Article: Part 7: Seth's Updated Top 50 Minnesota Twins Prospects (6-10)

[Seth Stohs]

Today we enter the Top 10 of Seth’s Minnesota Twins Prospect rankings today. At the bottom of this article, you can go back to see who ranked 11th - 50th, but this is a group of very young, very talented players (hitters and pitchers) who could be part of the next Twins core.

 

A reminder, these are some mini-profiles. Please remember that Seth, Cody and Tom are currently completely engrossed in working on the 2018 Minnesota Twins Prospect Handbook. This is the 10th annual prospect handbook, so it should be special. There are well over 150 Twins minor leaguers profiled and much more. Something to remember. It will be available shortly after the holidays with much more information coming to Twins Daily. (Here are the previous Prospect Handbooks)Later in the week, we’ll finish this series of Seth’s Top 50 Twins prospects with the Top 5. But this group of five players is really young, immensely talented and it is incredibly exciting to think about what they could become. Let’s take a look at who Seth’s choices for Twins prospects 6-10 are. And when you’re done, be sure to discuss these players and let us know how they would rank for you. Are they in the right place? Too low? Too high? Let us know.

 

 

#10 RHP Blayne Enlow

 

Enlow went to St. Armant High School in Sorrento, Louisiana. After his junior season, he increased his draft ‘stock’ with a very strong showing nationally and internationally. He committed to LSU and let it be known that he would need a lot of money to give up that scholarship. While he was generally ranked as a top 25-30 prospect in the draft, he fell to Day 2. With the first pick of the third round, the Twins drafted him and he agreed to sign for $2 million. After signing, he went to the GCL and went 3-0 with a 1.33 ERA and a 0.69 WHIP. He worked just 20.1 innings, but he walked four and struck out 19. He’s 6-4 and 180 pounds. He sits 91-93 and touches 94. His best pitch is said to be his curveball. He also has a changeup, though it needs to be developed. He’s got potential to be a top starting pitcher. Get to know him.

 

#9 SS Wander Javier

 

Javier was the Twins big international signing in 2015. They signed the shortstop to a $4 million bonus, essentially using up their entire pool. He debuted in 2016 in the DSL, but a hamstring injury limited him to just nine games. However, of his eight hits, he had three doubles and two home runs. Javier is a toolshed full of talent. He’s long and lean, but he finds a way to barrel the ball a lot, and he’s able to drive the ball to all parts of the field. Defensively, most believe that he can stay at shortstop. While he had some errors in E-Town, he’s got good range, good hands and a strong arm. The Dominican is just 18 years old until the end of the year.

 

 

#8 OF Akil Baddoo

 

The Twins began the 2016 MLB draft by selecting four high school hitters in the first two rounds. Baddoo was the fourth. Drafted out of high school in Georgia, Baddoo is an incredible athlete. Last offseason, he gained 15 pounds of muscle and didn’t lose speed. His work paid off. He began the season back in the GCL, only until Brent Rooker moved from Elizabethton to Ft. Myers. When Baddoo joined the E-Twins, he energized their lineup. He led off and played centerfield. He hit .357/.478/.579 (1.057) in 33 games with 15 doubles, two triples and three homers. He’s got a great combination of power and speed. He’s also got a great approach at the plate. He just turned 19 in August. He was the Twins Daily choice for July Twins Minor League Player of the Month, and that helped lead him to the Short-Season Minor League Hitter of the Year.

 

#7 RHP Brusdar Graterol

 

Graterol signed with the Twins in August of 2014. He began his pro career in the DSL in 2015, but after just four starts, he came to the States to have his elbow checked. He required Tommy John surgery and missed the rest of the 2015 season and all of the 2016 season. He returned in 2017 and continued to work his way back in extended spring training. He made a few appearances in the GCL before moving up to Elizabethton for the end of the season. Overall, he was 4-1 with a 2.70 ERA. He had 45 strikeouts and 13 walks in his 40 innings. Despite all the missed time, he did not turn 19 until August. Graterol is a big, strong kid. He has a fastball that sits in the upper-90s and touches triple digits. He’s really worked on his secondary pitches as well. Graterol is immensely talented, but he’s still very raw and he’ll need to keep building his innings. Be patient, but he’s got a special arm.

