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Later in the week, we’ll finish this series of Seth’s Top 50 Twins prospects with the Top 5. But this group of five players is really young, immensely talented and it is incredibly exciting to think about what they could become. Let’s take a look at who Seth’s choices for Twins prospects 6-10 are. And when you’re done, be sure to discuss these players and let us know how they would rank for you. Are they in the right place? Too low? Too high? Let us know.
#10 RHP Blayne Enlow
Enlow went to St. Armant High School in Sorrento, Louisiana. After his junior season, he increased his draft ‘stock’ with a very strong showing nationally and internationally. He committed to LSU and let it be known that he would need a lot of money to give up that scholarship. While he was generally ranked as a top 25-30 prospect in the draft, he fell to Day 2. With the first pick of the third round, the Twins drafted him and he agreed to sign for $2 million. After signing, he went to the GCL and went 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. He worked just 20.1 innings, but he walked four and struck out 19. He’s 6-4 and 180 pounds. He sits 91-93 and touches 94. His best pitch is said to be his curveball. He also has a changeup, though it needs to be developed. He’s got potential to be a top starting pitcher. Get to know him.
#9 SS Wander Javier
Javier was the Twins big international signing in 2015. They signed the shortstop to a $4 million bonus, essentially using up their entire pool. He debuted in 2016 in the DSL, but a hamstring injury limited him to just nine games. However, of his eight hits, he had three doubles and two home runs. Javier is a toolshed full of talent. He’s long and lean, but he finds a way to barrel the ball a lot, and he’s able to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Defensively, most believe that he can stay at shortstop. While he had some errors in E-Town, he’s got good range, good hands and a strong arm. The Dominican is just 18 years old until the end of the year.
#8 OF Akil Baddoo
The Twins began the 2016 MLB draft by selecting four high school hitters in the first two rounds. Baddoo was the fourth. Drafted out of high school in Georgia, Baddoo is an incredible athlete. Last offseason, he gained 15 pounds of muscle and didn’t lose speed. His work paid off. He began the season back in the GCL, only until Brent Rooker moved from Elizabethton to Ft. Myers. When Baddoo joined the E-Twins, he energized their lineup. He led off and played centerfield. He hit .357/.478/.579 (1.057) in 33 games with 15 doubles, two triples and three homers. He’s got a great combination of power and speed. He’s also got a great approach at the plate. He just turned 19 in August. He was the Twins Daily choice for July Twins Minor League Player of the Month, and that helped lead him to the Short-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year.
#7 RHP Brusdar Graterol
Graterol signed with the Twins in August of 2014. He began his pro career in the DSL in 2015, but after just four starts, he came to the States to have his elbow checked. He required Tommy John surgery and missed the rest of the 2015 season and all of the 2016 season. He returned in 2017 and continued to work his way back in extended spring training. He made a few appearances in the GCL before moving up to Elizabethton for the end of the season. Overall, he was 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He had 45 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 40 innings. Despite all the missed time, he did not turn 19 until August. Graterol is a big, strong kid. He has a fastball that sits in the upper-90s and touches triple digits. He’s really worked on his secondary pitches as well. Graterol is immensely talented, but he’s still very raw and he’ll need to keep building his innings. Be patient, but he’s got a special arm.
#6 OF/1B Brent Rooker
The Twins used their 38th-round pick in 2016 on Brent Rooker. Rooker bet on himself and went back for his senior season. He talked to a lot of people and learned more about the art of hitting. He came back to Mississippi State and won the SEC’s Triple Crown, something that hadn’t been done in 30 years. The Twins drafted him again, this time with the 35th overall pick in 2017. After having over a month off, the Twins sent him to Elizabethton for a month to get back into the flow. He then jumped all the way up to Ft. Myers where he spent the final month with the Miracle. Combined, he hit 18 home runs, the most by a Twins minor leaguer in his first pro season since Paul Russo in 1990. His 11 home runs with the Miracle topped the ten that Todd Walker hit for the Miracle in his debut season of 1994. Rooker will strike out, but he can flat-out rake, and he could fly up the Twins system. He’s already been pushed in 2017, but he could be ready as early as later in 2018. The Twins want him to play the corner outfield positions, but he can also play first base. He will be 23-years-old throughout the 2018 season.
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So there you have it, my choices for Twins prospects 6-10. This is an immensely talented group of young players. While this group does not have a lot of professional experience, they all have very high ceilings. 2018 will be a big year for all of them. Be sure to ask questions in the comments below, or debate where these guys would rank for you. Coming up later in the week, my choices for the Top 5 Twins Prospects.
If you’ve missed any of the first six parts of my Top 50 Twins Prospects rankings, check them out here.
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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