big league level in 2018 or 2019.

It’s going to be a slow process but there are definitely some names to be excited about.

Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (graphics by Finn Pearson)

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10. Zack Littell – RHP

Age: 22

ETA: 2018

2018 Stats (AA, AAA): 1-6, 3.71 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 80.0 IP, 78 H, 26 BB, 84 K

2018 Stats (MLB): 0-2, 18.90 ERA, 3.90 WHIP, 3.1 IP, 7 H, 6 BB, 1 K

2018 Ranking: 11 | 2017 Ranking: NR

Seth: 14 | Tom: 11 | Cody: 8

Littell joined the Twins as part of the Jamie Garcia trade last July. He made seven starts (41 2/3 IP) in the Twins organization last year and posted a 2.81 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP with a 33 to 18 strikeout to walk ratio. He did this while being over three years younger than the competition in the Southern League. Littell headed back to Chattanooga to start 2018 and didn’t fare as well. He allowed 15 earned runs in five starts (23 IP) as batters hit .308/.364/.495 against him. Things have gone better in Rochester as he has a 2.84 ERA and a 1.21 WHIP in 57 IP. Besides Nick Gordon, he is the youngest member of the Red Wings roster. His big league time has been very limited so there is still plenty that remains to be seen for the 22-year old.

9. Wander Javier – SS

Age: 19

ETA: 2021

2018 Stats (N/A): Out for the Season- Shoulder Surgery

2018 Ranking: 6 | 2017 Ranking: 6

Seth: 11 | Tom: 7 | Cody: 10

Javier injured his shoulder near the end of the 2017 campaign but a regime of rest and rehab was assigned for the off-season. He suffered a setback during spring training and underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his non-throwing shoulder. He won’t step on the field during his age-19 season as he is expected to miss 6-9 months. Last season with the E-Twins, he hit .299/.383/.471 with 18 extra-base hits in 41 games.

8. Akil Baddoo – OF

Age: 19

ETA: 2021

2018 Stats (A): .247/.370/.438 (.808), 15-2B, 6-3B, 8-HR, 16-SB

2018 Ranking: 10 | 2017 Ranking: NR

Seth: 7 | Tom: 12 | Cody: 9

Baddoo was Minnesota’s second-round pick back in 2016 and he spent his first two professional seasons in the rookie leagues. He’s been an on-base machine as he hit .323/.436/.527 last season between the GCL and the Appy League. Baddoo is getting his first taste of full-season ball this year and his batting average took some hits as he failed to hit over .250 in any of the season’s first three months. However, he has drawn double digit walks in those three months to help him get on base 37% of the time. He can play all three outfield positions but he has played exclusively in center field for most of his professional career. His combination of on-base percentage, power, and speed make him an intriguing prospect to follow.

7. Brent Rooker – OF/1B

Age: 23

ETA: 2019

2018 Stats (Rookie): .266/.319/.492 (.812), 24-2B, 4-3B, 14-HR

2018 Ranking: 7 | 2017 Ranking: NR

Seth: 8 | Tom: 4 | Cody: 7

The Twins anticipated Rooker could be a fast mover when they drafted him in the supplemental round of the 2017 MLB Draft. It was the second straight year the team had drafted him (38^th round of 2016). He has lived up to that anticipation as he is already playing at Double-A. As a right-handed slugger, Rooker has showed a balanced approach against lefties and righties while posting nearly identical batting averages (one point difference) and on-base percentages (seven point difference). Since the calendar turned to June, he has been killing the baseball. He posted 1.038 OPS with 16 extra-base hits in June. If the Twins continue to be out of contention, Rooker could make his debut as early as this September but a second-half promotion to Rochester seems like a likely first step.

6. Trevor Larnach – OF

Age: 21

ETA: 2021

2018 Stats (College): .348/.463/.457 (.920), 19-2B, 1-3B, 19-HR

2018 Ranking: NR | 2017 Ranking: NR

Seth: 5 | Tom: 8 | Cody: 6

Larnach, Minnesota’s 2018 first-round pick, was a hero for the Oregon State Beavers on their way to the College World Series Championship.

https://twitter.com/NCAACWS/status/1012169906048008193

Larnach and the Beavers survived six elimination games on the way to the CWS title. He also helped the club sign multiple other players since he agreed to a $2.55 million deal which was $570,000 less than MLB’s recommended bonus for the 20^th overall pick. Larnach improved in each of his three college seasons and that helped to turn him into a first round selection. His best tool is his bat as he has consistently been able to hit for average. However, this season he has shown the ability to add some pop. He had combined for just three home runs in his first two college seasons before knocking 19 home runs during his junior campaign. His college experience could help move him quickly but his professional debut will start with the E-Twins.

What are your thoughts on the latest set of rankings? Who’s ranked too high? Who’s ranked too low? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins' top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

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Cody Christie is a Twins writer and content contributor. His writing can be found exclusively at Twins Daily and his voice can be heard on radio stations throughout the Upper Midwest. Outside of the Twins, he is a father, high school teacher, and avid runner.

Follow Cody Christie on Twitter: nodaktwinsfan