Cory Moen

Matt Tolbert was a utility infielder for the Twins from 2008-2011. He played in 247 career games and was worth 0.8 bWAR. He is from McComb, Mississippi and was drafted in the 16th round by the Twins in the 2004 MLB draft out of the University of Mississippi. He was not known for his bat, with a career OPS+ of 65. He hit three career home runs, and stole 17 bases in his career. View full player

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (L to R: CJ Culpepper, Kala'i Rosario, Hendry Mendez) Starting the year at Double-A means a prospect has the opportunity to make an impact on the major league roster in the near future. While this year’s Wind Surge roster doesn’t have any of the top prospects in the Twins system, there is still an interesting list to see which of these players will take the next step forward and see if they are able to put themselves in the Twins future plans. When prospects get to Double-A, this can be the first time they struggle in their professional career. The Wind Surge roster this year doesn’t have a top 5 Twins prospect but does have three of Twins Daily’s top 20 prospects, including Hendry Mendez, Kyle DeBarge, and CJ Culpepper. Mendez is the one who is on the 40-man roster out of the three. Mendez was acquired at the 2025 trade deadline, along with pitching prospect Geremy Villoria, from the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Harrison Bader. Mendez hit well after being acquired, hitting for a .324/.461/.450 slash line after the trade. He has played in the corner outfield mostly but has been getting more work at first base recently. DeBarge is a former first round pick, that has steadily climbed the minor league ladder and will be playing his age-22 season in 2026. He has played most of his time at second base, but has also seen time at shortstop, and in left field and center field as well. Culpepper, when healthy, has looked very solid over the past few years. He pitched in 17 total games this past year and will look to have a healthy season after starting the 2025 season on the injured list with a pinched nerve. He throws up to seven or eight pitches, so he makes for a pitching prospect worth watching. Coaching Staff The coaching staff in the minor leagues are key in helping develop the future major leaguers in any organization. The Wind Surge had a number of new coaches in 2025, and will be returning the some, but have some new coaches as well. Nico Giarratano will be the new manager, after former Wichita manager Brian Dinkelman was promoted to manage the Twins Triple-A affiliate. Giarratano was the manager for the FCL Twins in 2025. Giarratano will be joined on the coaching staff by hitting coaches Andrew Cresci and Julian Gonzalez, pitching coaches Jesus Sanchez and Stephen Ridings. Meagan Vota will serve as the strength and conditioning coach, with Taylor Carpenter serving as the lead athletic trainer. Asja Morello will work closely with Carpenter as the Assistant Athletic Trainer, and to round out the staff, Chase Carder will serve as the Baseball Technology Coordinator. Pitchers RHP Sam Armstrong, RHP Spencer Bengard, RHP Kyle Bischoff, RHP Darren Bowen, RHP Ricky Castro, RHP CJ Culpepper, RHP Ryan Gallagher, RHP Ruddy Gomez, RHP Alejandro Hidalgo, RHP Ty Langenberg, LHP Jaylen Nowlin, RHP Jose Olivares, RHP Mike Paredes, RHP Luis Quinones, RHP Sam Ryan, RHP Logan Whitaker, RHP Jarret Whorff Culpepper and Gallagher are the two highest ranked pitching prospects on this roster, with Culpepper sitting 18th on Twins Daily’s top 20 prospects. Culpepper is a former 13th round selection by the Twins back in 2022. Gallagher and Armstrong were acquired from the Chicago Cubs in return for utility man Willi Castro. They are both intriguing arms and will be worth watching this year as well. Bowen’s name might be familiar, as he was part of the Jorge Polanco trade, along with Justin Topa. He pitched at Double-A this past year. Olivares is another name that is recognizable, as he was signed back in 2021 and is ranked the #26 prospect by MLB Pipeline to start this season. Hidalgo has shown the ability to strike batters out at a pretty solid clip, most recently having 99 strikeouts over 84 2/3 innings pitched in 2025 between High-A and Double-A. If he’s unable to develop as a starter, a move to the bullpen could provide a path to Target Field in the future. Quinones comes over from the Blue Jays organization, where he topped out at Triple-A in 2024, prior to missing the 2025 season with an injury. He’ll look to have a healthy and productive season this year. Catchers: Ricardo Olivar, Andrew Cossetti, Poncho Ruiz Olivar was a Twins Daily Top 20 prospect at this time last year and has been left unprotected in the Rule 5 draft the past two years. He has played positions other than catcher as well, so the defensive versatility makes him a prospect to watch. Andrew Cossetti will be returning to Double-A for his third straight year, and he is a bat-first catcher, who hit .226/.366/.432 in 2025, which was an improvement over his 2024 season numbers. Ruiz will be playing his age-24 season this year, after playing the 2025 season between Low-A and High-A. He also played in the Mexican Pacific Winter League this offseason, which allowed him to get some more experience. Infielders: Billy Amick, Hendry Mendez, Kyle DeBarge, Jake Rucker, Ben Ross, and Jose Salas Salas might be a familiar name, as he came over in the Pablo Lopez/Luis Arraez swap a few years ago. At the time, Salas was mostly a shortstop but has transitioned into playing center field more regularly in recent years. Rosario is a very intriguing prospect and has shown more promise recently after struggling early in his professional career. He’ll need to show he can be more consistent against right-handed pitchers, as he crushed lefties to a .954 OPS this past season, in comparison to a more modest .794 OPS against righties. Rucker has played the past three seasons at Double-A so he will need to start improving at the plate to not stall in the upper minors. Ross is a versatile defender, having played shortstop, third base, along with left field and centerfield as well, just this past year. He’s also played first base and right field in his minor league career as well. The big question for him is if his bat will develop to make him an option for the Twins in the future. Outfielders: Garrett Spain, Hendry Mendez, Kala’i Rosario, Maddux Houghton Mendez will likely see more time at first base this year after playing previously mostly as a corner outfielder. As previously mentioned, he is a prospect to keep an eye on and may move quickly depending on how he hits. He played the 2025 season at Double-A, and if he continues to hit, he will likely receive a call up to St. Paul this year, and we may even see him at Target Field before the end of the season. Spain was a minor league Rule 5 selection this past December out of the Milwaukee Brewers organization. A left-handed hitter, he will look to see if he can make adjustments with the Twins to break through in the upper minors. He showed more power in 2025, hitting 16 home runs. Rosario is an exciting prospect with a high ceiling. He was a 5th round selection in the shortened 2020 draft. He will play his second year with Wichita, where he hit 25 home runs this past season. Houghton is not a heralded prospect but did play at four levels across the minors this past year, getting his first taste at Triple-A St. Paul. He has shown the ability to steal bases and shown some power over the past year, hitting 12 home runs and stealing 26 bases. While the Wichita roster may not be as filled with high-end prospects, there are still plenty of intriguing players to keep an eye on and a few that Twins fans could see at Target Field in short order. Whether the players are playing at Double-A for the first time, or repeating the level, this season could be a springboard year to assert themselves as prospects and push themselves into the long-term plans for the big-league club. The Wind Surge will start their season on Thursday, April 2nd versus the Northwest Arkansas Naturals (Royals Double-A), with first pitch scheduled for 6:35 pm. View full article

