Minnesota Twins: Ranking the Top 5 Prospects We should See in 2022
By Otto Johnson
Minnesota Twins Prospect No. 4: RHP Jhoan Duran (No. 5 Prospect)
2021 Stats: 5 G, 4 GS, 16 IP, 0-3, 5.06 ERA, 1.813 WHIP, 22-13 K-BB
Jhoan Duran has been mentioned in the same breath as other top pitching prospect Jordan Balazovic for a long time, and for good reason. The duo is expected to be at the front of the Twins’ rotation in the coming years, with potential oozing from both pitchers.
Going into 2021, Duran was expected to push through the last level of the minors quickly and possibly even debut this year en route to starting the 2022 season in the rotation. Unfortunately, the plan has changed after an elbow strain has cost Duran the majority of his season.
There really isn’t doubt in anyone’s mind that Duran will be in the rotation soon, as his elite fastball and splitter duo leads to a lot of missed bats. If his curveball continues to get stronger, his elite upside potential could finally be reached.
Like Strotman, Duran starting the year in the majors is very unlikely, but not impossible if he has a good Spring Training. With an injury or two to whatever pitchers end up in the rotation next year, Duran will almost certainly debut next year. If he pitches like we know he can, he’ll be a mainstay by the end of 2022.