Puckett’s Pond’s Minnesota Twins 2018 Top-40 Prospects: #36-40

No. 36 Jordan Balazovic, RHP, 19-years-old

The Twins drafted Jordan Balazovic as a teenager out of Mississauga, Ontario. The Canadian came to the Twins in the 5th round of the 2016 MLB Draft. In 2016, Balazovic was committed to Auburn University but when the Twins came with a strong over-slot offer he chose to turn pro and forgo his college career.

More from Puckett's Pond

• Minnesota Twins: 2022 Year in Review for Twins Baseball
• Minnesota Twins: Making the Case for the Current 2023 Rotation
• Minnesota Twins: Does the MLB or the Twins have a Spending Problem?
• Minnesota Twins: 2 Possible Free Agent Reunions for 2023
• Minnesota Twins: Holiday Wish List for the rest of the Offseason

Balazovic spent his first two seasons with the GCL Twins turning in a very impressive first season. In 2016 the right-hander tossed 32.0 innings in eight games (six starts) and only allowed seven runs turning in a 1.97 ERA. Into 2017 his numbers dipped a bit that could also be because his body matured in noticeable ways as he added muscle to his frame.

So while his numbers didn’t look as good in 2017 as his ERA rose to 4.91 with the GCL Twins and still sits with a 4.13 ERA in 2018 with Single-A Cedar Rapids, the extra muscle resulted in more consistent and even improved velocity from Balazovic. His K/9 rate has also continued to improve from his first season in professional baseball. In 2016 it was a mere 4.5 and has progressed to a 6.5 K/9 in 2017 and now in 2018 Balazovic is sporting a healthy 11.6 K/9 in 10 starts.

Balazovic is young as a 19-year-old playing at almost three years younger than his competition in Single-A. He has plenty of time to develop before he will see a major league mound allowing him freedom to not feel rushed as he matures and improves his approach. All signs point to the Twins sticking with Balazovic’s development as a starter.