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.