Cody Christie

The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the 2026 season trying to keep Byron Buxton on the field. Once again, they have been unable to do it. Buxton was placed on the 10-day injured list over the weekend with a right hip impingement, marking his third IL stint of the season related to hip issues. Minnesota made the move ahead of Sunday's game against the Chicago White Sox, calling up outfielder Gabriel Gonzalez from Triple-A St. Paul. At this point, the problem isn't simply that Buxton is missing games. The bigger concern is that the issue could follow him into the offseason and require surgery. Buxton hinted Wednesday that he would eventually need to work with the Twins' training staff to develop a plan for addressing his hip during the offseason. General manager Jeremy Zoll took that possibility a step further Friday, telling reporters that a surgical procedure remains on the table. “(It’s) definitely a potential option as we sort through everything,” Zoll said. “It would be some type of hip procedure, but not at that point right now. … (We) just need to see how these symptoms progress over this next stretch, and then we’ll continue to assess options.” That doesn't mean Buxton is headed for surgery. The Twins aren't at that point yet, and there is still time for the symptoms to improve. But the fact that surgery has entered the conversation is significant. Buxton has dealt with his share of physical setbacks throughout his career, and the Twins have become increasingly careful about managing his workload. This season was supposed to provide another opportunity for the veteran to put together a lengthy stretch of games. Instead, the hip has continued to interrupt his season. Manager Derek Shelton's comments Sunday reflected the frustration surrounding the situation. “We can’t just magically snap our fingers and all of a sudden it’s the Jetsons and he’s healthy,” Shelton said. “If he could, it would be a lot cooler that way … in terms of it just automatically getting better. We just need to give it time.” Unfortunately for the Twins, time has been a difficult solution with Buxton's hip. The three-time All-Star has still produced when he's been available, hitting .254 with 25 home runs and 46 RBIs across 93 games. He was on pace to reach 100 games for the third consecutive season, something he has accomplished only four times in his 12-year career. That availability matters as much as the production. Minnesota's offense has relied heavily on Buxton's power and ability to change a game with one swing. His presence in the lineup also impacts how opposing pitchers approach the rest of the order. When he's healthy, the Twins are a different team. That's why the next few weeks could be important beyond simply determining whether Buxton returns this season. The Twins need to learn whether rest and rehabilitation can get him back to full strength or whether a more permanent solution is necessary. For a Twins team trying to figure out what comes next, finding a way to get its best players consistently onto the field remains one of the biggest challenges. And right now, Buxton's hip is at the center of that conversation. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (photo of Vahn Lackey) The calendar is about to flip to September, which means the final opportunities are arriving for prospects across the Minnesota Twins organization. The regular season is winding down, and every at-bat can carry a little more weight for players hoping to finish the year on a strong note. For some prospects, September is about continuing to build momentum. For others, it can be a chance to force their way into the organization's plans for next season. This week's Hot Sheet features three hitters doing just that, including Minnesota's first-round pick from the 2026 MLB Draft. C Vahn Lackey — Fort Myers Mighty Mussels/Cedar Rapids Kernels How He Got Here: Vahn Lackey wasn't always viewed as an obvious future first-round pick. The Georgia high school catcher was a late bloomer and didn't receive his first NCAA Division I offers until his senior year in 2023. He also didn't generate much buzz among scouts because he participated in relatively few showcase events. That all changed during his time at Georgia Tech. Lackey improved dramatically each season with the Yellow Jackets and emerged as the top catching prospect in the 2026 MLB Draft. He hit .397/.519/.772 as a junior, putting himself firmly in the first-round conversation. The Twins ultimately selected Lackey No. 3 overall, making him their highest draft pick since Royce Lewis in 2017. He signed for nearly $9.5 million and quickly got to work in professional baseball, making his debut with Single-A Fort Myers. Hitting the Hot Button: Lackey is already showing signs that his power will translate to professional baseball. He played five games between Low-A Fort Myers and Cedar Rapids, going 5-for-15 (.333) with two home runs, five RBI, 11 walks, a .615 on-base percentage and a 1.348 OPS. The power surge is especially encouraging considering the overall approach Lackey has shown since making his professional debut. He owns a 145 wRC+ in 20 games, along with a 23.7 BB% and a 20.4 K%. The Twins knew Lackey could hit when they selected him third overall. Seeing him already make an impact against professional pitching, while also showing the ability to drive the ball over the fence, only adds to the excitement surrounding his future. INF Ramiro Dominguez — Cedar Rapids Kernels How He Got Here: The Twins signed Ramiro Dominguez as a 17-year-old for $10,000 during the 2024 international signing period. He made his professional debut later that year in the Dominican Summer League, batting .272/.336/.376 (.712) with a 91 wRC+. Dominguez took a noticeable step forward after coming stateside in 2025. His walk rate increased by more than three percentage points while his strikeout rate dropped by nearly five percentage points. His OPS also jumped 68 points, and he finished the season with a 128 wRC+. That improvement helped establish Dominguez as an intriguing middle-infield prospect, but his defensive home remains an important part of his development. Hitting the Hot Button: Dominguez made quite an impression in his first game with Cedar Rapids, hitting two home runs Thursday night, including a grand slam, in his High-A debut. The power came after he played 90 games with Fort Myers, where he slashed .237/.349/.391 with a .352 wOBA and a 101 wRC+. Those numbers don't jump off the page, but his ability to get on base has remained one of the more intriguing parts of his offensive profile. Defensively, Dominguez has undergone an interesting transition. He played primarily second base during his first two professional seasons, but the Twins have used him almost exclusively at shortstop this year. If Dominguez can prove he belongs at shortstop, it could give the organization more patience with some of his offensive shortcomings. A middle infielder capable of playing shortstop doesn't need to produce like a middle-of-the-order hitter to provide value. OF Kala'i Rosario — St. Paul Saints How He Got Here: Kala'i Rosario entered the 2020 Draft as the top prospect in Hawaii, but the shortened five-round draft forced him to wait until the fifth round before the Twins selected him. Rosario has provided plenty of reasons for optimism throughout his professional career. He won Midwest League MVP honors and then tied for the Arizona Fall League lead in home runs in 2023, creating significant expectations heading into the following season. An elbow injury cost him roughly two months in 2024 and slowed some of his momentum. Rosario did make up for some of that lost development time with another stint in the Arizona Fall League. Last season, he spent the entire year at Double-A and continued to demonstrate his offensive upside, posting an .844 OPS and a 131 wRC+ over 130 games. Hitting the Hot Button: Rosario has already spent two separate stretches at Triple-A this season when the Saints needed additional outfield depth. The Twins promoted him back to St. Paul on August 5, giving him another opportunity to prove he belongs closer to the majors. He's making the most of it. Over his last 11 games, Rosario has gone 9-for-39 with four home runs and two doubles, producing a .590 SLG and an .875 OPS. The power has always been one of his biggest calling cards, and this recent stretch is another reminder of what he can do when he's locked in. There is also an important offseason decision approaching. Minnesota will need to determine whether Rosario deserves a spot on the 40-man roster this winter because he will once again be Rule 5 eligible. No team selected him when he was exposed last offseason, but the situation could look different this time around. Rosario is now closer to the majors, has more Triple-A experience and continues to show legitimate power. The final weeks of the minor league season don't provide much time for prospects to change their long-term outlook, but they can still leave a lasting impression. Lackey is already showing why he is one of baseball’s top catching prospects. Dominguez is trying to establish himself as a legitimate shortstop while providing more offensive impact. Rosario is attempting to make the case that his power can finally translate into a major-league opportunity. September will bring plenty of attention to Minnesota's big-league roster, but these are the types of performances worth watching throughout the organization's farm system. With the offseason approaching, every hot streak can help shape what comes next. What stands out about this trio and their recent hot stretch? