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

By Benjamin Chase

KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 20: J.T. Chargois
KANSAS CITY, MO - AUGUST 20: J.T. Chargois /
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Rookie Ball Pitchers

Jordan Balazovic, RHP, GCL – Drafted in the 5th round in 2016 out of high school in Canada, Balazovic is still filling into his 6’4″ frame, and he’s seeing corresponding bumps in his velocity. His change and curve are also excellent pitches that work well, but he’s still working with consistency in his delivery as he fills into his frame.

Charlie Barnes, LHP, Elizabethton – Fourth round selection this season, Barnes is the prototype college lefty with a slightly narrow 6’2″ frame that worries some scouts about how he’ll be able to work deep into the games. Barnes has excellent command at his best with a four pitch mix that could project as a back-end starter if he can hold up with premium command.

Michael Montero, RHP, DSL – Montero was signed out of Venezuela as a low-cost signee, but thus far, he’s been the most productive pitcher on the Dominican Summer League team, throwing 32 1/3 innings with a 2.76 ERA, 0.99 WHIP, and a 10/33 BB/K ratio over 7 starts.

Jovani Moran, LHP, Elizabethton – Drafted in the 7th round in 2015 out of Puerto Rico, Moran missed all of the 2016 season recovering from surgery. He works with a fastball in the low-90s with excellent movement and a breaking pitch that has seemed to develop better shape in his surgery recovery. He has a slight build, but if he can continue to fill out and develop his change up, he has the stuff that could develop into an effective lefty starter.

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Bryan Sammons, LHP, Elizabethton

– Sammons has a big frame that should allow him to start going forward, though the Twins are managing his innings this season after drafting him in the 8th round out of Western Carolina this year. Sammons throws three average pitches, but works well at staying in the zone and competing with hitters, giving him a chance to develop as a back-end starter if not a quality lefty reliever.

Jesus Toledo, LHP, DSL – Signed out of Venezuela last summer, Toledo has come out throwing very well for DSL this season, with 27 2/3 innings, a 1.30 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and a 6/19 BB/K ratio.

Huascar Ynoa, RHP, Elizabethton – The younger brother of Michael Ynoa, who was one of the most highly regarded international pitchers in recent memory, Huascar doesn’t have the 6’7″ frame of his brother, but the stuff is not far off from his brother’s peak before injuries turned him into a reliever. Ynoa has a fastball that can touch into the mid-90s and sits in the low 90s, but his real value on the mound for his age comes in his ability to throw a curve and a change that are above-average and can both flash plus quality. Ynoa’s biggest concern is his command/control, which is interesting due to his easy delivery, but the Twins have spotted some mechanical adjustments since signing Ynoa in 2014 and believed they had those worked out with him, though he’s struggled with his control this season so far in 4 starts.

Next: Twins trade profile: Marcus Stroman

That should whet your whistle plenty for the rest of the week’s list. Any guys that you’re surprised to see here and not on the top 20? Any guys you would like to point out that might not be on this list quite yet? Comment below!

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