 

 

#6 OF/1B Brent Rooker

 

The Twins used their 38th-round pick in 2016 on Brent Rooker. Rooker bet on himself and went back for his senior season. He talked to a lot of people and learned more about the art of hitting. He came back to Mississippi State and won the SEC’s Triple Crown, something that hadn’t been done in 30 years. The Twins drafted him again, this time with the 35th overall pick in 2017. After having over a month off, the Twins sent him to Elizabethton for a month to get back into the flow. He then jumped all the way up to Ft. Myers where he spent the final month with the Miracle. Combined, he hit 18 home runs, the most by a Twins minor leaguer in his first pro season since Paul Russo in 1990. His 11 home runs with the Miracle topped the ten that Todd Walker hit for the Miracle in his debut season of 1994. Rooker will strike out, but he can flat-out rake, and he could fly up the Twins system. He’s already been pushed in 2017, but he could be ready as early as later in 2018. The Twins want him to play the corner outfield positions, but he can also play first base. He will be 23-years-old throughout the 2018 season.

 

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So there you have it, my choices for Twins prospects 6-10. This is an immensely talented group of young players. While this group does not have a lot of professional experience, they all have very high ceilings. 2018 will be a big year for all of them. Be sure to ask questions in the comments below, or debate where these guys would rank for you. Coming up later in the week, my choices for the Top 5 Twins Prospects.

 

If you’ve missed any of the first six parts of my Top 50 Twins Prospects rankings, check them out here.

 

 

Part 1: Prospects 41-50

Part 2: Prospects 31-40

Part 3: Prospects 26-30

Part 4: Prospects 21-25

Part 5: Prospects 16-20

Part 6: Prospects 11-15

 

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[Monkeypaws]

Nice high ceilings all all 5. Like this bunch.

[drjim]

Graterol and Enlow over Thorpe would be my quibble, but they all belong in the top 11. I'd probably have Javier 7.

[Thrylos]

Kirilloff over all those guys? 

 

Really?  esp. over Rooker or Badoo who are playing the same position, have 2 functioning elbows, can hit better, and are properly socialized...

 

 

[Tuba]

 

and are properly socialized...

 

Is Kirilloff a dog now? 

[Thrylos]

 

Is Kirilloff a dog now? 

 

Under

 

(reference to his perpetual home schooling)

Edited November 28, 2017 by Thrylos

[Tibs]

I can't believe this group is 6-10. I'm so excited to watch them all develop.

[DocBauer]

I'd have Kirilloff below a couple of these guys as well. Not because he's a bad prospect, far from it. And not because I doubt a position player doesn't come back from his surgery. And not because he doesn't rate as a quality hitter with power and 3 position ability. It's just, when you miss a season, you miss a season. It's a setback. I just think you end up skipping behind some if these guys, at least for now.

[drjim]

Kirilloff over all those guys?

 

Really? esp. over Rooker or Badoo who are playing the same position, have 2 functioning elbows, can hit better, and are properly socialized...

That is indeed way high for Kiriloff.

[DocBauer]

You know, I find it kind of interesting/funny when we debate the Twins system and say it's down...just a bit at least...because it may be lacking a few "stud" prospects like Sano or Buxton and maybe Berrios. But when I look through this list, I'm almost surprised how deep the system is in quality and potential ceiling despite seemingly missing those "special" prospects.

 

And yet, when you examine this deep list, there are some guys that just jump out at you and make you wonder if there might not be a couple of those "stud" prospects a year from now. Especially some of the lower level guys like Lewis and the kids listed here.

 

I have to be honest, if I were a potential trade partner of the Twins, while I might have to wait longer to see them develop and arrive, as much as we talk about Romero, Gonsalves, Thorpe and Gordon, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be looking at players at the A level as the guys I'd really want back in return.

[Dman]

 

Kirilloff over all those guys? 

 

Really?  esp. over Rooker or Badoo who are playing the same position, have 2 functioning elbows, can hit better, and are properly socialized...

 

I'd definitely have Kirilloff over Rooker.  Kirilloff is younger, a better runner, more likely to strike out less and will have some power maybe not a s much as Rooker but I think his potential is higher than Rooker.  

 

With Badoo you may have a point.  His numbers are amazing for that league at that age.  I believe they were better than AK's when he was there.  Will be interesting to see how those two guys turn out.  I like them both but probably give Badoo the nod because his power potential looks better AK's.

[nater79a]

I'd probably bump Enlow up above Baddoo and Javier.  Think he has a really high ceiling.  From what I've read the spin rate on his curveball is off-the-charts good.

