Cody Christie

Twins fans want to see Byron Buxton, Jorge Polanco, and Carlos Correa as much as possible. All three figure into the team's plans for the top of the order. Leadoff Options So far this spring, Byron Buxton has served as the leadoff hitter in every game he has been in the line-up. This positioning may point to the team considering him for the leadoff spot, or it may be a way to get him more in-game action this spring. Buxton has started 33 games as the leadoff hitter throughout his career and posted a .315 OBP and a .514 OPS. His speed would be a clear weapon out of the leadoff spot, making him an intriguing player to feature in the leadoff role. Minnesota also has other options to fill the leadoff role. Luis Arraez has the contact and on-base skills to fit the mold of a leadoff hitter. In his career, he has batted leadoff more than any other line-up spot while hitting .320/.371/.398 (.769). However, Arraez doesn't have a regular line-up spot, and his knees issues have made his running painful to watch. Last season, his sprint speed ranked in the 45th percentile, but the team may still want his bat-to-ball skills in the leadoff spot. Two Hole Coming off a season where he was team MVP, Jorge Polanco will likely continue to be used in the second spot in the line-up. He has batted second in nearly 40% of his big-league appearances, where he has hit .288/.345/.478 (.823). Last season, he accumulated double-digit steals for the second time in his career, and that may point to his ankles being healthy for the first time in multiple seasons. A healthy Buxton batting in front of Polanco can be an exciting one-two punch at the top of the line-up. Polanco played over 150 games for the second time in his career last season, but there are other options for the line-up's second spot when he is given a day off. As mentioned above, Buxton and Arraez have the skills necessary to bat at the top of the line-up when Polanco sits out a game. Depending on the handiness of the pitcher, Max Kepler, a left-handed hitter, Three Spot Carlos Correa is the highest-paid infielder in MLB history, and he needs to bat in the middle of the Twins line-up. He has made over 230 starts in the number three and four spots throughout his career. From both of these spots, his OPS is north of .820, and he hit 83 career home runs. The higher Correa bats in the order, the more at-bats he will accumulate throughout the season. Batting him lower than third in the line-up takes away from the offensive value he can be providing to the team. In the past, Correa has dealt with injuries, including missing time in multiple seasons because of back issues. He has averaged more than 115 games per season, but there will be times when he isn't on the field. When that occurs, moving Buxton to the third spot allows him more opportunities to drive in the leadoff runners. Alex Kirilloff is returning from injury, but he projects to be a middle-of-the-order hitter for the Twins over the next decade. Minnesota's line-up has undoubtedly taken on a different look since the lockout ended with Josh Donaldson and Mitch Garver out of the equation. However, Correa adds another experienced bat that has been accustomed to connecting for big hits in the playoffs. How do you think the Twins will shape the top of their line-up this season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Bailey Ober was arguably Minnesota’s most critical starting pitcher after the team dealt away other starting rotation members at the trade deadline. To find more success in 2022, one pitch may make all the difference. Ober is coming off a strong rookie campaign where he made 20 starts and posted a 4.19 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP. At the season’s end, he was named the team’s rookie of the year, which likely resulted in higher expectations for him entering 2022. Minnesota’s only offseason additions to the rotation include Sonny Gray and Dylan Bundy, so Ober will be relied on to accumulate innings. The Twins likely want him to take on an even more critical role, and his slider is the pitch that can help him take the next step. Ober used a four-pitch mix during his rookie campaign, including a four-seam fastball, slider, changeup, and curveball. His second most utilized pitch was his slider, as he threw it 18.4% of the time. Last season, batters posted a .264 batting average and a .542 slugging percentage. At Baseball Savant, his slider resulted in a 38.2 Hard Hit % and a 7 Run-Value. His Run-Value on his slider ranked as the 17th worst in baseball. One of Ober’s biggest strengths is controlling the strike zone and limiting walks. His BB% ranked in the 94th percentile, and his slider was the pitch he threw most regularly out of the zone. His slider is almost exclusively used against right-handed hitters (86%), while he regularly turns to his other offspeed offerings against southpaws. His OPS versus righties was over 100 points lower than lefties, and he had a 9.17 SO/W rate versus right-handed hitters. Last season, Ober made specific changes to his slider to add more velocity so the pitch would look more like a fastball to hitters. There were visible changes to the pitch, which helped improve his other offspeed pitches. In an interview with FanGraphs, Ober said, “I started throwing a new slider [in early-to-mid-August]. I wanted something a little bit harder. It had been around 78-80 [mph], and I wanted to give hitters something