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Minnesota Twins Top 100 Prospects: Numbers 21-40

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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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25. Lachlan Wells, LHP, GCL/Fort Myers

Born: 2/27/1997
2017 Stats: 85 1/3 IP, 3.90 ERA, 1.14 WHIP, 19/74 BB/K
Info: Wells and his twin brother (yes, a Twins prospect who is actually a twin) both were late to the game of baseball, but both have really taken to the game well. Lachlan was hoping to throw his first full season with the Twins, assigned to Fort Myers after having success with Cedar Rapids in a shortened season in 2016. He was one of the more elite performers in the Twins system before going three straight games over 100 pitches after not having ever had a 100-pitch outing on the 2017 season, and he ended up missing almost two months on the DL afterward. Lachlan closed out strong once he was healthy, though, leading to a positive outlook for 2018. Wells throws a fastball that works around 90 MPH with excellent location and his change and curve are both above average pitches that he locates extremely well. He may profile as a back-end starter, but his exceptional command and feel for pitching at just 20 in 2017 leads to plenty of hope for his future in a Twins uniform.

24. Gabriel Moya, LHP, Chattanooga/MLB

Born: 1/9/1995
2017 Stats: Minors: 58 1/3 IP, 0.77 ERA, 0.77 WHIP, 15/87 BB/K, 24 saves: Majors: 6 1/3 IP, 4.26 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, 2/5 BB/K, 1 save
Info: While Minnesota Twins fans watched Aaron Hicks finally break out for the Yankees this season, the Twins made a deal to send the player they received for Hicks, John Ryan Murphy to the Diamondbacks for Moya. Moya was in the midst of an incredible minor league season out of the bullpen, and watching him on the mound for the Twins, it was easy to see why in his time with the major league club. Moya’s fastball works around 90 MPH, touching 93, but he pairs it with a hard slider and an incredible change that is a significant weapon against hitters on both sides of the plate.

23. Ben Rortvedt, C, Cedar Rapids

Born: 9/25/1997
2017 Stats: .224/.284/.315, 4 HR, 1 SB, 22/60 BB/K
Info: A second-round draft pick out of high school in Wisconsin in 2016, many had very high expectations for Rortvedt in 2017, and his raw numbers at the plate disappointed plenty of people. Yet, when I talk with scouts from other teams about the guys on the Cedar Rapids team, the praise lathered on Rortvedt is effusive. While his offensive stats are not outstanding, what Rortvedt showed in 2017 was an incredibly quick adaption to the trade of catching at the professional level. One report was that there is a legit ability to contact the ball and plus raw power in the bat, but you can tell that Rortvedt had put in the time behind the plate to really hone his skills at the craft, both in his work there and in the performance of the pitchers on the Kernels roster when he was back there versus other catchers.

22. John Curtiss, RHP, Chattanooga/Rochester/MLB

Born: 4/5/1993
2017 Stats: Minors: 49 1/3 IP, 1.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, 22/68 BB/K, 19 saves; Majors: 8.2 IP, 8.31 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, 2/10 BB/K
Info: A former 6th round selection in 2014 out of Texas, Curtiss has survived both Tommy John surgery and thoracic outlet syndrome in college to get drafted. The Twins attempted to work Curtiss as a starter in 2015, but that did not last. His move back to the bullpen in 2016 was very positive, and he moved through both A-ball levels before showing very well at the Arizona Fall League. He worked through AA and AAA this season before making it to the majors in mid-August. Curtiss’ major league numbers were skewed by a pair of appearances, though he was tremendous otherwise at the MLB level. He works with a fastball that runs up to 98 MPH with excellent plane from his 6’4″ frame, and his slider has really sharpened up this season. His ability to command his slider is still a struggle, but he has come a long ways in fastball command, which could lead to a likely role at the back of the 2018 bullpen.

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21. Zack Granite, OF, Fort Myers/Rochester/MLB

Born: 9/17/1992
2017 Stats: Minors: .340/.394/.479, 5 HR, 18 SB, 26/36 BB/K; Majors: .237/.321/.290, 2 HR, 2 SB, 12/9 BB/K
Info: Granite came out of the gates this season showing the tremendous contact skills that many have been reporting since he was drafted out of Seton Hall in the 14th round in 2013. He got called up to the major leagues when Byron Buxton went down with an injury at the end of June, and again at the end of August for the rest of the season. Granite has legit plus speed and plus defensive ability. Granite also showed extremely good zone recognition in both his minor league and major league time this season. While Granite may be a fourth outfielder as a ceiling in his major league career in the Twins organization, he could be one of the best in that role in the major leagues.

Next: Twins Arbitration Eligibles

Tomorrow we will continue with the top 20. Any disputes? Guys you expected to see higher on the list? Guys you were surprised were on the list at all? Comment below!

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