It’s not often a team makes the playoffs and picks at the top of the draft in the same year, but the Twins have done a good job of syncing up their rebuild. With a core of some nice homegrown talent, the Twinkies have plenty more on the way. An exciting mix of five tool athletes, power hitters, power pitchers, and hit tool middle infielders, make this system one of the top to follow for fantasy purposes. With players like Royce Lewis, Wander Javier, Brent Rooker, Akil Baddoo, and Brusdar Graterol there’s some potential stars in the mix. Maybe it’s just my perception, but this feels like one of the more underappreciated systems. There’s a few diamonds in the rough to uncover, so let’s get this shindig started! It’s the 2018 Minnesota Twins Top Prospects for Fantasy Baseball.
1) Royce Lewis | Age: 18 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .279/.381/.407, 4 HR, 27 RBI, 18 SB
A five tool talent from the California prep ranks, Lewis was a “surprise” at 1.1 to the Twins, but not a shock. He was well within the top 5 of most pre-draft rankings dating back to early 2017. Lewis’ swing is still a little raw, but if you compare his pre-draft swing to his pro swing, it’s obvious he made adjustments to clean up his hip rotation, allowing him to get more out of his trademark leg kick. This allowed him to tap into more raw power as you can see here. His swing is still a little long, but he gets the bat around quickly, and with natural loft. He runs well, and has natural base stealing instincts, getting good jumps and reads. His hit tool proved to be more advanced than some of the more skeptical scouting reports anticipated, and he’s consistently seen it graded at 60 hit this off-season. There were whispers that Lewis might move off of short and into centerfield, but his future, at least for now, lies at short. ETA: 2020
2) Wander Javier | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .299/.383/.471, 4 HR, 22 RBI, 4 SB
A toolsy shortstop with advanced offensive skills, and a likelihood to stick in the middle of the infield. Above average pop, above average speed, and good bat to ball skills make Javier a wise investment on the ground floor. Still needs to refine his approach as 49 Ks in 157 at bats ain’t cutting it. That said, he’ll be 19 for the entirety of 2018 and should see a full season assignment out of camp. It will be interesting to see if they hold him in extended spring until May to get Royce Lewis the starting reps, or if they alternate reps at short between the two, while getting looks at other spots on the diamond. Javier has the arm for third base, and may ultimately grow into that role if he adds more muscle onto his frame. As it stands now he’s a five tool type with some raw plate discipline kinks to work out. He can take a walk, but is still susceptible to chase pitches off the plate, which limits how aggressive I’d be on his hit tool grades. Javier worked with hitting coordinator Rick Eckstein to clean up his swing, and eliminate some of the noise in hands and lower half. The type of prospect that could rocket up Top 100 lists with a strong season. ETA: 2021
3) Alex Kirilloff, OF | Age: 20 | Level: N/A | 2017 Stats: Did Not Play Injured
Sometimes injuries have the worst timing, and that’s the case with Kirilloff. Shut down with elbow inflammation following an impressive professional debut, Kirilloff tried rehab, but ultimately needed Tommy John. Fast forward one year, he’s in camp, ready to go, and with 30 pounds of muscle added over his hiatus. If Kirilloff can pick up where he left off, we could be talking about a special player. After all, this is a kid that was home schooled to pretty much play baseball full time. Seems like it worked out, as he went 15th overall, and the Twins were confident enough in his abilities to skip the Gulf Coast League for the more advanced Appalachian League. He more than rewarded the organization’s faith winning league MVP honors. During his brief debut, Kirilloff flashed all fields power, advanced barrel control, pitch recognition, and great instincts. If we can get the natural contact hitter we saw in his debut paired with the added raw power from his bulk up, we might be looking at yet another ascending talent on this Twins list. I came into this list sort of lukewarm on Kirilloff, but now I view him as a legit Top 100 Fantasy Prospect. ETA: 2020
4) Brusdar Graterol, RHP | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: 4-1, 40 IP, 2.70 ERA, 0.97 WHIP, 45 Ks, 13 Bb
So one blurb after Alex Kirilloff, we discuss another Twins prospect that went under the knife following their pro debut, and returned with a remade body. Similarly accentuated by a yoked up lower half. Graterol added a pitching booty like a Instagram model looking for a sugar daddy. Only instead of pre-nup free marriage, he added nearly 10 MPH to his fastball, getting clocked as high as 101. He mixes in a plus late-breaking slider, an above average hard curveball, and an average change. With a work horse body, elite velocity, and a bevy of pitches, there’s a lot to dream on with the stocky righty. However, there are quite a few concerns in the profile, meaning that he might not be the right prospect for everyone. Particularly if you’re risk averse. We are talking about a player with an injury history, a limited track record, and a really funky short stride delivery. I suppose the strength of his lower half might allow him to drive more force with less effort, but it looks like it puts some strain on his upper body. At the end of the day, fears aside, Graterol will crack my Top 100, and has everything going to be one of the top pitching prospects in the game over the next two years. ETA: 2021
5) Brent Rooker, 1B/OF | Age: 23 | Level: A+ | 2017 Stats: .281/.364/.566, 18 HR, 52 RBI, 2 SB