different. It was kind of blending with my curveball, too. Basically, the idea was something with a bigger speed difference between my curveball and my slider.” He went on to say, “Before, I had it a little deeper in my hand, and it had a lot more horizontal movement on it. It wasn’t as depth-y as my new one. My new one is harder [82-84] and has a little more depth, and it’s also not as horizontal anymore.” In the minor leagues, Ober could pound the strike zone with fastballs and get consistent outs. As he establishes himself at the big-league level, he will need to continue to make adjustments and rely on his secondary pitches. Minnesota’s front office identified the changes mentioned above, and he made improvements over his final seven starts, including a 3.63 ERA and a 34-to-3 strikeout to walk ratio. If Ober can continue to make adjustments, he will establish himself as a long-term rotational option for the Twins. All of his other pitches are tied to the success of his slider. How important do you think Ober’s slider is to his 2022 season? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. View full article

Minnesota expected Randy Dobnak to provide rotational depth this season, but his lingering finger issues led him to the 60-day IL. What will be the roster repercussions from Dobnak’s injury? Minnesota already decided to move Griffin Jax and Lewis Thorpe to bullpen roles, which makes sense when looking at their pitching flaws. Last season, Jax was excellent the first time through the order, and he may be a strong candidate to serve in an opener role. Thorpe is out of minor league options, and the team needs to see if he can find success as a reliever. Either pitcher may shift to starting games as part of bullpen games in Dobnak’s absence. Signing a different back-end starting pitcher is also on the table. Rumors surrounding Johnny Cueto coming to the Twins circulated earlier in the week, and he’d be a natural Dobnak replacement. Cueto is coming off a 2021 season where he posted a 4.08 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP in 114 2/3 innings, but he hadn’t pitched more than 65 innings in three prior seasons. Cueto doesn’t seem to offer a ton of upside, and maybe the Twins are rethinking their back of the rotation options. Another option is to allow other young pitchers to start. Many of the team’s top pitching prospects missed time last season due to injury. Pitchers will be on an innings limit, so when and where do the Twins want those innings? If players start in the minors, those are innings that don’t help the 2022 Twins. Someone like Jhoan Duran can help bolster the team’s bullpen, but Minnesota may not be ready to shift him from starting. Jordan Balazovic is on the 40-man roster, and he pitched nearly 100 innings at Double-A last season. As a 23-year-old, would the Twins start him in the big-league rotation? Nothing stops the team from moving him up and down from Triple-A throughout the 2022 season. Other prospects on the 40-man roster include Josh Winder and Drew Strotman. Winder, like Balazovic, is projected to debut in 2022, but he dealt with a right shoulder impingement that limited him to 72 innings. Winder may be ahead of Balazovic on the depth chart because he made multiple Triple-A starts and is a couple of years older. Last summer, Strotman was acquired as part of the Nelson Cruz trade, and scouts view him as big-league ready. This year, he will start games for the Twins, and Dobnak’s injury may push him into the team’s Opening Day plans. Veteran players like Jharel Cotton, Chi Chi Gonzalez, and Dereck Rodriguez have been brought in this winter to provide organizational depth. Cotton projects to be part of the bullpen, but he can bounce back in 2022, including shifting back to being a starter. Gonzalez started 18 games for the Rockies last season but posted a 6.46 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. There’s a chance that leaving Coors Field will help some of his numbers. Rodriguez also provides rotational depth as he looks to get back to the pitcher he was in 2018. After signing his extension last winter, Dobnak’s career has undoubtedly followed a challenging path. Minnesota tried him as a reliever last season, and it didn’t work. From there, his finger injury started bothering him, and he is still dealing with the issue. Over the next three seasons, he is guaranteed $7.75 million, so Minnesota wants him to solve his finger issue and get back on the field. What path do you think the Twins will follow because of Dobnak’s injury? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Carlos Correa will impact the Twins in many ways, but one of his most significant impacts may come on the defensive side of the ball. Does Correa’s addition mean Minnesota has baseball’s best up-the-middle defense? Up-the-middle defense is one of the most critical aspects of the game. Having one weak link up the middle can result in poor defensive plays and more strain on a pitching staff. Luckily, the Twins have some of baseball’s best defenders at the most important positions on the field. Carlos Correa, SS 2021 SDI Ranking: 1 Correa is coming off a season where he took a massive step forward as a defender and won the AL’s Platinum Glove Award. According to SABR’s Defensive Index, he was baseball’s best overall defender last season. His 20 Defensive Runs Saved were nearly double his previous high. In 2016, he was worth -18 Outs Above