Image courtesy of © Brett Davis-Imagn Images With the Twins looking to return to being competitive in the AL Central, we wanted to take a look around at the other teams in the division and what moves they made this offseason. This is a look at what to expect from the Chicago White Sox this season. The White Sox finished last in the division with a 60-102 record, marking their second straight season with over 100 losses after setting an MLB record with 121 in 2024. Here is a look at some notable additions and subtractions for the White Sox this offseason. Subtractions OF Luis Robert Jr. SP Martin Perez RP Tyler Alexander OF Michael A. Taylor RP Miguel Castro OF Mike Tauchman Additions INF Munetaka Murakami, 2 years, $34 million RP Seranthony Dominguez, 2 years, $20 million SP Anthony Kay, 2 years, $12 million, mutual option for 2028 SP/RP Jordan Hicks (trade w/Red Sox) OF Austin Hays 1 year, $6 million, mutual option for 2027 2B Luisangel Acuna (trade with Mets) SP/RP Sean Newcomb 1 year, $4.5 million OF Jarred Kelenic (minor league deal) P Erick Fedde, 1 year, $1.5 million Chicago made headlines this offseason with several notable changes. The addition of infielder Munetaka Murakami, signed from the NPB in Japan, is expected to bring significant power to the lineup despite a tendency for strikeouts. Seranthony Dominguez was signed as the new closer to help improve a bullpen that has struggled for the last couple of years. Just as notable as their signings, the White Sox made a major move by trading former All-Star and Silver Slugger OF Luis Robert Jr. to the New York Mets. In return, they acquired infielder Luisangel Acuna—brother of Atlanta Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr.—along with pitching prospect Truman Pauley. The White Sox also acquired veteran pitcher Jordan Hicks in a trade with the Red Sox. Hicks is expected to either join the starting rotation or be used as a high-leverage relief pitcher, depending on team needs. Although the additions seem to surpass the subtractions for the South Siders, the overall impact will depend on how the team manages a new direction and if young players can take a step forward to being more consistently competitive going forward. Here is a look at a few injuries and the players who should have the biggest impact on the successes the White Sox will have in 2026. Injuries LHP Ky Bush, Tommy John surgery RHP Drew Thorpe, Tommy John surgery 1B Tim Elko - Torn ACL - expected return June/July RHP Prelander Berroa - Recovering from Tommy John surgery in March 2025. Losing two pitchers to Tommy John surgery—Ky Bush, a top thirty prospect, and Drew Thorpe—depletes pitching depth. Tim Elko and Prelander Berroa have gotten a cup of coffee, but they will be out to start the year, which will limit options in the lineup and out of the bullpen. Key Players SS Colson Montgomery - 3.3 bWAR SP Adrian Houser - 3.0 bWAR RP Mike Vasil - 2.9 bWAR SP Shane Smith - 2.3bWAR C Kyle Teel - 1.9 bWAR 3B Miguel Vargas - 1.9 bWAR Other players include starting pitcher Davis Martin, infielder Chase Meidroth, outfielder Andrew Benintendi, and utility player Lenyn Sosa (2B/OF). Notably, SS Colson Montgomery finished fifth in AL Rookie of the Year voting and led the team in bWAR in 2026. Starting pitchers Adrian Houser and Shane Smith will anchor the rotation, with Smith displaying front-line potential thus far in his career. Catcher Kyle Teel and third baseman Miguel Vargas are also young players aiming to build on strong 2025 campaigns and step into more prominent roles at their respective positions. With a team looking to return become more competitive, there will be opportunity for a number of young players. Young players can help speed up a rebuild and return a team to competitiveness quickly if they are called up and have success. The White Sox system boasts five prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100, led by OF Braden Montgomery, whose advanced approach and athleticism make him a potential everyday outfielder. LHP Noah Schultz, a power lefty, is expected to contribute to the major league rotation as early as 2026. LHP Hagen Smith projects as high-upside rotation depth. Both SS Billy Carlson and SS/3B Caleb Bonemer show promise but may need more seasoning in the minors before contending for roster spots. Spring Storylines (and beyond) Early in the year, attention will rest on how the team's catcher and designated hitter roles take shape. With three catchers—Teel, Edgar Quero, and Korey Lee—vying for playing time both behind the plate and at DH, and potential contributions from Murakami, Andrew Benintendi, and Lenyn Sosa in the DH role, this competition will be something worth keeping an eye on. Like many teams, the White Sox will be hoping their young players can take a step forward and provide the next core of players to build around when they return to contention. Colson Montgomery and Shane Smith will headline the position player and pitchers as young players with high upside. Munetaka Murakami signing with the White Sox was a bit of a surprise, and it will be interesting to see how he adjusts to MLB. Transitioning leagues can present challenges, and evaluation will focus on both his adjustment to Major League pitching and how opponents approach him as well. Murakami brings considerable potential, especially in the power department. With all of the additions shaping the roster for this year and into the future, here is a look at the projected lineup, rotation, and expected record for the White Sox in 2026. Projected Lineup Chase Meidroth - 2B Kyle Teel - C Colson Montgomery - SS Munetaka Murakami - 1B Miguel Vargas - 3B Austin Hays - RF Andrew Benintendi - LF Edgar Quero - DH Brooks Baldwin - CF Projected Rotation Shane Smith - RHP Davis Martin - RHP Anthony Kay - LHP Erick Fedde - RHP Sean Burke - RHP Projected Record PECOTA: 5th place, 69-93 Fangraphs: 5th place, 69-93 While the projections may temper White Sox fans' expectations, the roster features intriguing talent and some interesting storylines to keep an eye on this year. Both PECOTA and Fangraphs see improvement over last year, making it worth watching whether the team can surpass forecasts and build momentum throughout 2026 and beyond. While not projected as favorites, the White Sox are positioned to offer stronger competition in the AL Central this season than in recent seasons. Progress this year could spark renewed division rivalries and signify important steps toward contending for the division crown in the near future for the South Siders. View full article

Image courtesy of © David Richard-Imagn Images With the Twins looking to return to being competitive in the AL Central, we wanted to take a look around at the other teams in the division and what moves they made this offseason. This is a look at what to expect from the Cleveland Guardians this season. The Guardians enter 2026 as the defending AL Central champions. After off-season changes, will they repeat and claim their fourth division title in five years? The big news out of Cleveland this offseason is the extension that third baseman Jose Ramirez signed, keeping him in Cleveland through 2032, which will be his age-39 season. As the face of the franchise, Ramirez sets the pace—when he thrives, so does the club. To understand how Cleveland looks coming into 2026, let's take a look at the additions and subtractions from this offseason. Subtractions OF Lane Thomas RP Sam Hentges RP Jakob Junis SP John Means SP Triston McKenzie OF Will Brennan Additions RP Colin Holderman, 1 year, $1.5 million (controlled through 2028) RP Shawn Armstrong, 1 year, $5.5 million, mutual option for 2027 1B Rhys Hoskins, minor league deal Hoskins, on a minor league deal, is expected to add power at first base and designated hitter. He will look to get back to being an above average hitter who has 30-home run potential. Armstrong, after a strong season in 2025 with the Texas Rangers, will likely take on higher-leverage innings with the departures of key relievers from the Guardians 2025 team. Holderman is a potential bullpen project for Cleveland, a team known for reviving and getting the most out of relievers. On the subtraction side, both reliever Sam Hentges and John Means have joined other teams (the Giants and Royals, respectively) following injury issues in recent years. Jakob Junis, after a solid 2025 season, may be a notable loss from the pitching staff, after signing with the Texas Rangers. McKenzie, limited to 24 games over three seasons since his 2022 breakout, has also signed elsewhere and will look to revive his career in San Diego. The Guardians are a team that always seems to linger in the division race. While their roster may not appear very intimidating at first glance, they maintain competitiveness more often than not. One thing the AL Central has learned over the past few years is to never count the Guardians out, even when everything says to do so. Injuries Andrew Walters, recovering from lat surgery, should return in May and may join the bullpen if healthy. Ben Lively, who pitched well in 2024 and early 2025, will miss 2026 after Tommy John surgery, and will look to return in 2027. Though some may see the Guardians as a team in transition, let's take a look at the current key players as well as who may be contributing at the major league level soon in their top prospects. Key Players 3B Jose Ramirez - 5.8 bWAR SP Gavin Williams - 3.8 bWAR LF Steven Kwan - 3.7 bwAR 2B Daniel Schneemann - 1.9 bWAR C Bo Naylor - 1.5 bWAR Other notable players include Gabriel Arias (SS), Kyle Manzardo (1B/DH), and pitchers Tanner Bibee, Joey Cantillo, and Kolby Allard. Top Prospects 2B Travis Bazzana OF Chase DeLauter SS Angel Genao 1B/OF Ralphy Velazquez LHP Parker Messick Ramirez remains the cog in their lineup, with Williams, Kwan, Schneemann, and Naylor among the main contributors. Arias, Manzardo, Bibee, Cantillo, and Allard are also expected to play important roles in looking to help keep the Guardians competitive in the Central. Bazzana, ranked MLB's No. 20 prospect, nears his debut after representing Australia in the WBC. DeLauter (No. 46 prospect) may break camp with the team and could see regular left-field time. Genao (No. 66) and Messick (No. 95) may debut this year; Velazquez (No. 89) is a 2027 candidate. Key Questions for Cleveland in 2026 1. Who is playing Center Field? For the outfield, manager Stephen Vogt has indicated that all outfielders may rotate between positions. Most likely, Steven Kwan shifts from left to center field, which opens the door for young bats to gain major league experience. DeLauter presents another option in center field if they prefer to keep Kwan in left field. 