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Joe Ryan is finally getting closer to a return, but the most important part of Tuesday’s rehab start in Omaha won’t necessarily be the results. It will be how he feels. Ryan is scheduled to pitch for Triple-A St. Paul as they begin a road series in Omaha after receiving the all-clear following a brief bullpen session Sunday morning. The right-hander has been on the 15-day injured list since Aug. 6 with a mild left glute strain. That injury is likely the cause for Ryan’s second half struggles, but it also gives the Twins an opportunity to reset one of their most important players before the final month of the season. The right-hander had struggled through three starts following the All-Star break and acknowledged that he was having difficulty repeating his delivery. That was the bigger concern. Ryan wasn't simply getting hit harder than usual. Something didn't look right. His mechanics weren't as consistent, his velocity dipped and the results quickly followed. Now, he believes he's moving in the right direction. "Facing hitters was the biggest one, right?" Ryan told reporters after Wednesday's live batting practice. "I haven't done that in a second, and then I haven't really done that feeling like I have control over my body and not compensating for a couple, a little bit longer than that. So good to just get out there and feel a little bit more free." That feeling of freedom might be the most important statistic for Ryan right now. A Dramatic Second-Half Turn Ryan looked like an ace during the first half of the season. He posted a sub-3.00 ERA and earned his second All-Star selection, continuing to establish himself as one of the most reliable pieces of Minnesota's rotation. Then the calendar flipped. Ryan has allowed 17 runs over his last 15 1/3 innings. He has struck out just 10 of his last 73 opponents. The Twins lost all three of his starts following the All-Star break. His fastball told part of the story. Ryan's four-seam fastball averaged just 92.1 mph in his final start before landing on the injured list. That's his lowest average in a start since early May and more than a full mile per hour below his 93.4 mph season average. For a pitcher who relies heavily on command and deception, even a small decline in velocity can make a significant difference. When that velocity drop comes alongside trouble repeating a delivery, it becomes much easier to understand why Ryan wasn't producing the same results. Another Test for Ryan There have been a few warning signs surrounding Ryan's health this season. He missed time during Spring Training because of lower back discomfort. In May, he exited a start after just one-third of an inning because of elbow pain. Six days later, he returned to pitch one of his best games of the season. His most recent start before going on the injured list was also pushed back three days because of what was described as arm fatigue. None of those situations necessarily point to one major problem. But taken together, they make Ryan's current recovery more important than simply getting him through a minor-league outing. The Twins need to know that Ryan's body is allowing him to execute the delivery he has used so effectively throughout his career. Tuesday's game in Omaha should provide that opportunity. The results won't matter nearly as much as the process. Can Ryan repeat his delivery? Does his fastball have its usual life? Can he attack hitters without compensating for his lower body? Most importantly, does he finish the outing feeling like himself? Ryan appears to be making progress, and his comments after facing live hitters suggest he finally feels more in control of his body. That's encouraging. Now, the Twins need to see that feeling translate to the mound in Omaha. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins have spent much of the season searching for answers on the pitching staff. Injuries and inconsistency have forced the organization to move pitchers between the rotation, bullpen, and minor leagues, creating plenty of roster movement along the way. Kendry Rojas could soon give the Twins another option. Rojas suffered a mild right oblique strain on August 21 during a start for the St. Paul Saints. He exited after just two innings, creating some concern about whether the injury would end his season. However, general manager Jeremy Zoll provided encouraging news over the weekend. Rojas could throw a bullpen session as early as this week, with the Twins hopeful that he can return to game action by the middle of September. There is one significant change coming, though. The organization doesn't expect him to have enough time to build back up as a starting pitcher. “Where we're at calendar-wise, not expecting to be able to stretch him back out at this point,” Zoll said. “If he does get back into game action, it'll probably be a two-inning outing for his first go, and we'll go from there.” That could still be valuable for the Twins. Rojas Has Already Shown Enough Rojas has made a strong first impression during his first taste of the major leagues. Across 12 appearances, including four starts, he has posted a 3.34 ERA with 34 strikeouts over 29 2/3 innings. His 26.2% strikeout rate is particularly encouraging. Rojas has shown the ability to miss bats against major-league hitters, and Minnesota has already demonstrated its willingness to use him in different roles. The biggest concern has been his control. Rojas has issued 22 walks in his limited major-league sample, resulting in a 16.9% walk rate. That's a number the Twins will want to see improve, especially if he's going to work in shorter outings where free passes can quickly create problems. Still, the walk issues haven't been nearly as pronounced throughout his minor-league career (8.3 BB% in 2026). That gives Minnesota some reason to believe the major-league number isn't necessarily representative of what Rojas will become. More importantly, the Twins have already seen that he can provide length. Another Multi-Inning Option Rojas returned to Triple-A following the trade deadline after Minnesota acquired Jeff Hoffman and added A.J. Minter to its pitching staff. Those additions created some difficult roster decisions, and Rojas ultimately went back to St. Paul. He resumed working as a starter, but that role is unlikely to continue if he makes it back to Minnesota this season. Instead, Rojas could become another multi-inning weapon for a pitching staff that has needed plenty of them. That type of role would also allow Minnesota to manage his workload carefully. Rather than immediately asking him to handle a starter's workload after an oblique injury, the Twins can ease him back into competition while still getting meaningful innings from his arm. September rosters aren't what they used to be, but every healthy arm can matter during the final weeks of a season. The key will be making sure the oblique injury doesn't linger. Rojas has already shown he can handle multiple innings in the majors. If his oblique cooperates, the Twins could see what he looks like in shorter outings where he can amp up his velocity. View full rumor

Image courtesy of John Bonnes, Twins Daily The Minnesota Twins are running out of time to save their season. With the calendar flipping to September, the team's playoff hopes are slipping away. Every loss makes the postseason picture a little more difficult to see, and Minnesota's recent stretch of poor play has put the team in a position where it might be time to look at the standings through a different lens. Instead of asking how the Twins can get back into the playoff race, it might be worth asking where they could land in the 2027 MLB Draft. After Sunday's win, Minnesota has the 10th-worst record in MLB. That's not quite enough to put the Twins in position for one of the highest picks, but their draft lottery odds are already more favorable than their spot in the standings might suggest. Minnesota currently has the ninth-best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick, at 2.1%. The Rockies, Angels, and Athletics are in a tier of their own. Each has a 19.25% chance of landing the top pick, and they're locked into the bottom three spots in the standings unless they make a surprising September run. Behind them, things get much more interesting. The Race for Lottery Picks in the 2027 MLB Draft The Mets and Royals currently occupy the fourth and fifth spots in the reverse standings. Minnesota sits in a large group of teams "competing" for the next few positions. Detroit, Seattle, and Washington are separated by just 1.5 games in the reverse standings. That small gap makes every September game meaningful, and puts many fan bases in strange positions—hoping for wins to cling to the fringes of the Wild Card race, but taking solace in losses that bolster their draft lottery odds. Detroit currently has a 52% chance of landing a top-six pick and a 6.42% chance of getting the No. 1 selection. Minnesota's numbers are much different, despite how close the clubs are in the standings. The Twins enter Monday with just a 20.3% chance of landing in the top six and a 2.1% chance of picking first. The standings may make Detroit and Minnesota look like neighbors, but the draft odds show just how quickly things can change. A handful