Average, and he improved to 12 Outs Above Average in 2021. As long as his back doesn’t flare up, Correa is among baseball’s best defenders at a critical defensive position. Jorge Polanco, 2B 2021 SDI Ranking: 4 Polanco’s defensive transition was relatively seamless as he shifted from being a below-average defensive shortstop to an above-average second baseman. He set career highs in Defensive Runs Saved (3) after being worth negative DRS at shortstop. During 2019, Polanco’s last entire season at shortstop, he was worth -22 OAA, which put him near the bottom of the league. Last year, he posted a -1 OAA at second base after being limited to 43 big-league innings at the position in previous years. Polanco gets another season to get comfortable at the position while continuing to improve. Byron Buxton, CF 2021 SDI Ranking: NR Buxton’s 2021 injuries kept him from being featured on the final SDI leaderboard, but he still ranked highly in other defensive metrics. He was worth 7 OAA and 10 DRS, which is tremendous considering he was limited to just over 500 defensive innings. His sprint speed continues to be in the top 1% of the league, so it will be interesting to see how he ages during the life of his contract extension. He is arguably baseball’s best defender when healthy, and the Twins hope he can be back to his Gold Glove-winning ways in 2022. Ryan Jeffers, C 2021 SDI Ranking: 8 Jeffers finished in the top-10 for SDI last season despite being in the minor leagues for over 20 games. Minnesota traded Mitch Garver and is seemingly handing the starting catcher duties to Jeffers. His framing skills ranked in the 74th percentile, a 16 point drop from his 2020 campaign. He was worth 4 DRS in 2021, but his below-average arm allows more steals than a team may prefer. Many viewed Jeffers as a bat-first catcher when the Twins drafted him, but he has completely revamped his defensive reputation as a professional. Minnesota needs Jeffers to take the next step this season, including improving on both sides of the ball. Where do you think Minnesota’s defense now ranks among baseball’s best? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Baseball’s evolution points to players throwing harder than ever, so which Twins prospects have the organization's most effective fastballs? In recent years, multiple prospects across baseball have used new technology and data to help refine their delivery to add something to their fastball. A middle-level prospect with a low-graded fastball can add movement and velocity to start moving up prospect lists. The pitches below rank on the 20-80 scouting scale, and most of these fastballs are big-league ready. 5. Matt Canterino, RHP Current Fastball/Future Fastball: 55/55 Minnesota selected Canterino from Rice University back in 2019 with the team’s second-round pick. His fastball sits from 91-96 mph but can top out at 98 mph. Last season, he struck out 45 batters in 23 innings. However, he has pitched fewer than 50 professional innings due to multiple IL trips. He has the pitch mix to be a starter at the big-league level, but many believe he will wind up serving in a relief role because of his health concerns. He just turned 24-years-old this winter, so the 2022 campaign will be important in deciding his role as he gets closer to the big-league level. 4. Jordan Balazovic, RHP Current Fastball/Future Fastball: 55/55 Balazovic pitched a career-high 97 innings last season, and he was over 2.5 years younger than the average age of the competition at Double-A. He was inconsistent throughout the 2021 campaign, but there were flashes of brilliance. His fastball sits in the 93-96 mph range, and he can top out at 97 mph. Some of the other names on this list will end up in the bullpen, but Balazovic still projects to be a middle-of-the-rotation starter, which has plenty of future value. Since he is already on the 40-man roster, there is a good chance Balazovic will make his big-league debut in 2022. 3. Jhoan Duran, RHP Current Fastball/Future Fastball: 60/60 Duran’s fastball is electric, as he showed last year by hitting over 100 mph at Triple-A. Typically, he sits in the 95-99 range, but he can reach over 100 mph if he rears back and gets the adrenaline pumping. He missed most of the 2021 season with a forearm strain, and there’s potential for him to end up as a bullpen arm. Even with his high velocity, his fastball doesn’t lead to a high strikeout rate, similar to former Twins prospect Brusdar Graterol. If healthy, Duran can get another opportunity to start, but it’s hard not to consider him a bullpen option as soon as 2022. 2. Steven Cruz, RHP Current Fastball/Future Fastball: 70/70 Cruz has been in the Twins organization since signing as an international free agent in 2017. Last season, his fastball sat at 95-99 mph while topping out at 101 mph. He doesn’t rank as one of Minnesota’s top pitching prospects because he seems destined for a bullpen role. His command is lacking (5.9 BB/9), but his fastball-slider combination may be enough to be a useful relief arm at the big-league level. Last season, he posted a 14.4 SO/9 between Low- and High-A. To continue to move up the ladder, he will need to harness some of his erratic control. 