With the 2020 season just around the corner, we look into which prospect tool grades out as the best one in the farm system.
Every year, MLB.com drops their rankings of the top 30 prospects in each farm system, including the Top 30 Prospects for the Twins. They grade five different tools for hitters and at least three different tools for pitchers, grading on a scale of 20 (a severe issue) to 80 (a guarantee of success). The five hitter tools; hit, power, run, arm, and field, offer a look into how successful a hitter might be. The pitcher tools can vary based on how many pitches a pitcher can throw. A pitcher always has a grade for fastball, change-up, and control, but they can also have a curveball, slider, sinker, or cutter grades based on what they throw.
These grades are important because the Minnesota Twins build from within to develop a contender, so having highly talented prospects help keep the team competitive and are useful for trades. With Puckett’s Pond releasing its own prospect rankings later this week, we’re going to do our own 20-80 grade system, ranking our top fifteen graded skills in the system, starting with several honorable mentions who didn’t make the cut. Skills such as speed and fastball are easier to find, so rare skills like hit are ranked higher.
Honorable Mentions
55 (Power)-Royce Lewis, Trevor Larnach, and Ryan Jeffers: All three players grade out as 55 power hitters, meaning they have the potential to hit around 20-25 homers a year. All three of these players had other grades that were rated higher, so don’t shed a tear for them yet.
55 (Arm)-Royce Lewis, Keoni Cavaco, and Wander Javier: Royce Lewis is a true five-tool prospect, with all five of his skills grading out at above 50. Keoni Cavaco has a lot of development left to do, but has the defensive arm to stay at short or third for a long time. Wander Javier has been in the Minnesota Twins’ system for a while, and his arm has only gotten better.
60 (Run)-Keoni Cavaco: One of Cavaco’s biggest advantages is his speed, which allows him to make tough plays and outrun close ground balls. While much of Cavaco’s game needs developing, his speed does not.
60 (Field)-Royce Lewis, Wander Javier, and Ryan Jeffers: Lewis has the defensive ability to stay at short, one of the most demanding positions in baseball, for a long time. The same could be said about Javier, who would speed through the system if his hitting would match his glove. Jeffers’ glove was one of the biggest problems for him when he was drafted, but he has since turned it into a strength, something that he talked about with Puckett’s Pond.
60 (Pitches)-Matt Canterino’s Slider, Jhoan Duran’s Splitter, and Jordan Balazovic’s Slider: Canterino’s slider is a nasty pitch that throws hitters off-balance, Duran’s splitter comes in the batters box in the low 90’s and can go anywhere from there, while Balazovic’s slider misses a ton of bats. Each pitch profiles as a big plus and a highlight for years to come.
No. 15-No. 11
No. 15: Trevor Larnach’s Hitting
Puckett’s Pond Grade (PPG): 60
MLB.com grade (MLBG): 55
Trevor Larnach was the Minnesota Twins’ first round pick in 2018 and stands out as a multi-tool player who could have a lot of success at the corner outfield spot. He has a good arm, and decent power, but his hit tool is what really stands out. He can put the ball in play all over the diamond, and could develop into a .300 hitter and a cornerstone of the Twins lineup for years to come.
No. 14: Dakota Chalmers’ Curveball
PPG: 65
MLBG: 60
The only off-speed pitch to make the list, Chalmers’ offering is downright dirty. Chalmers was one of the best high school pitchers in the 2015 draft, but Tommy John surgeries and other injuries have slowed him down since. He still can hit upper 90s with his fastball, but the curveball is a truly special pitch with one of the best spin rates in the minors (and majors).
No. 13: Gabriel Maciel’s Running
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
There are several prospects in the Minnesota Twins system that can sprint with the best of them. Gabriel Maciel is the first to make the list. A throw-in as a part of the trade that sent Eduardo Escobar to the Diamondbacks, Maciel is still developing but has blazing speed that allows him to play all three defensive positions in the outfield. He is averaging 36 steals per 162 games, showcasing his elite skill level.
No. 12: Akil Badoo’s Running
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Similar to Maciel, Akil Badoo is flat-out fast. The 74th pick in 2015, Badoo was a very raw, but very talented outfielder from Georgia. He’s had some injury issues, but the speed is still there. Badoo has yet to play a full season in the minors, but when healthy he has averaged 31 steals per 162 games. He gets the edge over Maciel because Badoo is slightly smarter on the base paths, giving him an advantage.
