It’s that time of year again, and with the 2019 Major League
Baseball amateur draft in the books we can update the prospect rankings. After
picking 13th in the draft this season the Twins took more of a
developmental approach with their first-round pick. Going heavy on college
players following that selection the system gets much deeper. With early season
performances influencing those already into their pro careers this list has
some movement to it.
My Top 15 Prospects were last updated in December prior to
the season starting. You can see that list, as well as the others dating back to
2016 below. Also, in this offering, I’ve expanded the total names to go 30 deep.
While those names past 15 don’t have any breakdown, know that they are
certainly names worth monitoring.
30. Gabriel Maciel 29. Travis Blankenhorn 28. Griffin Jax.
27. Zack Littell 26. Jose Miranda 25. Yunior Severino 24. Gilberto Celestino
23. LaMonte Wade 22. Ryan Jeffers 21. Misael Urbina 20. Stephen Gonsalves 19.
Akil Baddoo 18. Matt Canterino 17. Ben Rortvedt 16. Luis Arraez
15. Luke Raley OF
Dropping a couple of spots from the first 2019 list, Raley’s
positioning is indicative of a strengthened system. He has posted an .878 OPS
for Triple-A Rochester and is right there with teammate Brent Rooker when it
comes to a big power bat. Unfortunately, he just dislocated his ankle and is
going to miss significant time due to surgery. He’ll return late this year and
hopefully end on a high note.
14. Jorge Alcala RHP
His first full season in the Twins organization has been
spent entirely at Double-A Pensacola. The 5.25 ERA isn’t good, but the FIP and
xFIP numbers suggest that’s not indicative of true performance. His 9.6 K/9 is
impressive, and the walks are below his career average. There’s lot of life on
this fastball, and he could pop up to make a splash for the big-league club as
early as this season.
13. Nick Gordon INF
Starting the season on the shelf Gordon has just 26 games to
his credit thus far. He got out to a quick start and has continued to produce
for Triple-A Rochester. The .784 OPS with an ok OBP is about what you should
expect from the contact bat and speed profile Nick possesses. At this point he’s
probably more 2B than shortstop, and while he may be a big league regular, it’s
becoming less certain that happens here. Gordon could push for his debut later
this season if he continues along this path.
12. Matt Wallner OF
Originating from Forest Lake, Minnesota Wallner was selected
with the Twins first round compensatory pick. He’s a corner outfield bomber
from Southern Mississippi that should have an advanced approach at the dish when
getting to the next level. He’s played in the Cape with wood bats previously and
could take a similar path to that of Trevor Larnach.
11. Keoni Cavaco 3B
After quickly jumping up draft boards the high schooler from
California found himself going to the Twins in the top half of the first round.
Announced as a SS but likely destined for the hot corner, Cavaco’s bat is going
to be what carries him. He possesses an above average defensive profile at third
but should continue to display pop as he further develops his frame.
10. Blayne Enlow RHP
Recently promoted to Fort Myers after making eight starts
for Cedar Rapids this season, Enlow has turned in 18 strong innings with the
Miracle. The strikeout numbers aren’t quite there yet, but he’s continued to
work on both control and command. Just 20 years old, Enlow remains one of the
most exciting developmental pitching prospects in the entire organization.
9. Lewis Thorpe LHP
Putting more distance behind his missed time, Thorpe has
turned in 11 starts at Triple-A Rochester this season. While the 5.95 ERA isn’t
good, he’s been much better of later. The 11.3 K/9 and 2.3 BB/9 are beyond
impressive, and if he can keep the ball in the park the numbers really pop. I’d
expect a major league debut to come at some point in 2019, and he’ll have a
real chance to be a difference maker being more than your traditional soft-tossing
southpaw.
8. Jhoan Duran RHP
A model of consistency over the past two seasons, Duran has
struck out 10+ per nine while walking roughly three over the course of his last
31 starts. He’s just 21 years old and can pump his fastball towards triple
digits. Finishing at Low-A Cedar Rapids in 2018, he’s made 10 starts for the
Miracle this season. There’s an outside chance he could progress to Double-A
this year. Minnesota is stockpiling some fireballing arms to be sure.
7. Jordan Balazovic RHP
The Canadian has seen a rise like no one in the Twins system
this season. After a strong 2018 for Cedar Rapids as a 19-year-old his 2019 has
only taken him to new heights. Making four starts for the Kernels before a
promotion to Fort Myers, Balazovic owns a ridiculous 13.1 K/9 and 1.7 BB/9. His
2.09 ERA is beyond impressive and the body of work spans 51 innings. He’s still
so young and is going to blow by his previous career innings totals, but if he
keeps this up there’s no reason to think another challenge is out of the
question.
6. Wander Javier SS
Having made it through plenty of setbacks over the course of
his early career, Javier is finally healthy and on the field for the Kernels.
He’s got as good of a chance as anyone to stick at SS defensively, and this is
one of the best prospects in the system. He hasn’t leapt out to a fast start at
Low-A Cedar Rapids, but we’re dealing with a sample size under 15 games thus
far.
5. Trevor Larnach OF
The 2018 first round pick was drafted for his bat and since
turning pro all he’s done is hit. Making it to Cedar Rapids in his debut
season, he began 2019 with High-A Fort Myers. In his first 61 games he has an
.863 OPS and has displayed a very strong approach at the plate. At 22 he could be
pushed with a new test getting to Pensacola in the next couple of months.
4. Brent Rooker OF/1B
Taken in the first round of the 2017 draft Rooker has done
nothing but crushed his way through the minors as well. Now 24 and at Triple-A Rochester,
he owns a .908 OPS through 35 games with seven longballs. The exact positioning
at the next level is still up in the air, but this is a power bat that doesn’t
have a ton of swing and miss and is going to rake anywhere he goes. A Twins
debut this season isn’t beyond comprehension.
3. Brusdar Graterol RHP
Pitching all season at Double-A despite being just 20 years
old, Graterol has been dominant in his nine starts. A 1.89 ER and 8.7 K/9 are
both plenty to marvel at. He needs to hone in the command some, but for a guy
who can hit 100 mph on his fastball there’s just so much to like here. Unfortunately,
he’s shut down with a shoulder impingement, but the hope is that there’s no long-term
damaging effects.
2. Alex Kirilloff OF
It took some time for Kirilloff to get healthy and into
action starting 2019, and then it took a bit more time for his bat to warm up. Across
his last 11 games for Double-A Pensacola however, Kirilloff owns a 1.033 OPS
and has six extra base hits (two homers). He’s a great athlete who has hit in
each stop across the minor leagues and expecting the numbers to climb as the
season goes on is a very good bet. He’s probably missed the window for 2019
time with the Twins, but 2020 should have him more than ready.
1. Royce Lewis SS
Entering the season as a top 10 prospect across all the big
leagues Lewis has scuffled a bit in his second tour with High-A Fort Myers. A
.726 OPS in 46 games last year has been followed up by a .606 OPS in 62
contests this season. The plate discipline has worn down a bit with walks not
being as plentiful. He’s also tallied less extra base hits and seen the power
production take a dive. Just recently turning 20, Royce is still so young and
remains and elite prospect who should stick at shortstop as he rises the ranks.
It’s time for him to adjust, but there’s no reason to believe he won’t.
