Three Twins Prospects Could be Stars of 2020

[Ted Schwerzler]

Entering into a weird Major League Baseball season in the middle of a global pandemic is going to give us results we never expected imaginable. Each organization has a 60-man player pool to work with, and for the Twins, three under-the-radar prospects could end up being the unsung heroes.It’s probably fair to assume that guys like Brent Rooker, Alex Kirilloff, and Trevor Larnach will all make their Major League debuts in 2020. Each had already been knocking on the door and 2020 seemed logical prior to the change in circumstances. Given his ceiling and less than consistent 2019, Royce Lewis would likely be an unworthy bet to play for Minnesota this season. Those are all names you know however, it’s the ones you may not have considered that could instead step up.

 

Luis Arraez arrived on the scene last year and not only stole Jonathan Schoop’s job, but also took the spotlight thanks to one at bat against Mets closer Edwin Diaz. His ability to control the strike zone and hit for average never waned, and it’s why he’s one of the best bets to lead the league in hitting this year. What happens if he goes down though?

 

The immediate indication might be that former 1st round pick Nick Gordon would be worthy of promotion. That’s a fair assessment given his resurgence in year two of Triple-A action (a trend he’s continued through the minors), but it’s actually Travis Blankenhorn that could pick up the slack. Recently added to the 40-man roster, Blankenhorn has played all over the place but second base has become somewhat of a home.

 

At Double-A last year Blankenhorn posted a .786 OPS while failing to generate much in the way of on-base percentage. He’s a pretty big strikeout guy, but he’s often done a bit more in the walks department. There’s legit pop in his bat, and while he’s not even close to the same player Arraez is, the former 3rd round pick could find his opportunity to make an impact.

 

At first base Minnesota has plenty of options, including at least two of the aforementioned top prospects. It’s a guy not on the 40-man though that is being brought to Minneapolis worthy of some discussion. Former Vanderbilt star Zander Wiel could play in the majors for a handful of clubs right now. Prospect status isn’t really here given he’s 27, but at Triple-A in 2019 Wiel posted an .834 OPS.

 

There’d need to be some things go right (or wrong depending on how you look at it) for Wiel to rise up the ladder, but his game could help to get the Twins by in a pinch. Last season saw a rise in strikeouts and decline in walk rate, but that hasn’t been a career norm for him to this point. A bopper that is athletic at first base, he doesn’t get the power praise of Rooker and Larnach, but the ability to launch isn’t far off.

 

Rounding out the talkers here is a guy that could routinely find himself routinely on the three-man taxi squad. Minnesota will have three catchers on the active roster, and then long-time veterans Juan Graterol and Tomas Telis are in the mix as well. If they want to play with upside however, it’s 2018 2nd round pick Ryan Jeffers that gets a shot.

 

It’d be a big blow for the Twins to lose Mitch Garver for any portion of time this year, but Jeffers is his heir apparent. Drafted as a bat first guy, he’s worked to become more than capable behind the dish. It was only a 24-game sample size at Double-A in 2019, but the then 22-year-old hit .287/.374/.483. He’s not a .300 hitter, but he’s not a .250 hitter either. Jeffers takes walks and does a good job staying within the zone. Home run power is there, and he’ll reach double digits over the course of any full season. You might be asking him to do a bit much jumping up to the big leagues, but there’s a ton of talent here and it’s why he’s rocketed up the Twins prospect rankings.

 

No matter how the 2020 Major League Baseball season shakes out, I think we’re going to have a fair amount of oddities. The year is already being played under weird circumstances, and how teams handle the hands they’re dealt will be as much the narrative as the actual results on the field. It’s always been a “next man up” type of sport, but that resonates now more than ever.

 

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[mikelink45]

I will go with Jeffers, but the other two don't make it for me.  I give Gordon the first replacement slot and I think OF could see Kiriloff if someone goes down.

[AceWrigley]

It's such a weird year for MLB and no MiLB. If there is injury or illness we might see a few guys we weren't really counting on. I would expect that since the Twins are in it to win this year, who ever is called up will be the player most likely to help immediately rather than development time at the MLB level. But then, who knows. What happens if the Twins falter out of the gate and some other teams start out hot and 30 games in (half the season) you're 8 games out with only 30 to play? It's gonna be a sprint to the finish this year. Hang on to your butts.

[In My La Z boy]

I'm guessing no significant injuries to position players, making the prospect star of 2020 either Duran or Alcala. Outside gamble on Colina. I'm thinking before it is all said and done, we'll see a flame-throwing right-handed prospect make his mark out of the bullpen. 

[ashbury]

What happens if the Twins falter out of the gate and some other teams start out hot and 30 games in (half the season) you're 8 games out with only 30 to play?

Last year on May 1, approximately 30 games in, the teams that were 8 games behind already were Baltimore, Kansas City, and Miami; these were 3 of the 4 teams that finished with 100+ losses (Detroit somehow was only 5 back, as yet).

 

I'd say, if we are 8 games behind at the halfway mark of this abbreviated season, maybe we just aren't as good as we hoped. Or to say it a little differently: 30 games is not nearly enough to prove you are good, but it may be enough to warn that you are bad.

 

[AceWrigley]

 

Last year on May 1, approximately 30 games in, the teams that were 8 games behind already were Baltimore, Kansas City, and Miami; these were 3 of the 4 teams that finished with 100+ losses (Detroit somehow was only 5 back, as yet).

 

I'd say, if we are 8 games behind at the halfway mark of this abbreviated season, maybe we just aren't as good as we hoped. Or to say it a little differently: 30 games is not nearly enough to prove you are good, but it may be enough to warn that you are bad.
 

Not necessarily. In 2006 when we had expectations of a good season (and ended up winning the division), the Twins were 12-18 and 9 games out of 1st place after 30 games. After 60 games their record was 27-33 and 10.5 games out. This is what a 60 game season is, a sprint. It won't really tell you if your team is good or bad (except this year), just a 60 game stretch in most seasons.

[h2oface]

Every season is different. If you know the season is 162 games, you have a certain game plan. If it is 60 games, a different game plan for the season. It will show the good teams, the teams that get the same set rules to compete by, and shine. It doesn't make them less deserving when they win. In my mind, it makes them even more deserving, because they were able to adapt, find the edge they needed sooner than later, and powered through. It will force moves that will bring young players to the forefront as some tired vets tank out of the gate. No hanging around because of seniority. It will be extremely challenging. I think the intensity will be fun, if the COVID doesn't ruin the plan. Starters can be more like relievers as they only need to make 12 or so starts. Time to put up or sit. Managers decisions will be amplified. Every at bat will be important. I don't like runners on second to start extra innings, but then, I don't like umpires guessing at balls and strikes. But it is all baseball, and I can't wait to see who the new young fearless stars will be.

[Jimv]

 

 I don't like runners on second to start extra innings, ...

Me neither. Not at all.  Nor do I like other artificial ways of ending competition, such as shootouts.  However as you said, I like it more than I like no baseball. But I desperately hope it does not become a permanent feature.