 

Is there a chance that Blayne gets a late season look-see at Cedar Rapids if he continues to develop in 2018?  Or maybe he just does extended spring and then spends a full season at Elizabethton?

 

 

[Rosterman]

Did Graterol use up a couple of his minor league seasons already> Twins have to protect him from the Rule 5 after 2019?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Kirilloff over all those guys? 

 

Really?  esp. over Rooker or Badoo who are playing the same position, have 2 functioning elbows, can hit better, and are properly socialized...

 

For me, absolutely. Dude can hit... he was solid as an 18-year-old in his pro debut. Tommy John isn't going to scare me much on a position player. He's younger than Rooker... The homeschooling thing doesn't concern me at all. He played all over the country in the national summer circuit. He played with a high school baseball team. He's spent the last year and a half in Ft. Myers and he's well liked by teammates. I'm comfortable having him ahead of Rooker and Baddoo... though it's close. For me, 5-11 are all really, really close. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

You know, I find it kind of interesting/funny when we debate the Twins system and say it's down...just a bit at least...because it may be lacking a few "stud" prospects like Sano or Buxton and maybe Berrios. But when I look through this list, I'm almost surprised how deep the system is in quality and potential ceiling despite seemingly missing those "special" prospects.

And yet, when you examine this deep list, there are some guys that just jump out at you and make you wonder if there might not be a couple of those "stud" prospects a year from now. Especially some of the lower level guys like Lewis and the kids listed here.

I have to be honest, if I were a potential trade partner of the Twins, while I might have to wait longer to see them develop and arrive, as much as we talk about Romero, Gonsalves, Thorpe and Gordon, I'm not so sure I wouldn't be looking at players at the A level as the guys I'd really want back in return.

 

I think anyone 1-15 on the list (and several beyond that) can play in the big leagues. I just think the guys in that 1-15 range have a chance to be starters/key contributors in the big leagues. Now, half of them are in Cedar Rapids or lower, meaning there is a lot of development to go, so that can always change, but this is a strong minor league organization, even without the elite prospects right now. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'd definitely have Kirilloff over Rooker.  Kirilloff is younger, a better runner, more likely to strike out less and will have some power maybe not a s much as Rooker but I think his potential is higher than Rooker.  

 

With Badoo you may have a point.  His numbers are amazing for that league at that age.  I believe they were better than AK's when he was there.  Will be interesting to see how those two guys turn out.  I like them both but probably give Badoo the nod because his power potential looks better AK's.

 

Kirilloff's got more power potential than Baddoo. He's significantly bigger. Now, no way to know how that will turn out. Baddoo took major strides between Year 1 and Year 2, got bigger, etc. He's a huge prospect... I'm not ready to put him ahead of Kirilloff, but I think some will. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

I'd probably bump Enlow up above Baddoo and Javier.  Think he has a really high ceiling.  From what I've read the spin rate on his curveball is off-the-charts good.

 

Is there a chance that Blayne gets a late season look-see at Cedar Rapids if he continues to develop in 2018?  Or maybe he just does extended spring and then spends a full season at Elizabethton?

 

Enlow probably needs to regain some of his velocity to move up too much more, but the curveball is exciting. 

 

I think he could start the season in Cedar Rapids... Maybe more likely, he starts at EST and comes up to Cedar Rapids in early June or something like that. 

[Seth Stohs]

 

Did Graterol use up a couple of his minor league seasons already> Twins have to protect him from the Rule 5 after 2019?

 

Graterol is close, but I think you're right. I think he signed after the DSL season ended, so he shouldn't be Rule 5 eligible until after 2019... 

[Han Joelo]

In terms of "alikeness" Kiriloff fits right in with this group. Young, high ceilings. Thorpe too. And a dose of uncertainty. This will be an exciting season to follow the minor leagues.

[caninatl04]

Thank you, Seth;

 

I've posted something similar in the past.  But, looking the proverbial gift horse in its proverbial mouth, please correct me if I am wrong:

 

#9: missed a season due to a serious injury

#8: missed a season due to a serious injury

#7: missed a season due to a serious injury

 

Is there something in the water?

[Seth Stohs]

 

Thank you, Seth;

 

I've posted something similar in the past.  But, looking the proverbial gift horse in its proverbial mouth, please correct me if I am wrong:

 

#9: missed a season due to a serious injury

#8: missed a season due to a serious injury

#7: missed a season due to a serious injury

 

Is there something in the water?

