The Right-Handed Triple-A Bat the Twins Are Ignoring

The Twins have plenty of young position players pushing toward the big leagues, but not every prospect receives the same level of attention. Sometimes, a player has to spend years grinding through the organization before putting himself firmly into the conversation.

Ben Ross is one of those players. The right-handed hitter has spent most of the past few seasons working to turn his intriguing collection of tools into a more consistent overall package. After struggling at times in Double-A, Ross finally began putting everything together late in 2025. That momentum carried into 2026, when he opened the year by dominating the competition and earning a promotion to Triple-A.

Now, he has continued to show that his breakout might be more than a small-sample-size fluke. With the ability to play multiple positions and provide some right-handed pop, Ross has developed into a player who could have legitimate value for Minnesota's big-league roster.

A Long Road Through the Twins' System

Ross didn't enter professional baseball with the same hype surrounding many of the organization's top prospects. After going largely overlooked coming out of high school in Ohio, he continued his career at Division II Notre Dame College near Cleveland.

He quickly established himself there, becoming the first two-time All-American in school history. That performance eventually caught Minnesota's attention, and the Twins selected Ross in the fifth round of the 2022 MLB Draft. He signed for $220,000, coming in below his assigned slot value.

The early portion of his professional career was anything but spectacular. Ross showed flashes of the tools that made him an interesting draft selection, but he struggled to produce consistently while moving through the organization. He spent more than a full season at Double-A, where the results didn't always match his underlying potential.

That changed as 2025 came to a close. Ross finished that season by hitting .286/.328/.518 (.846) over his final 15 games, collecting three home runs, 12 RBI and five stolen bases. The Twins sent him back to Double-A to begin 2026, and Ross exploded out of the gates, hitting .424/.528/.797 (1.325) in 16 games with the Wind Surge. He added five home runs and 16 RBI while walking in 16.7% of his plate appearances and striking out just 13.9% of the time.

That performance forced Minnesota's hand. Ross earned his promotion to Triple-A in late April.

The Breakout Has Continued

Ross' success didn't disappear when he moved up a level. Through 89 games with the St. Paul Saints, he has hit .258/.367/.475 (.842), and has collected 20 doubles and 13 home runs while posting a 14.3% walk rate. The strikeout rate remains something to monitor at 26.3%, but there are encouraging signs in the overall offensive profile. Ross is showing an ability to impact the baseball while consistently working his way into favorable counts.

He's also been heating up again recently. Over his last 12 games, Ross is 14-for-44 with four home runs, three stolen bases and a .954 OPS. That stretch is another reminder that his offensive development hasn't stalled after his promotion from Double-A.

More Than Just a Utility Player

Calling Ross a utility player is accurate, but it can also undersell what he brings to the table. He's an above-average runner with enough athleticism to move around the diamond. His ability to play multiple positions gives the Twins plenty of flexibility, but there is legitimate offensive potential underneath that versatility.

Ross has shown an ability to hit the ball hard (36.8 Hard-Hit%) to all fields and produce extra-base hits. He's also begun tapping into his pull-side power more consistently, which has helped turn some of his hard contact into home runs. His line drive percentage is up 3.7% and his HR/FB rate has increased by 3%. 

Fastballs have been particularly friendly to him. The challenge will be continuing to handle softer stuff and breaking pitches as he faces increasingly advanced pitching, especially if he eventually earns a regular opportunity in the majors. Still, the offensive profile is considerably more interesting than it was a couple of years ago.

Ross has gone from a player trying to establish himself at Double-A to someone who has demonstrated that he can make an impact in Triple-A. That's a significant development for a player who entered the organization without much fanfare.

An Opportunity for the Twins

The biggest question now is whether the Twins will give Ross a chance to show what he can do in Minnesota. He's already spent significant time developing within the organization. He's experienced the struggles that come with being challenged at Double-A, found a way to adjust, and carried that success into Triple-A.

That's exactly the type of developmental progression an organization hopes to see. Ross may never become a star, and the Twins don't need to project him that way. His value could come from becoming a reliable, right-handed bat who can play several positions, provide some power and steal a few bases. Those players can be extremely useful over the course of a 162-game season. 

With his recent offensive production and defensive versatility, Ross has put himself in position to become more than organizational depth. Whether that opportunity comes later in 2026 or becomes part of Minnesota's plans for 2027 and beyond, the Twins have a player worth keeping an eye on.

For years, Ross was working to prove he belonged. Now, he's starting to make a case that the Twins should find a place for him.

Should the Twins give Ross a chance at the big-league level? 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!