I recently introduced a series in which I will look into a hypothetical scenario where the Twins have the opportunity to select a player from each MLB team, with each selection being independent of one another. An in-depth look at the scenario, its rules, and my selections for the AL East can be found here. To quickly recap the rules, players can not be a top 5 finisher in MVP or Cy Young voting at any point in their career, can not have a 2025 salary of $20M or higher, and if they have not reached the big leagues, they must have reached AA or higher.
Now, it's time for the AL Central. Who might the Twins poach from their division rivals?
Chicago White Sox: Kyle Teel, C, Age 23
Notable Ineligibles: None
The White Sox have been in the midst of a painful rebuild for a few years now, but they have begun to have some young pieces show promise this season. Shane Smith just became the second player in MLB history to be named an All-Star in the same season he was selected in the Rule 5 Draft. Miguel Vargas and Chase Meidroth have looked solid in the infield. The team even called up one of its top prospects in Colson Montgomery this past weekend. There were certainly multiple players under consideration, but the selection here is Kyle Teel.
Teel was selected 14th overall by the Red Sox in the 2023 MLB Draft and was traded to the White Sox this past offseason in the deal that sent Garrett Crochet to the Red Sox. He currently ranks 24th on MLB.com's Top 100 prospects and was called up to make his big league debut just over a month ago. In his first 20 games, he has slashed .259/.380/.328 with four doubles. Teel's minor league numbers show that there is some power to be expected, as in 188 minor league games since being drafted, he slugged .456 with 39 doubles and 23 homers. As of today, Teel might not crack the current big league roster for the Twins, but beyond this year would create a nice catching duo alongside Ryan Jeffers with Christian Vázquez headed for free agency after this season.
Cleveland Guardians: Travis Bazzana, 2B, Age 22
Notable Ineligibles: José Ramírez
José Ramírez would be the obvious pick here if not for his multiple top 5 MVP finishes, but beyond him, there are more intriguing options. Steven Kwan has been rock solid for the past couple of years, providing a high-floor bat and fantastic outfield defense. They also have a couple of solid young rotation pieces in Tanner Bibee and Gavin Williams. Ultimately, though, I went with last year's first overall draft pick, Travis Bazzana.
Bazzana has totaled just 61 minor league games between last season and this season, as he is currently dealing with an oblique injury, but the early results have been respectable. He has slashed .243/.363/.413 with 12 doubles, three triples, and seven homers. All of those games but one have come between High-A and Double-A, and it seems reasonable to predict that he could make his big league debut next season. The Australian infielder absolutely mashed in college at Oregon State, and there's plenty of reason to believe that he can develop into a middle-of-the-lineup bat. The Twins are deep in the infield currently, with Royce Lewis, Carlos Correa, Brooks Lee, Luke Keaschall, and Kaelen Culpepper all being primary infielders. Adding another one gives them further depth there, but that's always a good problem to have. It's often something that works itself out anyway, but the team could always look to shift somebody like Bazzana to first base or perhaps Keaschall and/or Culpepper to the outfield, where Keaschall already has a good deal of experience.
Detroit Tigers: Riley Greene, LF, Age 24
Notable Ineligibles: Tarik Skubal, Kevin McGonigle, Max Clark
The Tigers have the best pitcher in the world right now in Tarik Skubal, but he won the AL Cy Young last year, so he isn't eligible to be selected here. Jackson Jobe will be spending the remainder of this season and most or all of next season rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so we'll steer clear of that. They have a pair of electric young prospects in Kevin McGonigle and Max Clark, but neither have reached Double-A yet. Reese Olson, Spencer Torkelson, and Kerry Carpenter each deserve some consideration too, but the clear pick from the Tigers is Riley Greene.
Greene is just 24 years old and is already in the midst of his fourth big league season after debuting at just 21 years old in 2022. He has seen significant jumps in his offensive production each year in the majors. By season, from 2022 to 2025, his OPS has read .683, .796, .827, and currently sits at .879 this season. He has also totaled 21 doubles and 22 homers this season, and was also recently named a starter for the American League in the All-Star game. Greene would provide immediate, much-needed help to the Twins' offense, slotting into the middle of the lineup on a daily basis. He has three and a half years of team control remaining, making him an extremely valuable asset overall, and he is likely headed for a big-time extension.
Kansas City Royals: Jac Caglianone, RF, Age 22
Notable Ineligibles: Bobby Witt Jr.
If Bobby Witt Jr. were eligible here, this would be one of the easiest selections of the entire exercise. He isn't, though, and that makes it an interesting debate. Maikel Garcia has broken out and been one of the better third basemen in baseball this season. Kris Bubic is having an excellent season, but he's eligible for free agency after next season. Cole Ragans is probably the most intriguing out of the players I didn't select, but the combination of mixed results and shoulder issues scares me. Ragans would be a great pick, but I settled on young slugger Jac Caglianone from the Royals.
Caglianone was selected 6th overall in last year's MLB draft, and less than a year later, was called up to make his big league debut. His first 29 big league games have been a struggle, as he currently owns just a .441 OPS while chasing and whiffing at high rates. His minor league numbers prior to being called up were great, though, as he hit .322 with 15 homers in 50 games between Double-A and Triple-A, posting an OPS just under 1.000. The strikeouts will likely be there, at least in the near future, but he has crazy power and looks like he could certainly become an annual 40-home run hitter. The defensive piece of the puzzle isn't quite solved yet for Caglianone, as he has played both first base and right field for the Royals. First base is somewhat of a weak point right now for the Twins, and there isn't exactly an immediate savior lined up in the minor league system, either, unless you're an Aaron Sabato believer. Caglianone could be the long-term solution there, slotting in as the everyday first baseman, or he could continue to get outfield reps, too, where his cannon of an arm plays more. It's also still worth wondering if there is pitching in Caglianone's big league future, as he was a true two-way player in college at Florida but has not yet pitched professionally. With or without the pitching piece, Jac Caglianone would be an electric player for the Twins to add to their organization.