Minnesota Twins: Top 10 MLB Draft Prospects to Go After at No. 8

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 10: Zach Neto, SS, Campbell University

The first player on our list is 21-year-old shortstop Zach Neto from Campbell University. Undrafted and lightly recruited out of high school, Neto sat on the bench his freshman year of college and once he got into the lineup he never looked back. Here’s his statline from 2020-2022:

• 100 G, .403/.500/.751, 72 XBH (27 HR), 108 RBI, 31 SB, 56-49 BB-K

He’s got a funky swing and load-up, but he moves the bat well enough to hit for good power and contact at the major league level. He isn’t guaranteed to have the range to stay at short, but he has great feel for the game and a solid enough arm to give it a shot. He’d be a really good option if some of the other players on this list go ahead of him.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 9: Dylan Lesko, RHP, Buford HS (GA)

The first of two high school pitchers on the list, Dylan Lesko was expected to be the top pitcher off the board in the draft before he was forced to undergo Tommy John surgery a couple months back. Regardless, he should still might be the first pitcher picked in a thin class for arms.

Lesko has a solid frame with a fastball that lives around 93-95 but can reach as fast as 97. His best offspeed is an elite changeup that he delivers well and is tough to differentiate from his fastball. He also has a potentially elite curveball that could use a little more work.

Of all the pitchers in the draft, Lesko has ace-level potential if he can come back strong from his injury. If the Twins feel confident in his arm, he could end up being a steal for the team at the bottom of the Top 10.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 8: Brock Porter, RHP, Orchard Lake St. Mary’s (MI)

The other top high school pitcher in the draft, Brock Porter might not have Lesko’s feel for the mound but he might have better stuff. Porter’s fastball sits in the mid-90s and has reached triple digits, and he has a good four pitch mix. He also has an elite changeup, a strong slider, and a curveball with a ton of spin that just needs some harnessing.

He’s big too, with a 6’4″ frame and as he gets older he’s continuing to improve his command and ability. The Twins might have to pay a little above slot to get Porter at 8, but he’s got a lot of upside for a system without a ton of upside.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 7: Daniel Susac, C, Arizona

The next player on the list is the first of two catchers in our Top 10: Daniel Susac. Susac just turned 21 in May, and even though he’s tall for a catcher, he may have the tools to stay there long-term.

In his two years at the University of Arizona, Susac played 125 games, slashed .352/.413/.586, pounded 70 XBH (24 HR) and knocked in 126 RBI. He struck out a lot in college, but that’s something he can work on with time while his bat pushes him through the minors.

He’s got a strong arm and while his pitch-framing is a work in progress, the Minnesota Twins organization have shown they’re really good at helping players develop that skill. As an added bonus, he’d likely move quickly through the minors for a team that’s really thin on catching prospects (and on MLB catchers).

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 6: Gavin Cross, OF, Virginia Tech

The only true outfielder on this list and a player that was projected to land in Minnesota early on in the process is Gavin Cross. A consensus Top 10 player, he’s one of the best college hitters in the class and has the potential to be a star in the outfield.

On offense, he has a solid left-handed swing that offers the potential to swing for above-average contact and power. On defense, he’s got a solid arm and good mobility. He has a high floor with all the tools to be a really good outfielder who could move extremely quickly through the organization.

If the Twins were to go with Cross, they could be getting a really good player, but running the risk that he might be just solid. Regardless, Cross would be a good addition to the organization and his floor makes him worth a Top 10 pick.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 5: Jace Jung, 2B, Texas Tech

The younger brother of the Texas Rangers’ No. 2 prospect Josh Jung, Jace Jung is an elite hitter with a ton of power, great contact skills, and a fantastic ability to get on base and limit strikeouts. The big issue for Jung is his lack of speed, arm strength, and fielding instincts.

Where does he play in the majors? He can’t stay at third with his arm, shortstop’s out of the question, and first and second are questionable. He’s still a clear-cut Top 10 pick in my mind, because that bat will play, but do the Twins think they can find a defensive home for him? That’ll be the big question with Jung.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 4: Cam Collier, 3B, Chipola JC

One of the most intriguing prospects in the 2022 Draft Class, Cam Collier (son of former utility man Lou Collier) is just 17 years old but has monster potential. After getting his GED and heading to Chipola Junior College a year early, he’s established himself as a high-upside first round pick.

His bat is his selling point, with his strong frame, bat speed, and beautiful left-handed swing generating great contact. He doesn’t have elite power, but there’s power potential there as he gets older with that swing.

His incredibly strong arm and smooth glove make him a natural at third base, but he could just as easily be a corner outfielder if a team wanted to develop him there. He won’t make the majors any time soon, but he has tremendous upside.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 3: Kevin Parada, C, Georgia Tech

The top catching prospect in this year’s draft, Kevin Parada has an elite bat that could lead to the 20-year-old flying through the Twins system if he lands here. In 112 college games, Parada slashed an incredible .341/.420/.636 with 68 XBH (35 homers) and greatly improved his walk and strikeout numbers in his second season.

The big question for Parada is if his glove will catch up to his bat. He’s solid at framing, but he’s not the most athletic, and his arm is iffy, leading some to wonder if he may end up at first instead of behind the plate. If the Twins believe they can work on that defense, Parada would immediately become the catcher of the future in Minnesota.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 2: Jacob Berry, 3B/OF, Louisiana State

My favorite college bat in the draft, Jacob Berry has the bat to be a legitimate superstar once he reaches the pros and could soar through the system. If he fell to the Twins at No. 8, he’d be an incredible steal.

Berry slashed an unreal .360/.450/.655 with 32 homers and 118 RBI while playing 116 games for two college baseball powerhouses in Arizona and LSU (he transferred to follow his coach) and greatly improved his BB-K ratio in his second season.

Similar to Jace Jung, Berry’s only question mark is his defense. Berry doesn’t have a fantastic arm and doesn’t have a ton of speed. He looks like a so-so left fielder or third baseman, but first base seems like the best spot for him. Regardless of the defensive question, he’s a top player in this draft.

Minnesota Twins Draft Prospect No. 1: Brooks Lee, SS, Cal Tech

As good as Berry’s bat is, Brooks Lee is the whole package as a prospect. His hit tool is one of the best in the draft, and while he may not hit 40 homers a year, he definitely has enough power potential to be a 20 homer guy at the big league level.

On defense, scouts love to describe him as physical. He’s got a good arm, great instincts, and has all the tools you’d want a leader to have. He probably won’t stay at short, but he’s got a very high floor and the ceiling of a legitimate All-Star. If he slips out of the Top 5 and to Minnesota at 8, there shouldn’t be any hesitation.