 

#9 missed a bit of time, though the season is fairly short, so it would have amounted to about two months if he had been with a full-season team at the time.

 

#8 - Baddoo hasn't missed any time.

 

#7 - Graterol did miss from June 2015 through the 2016 season.

[twinstalker]

I don't think we should assume Kiriloff is in Seth's top 5.

(Okay, I'm kidding, but this is why I think prospect lists should be presented in the opposite direction)

[beckmt]

 

Enlow probably needs to regain some of his velocity to move up too much more, but the curveball is exciting. 

 

I think he could start the season in Cedar Rapids... Maybe more likely, he starts at EST and comes up to Cedar Rapids in early June or something like that. 

Seth,  Is Enlow having arm issues or does not have high velocity on his fastball,  this answer leaves some troubling questions.  Other thing is he could just need to fill out to gain 2 - 3 MPH on his fastball

[beckmt]

There are so few decent curveballs around, that if he can control that pitch, he could well be a  decent midrotation starter with a 90 - 92 MPH heater and a changeup.

It was commented by the announcers in game 7 of the ACLS that McCullers threw 24 consecutive curveballs and the Yankee hitters just looked silly at the plate. 

Let's get him moving up before the league starts seeing great curveballs again.

[rdehring]

Every one of these players should be a major league starter if they come anywhere near their ceilings.  Granted, four of five are young and could not develop as we hope.  But if they reach their ceilings, they all could be all-stars or beyond.

 

And these guys are #6 thru #10.  Wow!!!

[mikelink45]

 

There are so few decent curveballs around, that if he can control that pitch, he could well be a  decent midrotation starter with a 90 - 92 MPH heater and a changeup.

It was commented by the announcers in game 7 of the ACLS that McCullers threw 24 consecutive curveballs and the Yankee hitters just looked silly at the plate. 

Let's get him moving up before the league starts seeing great curveballs again.

We have a curveball specialist on the team and I do not hear much excitement since he burst on the seen with a sensational end of the season debut.  But Duffey has not progressed and when TD puts up starting and bullpen reflections his name is conspicuous by its absence. Enlow's curve is a good signature pitch, but he needs a bigger arsenal.

[mikelink45]

Count me among the readers who would not have Kiriloff above Rooker at this time.  I understand that position players come back from injuries better than pitchers, but Kiriloff has not had enough playing time in the system to really tell us if his potential plays out.  

 

When you finish the list I would love to see you put down the entire list in one column and expected time to reach the majors next to each one.  I also would like to see gains and losses - those who dropped in the ratings and those who rose.

 

I am also surprised by Graterol rating this high, but mostly because I really do not know anything about him.  I saw his name in some minor league wrap ups, but did not see him getting this high this soon. 

[2wins87]

 

There are so few decent curveballs around, that if he can control that pitch, he could well be a  decent midrotation starter with a 90 - 92 MPH heater and a changeup.

 

Yeah, I'm starting to feel like there is getting to be a little fastball saturation.  Hitters are seeing more and more high velocity guys, even in the low minors.  I sometimes wonder if it actually opens up avenues for guys in different niches to be more successful than they might otherwise be, provided they are really good at their style of pitching of course.

[gunnarthor]

I like this group a lot. I'm ok with Kiriloff ahead of Rooker and Baddoo for now because I think Kiriloff has a better overall hit tool which is more important. But it's a small quibble. All three are darn good prospects.

 

I think Baddoo should be #6 (Gordon, Lewis, Romero, Gonsalves, Kiriloff, Baddoo, Rooker, Enlow, Thorpe and Graterol) and I think he'll sneak onto some top 100 lists. I absolutely love his upside. Ceiling wise, I think he and Lewis are the only ones who could sneak into the top 10 down the line.

 

Rooker grew on me and Sickels is a big fan - he might make his top 100. I like that he should be in AA this year and his power looks great. Really nice pick.

 

I'm not sure what to make of Javier yet since he's so far away but the tools are certainly exciting.  

 

As to the pitchers, what does it say to our system depth that Enlow - a top 30 or so draft prospect can barely crack our top 10? We don't have the upside of a few years ago but the current depth is fantastic. I've hung around a few other baseball blogs/forums over the last year and a guy who came up in a few places to try and "steal" from us was Graterol. I was surprised there was such a whisper campaign about him.

[RaymondLuxuryYacht]

Are we really rating socialization skills now?  Do we use the traditional 20-80 scale?

 

Snark aside, I am in agreement with AK in the top 5.