1. Joe Ryan, RHP Current Fastball/Future Fastball: 70/70 Ryan’s fastball has been discussed in depth since he was traded to the Twins last July. He sits 90-94 mph while topping out at 96 mph. While that might not be as impressive as others on this list, his secondary characteristics separate his fastball from the others. He struck out over 35% of the batters he faced in the minors, and the team saw him transition that success to the big-league level. One of the concerns with Ryan is how frequently he uses his fastball, so it will be interesting to track his pitch usage throughout the 2022 campaign. Who do you think has the best fastball in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES — Top Power Tool Prospects — Top Hit Tool Prospects — Top Speed Tool Prospects MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Minnesota's significant free-agent acquisition seems like a slam dunk, but a severe injury may impact how long Carlos Correa stays in Minnesota. Here's a look back at his injury history during his big-league career. Twins fans are familiar with injuries to star players as the team was able to sign oft-injured Byron Buxton to a team-friendly extension. Correa and Buxton were the first two picks in the 2012 MLB Draft, and Correa has played 259 more games than Buxton. However, Correa has missed time with injuries throughout his career. 2017: Correa injured a thumb ligament when he slid into a catcher's shin guard on a slide into home. While this may seem like a fluke injury, he missed 42 games, and he aggravated the injury in the postseason. Houston won the World Series that season and Correa was a crucial cog in that championship run. 2018: During the 2018 campaign, Correa landed on the IL for 36 games due to a back injury. He returned from the injury, but it was one of his worst big-league seasons. In 110 games, he posted a .728 OPS with 20 doubles and 15 home runs. His back was still bothering him, but he tried to play through the injury as the Astros made another run to the ALCS. 2019: Correa's back injury didn't completely go away as he missed time in August and September of 2019. His most considerable injury came in 2019 when he missed two months with a cracked rib. One might think this was caused by a diving play or a fastball to the rib cage, but those would be incorrect guesses. An in-home massage caused his rib injury, and he was limited to 75 games this season. 2020: The shortened 2020 season impacted players differently, but it was Correa's worst at the big-league level. His .709 OPS was almost 20 points lower than his 2018 campaign when he tried to play through his back injury. Even with the poor performance, he played nearly every game of the shortened season. Correa's only missed time was in September when he fouled a ball off his ankle. He helped the Astros defeat the Twins during the playoffs. He went 3-for-6 with a home run. 2021: Correa played 148 games last season, which is the second-highest total of his career. His only missed time was when he was placed on the IL due to health and safety protocols. He had one of his best offensive seasons, finishing fifth for the AL MVP and winning the Platinum Glove as the AL's best defender. When taking out the shortened 2020 season, Correa has averaged over 115 games per season since he debuted in 2015. He hasn't been Cal Ripken Jr. at the shortstop position, but few players are ironmen in today's game. Correa has dealt with back issues throughout his career, which can worsen as players age. Minnesota fans and Correa can hope he stays healthy this season and posts monster numbers. It will likely mean his Twins tenure is short, but he will undoubtedly be fun to watch in the season ahead. Are you concerned by Correa's injury history? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Nelson Cruz, Josh Donaldson, and Mitch Garver are no longer with the Minnesota Twins. Does that mean Twins fans should be worried about DH production this season? In recent years, Nelson Cruz was penciled in as the team's primary designated hitter, and he performed at a high level in this role. Throughout the offseason, the Twins planned to rotate through various players in the DH role, but there has been a roster turnover since the lockout ended. Here are some of the names expected to fill the DH role in 2022. Gary Sánchez 2021 Stats: .204/.307/.423 (.730), 13 2B, 23 HR, 121 K, 117 G It seems likely for Sánchez to get the majority of his at-bats in the DH role this season because he is atrocious behind the plate. Sánchez has played 74 games as a DH for his career while hitting .224/.306/.469 (.775) with 11 doubles and 19 home runs. If Ryan Jeffers misses time or struggles, Sánchez will be pressed into service behind the plate. He's also in his final year of team control, and he likely wants to hit the market known for being a catcher and not just as a DH. There is an outside chance that Minnesota will include Sánchez in a trade before Opening Day, and then the team will have to turn to other DH options. Miguel Sanó 2021 Stats: .223/.312/.466 (.778), 24 2B, 30 HR, 183 K, 135 G Expectations were for Sanó to be used more regularly at the DH spot this season with Cruz out of the picture. Since switching to first base, he's made marginal defensive improvements, but SABR's SDI ranks him as the second-worst defensive first baseman. Also, Sanó isn't a stranger to the DH position as he's played nearly as many games at DH (155) as first base (195). He has a .753 OPS as the DH for his career, which is lower than when he plays a defensive position. Minnesota has a $14 million team option attached to Sanó with a $2.75 million buyout for next season. That's a steep price