Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Top 20 under 26 in the AL Central
American League Central Top 20 under 26: No. 20-No. 16
No. 20: Matt Foster, RP, Chicago White Sox
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 8 G, 12.1 IP, 2-0, 0.00 ERA, 17-3 K-BB, 0.6 WAR
He’s young, but Matt Foster has the tools to be an absolutely stellar bullpen weapon. He has absolutely excellent control, as he walked just 53 batters over 182 IP in the minors. Over that same period? He struck out 218. It’s been more of the same.
Since Foster reached the Majors earlier this year, he’s pitched in just eight games this year, that trend has continued. Foster has seventeen strikeouts and just three walks in only 12.1 innings for the White Sox. He might not be a closer, but he’s got high-leverage set-up man written all over him.
No. 19: Jorge Alcala, RP, Minnesota Twins
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 6 G, 12 IP, 1-0, 1.50 ERA, 15-4 K-BB, 0.4 WAR
Career Stats: 8 G, 13.2 IP, 1-0, 1.32 ERA, 16-5 K-BB, 0.5 WAR
The Minnesota Twins decided that Jorge Alcala was best used as a reliever, and since they made that move he has turned into a bullpen star (even if they’re a little reluctant to use him). He tops Foster because of his pure stuff.
As he is still young, he tends to get lost in the shuffle of the Minnesota Twins’ other bullpen aces, but Alcala is elite in his own right. Armed with a 99 MPH fastball and a nasty slider, Alcala has the stuff to be the closer of the future. Our No. 21 prospect has been excellent so far.
No. 18: Victor Reyes, OF, Detroit Tigers
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 24 G, .274/.312/.736, 12 R, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 5 SB, 31 TB, 0.2 WAR
Career Stats: 193 G, .269/.296/.673, 76 R, 6 HR, 43 RBI, 23 SB, 211 TB, 0.6 WAR
This may be a surprise for those unfamiliar with the Tigers, but Victor Reyes is an absolutely solid young player. He has all the tools of a successful corner outfielder. He’s not talented enough to stick in the middle, but if his homer stroke shows up, he’s got talent.
He’s only gotten better this year. If he were playing a full season, he’s on pace for about 13 homers, 40 RBI, and 31 stolen bases. That’s a pretty good stat line, and if he gets any better at all, the Tigers have a legitimate star on their hands.
No. 17: Dylan Cease, SP, Chicago White Sox
Age: 24
2020 Stats: 5 G, 5 GS, 4-1, 3.16 ERA, 17-9 K-BB, 25.2 IP, 0.0 WAR
Career Stats: 19 G, 19 GS, 5.11 ERA, 98-44 K-BB, 98.2 IP, -0.2 WAR
I don’t quite believe in the Dylan Cease breakout just yet, as his 6.16 FIP and 0.0 WAR suggest he still isn’t the future star the White Sox wanted to acquire when they traded away Jose Quintana. That being said, Cease’s 8.9 K/9 number is very solid, and it was even better last year. He’s still sorting himself out, but he’s got a lot of life in that arm and will be dangerous.
No. 16: Nomar Mazara, OF, Chicago White Sox
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 16 G, .224/.321/.607, 5 R, 0 HR, 3 RBI, 0 SB, 14 TB, 0.0 WAR
Career Stats: 553 G, .260/.320/.751, 258 RBI, 79 HR, 311 RBI, 7 SB, 878 TB, 1.3 WAR
Nomar Mazara was once a star prospect, but he has never been able to live up to that billing. On the flip side, Mazara has still been far better than average, hitting .260 and averaging 20 homers, and 77 RBI per season. He’s been very useful.
His defense hasn’t been good, and an injury has nagged him in 2020, but he’s still got elite potential. He’s just 25, so he can still get better, but if this is his ceiling, Mazara is a Top 100 player in this division.
