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Minnesota Twins Top 100 Prospects: 81-100

By Benjamin Chase

ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: A view of baseball gloves prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day at Angel Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images)
ANAHEIM, CA - APRIL 05: A view of baseball gloves prior to the game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Minnesota Twins on Opening Day at Angel Stadium on April 5, 2010 in Anaheim, California. (Photo by Stephen Dunn/Getty Images) /
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95. Brian Navarreto, C, Fort Myers/Chattanooga

Born: 12/29/1994
2017 Stats: .209/.264/.287, 4 HR, 1 SB, 20/63 BB/K
Info: Navarreto had some issues in high school with off-field and on-field incidents that really hurt his draft stock as the Puerto Rico native was one of the most highly-regarded catching prospects in his 2013 draft class before those issues came to light. Navarreto is tremendous behind the plate, especially in the run game, where he nailed 54% of runners who attempted to steal against him. At the plate, he’s struggled to get his big swing calmed down with two strikes in order to make more consistent contact, but when he gets bat on the ball, he has significant power. He is 22, and with catchers, later development is a common thing, especially in their offensive game, but Navarreto is starting to run out of time with 5 seasons already in the Twins system. His defensive skills are such that the Twins will still be giving him opportunities unless they’re certain they have better options at the upper levels.

94. J.J. Robinson, 1B, Elizabethton

Born: 10/11/92
2017 Stats: .264/.337/.480, 9 HR, 1 SB, 12/44 BB/K
Info: Robinson was the Twins’ 33rd round selection this year from Lewis-Clark State after hitting 22 home runs this season in college. He has a very calm, collected swing that attacks the ball in the zone, though he did struggle with pitch recognition on breaking stuff in his pro debut, but that’s not terribly surprising for a smaller school guy jumping to advanced rookie ball. Robinson certainly showed the power in his lefty swing with his 9 home runs, but he has legit athleticism and defensive chops around the first base bag as well. He’ll hope to show well in full season ball in 2018.

93. Todd Van Steensel, RHP, Chattanooga

Born: 1/14/1991
2017 Stats: 58 2/3 IP, 1.38 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 14/50 BB/K
Info: Van Steensel is an Aussie righty that initially was signed by the Phillies, but after being released by the Phillies, he pitched in rookie ball with the Twins in 2011 before returning to European and Australian leagues for the next two seasons. The Twins brought him back in 2014, and his age is going to be older than most guys at his level due to that time away from the game. Moving to the bullpen has allowed Van Steensel to play up his low-90s fastball and slider by repeating his funky delivery more consistently. His control is his biggest issue currently, but his funky action makes it near impossible to drive the ball off of him, and he’s able to get through multiple innings as well, as shown by his 36 appearances and 58 2/3 innings.

92. Alex Muren, RHP, Fort Myers/Chattanooga

Born: 11/6/1991
2017 Stats: 51 IP, 2.47 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 14/50 BB/K
Info: Drafted in the 12th round of the 2012 draft out of Cal State Northridge, Muren has a solid build and big time fastball. His lack of full-time work on the mound seemed to catch up to his arm in 2015, when he ended up having to have surgery, missing all of 2016, and he returned to make 33 appearances this season. His repertoire includes a big fastball that can touch the upper 90s and a slider/cutter combo that showed very good bite just before the surgery. He’s regained his velocity slowly this season to the point where he was near dominant at the end of the season with Chattanooga. His control and command is still coming back, but that’s common with TJS to return more in the 2nd season.

91. Tom Hackimer, RHP, Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers

Born: 6/28/1994
2017 Stats: 61 1/3 IP, 1.76 ERA, 0.85 WHIP, 22/71 BB/K, 13 saves
Info: Hackimer is more than just the best minor league Twitter follow in the Minnesota Twins organization. He was a 4th round draft pick in 2016, and he’s thrown like a guy more than worthy of that early slot. Speaking of “slots”, Hackimer’s arm slot is doing a number on minor league hitters thus far. His fastball works up to 92-93, but sits more around 90 but he has tremendous horizontal movement and sink on the pitch. He adds in a frisbee slider that really works well on hitters from both sides of the plate. The major concern for Hackimer has been his struggles to keep his walks in check his first season at a new level. He opened with Cedar Rapids and was posting a 3.3% walk rate in 16 games and 24 innings before being promoted to Fort Myers, where he posted a 12.3% walk rate. However, this fits with his initial 10.5% walk rate at Cedar Rapids last season in his draft year after being a strike-zone pounding pitching in college. If he can return to those ways, he’ll make this ranking look much too low as his stuff compares very favorably to current Twins Trevor Hildenberger.

Next: #86-90

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