to pay for someone that has shifted to a more regular DH role. Brent Rooker 2021 Stats: .201/.291/.397 (.688), 10 2B, 9 HR, 70 K, 58 G Rooker has run out of things to prove in the minor leagues as he has a .932 OPS in nearly an entire season at Triple-A. The 27-year-old was used sporadically at the big-league level in 2020-21, and a DH role might be his best shot to earn a permanent role. Last season, he lost out on an Opening Day roster spot because the team was concerned with his defensive ability in the outfield. Those concerns likely remain, but Rooker is already behind the aforementioned names, and he may be relegated to a bench role this season. Other Options All three players mentioned seem to fit the prototypical DH mold, but others on the Twins roster will have the opportunity to fill the DH spot. Twins manager Rocco Baldelli has preached a mantra around giving players adequate rest, including moving a regular position player to the DH role for the day. Four outfielders currently project to make the Opening Day roster, so one of those players could fill in at DH on any given day. Besides the outfielders, Luis Arraez and Jorge Polanco have played through in-season injuries in the past. A day at DH may take some of the wear and tear off their knees (Arraez) and ankles (Polanco). Jose Miranda is also coming off a tremendous season, but he doesn't have a clear roster spot this spring. Would the team consider bringing him up to get at-bats in a DH role? Some other powerful prospects like Matt Wallner and Aaron Sabato are also working their way towards Target Field. Minnesota's DH plan seemed much clearer at the beginning of the offseason, but those plans have changed. Now, these options seem worse than the Twins' production out of the DH spot with Cruz. Should Twins fans be worried about production from the DH spot? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

He was at that level prior to his injury last year. The drop in his projection is related to him not playing in a game since 2019. He may be able to get back to a 70, but he has also added more muscle mass which can slow a player down.

Speed is a tool that can separate elite defenders and base stealers from the rest of the pack. Will these Twins prospects continue to be fast as they age? While prospects can improve other tools, speed is an area that tends to decline as players add more muscle and age. According to the 20-80 scouting scale, multiple players on the list below are currently faster than expected in the future. Here are the top-five speed tool prospects in the Twins organization. 5. Yasser Mercedes, OF Current Run/Future Run: 55/50 Minnesota signed Mercedes as part of the 2022 international signing period, where he ranked as one of the top prospects in the class. It’s easy to see why he is projected to lose speed as he continues to age. He is currently 6-foot-3, and he weighs 180 pounds, so he is projected to add weight as he continues to mature. Scouting reports leading into the signing period noted that his speed currently helps him to make up for inefficient route running in center field. Many believe he can stick in center, and his speed is one tool that makes him an intriguing player to keep an eye on. 4. Alerick Soularie, 2B Current Run/Future Run: 55/55 Soularie had to wait until 2021 to make his pro debut after the Twins selected him in the 2nd round of the 2020 MLB Draft. He missed a large chunk of the 2021 season with a fractured foot, but he appeared in 34 games. He posted a .727 OPS during that time while going 9-for-10 in stolen base opportunities. Most of his defensive innings have come at second base, but the organization hasn’t been afraid to use his speed in the outfield. With his foot injury behind him, he can get his first full season in the books this year and show his true speed potential. 3. Royce Lewis, SS/CF Current Run/Future Run: 60/50 Like Soularie, Lewis missed significant time in 2021. However, there are bigger questions about whether or not Lewis will still have his top-graded speed after knee surgery. In 2019, Lewis went 22-for-32 in stolen base attempts at High- and Double-A. Questions are swirling about his future defensive position, but there is no question about his athletic ability and make-up. Lewis continues to fill out his frame, which will continue to take away from his speed while adding to his power potential. Steals aren’t as prevalent across baseball, but Lewis will be able to transition to other defensive positions because of his speed. 2. Keoni Cavaco, SS Current Run/Future Run: 60/60 Cavaco, the team’s 2019 first-round pick, struggled mightily in his first taste of full-season action. His athleticism was one of the biggest reasons the Twins selected him, as he was considered a late-riser on draft boards. Last season, he went 6-for-8 in stolen base opportunities, but he was also getting on base less than 30% of the time. In 60 games, he committed 24 errors at shortstop, so many believe he will eventually move to third base. As with many other prospects, missing the entire 2020 season hurt Cavaco, and he needs consistent reps and coaching to continue to improve. 1. Will Holland, 2B Current Run/Future Run: 70/70 Holland may be an unfamiliar name to some Twins fans, but the team took him with their fifth-round pick back in 2019. The Auburn product was old for Low-A last season, but his collegiate experience showed through as he posted a .336 OBP. Defensively, he played the majority of his innings at shortstop, but the organization also had him play at second, third, and in center field. In 76 games, he stole 19 bases, so his speed was evident on the base paths. He’s an athletic player that has a chance to fill a utility role at the big-league level. He turns 24-years-old in April, and he should start next season in Cedar Rapids. Who do you think has the best run tool in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES — Top Power Tool Prospects — Top Hit Tool Prospects MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

