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Minnesota Twins: A late August look at notable performances of 2018 draft selections

By Gary Malmberg

MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Mascot T.C. of the Minnesota Twins during the pre-game against the Oakland Athletics at Target Field on August 24, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN - AUGUST 24: Mascot T.C. of the Minnesota Twins during the pre-game against the Oakland Athletics at Target Field on August 24, 2018 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. (Photo by Adam Bettcher/Getty Images) /
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Round 4, Pick 124: CF DaShawn Keirsey 

Elizabethton Rookie League, Age 21,  6′ 2″, 195 lbs

MLB Top 200 Draft Rank: 144, Slot Value: $442,600, Signed For: $600,000

DaShawn Keirsey is slashing .301/.371/.427, with an OPS of .798 in 26 games for Elizabethton. the left-handed hitting center fielder has 13 RBIs, 20 runs scored, 20 strikeouts, and 12 walks in 103 at-bats. He is hitting .229 in 35 at.bats over the last ten games. Keirsey has yet to commit an error or record an outfield assist in 185.2 total innings.

DaShawn Keirsey is listed at number 40 on our midseason Twins prospects rankings.

Round 7, Pick 214: RHP Josh Winder

Elizabethton Rookie League, Age 21, 6′ 5″, 210 lbs

Slot Value: $198,700  Signed For: $198,700

Josh Winder makes the list with a 3.72 ERA in nine starts. In 38.2 innings, he has given up 37 hits, one home run, with 42 strikeouts and only six walks. He also has thrown two wild pitches and has a respectable WHIP? of 1.11. While not dominating the league, he has shown excellent control and is worth keeping an eye on.

Winder was the 233rd ranked pre-draft prospect by Baseball America.

Round 8, Pick 244: 1B Chris Williams 

Elizabethton Rookie League, Age 21, 6′ 1″, 225 lbs

Slot Value: $162,100  Signed For: $10,000

Chris Williams is an interesting prospect. A catcher for Clemson in 2017, he injured his shoulder late in the season and required surgery. He returned this spring playing first base for the Tigers and hit 18 home runs in 63 games. Assigned to Elizabethton on a $10,000 bonus contract, Williams has played another 58 games at first base. That is a very heavy workload for a 21-year-old coming off a serious injury.

Williams has a rookie league slash line .255/.370 /.505 for a solid OPS of .874. He has 15 home runs and 51 RBI’s in 212 at-bats. He has shown good plate discipline with 51 strikeouts versus 38 walks. He has committed six errors in 483 total chances for a fielding percentage of .988.

Williams’ power numbers have dropped over the last few weeks. He has had only three extra-base hits, a double, triple, and home run in his last 18 games. Given the injury and his workload, that is understandable. On the flip side, despite the power slump, he continues to find ways to get on base. I look at that as a positive sign for his future. With a refreshed start in 2019, Williams could well prove to be an 8th round steal.

Williams was previously drafted in 31st round by Tampa Bay in 2017.

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