of games in September could dramatically alter the order. For Minnesota, moving from a projected top-10 selection into the top six won't be easy—and, of course, it's not really what they most want. Twins' Remaining Schedule Leaves Door Open for Wild Card Push One of the biggest problems for the Twins' draft positioning is no problem at all, in the grand scheme: it's an opportunity. Minnesota has the fifth-easiest remaining strength of schedule in baseball. There are certainly some difficult series remaining, including matchups against the Yankees, White Sox, and Cleveland. But the schedule also includes plenty of opportunities to win. The Twins still have games against the Angels, Giants, Tigers, and Rangers. If Minnesota continues playing competitive baseball, those matchups could push the team back up the standings and further away from the highest draft picks, but they wouldn't mind that at all; it would put them back into a relevant playoff position. Among the teams currently ahead of Minnesota in the reverse standings, only Seattle has an easier schedule. The Mariners have the easiest remaining schedule in baseball, with their remaining opponents carrying a combined .424 winning percentage. Detroit ranks 24th in remaining strength of schedule, while Washington ranks 14th. The Twins still have an open lane to the playoffs, should they get hot. If they don't, though, the teams to whom they lose will move above them in the standings and become less likely to pick ahead of them next summer. Not Every Bad MLB Team Is Eligible for a Lottery Pick There's another wrinkle to the draft standings that makes Minnesota's position even more interesting. The Giants have a worse record than the Twins, but San Francisco cannot participate in the draft lottery this year. Pittsburgh is also ineligible. MLB's draft lottery rules are designed to prevent teams from intentionally losing for multiple seasons in a row. Because San Francisco is a large-market team, it cannot participate in the lottery in consecutive years. Pittsburgh, meanwhile, cannot participate in the lottery in three consecutive seasons. Those restrictions have already impacted the draft order. In the 2026 MLB Draft, the Rockies, Nationals, and Angels were not eligible for the lottery. That means Minnesota's position in the actual draft order could be better than its record suggests because some teams with worse records are not competing for lottery positioning. There is an additional consideration for the Twins. If Minnesota wins a top-six pick in the 2027 MLB Draft, the club would fall into the same general category as Pittsburgh for the 2028 draft. That would limit the Twins' ability to return to the lottery again the following year. That's something the organization will have to weigh if its season continues to spiral. There is a lot to like about the potential top of the 2027 MLB Draft, although it's far too early to start locking players into specific draft slots. The prep class includes several intriguing names, including shortstop Dylan Seward, left-hander Connor Salerno, shortstop/right-hander Chase Fuller, and shortstop Carter Hadnot. The college ranks feature another interesting group that is more well established. Shortstop Brendan Lawson of Florida, left-hander Tomas Valincius of Mississippi State, outfielder Landon Hairston of Arizona State, right-hander Dax Whitney of Oregon State, and catcher/second baseman Gavin Kelly of West Virginia are among the names to watch. Of course, the draft landscape will change significantly over the next year. That's one of the most important things to remember when discussing draft positioning this early. At this point last season, few people would have expected Vahn Lackey to become the No. 3 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft. The Twins ultimately selected the Georgia Tech catcher with the third pick, giving the organization one of its highest draft selections in recent history. A similar development could happen in 2027. Players will break out. Others will struggle. Prep prospects will rise. College players will establish themselves as potential top picks. Injuries and performance will reshape the board. A Different Kind of September The Twins aren't going to enter September hoping to lose games. Players and coaches are still trying to win, and the organization isn't going to openly embrace a tanking strategy. If Minnesota's playoff hopes disappear, however, the reverse standings become one of the more important things to watch during the final month of the season. The Twins are already trending toward a top-10 selection. The question is whether they can climb higher. Getting into the top six would require Minnesota to fall several spots in the standings while teams around them win enough games to separate themselves. The remaining schedule makes that unlikely (and it would certainly be unwelcome), but the American League has been a jumble all season. Minnesota already has a top-three pick in its recent history with Lackey. Another high selection could provide an important addition to a farm system that will continue changing as prospects graduate to the majors. The Twins may not have the postseason race they envisioned entering September. But if the playoffs are no longer realistic, there is still something meaningful at stake. The final month could determine whether Minnesota enters the 2027 MLB Draft with another top-10 pick—or whether a few more losses turn that selection into something much more valuable. What stands out about Minnesota’s odds in the MLB Draft Lottery? How high can the team climb (or fall) in September? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Jesse Johnson - IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect Not every prospect can live up to the hype. That has always been true in baseball, but it feels even more relevant in the modern game. Today, every at-bat can be watched, every swing can be dissected and nearly every performance can be tracked in real time. A prospect can go from an unknown name to a household name in a matter of months. The Minnesota Twins have had their share of highly touted prospects in the Target Field era over the past decade and a half. Some became stars. Others became solid big leaguers. Some never came close to reaching the expectations placed upon them. For this list, I'm looking at the Twins' top prospects as they were viewed at the time rather than how their careers ultimately unfolded. This isn't a ranking of the best big-league players. It is an attempt to put each prospect's hype into historical context. The rankings below are based primarily on each player's peak standing on major prospect lists. Honorable Mentions OF Trevor Larnach: Larnach was one of the organization's premier prospects after being selected 20th overall in 2018. His combination of power and patience made him one of the more intriguing bats in the system, but injuries and inconsistency prevented him from reaching the same prospect heights as those on this list. SS Nick Gordon: The fifth overall pick in 2014, Gordon immediately became one of the more recognizable names in the Twins' system. His prospect stock fluctuated as he moved through the minors, but his draft pedigree and shortstop potential earned him consideration. RHP Kyle Gibson: Gibson was one of the Twins' top pitching prospects after being selected in the first round of the 2009 draft. Much of his prospect hype came during the early part of the following decade as he moved quickly through the Minnesota farm system. 10. OF Max Kepler Peak Ranking: #30 by Baseball America (2016) Kepler doesn't immediately jump off the page when discussing the Twins' all-time prospect rankings, but his placement here is a testament to how much depth Minnesota has had in its farm system. The German outfielder was an international signing who steadily climbed through the organization. By 2016, Baseball America viewed him as the No. 30 prospect in baseball. Kepler's combination of size, athleticism, defensive ability and emerging power made him one of the more intriguing young players in the organization. He jumped up national rankings after posting a .947 OPS at Double-A as a 22 year old. He wasn't viewed as a future superstar on the level of some players higher on this list, but he was considered a legitimate top-30 prospect in the sport. 9. OF Aaron Hicks Peak Ranking: #19 by Baseball America (2010) Hicks was one of the first Twins prospects of this era to generate significant national attention. Selected 14th overall in the 2008 draft, Hicks developed a reputation as an athletic center fielder with impressive tools. His speed, defensive ability and switch-hitting potential gave scouts plenty to dream on. By 2010, Baseball America ranked him No. 19 overall. That ranking reflected the belief that Hicks could become an impact two-way center fielder. He eventually reached the majors with Minnesota before finding his best success later in his career with the Yankees. 8. SS Austin Martin Peak Ranking: #19 by Baseball America (2021) Martin arrived in Minnesota with plenty of prospect pedigree. The Twins acquired him from Toronto as part of the return for José Berríos at the 2021 trade deadline. He had been selected fifth overall by the Blue Jays in 2020 and entered the Twins' organization as a player with a strong offensive reputation based on his college experience. Baseball America ranked Martin as the No. 19 prospect in baseball in 2021. The former Vanderbilt standout's combination of contact ability, plate discipline and athleticism made him an intriguing prospect, even as questions about his ultimate defensive home remained. 7. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez Peak Ranking: #17 by Baseball Prospectus (2025) Rodriguez represents one of the more recent additions to this list. The Twins signed him as an international free agent in 2019, and his offensive potential quickly made him one of the organization's most exciting prospects. His combination of raw power, plate discipline and athleticism allowed him to climb national prospect rankings despite some questions about his long-term defensive home. By 2025, Baseball Prospectus ranked Rodriguez No. 17 overall. There was legitimate belief that Rodriguez possessed some of the best offensive upside in the Twins' system. However injuries have slowed his development and he has yet to debut. 6. RHP José Berríos Peak Ranking: #17 by Baseball Prospectus (2016) Berríos was one of the most highly regarded pitching prospects in the Twins system during the early 2010s. Minnesota selected him 32nd overall in 2012, and he quickly began climbing prospect rankings. His fastball, breaking ball and athletic delivery gave scouts the ingredients of a potential frontline starter. By 2016, Baseball Prospectus ranked Berríos No. 17 overall. Unlike some names on this list, Berríos ultimately came relatively close to meeting his prospect expectations. He became a durable major-league starter and earned multiple All-Star selections after establishing himself in Minnesota. 5. OF Alex Kirilloff Peak Ranking: #9 by MLB Pipeline (2019) Kirilloff was viewed as one of the best pure hitters in the minor leagues. The Twins selected him 15th overall in 2016, and he immediately began making a name for himself. After missing significant time with an elbow injury, Kirilloff returned to the field and quickly reminded everyone why Minnesota had been so excited about his offensive potential with a .970 OPS in 2018. By 2019, MLB Pipeline ranked him ninth overall. Kirilloff's combination of hitting ability, power and offensive polish made him look like a potential middle-of-the-order cornerstone. He was one of the rare Twins prospects who entered the top 10 nationally before reaching the majors. Unfortunately, injuries forced him to retire early. 4. SS Royce Lewis Peak Ranking: #5 by MLB Pipeline (2019) The Twins selected Lewis first overall in 2017, and the expectations were enormous from the beginning. His athleticism immediately stood out. Lewis had plus speed, impressive defensive tools and the potential to develop into a dynamic offensive player. As he moved through the minors, his tools continued to make him one of the most exciting prospects in baseball. MLB Pipeline ranked Lewis No. 5 overall in 2019. At that point, the Twins had a potential franchise shortstop developing in their system. Injuries would dramatically alter his development path, but that doesn't change how highly he was regarded before reaching the majors. 3. 3B Miguel Sanó Peak Ranking: #4 by MLB Pipeline (2014) Few Twins prospects generated as much excitement as Sanó. Signed out of the Dominican Republic, Sanó quickly became known for his enormous raw power. His physical tools were impossible to ignore, and scouts believed he had the potential to become one of baseball's most dangerous power hitters. MLB Pipeline ranked him No. 4 overall in 2014. There were questions about his strikeout rate and defensive home, but the offensive upside was so significant that those concerns didn't prevent Sanó from reaching the top tier of the prospect rankings. For a period of time, Sanó looked like the potential centerpiece of the next great Twins lineup. 2. OF Walker Jenkins Peak Ranking: #3 by MLB Pipeline (2025) Jenkins doesn't have the longest track record on this list, but his prospect pedigree is undeniable. The Twins selected Jenkins fifth overall in 2023, and he immediately began showing why Minnesota believed he could become a cornerstone player. His combination of hitting ability, power, athleticism and defensive potential gave him one of the highest ceilings in the organization. By 2025, MLB Pipeline ranked Jenkins No. 3 overall. More importantly, it wasn't based on one loud tool. Jenkins' profile was remarkably well-rounded, giving evaluators confidence that he could become an impact major-league player. The hype surrounding Jenkins has been enormous, and it puts him in rare company in Twins history. 1. OF Byron Buxton Peak Ranking: #1 by Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and MLB Pipeline (2014) There is really only one choice for the top spot. Buxton wasn't simply one of the best prospects in Twins history. He was considered the best prospect in all of baseball. The Twins selected him second overall in 2012, and his combination of elite speed, center-field defense, athleticism and emerging offensive ability quickly pushed him toward the top of every prospect ranking. In 2014, all three major prospect publications agreed: Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus and MLB Pipeline ranked Buxton No. 1 overall. That's an extraordinary level of consensus. Prospect rankings can vary significantly from one publication to another. One evaluator might love a player's power while another questions the hit tool. Buxton didn't have that problem. Across the industry, there was widespread belief that he possessed the tools to become a franchise-changing player. He eventually became an All-Star and one of the most dynamic players in the sport, even if injuries prevented him from reaching the consistent superstar production many envisioned. And that is ultimately what makes this exercise interesting. The question isn't who had the best Twins career. It's who generated the most excitement before their career had been written. By that standard, Buxton’s unanimous No. 1 ranking remains the benchmark. Walker Jenkins came close to reaching that level before his major-league debut, and he will still be considered a prospect this winter. There’s a chance he could move up this list before next season, but it’s already difficult to ignore what he has accomplished throughout his professional career. How would you rank the prospects of the Target Field era? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of © Rick Osentoski-Imagn Images There was a time when the leadoff hitter had a very specific job description. Get on base. Run. Put pressure on the defense. Speed was often the defining characteristic. If a player could hit .280, steal 30 bases and create havoc on the basepaths, he was a natural fit for the top of the lineup. Then the game changed. On-base percentage became more important. Teams wanted their leadoff hitters to grind out at-bats, take walks and consistently put themselves in scoring position. Eventually, another philosophy emerged: Why not put one of your best hitters at the top? More plate appearances meant more opportunities for the best offensive player on the roster. The Minnesota Twins appear to have found someone who can fit that final description. Luke Keaschall should be the Twins' leadoff hitter. Not just for the rest of 2026, but for years to come. The Candidate Was Always There It wasn't a surprise that Keaschall entered the 2026 season as a candidate for the leadoff role. His rookie season gave the Twins plenty of reasons to believe he could handle it. In 42 games, Keaschall posted a 130 OPS+ while stealing 14 bases. He showed the ability to impact a game with his bat and legs, but perhaps more importantly, he demonstrated the kind of all-around offensive game that fits naturally at the top of a lineup. There was no obvious reason he couldn't be the player responsible for starting Minnesota's offensive machine. Then the season began. And things went sideways. Keaschall hit just .217/.267/.275 (.542) over his first 131 plate appearances, striking out 21 times. The Twins eventually moved him down in the batting order, allowing him to work through his struggles without the added pressure that comes with being the first hitter in the lineup. That decision made sense at the time. But what has happened since then has made the original idea look pretty good. The Turnaround Is Hard to Ignore Keaschall's season can't be evaluated solely by those ugly early-season numbers. Since July 1, he's been one of the better offensive players in the American League. Over 43 games, Keaschall is hitting .326/.426/.514 with a .940 OPS. He's collected 47 hits, scored 20 runs, driven in 16 runs and been hit by a pitch 11 times. His strikeout rate has also remained manageable at 15.3%, while his walk rate sits at 9.6%. That isn't simply a hot stretch built around batting average. Keaschall is getting on base. He's limiting strikeouts. He's hitting for power. He's doing the things teams want their best hitters to do. The result is an offensive profile that looks increasingly difficult to keep anywhere other than the top of the lineup. The American League Numbers Tell the Story The most interesting part of Keaschall's resurgence might be how it compares to the rest of the American League. Since the beginning of July, among qualified American League hitters, Keaschall ranks: .326 batting average — fifth .426 OBP — second .940 OPS — third .415 wOBA — fifth 166 wRC+ — fourth 11 HBP — first Those numbers put him in some impressive company. The American League leaders in these categories include players such as Yordan