American League Central Top 20 under 26: No. 15-No. 11
No. 15: Brady Singer, SP, Kansas City Royals
Age: 24
2020 Stats: 6 G, 6 GS, 29.2 IP, 1-3, 5.16 ERA, 27-12 K-BB, 0.3 WAR
To say that the debut six games for Brady Singer have been a roller coaster could not be more accurate. Singer has had three games where he’s pitched fifteen innings, given up six runs, and struck out fourteen. Those were the good games.
The bad three games saw Singer go 14.2 innings, give up 11 runs, and strike out 13. He’s a rookie, so he’ll take his lumps, but Singer has some pretty great stuff. He has the potential to become an ace for the Royals, he just needs to find it.
No. 14: James Karinchak, RP, Cleveland Indians
Age: 24
2020 Stats: 13 G, 14.2 IP, 0-1, 0.61 ERA, 1 SV, 28-6 K-BB, 0.7 WAR
Career Stats: 18 G, 20.0 IP, 0-1, 0.90 ERA, 1 SV, 36-7 K-BB, 0.9 WAR
James Karinchak is the highest related reliever on our list, and with good reason. At just 24 years old, Karinchak has massive potential. He has some of the best stuff of any reliever in the entire Cleveland system, and they believer he’ll be their closer at some point.
Karinchak reminds me in a lot of ways of Alcala, as both pitchers have electric stuff and improving command. The only reason Karinchak tops Alcala is that he’s way closer to reaching his enormous potential. But I’d expect these two to be dueling in the ninth inning in a couple years.
No. 13: Triston McKenzie, SP, Cleveland Indians
Age: 22
2020 Stats: 1 G, 1 GS, 6 IP, 1.50 ERA, 10-1 K-BB, 0.2 WAR
I can’t imagine a better MLB debut than the one Triston McKenzie had to open his MLB career. McKenzie absolutely obliterated the Tigers and earned a second start. Striking out ten guys and allowing just one run on a homer? McKenzie has been a top prospect for a while, and now he’s ready to make good.
No. 12: Casey Mize, SP, Detroit Tigers
Age: 22
2020 Stats: 1 G, 1 GS, 4.1 IP, 6.23 ERA (2.93 FIP), 7-1 K-BB, 0.0 WAR
The Casey Mize debut wasn’t quite as good as McKenzie’s, but striking out 7 over 4.1 innings is a pretty good start by itself. Mize did give up 3 runs, but his FIP suggests he had a much better game than expected. This former No. 1 overall pick has a very bright future.
No. 11: Zach Plesac, SP, Cleveland Indians
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 3 G, 3 GS, 21 IP, 1-1, 1.29 ERA, 24-2 K-BB, 1.2 WAR
Career Stats: 24 G, 24 GS, 136.2 IP, 9-7, 3.42 ERA, 112-42 K-BB, 2.9 WAR
We’ve officially left the list of guys with things to prove and are now entering the section of players just below star level. Zach Plesac makes that list, because when you look at his stat line, it screams very good pitcher.
He doesn’t have elite stuff, but he’s great with what he has, allowing him to control the strike zone and make hitters miss. That 112-42 career K-BB line is incredible, and his 10.3 K/9 number shows he’s only getting better. If he can avoid doing dumb things, he has the potential to be another star Cleveland pitcher.
American League Central Top 20 under 26: No. 10-No. 6
10. Aaron Civale, SP, Cleveland Indians
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 5 G, 5 GS, 34 IP, 3-2, 2.91 ERA, 32-3 K-BB, 1.1 WAR
Career Stats: 15 G, 15 GS, 91.2 IP, 14-14, 2.55 ERA, 78-19 K-BB, 2.6 WAR
Aaron Civale is similar to Zach Plesac in that they both pitch for Cleveland and they both have been excellent in their first two years. Civale however, has been even better, as he has a higher K/9, a lower BB/9, lower ERA, and lower FIP.
He is masterful in using the zone and working his pitches to the right spots, and he is the only pitcher in baseball to toss a complete game in 2020. He has all the tools to be one of the best No. 2 or No. 3 starters in the league (behind Mike Clevinger and someone else on this list).
