Originally published at The Tenth Inning Stretch

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Now that the 2018 draft signing deadline has passed and a substantial amount of international free agents signed for the Twins, it is time to update my 2018 mid-season prospect list. As usual my mid-season lists are preliminary, unlike the off-season lists, and they have minimal commentary and analysis. Also, unlike other lists, players who made it to the majors have graduated from mine, also players older than 25 are not included. As a reminder, here is my off-season 2018 list:

The off-season top 60 list (2017 off-season in parenthesis) and ETA included.

1. Royce Lewis (--), SS/OF, 2020

2. Wander Javier (1), SS, 2020

3. Brusdar Graterol (13), RHP, 2020

4. Brent Rooker (--), 1B/LF, 2018

5. Fernardo Romero (4), RHP, 2018 - graduated

6. Rainis Silva (32), C, 2020 - traded

7. Blayne Enlow (--), RHP, 2020

8. Zack Littell (--), RHP, 2018 - graduated

9. Stephen Gonsalves (6), LHP, 2018

10. Lewin Diaz (3), 1B, 2020

11. Akil Baddoo (24), OF, 2020

12. Tyler Jay (2), LHP, 2018

13. Alex Kirilloff (8) OF, 2020

14. Luis Arraez (11), IF, 2019

15. Michael Montero (--), RHP, 2021

16. Nick Gordon (5), IF, 2018

17. Tyler Wells (54), RHP, 2020

18. Jose Miranda (--), IF, 2021

19. Jean Carlos Arias (36), CF, 2020

20. Jovani Moran (--), LHP, 2020

21. Lewis Thorpe (30), LHP, 2019

22. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018

23 Yunior Severino (--), IF, 2022

24. Chris Paul (--), UT, 2019

25. Landon Leach (--), RHP, 2021

26. Andrew Bechtold (--), 3B, 2020

27. Travis Blankenhorn (15), 3B/1B/OF, 2020

28. Charlie Barnes (--), LHP, 2020

29. Tyler Watson (--), RHP, 2020

30. David Banuelos (--), C, 2020

31. Ben Rortvedt (16), C, 2021

32. Kohl Stewart (17), RHP, 2018

33. Alberoni Nunez (--), OF, 2021

34. Derek Molina (--), RHP, 2021

35. Bryan Sammons (--) LHP, 2020

36. Bailey Ober (--), RHP, 2020

37. Pedro Garcia (45), RHP, 2021

38. Lachlan Wells (29), LHP, 2020

39. Wander Valdez, (--) 3B, 2021

40. Aaron Whitefield (59), OF, 2020

41. Ricky De La Torre (--) SS, 2021

42. Jake Reed (25) RHP, 2018

43. Jacob Pearson (--), OF, 2022

44. Yeltsin Encarnacion (--) IF, 2022

45. Ryley Widell (--) LHP, 2022

46. Andrew Vasquez (52), LHP, 2019

47. Tom Hackimer (--), RHP, 2019

48. Kerby Camacho (--), C, 2021 - released

49. Hector Lujan (--), RHP, 2020

50. Colton Burns (--), OF, 2021

51. Cody Stashak -(55), RHP, 2019

52. Jaylin Davis, (39), OF 2019

53. Alex Robles, (--), OF, 2022

54. Ruben Santana, (--), IF, 2022

55. Carlos Suniaga, (--), RHP, 2022

56. Sandy Lugo, (--), RHP, 2020

57. Nelson Molina, (47), IF, 2020

58. Ben Rodriguez (--), C/1B, 2022

59. Carson Crites (--), 2B, 2022 - released

60. Jesus Toledo (--), LHP, 2022

Here is my mid-season 2018 list (2018 off-season ranking in parenthesis, followed by ETA) :

1. Brusdar Graterol (3), RHP, 2019

2. Royce Lewis (1), SS/OF, 2020

Same age, played at the same level. Could have gone either way. Graterol has ace stuff and his performance at the same team as a pitcher was a bit more impressive than Lewis's as a hitter thus this switch. 17 errors at SS in half a season for Lewis, also a concern. Might not remain the same this off-season. These two are very close.

3. Wander Javier (2), SS, 2020

Taking a mulligan for surgery in non-throwing, non-hitting shoulder. Still a true 5 tool player.

4. Brent Rooker (4), 1B/LF, 2018

Heir apparent to Joe Mauer, even as early as this September

5. Trevor Larnach (--), OF, 2020

6. Alex Kirilloff (13) OF, 2020

Huge jump because he delivered with the stick - fielding still an issue. Larnach similar player, but better defensively and more of a pure hitter, thus the ranking

7. Luis Arraez (14), IF, 2019

Could be the heir apparent to Brian Dozier starting in 2019. Purest hitter in the organization, glove will play fine in the least challenging position in the diamond.