Alvarez, Pete Alonso, and Steven Kwan. Keaschall belongs in the conversation. And that matters when considering his spot in the batting order. If a player is producing at that level, there is a pretty simple argument for giving him as many plate appearances as possible. Put him at the top. Let him hit. He's Already Showing He Can Handle the Spot The Twins finally put Keaschall back in the leadoff spot on August 17. The results have been exactly what Minnesota hoped to see. Since being inserted into the No. 1 spot, Keaschall has gone 12-for-35 and has reached base safely in all seven games. That's a .343 batting average, but the more important part might be the consistency. The Twins aren't asking Keaschall to simply collect hits. They're asking him to begin games by giving the offense an opportunity. He's doing that. And unlike some traditional leadoff hitters, Keaschall doesn't need to rely on his speed to make the position valuable. He can beat teams with his bat. He can work counts. He can get hit by pitches. He can draw walks. He can hit for extra bases. And, yes, he can run. This Could Be the Beginning of Something Bigger The most exciting part of Keaschall's recent production isn't necessarily what it means for the final month of 2026. It's what it could mean for the next five years. The Twins have spent considerable time trying to determine what their next competitive roster will look like. Young players are going to play increasingly important roles, and the organization needs some of those players to establish themselves as foundational pieces. Keaschall has an opportunity to become one of them. A player who can hit near the top of the lineup, get on base at a high rate, provide some power and steal bases is incredibly valuable. And he's doing it at an age when there should still be considerable room for growth. The early-season struggles were real. So is the turnaround. Keaschall didn't simply avoid the problem. He made adjustments, continued working and has turned himself into one of Minnesota's most productive hitters over the past two months. There will always be debates about lineup construction. Should the best hitter bat first? Should the fastest player bat first? Should a team's highest-OBP player lead off? There isn't one universal answer. But Keaschall checks enough boxes to make the decision pretty easy. And, perhaps most importantly, he is currently producing like one of the American League's best offensive players. Can Keaschall stick in the leadoff spot for the next three to five years? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Malamut Photography (photo of JP Smith) There is a simple reality for prospects who are limited defensively to first base: they have to hit. First base is one of the positions where offensive production carries an especially high burden. A player doesn't necessarily need to be a Gold Glove-caliber defender, but he needs to provide enough at the plate to justify putting his name in the lineup every day. The Minnesota Twins have seen this dynamic play out with former first-round pick Aaron Sabato. Sabato has worked his way to Triple-A, but his offensive production hasn't developed to the point where he looks like part of Minnesota's long-term plans. That brings us to JP Smith. Smith doesn't have Sabato's draft pedigree, but the Twins saw enough offensive potential to select him in the 17th round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of California State University, Sacramento. His professional career got off to a relatively quiet start, but there are signs that Smith is beginning to figure things out. And that's exactly what the Twins need to see from a first-base prospect. MLB Draft and Professional Debut Smith spent three seasons at Sacramento State, where he hit .298/.372/.581 with a .953 OPS. His production was consistently strong during his first two seasons, with a wRC+ above 120 in each year. His final collegiate season wasn't quite as productive. Smith's wRC+ dipped to 105, which may have contributed to him remaining on the board until the 17th round. Still, Minnesota saw enough in the right-handed hitter to give him an opportunity. The Twins sent Smith to Fort Myers after he signed, allowing him to make his professional debut in the Florida State League. He appeared in 24 games and hit .237/.297/.344 with five extra-base hits, a 24.8% strikeout rate, a 6.9% walk rate and an 84 wRC+. Those aren't particularly eye-catching numbers. There was, however, one stretch that offered a glimpse of what Smith could become. At the beginning of August, he was named FSL Player of the Week after going 11-for-23 (.478) over a five-game stretch with five extra-base hits. His overall debut remained unspectacular, but there are some understandable challenges for college players transitioning into professional baseball. Smith had played a full collegiate season, stopped playing during the draft process and then had to ramp back up for his professional debut. A Better Approach Smith struggled out of the gate. Over his first 36 games, he hit .212/.319/.356 with nine extra-base hits. His .675 OPS wasn't what Minnesota wanted to see from a player whose future is tied heavily to his bat. Something started to click over his next 36 games. During that stretch, Smith raised his on-base percentage to .365 and his slugging percentage to .500. More importantly, he hit 10 home runs and four doubles. The power was beginning to show up. But one of the most encouraging developments wasn't necessarily found in his batting average or home-run total. It was his approach. During his professional debut, Smith posted a 34.1% O-Swing rate, meaning he swung at more than one-third of the pitches he saw outside the strike zone. In 2026, that number dropped to 24.3%. Smith was becoming more selective about which pitches he attacked. For a hitter whose value is going to be tied so closely to his offensive production, that development matters. The improved approach helped earn Smith a promotion to Cedar Rapids. Hitting the Next Level Smith hasn't exactly slowed down since arriving in High-A. Through his first 20 games with the Kernels, he's hitting .309/.435/.559 for a .994 OPS. His 145 wRC+ demonstrates just how productive he's been relative to the league. The plate-discipline improvements have continued as well. His walk rate has climbed from 14.7% in his time with Fort Myers to 17.8% in Cedar Rapids, while his strikeout rate has dropped from 20.1% to 15.6%. That's the kind of combination Minnesota wants to see. On August 25, Smith put those skills on display. He went 4-for-6 with a home run and four RBI, providing another reminder that the offensive tools that made him an intriguing draft pick are starting to translate. There is another interesting element to his success this season. Smith has faced older pitchers in more than 70% of his plate appearances, and he's posted a .929 OPS against them. That doesn't mean he's finished developing, but it provides some additional context for his production. He's not simply beating up on pitchers his own age. There is, however, one area where Smith needs to improve. Smith is a right-handed hitter, but left-handed pitching has given him some trouble. In 81 plate appearances against lefties this season, he's hitting .219/.346/.438 with four home runs and two doubles. The .783 OPS isn't terrible, particularly with the power production, but it's noticeably below his overall performance. That will be something to monitor as he continues moving through the Twins system. If Smith wants to become a regular first baseman at the major-league level, he needs to show that he can punish left-handed pitching. For Smith, that makes the progress he's made with his approach particularly important. What Comes Next? It's still far too early to make any definitive predictions about Smith's future. He's played just 20 games at High-A, and there are plenty of challenges ahead. Double-A will provide another significant test. Pitchers will attack his weaknesses more aggressively. His performance against left-handed pitching will be worth watching. The Twins will also want to see whether his improved plate discipline remains consistent as Smith faces better competition. But there is something different about Smith's profile now than there was a year ago. The 17th-round pick isn't just putting up better numbers. He's showing development in areas that can help make those numbers sustainable. He's chasing fewer pitches outside the strike zone. He's walking more. He's striking out less. He's producing power. And he's holding his own against older pitchers. That's a good foundation. Smith's path is also a reminder that prospect development doesn't always happen in a straight line. His first professional season didn't immediately scream future big-leaguer. His first 36 games in 2026 weren't particularly impressive, either. But he kept making adjustments. Smith will need to continue producing as he moves up the organizational ladder, and he'll need to find more success against left-handed pitching. The margin for error will become smaller at every level. Eventually, the Twins will need to determine whether his offensive ceiling is high enough to overcome the limitations of his defensive profile. For now, though, Smith is giving the organization reasons to keep watching. For a player whose future will almost certainly be determined by his bat, that's exactly the kind of progress the Twins want to see. What stands out about JP Smith so far in his career? Leave a comment and start the discussion. The photo of JP Smith at the top of this article is from Dee Malamut of Malamut Photography, specifically last night's Kernels game in Cedar Rapids. You will see Dee at most Kernels home games, and we are lucky enough to be able to use some of his great photos. And, if you're planning on going to Cedar Rapids, or maybe at Twins Fest, you can order some photos from Dee himself. Check out the home page and find links to the 2026 games (and further back). You can also use the search functionality and type in names of current or past Kernels players and find their photos. The current Kernels roster has Top 20 prospects like Vahn Lackey, Eduardo Tait, and Yasser Mercedes. Marek Houston, Riley Quick, Khadim Diaw, Enrique Jimenez, Brandon Winokur are Top 20 prospect who were with the Kernels earlier this year. Caden Kendle and Adrian Bohorquez were in Cedar Rapids until recently. Want to see more Cedar Rapids Kernels photos, check out Friday's Kernels game photos. View full article