2. What will the rotation look like? Gavin Williams and Tanner Bibee are expected to anchor the first two rotation spots, leaving three open for competition. The performance of those filling these roles will serve as a key indicator of the Guardians' overall success. Young pitching has been a constant for the Guardians for many years. It would not be surprising to see the next wave—Slade Cecconi, Logan Allen, Joey Cantillo, and Parker Messick—emerge as average or better major league starters. 3. Will the Guardians be able to rely on Travis Bazzana? Bazzana missed time last year due to an oblique strain, playing in just 84 games, mostly at Double-A and Triple-A. If healthy, he could quickly join the major league roster, possibly by Opening Day. He's an electric player and will look to be a key piece along with Kwan and Ramirez for the foreseeable future. Here's a look at the projected lineup, rotation, and how the Guardians project over a full season. Projected Lineup Steven Kwan - CF George Valera - RF Jose Ramirez - 3B Kyle Manzardo - 1B Rhys Hoskins - DH Chase DeLauter - LF Bo Naylor - C Gabriel Arias - SS Brayan Rocchio - 2B Projected Rotation Gavin Williams - RHP Tanner Bibee - RHP Logan Allen - LHP Slade Cecconi - RHP Joey Cantillo - LHP Projected Record PECOTA: 4th place, 76-86 Fangraphs: 4th place, 76-86 While the Guardians may be projected to finish behind all AL Central teams other than the White Sox, this is not uncommon territory for Cleveland, which has outperformed its projections in recent years. The Guardians were 10.5 games out of first place on Sept 1 this past season and played very well down the stretch, going 20-6 the rest of the way to win the AL Central. The Guardians have proven to be pesky and never out of it, so don’t be surprised if they perform better than many think they will in 2026. View full article

My mistake, I did use bWAR. but yeah, I do think Ryan is better right now, and he was better in 2025, even with less innings pitched. It's close, no doubt, but I'd rather have Ryan at this point in their careers.

I think Joe Ryan is a better pitcher right now, and going forward. He was better in 2025, and most recent results and age are what I was going off of when I made this statement. GS - both at 31 Innings Valdez had 19 more innings fWAR: Ryan leads 4.5-3.8 ERA - Ryan - 3.42 Valdez - 3.66 SO% - Ryan - 28.2 Valdez - 23.3 FIP - Valdez was slightly better - 3.37-3.74 Also - 2022-2025 - Valdez was worth 14.9 fWAR and Ryan 10.7. It appears the numbers you used for Valdez are his entire career, and not 2022 on like you stated.

McGonigle played 88 games in 2025. Walker Jenkins played in 84. Valdez is a very good pitcher, no doubt. I didn't refer to him as an ace because he tied for 24th in bWAR with Noah Cameron, Kevin Gausman, and Gavin Williams, and I wouldn't consider any of those three an ace right now. He's finished in the top 20 in pitching WAR just once, so calling him an ace felt like a big of a stretch. I do agree that he will be very good, but I do think, as long as he's healthy, Joe Ryan is a better pitcher.

Image courtesy of © Junfu Han / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images With the Twins looking to return to being competitive in the AL Central, we wanted to take a look around at the other teams in the division and what moves they made this offseason. This is a look at what to expect from the 2026 Detroit Tigers. The Tigers finished second in the AL Central and secured a Wild Card spot, defeating the Guardians 2-1 in their opening playoff series before being eliminated by the Mariners in a five-game Division Series. This offseason brought about a series of significant moves for Detroit, as they attempt to attain October for the third straight season. Notable Subtractions Chris Paddack (starting pitcher) Tommy Kahnle (relief pitcher) Alex Cobb (starting pitcher) Alex Lange (relief pitcher) Andy Ibáñez (lefty masher) Justyn-Henry Malloy (third baseman/outfielder) Notable Additions Framber Valdez (starting pitcher) Justin Verlander (starting pitcher) Kenley Jansen (relief pitcher) Drew Anderson (swingman) Looking at these transactions, it appears the additions outweigh the subtractions for the Tigers. Specifically, Framber Valdez, a playoff-caliber starter, signed a lucrative three-year deal to slot in behind two-time Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal. Meanwhile, Tigers legend Justin Verlander returns on a one-year deal, bringing valuable experience to fortify the rotation. Verlander will strengthen a rotation dealing with injuries, though given his age and recent track record, he could be among the injured at times. Drew Anderson is also joining as a depth rotation option, while Kenley Jansen is set to fill the primary closer and high-leverage bullpen role. Three key players who had at least a chance of going elsewhere have also returned. Starter Jack Flaherty exercised his player option for 2026; second baseman Gleyber Torres accepted the qualifying offer of $22.025 million; and trade deadline acquisition Kyle Finnegan hit free agency but ultimately re-signed for two years. Injuries Jackson Jobe - returning from Tommy John surgery Troy Melton - slowed by elbow inflammation in spring training; will start on 60-day IL Reese Olson - out for the year Key Players C Dillon Dingler - 3.1 bWAR in 2025 1B Spencer Torkelson - 2.3 bWAR in 2025 2B Gleyber Torres - 2.9 bWAR in 2025 3B Zach McKinstry - 2.8 bWAR in 2025 LHP Tarik Skubal - 6.5 bWAR in 2025 Skubal, embarking on a defense of two straight Cy Young Awards and trying to position himself for a historic free-agent payday, is the most obvious center of gravity for the team, but last year, the club thrived because of its balance. They ranked 11th in runs, 10th in home runs, 12th in OPS, and 16th in batting average last season. Their 61 steals, however, were last in MLB. Top Prospects: Kevin McGonigle - SS Max Clark - OF Josue Briceno - C/1B Bryce Rainer - SS Thayron Liranzo - C/1B Observers are especially optimistic about Kevin McGonigle, a likely early-season call-up—if he's not on the Opening Day roster. Max Clark, taken just before Walker Jenkins in the 2023 MLB Draft, will be compared to Jenkins as their careers unfold in the AL Central. Spring Storylines (and beyond): Verlander's triumphant return and Skubal's potentially imminent exit loom large, but the team is trying to establish a winning identity that will stretch beyond this year and those two players. At 25, Riley Greene is expected to continue progressing toward stardom. Emerging talents like Colt Keith, McGonigle, and Clark could shape the Tigers’ future core. When and how well Jobe returns from Tommy John surgery will be a major storyline, too. Beyond Jansen, Finnegan and Vest line up for late innings. However, the work of the pen will be spread very evenly. A.J. Hinch has earned considerable praise for his nimble usage of an often motley relief crew. What he dubbed 'pitching chaos' during the 2024 playoffs has been an effective tack for keeping order over the last year and a half, leading to two straight overachieving seasons. The Tigers are expected to remain competitive in the AL Central in 2026. Projected Lineup Parker Meadows - CF Gleyber Torres - 2B Riley Greene - LF Spencer Torkelson - 1B Kerry Carpenter - DH Dillon Dingler - C Colt Keith - 3B Matt Vierling/Wenceel Pérez - RF Zach McKinstry - SS Note: Javier Báez is an option off the bench with this lineup—and could sometimes be the starting shortstop, with McKinstry shifting to third base, like he played last year. Projected Rotation Tarik Skubal - LHP Framber Valdez - LHP Justin Verlander - RHP Jack Flaherty - RHP Casey Mize - RHP Projected Record PECOTA: 2nd place, 83-79 Fangraphs: 1st place, 85-77 If everyone stays healthy, the Tigers are the favorite to win the Central this year. They seem to have improved overall in the offseason, and are looking for the young core group to take a step forward and see if they can get past the Division Series. View full article

