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Minnesota Twins Top 100 Prospects: Numbers 21-40

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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40. Andrew Vasquez, LHP, Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers

Born: 9/14/1993
2017 Stats: 58 IP, 1.55 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 21/85 BB/K
Info: Drafted in the 32nd round of the 2015 draft, the Twins have used Vasquez as a reliever from day 1. At 6’6″ and 230 pounds, you’d think he’s a power pitcher, but Vasquez usually works more with movement and deception in his fastball than pure velocity. Vasquez is a three pitch pitcher as a reliever, with a fastball, slider, and a curve, and he hits three different velocity points with a fastball that works in the upper 80s, a slider that works in the upper 70s, and a curve that is ridiculous in its speed around 70 MPH. Coming from the left side in relief and using the same arm slot on all three, Vasquez generates a ton of strikeouts. The biggest concern for Vasquez is controlling the ball well, but his strikeout rate has been through the roof. He could start immediately at AA in 2018, and it wouldn’t surprise if he pushes for a shot at the majors by the end of the season.

39. Griffin Jax, RHP, Elizabethton/Cedar Rapids

Born: 11/22/1994
2017 Stats: 31 IP, 2.61 ERA, 1.03 WHIP, 7/20 BB/K
Info: Other teams were scared away from Jax due to his military commitment to the Air Force, but the Twins were not worried, picking him in the 3rd round of 2016. When he’s been with the Minnesota Twins system during times away from service, he’s shown the elite talent he has, and the Twins will be willing to wait on him until he fulfills his military obligation. Jax works with a fastball that sat 91-94 this summer and touched 96. He works with three secondary pitches, the best of which in my views was his change, which gets excellent pitch movement and arm deception. While he may not have “ace” upside, there’s the potential for a very good #2/3 starter once he’s allowed to focus on baseball, and the Twins will be happy to have him the few moments each season they have him until he can completely focus on the game.

38. Jaylin Davis, OF, Cedar Rapids/Fort Myers

Born: 7/1/1994
2017 Stats: .253/.303/.416, 15 HR, 10 SB, 28/147 BB/K
Info: A guy who would have been a top pick before a brutal injury to his non-throwing shoulder ruined his draft season, leading to the Twins being able to grab him in the 24th round in the 2015 draft. Davis has a well-balanced raw tool set in the outfield with speed and power offensively and the ability to handle all three outfield spots adequately. This season, Davis had his first full season, and he really hit well with Cedar Rapids before running into struggles with Fort Myers. Though he’s not the youngest guy, he’ll be given some time to continue developing as the upside is significant, and he’s still only in his second full season this year in the Twins system.

37. Jelfrey Marte, SS, did not play

Born: 3/13/2001
2017 Stats: no 2017 stats
Info: Marte was the top signing that the Twins made this year in the international market for a reported signing bonus of $3M. Marte is a true shortstop that has the makings of a plus defensive shortstop with excellent instincts and hands at the position. His biggest defensive concern currently is simply calming himself down as he often goes much too fast and makes mistakes on routine stuff. Marte may not be an elite offensive producer, but he has the ability to develop into a solid hitter that doesn’t get taken advantage of at the plate and is a plus base runner. He will open his playing career with the Twins in 2018.

36. Jovani Moran, LHP, Elizabethton

Born: 4/24/1997
2017 Stats: 24 2/3 IP, 0.36 ERA, 0.73 WHIP, 6/45 BB/K
Info: Moran was another one of the Twins’ positive relationship with Puerto Rico, drafting Moran in the 7th round out of high school on the island in 2015. Moran went through arm surgery in 2016, and he very well may end up sticking in the bullpen after being used carefully in his return this year and seeing his stuff play up incredibly out of the bullpen. If he does move back to the rotation, he has shown enough stuff to be a legit consideration as a front line starter. Moran’s is one of the most impressive young arms in the system, with the placement here mainly being a hedge of not having seen enough yet to be more certain to place him higher.

Next: #31-35

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