Ranking the Minnesota Twins' Top 5 Candidates for the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year

The Minnesota Twins have a history of producing impactful rookies, and the 2025 season promises to continue that trend. With the team's farm system brimming with talent, several prospects have the potential to make a significant splash in the majors next season. Last week, MLB.com's prospect team picked one player from each organization as candidates for Rookie of the Year. Twins Daily recently finished a reranking of the top prospects in the organization entering next season, and the players below are all featured prominently on that list.

Here’s a look at the top Twins candidates for the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year Award, ranked by their potential impact, along with one sleeper pick to keep on your radar.     

5. Cory Lewis: SP  
Current TD Rank: 9
Few prospects have taken as unconventional a path as Lewis, but his knuckleball-anchored repertoire has made believers out of scouts and coaches alike. The Twins have carefully managed his innings, and 2025 could be the year he transitions into a full-fledged big-league starter. In 2024, he posted a 2.51 ERA with a 1.32 WHIP and 10.5 K/9 in 79 minor-league innings. While his ceiling might not be as high as those of some of the team’s other top prospects, Lewis’s ability to keep hitters off balance could make him an impactful presence in the rotation. Don’t overlook his potential to surprise the league.  

4. Marco Raya: SP
Current TD Rank: 5
Raya has long been one of the most intriguing arms in the Twins system, and 2025 might finally be his time to shine. Despite his slight frame, his mid-90s fastball and devastating slider have kept him on the prospect radar since he was drafted by the team in 2020. In his final 38 2/3 innings this year, he posted a 2.09 ERA while holding opponents to a .579 OPS. If he can build on that performance in the high minors, Raya could break into the Twins’ rotation by midseason. His dynamic arsenal makes him an exciting dark horse candidate for Rookie of the Year honors. 

3. Andrew Morris: SP
Current TD Rank: 6
After steadily climbing the Twins’ pitching depth chart, Morris has positioned himself as one of the organization’s most MLB-ready arms. The righthander blends a low-90s fastball with a pair of advanced secondary offerings, making him a strong candidate for the Twins’ rotation in 2025. He finished last season at Triple-A while pitching a career-high 133 innings with 9.0 K/9. Morris will start the year in the minors but might be needed in a similar role to the one David Festa filled this past season. 

2. Emmanuel Rodriguez: OF
Current TD Rank: 2
Rodriguez's tools jump off the page, and that makes him one of the most exciting prospects in the Twins system. His 2024 season showed flashes of brilliance, but injuries and streaky performances limited his on-field production. The left-handed slugger could step into a starting role in the Twins’ outfield, particularly if Trevor Larnach or Matt Wallner struggle. He finished last season with a taste of Triple-A and should begin 2025 at that level. If Rodriguez can improve his strikeout rate (27.5 K% at Double-A) while maintaining his power, he can be a long-term building block for the Twins. 

1. Luke Keaschall: INF
Current TD Rank: 3  
Keaschall's rise through the Twins' farm system has been meteoric. In 102 games last season, he hit .303/.420/.483, with 21 doubles and 15 home runs. He did all of this while playing through an elbow injury that eventually led to Tommy John surgery. He is expected to be fully healthy by spring training. Keaschall combines a smooth glove with an electric bat, making him a candidate to grab a starting infield role early in the season if injuries impact the big-league roster. His plus contact skills and surprising pop for his size could allow him to hit at the top of the lineup. Keaschall will give the team their best chance to end their ROY drought if he delivers on his potential.

Sleeper Pick: Walker Jenkins
Current TD Rank: 1
It’s rare for a player drafted out of high school to rise so quickly through the minors, but Jenkins is no ordinary prospect. He is already considered one of baseball’s top prospects, and that means he will get plenty of attention when he debuts. While Jenkins projects to start 2025 in the upper minors, a midseason promotion is very much in play, particularly if the Twins need a spark. His blend of power, athleticism, and defensive versatility makes him a potential game-changer. If he reaches the majors and finds his footing, Jenkins could turn the Rookie of the Year race on its head.  

With a mix of top-tier position players and dynamic pitchers, the Twins have plenty of candidates to watch in the 2025 Rookie of the Year race. Whether it’s Keaschall’s polish, Rodriguez’s power, or the rotation potential of Morris, Raya, and Lewis, the Twins' pipeline is poised to make a significant impact in the year ahead. And don’t forget about Jenkins, because he might surprise us all. 

Which prospect has the best chance to win the 2025 AL Rookie of the Year? 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!