Let’s check in on two former Twins prospects who are making impacts with their new teams.
Here are two former Twins prospects who are thriving in their new homes
Outfielder Brent Rooker
The Twins traded Rooker, the Twins’ No. 6 prospect in 2019 per MLB pipeline, to the San Diego Padres with left-handed reliever Taylor Rodgers for right-handed reliever Emilio Pagán and right-handed starting pitcher Chris Paddack on Apr. 7, 2022.
Rooker, who hit .212/.299/.413 with ten home runs in 234 plate appearances for the Twins, was sent to the Kansas City Royals for catcher Cam Gallagher on Aug. 2, 2022. Rooker only played in two games at the major league level for the San Diego Padres.
The Royals DFA’d Rooker, who had 29 plate appearances for Kansas City, on Nov. 15, 2022. The Oakland Athletics claimed him off waivers, and the former Twins top prospect has shined since then.
Rooker, who signed a five-year, $60 million contract with the Athletics early this year, hit .246/.329/.488 with 30 home runs in 526 plate appearances while posting a 2.0 bWAR and making the All-Star team in 2023, his first season as an Athletic. He had an even better season in 2024, posting a jaw-dropping .293/.365/.562 slash line with 39 home runs and 112 RBI in 614 plate appearances. He already has eight home runs this year with a .252/.317/.496 slash line in 139 plate appearances.
Right-handed relief pitcher Brusdar Graterol
Graterol, the Twins’ No. 3 prospect in 2019, was sent to the Los Angeles Dodgers for right-handed starting pitcher Kenta Maeda in Feb. 2020. The Twins got some value out of Maeda before he entered free agency, and Graterol has been, at times, dominant for the Dodgers, posting a 2.29 ERA with a 3.19 FIP and 138 strikeouts across 181 innings since joining Los Angeles.
However, Graterol has been dealing with injuries lately, pitching in zero games this year and hurling just 7 ⅓ innings last season.
While the Twins received valuable pieces for Graterol and Rooker, the team would certainly benefit from having both players right now.