Though he was ranked behind players like Pavin Smith and Brendan McKay heading into this June’s draft, Rooker has had arguably the most impressive showing of any player entering pro-ball in 2017. After just 22 games at rookie level Elizabethton, Rooker earned promotion to high A Fort Myers of the Florida State League. From there he hit 11 homers in 40 games while slugging .552, splitting time between first and the outfield. There’s 40 homer pop potential in Rooker’s bat, and he’s consistently measured with elite exit velocities, averaging 92 MPH in both the college season, and during his time in the Florida State League. On one hand he passed one of the most difficult challenges a power hitter can face (the FSL) with flying colors, on the other he was a pretty advanced college hitter with a ton of power in A ball. He has some swing and miss to his game too, but that comes with the territory with the sort of shoot for the fences approach Rooker brings. My feeling is Rooker does turn into a 30+ homer bat with some inconsistent batting averages. ETA: 2019
6) Akil Baddoo, OF | Age: 19 | Level: Rk | 2017 Stats: .323/.436/.527, 4 HR, 29 RBI, 9 SB
I already wrote a ton of words on Baddoo earlier this off-season, he’s one of my favorite targets in dynasty leagues. ETA: 2020
7) Nick Gordon, 2B/SS | Age: 22 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: .270/.341/.408 9 HR, 66 RBI, 13 SB
Unlike his brother Dee, Nick isn’t a speed demon or even a one category superstar. He might be a better all around player than Dee, certainly providing more pop in his bat, but that’s not saying a ton. He’s a does everything well, but no standout tool type player, that should be fantasy relevant, but never a superstar. His swing is designed more to rope line drives than knock homers, but there’s at least a possibility of mid-teen homer totals. He’s got a shot at contributing in fantasy whether as a second baseman or a shortstop, but he’ll need to find average power, get on base, and score runs to be a factor. He might just be a solid MLB player, but never a must own player in 12 team leagues. ETA: 2019
8) Yunior Severino, 2B/SS | Age: 18 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: .286/.345/.444, 3 HR, 27 RBI, 0 SB
A talented teenage switch hitter with plus bat speed, powerful wrists, and plus raw power, Severino is a favorite target of mine in first year player drafts. One of the top talents released in the Braves signing scandal, Severino has earned signing bonuses of $1.9M and $2.5M in consecutive signing periods. This speaks volumes, not only about his amateur pedigree, but the belief in his continued improvement during his 2017 stateside debut. I’ve heard some go as far as to say he’s a better player than Kevin Maitan. He’s a longways away, and is an all hit tool and power middle infielder with little to no speed. So, he must hit to make his way up the ladder, leaving him less margin for error. Sounds simple, but easier said than done. I’m putting my money on Severino, but I wouldn’t be the first(…or second). ETA: 2021
9) Stephen Gonsalves, LHP | Age: 23 | Level: AAA | 2017 Stats: 9-5, 110 IP, 3.27 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 118 K, 31 Bb
Is Gonsalves the most underrated pitching prospect in the minors? He misses bats, doesn’t have control issues, and mixes four pitches, two of which are considered plus. He challenges hitters up high, generating lots of popups and lazy flyballs, he uses his plus changeup to both sides of the plate and really does a nice job of working on the black and painting corners. Struggled in AAA, but should see promotion at some point next year. ETA: 2018
10) Lewin Diaz, 1B | Age: 21 | Level: A | 2017 Stats: .292/.329/.444, 13 HR, 68 RBI, 2 SB
Diaz is the unusual power first prospect that pairs 70 grade raw power with feel to hit. Much of his early success is rooted in excellent mechanics at the plate, and superior bat control. Diaz is among the most likely to bust out huge in 2018, with the potential to shoot up top 100 lists with a good showing in high A. I guess it’s Diaz’s lack of athleticism, and future first base only profile that keeps his prospect status down, but bat to ball skills,
and untapped raw power is a nice combo. Great sleeper pick. ETA: 2020
11) Fernando Romero, RHP | Age: 23 | Level: AA | 2017 Stats: 11-9, 125 IP, 3.53 ERA, 1.35 WHIP, 120 Ks, 45 Bb
Blessed with two plus pitches in his upper 90’s fastball, and a high 80’s slide piece with some serious tilt. Romero has always struck me as a future reliever. He has difficulty repeating his mechanics consistently which has led to some problems with control. His changeup isn’t fringe, but it’s not effective against lefties which should really be it’s main purpose. I foresee an elite back of the bullpen arm, getting swings and misses and lots of grounders with his heavy sinking fastball. He’s on the 40 man, so it would not surprise me if we saw some Romero this season, likely out of the pen. ETA: 2018
12) Jose Miranda, 2B | Age: 19 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: .283/.340/.484, 11 HR, 43 RBI, 2 SB
Every time I write up a system, my goal is to walk away with a new appreciation for a player that wasn’t on my radar prior. One such player is Miranda, a 2nd round supplemental pick in the 2016 draft out of the Puerto Rican prep ranks. An advanced approach at the plate, plus hit tools, and raw power, Miranda is a diamond in the rough. He managed to keep his strikeout rate under 10% while hitting for an ISO north of .200 in 2017. In addition to his hitting acumen, he’s lauded for his athleticism and ability to stick at second, Miranda is yet another bat first middle infielder in a system full of them. ETA: 2021
13) Blane Enlow, RHP | Age: 18 | Level: RK | 2017 Stats: 3-0, 20 IP, 1.33 ERA, 0.69 WHIP, 19 Ks, 4 Bb
A third round pick, and highly rated prep arm with a big league body, a fastball with mid-90’s velocity, and room for growth. Enlow’s most dangerous weapon is his plus plus curveball, that many considered one of the better breaking balls in the 2017 class. His other secondaries consist of a changeup and a cutter, but neither are more than a fringe offering at the moment. Enlow has a long ways to go, but he does have the building blocks of two plus or better pitches to start with. ETA: 2021
The Next Five: Jacob Pearson, Zack Littell, Lamonte Wade, Travis Blankenhorn, Tyler Jay
Find all of the 30 Minor League Previews, and Offseason Rankings on the Minor League Index
On Twitter as @ProspectJesus