Image courtesy of William Parmeter Dasan Hill Bats: R / Throws: L Age: 20 Stats in 2025: (Low-A, High-A) 62 IP 83 SO 3.19 ERA 1.35 WHIP Rule 5 Eligible: After 2028 Season ETA: 2028 2025 Ranking: 7 National Rankings: Just outside the Top 100 in several. What’s to Like "Intriguing" is the first word that comes to mind when I see Hill’s name and profile. Being 6-5 and lanky, left-handed, and hitting 97 mph with his fastball is just the start. Wait, what? Let's try that again. Dasan Hill is a 20-year-old left-hander who stands 6-5, has room to gain strength yet, and has already reached triple digits with his fastball. He also throws a curveball, change-up, and slider, all of which grade out as above average. Having four above-average pitches is a great profile as a starting pitcher prospect. Drafted in Competitive Balance Round B in the 2024 draft, Hill was signed for an over-slot deal of $2 million out of Grapevine High School in Texas, Hill was the only pitcher taken in the Twins' first eight picks of the 2024 draft. In 2025, he pitched with both Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids. Across 19 starts and 62 innings, he had 83 strikeouts with a 3.19 ERA and 1.35 WHIP. At 20 years old, Hill is listed at 165 pounds, so one would think he could still fill out his frame some, which could help him as he continues to develop. Despite the lack of innings, Hill was named by Twins Daily as the Twins Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year in 2025. What’s Left to Work On Like many young pitchers, Hill will need to reign in his command, as he had a 5.8 BB/9 rate this past season. Given his pitch mix, he projects to improve on those numbers, but it is something to keep an eye on and will be a part of taking a step forward. Another thing will be to stay healthy and continue working toward a starter’s workload, so pitching over 100 innings this year, would be a great accomplishment in doing this. What’s Next: Hill will be pitching his second professional season in 2026, so getting more innings and facing more hitters will be key in the next step of his development. He will likely start the year with High-A Cedar Rapids and pitch most of the year there, and as long as things go as planned, he may get his first taste of Double-A toward the end of the season, much like he did this past season, getting three starts at High-A after spending most of the year with Low-A Fort Myers. With plenty of upside, keep an eye on Hill and how he continues to grow and round out his approach in his second full season in the Twins organization. For more Twins Daily content on Dasan Hill, click here. View full article

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (photo of Dasan Hill) Depth is something every organization tries to create, and it goes well beyond what we see at Target Field or in St. Paul. I'm researching the Twins' depth beyond the 40-man roster, and have already taken a look at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield. Pitching prospects might be harder to predict than position players because of the variability in how pitchers develop, as well as whether pitchers can stick as starters or if and when they transition to a bullpen role. When Derek Falvey was hired, the idea of creating a pitching pipeline was widely discussed. Was he and the front office able to do this since taking over in 2017? Let’s do a deeper dive into looking at the pitching prospects the Twins have beyond the members of the 40-man roster. Here is the list of starting pitchers not on the 40-man roster the Twins have in their farm system. I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season. Ty Langenberg Acquired: 11th round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A If you pay attention to Twins draft picks over the years, you’ll notice a trend of mid-to-late round picks the Twins have made over the past handful of years as players who were college pitchers. Langenberg was drafted in 2023 out of the University of Iowa, where he pitched for three years, with the final two coming as a regular starter. In his final year with the Hawkeyes, he threw 78 innings, recording 86 strikeouts and a 4.15 ERA. Since being drafted, he has pitched in the low minors, pitching the entire 2025 season with High-A Cedar Rapids. He’s thrown over 100 innings the past two years, so he has been used primarily as a starting pitcher. His K/9 rate dropped slightly in his jump up to High-A, and his walk rate came up a bit. His final line last year of a 4.87 ERA might not look like great results, but he did pitch to a much better 3.55 FIP, which suggests an improvement in results could be coming this year. He’ll be playing his age-24 season in 2026, and is likely still a few years away from making a true impact. He is someone to keep an eye on to see if he can turn from a mid-round selection to a successful major leaguer down the road. Charlee Soto Acquired: 1st round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Soto was drafted in 2023 with a Competitive Balance selection, 34th overall. Being drafted out of high school, the Twins have been bringing him along slowly, as is common for young pitchers. In his first season of professional ball in 2024, he showed flashes of why he was a first-round selection, posting a 10.6 K/9 rate over 74 innings pitched. His 3.88 FIP was much better than his 5.23 ERA would tell you. In 2025, he underwent surgery to remove a partially detached bone spur in his elbow after throwing just 13 innings over three starts with High-A Cedar Rapids. He has great results in those few innings, but he will be looking to bounce back with a clean bill of health for the 2026 season. At 20 years old, and coming back from the elbow injury, Soto will likely continue to be brought along slowly. He has immense upside, hit triple-digits, and is someone many Twins fans will keep an eye on if he develops into a frontline starter, as many think he can. Dasan Hill Acquired: 2nd round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Drafted in the 2nd round in 2024, Hill has made a name for himself in the short time he has been a professional. He did not pitch in the year he was drafted, but in his first professional season, he threw 62 innings across Single-A and High-A, recording 83 strikeouts, a 3.19 ERA, and a 3.35 FIP. At 6-5 and 165 pounds, the left-hander regularly throws his fastball in the mid-90s, topping out at 97 mph. He provides a different look, and his sweeper, which he throws in the low 80s, is graded as his best pitch. He will continue to develop and, much like Soto, will be brought along slowly as the Twins want him to get more professional innings and work on things like repeating his delivery and execution of his other pitches. Adrian Bohorquez Acquired: International Free Agent, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Bohorquez was signed as an international free agent in 2023 at 18 years old out of Venezuela. While most international signees are 16 or 17 years old, Bohorquez was more under the radar and has settled in nicely among Twins prospects. Soon to be 21 years old, Bohorquez has shown the ability to strike out hitters with all four of his pitches, recording a 27.2 percent strikeout rate in 2025. He throws a slider between 88-90 mph and a low 80s curve with a fastball that has been up to 98 mph as a starter. Like many young pitchers, command and control have been inconsistent, so that will be something to focus on this year, along with continued work. He was ranked #23 on MLB Pipeline's Twins prospects this past year, so if he continues his upward trajectory, expect to hear more about him as he gets closer to Target Field. Cole Peschl Acquired: 15th round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Drafted out of Campbell University, Peschl pitched his first two collegiate seasons at Division II University of Charleston. In his first professional season this past year, he pitched at both Low-A and High-A, totaling 68 2/3 innings. His strikeout numbers dropped when he moved up a level, which is not uncommon for pitchers. He’ll be pitching in his age-23 season this year, where he will likely get an extended look at High-A Cedar Rapids. He will look to continue improving on his numbers from this past year, when he posted a 2.49 ERA and 3.08 FIP, along with 8.8 K/9 across the two levels. Miguelangel Boadas Acquired: International Free Agent, 2019 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Signed as a 16-year-old in 2019, Boadas has been brought along slowly, as he has thrown no more than 36 innings in any given year. Unfortunately, he was