Minnesota Twins Top 30 Prospects Post-MLB Draft
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins Prospects No. 20-No. 16
No. 20: Edwar Colina, RHP
Expected 2020 Level: AA
Preseason Ranking: No. 18
Age: 23
Fastball: 65/Slider: 55/Changeup: 40/Control: 45/Overall: 50
Armed with the best fastball in the system, Edwar Colina‘s lack of a changeup and control will hurt him in the long run, likely not allowing him to be a starter. He will however, be able to be an excellent reliever, and he gets his first to chance to prove that as a member of the 60-Man Roster.
No. 19: Travis Blankenhorn, 2B/3B/OF
Expected 2020 Level: AAA
Preseason Ranking: No. 17
Age: 23
Hit: 45/Power: 50/Run: 45/Arm: 50/Field: 50/Overall: 50
Travis Blankenhorn‘s greatest skill is his ability to play all over the field. All of his tools are usable, and if that hit tool develops more, he could easily take the Marwin Gonzalez role once Gonzalez leaves next year. He’s on the 40-man roster right now, so look for him to prove himself against top competition.
No. 18: Akil Baddoo, OF
Expected 2020 Level: High A
Preseason Ranking: No. 16
Age: 21
Hit: 50/Power: 50/Speed: 65/Arm: 40/Field: 50/Overall: 50
Akil Baddoo has long been considered one of the players in the Twins’ system with fantastic tools. His speed is excellent, and he’s flashed excellent hit and power tools. The main issue is injuries that have prevented him from reaching his potential. His most recent one sapped his arm strength away, so it’s worth wondering if he’ll ever become the star his potential suggests.
No. 17: Nick Gordon, 2B/SS
Expected 2020 Level: MLB
Preseason Ranking: No. 15
Age: 24
Hit: 55/Power: 35/Run: 55/Arm: 55/Field: 50/Overall: 50
The No. 5 overall selection in the 2014 draft that has moved slowly, but surely through the Twins system, Nick Gordon is finally ready to show what he’s got. Gordon may not have any power, but he still has the ability to hit well for average and steal some bases, helping make him a reliable bench guy in 2020.
No. 16: Alerick Soularie, OF
Expected 2020 Level: N/A
Preseason Ranking: N/A
Age: 21
Hit: 60/Power: 50/Run: 45/Arm: 40/Field: 50/Overall: 50
We have reached the second new addition to our list in Alerick Soularie. Soularie was an excellent hitter in college, putting together a stellar line of .336 BA/.448 OBP/.586 SLG% numbers with 16 homers and 63 RBI in his 76 games at Tennessee. That would have given him 34 homers and 134 RBI over 162 games.
There’s no question Soularie’s bat will play. The only question is if his excellent baseball IQ will make up for his subpar defensive abilities, as there’s question over where he’ll play. He practiced at second base in college, so maybe he’d be able to play there, but we’ll see.