Twins Organizational Depth Chart - The Outfield

Minnesota Twins - LF: Robbie Grossman, CF: Danny Santana, RF: Miguel Sano, OF: Oswaldo Arcia, Darin Mastroianni (DL)

The Twins have had a lot of talented outfielders come through the big leagues in recent years. Several were traded, others have just begun to arrive. At times last season, Twins fans dreamed on a future outfield of Eddie Rosario, Byron Buxton and Aaron Hicks. Hicks was traded to the Yankees. Eddie Rosario and Byron Buxton are both at AAA. Miguel Sano has struggled defensively at times (and offensively too) in his transition to right field. So, right now, the Twins big league outfield is not at all what the Twins or the fans thought it would be at this point in the season. Instead, Robbie Grossman opted out of his minor league contract with Cleveland last week, signed with the Twins, played one game in Rochester and was called up. He has been on base in all six games he’s played since. Santana and Arcia are both out of options.

Rochester Red Wings - LF: Eddie Rosario, CF: Byron Buxton, RF: Max Kepler (DL), OF: Adam Brett Walker

Now this is the outfield a lot of Twins fans were dreaming of and hoping for starting in spring training. Rosario’s inability to not swing at pitches outside the strike zone came back to bite him, and even his defense took a step back. He’s hit just .160 in his week in AAA so far. Buxton missed a week recently with back spasms. However, after a slow start, he has torn up the International League in May, cutting down his K-rate while being more aggressive and showing power. Kepler is on the DL right now with a groin strain, but he has been on fire for the last two weeks. Adam Brett Walker launched his 10th home run of the season on Wednesday night. Yes, he’s striking out about 44% of the time, but he is showing great power.

Chattanooga Lookouts - LF: Travis Harrison, CF: Zach Granite, RF: Daniel Palka, OF: Joe Maloney, Shannon Wilkerson

Palka was the story in April, cutting down his strikeouts and showing strong power. He has struggled in May, but he is a strong prospect acquisition. Harrison gets the opportunity to repeat at the level and that should prove beneficial. Zach Granite leads the organization with 17 stolen bases. Joe Maloney was the top player from independent leagues in 2015. He is among organization leaders in doubles. Wilkerson signed last July with the Twins and was an instigator for the Lookouts championship run. He has missed time with a quad injury a couple of times this season.

Ft. Myers Miracle - LF: Austin DIemer, CF: Edgar Corcino, RF: Chad Christensen, OF: Max Murphy, Tanner English (DL)

Tanner English has been out over a month with a concussion. He was the Twins minor league defensive outfielder of the year last year and is a leadoff type of hitter. Murphy was promoted to Ft. Myers just about two weeks ago and already has four home runs with the Miracle. Corcino has been terrific with nearly every day playing time in May. Diemer and Christensen are terrific athletes with good speed and the ability to play all over the outfield.

Cedar Rapids Kernels - LF: Daniel Kihle, CF: LaMonte Wade, RF: Jorge Fernandez, OF: Brad Hartong

LaMonte Wade has been the most consistent hitter in the organization throughout the season. He was our choice for May Minor League Hitter of the Month. He walks more than he strikes out, plays solid defense and has some pop in his bat. Jorge Fernandez has been a catcher in the organization since being drafted in 2012. The athlete was moved to the outfield and has shown good pop in his bat. Daniel Kihle and Brad Hartong were drafted last year and began the season in extended spring but were recently promoted to the Kernels.

Extended Spring Training - Rowan Ebersohn, Cristian Cavaness, Tyree Davis, Jaylin Davis, Roberto Gonzalez, Jean Carlos Arias, Luis Martinez, Lean Marrero, Aaron Whitefield.

In extended spring training, this group of outfielders has a ton of talent and athleticism. Most are quite young and have to learn more about how to be a baseball player. Ebersohn was a member of the South African team in the WBC Qualifier in Australia. Jaylin Davis and Roberto Gonzalez have a ton of power. Davis was drafted last year but did not play due to injury. Gonzalez has been hurt quite a bit since being drafted in 2014. Tyree Davis is a tremendous athlete with great speed and developing power. Arias and Martinez come from the Dominican Summer League where they showed a ton of speed. Marrero has a fluid left-handed swing but he’s young. Whitefield was an international softball player from Australia before leaning how to play baseball less than two years ago. He too is a great athlete.

Top Prospects (Outfielders)

1.) Max Kepler, 2.) Adam Brett Walker, 3.) LaMonte Wade, 4.) Daniel Palka, 5.) Travis Harrison.

Draft Thoughts

The Twins have clearly focused on pitching the last two or three drafts and it has shown in the offensive numbers in the lower levels of the minor leagues. Obviously pitching is important and should always be a focus in the draft, but the Twins certainly can afford to restock bats too.

As always, we can’t look at team needs now when it comes to the draft. Even the top picks generally need at least a year and a half to get to the big leagues. There is no way to know what the Twins needs will be, for sure, four to six years from now.

So when it comes to outfielders, the Twins should always draft a few. If we’ve learned a few things this year, defense does matter but the Twins also just need to have hitting. Therein lies the rub. In the top five rounds, you’re obviously looking for a mix of athleticism and ability to hit, even with some power.

Looking at the big league roster, you can see a log jam of of corner outfielders, first base and DH types, but at the same time, if those types of guys can hit, they can move up the system and provide value. However, the Twins have had a lot of success drafting athletic, center field types. They can move a little more slowly as they translate from athlete to baseball player.

We also have seen the value of having a great outfield defense. Speed and natural outfield senses are important. Personally, I would most likely draft mostly center field types knowing they can transfer to the corners as they move up.

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!