unable to pitch in 2025 after undergoing elbow surgery in 2024. He made one appearance in the Arizona Fall League, where he threw one inning and his fastball averaged 95 mph. He will continue to work on his secondary offerings, but at just 23 years old, he has time to become more consistent with them. Coming off the injury, he will be eased back in but will hopefully have a healthy year and look to continue developing to become an option either as a starter or possibly as a reliever. Spencer Bengard Acquired: 15th round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Drafted out of California Baptist University, where he pitched for three years, Bengard pitched the majority of this past year with High-A Cedar Rapids, where he recorded 9.97 K/9 over 52 1/3 innings with a walk rate of 3.1 BB/9. He mostly pitched out of the bullpen, starting only two of his 18 appearances. The 23-year-old dealt with an elbow injury that kept him out until mid-August this past season. He will look to continue to build up, as he threw an average of three innings per outing this past year. Bengard has been better against right-handed batters, which is not uncommon for lower minor league prospects. The key will be to continue his development and improve on his secondary offerings. Garrett Horn Acquired: Trade, Texas Rangers, July 2025 Highest Level in 2025: High-A You may recognize Horn’s name as the player the Twins received in return for Danny Coulombe at this past year’s trade deadline. Horn is a former sixth-round pick out of Liberty University back in 2024. He got his first taste of professional ball in 2025. He made three appearances in the Complex League and then moved up to Low-A before the trade. When he joined the Twins, he pitched for High-A Cedar Rapids. A lefty, Horn compiled an impressive 12.0 K/9 rate across the three levels. His walk rate came up a bit at High-A, but hopefully that was more of him making an adjustment than a larger issue of losing the strike zone. More likely, it was just a very small sample size. His peripheral numbers were solid as well, with a 37.4% ground ball rate and a 3.21 FIP. He will likely continue to be used as a starter in 2026 and keep an eye on whether he can maintain the strikeout rates he has shown since his college days. Michael Carpenter Acquired: 11th round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A An 11th-round pick in 2024, Carpenter made his professional debut in 2025 with Fort Myers. The Menomonee Falls (Wisconsin) native, Carpenter is a left-hander who was drafted out of Madison College. He appeared in 18 games, with 17 starts, and threw 53 2/3 innings with 58 strikeouts. Like many young pitchers, he had his ups and downs but showed promise, becoming another potential mid-round pick who turns into a contributor. Tanner Hall Acquired: 4th round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Drafted out of Southern Mississippi in the fourth round, Hall was another from a list of prospects from USM that have joined the Twins, including Brian Dozier and Matt Wallner. While at Southern Miss, he threw 250 innings over three years, striking out 302 batters and finishing with a 2.92 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP. Since transitioning to the Twins organization, he has less favorable results, pitching to a 5.53 ERA this past season at High-A. He’ll be playing his age-24 season in 2026, so this will be a big year to see if he can tap back into what made him successful in his pro debut, where he had an 11.4 K/9 at Fort Myers in 2024. Consistency will be key and keep an eye on whether he can take a step forward this year, as it will be his third year in the Twins organization. Michael Ross Acquired: 18th round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: High-A A right-handed pitcher, Ross was drafted out of Samford University (Alabama). He pitched three years at Samford, where he was not really a strikeout pitcher, recording 158 strikeouts over 180 1/3 innings. The Twins were likely focused on his ability to generate soft contact on the mound. Still just 23, Ross had solid results in his first professional season in 2025, pitching to a 3.18 ERA and 4.17 FIP. He had one start where he retired the first 15 batters he faced. He showed some flashes of being able to get guys out. He is a late-round pick who could continue to take steps forward and force his way into the long-term plans of Jeremy Zoll, Derek Shelton, and company. Here is a list of additional starting pitching prospects, along with when they were acquired, who have not pitched above the Complex League but will likely get a chance at Single-A or further looks in the Complex League. You’ll likely start to see more information on each of these players, as they will get more exposure this coming season. Riley Quick - 2025 1st round James Ellwanger - 2025 3rd round Jason Reitz - 2025 4th round Matthew Barr - 2025 5th round Jace Kaminska - Acquired for Edouard Julien/Pierson Ohl Dylan Questad - 2023 5th round Eli Jones - 2024 7th round Jason Doktorczyk - 2024 9th round Justin Mitrovich - 2025 9th round Christian Becerra - 2024 12th round Joel Garcia - International Free Agent 2022 Cesar Lares - International Free Agent 2022 Jack Daugherty - 9th round, 2023 Santiago Castellanos - International Free Agent, 2025 Yoel Roque - International Free Agent, 2024 Omar Montano - International Free Agent, 2024 Geremy Villoria - Trade, Philadelphia Phillies, July 2025 View full article

Image courtesy of © Angelina Alcantar/News Sentinel / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images The Twins work hard to forge organizational depth, and it goes well beyond what we see at Target Field or in St. Paul. I'm researching the Twins' depth beyond the 40-man roster, and have already taken a look at catcher, first base, second base, third base, shortstop, and outfield. Pitching prospects might be harder to predict than position players because of the variability in how pitchers develop, as well as whether pitchers can stick as starters or if and when they transition to a bullpen role. When Derek Falvey was hired, the idea of creating a pitching pipeline was widely discussed. Was he able to do this, between taking over in 2017 and leaving the team last month? Let’s do a deeper dive into the pitching prospects the Twins have, beyond the members of the 40-man roster. Here is the list of starting pitchers not on the 40-man roster the Twins have in their farm system. I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level at which they played last season. Trent Baker Acquired: Triple-A Rule 5 Draft, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A Baker was drafted in the 9th round in 2021 out of Angelo State, by the St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched in the Cardinals organization through 2024, reaching Double-A. After that season, Baker was selected by the Twins in the Triple-A portion of the Rule 5 Draft. In 2025, he pitched at Double-A Wichita and earned a call-up to Triple-A St. Paul. He pitched both as a starter and as a reliever, making the majority of his appearances at Triple-A as a reliever. Between the two levels, the 27-year-old pitched in 35 games, starting 15 of them and accumulating 95 2/3 innings. His strikeout rate was decent, at 24.0%, and he put up an ERA of 3.86 and an FIP of 4.16. Baker is a non-roster invitee to big-league camp this year, so keep an eye on whether he gets big-league hitters out. As any team will tell you, you can never have enough pitching depth. Christian MacLeod Acquired: 5th round, 2021 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A MacLeod is one of many college pitchers taken by the Falvey-led front office in the middle rounds of drafts. The left-handed pitcher pitched at Mississippi State for two seasons, where he started all 23 of his appearances. He put up solid numbers there, in the country's most competitive collegiate baseball conference. Since being drafted, MacLeod has pitched at every minor-league level, reaching Triple-A St. Paul last year. He's shown the ability to keep the ball in the park throughout his minor-league career, which is always a good sign. While he started most of his games early in his career, he had more relief appearances at Triple-A in 2025 and did not perform well. A repeat of the level will be good, to see if he can continue to make adjustments. MacLeod will be playing his age-26 season in 2026, and we'll see if he continues to rely on his slider, which he threw 48.3 percent of the time. His fastball is below average, averaging 90.6 mph over his minor-league career. Time will tell if he can develop into the stereotype of a crafty lefty who can be a weapon, either in the rotation or out of the bullpen. He's a non-roster invitee, too. Cory Lewis Acquired: 9th round, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A If you pay attention