Minnesota Twins sign a Top 10 international prospect

While the Minnesota Twins continue to take a wait-and-see approach to the offseason market, the front office is busy making moves elsewhere within the organization.

Derek Falvey sat down with Kris Atteberry recently and laid out what the course of action is for the team's offseason plans. It comes as no surprise that the Twins are waiting out the market, something that has worked out well in the past even if it's frustrating to watch things develop so slowly.

Minnesota never jumps to the front of the line in free agency, though, and typically waits for the market to settle. That's not the case across the board, though, as the Twins jumped right into the international prospect market and landed two players who rank in MLB.com's Top 50 ranking.

Minnesota Twins sign two Top 50 international prospects

According to MLB.com, the Twins have signed Eduardo Beltre, who is the No. 39 overall prospect, and Daiber De Los Santos, who is No. 8 in the latest Pipeline ranking.

Jesse Borek and Jesús Cano raved about De Los Santo's upside, calling him premium defender while also noting that his bat speed and contact are reasons to be excited.

"De Los Santos might have the overall best raw tools in the class. One thing is for certain: the athletic teen has fast hands and the potential to have plus arm strength and plus raw power. Overall, he's emerging as a premium defender at a premium position," MLB.com wrote.

As for Beltre, he's projected to be a potential impact player with plus tools across the board, and is yet another outfield prospect the Twins can develop into a meaningful piece for the future. He's only 17 years old, so don't hold your breath waiting to hear his name called anytime soon, but it's an aggressive move for an organization that typically tries to develop players rather than add them at a higher premium.

"Beltre is a powerful athlete with an aggressive approach at the plate and could one day sport plus tools across the board. He has the ability to become a plus runner with plus arm strength in the future, which both work to his advantage in the outfield," Borek and Canowrote. "He’s known as a reliable center fielder who takes good routes and has good instincts with solid throwing mechanics. There’s a chance he could move to right in the future if he outgrows center."

Another corner outfield prospect to watch develop? Not a lottery ticket to buy.

Both signings are classic Twins investments, with Beltre playing the outfield and De Los Santos being a top shortstop prospect in the Domincan Republic. He's also only 17 years old, but it's not crazy to think that he could develop into a 40-man roster player in a few years. The Yankees signed Francisco Vilorio out of this year's prospect pool and early reports are that he's expected to make the leap to the 40-man roster in two years.

That's a bit of an anomoly, but the point still stands that the Twins aren't just interested in making moves that impact the immediate future and remain zoomed out on the big picture overall.

More Minnesota Twins news and rumors