Minnesota Twins: Ranking the 13 International Free Agents Signings

Tough to Predict for the Minnesota Twins

These are players that don’t have a lot of information and aren’t as highly regarded that signed with the Minnesota Twins. While they don’t look like much, there is a chance they’ll be able to turn things around and show some upside.

T-No. 9: RHP Oscar Paredes, Venezuela

T-No. 9: SS Denyerbe Gervis, Venezuela

T-No. 9: OF Ismael Perez, Dominican Republic

T-No. 9: RHP Jose Olivares, Venezuela

T-No. 9: SS Santo Martinez, Dominican Republic

The issue for these five players is the lack of information on them. All five have signed with the Twins, but we don’t know for how much, their skill sets, or anything else about them outside of position and birth country. Because of this, they wrap up tied for last in these rankings.

T-No. 7: C Giovanny Rivero, Venezuela

T-No. 7: C Deiner Contreras, Venezuela

The same situation for the players in behind them, there is virtually nothing that separates these guys, other than the position they play. Their ability to be behind the dish is their big advantage. In a system that’s extremely week behind Mitch Garver and Ryan Jeffers, they could have lots of opportunities for playing time.

No. 6: OF Andres Centeno, Venezuela ($300,000)

No. 5: SS Luis Rodriguez, Dominican Republic ($360,000)

No. 4: SS Reynaldo Madrigal, Dominican Republic ($400,000)

No. 3: SS Rafael Cruz, Dominican Republic ($500,000)

It’s almost disappointing the lack of information on these players, but using Spotrac, we were able to find out how much their signing bonuses were for, and rank them based on that. The Twins had some of the most money to spend of any franchise, and they used it. While it’s hard to determine the value of these guys without scouting reports, their bonuses indicate potential.

Blue Chip Prospects for the Minnesota Twins

No. 2: SS Freddy La Flor, Dominican Republic

As one of only two of MLB.com’s Top 30 International Free Agents list to sign with the Twins, Freddy La Flor definitely deserves a spot near the top. The No. 28 player on the list, the 16-year-old La Flor is extremely raw (he’s only 16), but he has a wide open range of potential.

La Flor is a switch-hitter, and his ability to get good, hard contact is one of his most likable traits. He is small, at 5’10” and 150 pounds, but what he lacks in power he makes up for in the ability to hit the ball all over the field. In addition, he extremely fast and has potential to play center field, shortstop, or second base, depending on how his arm matures.

The Twins signed him for $1.1 million, no small price tag for a someone that young, but the Twins believe he has the ability to mature into a pretty special player. Expect him to start showing up on Top 30 prospect lists real soon.

No. 1: SS Danny De Andrade, Venezuela

For two players the same age, they could not be more different physically. Danny De Andrade is 6’0″ tall and 160 pounds, which might not seem like a lot, but when you look at them physically, you can tell a difference.

De Andrade is a plus defender at short, and while he’s a little on the leaner side right now, scouts expect him to transition to third base to better fit his size. He has the arm to play well there too, so it wouldn’t be a huge minus.

In addition to a solid arm and good defense, De Andrade’s best skill is probably his bat. With a 55 hit and 55 power tool, he could develop into a very good hitter as he grows stronger. The Twins signed him to a $2.2 million deal, and I expect him to join the Twins’ top ten prospects by the end of 2021.