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints There is no way to know whether Walker Jenkins would have changed the Minnesota Twins' season. That is the uncomfortable part of this conversation. Maybe he would have arrived at Target Field and struggled. Maybe the transition to the majors would have exposed areas of his game that haven't been tested at Triple-A. Maybe he would have needed a few weeks to adjust before becoming the impact hitter everyone expects him to be. Or maybe he would have helped the Twins win just enough games to change the shape of their season. At this point, that possibility is becoming increasingly difficult to ignore. The Twins entered Thursday 64-70, four games behind the Cleveland Guardians for the American League's final Wild Card spot. Their playoff odds have fallen to roughly 10 percent after Minnesota was swept by San Diego and dropped two of three games to the Athletics. And while there are plenty of reasons for the collapse, the Twins' decision to leave Jenkins in Triple-A is one that deserves another look. Not because Jenkins was guaranteed to be a superstar immediately. Because Minnesota had a glaring need for an impact bat, and its best option happened to be putting together one of the best offensive stretches in the organization. The Situation Changed When Jeremy Zoll explained earlier this month why Jenkins had not been promoted, his reasoning was understandable. The Twins wanted to make sure there was a legitimate opportunity for Jenkins to play every day. Calling up a top prospect only to have him sit on the bench isn't particularly beneficial for his development. Zoll also pointed to Kaelen Culpepper's promotion as an example of how opportunity matters when deciding when to move a prospect to the majors. That is a reasonable philosophy. But baseball seasons don't stay static. The situation changed. By the middle of August, Byron Buxton was dealing with another hip issue. The outfield mix became less stable. Minnesota needed offense, and suddenly the theoretical opportunity for Jenkins was sitting right in front of the organization. At the same time, Jenkins was making the decision harder with virtually every game he played. In the first 16 August games, he hit .415/.493/.800 with a 1.293 OPS, seven home runs and six stolen bases. He followed that by continuing to produce during the final week of the month, including another home run on Thursday. At some point, keeping a player in Triple-A stops being about whether he has something left to prove. Jenkins reached that point. Development Matters, But So Does Winning The Twins deserve credit for being deliberate with Jenkins. He missed a significant portion of the season after suffering a shoulder injury, and rushing him back would have been irresponsible. Player development should never be dictated solely by public pressure. But there is a difference between rushing a player and recognizing when a player has become ready. Jenkins' performance suggests he reached that stage. He had already been performing at Triple-A for months, and his August production was not simply a small sample fueled by a few fortunate games. He was showing power, plate discipline, speed and the ability to impact games in multiple ways. The Twins also weren't operating as a rebuilding team. They bought at the trade deadline. They added Jeff Hoffman, Dean Kremer and A.J. Minter because they believed this team had a chance to play meaningful baseball in September. They promoted Culpepper because they believed he could help them win now. That makes the decision to keep Jenkins in Triple-A more difficult to reconcile. You can't spend the final week of July and the first week of August behaving like a team trying to make the playoffs, then suddenly become entirely focused on preserving a prospect's developmental timeline when the roster needs help. Did Jenkins Cost the Twins a Playoff Spot? This is where the argument needs some restraint. Saying Jenkins definitely cost Minnesota a playoff berth would be impossible to prove. The Twins have lost games for countless reasons. Their pitching has been inconsistent. Their best players have dealt with injuries. The schedule hasn't always been kind. And Minnesota has simply played poor baseball for stretches. Jenkins alone cannot fix that. But the question isn't whether Jenkins would have single-handedly carried Minnesota into October. The question is whether he could have provided enough value over the weeks leading into this collapse to make a difference. That's a much more reasonable question. The Twins were sitting in the Wild Card picture just over a week ago. Now they are four games back, with their postseason odds falling from nearly 40 percent to roughly 10 percent in just over a week. When the margin is that thin, one or two wins can completely change the conversation. Maybe Jenkins gives them one extra hit. Maybe he makes one catch. Maybe he takes one extra-base hit away from an opposing pitcher. Maybe he doesn't do any of those things. But Minnesota had an elite prospect producing at a ridiculous level in Triple-A while its major-league outfield was dealing with injuries and inconsistency. At some point, the risk of calling him up becomes smaller than the risk of leaving him there. The Bigger Lesson The Twins shouldn't regret being careful with Jenkins. They should regret not recognizing when the circumstances changed. There is a difference between protecting a prospect and protecting yourself from making a difficult decision. Jenkins' long-term future is far more important than the final 30-plus games of the 2026 season. But the organization also spent much of the summer telling everyone through its actions that it believed this team could contend. That meant maximizing the roster. And Jenkins was becoming increasingly difficult to leave off it. Maybe the Twins eventually call him up and he struggles. Maybe they call him up next week and his arrival comes too late to matter. That's baseball. But when Minnesota looks back at a season that could end just short of the playoffs, Jenkins' time in Triple-A will be one of the obvious "what if?" questions. The answer may never be known. Still, watching the Twins stumble through an injury-plagued August while Jenkins tears apart Triple-A pitching makes one thing increasingly clear: The Twins probably didn't need Walker Jenkins to become a star this summer. They simply needed to find out whether he could help them win. And they may have waited too long to find out. Did the Twins wait too long to call up Jenkins? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

The Minnesota Twins have spent plenty of time searching for answers at catcher over the years. Now, the organization appears to have collected intriguing options throughout the farm system. MLB Pipeline recently ranked the Twins as the top organization in baseball when it comes to catching prospects, a reflection of just how much talent Minnesota has accumulated behind the plate. The Twins have four legitimate prospects who give the organization reason to believe it can find a long-term answer at catcher. That group became even more impressive during the 2026 MLB Draft. Minnesota selected Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey with the third overall pick before returning to the position in the second round to select Texas catcher Carson Tinney. Suddenly, the Twins had added two more high-upside catchers to a pipeline that already featured Eduardo Tait and Khadim Diaw. It is a remarkable collection of talent at one position. Lackey is the headliner. The third overall pick is about as well-rounded as any catching prospect in the minor leagues. MLB Pipeline has given him above-average-to-plus grades for his hit, power, arm and fielding tools, making him the type of player who doesn't have an obvious weakness. That combination helped Lackey jump immediately onto national prospect lists following the draft. Twins Daily currently ranks him as the organization's No. 2 prospect, behind only Walker Jenkins. Lackey has already moved quickly through his first professional season and was recently promoted to High-A Cedar Rapids. There is still plenty of development ahead, but the early returns have only strengthened the belief that Lackey could eventually become Minnesota's catcher of the future. And he isn't the only option. Tinney brings a different offensive profile to the organization. He is