In recent years, Alex Kirilloff and Luis Arraez are two of the best-hitting prospects to come through the Twins system. Can any of these players follow in their strong hitting footsteps? Scouts typically use a 20-80 scale to rank prospects based on their current and future skill level. Below you will see where these players rank currently, including their potential to improve in the years ahead. 5. Noah Miller, SS Current Hit/Future Hit: 25/60 Minnesota selected Miller with the 36th pick in the 2021 MLB Draft out of high school in Wisconsin. In his pro debut, he hit .238/.316/.369 (.685) with six extra-base hits in 22 games. He is a switch hitter with an advanced hitting approach. Teams can have a tough time evaluating players from cold-weather states, but Miller’s hitting profile saw him rise up draft boards last spring. Compared to other high school hitters, he has a better hitting approach, and he does a tremendous job of making consistent contact. As he continues to add weight, his swing has the potential for more power, and his hitting skills project to be among the system’s best. 4. Misael Urbina, OF Current Hit/Future Hit: 30/55 The Twins signed Urbina during the 2018 international signing period. Last season, Urbina played 101 games at Low-A and hit .191/.299/.286 (.585). While those totals are low, he compiled a .825 OPS as a 17-year-old in the Dominican Summer League. Losing a year of development impacted his swing in 2021, but he only had four plate appearances against younger pitchers last season. His bat-to-ball skills are considered advanced for his age, and he controls the strike zone. Starting the 2022 season at Low-A will help him gain some confidence, and he has the potential to move up to Cedar Rapids later in the year. 3. Spencer Steer, 2B Current Hit/Future Hit: 40/50 Steer was taken in the third round back in 2019 out of the University of Oregon. Even with the missed 2020 season, his swing took some steps forward last season. He ended the year hitting .254/.348/.484 (.833) with 18 doubles and 24 home runs between High- and Double-A. Because of his collegiate experience, his advanced approach at the plate has been his calling card. In recent years, he has reworked his swing, which may help him add more power as he moves up the organizational ladder. Steer will need to cut back on his strikeout rate as he gets closer to the big leagues, but he has hitting skills that should make him a serviceable infielder. 2. Jose Miranda, 3B Current Hit/Future Hit: 50/55 Many Twins fans are now very familiar with Miranda based on his breakout 2021 season. Minnesota took Miranda in the second round back in 2016. Many within the organization have been touting his potential for multiple years. His short, compact swing allows him to make contact at a consistent level which finally resulted in improved power numbers last season. Even if those power numbers decline at the big-league level, he should be able to continue to put the bat on the ball. Miranda saw an improved walk rate last season, but his ability to make contact means he swings at a lot of pitches. Can he continue to make adjustments as he gets closer to his debut? 1. Austin Martin, SS/CF Current Hit/Future Hit: 50/60 Martin is widely considered Minnesota’s top prospect, and many scouts felt he was the top hitter in the 2020 MLB Draft. Last season, he made his pro debut and hit .270/.414/.382 (.796) at Double-A. Like Miranda, he can make contact with nearly any pitch, but he can be over patient at times. MLB Pipeline put it succinctly when saying he shows “no weaknesses at the plate.” Since joining the Twins organization, he has continued to work on altering his swing, which may produce more power in 2022. However, that might mean that he has to sacrifice contact and be more aggressive. Who do you think has the best hit tool in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES — Top Power Prospects MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

After a whirlwind weekend, the Twins roster underwent a dramatic transformation. Here’s what the Opening Day roster can look like if the team doesn’t make other moves. Catchers (2): Ryan Jeffers, Gary Sanchez The Twins are turning the starting catcher role over to Jeffers by trading Mitch Garver. On the surface, this makes sense because Jeffers is significantly younger than Garver and has more years of team control. Minnesota hopes Jeffers takes the next step offensively after a down year in 2021. It sounds like Sanchez will serve as the backup catcher and designated hitter. SABR’s SDI ranked him as the AL’s worst defensive catcher last season, so he must get minimal time behind the plate. Behind these two players, the team’s catching depth has thinned so that the team may add a veteran backup option. Infielders (6): Luis Arraez, Jorge Polanco, Miguel Sano, Nick Gordon, Brent