Cody’s Top 20 Twins Prospects: 11-15

[Cody Christie]

Not all organizations have prospect depth that stretches outside of their top-10 prospects. The Twins have multiple names on this list that will impact the big-league roster in 2021.Evaluating prospects in a pandemic certainly presents multiple challenges. Two of these players made their MLB debut last season and others on this list continue to rise. Minnesota’s system is deep and any of these names can impact the big-league roster in the years ahead.

 

15. Edwar Colina- RHP (23-years old)

Acquired: 2015 International Free Agent

ETA: 2021

 

Colina made one lone big-league appearance in 2020, but it didn’t go so well. Obviously, this is a small sample size, and it doesn’t take anything away from his potential big-league impact. He can consistently hit in the upper-90s with his fastball, but it doesn’t have a lot of movement. His slider is his best secondary pitch, and he can control in different parts of the zone. He moved to the bullpen at the end of the 2019 campaign and that might be his best role at the big-league level.

 

14. Matt Wallner- OF (23-years old)

Acquired: 2019 First Round Pick

ETA: 2022

 

Power is the name of the game for Wallner. He fits the current regimes draft mold of finding experienced college hitters with a lot of pop in their bat. At 6-foot-4 and 220 pounds, he is an opposing force in the batter’s box. Because of his college experience, the Twins can be aggressive with him in 2021 as he has yet to appear in a game above Low-A. That being said, he is only 23-years old, so the team can give him a chance to find his swing as he moves up the organizational ladder.

 

13. Misael Urbina- OF (18-years old)

Acquired: 2018 International Free Agent

ETA: 2023

 

Urbina was one of the highest ranked prospects during the 2018 international signing period. He is still projected to play center field, but if he continues to add muscle, his destination might be a corner outfield spot. For his age, he shows skills that are very advanced at the plate. Since the Twins minor league affiliates were reorganized, Urbina can spend 2021 at Low-A in Fort Myers, where the team will be housing many of their younger players.

 

12. Brent Rooker- OF (26-years old)

Acquired: 2017 First Round Pick

ETA: 2020

 

Twins fans got a brief glimpse of Rooker last season as he made a positive impression before being hit by a pitch that ended his season. Throughout his professional career, he has been able to crush fastballs, but he has struggled to adjust to breaking pitches. He’s already 26-years old, so the Twins are going to have team control of him through the prime of his career. If Minnesota doesn’t sign a DH, Rooker is a player that can slide into this role. Most likely, he will start the season at St. Paul, where he will be a quick phone call away from being back in the Twins line-up.

 

11. Gilberto Celestino- OF (21-years old)

Acquired: Along with Jorge Alcala in the Ryan Pressly trade

ETA: 2021

 

When the Twins acquired Celestino, defense was his calling card, but his offensive skills have developed quite nicely since the trade. He continues to be one of the best outfield defenders in system. His size likely means he won’t hit for a ton of power. However, he makes consistent contact, and his other skills will likely allow him to fit into a regular role at the big-league level. This winter, he played in a handful of games in the Dominican Winter League and went 1-for-7 at the plate.

 

Which of these players has a brighter future? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

OTHER POSTS IN THE SERIES

 

— Prospects 16-20

 

— Prospects 1-10 Coming Soon

 

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[Dman]

I know Colina has moved up prospect lists and is pretty high on those lists for a reliever but I am kind of worried about that hittable fastball in MLB.  He throws hard and if he can hit his spots that might be enough to make him a good to elite reliever.  I have to believe the Twins are banking on him somewhat this year given the bullpen turnover.  The slider does appear elite and I assume that is why he is ranked as high as he is.  I hope he is the real deal because we could use more power arms.

 

I wasn't a fan of the Wallner pick as there was good pitching prospects where they drafted him and he is another slow Power over hit tool player.  The Twins seem to be enamored with hard hit rate for players and Wallner fits the bill with easy power so I see why he was picked.  Hard to know how well he will do but good luck cracking an outfield that will likely have Kirilloff, Larnach, Buxton, Kepler, Rooker and maybe Arraez or Polonco already in it.

 

Super excited about Urbina and he had a good year in the DSL.  Obviously a long way to go but very nice traits for success.  Will know more once he plays more.

 

Rooker did better at the MLB level than I thought he would but they will start throwing him the junk he hates so hopefully he has an answer.

 

Celestino had his one big half year and we don't know if hecan or will carry that forward with the bat.  It was between him and Baddoo if you ask me and so I hope that bat turns out because Baddoo will end up hitting for power so he needs to work out now more than ever.  It is nice to have another good defensive centerfielder not too far away.  He has lots of skills to dream on and hopefully he maxes out his potential.

[Shaitan]

I always find this line intriguing.

"He’s already 26-years old, so the Twins are going to have team control of him through the prime of his career."

 

While there's often demand to get a 23yo in the bigs, there are advantages to the "late bloomers." 

 

From a business standpoint.

 

I want to be clear that I'm not advocating for manipulating time clocks.

[jmlease1]

Looking forward to seeing how celestino's hit tool progresses. If he can get on base at a respectable pace he'll be a very useful player because the D is legit. CFs who cover miles and miles of ground make me happy, they are so wonderfully fun to watch, and I will probably overrate them in my head.

[mikelink45]

Getting interesting.  But lining up Wallner and Sabato behind Rooker, Larnach, Kiriloff seems like a lot of redundancy.  It would be nice to say they are tradable, but looking at FA signings 1B/LF/RF big bats are not in demand.  Good luck to all of them, but we know that they cannot all be Twins at the same time.  

 

I do hope Rooker and Kiriloff are not sent to St Paul to gain an extra year.  If they are that good give them an extension and get them in the lineup.

[specialiststeve]

 

Getting interesting.  But lining up Wallner and Sabato behind Rooker, Larnach, Kiriloff seems like a lot of redundancy.  It would be nice to say they are tradable, but looking at FA signings 1B/LF/RF big bats are not in demand.  Good luck to all of them, but we know that they cannot all be Twins at the same time.  

 

I do hope Rooker and Kiriloff are not sent to St Paul to gain an extra year.  If they are that good give them an extension and get them in the lineup.

 

Good news is about 1 in 4 actually are productive major leaguers... hopefully more but If 2 of them are "good" major leaguers it is a win! Guessing Kiriloff is going to be a stud so that is 1.... Larnach looks the part and I beleive he will be here by next year for sure... Sabatko is hopefully the long term solution at 1st... unless Sano wakes up and realizes he can hit to all fields... Rooker seems to be a so so prospect to me but maybe I am wrong... Overall... We are good.... 

[specialiststeve]

Am praying someone teaches Colina a cutter... think Kenley Jensen... oh if only!! 

[rdehring]

Rooker surprised me last fall, although I understand it was only a few at bats and the league may adjust. Doubt he will begin the season in St. Paul, more likely he will be with the Twins as their DH about fifty percent of the time.