Minnesota Twins Preseason 2022 Top 50 Prospects: No. 40-31

Minnesota Twins Top 50 Prospects: 35-31

Prospect No. 35: Sean Mooney, RHP

Sean Mooney, drafted in the 12th Round in 2019, is yet another quick rising prospect in this range of prospects. He’s 6’1″, 200 lbs, and while he’s struggled with control at some times (4.9 BB/9), he’s looked really good with his upped velocity. He’s just 24 and struck out 15.2 batters per nine innings, so he’ll be worth keeping an eye on.

Prospect No. 34: Wander Javier, SS

Wander Javier has long been one of my favorite prospects, as his potential has been considered amongst the best in the system. He’s flashed some serious power and athleticism, and his first fifty games made him look like an All-Star.

Since then, he’s dealt with injuries and ineffectiveness, and the Twins have been thinking about his potential and hoping that he’ll return to the player we’ve been hoping for. He’s 23 now though, so similar to Chris Vallimont, this may be his last chance.

Prospect No. 33: Eduoard Julien, 1B/2B/3B/LF

Looking for a player who made an incredible first impression in a minor league system? Look no further than Eduoard Julien. In his first season in the pros, Julien slashed .267/.434/.480, hit 18 homers, and stole 34 bases in 112 games.

On top of this, Julien walked 110 (!!!) times in 112 games, showing an incredible ability to get on base. There’s some question about where he’ll play defensively, but if he can put together a similar season in 2022, Julien’s stock will skyrocket even higher.

Prospect No. 32: Yunior Severino, 2B/3B

Yunior Severino is similar to Wander Javier in that he has always been billed as an extremely high-potential prospect, but last year, Severino delivered. At High-A last year, Severino played 35 games and slashed .321/.414/.493.

He doesn’t have a lot of power, but that was never his strength and he knocked in 70 RBI in 98 games. He’s likely to be a solid utility player if he can keep this up (a la Luis Arraez)., but he’s got to prove he can repeat his performance next year.

Prospect No. 31: Christian Encarnacion-Strand, 1B/3B

When Christian Encarnacion-Strand was drafted, I said right away that he put up excellent numbers in college despite a hitch in his swing and could use his strong arm to make up for some defensive shortcomings to become a really good player.

In his first 22 games, he’s done exactly that, and proved me right, slashing .391/.424/.598 and hitting four homers in 22 games. Though it’s just Low-A ball and it was a short time period, Encarnacion-Strand will have to face tougher competition to prove he’s really this player (which is why he’s only in the 31st spot). Encarnacion-Strand could rise quickly if he backs it up.