Minnesota Twins Top 15 Prospects For 2024

A couple years of great prospects falling into their lap in the first round like Walker Jenkins and Brooks Lee always helps, but don’t get it twisted, the Twins have identified and developed later-round arms with the best of them over the last few years. 

Of the five pitchers in the Twins top 10, four were drafted outside of the first round with three having been selected in the 8th round our later. You’ll notice a fair amount of higher floor prospects whether it be the arms or bats in the system as the Twins seem to favor hit tool and positional versatility as well as strike throwers who they feel could have more in the tank. 

1. Walker Jenkins – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 215 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (5), 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2026

Rare bat-to-ball skills for a 6-foot-3 teenager and good athleticism give Jenkins the goods to be a true five tool player.

Offense

A relaxed setup with simple pre-swing moves, Jenkins is consistently on time with his sweet left-handed swing and requires little effort to tap into impressive impact. His athleticism in the box is evident through his ability to control his body and repeat his moves consistently.

Jenkins is still filling out, but flashes plus power to his pull side already impressively balancing his knack for driving the ball in the air with authority with his advanced feel to hit. He already leverages his advantage counts well to look to do damage while showcasing the barely maneuverability to drive a pitcher’s pitch when he’s behind.

Possessing a good feel for the strike zone and the ability to drive the ball all over the field, Jenkins has the tools to be a special offensive force who climbs quickly for a prep bat.

Defense/Speed

A good runner who has looked comfortable in center field, Jenkins has a shot to stick up the middle. Should he move to a corner, his range and plus arm could give him plus potential with the glove. Jenkins should be a decent stolen base threat.

Outlook

An advanced swing for a prep bat with tools galore, Jenkins became a top-25 prospect in baseball the second the ink dried on his $7.1 million signing bonus with the Twins. There’s room for additional muscle in Jenkins frame, which would push his power to the plus territory, but his feel to hit and presently above average power will make him a strong offensive piece regardless. There’s a Kyle Tucker-type of profile here.

2. Emmanuel Rodriguez – OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 205 | Bat/Throw: L/L | IFA: $2.5M, 2019 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

One of the most exciting power bats in the minors, Rodriguez has monster offensive upside. Injuries slowed his development a bit, but he has made up for some lost time by putting up big numbers at each stop.

Offense

Lightning quick bat speed and an explosive lower half helped Rodriguez put up elite exit velocities as a teenager last year. Rodriguez unfortunately tore his meniscus in June of his 2022 campaign, cutting his coming out party short with a 1.044 OPS in 47 games. The combination of plus power and an ahead-of-his-years approach allowed Rodriguez to feast on Low-A pitchers despite a 68% contact rate.

Rodriguez had to shake some rust off in the early going of his 2023 campaign, but really hit his stride once June rolled around. One of the most patient hitters in the minor leagues, Rodriguez found himself bordering on overly passive at points, taking pitches he could do damage on leading to far too many deep counts.

While still very selective, he started to pull the trigger a bit more, resulting in more production and less strikeouts. Still running a minuscule chase rate of 15%, Rodriguez takes free passes with the best of them and now is leveraging his advantage counts better.

Easy power and elite bat speed paired with his explosive lower half help Rodriguez produce big time exit velocities. His 90th percentile exit velocity of 109 MPH is the best mark in the Twins organization, with a max exit velocity of 117 MPH.

Rodriguez has pulverized fastballs as a pro to the tune of an OPS over 1.000. Secondary stuff gave him plenty of trouble in 2022 and the early parts of 2023, but he has improved at both recognizing and staying back on secondaries as he has compiled more at-bats. His low chase rates on non-fastballs also hedges concern.

With borderline plus-plus raw power that he is starting to get into in games more consistently, an elite ability to draw walks and the potential for an average hit tool, Rodriguez has as much offensive upside to dream on as any prospect at the lower levels, and has started his Double-A tenure incredibly strong.

Defense/Speed

An average runner, Rodriguez covers enough ground to play a viable center field, but if he continues to fill out, he may move to a corner where his defense would potentially grade as plus. An average runner or slightly better, Rodriguez provides value on the base paths as an opportunistic base stealer.