to prospects, you've probaby seen clips of Cory Lewis, heavily featuring his knuckleball. The 25-year-old signed out of UC-Santa Barbara, where he was the school's top starter. Unfortunately, he was shut down as spring training began, and will miss significant time with a subscapularis strain. Last season, he pitched at Triple-A after getting a sneak peek at the level at the very end of the 2024 season. Unfortunately, the larger dose of that level did not go down as smoothly as he had hoped. His walk rate skyrocketed, and his homer rate jumped up quite a bit. Previously, he had much better numbers, so the hope was that he could find what made him successful at other levels and get back to that for 2026. With the injury, the non-roster invitee will likely not get as many chances as he had hoped. As long as the shoulder injury doesn’t keep him out too long, the plan for 2026 will be to continue to make adjustments and start anew, after a disappointing 2025 season. The clock is ticking on him, though. Matt Canterino Acquired: 2nd round, 2019 Highest Level in 2025: Did not pitch, shoulder injury Canterino was an extremely intriguing prospect out of Rice University back in 2019, but unfortunately, his professional career has been marred by injury after injury. The 28-year-old is no longer a top prospect, but if (and this is a big if) he can stay healthy, he has the makeup to make some noise out of the bullpen. Because of his injury history, he will no longer be used as a starting pitcher. He’s still recovering from shoulder surgery in 2025, and probably won't pitch this year. He hasn’t pitched in a game since 2022, when he pitched mostly at Double-A. There, he showed flashes of greatness, with a 34.8% strikeout rate and a 1.95 ERA. While his days of starting are over, he could yet turn into a weapon out of the bullpen. The big question will be whether he can stay healthy enough to do so. C.J. Culpepper Acquired: 13th round, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Another pitcher drafted in the later rounds, Culpepper came out of California Baptist University in 2022, where he pitched for three years. He pitched mostly in relief until his final year of college, when he made 14 starts out of 16 appearances, throwing to a 3.26 ERA over 69 innings. He's pitched almost exclusively as a starting pitcher in his minor-league career, making 53 starts in his first four years. The 24-year-old has steadily climbed the rungs of the professional ladder, pitching with Double-A Wichita last season. He had very promising results over 59 1/3 innings (17 starts), with a 2.43 ERA. While his FIP was not quite as great, it was still a solid 4.27. The one thing to watch was that his strikeout rate dropped quite a bit once he hit Double-A, from 26.8% in 2024 to 21.2% in 2025. As many young pitchers do, he will continue to refine and develop his pitches. His fastball averages about 94 mph, but has reached 98. His other pitches include a plus slider, a curveball, a cutter, and a changeup. He’s an intriguing pitcher to keep an eye on, as he might still have another level to unlock with some adjustments this season. Jose Olivares Acquired: International Free Agency, 2021 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Signed out of Venezuela for $100,000 in 2021, Olivares has pitched well early in his professional career. The 23-year-old pitched at High-A in 2025, where he had a solid strikeout rate but issued way too many walks—hardly an unexpected wrinkle to need smoothing, for a young arm. He's shown the potential for three or four above-average pitches. His fastball has reached 97 mph, with a gyro slider that has also shown the ability to miss bats. He also throws a curveball and a changeup, so he has a nice repertoire in the making. With the right adjustments, Olivares could move up the ladder relatively quickly, and we could see him at Target Field within the next couple of years. He’ll likely get his first chance at the high minors this year, so keep an eye on him as he continues to develop in his age-23 season. Ryan Gallagher Acquired: Trade, Chicago Cubs, July 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A One of two prospects the Twins received from the Chicago Cubs in return for Willi Castro at the trade deadline, Gallagher is a former 6th-round pick who split his 2025 campaign between High-A and Double-A. He threw over 100 innings for the first time in his professional career, totaling 121 2/3, and posted a 3.84 FIP, which was better than his 4.07 ERA. He’s shown the ability to miss bats at Double-A, with a 26.1% strikeout rate last year. He doesn’t walk many hitters, either. He has three above-average pitches and a fourth that grades out as fair. His fastball is solid, working in the low 90s and topping out at 95, with a high-70s changeup that misses some bats. He also throws a slider and a curveball to complete his mix of pitches. He doesn’t have the upside of a front-line starter. However, he's a safe bet as a back-end guy, and could make an impact on the Twins' rotation in short order. Darren Bowen Acquired: Trade, Seattle Mariners, January 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Bowen was acquired as part of the Jorge Polanco deal in January 2024, wherein the Twins also acquired Justin Topa. Seen at the time as more of a lottery ticket than a headliner, Bowen pitched last season with Double-A Wichita, where he struggled to a 5.14 ERA over 84 innings. He struggled with the long ball, allowing 17 home runs. Now 25 years old, Bowen will have to show he can get hitters out in the upper minors to be considered an option in the rotation, or (maybe more realistically) out of the bullpen. He did have 11 relief appearances in 2025, so a transition to the pen may allow his stuff to play up. This will be a key year for his development. Alejandro Hidalgo Acquired: Trade, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, November 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Hidalgo was acquired from the Angels in return for Gio Urshela, whom the Twins recently signed to a minor-league deal. Hidalgo signed with the Angels for $30,000, so he was not a highly touted prospect at the time of signing. He pitched at High-A and Double-A last year, where he struggled mightily but posted solid peripherals, including a 25.6% strikeout rate and an xFIP of 3.94. While he hasn’t had great results, the soon-to-be 23-year-old will continue to develop, make adjustments, and see if he can get his actual results closer to his expected ones. Still being used as a starter, it’s possible he moves to the bullpen down the road. I would expect the Twins to continue to develop him as a starter this year, but he'll have to show rapid improvements in outcomes. Sam Armstrong Acquired: Trade, Chicago Cubs, July 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Acquired along with Gallagher in the swap for Castro, Armstrong is a former mid-round pick who has steadily climbed the minor-league ladder, pitching at Double-A for the entire 2025 season. At 25 years old, this will be a key year in his development, but he had promising results last year, over 130 innings. He finished with a 4.15 FIP and a 3.98 xFIP, which was better than his 4.71 ERA. He’s more of a pitch-to-contact pitcher than many of the other names listed here. While he doesn’t have as high a ceiling as others on this list, he could still prove to be a quality option down the road, and he has stayed healthy, throwing over 100 innings each of the past two seasons. Ricky Castro Acquired: Free Agent, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Signed in 2024 out of independent ball, Castro first pitched three years at Purdue and one at Tulane during his collegiate career. It's not hard to see why he wasn't drafted out of college; he pitched to a 6.22 ERA with 143 strikeouts over 147 2/3 innings at those schools. After the Twins signed him, he pitched at Single-A, High-A, and in Double-A for the entire 2025 season. Early in his minor-league career, he had a high strikeout rate, topping out at 27.0% in 2024. In 2025, it came down a bit, as it often does with a move up in levels; his results didn’t match his peripherals. He finished the year with a 5.48 ERA, but his FIP and xFIP were 4.45 and 4.13, respectively. An intriguing arm, Castro still has adjustments to make, but he is intriguing enough to keep an eye on, to see if he can continue to develop into an option down the road. He was used both as a starter and as a reliever last year, so a move to the bullpen might be in the cards for the 26-year-old. With the list of pitchers being quite long, we decided to break this up into two parts. We’ll take a look at the pitchers who were in the lower minors this past season in the next article. Which of these pitching prospects are you most excited or intrigued by? View full article

For one game, in 2011.

