Minnesota Twins: Minor League Opening Day 2017

Today is Opening Day for the Minnesota Twins minor league affiliates. Let’s take a close look at some of the organization’s prospects.

It’s Opening Day for Minor League Baseball. All four major affiliates for the Minnesota Twins were in action.

For some of the top prospects, it’s a chance to start making a good impression. For others, who are on the 40-man roster, it’s an opportunity to make their case as the next call-up to the big leagues.

MLB.com columnist Jonathan Mayo posted a list of where the top 30 Twins prospects will start the season.

1. Nick Gordon – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
2. Stephen Gonsalves – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
3. Alex Kirilloff – Disabled List
4. Fernando Romero – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
5. Tyler Jay – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
6. Kohl Stewart – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
7. Travis Blankenhorn – Cedar Rapids Kernels (Single-A)
8. Adalberto Mejia – Minnesota Twins (MLB)
9. Felix Jorge – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
10. Lewin Diaz – Cedar Rapids Kernels (Single-A)
11. J.T. Chargois – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A)
12. Ben Rortvedt – Cedar Rapids Kernels (Single-A)
13. LaMonte Wade – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
14. Daniel Palka – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A)
15. Mitch Garver – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A)
16. Nick Burdi – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
17. Wander Javier – Extended Spring Training
18. Lewis Thorpe – Extended Spring Training
19. Trevor Hildenberger – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A)
20. Jake Reed – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A) – DL
21. Mason Melotakis – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
22. Zach Granite – Rochester Red Wings (Triple-A) – DL
23. Huascar Ynoa – Extended Spring Training
24. Jose Miranda – Extended Spring Training
25. Akil Baddoo – Extended Spring Training
26. Lachlan Wells – Fort Myers Miracle (Single-A Adv.)
27. Randy Rosario – Fort Myers Miracle (Single-A Adv.)
28. Luis Arraez – Fort Myers Miracle (Single-A Adv.)
29. Engelb Vielma – Chattanooga Lookouts (Double-A)
30. Griffin Jax – Extended Spring Training

To recap the list, six prospects in Triple-A, ten prospects in Double-A, six in Single-A, six players needing extended spring training, and one player on the disabled list.

The one player on the disabled list is Kirilloff, who underwent Tommy John surgery. As a result, he will miss the entire season.

What To Watch For

More from Puckett's Pond

• Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
• Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
• Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
• Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason
• Minnesota Twins: After signing with the Mets, Correa spurns Twins again

Mejia is the lone Twins prospect who made the major league roster. He performed extremely well in spring training to beat out a handful of others competing for the fifth spot in the rotation.

In six games collecting a total of 14 1-3 innings, he allowed 12 hits and three earned runs. His 14 strikeouts and batting average against of .222 left quite the impression.

He easily beat out Tyler Duffey, Jose Berrios, and Justin Haley for the spot in the rotation.

Mejia will start for the Twins on Saturday, April 8.

What’s On Deck

The Red Wings postponed its first two games of the season. The first Red Wings will open its season April 8. Berrios will start that game. Stewart started for the Lookouts. Dereck Rodriguez made the opening day start for the Miracle.

Finally, the Kernels postponed its first game. The team has scheduled a doubleheader for Friday, April 7. Eduardo Del Rosario toes the rubber in game one, and Tyler Wells gets the start in game two.

Minnesota Twins: Top 10 Prospects – No. 2 Nick Gordon

Puckett's Pond presents our Top 10 Minnesota Twins prospects. At No. 2 is Nick Gordon, son of pitcher Tom Gordon and brother of infielder Dee Gordon.

Again this season, fans can view a majority of Twins minor league games via MiLB.TV.