Minnesota Twins Top 100 Prospects: 81-100

85. Ryley Widell, LHP, Elizabethton

Born: 6/1/1997
2017 Stats: 29 2/3 IP, 2.43 ERA, 1.52 WHIP, 20/41 BB/K
Info: A two-way player in high school in Hawaii, Widell struggled to find his control as a freshman with Washington State, leading him to transfer to Central Arizona JuCo. He thrived there, becoming the Twins’ 7th round selection this past June. While Widell’s size (6’4″, 200ish) may lead to thinking he could pound 95+ MPH heat into the zone, he’s a guy who works more around 90 and touches 93 with very good movement. Primarily a fastball change guy in college, he really saw his curve take a huge step forward in effectiveness as a pro, but that also led to heavy struggles with command, as he walked just under 15%. He was able to generate a 30% strikeout rate over his 8 games after he was drafted, and while his listed velocity was sitting 90, touching 93, there were reports he could reach back for more. If he could be tapping into another level as a pitcher and get his command/control back in line, he could quickly rocket up this list.

84. Lean Marrero, OF, Cedar Rapids

Born: 9/19/1997
2017 Stats: .200/.256/.275, 0 HR, 1 SB, 3/7 BB/K
Info: The Twins have a long-standing relationship with Puerto Rico, often taking multiple Puerto Rican high school players in each draft. The Twins made Marrero their selection in 2015 in the 16th round. Marrero has tremendous athleticism in his frame, with power and speed in his 5’11”, 185ish pound frame. He was one of the most exciting players to watch with Cedar Rapids in his brief 10 games at the level before missing the rest of the season with injury. If he can remain healthy, the play he exhibits on the field is one of the most exciting grouping of skills of any outfielder in the Minnesota Twins system.

83. Michael Theofanopoulos, LHP, Fort Myers

Born: 8/5/1992
2017 Stats: 67 IP, 3.76 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 24/77 BB/K
Info: More than just a letter sewer’s worst nightmare in the clubhouse, Thofanopoulos was a 30th round selection in the 2014 draft by the Twins. After splitting his draft season between starting and relieving, he’s been a reliever for the last three seasons. In 2017, Theofanopoulos did very well handling multiple innings, as he made 37 appearances to reach those 67 innings. The Twins have moved Thofanopoulos seemingly slow in the system, but his production has been consistently good. He’ll get a chance to prove it at Chattanooga.

82. Alex Robinson, LHP, Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers

Born: 8/11/1994
2017 Stats: 55 1/3 IP, 3.42 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 28/78 BB/K
Info: A lefty from Maryland with a low arm slot, the Twins drafted Robinson in the 5th round in 2015. He has elite velocity, but his command can come and go badly. His production in 2017 was a perfect reflection on exactly that. With Cedar Rapids, Robinson kept his walk rate at a reasonable rate (3.65 BB/9), and his numbers were a 2.92 ERA and 1.16 WHIP. When moving up to high-A, however, Robinson struggled with his control (6.75 BB/9), and his numbers there reflected it with a 4.67 ERA and 1.56 WHIP. Robinson has a fastball that has tremendous movement at 92-94 MPH, touching 98, and he compliments it with a slider with a hard, late break. Robinson’s raw stuff may be as good as any lefty reliever in the entire system, but putting it together will be reliant on his control.

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81. Trey Cabbage, 3B/OF, Elizabethton/Cedar Rapids

Born: 5/3/1997
2017 Stats: .227/.310/.351, 4 HR, 1 SB, 26/73 BB/K
Info: Cabbage was drafted in 2015 out of high school in Tennessee, where he was a star in baseball and basketball both. Cabbage is tremendously athletic and has incredible raw power in batting practice. Cabbage has to work on his load into his swing to be able to access that power more consistently in game, but he did show impressive ability to handle all pitches as he did hit every type of pitch when he did hit, even if that wasn’t as often as one may like. Cabbage is likely a future left fielder due to his average arm not playing well long-term at third base, but his athleticism should allow him to handle left field very well.

Next: Four Make BA Appy League Top 20

Tomorrow we will continue with #61-80. Any disputes? Guys you expected to see higher on the list? Guys you were surprised were on the list at all? Comment below!