Outlook

Top notch power potential and one of the most selective approaches in the Minor Leagues, Rodriguez will likely be a productive bat even if the hit tool does not come along as much as the Twins hope. There’s a Max Muncy-type of offensive profile to dream on, with a chance to stick in center field or play great defense in a corner.

3. Brooks Lee – SS – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’2″, 200 | Bat/Throw: S/R | 1st Round (8) – 2022 (MIN) | ETA: 2024

Viewed by many as the safest bat in the 2022 draft class, the switch-hitting Lee has flown through the Minor League ranks on the back of his plus-plus hit tool.

Offense

When you watch Lee hit, it is easy to understand how he was so consistent through his three collegiate seasons at Cal Poly where he slashed .351/.426/.647. Lee’s swing from the left-side is as pretty as they come; it’s short, quick and repeatable with sneaky pull-side power. He also has a great feel for the barrel with the ability to get to tough pitches or shoot the ball through a hole when he is fooled.

His right-handed swing is a more mechanical and less fluid, but he still makes a fair amount of contact. Fortunately, the majority of his at-bats will come from the left side.

Lee has average power to his pull side and will pick his spots to try to do damage. While his average exit velocities are average, he has flashed a max of 109 MPH.

A zone contact rate just shy of 90% and overall contact rate of 79%, Lee is rarely going to punch out and will work a fair amount of free passes. He has the tendency to get very contact-oriented, hitting more balls into the ground than desired and perhaps taking a few too many “B” swings in early or even counts, but he has improved in that regard as he has become acclimated to pro ball.

Lee is a high probability big leaguer with the ability to hit for a high average with plenty of doubles. If he can push closer to 20 home runs instead of 10, that would of course elevate his ceiling, but Lee will likely land somewhere in the middle.

Defense/Speed

Fundamentally sound and instinctual, Lee is a consistent defender at shortstop. The added strength/weight has slowed Lee down a tick, giving him fringy range. He has a good arm and can make all of the throws as well as smooth actions, however he is likely to be closer to an average defender at the position. Though he should be able to play a good enough shortstop to stick, he profiles as an above average third baseman as well.

Outlook

Viewed as a high-level draft prospect dating back to his high school days, Lee elected to play for his father at Cal Poly where he raked for three seasons as well as on the Cape. It’s been more of the same for him in pro ball, solidifying what is one of the higher floors and stronger track records in the Minor Leagues. Lee may lack the tools to be a superstar, but he has a great chance of being an above average big leaguer.

4. David Festa – RHP – (Triple-A)

Height/Weight: 6’6″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 13th round (399), 2021 (MIN) | ETA: 2024

A tall and lanky right-hander with three quality pitches, Festa could be a quality rotation piece assuming his feel to pitch continues to improve.

Arsenal

Standing at 6-foot-6, Festa has a unique windup with an inward twist before really getting down on the mound and driving with his lower half. Starting all of the way on the right side of the rubber, Festa creates a particularly uncomfortable angle for righties.

After struggling with his command of his mid 90s fastball in 2023 (55% strike rate), Festa made some small adjustments to his delivery, maintaining his direction towards home more effectively rather than pulling towards his glove side as he had the tendency to in the past. The result has not only been more strikes, but also much more carry on his fastball and a bit more extension. Through his first eight starts of the 2024 season, his whiff rate was up 5% on his fastball.

Festa’s plus slider in the upper 80s is his best pitch with late gyro break. His command of the pitch and the action of it make it effective to both lefties and righties, picking up a swinging strike rate around 20% and high ground ball numbers. He can become overly reliant on his slider at times, throwing it at a 40% clip, but his improved fastball has helped hedge that.

The third pitch for Festa is an above average changeup in the upper 80s. He found an improved feel for it in the second half of the 2023 season and has become his preferred secondary pitch against lefties, throwing it nearly as much as his fastball. With the improved characteristics and command of his fastball, the changeup should benefit from both a tunneling and separation perspective.