No. 11: Jorge Alcala’s Fastball
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Jorge Alcala throws one of the fastest heaters in the Minnesota Twins organization, but really struggles with his control of the pitch. The pitch has been clocked at 98 mph, with a lot of movement, but the lack of control hurts his ranking. He pitched well in his two game debut in the big leagues, so there’s still room for Alcala to improve his command.
No. 10-No.6
No. 10: Edward Colina’s Fastball
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Edward Colina is another pitcher has a rocket on his arm. Colina has a fastball that hits 98 often and has hit triple digits several times before. Colina, who signed with the team in 2015 at the age of 18, has never posted an ERA higher than 3.34 over a full season. He overpowers hitters with his fastball, but needs a little more command work before he can take his elite stuff to the majors.
No. 9: Alex Kirilloff’s Power
PPG: 60
MLBG: 55
Kiriloff’s shine from his breakout 2018 faded a bit with injuries, but he still has the tools to be a game changer in the Twin’s lineup. He is rated as high as nine in some prospect rankings, and that’s because he’s an excellent hitter, with enough power to put up thirty homers a season. The best part for Twins fans? His power isn’t even his best tool.
No. 8: Brent Rooker’s Power
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Brent Rooker may struggle with his other skills, including the ability to hit for average, but no one in the organization can hit for power better than Rooker can. He can really launch the ball, hitting more than anyone else in the organization over the past three seasons with 54. If Rooker can hit for average at the next level, he could be the DH of the future for the rest of his career.
No. 7: Royce Lewis’ Hitting
PPG: 60
MLBG: 60
Surprised to see Royce Lewis on the list again? We didn’t think so. Lewis displayed excellent ability to hit the ball in his first two seasons with the Twins before struggling in 2019. He Arizona Fall League was excellent, helping out his grade, but his famed leg kick often creates questions about whether he’ll be able to hit major league pitching once he gets there. Until then, he gets the benefit of the doubt.
No. 6: Matt Wallner’s Arm
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Matt Wallner is an under the radar prospect for the Minnesota Twins that fans should know going forward. Wallner has strong power and a cannon for an arm. He can hit mid-90s when pitching, but his future is as a right fielder. It would not be hard to imagine Wallner using his arm (the best in the system) to anchor right field in the future.
No. 5-No. 1
No. 5: Jordan Balazovic’s Fastball
PPG: 65
MLBG: 65
Jordan Balazovic is generally regarded as the top arm the Minnesota Twins have in the system, and his fastball is the main reason. Balazovic throws around the same speed as Alcala and Colina, two other flamethrowers for the team, but Balazovic can consistently throw the pitch for strikes, something the other two pitchers cannot.
No. 4: Royce Lewis’ Overall Grade
PPG: 65
MLBG: 60
This feels like cheating, but Lewis’ overall grade is the best in the system and deserves some recognition. The former No. 1 overall pick has 2 tools that could end up as plus tools, and 3 tools that already are. If his hitting and power develop properly, Lewis could use his athleticism to become one of the top Twins in recent memory.
No. 3: Alex Kirilloff’s Hitting
PPG: 65
MLBG: 60
Kirilloff is often viewed as one of the top hitters in the entire minor leagues and it is easy to see why. Kirilloff hit .348 in his 2018 breakout season and while he struggled in 2019, he still has the bat to be a .300 hitter at the highest level.
No. 2: Jhoan Duran’s Fastball
PPG: 65
MLBG: 70
Jhoan Duran has the highest ceiling of any pitcher in the Twins system, with a fastball that averages 97 mph and reaches into the triple digits often. His fastball overpowers hitters, and his success in the minors made him one of the most valuable prospects in the organization. Duran’s fastball will carry him to the major league rotation shortly.
No. 1: Royce Lewis’ Running
PPG: 70
MLBG: 70
It’s fitting that the top tool in the Minnesota Twins system belongs to the top prospect in the system. Royce Lewis is the single most athletic player in the Twins’ organization more so than anyone else. He uses his high baseball IQ and natural speed to make great defensive plays, steal lots of bases, and play as well as he does.