Where could the Minnesota Twins find their own Adam Thielen?

LHP Andrew Vasquez

Left-handed reliever Andrew Vasquez was drafted by the Twins in the 32nd round in the 2011 MLB draft. The California native was drafted out of Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California when the Twins selected him and sent him to the GCL Twins to begin his professional career.

Vasquez spent his 2017 splitting time between low-A Cedar Rapids and high-A Fort Meyers performing well at both stops. Over the season Vasquez pitched 58.0 innings had a 1.55 ERA and an incredible 85/21 K/BB rate. Like Beeker, Vasquez had his own streak of 20 appearances where he didn’t give up an earned run.

At 6’6″ and 220 pounds, Vasquez has quite the presence from the mound. His slider is what allows him to effectively get batters out. It has great break to it which at times has gotten it  confused with being a curveball (which he also occasionally throws) but he most often relies on that slider and a fastball mix. While his fastball sits in the low-90s and isn’t extremely intimidating to hitters it is that slider that Vasquez turns to in order to get batters out.

Vasquez is beginning to look like he could be a real steal as 32nd round selection. Conservatively, Vasquez will likely need some more time in the minors and could even spend a lot of time at high-A Fort Meyers this next season. He also has the profile of a guy that could surprise and make some big leaps of the minor league levels and knock on the doors of Target Field sooner than later.