Outlook

Festa emerged in 2024 looking much more like a complete pitcher who can turn lineups over multiple times rather than a slider-dependent five and dive arm. It’s a big league-caliber three pitch mix with gains in the pitchability department that have him looking like a potential middle-rotation starter.

5. Zebby Matthews – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 245 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 8th round (234), 2022 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

Drafted in the 8th round out of Western Carolina as durable, strike-throwing right-hander, Matthews has seen his stuff jump multiple ticks in 2024, giving him as much helium as any pitching prospect in baseball.

Arsenal

Now sitting 95-97 MPH with his fastball, Matthews can still put it wherever he wants, locating to all four quadrants with enough ride to pick up whiff within the zone. His arm action is short and a bit pushy, but he does a good job of using the momentum of his 6-foot-4, 240 pound frame to generate plenty of force towards home plate and his short stroke seems to help him consistently throw strikes.

Matthews features both a cutter and slider that have reaped the rewards of his uptick as well, now averaging 90 MPH with his cutter and 85 MPH with his slider. His cutter is his preferred secondary offering against lefties, boasting such a good feel for it that he can tie them up inside, sneak through the back door, or bury it at the bottom. His ability to locate it makes it a viable third pitch against righties too, mixing in about 20% of the time to same-handed hitters as well.

Previously throwing more of a sweeper in the low 80s, Matthews mid 80s slider features sharp gyro break, tunneling well off of the fastball and cutter. The action of the pitch has made it easier for Matthews to command, spotting it for called strikes when he is behind in addition to it being a great put-away pitch for righties. He will mix in a below average changeup that he does not have much of a feel for.

Outlook

While Matthews will need to show that he can hold the jump in velocity through the 2024 season, it appears as though the Twins unearthed another pitching gem in the later rounds. Through his first six starts of the 2024 season, Matthews struck out 43 batters while walking zero. It’s impossible to argue against the results and the data backs up the breakout. The floor is extremely high because of Matthews plus command, but with above average stuff, he looks like a high probability big league starter.

6. Luke Keaschall – 2B/OF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 185 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 2nd Round (49) – 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

A high offensive floor with some added power make Keaschall an easy bat to buy into as the Twins try to figure out his defensive home.

Offense

Starting slightly open with his hands high, Keaschall gets into his back side with a decent-sized leg kick that he starts early and controls well. He adjusted his base and hand position after his first taste of professional baseball, also adding some additional strength resulting in higher exit velocities.

Keaschall’s feel to hit stands out, making plenty of contact along with good plate discipline that has really improved in pro ball. He grinds out at bats with the ability to spoil tough pitches and enough pop to do pull side damage on mistakes.

There’s probably closer to 10-15 home run pop, but Keaschall elevates consistently which paired with his feel for the barrel and uptick in exit velocities should result in plenty of doubles.

Defense/Speed

A standout wrestler in high school in addition to baseball, Keaschall is a great athlete and an above average runner. Despite his athleticism, Keaschall is still searching for a primary defensive home. His limited arm strength and unusual arm action likely limits him to the right side of the infield or the outfield. He has seen more action at both second base and centerfield.

While his outfield reads are still far off, he has showed off some good closing speed and the ability to make the acrobatic grab. He should be able to provide 10-15 stolen bases annually.

Outlook

Keaschall is a high probability big leaguer with some pressure on his hit tool as it pertains to becoming an everyday player. The good news is, the feel to hit is fringe-plus with an approach that helps bolster the solid floor of his offensive profile. He projects as a utility piece who hits enough to keep himself in the lineup every day.

7. Charlee Soto – RHP – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’4″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round-A (34), 2020 | ETA: 2027

A big-bodied, hard throwing teenage arm, Soto offers immense upside but is far off.

Arsenal

An infielder for much of his time as an amateur, Soto focused on the mound later than many of his peers, quickly turning heads with his upper 90s fastball and natural feel for a changeup. He will throw a four seamer and two seamer, both sitting around 94-96 MPH.

His four seamer lacks desired shape and while he can overpower lower level hitters with it off of sheer velocity, he may struggle to miss barrels at the higher levels. He may benefit from utilizing his two seamer more frequently, especially to righties who will look rushed or tied up when he really runs it to the arm side.

