Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Top 20 under 26 in the AL Central

The Minnesota Twins will face some tougher competition over the next few years in the AL Central. We rank the twenty best young players in the division.

The Minnesota Twins aren’t the only team in the American League Central that has up-and-coming talent. Each of the teams in the division has at least two players on this list, while some have even more.

The rules for this one are pretty simple. The player has to have made their MLB debut and be under the age of 26. That’s it. They can be a hitter, a starting pitcher, or a reliever but as long as they have played at all in Major League Baseball, they can make the cut.

With the Central full of the most young talent in any division (outside of maybe the American League East), there are a lot of different players to go over. With that in mind, let’s start in as we always do: Honorable Mentions.

American League Central Top 20 under 26: Honorable Mentions

Nick Madrigal, 2B, Chicago White Sox

Age: 23

2020 Stats: 5 G, .294 Batting Average/.333 On-Base Percentage/.627 OBP+Slugging, 2 R, 0 HR, 1 RBI, 0 SB, 5 TB, -0.2 WAR

The No. 4 Pick in the 2018 draft, Nick Madrigal rose quickly through the minor league system and made his MLB debut as the White Sox’ starting second baseman on July 31st. He was placed on the IL just five games later, but he looked solidly offensively and earns a mention here.

Jake Newberry, RP, Kansas City Royals

Age: 25

2020 Stats: 7 G, 8.1 IP, 0-0, 2.16 ERA, 8-4 K-BB, 0.1 WAR

Career Stats: 48 G, 52.2 IP, 3-0, 3.76 ERA, 48-29 K-BB, 0.5 WAR

A 37th Round Pick in 2012, Jake Newberry is the opposite of Madrigal. Newberry is a low-round pick who worked his way up through the minors before breaking through in 2018. He has improved his ERA, K/9, and walk numbers every year he’s been in the majors. The Royals have a very good young arm on their hands.