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Minnesota Twins: 15 minor league players who are off to a hot start

By Nate Palmer

CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 13: Gloves and balls are seen on the field before the Chicago Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images)
CHICAGO, IL - APRIL 13: Gloves and balls are seen on the field before the Chicago Cubs take on the Atlanta Braves at Wrigley Field on April 13, 2018 in Chicago, Illinois. The Braves defeated the Cubs 4-0. (Photo by Jonathan Daniel/Getty Images) /
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Chattanooga Lookouts

Nick Gordon, SS

To start the season a section of the Twins wanted to see Gordon be their shortstop after the Jorge Polanco suspension. Instead, and rightly so, Gordon has started the season at Double-A and has been off to a great start for the Chattanooga Lookouts. Gordon is hitting .361/.368/.569 with three doubles, three triples, two home runs, 11 RBIs, and three stolen bases. Gordon could be pushing for a promotion soon and has certainly positioned himself in a way that if needed he could be a major league call-up.

Zander Wiel, 1B

Zander Wiel is another name that is not as familiar as several others on this list. Wiel is off to a good pace to begin the season boasting the best batting average in a very good Lookouts lineup. Wiel is batting .367/.449/.583 and has seven doubles, two home runs, and 10 RBIs with a very good 1.033 OPS.

LaMonte Wade, OF

LaMonte Wade is a prospect that sits just out of the Twins top-10 in rankings. He is starting to make a name for himself after a good spring training and start to the 2018 season. In 18 games for the Lookouts Wade is slashing .311/.386/.443, a triple, and 2 home runs. Wade is also showing off a pretty nice 2/1 walk to strikeout ratio. Depending on the need, Wade could be useful to the Twins soon and should certainly get consideration when it comes to September call-ups.

Randy LeBlanc, SP

Randy LeBlanc has been able to make four starts for the Lookouts and leads them in innings pitched with 22.2 innings. LeBlanc has given up a few too many hits but has been able to manage runners on base as shown by his 1.99 ERA. In those four starts, LeBlanc holds a 3-1 record. LeBlanc’s performance may even out at some point in the season resulting in a higher ERA, but right now he has been one of the more effective starters in the Twins minor leagues.

Stephen Gonsalves, SP

Stephen Gonsalves is one of the Twins top two starting pitching prospects and usually is top-5 among all Twins prospects. Gonsalves is also off to a great start as he has returned to the Lookouts rotation. In four starts and 20.1 innings pitched, he has a 1.77 ERA and has recorded 25 strikeouts. Friday Gonsalves was rewarded for his performance as a Lookout and was promoted to Triple-A where he finished 2017. That promotion means that he should also start getting looks for the major league rotation soon if he isn’t already.

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