Predicting the Minnesota Twins' Top 5 Prospects On New Year’s Day 2026

The Minnesota Twins farm system continues to evolve, and looking ahead to 2025, it’s time to highlight the future stars who could top the organization’s prospect rankings. Some of the team’s top prospects are expected to graduate from prospect lists next season such as Emmanuel Rodriguez, Luke Keaschall, and Andrew Morris. Let’s count down from No. 5 to No. 1 to see who will be at the top of the farm system’s rankings one year from now.

5. Marco Raya, RHP
Raya’s electric arm has kept him on the radar despite the organization being aggressive and cautious with him simultaneously. By the end of 2024, the Twins pushed him all the way to Triple-A, where he was six years younger than the average age of the competition. However, the Twins continue to limit his innings, with him only pitching more than five innings in one appearance last season.

His fastball, which sits in the mid-90s, pairs well with a devastating slider. In 2024, he improved his strikeout rate at the Double-A level from 8.1 in 2024 to 9.6 K/9. If he can continue to refine his command and stay healthy, Raya has the potential to develop into a mid-rotation starter or even an elite bullpen weapon if the Twins decide to go that route. Now that he’s close to the big leagues, the Twins must allow Raya to pitch deeper into games and prove his stuff can handle a starter's workload. 

2025 Prediction: Raya will pitch the majority of 2025 at Triple-A while pitching a career-high in innings. 

4. Brandon Winokur, SS/3B/OF
Winokur’s raw athleticism and power have been turning heads since he was drafted in the third round in 2023. In 2024, he played the entire season at Low-A as a 19-year-old. He slashed .249/.327/.434 (.761) with 36 extra-base hits in 94 games. He made significant strides at the plate, cutting down on strikeouts, with his strikeout rate dropping over 4% and his walk rate increasing by 2.7% compared to his pro debut.  

He also showcased the bat speed that could make him a cornerstone for the Twins. Winokur also offers positional flexibility, splitting time between shortstop, third base, and the outfield, though he may ultimately settle in a corner outfield spot. He has the tools that make scouts drool over his future potential. MLB Pipeline ranks him above average in Power (55), Run (60), and Arm (60). His blend of speed and power makes him an exciting prospect to watch as he rises through the system. In 2025, he is a player who can take a big step forward and potentially be a Top 100 prospect.

2025 Prediction: Winokur will spend 2025 in Cedar Rapids before moving to Double-A during his age-20 season. 

3. Charlee Soto, RHP
Soto, the Twins’ first-round pick (competitive balance) in 2023, has quickly established himself as one of the most promising arms in the system. His 2024 season showcased his ability to handle advanced competition while being 18 years old for most of the season. In 21 games (74 IP), he posted a 5.23 ERA with a 1.50 WHIP and an 87-to-33 strikeout-to-walk ratio. His 10.6 K/9 was very good, but he allowed 9.5 H/9 and 4.0 BB/9. Soto only faced younger batters in 10 plate appearances for the entire season and held them to one hit and four strikeouts. 

He has a fastball that touches 98 mph and a sinker and cutter that have good movement to keep batters off-balance. While he’s still refining his breaking ball, Soto’s poise on the mound and elite velocity have scouts projecting him as a future ace. He is a power pitcher, and many scouts believe he can throw strikes consistently as he learns to be a full-time pitcher. If he can continue his development path, he’ll be knocking on the door of the majors by 2027.

2025 Prediction: Soto will pitch the entire season at Cedar Rapids while still being a teenager. Look for him to pitch over 100 innings for the first time in his career while continuing to refine his secondary pitches. 

2. Kaelen Culpepper, 3B/SS
Last week, I wrote about why Culpepper deserves more respect on Twins prospect lists. Minnesota took him with their first-round draft pick in 2024, so he had limited time to help his prospect stock during his professional debut. In 26 games, he hit .242/.330/.394 (.724) with eight extra-base hits. In his very short time at Fort Myers, his 90th-percentile exit velocity was 102.6 miles per hour. He was also a patient hitter with a mature understanding of the strike zone, with 11 walks in 112 plate appearances.

Culpepper combines a solid hit tool with surprising pop for his size, making him a threat in the middle of any lineup. His defense is another strength, as he’s capable of playing both third base and shortstop at a high level. He’ll likely start the year in High-A Cedar Rapids, where he ended the 2024 season. At that level, he can build on the adjustments he began to make late in his pro debut. A midseason promotion to Double-A Wichita could be on the horizon if he performs well. Success at that level would firmly establish him as one of the Twins’ top prospects and put him on the radar for a 2026 big-league debut.

2025 Prediction: Culpepper will enter next winter as a global Top 100 prospect. 

1. Walker Jenkins, OF
It’s no surprise that Jenkins takes the top spot on this list. The fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft has lived up to the hype. Jenkins’ smooth left-handed swing generates both average and power, making him a future anchor in the Twins’ lineup. In 2024, he continued to crush minor league pitching while improving his defense and baserunning. Jenkins finished the year at Double-A as a 19-year-old while hitting .282/.394/.439 (.833) with 32 extra-base hits in 82 games. More impressively, he coaxed more walks (56) than strikeouts (47) while facing older pitchers in all but eight of his at-bats. 

Scouts rave about his makeup and leadership qualities, adding to his superstar potential. The Twins have continued to use him in center field because of his athleticism and strong arm. MLB Pipeline’s scouting grades include a 60 for hit, power, and arm. If everything goes as planned, Jenkins could be a mainstay in the Twins’ outfield for the next decade.

2025 Prediction: Jenkins will be considered baseball’s top overall prospect by the season’s end. 

The Twins’ system is in excellent shape, with these five players leading the way. As the organization looks to return to playoff contention, the contributions of these rising stars will be crucial to their success in the years ahead.

What stands out about the five names mentioned above? 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!