Soto’s best pitch is his plus changeup, in the mid 80s with sword-inducing fade, averaging around 17 inches of horizontal run. The vertical movement of the pitch widens his margin for error, still getting whiff within the zone even if he leaves it higher than he intended.

Like many of the arms in the Twins organization, Soto will utilize both a slider and cutter. They’ll morph together some and Soto’s harder cutters in the upper 80s can back up over the middle. His slider has flashed above average in the mid 80s.

Outlook

One of the youngest players in the Florida State League at the start of the 2024 season, Soto’s entered pro ball with less amateur innings under his belt than most other teenage arms as a converted shortstop. There’s plenty of pitching success stories with converted shortstops hopping onto the mound and Soto has the talent to be another. The Twins will likely be careful with him as he builds up his workload and feels out his arsenal.

8. Marco Raya – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’0″, 170 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 4th Round (128), 2020 | ETA: 2025

Athletic with a live arm, Raya has exciting stuff, but with a high effort delivery. After a shoulder strain delayed his debut until 2022, the Twins have managed his workload carefully, throwing just 127.2 innings over the last two seasons.

Arsenal

Raya has turned heads with his electric stuff since he debuted in 2022. He also did not eclipse 60 pitches in an outing during the 2023 season, mostly pitching in three and four inning spurts, but was available for the entirety of the season and held his velocity.

The right-hander showed up in 2024 with a new cutter that ranges from 88-92 MPH, giving him four potential big league offerings. His mid 80s slider was already his best offering, with a whiff rate over 20% in 2023 and an opponent batting average around .150.

His cutter has been similarly successful since he unveiled it and is a more effective weapon against left-handed hitters than his sweepier slider, but has been both a swing and miss and ground ball pitch for righties too. He previously leaned on his curveball and inconsistent changeup against opposite-handed hitters.

The downer curveball in the low 80s is still Raya’s preferred strikeout pitch against left-handed hitters, tunneling well off of his fastball in the mid 90s. Raya naturally cuts his fastball oscelating between the desired cut-ride and flattening out some.

Outlook

Raya is widely regarded as one of the more talented arms in the Minor Leagues, however until the Twins take the training wheels off, there will continue to be doubts about whether he can handle a starter’s workload. Still just 21 years old for the majority of the 2024 season, it’s understandable why the Twins brass would want to be careful with one of their prized arms as he still has climbed his way to the upper levels. Raya’s stuff is easily that of a middle-rotation arm.

9. Gabriel Gonzalez – OF – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 225 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $1.3M – 2021 (SEA) | ETA: 2026

Gonzales is a natural hitter, but unfortunately, most other aspects of the game look anything but. He’s already pretty maxed out frame wise, but if he is able to tap into more power, he could hit his way into an everyday role.

Offense

Starting upright with his bat resting on his shoulder, Gonzalez uses a leg kick with a bit of an inward twist to get into his back side. Despite the big pre-swing move, Gonzalez does a really good job of getting slotted early and putting himself in position to let his quick/adjustable hands work. As a result, he produces plenty of contact, but also tends to be hyper-aggressive.

His high chase rate caught up to him in High-A, struggling to do the same amount of damage he was doing in Low-A. It was an understandable bump in the road as Gonzalez had never really been negatively impacted by his aggressive approach up to that point, after all, it’s hard to pull the trigger less when you feel like you can get to most pitches.

While Gonzalez flashes decent game power (18 HR in 2023), his exit velocities are below what his frame would suggest, hovering closer to average in that department, and he puts the ball on the ground too much. With a frame that is maxed out, Gonzalez could still naturally impact the baseball more significantly as he matures, but there may be a more pressure on the bat to ball and approach as Gonzalez is unlikely to provide the plus power that evaluators once dreamt on.

Even if he is only a 15-20 home run threat, Gonzalez has the ability to drive the ball to all fields and could be a doubles compiler. He will need one of the approach or impact to make a leap in 2024 to maintain an everyday corner outfield profile.

