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Twins' under-the-radar outfield prospect is making noise in the AFL

Minnesota sure has a lot of talented outfielders in its system.
ByJackson Kruse
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Cedar Rapids Kernels Yasser Mercedes (17) makes a leaping catch in right field to prevent a homerun by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers during their baseball game Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The Rattlers won 5-0.
Cedar Rapids Kernels Yasser Mercedes (17) makes a leaping catch in right field to prevent a homerun by the Wisconsin Timber Rattlers during their baseball game Tuesday, June 23, 2026, at Neuroscience Group Field at Fox Cities Stadium in Grand Chute, Wisconsin. The Rattlers won 5-0. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

When most people think of Twins outfield prospects, Yasser Mercedes doesn't typically come to mind. Mercedes, 21, is Minnesota's No. 17 overall prospect, according to MLB Pipeline. Seven players who are ranked above Mercedes in the Twins' minor-league system have played outfield in their professional careers.

But that doesn't mean fans shouldn't be talking about Mercedes, a right-handed hitter. The 21-year-old reached High-A for the first time in his professional career this year after slashing .321/.439/.642 with six home runs, 24 RBI and 11 stolen bases over 21 games at Single-A this season. He had okay numbers at High-A, hitting .232/.320/.409 with 12 home runs, 48 RBI and 41 stolen bases over 88 games.

Twins prospect Yasser Mercedes has had outstanding AFL showing

Mercedes has been playing in the Arizona Fall League since the minor-league season ended, and his performance deserves attention. Over 12 games in the AFL this year, Mercedes has gone 13-for-40 with one home run, one double, three triples, nine RBI, seven walks and three stolen bases.

Maybe we need to pay more attention to Mercedes. The Twins signed the outfielder to a minor-league contract in January 2022. He received a $1.7 million signing bonus.

Mercedes, a Puerto Rican native, is a decent fielder with an outstanding arm. He also has above-average speed, helping him excel at stealing bases. He has swiped 145 bags in 335 minor-league games.

Upon being signed by Minnesota, Mercedes immediately impressed in the Dominican Summer League, hitting .355/.420/.555 with four home runs, 20 RBI and 30 stolen bases in 41 games.

Mercedes spent the 2023 season with the Florida Complex League Twins. It didn't go well, as the outfielder posted a poor .269/.348/.381 slash line over just 25 games.

The outfielder bounced back with a strong 2024 season, hitting .331/.421/.568 with six home runs, 24 RBI and 18 stolen bases over 51 games. His strong FCL showing earned him a promotion to Single-A, where he hit .125/.271/.150 over 10 games.

Unfortunately, Mercedes' Single-A struggles continued in 2025, as he posted a poor .186/.296/.307 slash line over 94 games. Luckily, he turned things around with his outstanding Single-A numbers this year and decent, but not great, High-A stats.

Injuries have limited his playing time over his career, but he was healthy for most of the 2026 season. It would've been nice if his High-A stats were better, but he still showed flashes of greatness at Cedar Rapids and had spectacular numbers at Fort Myers. His dominating AFL performance is another big step in the right direction.

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