more slugging-forward than Lackey and currently ranks No. 11 on the Twins Daily prospect list, giving Minnesota another potentially impactful bat at a premium position. Then there is Tait. At just 19 years old, Tait remains the youngest member of this group and arguably the most difficult player to evaluate. He fell out of some national top-100 rankings this season because of concerns surrounding his contact ability and below-average defensive work behind the plate. That doesn't mean his prospect status has disappeared. Tait still possesses legitimate power potential, and the upside that made him one of the more intriguing pieces of Minnesota's 2025 trade deadline haul remains. At his age, there is plenty of time for the Twins to work through the questions surrounding his offensive approach and defensive development. Diaw provides yet another interesting option. The 22-year-old is hitting .302/.420/.439 across 95 games between High-A and Double-A this season. His athleticism also gives Minnesota some flexibility, as he has received opportunities in center field. Twins Daily currently ranks Diaw No. 13 in the organization. That depth matters. Lackey is expected to be the player who eventually takes over as Minnesota's long-term catcher. The Twins didn't use the third overall pick on him expecting him to become anything less than a cornerstone player. But prospects don't always follow the script. That is what makes this group so valuable. If Lackey develops into the catcher Minnesota believes he can become, the organization will have found its answer at a position that has been difficult to solve consistently. If he doesn't, the Twins aren't starting from scratch. Tinney, Tait and Diaw provide three more possibilities, each with a different set of strengths and developmental timelines. For an organization recently recognized by MLB Pipeline as having baseball's best catching prospect system, that is the biggest takeaway. Minnesota doesn't have to find one catcher. It has multiple chances to get it right. View full rumor

The Minnesota Twins made it official Friday, selecting the contract of outfielder Walker Jenkins and bringing one of the organization’s most anticipated prospects to the major leagues. The move was reported Thursday, but Minnesota officially announced the promotion Friday. To make room for Jenkins on the active roster, the Twins optioned outfielder Alan Roden to Triple-A St. Paul. Minnesota also needed to clear a spot on its 40-man roster, designating right-handed pitcher Woo-Suk Go for assignment. For the Twins, the move marks the arrival of a player who has been viewed as a cornerstone of the organization since he was selected fifth overall in the 2023 MLB Draft. Jenkins has continued to establish himself as one of baseball’s top prospects throughout his professional career. Across multiple minor-league levels, he has compiled a .303/.404/.490 batting line. His plate discipline has been particularly impressive. Jenkins has posted a 13.4% walk rate while striking out just 15.9% of the time. His 144 wRC+ shows just how productive he has been offensively, as he has performed 44% better than league average. The 21-year-old also brings plenty of ability beyond the batter’s box. Jenkins has good speed and a strong throwing arm and is considered a capable defender at all three outfield positions. That versatility could give the Twins multiple options for how they use him during the final weeks of the season. Jenkins’ promotion comes as Minnesota attempts to remain in the American League playoff race. The Twins have struggled to find consistency throughout the season, but the arrival of one of their best young players gives the club another option as it navigates the final month. There will naturally be an adjustment period for Jenkins as he faces major-league pitching for the first time. However, his minor-league track record gives the Twins plenty of reason to believe he can contribute immediately. For Roden, the move provides an opportunity to get regular playing time in St. Paul. The Twins acquired Roden as part of last year's trade involving Louis Varland, and he has remained part of the organization's plans despite struggling to establish himself offensively in Minnesota. He has received limited playing time in recent weeks, making just 10 starts in August. Roden is hitting .254/.333/.313 this season, producing a .647 OPS and an 84 OPS+. Sending him to Triple-A should allow Roden to get consistent at-bats and continue developing rather than spending extended periods on the major-league bench. The Twins' 40-man roster move ends Go’s brief run with the organization, at least for now. Minnesota took a chance on the 28-year-old right-hander earlier this season after he opted out of his contract with the Detroit Tigers organization. Go joined the Twins hoping to provide another option for a bullpen that has undergone significant changes throughout the season. Go appeared in four games for Minnesota in July, allowing four runs. He posted a 3.91 ERA between Triple-A Toledo and St. Paul this season, although his numbers were much different between the two stops. Go struggled significantly in Toledo, posting a 12.54 ERA, before pitching better after joining the Saints. His time in St. Paul also included a 10-game suspension after he was found to have an illegal substance on his glove. Now, Go will head to the waiver wire following Minnesota’s decision to designate him for assignment. Those roster moves, however, are secondary to the biggest news of the day for the Twins. After more than three years of development, Jenkins has officially reached the major leagues. The former fifth overall pick is at Target Field, giving the organization an opportunity to see one of its most important young players against major-league competition. The next chapter of Jenkins’ career begins now. View full rumor

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge (Photo of Walker Jenkins) Sometimes, getting the right player comes down to scouting. Sometimes, it comes down to development. And sometimes, a little bit of luck helps. For the Minnesota Twins, Walker Jenkins was a combination of all three. The Twins entered the first-ever MLB Draft Lottery with the 13th-best odds of landing the No. 1 overall pick. They were poised to pick 13th. Instead, they jumped all the way to No. 5. That stroke of luck gave Minnesota a chance to select one of the most talented high school hitters in the 2023 draft class. Jenkins wasn't simply viewed as a good prospect. He was considered one of roughly five players with legitimate No. 1 overall talent. Now, just over three years after selecting him fifth overall, Jenkins is set to make his major-league debut. The road hasn't been completely smooth. Injuries have repeatedly interrupted his development, limiting him to fewer than 85 games in each of the last two seasons. But whenever Jenkins has been healthy, he has looked remarkably similar to the player Minnesota thought it was getting on draft night. Now, the Twins are finally ready to see what all of that looks like at Target Field. Jenkins was widely regarded as the best high school hitter to come out of North Carolina since Josh Hamilton went first overall in 1999. Entering the 2023 draft, he was considered one of a handful of players who could reasonably be selected with the No. 1 pick. When Jenkins was still available, the Twins pounced, signing him for the full slot value of $7.14 million. Jenkins immediately showed why Minnesota was so excited. He played 26 games in his professional debut and posted a combined .988 OPS, quickly forcing his way into full-season baseball. For a player fresh out of high school, the transition was remarkably smooth. That performance immediately put him on the national prospect map and gave the Twins something they desperately wanted: a potential impact bat at the top of their system. Walker Jenkins's First Full Professional Season Jenkins's first full professional season in 2024 was a reminder that prospect development is rarely a straight line. The talent was obvious, but the outfielder couldn't stay on the field. A quad strain slowed him early in the season, and a hamstring injury later cost him roughly six weeks. Those injuries prevented Jenkins from accumulating the number of at-bats normally expected from a first full season. In 82 games, he posted a 141 wRC+ with an .833 OPS. Still, he accomplished something significant. He played his way to Double-A. Jenkins was just 19 years old for much of the season, yet he continued advancing through an organization filled with older, more experienced players. The injuries interrupted his momentum, but they didn't change the underlying evaluation. Every time Jenkins returned, he looked like the same hitter. His swing remained smooth and repeatable. He consistently found the barrel. He showed the ability to draw walks (15.2 BB%) without allowing his strikeout rate to spiral (12.8 K%). The Twins weren't simply hoping Jenkins would eventually become a good hitter. They were seeing evidence that he could become a really good one. An Aggressive Promotion In 2025, Minnesota aggressively pushed its top prospect toward the highest levels of the minor leagues during his age-20 season. That decision said plenty about how the organization viewed him. Jenkins had already demonstrated that he could hit. Now the Twins wanted to challenge him against more advanced pitching and see how quickly he could adapt. There were obvious