Defense/Speed

Gonzalez’s best defensive asset is his plus arm, but his below average speed and shaky reads in right field make him likely to be a below average defender. He will seem have lapses in focus or at least become overly lackadaisical at times, resulting in misplayed fly balls.

Outlook

More raw power would probably be expected from a player of Gonzalez’s profile, but his bat to ball skills have consistently been ahead of his most of his peers and he has flashed the ability to elevate in games through stretches. The average exit velocities put more pressure on his hit tool, as does his subpar defense, but at just 20 years old there’s some time to make gains and you can’t teach his hand-eye coordination. A corner platoon seems to be a likely outcome.

10. CJ Culpepper – RHP – (High-A)

Height/Weight: 6’3″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 13th Round (384), 2022 | ETA: 2025

Another Twins pitching prospect who saw his stuff tick up after joining the org, Culpepper did not crack the rotation at California Baptist until his junior season, but now has the stuff to potentially stick in the back of a rotation.

Arsenal

Culpepper will attack hitters with the kitchen sink, featuring six offerings from a short-arm delivery. The right-hander emerged in 2023 with a fastball that had jumped several ticks, now sitting 93-95 MPH. He features a four seamer and two seamer, but both are ground ball pitches. The four seamer has gyro shape, serving more as a ground ball pitch than a whiff inducer at the top of the zone. It’s a similar story with his two-seamer, although the 10 extra inches of horizontal break he gets works well off of his slider and cutter, especially to righties.

In addition to being a good put-away pitch, Culpepper commands his sweepy slider in the low 80s with plenty of confidence. A plus offering that averages around 15 inches of horizontal break, Culpepper has landed it for a strike roughly two thirds of the time as a pro with good whiff numbers and poor contact quality. In Twins pitching prospect fashion, he also features a harder cutter at 89-91 MPH with just enough break to miss bats. The pitch can get hit hard at times when it flattens out on him.

With the inconsistency of his changeup that has flashed average at points, Culpepper has found more confidence in his 79-82 MPH curveball, flashing good depth. He favors it a bit more against lefties, but it’s also a decent strikeout pitch to righties to mix in.

Outlook

Culpepper’s short arm action and assortment of pitches combine to create a difficult tunnel for hitters, increasing the likelihood that he can stick as a starter. Despite letting the ball rip from his ear like a catcher, Culpepper has had no issue holding his velocity deep into outings and has sustained his big jump in velocity through the entire 2023 season and into 2024.

The command will have to be at least average for Culpepper to stick as a No. 4/No. 5 arm as he may struggle to get a ton of whiff beyond his slider. That said, the 6-foot-3 right-hander looks to be a swingman at the very least with a decent shot to stick in the rotation.

11. Tanner Schobel – INF – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 5’10″, 175 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (68) – 2022 (MIN) | ETA: 2025

A versatile defender with good hand-eye, Schobel is a high floor utility piece who provides value all over the infield. His compact swing helps him handle velocity well, but he has the tendency to spin off of sliders. He hedges the challenges against sliders with good plate discipline, running a chase rate below 20% as a pro while showcasing good swing decisions.

Schobel’s clean actions, feel for the game and above average arm make him a capable defender at shortstop even though his primary position should probably be second base, where he’d be a well-above average defender. He is also solid at the hot corner. Limited power puts more pressure on Schobel’s hit tool, although if there’s not enough offensive value to be a regular, he should be a strong bench/platoon option who has a track record of crushing left-handed pitching.

12. Austin Martin – 2B/OF – (MLB)

Height/Weight: 5’11″, 190 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 1st Round (5) – 2020 (TOR) | ETA: 2024

Martin’s lack of power and injuries have limited him as a pro, but his contact skills and elite plate discipline have made him a steady contributor offensively. Defensively, Martin has settled into the outfield, where he is a capable defender at all three spots, but he will also see some action at second base.

He has developed into a good base stealer and his improvements in centerfield really help his case. If he can find the gaps a bit more, he could bounce all over the diamond defensively with good enough on base skills to keep himself in the lineup most days.