Image courtesy of Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (image of Walker Jenkins) Depth is something every organization tries to create, and it goes well beyond what we see at Target Field or in St. Paul. I'm researching the Twins' depth beyond the 40-man roster, and have already taken a look at catcher, first base, second base, third base, and shortstop. Outfield prospects are interesting because sometimes they have been outfielders since Little League. Other times, these prospects played other positions and shifted to the outfield for a variety of reasons. Former Twins players that fit the latter description include Michael Cuddyer, Nick Gordon, and, more recently, Austin Martin. Remember that time Joe Mauer was tried in right field? Anyways… Here is a list of outfield prospects not on the Twins' 40-man roster. I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season. Walker Jenkins Acquired: 1st round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A The result of the first draft lottery was the Twins jumping from pick 13 to pick 5 in a draft where five players had a chance to be the number one pick. Jenkins was selected out of South Brunswick High School in North Carolina and has been a constant on top prospect lists since being drafted. The soon-to-be 21-year-old has slowly climbed the minor leagues and shown why he was the fifth overall pick. The only hindrance to his development has been injuries, which he has dealt with off and on throughout his professional career. He played in 82 and 84 games the past two years, respectively. He played the majority of this past year with Double-A Wichita but was called up to Triple-A for the final month or so of the season. A left-handed hitting outfielder, Jenkins has adjusted well at each level he has played at and shows the possibility to stick in center field. At worst, the 6’3” outfielder will move to a corner where his athleticism should make him above average. As long as things go as planned, Jenkins should make his major league debut later this year, or at the latest, early in the 2027 season. Kala’i Rosario Acquired: 5th round, 2020 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A The Twins' final selection in the shortened 2020 draft, Rosario, struggled early in his professional career but has since made adjustments. struggles. The Hawaii native is a corner outfielder with a good enough bat to potentially be a designated hitter option as well. A potential Statcast darling, Rosario has shown the ability to hit the ball very hard. With hitting the ball hard, there is some swing and miss to his offensive profile as well. Rosario will be playing his age-24 season in 2026 and played this past year at Double-A, where he hit .256/.358/.487, good for an above-average OPS. He also tapped into more power, hitting 25 home runs, along with 30 doubles. To become more than a platoon bat, he will need to hit both righties and lefties. This past year, he hit for a .954 OPS against lefties and a .794 OPS against righties. You’ll likely see him in St. Paul at some point this year, so if you live near the Twin Cities, go see him in person. Kyler Fedko Acquired: 12th round, 2021 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A Fedko was drafted in 2021 out of the University of Connecticut, where he hit .330/.407/.552 over three seasons with the Huskies. In his final season, he showed more power, hitting 12 home runs over 52 games played. He has continued to grow into his power, most recently hitting 28 home runs between Double-A and Triple-A in 2025. He improved from his 2024 numbers, where he had a .645 OPS in his first season with Double-A Wichita. He’ll be playing his age-26 season this coming year, so this will be an important year to see if he can build off his solid 2025 season and force himself into the Twins' long-term plans. He was not protected in the Rule 5 draft and was not selected, so he will provide some depth, specifically as a right-handed hitting outfielder who has shown some power with the possibility of playing center field in a pinch. He has also played a handful of games at first base, so he might get more experience there, depending on where the Twins front office sees his best fit. If this is the case, he will need to continue improving at the plate, since the expectations on offense at first base are higher than at other positions. Garrett Spain Acquired: Triple-A Rule 5 Draft, December 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Drafted in the minor league portion of the Rule-5 draft out of the Milwaukee Brewers organization, Spain will likely spend most of the year in St. Paul at Triple-A. He was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 2021 out of Austin Peay in the 15th round, where he had a .926 OPS over three seasons. During his professional career, the now 25-year-old has climbed the minor league ladder, playing the majority of the year at Double-A with the Brewers and playing 11 games with Milwaukee’s Triple-A affiliate in 2025. Listed at 5’9” and 178 lbs, the left-handed hitting outfielder will get a fresh start in the Twins organization and see if he can adjust his approach to the upper minors to see more consistent success. The upper minors have been a struggle for him over the past two years, during which he has posted an OPS of .550 and .644, respectively, across those seasons. He did hit for a bit more power in 2025, hitting 16 home runs. He has played a handful of games in center field, but has played the majority of his games in right field specifically, so that would be where he will likely play going forward as well. Maddux Houghton Acquired: Non-Drafted Free Agent, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A The Twins signed him as an undrafted free agent in 2023, after he played four seasons with Lipscomb University, where he hit 16 home runs, stole 63 bases, and hit for a .785 OPS over 225 games played. He has had similar production since joining the Twins organization, with 68 stolen bases over 285 games played with an OPS of .730 since being signed. He’s played mostly center field professionally, but has the ability to play in the corners as well. This past season, the soon-to-be 27-year-old moved up the minor league ladder quickly, playing at four different levels in 2025. Across the four levels, he started to hit a bit more, hitting for a .812 OPS with 12 home runs and 26 stolen bases. While not a heralded prospect, Houghton’s ability to steal bases is an intriguing tool, and if he continues to develop at the plate, he could serve as a serviceable fourth outfielder for the Twins in the future. Kyle Hess Acquired: Free Agent, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Another free agent signing, Hess signed out of independent ball in 2024 and got his first taste of the upper minors in 2025, playing in six games with Double-A Wichita. He will be 27 later this year, so to not serve as organizational depth, he will need to show he can handle upper-minor pitching this year. He has played all three outfield positions, but mostly played in the corners this past season. He hits left-handed, so he is on the strong side of a platoon and has mostly faced righties since signing with the Twins. Against righties, he hit for a .716 OPS this past season. Brandon Winokur Acquired: 3rd round, 2023 Highest Level in 2025: High-A I could have included Winokur at multiple positions, including shortstop and third base, but many think he will transition from the infield dirt to the outfield long term. Since being drafted, the 21-year-old has shown power across the board and the athleticism to play multiple positions, which is really valuable for any team. He cut down on his strikeouts this past year at High-A Cedar Rapids, but also had a down year offensively. He’s still young, so there's plenty of development to come. He did play in the Arizona Fall League this past year and did struggle offensively, but the experience can be invaluable going forward. Winokur is a prospect on the rise and someone we will likely see in a few years, so 2026 will prove to be a key year in his development. He’ll likely start the year with Cedar Rapids, but we could see him move up to Double-A Wichita if his development goes as planned. Caden Kendle Acquired: 5th round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Kendle was drafted out of UC Irvine, where he was very solid, hitting .342/.447/.536 over four seasons. In his final college season, he posted a 1.069 OPS. While he hasn’t hit quite to that level in pro ball, he has still held his own, hitting for a .712 OPS between Single-A and High-A in his first two years. He showed a little more power in his first full season in 2025, hitting eight home runs, along with 16 stolen bases. He will turn 24 during Spring Training, so this year will be an interesting one to watch to see if he can continue developing both offensively and defensively, where he has played mostly in center field and right field. Eduardo Beltre Acquired: International Free Agent, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Beltre was ranked the 40th prospect in the 2024 international class and got his first taste of playing in the United States in 2025, appearing in both the Complex League and Single-A Fort Myers. He has shown the ability to play center field, but might move to a corner outfield spot depending on the team's long-term needs. The 18-year-old has shown above-average tools across the board, which makes him that much more exciting to watch and dream about what he could be long term. Beltre is still very young and a few years away from making an impact at Target Field. He will be someone to keep an eye on, as he has a world of potential. Byron Chourio Acquired: Trade, Miami Marlins, January 2023 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A The somewhat forgotten part of the return, along with Pablo Lopez when the Twins shipped Luis Arraez to Miami, Chourio was seen as a bit of a lottery prospect at the time of the deal. The switch-hitter will play his age-21 season in 2026 and has shown athleticism and the ability to play center field, though he has also played in the corners. To force himself into more discussions on future lineups, he will need to hit a bit more, as he hit for a slash of .193/.336/.238 this past season. Still early in his development, this coming season will be key to seeing if he can make adjustments and live up to the potential the Twins hoped for him when they acquired him. Yasser Mercedes Acquired: International Free Agency, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2022 for $1.7 million, Mercedes played this past season mostly at Single-A Fort Myers, where he struggled to a .186/.296/.307 slash line. He also struck out in just over 25% of his plate appearances at Single-A, but did walk at a 13.1% rate as