Rooker, Gio Urshela It looked like Minnesota had their shortstop solution when the team acquired Isiah Kiner-Falefa, but his Twins tenure was short-lived. Now, there is no clear shortstop option on the roster. Polanco and Urshela can fill in, but both fit better at other defensive positions. Sano is likely in a contract year, so it will be interesting to see how the Twins use him this season. He and Sanchez have a similar offensive skillset, so both will need time at DH. Arraez, Gordon, and Rooker provide different skills off the bench, but there is an apparent lack of shortstop depth. Outfielders (4): Byron Buxton, Max Kepler, Alex Kirilloff, Trevor Larnach Minnesota’s outfield is one of its strengths, so the team will need to rotate through the different options. Like at catcher, the team may trade from a position of strength to add to a position of need. Kirilloff will likely get time at first base since he is the team’s strongest defender at that position. Gilberto Celestino put up some strong numbers at Triple-A, so he adds some depth in the outfield if the team needs a younger option. Rotation (5): Sonny Gray, Dylan Bundy, Joe Ryan, Bailey Ober, Randy Dobnak Adding Gray to the top of the rotation is a huge upgrade over the initial roster projection. He immediately adds a front of the rotation starter under team control for multiple years. Minnesota has room to add at least one more veteran arm with young pitchers taking multiple rotation spots. Does a reunion with Michael Pineda make sense? Or will the team dip into the trade market again? Expectations are high for Ryan and Ober, but neither has pitched more than 125 innings in one professional season. Dobnak had a terrible 2021 season, but the Twins had faith in him last winter, so he will need to earn the fifth starter role. Bullpen (9): Taylor Rogers, Tyler Duffey, Jorge Alcala, Caleb Thielbar, Ralph Garza Jr., Cody Stashak, Jovani Moran, Jharel Cotton, Lewis Thorpe Minnesota’s bullpen improved in the second half last season, and the core of that group remains the same. Rogers is returning from a finger injury, so it will be critical to return to his late-inning role. Duffey struggled last season, but the Twins hope he can return to his 2019-20 form. Alcala and Thielbar will also get the opportunity to get the team out of some tricky situations. Moran has a dominant change-up that should allow him to transition to the big-league weapon with a chance to have an even more critical role in the future. Thorpe is out of options, and there doesn’t seem to be room for him in the rotation. Can he stick with the big-league club as a long-reliever? What changes will happen to the team’s roster before Opening Day? Do you feel like the Twins have improved this winter? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

With great power comes great responsibility. Will these Twins prospects be able to transition their power to the big-league level? Scouts and front office personnel use a 20-80 scale to evaluate a player’s tools. This ranking system is also used to project how those tools will improve as the player continues to develop. Below you will see the top five Twins prospects regarding current and future power potential. 5. Keoni Cavaco, SS Current Power/Future Power: 55/60 Cavaco’s power hasn’t fully shown up in-game action, but scouting reports have his raw power having some of the best potential in the system. Last season at Low-A, he posted a .598 OPS, which was 128 points higher than his professional debut. Cavaco added muscle to his frame during the canceled 2020 season, but that hasn’t shown up in-game action. Now he needs to prove he can make consistent contact to showcase his power on a more regular basis. He will be entering his age-21 season this year, and his stock has fallen in relation to prospect rankings. His power might make him a candidate to bounce back in 2022. 4. Jose Miranda, 3B Current Power/Future Power: 55/55 Miranda is coming off one of the best offensive seasons in Twins history, and he is on the verge of breaking into the big leagues. Minnesota’s front office has been touting Miranda’s potential for multiple offseasons, and he was finally able to put it all together in 2021. Between Double- and Triple-A, he hit 32 doubles and 30 home runs on his way to being named the Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Year. He’s proven his power potential in the upper minors, and he needs to prove that he can transition that power to the big-league level. His 2021 campaign clearly puts him in the team’s long-term plans. 3. Royce Lewis, SS/OF Current Power/Future Power: 60/70 Like Cavaco, Lewis has seen his stock drop over the last two years, but that’s directly related to the fact that he hasn’t been on the field. One of the reasons for optimism surrounding his power potential is the amount of time he has been able to add weight to his already athletic frame. When the Twins drafted him, he weighed 185 pounds, but now he has added at least 30 pounds to his 6-foot-1 frame. There are many questions about what version of Lewis will be on the field this season, especially with his previous swing concerns. 