13. Brandon Winokur – OF – (Low-A)

Height/Weight: 6’6″, 210 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 3rd Round (82) – 2023 (MIN) | ETA: 2027

Big power potential and athleticism made Winokur enticed the Twins enough to shell out $1.5 million–nearly twice the slot value of the 82nd overall pick–to sign him away from UCLA. The speed and power potential have immediately been evident as a pro, as has the swing and miss.

Though he is currently getting run at both shortstop and center field, Winokur looks much more the part in centerfield where his long strides and closing speed stand out, with a plus arm to supplement. He will need to cut down on the chase in addition to the whiff, but there’s exciting upside here.

14. Cory Lewis – RHP – (Double-A)

Height/Weight: 6’5″, 220 | Bat/Throw: R/R | 9th Round (264), 2022 | ETA: 2025

Lewis compensates for his average stuff with good command, decent fastball shape and a knuckleball that he will mix in about 15% of the time. While the fastball sits at just 89-91 MPH, he gets above average ride on the pitch, picking up decent whiff and chase numbers at the top of the zone.

Of Lewis’ secondaries, his hard knuckleball that averages 84 MPH is his best strikeout pitch. He picks up above average whiff numbers on the pitch and consistently weak contact. He will mix in an average slider along with a fringy curveball and changeup. Lewis is out for the first few months of 2024 with a shoulder impingement. He has a chance to be a No. 5 starter.

15. Yasser Mercedes – OF – (CPX)

Height/Weight: 6’1″, 175 | Bat/Throw: R/R | IFA: $1.7M – 2022 (MIN) | ETA: 2028

The big ticket IFA signing in the 2022 class for the Twins, Mercedes put up great numbers in the Dominican Summer League before hitting the wall in the Florida Complex League in 2023. He has already flashed big time tools, launching homers north of 111 MPH along with good speed and defensive potential in the outfield.

While his approach has improved, Mercedes’ still struggles to recognize spin and his swing path needs work. Still just 19 years old for the entirety of the 2024 season with plus power potential and a shot to stick in center, Mercedes is worthy of patience.

Other Names to Watch

Darren Bowen – RHP – (High-A): Bowen was part of the return to Minnesota from Seattle in exchange for Jorge Polanco in January, coming off of a strong first season of professional pitching. In 55.2 IP with Low-A Modesto last year, Bowen held opponents to a .182 BAA and punched out 59. While the clip against him in High-A this season remains under .200, Bowen’s been bitten by the long ball at some costly junctures, as well as overall command issues. However, the long and lean Bowen flashes a good enough fastball/slider combination to factor into the Twins’ future plans, either at the back of a rotation or in a bullpen.

Matt Canterino – RHP – (Triple-A): Canterino is as interesting of a case as we’ve got on the minor league pitching front, looking like one of the most unique and effective arms in Minor League Baseball when he’s on the hill. Since he debuted in pro ball in 2019, Canterino sports a 1.48 ERA and a ridiculous .130 BAA with 135 punchouts. The problem is, those numbers have come in just 85.0 IP, and a whopping zero since 2022. After recovering fully from Tommy John, Canterino suffered a rotator cuff strain during Spring Training this year, though he is slowly-but-surely working towards a return for Triple-A St. Paul. Only time on the hill will tell if Canterino’s mid 90s heater and wipeout breaking stuff is ready for The Show.

Andrew Cossetti – C/1B – (Double-A): Cossetti was one of the most prolific hitters in Minor League Baseball last season, sandwiched between Thayron Liranzo (LAD) and Samuel Basallo (BAL) for second among all Full Season MiLB catchers in OPS (.960). Now, Cossetti was a 23-year-old splitting his time between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids, but a .426 OBP and 42 XBH in 95 games after a four-year college career at St. Joseph’s in Philadelphia is impossible to ignore. Cossetti is splitting his time nearly evenly between catcher, first base, and DH, but his bat will surely be his ticket to the big leagues.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. – OF – (Triple-A): One of the toolsiest players at the Triple-A level, Keirsey is an older borderline prospect that is knocking on the door of the big leagues. After a breakout 2023 in which he slashed .294/.366/.455 with 15 HR and 39 SB between Wichita and St. Paul, Keirsey has started as hot as anyone in the International League this season. In Keirsey’s first 41 games of the year, he’s OPS’ing .887 with 20 XBH and is 12-15 in the stolen base department. While he may already be 27 years old, Keirsey can fly, hit the ball out of the ballpark, and hold down center field, giving him a big league-caliber toolbox.

