MLB Pipeline Highlights Multiple Minnesota Twins Prospects on New Lists
MLB Pipeline came out with a new top 100 overall prospects and a new top 30 Minnesota Twins prospects at midseason. Who did they highlight?
While the Minnesota Twins minor league system isn’t at the level of the Atlanta Braves or Chicago White Sox right now, the team has been making very positive acquisitions both in the draft and the international market in the last few years that have helped to build up the farm system after graduating a huge influx of players to the major league club in the last 2-3 years and draining what was a top-rated system and dropping it to a lower-tier farm system in talent for a few years.
On Tuesday, MLB Pipeline, MLB.com’s primary prospect outlet released their top 100 overall prospect list, their team top 30 lists, and their updated positional top 10 lists. Which Twins were highlighted?
Top 30 Minnesota Twins Prospects
The list is as follows:
1. Royce Lewis
2. Nick Gordon
3. Stephen Gonsalves
4. Fernando Romero
5. Wander Javier
6. Alex Kirilloff
7. Felix Jorge
8. Tyler Jay
9. Kohl Stewart
10. Lewin Diaz
11. Travis Blankenhorn
12. Brusdar Graterol
13. Blayne Enlow
14. Brent Rooker
15. Lewis Thorpe
16. LaMonte Wade
17. John Curtiss
18. J.T. Chargois
19. Ben Rortvedt
20. Daniel Palka
21. Mitch Garver
22. Trevor Hildenberger
23. Jake Reed
24. Zack Granite
25. Jermaine Palacios
26. Landon Leach
27. Andrew Bechtold
28. Nick Burdi
29. Jelfrey Marte
30. Randy Rosario
A few notable things to the MLB.com list. First, they really have a lesser value on Mitch Garver than I do. They do mention that they have less confidence on his defense behind the plate than most folks have told me in their observations of his play behind the plate. I’m also very impressed with how highly Graterol is ranked. He’s one of my favorite arms in the system, and with minimal innings under his belt, many don’t know who he is exactly, so to rank him at #12 overall says just how talented that he is. Last, I’m surprised how low Palacios is with the excellent play he’s had this season.
Top 100 Overall Prospects
31. Royce Lewis
34. Nick Gordon
75. Stephen Gonsalves
83. Fernando Romero
Four is a good number for the Twins, and I really can’t make an argument for anyone else on the top 100 right now. I’m glad to see Romero where he is, though I could absolutely see him jumping up even further on the rankings by the end of the season.
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Positional Top 10 Prospects
Stephen Gonsalves, #5 Left=Handed Pitcher
Royce Lewis, #6 Shortstop
Nick Gordon, #7 Shortstop
Their low ranking of Garver makes sense why he didn’t make the top 10 of catchers, whereas I’d have him around 9-10 on the list. Otherwise, Lewin Diaz could have an argument at the bottom of the first base list, but that’s about it for Twins prospects on these lists. I do like the general spot where they have the guys ranked that they do have ranked within their position.
Next: LaMonte Wade Scouting Report
Keith Law’s Organizational Rankings
Keith Law also released his organizational rankings on Tuesday, and while his midseason update only mentions the top 5, some of the comments on the clubs mentioned (and the honorable mention clubs) could absolutely apply to the Twins – stockpiling high-ceiling arms, spending wise in the international market, and using funds on high-end draft picks later in the draft. The Twins are definitely on the right path in their system development.