The Minnesota Twins haven’t thrown a lot of money around this offseason and chances are they’re not going to start anytime soon. While payroll restrictions and trade rumors have dominated the hot stove season, it’s becoming more clear that this year’s Twins will rely on prospects more than in previous years in their quest to return to the playoffs.
Some of the names are obvious as Emmanuel Rodriguez and Walker Jenkins are on the cusp of their major league debuts. Others aren’t as predictable as was the case when David Festa and Zebby Matthews were thrown into big roles as the Twins came down the stretch.
Heading into this season, it’s interesting to guess who could make an unexpected contribution at the major league level and these three candidates are players Twins fans should stick a pin in as they prepare for next season.
Matt Canterino
Canterino was a second-round pick by the Twins out of Rice University in the 2019 draft and his career had a promising start. After going 1-1 with a 1.44 ERA in seven appearances in the 2019 season, Canterino has posted a 2-2 record and a 1.48 ERA in 85 innings during his time in the Twins organization.
Of course, those numbers don’t add up for a player that was drafted five years ago. Canterino has battled numerous injuries over the past two seasons and hasn’t pitched in an organized game since making 13 appearances in 2022, undergoing Tommy John surgery in 2023 and missing last season with a rotator cuff strain.
Predicting a breakout for Canterino feels like wishful thinking considering his injury history but it’s not that far of a stretch after moving to the bullpen. While Jhoan Duran and Griffin Jax have their roles defined at the end of games, the rest of the bullpen is a fluid situation with oft-injured relievers Brock Stewart and Jorge Alcala and 35-year-old Michael Tonkin currently projected for big roles.
If Canterino can stay healthy, he could get a larger role in the Twins’ bullpen and make his long-awaited breakout.
Jair Camargo
Camargo made his major league debut last season but it was otherwise a lost season for the 25-year-old. Camargo appeared to be on the verge of a breakout after hitting .259/.323/.503 with 21 homers and 63 RBI with Triple-A St. Paul in 2023 but he took a step back, hitting just .212/.290/.403 with 12 home runs and 51 RBI in 74 games last season.
Part of the reason for last year’s slump was a long list of injuries, but Camargo also has holes in his game including a 29.6 percent strikeout rate at Triple-A last season.
The good news is that outside of Mickey Gasper, who was acquired in a trade that sent Jovani Moran to the Red Sox, there isn’t a lot of competition. Trade rumors continue to swirl around Christian Vázquez and if Gasper can’t stick behind the plate, it could open the door for Camargo to earn more playing time in the majors and create the potential for a breakout.
Luke Keaschall
A player ranked 63rd on MLB.com’s top prospect list isn’t considered under the radar but with an estimated debut of 2026, Keaschall could arrive to the majors earlier than expected if he plays the same way he did last season.
Keaschall was a second-round pick out of Arizona State in the 2023 MLB Draft and immediately started hitting once he became a professional. In a year and a half in the Twins system, Keaschall has hit .300/.419/.482 with 18 homers and 63 RBI in 133 games and could have had better numbers if he didn’t miss the final months of last season undergoing Tommy John surgery.
The 22-year-old is projected as a second or third baseman but he also spent time in center field and at first base last year. It’s possible that Keaschall could play more first base as he recovers from Tommy John surgery to begin the 2025 campaign and if Jose Miranda and Edouard Julien struggle in the majors, Keaschall could make his debut sooner than later.