2. Aaron Sabato, 1B/DH Current Power/Future Power: 60/60 Sabato was an intriguing choice by the Twins when they took him in the first round of the 2020 MLB Draft. He crushed the ball in college with a 1.158 OPS in 85 games. A player with his skillset needs to see that power transition to his professional career because he adds minimal defensive value. Last season at Low-A, he struggled to make consistent contact as he struck out 117 times in 85 games. However, he improved as the season progressed and played his final 22 games at High-A. Overall, he hit .253/.402/.613 (1.105) with eight home runs after the promotion. In 2022, he needs to prove that his power surge wasn’t a mirage. 1. Matt Wallner, OF Current Power/Future Power: 70/70 Scouts considered Wallner’s power some of the best in the 2019 draft class, and he has proven his power potential throughout his professional career. He posted an .854 OPS at High-A last season, but he missed time with a broken hamate. After the season, Minnesota sent him to the AFL, and he compiled a 1.011 OPS. There are still questions about Wallner’s future defensive position, but his bat has enough power to make him a dangerous option no matter where he is on the field. He struck out 100 times in 66 games last season, so his strikeout rate will be something to watch as he continues to move up the organizational ladder. Who do you think has the best power in the Twins system? Should someone else make the list? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook or email View full article

Every team makes mistakes, but organizations find long-term success by avoiding poor first-round draft picks. As the Metrodome era ended, Minnesota made some draft mistakes. Drafting baseball players isn’t an exact science as teams employ different strategies. Minnesota missed out on baseball’s best player, and they passed on two players that eventually wore a Twins uniform. 2005 Draft Twins Selection: Matt Garza (25th pick) Left on the Board: Colby Rasmus (28th pick) Seven players from the 2005 Draft have accumulated more than 30 WAR, including four players north of 40 WAR. Garza played in 152 big-league games and helped the Rays to a World Series run. He ended up in Tampa as part of the deal involving Delmon Young. The Cardinals took Rasmus three picks after Garza, and he played in over 1000 big-league games. Other players the Twins passed on include Jed Lowrie and Clay Buchholz, who Boston took in the supplemental first round. Garza wasn’t a terrible pick, but his best playing days came outside the Twins organization. 2006 Draft Twins Selection: Chris Parmelee (20th pick) Left on the Board: Ian Kennedy (21st pick) Parmelee played in over 300 big-league games, ranking in the top-10 out of players in the 2006 first round. During his Twins tenure, Parmelee didn’t provide a lot of value as a corner outfielder with limited defensive skills. Players of his ilk need to mash the ball, and that didn’t happen as he posted a .717 OPS for his career. The Yankees selected Ian Kennedy one pick after Parmelee, and he has the fifth-highest WAR total among 2006 first-round picks. Adam Ottavino and Andrew Miller were still available, so Minnesota had plenty of pitching options with the 20th overall pick. 2007 Draft Twins Selection: Ben Revere (28th pick) Left on the Board: Josh Donaldson (44th pick) It’s certainly intriguing to think the Twins had a chance to add Donaldson at the beginning of his professional career. The Cubs drafted him as a catcher from Auburn, and he has posted the highest WAR total among players in the 2007 first round. That ranks him ahead of players like David Price, Jason Heyward, and Madison Bumgarner. If Minnesota went in a different direction, Todd Frazier was also available with the 28th pick. Revere accumulated nearly 8.0 WAR in over 850 big-league games, but his skill set was limited, and some of the other available players had a higher ceiling. 2008 Draft Twins Selection: Aaron Hicks (14th pick) Left on the Board: Lance Lynn (39th pick) Hicks fit Minnesota’s mold of taking toolsy high school outfielders, and he’s gone on to have a respectable big-league career. Unfortunately, his best seasons have come in a Yankees uniform where his OPS is over 100 points higher than with the Twins. Out of players left on the board, only three players have accumulated more WAR than Hicks, including Lance Lynn, Wade Miley, and Jake Odorizzi. Lynn’s WAR total ranks second to Buster Posey among first-round picks that signed from the 2008 draft. Twins fans likely have a bad taste in their mouth after Lynn was terrible in 20 games for Minnesota. He has finished in the top-6 for the AL Cy Young in the last three seasons, and now he is torturing Twins fans by pitching well for the White Sox. 2009 Draft Twins Selection: Kyle Gibson (22nd pick) Left on the Board: Mike Trout (25h pick) The Twins weren’t the only team to pass over the best player of the current generation, but it doesn’t make it sting any less. Gibson was a solid, safe pick based on his college experience and potential as a starting pitcher. Besides Trout, Minnesota made the correct pick as no other available players have accumulated more WAR. Gibson earned his first All-Star nod last season, and he has pitched over 1300 big-league innings. On some bad Twins teams, he was the lone bright spot in the rotation. Books will be written about Trout’s greatness, and many teams likely wish they had a chance to reevaluate the high school outfielder from New Jersey. Which of these players was the best pick for the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion. OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES — 2010-2015 Drafts MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article