No. 9: Adalberto Mondesi, SS, Kansas City Royals
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 28 G, .229/.253/.555, 10 R, 0 HR, 2 RBI, 6 SB, 29 TB, -0.5 WAR
Career Stats: 277 G, .246/.278/.680, 135 R, 26 HR, 117 RBI, 95 SB, 393 TB, 3.1 WAR
The only player with a World Series Ring on this list, Adalberto Mondesi is a speedster with some decent power for a shortstop, despite his rough start to 2020. Mondesi’s average stat line over 162 games would be that disappointing .246/.278/.680 line, but it would also include 15 HR, 68 RBI, and 56 steals. That’s incredible.
Mondesi looked to be improving in hitting for average before his rough year this year, but I still fully believe that Mondesi will become a regular hitter. He just turned 25, and with 277 games under his belt, there’s a lot to like for the best young player on the rebuilding Royals.
No. 8: Franmil Reyes, OF/DH, Cleveland Indians
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 26 G, .305/.362/.888, 15 R, 6 HR, 18 RBI, 0 SB, 50 TB, 0.3 WAR
Career Stats: 264 G, .263/.324/.821, 120 R, 59 HR, 130 RBI, 0 SB, 433 TB, 2.2 WAR
I actually had Franmil Reyes lower on my ranking of top young players in the division, and he was lower on the list because of his inability to hit for average and struggled in Cleveland. That’s no longer an issue.
In 2020, Reyes has hit over .300 and is on pace for a 40 homer season (if it was a full 162 game year). That’s one of the best marks of any hitter in the division, and his 18 RBI only help his cause. He won’t be a megastar, because he is a DH, but a Nelson Cruz ceiling comparison still seems pretty accurate.
No. 7: Luis Arraez, 2B, Minnesota Twins
Age: 23
2020 Stats: 20 G, .275/.346/.651, 8 R, 0 HR, 5 RBI, 0 SB, 21 TB, 0.4 WAR
Career Stats: 112 G, .324/.390/.805, 8 R, 4 HR, 33 RBI, 2 SB, 164 TB, 2.3 WAR
No, Luis Arraez has not competed for a batting title this year like Minnesota Twins fans wanted him to, but he’s still very valuable. Arraez provides very strong defense while hitting well for average and running smartly on the base paths.
Arraez may not hit .300 this year, but his veteran approach at the age of 23 will allow him to get back to that mark again (and probably pretty soon). The Minnesota Twins have found themselves a very reliable hitter and defender who should be in the team’s lineup for years to come.
No. 6: Randy Dobnak, SP, Minnesota Twins
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 6 G, 6 GS, 30.1 IP, 5-1, 1.78 ERA, 16-7 K-BB, 1.0 WAR
Career Stats: 15 G, 11 GS, 58.2 IP, 7-2, 1 SV, 1.69 ERA, 39-12 K-BB, 1.7 WAR
The third and highest ranked Minnesota Twins player on this list is the mustached-marvel, Randy Dobnak. While his stats don’t jump off the page, Dobnak gets a lot of wins, allows very few runs, and allows very few walks.
His 1.8 BB/9 career number is excellent, and his eleven earned runs over 58.2 innings is an incredibly good stat. Randy Dobnak isn’t a true ace or star, which will hold him back to sixth here, but he is undoubtedly one of the best young arms the Minnesota Twins have.
American League Central Top 20 under 26: No. 5-No. 1
No. 5: Brad Keller, SP, Kansas City Royals
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 3 G, 3 GS, 17.2 IP, 3-0, 0.00 ERA, 15-8 K-BB, 1.3 WAR
Career Stats: 72 G, 51 GS, 323.1 IP, 19-20, 3.48 ERA, 233-128 K-BB, 7.9 WAR
Brad Keller is actually a pretty similar pitcher to Randy Dobnak, who relies more on his command than his elite stuff. Keller still has pretty good stuff, but that’s not his strong suit. Keller started off the year injured, but since returning, he’s been white hot.