8. Misael Urbina (--) OF, 2023

True five tool talent, he can fly through these rankings if he responds as a pro. Still 16.

9. Nick Gordon (16), IF, 2018

Ranking before his injury. Second half disappearances every season signal endurance/conditioning concern. 150 lb frame does not help

10. DaShawn Keirsey (--) OF, 2022

5 tool player looks a lot like Joe Benson from here.

11. Tyler Wells (17), RHP, 2020

The most consistent Twins' pitcher for the last two seasons; surprised he has not gained much momentum.

12. Blayne Enlow (7), RHP, 2021

13. Yunior Severino (23), IF, 2022

14. Akil Baddoo (11), OF, 2020

15. Ryan Jeffers (--), C, 2020

If he stays at catcher can be a tremendous asset for the Twins. 60+ power and 50+ contact already.

16. Michael Montero (15), RHP, 2021

17. Stephen Gonsalves (9), LHP, 2018

Disappointing season, esp. since his weakness (quality and command and control of the fastball) became even worse this season. Still helium in the national lists; sell high candidate.

18. LaMonte Wade (22), OF, 2018

19. Tyler Jay (12), LHP, 2018

20. Jovani Moran (20), LHP, 2019

21. Lewin Diaz (10), 1B, 2020

22. Travis Blankenhorn (27), 3B/1B/OF, 2020

Tremendous start, not so hot when the temps rose...

23. Lewis Thorpe (21), LHP, 2019

Might need another season to shake the spider webs. Pre-injury FB was at 95-97 at close to 70; now down to 92-93 and about 50-55

24. Yeltsin Encarnacion (44) IF, 2022

25. Victor Herredia (--) C/1B, 2023

26. Charlie Barnes (28), LHP, 2020

27. Andrew Vasquez (46), LHP, 2019

28. Jean Carlos Arias (19), CF, 2020

29. Zander Wiel (--), 1B/OF, 2018

Should receive consideration for minor league player of the year honors for the Twins

30. Jimmy Kerrigan (--), OF, 2018

31. Jeferson Morales (--), C, 2023

32. Taylor Grzelakowski (--) C, 2020

33. Jim Caceres (--) SS, 2023

34. Ben Rortvedt (31), C, 2021

Still not much of progress as a hitter, small for a catcher, arm exposed at Fort Myers.

35. Cole Sands (--), RHP, 2021

36. Jordan Balazovic (--), RHP, 2021

37. Landon Leach (25), RHP, 2021

38. Bryan Sammons (35) LHP, 2020

39. Ricky De La Torre (41) SS, 2021

40. Ruben Santana, (54), IF, 2022

41. Charles Mack (--) SS, 2023

42. Andrew Bechtold (26), 3B, 2021

Along with David Banuelos and Jose Miranda, the biggest drops as far as position players go

43. Wander Valdez, (39) 3B, 2021

44. Nomar Urdanetta (--) SS, 2023

45. David Banuelos (30), C, 2021

46. Jacob Pearson (43), OF, 2022

47. Jose Miranda (18), IF, 2021

48. Cody Stashak (51), RHP, 2019

49. Josh Winder (--), RHP, 2021

50. Jake Reed (42) RHP, 2018

51. Alberoni Nunez (33), OF, 2021

52. Pedro Garcia (37), RHP, 2021

53. Mark Contreras (--), OF, 2020

54. Jaylin Davis, (52), OF 2019

55. Lachlan Wells (38), LHP, 2020

56. Carlos Suniaga, (55), RHP, 2022

57. Chris Williams (--) 1B, 2021

58. Griffin Jax (--) RHP, 2020

First time he has been included in my lists; full time pro now with no Air Force responsibilities. Still lots of work to do.

59. Bailey Ober (36), RHP, 2020

60. Trevor Casanova (--) C, 2021

Dropped:

Chris Paul (24), UT, 2019

Tyler Watson (29), RHP, 2020

Kohl Stewart (32), RHP, 2018

Derek Molina (34), RHP, 2021

Aaron Whitefield (40), OF, 2020

Ryley Widell (45) LHP, 2022

Tom Hackimer (47), RHP, 2019

Hector Lujan (49), RHP, 2020

Colton Burns (50), OF, 2021

Alex Robles, (53), OF, 2022

Sandy Lugo, (56), RHP, 2020

Nelson Molina, (57), IF, 2020

Ben Rodriguez (58), C/1B, 2022

Jesus Toledo (60), LHP, 2022