Andrew Morris – RHP – (High-A): The fourth round pick of Minnesota in the 2022 draft out of Texas Tech, Morris impressed in his first full season of pro ball last year. In 84.1 IP between both Single-A levels, Morris posted a sub-3.00 ERA and walked just 19 hitters. He’s repeating High-A in Cedar Rapids to open 2024, and through seven starts, Morris has struck out 43 and walked just seven In 37.2 IP while throwing to a 2.15 ERA. He has run his heater up to 97 but typically sits in the low-to-mid 90s with a plus slider working off of it. However, with the whiff rate not climbing as high as his fastball characteristics may forecast and a lack of a third quality offering, Morris may project as a bullpen possibility down the line.

Ricardo Olivar – C – (High-A): Olivar was signed for just $20,000 back in 2019, and had to wait until 2021 to make his debut in professional baseball. While he stumbled to a .686 OPS out of the gates at the Complex in ’21, he lit the Complex on fire in ’22, slashing .349/.442/.605 (1.047 OPS) in 40 games before getting a late bump to Ft. Myers. Last season, Olivar posted an .855 OPS with 40 XBH in 100 games in Low-A, and has posted a 162 wRC+ in his first 30 games in High-A this season. Olivar has been primarily behind the dish, but he’s also logged seven starts in left field this season and even started three games in center field with the Mighty Mussels last year. He may not have come with a hefty price tag, but Olivar has impressed as much as anyone not named Emmanuel Rodriguez in that IFA class for the Twins.

Kala’i Rosario – OF – (Double-A): The 21-year-old Hawaiian was Minnesota’s fifth and final pick in the COVID-shortened 2020 draft out of high school. Rosario’s calling card has been his light tower power, posting a 90th percentile exit velocity of 108 MPH and blasting 21 homers in 118 games with Cedar Rapids last season before hitting seven more in 25 games in the Arizona Fall League. However, Rosario’s weaknesses have happened to take a different shape so far this year. While he cut his K Rate down from his typical 30% to 25% in his first 34 games in Double-A, Rosario’s ground ball rate is up from his typical 40% clip to nearly 60% so far. There will surely always be an Achilles’ heel for the big-swinging Rosario, but we’re just not quite sure what that heel will be just yet.

Connor Prielipp – LHP – (High-A): Connor Prielipp showed up to Tuscaloosa as a Freshman ready to impress in 2020, and did that in droves in his first four starts, allowing just five hits and no runs with a 35/6 K/BB ratio in 21.0 IP before the COVID-19 pandemic wiped out the remainder of the campaign. However, he lasted just seven innings in 2021 before undergoing Tommy John as a Sophomore, and lasted just 6.2 IP in pro ball last year before requiring an internal brace procedure to shore up that repaired UCL. Prielipp has been 93-94 with his fastball and has a really solid slider when he’s healthy, but we’re working with as small of a sample as we have for any 23-year-old in baseball. Health is literally everything for the former second round pick.

Yunior Severino – CIF – (Triple-A): Severino, along with Pirates utility man Ji Hwan Bae, was part of Atlanta’s 2017 IFA class that was nullified due to the Braves’ international signing violations. Severino was then a huge ticket spend by Minnesota, putting pen to paper for $2.5 million. While Severino led all of Minor League Baseball last year with 35 home runs and has registered a 90th percentile exit velocity of 106 MPH, the strikeout bug is the other side of the sword. Overall, Severino has put up just a 62% contact rate and is punching out at a 36% clip to open this season in St. Paul. The contact is as loud as it comes, but the primary first baseman needs to keep the swing and miss in a bit more check to get a big league shot.