Puckett’s Pond Top 20 Minnesota Twins Prospects: Others To Know

A-ball hitters

Luis Arraez, 2B, Fort Myers – Small, slappy hitter with very good contact skills had a big season with low-A in 2016, hitting .347, but has been out much of the year with injury.

Travis Blankenhorn, 3B, Cedar Rapids – Shot up rankings last season after a big power display in the Appy League. Has continued to show power, but the contact rate has not been as good as he’s hit only .239/.349/.420, but with 15 doubles, 9 triples, 8 home runs, and 8 steals. Good athlete and comfortable at either 3B or 2B defensively.

Trey Cabbage, OF, Cedar Rapids – 2015 4th rounder was moved off of 3B to the outfield this season, and it seems to have opened up his bat a bit, though there is still plenty more there that has not been tapped into in his excellent lefty swing.

Lean Marrero, OF, Cedar Rapids – 2015 pick from Puerto Rico has struggled with injury but flashed big athleticism when he’s healthy enough to play.

Ben Rortvedt, C, Cedar Rapids – Second round pick in 2016 out of high school in Wisconsin, Rortvedt was drafted with a big power bat that many felt would struggle to find effectiveness behind the plate. Instead, he’s developing well behind the plate and having some struggles to tap into his powerful swing at the plate at this point in his development, but high school catchers take a longer time than most prospects, so he may be one to be patient with, and he’s only 19.

Aaron Whitefield, OF, Cedar Rapids – Toolsy Australian outfielder has flashed power and speed at times, but really showing a new level of power this season that could have him jumping up lists this year as he’s hitting .270/.324/.454 with 10 home runs and 20 stolen bases in Cedar Rapids.

Zander Wiel, 1B, Fort Myers – Vanderbilt product has a big right handed swing that produces a lot of swing and miss but a lot of loud contact as well, as evidenced by 33 extra base hits this season, but also nearly a strikeout per game last season.