Keller has won his first three starts without allowing a run and averaging 5 strikeouts over those starts. He’ll never have high strikeout numbers, but he walks very few hitters and plays good defense as a pitcher. He’s a very good starter.
No. 4: Luis Robert, OF, Chicago White Sox
Age: 22
Career Stats: 26 G, .277/.333/.897, 15 R, 7 HR, 17 RBI, 4 SB, 53 TB, 1.4 WAR
After just 26 games with the White Sox, it’s been pretty clear that Luis Robert has the tools to be a star in the MLB. He’s been in the middle of a slump, going 7-42 over the last eleven games, but prior to that he was hitting .322/.385/.876.
He’s got a ton of talent and has superstar potential written all over him. He will be a problem for the Minnesota Twins for years, as his combination of hitting for average, power, speed, and defense will make him a NIGHTMARE to play against.
No. 3: Yoan Moancada, 3B, Chicago White Sox
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 25 G, .253/.336/.781, 13 R, 5 HR, 15 RBI, 0 SB, 44 TB, 0.2 WAR
Career Stats: 369 G, .264/.337/.793, 203 R, 55 HR, 178 RBI, 25 SB, 643 TB, 7.5 WAR
The second former No. 1 prospect, Yoan Moancada has two of Luis Robert’s tools: Hitting for average and power. Though the hitting for average hasn’t been easy to spot, his other tools have been.
In 2019, Moancada hit .315 with 25 homers and 79 RBI over 132 games while also swiping 10 bases and playing good defense. He’s got superstar potential, and when that bat is swinging right, watch out. Moancada might not have Robert’s potential still, but he’s still got star potential.
No. 2: Eloy Jimenez, OF, Chicago White Sox
Age: 23
2020 Stats: 26 G, .300/.324/.934, 13 R, 9 HR, 20 RBI, 0 SB, 61 TB, 0.5 WAR
Career Stats: 149 G, .273/.316/.844, 82 R, 40 HR, 99 RBI, 0 SB, 302 TB, 2.0 WAR
Eloy Jimenez is the Chicago White Sox’ third former No. 1 prospect, and though he hasn’t even gotten 162 games in yet, he already looks like a star. Over his 149 games, he’s hit 40 homers and knocked in 99 runs. On top of that, it looks like he’s just getting started.
In 2020, Jimenez has hit .300 and sits tied for ninth in the MLB for homers. He’s already off to a much better career start than Moancada, and while Luis Robert could catch him quickly, he’s clearly the best young hitter in the AL Central.
No. 1: Shane Bieber, SP, Cleveland Indians
Age: 25
2020 Stats: 6 G, 6 GS, 40.2 IP, 5-0, 1.11 ERA, 65-6 K-BB, 2.2 WAR
Career Stats: 60 G, 58 GS, 369.2 IP, 31-13, 3.43 ERA, 442-69 K-BB, 7.7 WAR
Minnesota Twins fans won’t like this one, but Shane Bieber is an absolutely NASTY pitcher. The only All-Star (and AS Game MVP) on this list, Bieber has a fantastic arsenal of pitches and is downright fun to watch work…whenever the Minnesota Twins aren’t on the other side.
Bieber’s stats look good, but his 162 game average looks even better:
- 35 G, 33 GS, 213 IP, 18-7, 3.43 ERA (3.12 FIP), 255-40 K-BB, 10.8 K/9
To make matters worse for Twins fans, Bieber is only getting better. In 2020, Bieber has won every single one of his starts and boasts a stellar 1.11 ERA (his 1.74 FIP leads the league). He leads the league in innings and strikeouts, and unless some miracle happens, Bieber will have his first Cy Young before his 26th birthday. That’s good enough for No. 1 on this list.
Next. Minnesota Twins Sunday Wrap-Up: Battling through injury-filled Week 5. dark