well. Even with a lower on-base percentage than he or the Twins hoped, he showed the ability to steal 36 bases over 99 games, so that’s something to be excited about. He will play his age-21 season in 2026. Mercedes will see if he can get back to the type of results he had in his first professional season, where he hit .355/.420/.555 and stole 30 bases in 41 games. While a step up in competition typically slows a player down, Mercedes is still young enough to make an impact, and his base-stealing ability is a really fun tool that will help him as he gains more professional experience. Jacob McCombs Acquired: 7th round, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Drafted this past year, McCombs played two seasons between San Diego State and UC Irvine, where he was a very good hitter, hitting for an OPS over 1.000 in both seasons. A left-handed hitter, he got his first taste of professional ball over eight games and will play his first full season this coming year. His contact ability at the plate will be his calling card, as he has limited power. Like any young player, there will be tweaks and a learning curve, but there is enough there to be intriguing and to keep an eye on to see how he develops long-term. There is also a list of players who have played in the Dominican Summer League or at the highest level in the Florida Complex League. I wanted to mention them because they are part of the organization and are all still young, early in their professional careers. These players include: Jhomnardo Reyes Ariel Castro Ricardo Perez Merphy Hernandez Luis Fragoza Carlos Taveras Joyner Perez Yovanny Duran Teilon Serrano Which of these outfield prospects are you most excited about? Let’s discuss in the comments. View full article

Image courtesy of © Kevin Jairaj-Imagn Images Depth is something every organization tries to create, and it goes well beyond what we see at Target Field or in St. Paul. I'm researching the Twins' depth beyond the 40-man roster, and have already taken a look at catcher, first base, second base, and third base. Many prospects are drafted or signed as shortstops, but most move to other positions. Being able to field the position at a high level is key to a prospect's journey to sticking as a shortstop at the major league level. Here is a list of shortstop prospects not on the Twins' 40-man roster. I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season. Orlando Arcia Acquired: Free Agent, 2026 Highest Level in 2025: MLB You may recognize the last name, as Orlando is the younger brother of former Twin Oswaldo Arcia. He is, however, a very different player. Arcia will be playing his age-31 season in 2026 and has had his ups and downs since his call-up by the Brewers in 2016. He was an all-star in 2023 with the Braves and had his best overall year in 2017, accruing 2.2 bWAR in his first full season with Milwaukee. He is a glove-first shortstop and was signed to a minor league contract this offseason. He will be a non-roster invitee to spring training and will be competing with the likes of Ryan Kreidler and Tristan Gray for a utility infield spot. There is no question that Arcia can handle multiple defensive positions; the big question will be whether he can show enough offensively to be a solid option off the bench for Derek Shelton and Co. Ben Ross Acquired: 5th round, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A A fifth-round pick in 2022 out of Notre Dame College (not University), Ross hit for a slash line of .405/.471/.758 over three college seasons. While he didn’t take many walks in college, the soon-to-be 25-year-old has walked at an above-average rate as a professional. In 2025, he walked in 11.2% of his at-bats and struck out in 22.7% of his at-bats, which are not bad numbers on their own. The big question is whether he can adjust to the upper minors, as he has posted OPSs of .626 and .671 in 2024 and 2025 with Wichita. In the field, he has mostly played shortstop but has also been tried in the outfield, most specifically center field, and he has held his own out there as well. He’s athletic enough to handle most positions, but the big question will be if he can hit enough to carve out a role for the Twins going forward. Kaelen Culpepper Acquired: 1st round, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Double-A Culpepper cemented himself as a first-round pick during the 2021 college baseball season for Kansas State, where he hit .328/.419/.574 with 11 home runs and 17 stolen bases. After being selected, he made his professional debut and worked his way up to High-A Cedar Rapids. He started the 2025 season with Cedar Rapids but was then called up to Double-A, where he finished the year. Between the two levels, he hit for an .844 OPS and a 138 wRC+, and has shown the potential of sticking at shortstop defensively long term. He could also move to third base, depending on the team's need as well. Culpepper is a top-100 prospect on most rankings and currently ranks #2 on Twins Daily’s prospect rankings. The 23-year-old is in for a big year, and as long as he is able to continue to develop, it won’t be long until you see him at Target Field. Marek Houston Acquired: 1st round, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: High-A Houston was not a high-end recruit, but won the shortstop job at Wake Forest and played there for three years. The 21-year-old is already one of, if not the best, defensive shortstop in the entire Twins system, so how he develops offensively will be key in when and how big of an impact he is able to make. Like Culpepper, he started professionally in Single-A and was called up to High-A, where he struggled more offensively. Expect him to start the year with High-A Cedar Rapids, and as long as he makes the adjustments, he could be playing in Wichita soon. He was ranked as the Twins Daily #11 prospect, but could easily climb up that list with either other players graduating from prospect status, or just by passing them from his own performance. Still early in his professional career, Houston will be a prospect a lot of Twins fans have an eye on due to being a first-round selection. Bryan Acuna Acquired: International Free Agency, 2022 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A The younger brother of Braves star Ronald Acuna Jr. and new White Sox infielder Luisangel Acuna, Bryan was signed in 2022 and has slowly progressed in the minor leagues since signing. He will be playing his age-20 season this coming year and will likely start the year where he finished 2025, at Single-A Fort Myers. In 2025, across the Complex League and Single-A, he posted a .637 OPS and played shortstop primarily, but also appeared at second base, third base, and in the corner outfield. In his professional career, he has demonstrated solid plate discipline but limited power to date. Still just 20 years old, he isn’t going to make an immediate impact, but he has the potential to carve out a role for himself, either as a shortstop or at another position. Bruin Agbayani Acquired: 6th round, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A A sixth-round selection in this past year’s draft, Agbayani is the son of former Mets infielder Benny Agbayani. A left-handed hitter, the soon-to-be 19-year-old was committed to play college at the University of Michigan but chose to forego college and sign with the Twins. Like many young players, he has room to grow into more power, as he stands 6 feet 2 inches tall and weighs 185 pounds. He is very athletic, but he may move off of shortstop, and some evaluators think he will be a better fit at second base or in left field long term. He got a small taste of professional ball, playing in five games for Single-A Fort Myers in 2025, so 2026 will be a big first step to see if he can follow in his father’s footsteps and create his own story as a big leaguer. Shai Robinson Acquired: 10th round, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: Single-A Another 2025 draft selection, Robinson was not a prep bat like Agbayani or Quentin Young, as he was drafted out of Illinois State, where he hit .813 with an OPS over three collegiate seasons with the Red Birds. He will turn 22 in May, and 2026 will be his first full year in professional baseball with the Twins. Like Agbayani, he got into a handful of games, four specifically, to get his feet wet, but this coming year will be the first step in seeing if he can develop into an impact player for the Twins. Robinson has a solid glove at shortstop, and his offense will be the big test to see. In his final two collegiate seasons, he walked more than he struck out, which shows a good approach at the plate. Keep an eye on whether he can hit enough to start climbing the prospect rankings. Haritzon Castillo Acquired: International Free Agency, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: DSL Signed out of Venezuela, Castillo is a switch-hitter and has upside offensively from both sides of the plate. He was a top-50 international prospect in the 2025 international class. The soon-to-be 18-year-old looked the part in his time in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .283/.395/.428 over 39 games. He also showed off some speed, stealing 12 bases in 15 attempts over that same time. Still early in his professional career, Castillo isn’t going to make an immediate impact at Target Field, but he has the potential to do so in a few short years, so keep an eye on him if he continues to impress early on in his career. Daiber De Los Santos Acquired: International Free Agency, 2024 Highest Level in 2025: Florida Complex League Signed out of the Dominican Republic as the No. 8-ranked prospect in the 2024 international class, the 19-year-old played in the Florida Complex League this past season. In the Complex League, he struck out at a jarring 47.8% rate, but also walked at a solid rate as well. The strikeout rate isn’t anything to be too worried about, as young players often are adjusting their swings and trying different things in lower-pressure environments. The hope is that he can cut down on those strikeouts and continue to develop offensively, since his tools show plenty of potential. Santiago Leon Acquired: International Free Agency, 2025 Highest Level in 2025: DSL Leon was the other top international signing for the Twins in the 2025 international class, signing out of Venezuela. He will be playing his age-18 season in 2026; he is seen as a sure thing to stick as an infielder long term. He played this past season in the Dominican Summer League, where he walked as much as he struck out, which is a sign of a good approach at the plate. Like many young prospects, he has some things to work on, but he has plenty of things to be excited about as well if you like keeping an eye on prospects. Which of these prospects are you most excited about? View full article