risks. Jenkins had already missed significant time because of injuries, and he was still extremely young. But the Twins believed he was ready. For the most part, Jenkins proved them right. Even with the missed development time, Jenkins finished third in the organization among players with at least 350 plate appearances with a 135 wRC+. For a 20-year-old facing older pitchers at the upper levels of the minor leagues, it was another reminder of just how advanced his bat could be. There were still areas to refine, particularly when it came to tapping into his power more consistently (10 HR in 371 PA). But the foundation was there. And the Twins kept pushing. Another Injury, Another Comeback The biggest question surrounding Jenkins has never been his talent. It's been his availability. That theme continued into 2026. After Minnesota sent him back to Triple-A, Jenkins got off to a somewhat tepid start before suffering another setback. He crashed into an outfield wall and injured his left shoulder, suffering a shoulder joint sprain that forced him to miss more than a month. After returning, Jenkins went on an absolute tear. Over his final 18-games at Triple-A, the 21-year-old hit .411/.488/.795 with eight home runs. That was Jenkins reminding everyone why the Twins have been so patient with him and why prospect evaluators have continued to place him among baseball's elite young talents. The power was suddenly everywhere. The walks were there. The hard contact was there. And the hit tool that has always been Jenkins' calling card was fully on display. After another injury interruption, he looked like a player making up for lost time. Jenkins's prospect journey has been anything but typical. He has been extraordinarily young for nearly every level he's reached. He's been challenged aggressively. He's played his way up the organizational ladder. And he's repeatedly been forced to pause because of injuries. Through all of it, the production has remained. Now, the wait is over. Jenkins is finally coming to Minnesota. And after everything it took to get here, it's time to find out just how good he can be. What stands out about his time in the minors? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article

Image courtesy of Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images For most of the 2026 season, the Minnesota Twins have been difficult to categorize. They aren't rebuilding in the traditional sense, but they also haven't played like a team expected to seriously contend for the American League pennant. Instead, they have bounced between those descriptions, showing flashes of a team capable of making noise while also reminding everyone why expectations were modest entering the season. Have they overachieved? In some areas, absolutely. Have they simply performed about where they were expected to? That's probably the most accurate description of their overall record. And have certain players and areas of the roster underachieved? Without question. With the final month approaching, it's worth taking a step back and looking at the big picture. The Twins Have Overachieved in Some Important Areas The easiest way to argue that the Twins have overachieved is to remember where this team started. Pablo López was supposed to anchor the rotation. Instead, he suffered an injury during spring training, forcing Minnesota to adjust its plans before the season even began. Losing a pitcher of López's caliber could have sent the rotation into a tailspin. Taj Bradley deserves credit for helping stabilize things. There were plenty of questions about what the Twins would get from him, but Bradley has looked better than many anticipated. He hasn't needed to replace López, but his performance has helped a rotation that entered the year with plenty of uncertainty. There have been pleasant surprises on the position-player side, too. Kody Clemens and Brooks Lee have both reached the 20-home-run mark, providing considerably more power than many expected. The offense as a whole deserves credit. For much of the first half, Minnesota sat near the top of the American League in runs scored, thanks in large part to its success with runners in scoring position. That was certainly not expected entering the season. Then there was the bullpen. For much of the first half, Minnesota's relief corps was one of the team's biggest weaknesses. Yet the Twins continued finding ways to stay competitive while trying to patch together innings late in games. The front office eventually addressed that weakness rather than accepting it as an organizational limitation. Minnesota has dealt with injuries, inconsistent pitching, bullpen issues and offensive slumps. They haven't always responded perfectly, but they have continued finding ways to remain relevant. For the Most Part, the Twins Have Achieved Here's where the preseason projections become important. The Twins are on pace to finish with a win total in the mid-to-high 70s, roughly where many projection systems expected them to land. That provides important context for evaluating the season. The reason some people believe Minnesota has overachieved isn't necessarily because the team has dramatically exceeded its preseason projections. It's because expectations changed after the 2025 trade deadline. The Twins' fire sale last summer fundamentally altered the perception of the organization. Minnesota moved established major-league talent and appeared to be positioning itself for a longer rebuild. It was easy to look at the 2026 roster and assume the team would struggle significantly. Instead, the Twins have spent most of the season hanging around the American League playoff picture. That's the part that feels like an overachievement. The actual win total? Probably not. Minnesota has taken a roundabout path to get there. There have been stretches when the Twins looked like one of the better teams in the league and others when they looked like exactly what preseason projections predicted: a flawed team with significant holes and an uncertain future. That's probably the most honest description of this season. The Twins have achieved what they were projected to accomplish, but they've done it in a way that has been more interesting than expected. A 78-win team buried in the standings feels very different from a 78-win team fighting for a playoff spot in September. The latter gives the organization something to build upon. The Twins Have Underachieved in Some Key Areas There are also legitimate reasons to believe the Twins could have been better. Matt Wallner and Royce Lewis are the most obvious examples. Both entered the season as important pieces of Minnesota's offensive core, but both scuffled badly enough to be sent to Triple-A. Lewis has returned to the majors and played well, which changes the outlook considerably. Still, his struggles and time in the minors are significant when evaluating the season. The same is true of Wallner. The Twins needed production from both players and expected them to become reliable middle-of-the-order contributors. Instead, Minnesota had to find production elsewhere while they worked through their struggles. The rotation has also fallen short of expectations. López's injury changed the equation, and he was joined on the injured list by Mick Abel, David Festa and even Joe Ryan. Minnesota has spent the year searching for consistency behind its healthier arms. There have been good individual performances, but the group hasn't always provided the dependable innings a playoff team needs. The bullpen is another obvious example. The fact that Minnesota eventually improved that unit doesn't erase how much of a problem it was for much of the season. Too many games were put in jeopardy because the Twins couldn't consistently turn a lead over to reliable relief pitching. There has also been an uneven development curve among some of the younger players. Lee has provided inconsistent offensive production, while Luke Keaschall has struggled defensively. That's part of the deal with inexperienced players, but those growing pains become more noticeable when a team is competing for a playoff spot. It's one thing to watch a young player struggle on a 65-win team. It's another when those struggles could be the difference between playing in October and watching the postseason from home. The (Not So) Final Verdict Ultimately, the Twins' 2026 season doesn't fit neatly into one category. They have overachieved relative to the expectations created by last year's trade deadline. They have achieved relative to many of their preseason projections. And they have underachieved in several areas where individual players were expected to take significant steps forward. All three things can be true. The most important development is that Minnesota has given itself a reason to care about September. That wasn't necessarily guaranteed when the calendar flipped to 2026. The Twins now have a better idea of which young players are ready to be part of the next competitive roster, which veterans can help them get there and which weaknesses still need to be addressed. Maybe that's the biggest accomplishment of all. The Twins haven't been perfect. They haven't been dominant. They haven't even been consistently good. But they have been competitive. And after where this organization stood a year ago, that's a pretty important place to start. Have the Twins overachieved, underachieved, or landed somewhere in the middle? Leave a comment and start the discussion. View full article