Twins Daily 2021 Top Prospects: 16-20

[Tom Froemming]

Our prospect list opens up with three guys who are already on the 40-man roster, a recent draftee and a player coming off a strong winter ball performance. Here are our Nos. 16-20 Twins prospects for 2021.20. Bailey Ober, RHP

Age: 25 (DOB 7/12/1995)

2019 Stats: (Rk/A+/AA): 78.2 IP 0.69 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 33.8 K%, 3.0 BB%

2020 Ranking: NR

 

Ober was among the most impressive pitchers in the entire minor leagues in 2019. Over 78 2/3 innings, Ober allowed just six earned runs and nine walks while striking out 100 batters. He had the lowest ERA among all minor league pitchers with at least 50 innings, the best K:BB ratio among anyone with at least 70 innings and finished third in the voting for Twins Daily Minor League Starting Pitcher of the Year.

 

Ober was selected by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2017 Draft out of the College of Charleston. He missed a year of college ball recovering from Tommy John surgery and made just 14 and 13 starts his first two full seasons in the minor leagues, respectively.

 

I almost got through an entire blurb about Ober without mentioning it, but there’s no getting around the fact that this man’s sheer size is most definitely also noteworthy. He was added to the 40-man roster this offseason, and the Twins now officially list him at 6’9” and 260 pounds.

 

To get to know Ober a little better, check out Seth’s interview with him from earlier this offseason.

 

 

19. José Miranda, 3B/2B

Age: 22 (DOB 6/29/1998)

2019 Stats (A+/AA): 483 PA, .252/.302/.369 (.671 OPS), 8 HR, 11.2 K%, 5.0 BB%

2020 Ranking: 20

 

Miranda was one of the high school hitters taken early in the 2016 Draft, the final class under Terry Ryan. His 2019 stat line doesn’t jump off the page, but keep in mind he did post an above-average OPS for the Florida State League and was young for the level. He earned a promotion to Double A and went 3-for-5 in his lone regular season game with Pensacola before hitting .368/.429/.526 (.955 OPS) in five playoff games with the Blue Wahoos.

 

Miranda’s 11.2 K% was the lowest in the system and 28th overall among all minor leaguers with at least 350 plate appearances in 2019. Strikeouts are bad, but so are weak ground balls and infield pop ups. He may benefit from being more selective earlier in counts, then adjusting back to his more natural contact-oriented approach with two strikes.

 

Miranda helped Criollos de Caguas to a Puerto Rican Winter League title by posting .302/.377/.472 (.849 OPS) line and hit a three-run homer in the deciding game of the championship series. He then slumped in the Caribbean Series, but getting competitive games under his belt this winter will hopefully be the catalyst to a breakout 2021 season.

 

 

Speaking of guys built like tanks, at 5’11” and 240 pounds Colina is among the beefier pitchers you’ll see. Pitching out of the bullpen, his fastball sits in the high 90s and touches triple digits. He pairs that with a high-spin, mid-80s slider.

 

Colina had a lot of success as a starting pitcher in the minors, so it’s possible the door to him returning to the rotation remains open. He posted a career 2.80 ERA over 324 2/3 innings pitched down on the farm prior to last year. We’ll see.

 

Colina made his MLB debut last season. It did not go well, but it did create an opportunity for him to get some detailed instruction and inspiration from Rich Hil in the dugout. That debut outing was discussed during a Twins Spotlight Seth recorded with Colina, so make sure to check that out.

 

Here are some highlights of Colina pitching for the Twins during Spring Training last year:

 

Twins Daily 2021 Top 20 Prospects

Honorable Mentions

Stop by tomorrow for prospects 11-15

 

Click here to view the article

[Dman]

I don't know what to think of Ober with a fastball under 90 MPH and yet the K rate is crazy good and it has always been good.  Fangraphs can't come up with a profile like his that has succeeded in MLB.  Maybe he can do it maybe he can't but we need to find out soon as I believe he will be 26 in July.

 

I have been disappointed in Miranda for a while now.  I agree with what you have to say but it needs to show on the field hopefully this is the year.

 

I don't know what to think about Solarie.  I know they grabbed him for his hit tool and if he can play 2nd and left field that is good by me.  I read somewhere that some scouts don't see the bat translating to MLB.  I guess we will know more after this year or next but taking a guy with a good eye and good contact can't be a bad thing can it?

 

I'll let other drool over Rortvedt.  I think he is solid behind the plate but would like to see a better hit tool.  Maybe this is the year?

 

Colina has a plus slider but I believe the fastball lacks movement. I know it was just one shot in MLB but I am not sure the fastball will play there.  He has had a lot of success and reliever seems like the best spot for him to succeed so hopefully he finds what he needs to be elite out of the pen.

 

I like all of these guys but another year to evaluate should better help see where they are and whether they can make it or not.

[mikelink45]

This far down on the list everyone is a question mark.  I have no insights, but I am glad to have names to follow.

[rdehring]

Considering these guys are 16-20, seems like a really strong group. Although I would have Rortvedt even a bit higher, surprised that your group has him this high.

 

Don't know what to think about Soularie, coming out of the weird draft in 2020 then sitting at home thinking about his future. But your description of his abilities paints an awfully bright picture of someone we should be excited about.

 

Am a huge fan of Ober and loved Seth's interview recently. Don't really understand how he accomplishes what he does considering his fastball is under 90. But that takes me back to a banquet maybe 20 years ago where the keynote speaker was Warren Spahn. When one of the Legion kids asked him how hard he threw, his response was that throwing hard had nothing to do with winning baseball games. Went on to talk about controlling your pitches and putting it exactly where he wanted it. Considering no lefty has ever won more games than Spahn, maybe there is something to his approach.

[Trov]

I think Ober was hurt a lot by lack of minor league year.  He is a fringe guy because his velo is not there, but velo does not equal success always.  He seems to miss bats and that is key.  Now, the question for him is did he just out pitch young guys, and when he faces more seasoned hitter his lack of velo will be an issue.  Personally, I am not a guy that looks at velo anymore.  Years ago when a guy threw 95 plus it was a big deal and sometimes that could get job done.  Guys that get by with 90's and movement to me is something to look at.  They will know how pitch to a guy use movement and hit all the zone to get outs.  I do not care how fast you through if you get the outs. 

[Seth Stohs]

Our votes:

 

#20: Bailey Ober: Seth (21), Nick (16), Tom (20), Cody (30)

 

#19: Jose Miranda: Seth (18), Nick (24), Tom (19), Cody (19)

 

#18: Alerick Soularie: Seth (29), Nick (18), Tom (14), Cody (17)

 

#17: Ben Rortvedt: Seth (28), Nick (14), Tom (11), Cody (21)

 

#16: Edwar Colina: Seth (16), Nick (19), Tom (24), Cody (14) 

[High heat]

Wow Jose Miranda looks like he has put on 50 lbs! 2 years ago he was a thinner athletic build. In that video he looks hefty! Hopefully it doesn’t effect his defense and the versatility!

 

Ben Rortvedt is the guy on this list! Very good defensive catcher would have been taken in the rule 5 if not protected because he can play major league defense right now. Very strong athletic kid if he can make some adjustment to his swing path watch out! He could shoot up this list

[Darius]

It feels like I’ve been reading about Miranda on prospect reports here for a decade.

[Seth Stohs]

 

It feels like I’ve been reading about Miranda on prospect reports here for a decade.

 

Yet he was drafted on the same day as Kirilloff, Rortvedt and Baddoo... He's 22 in AA, even with the missing season. That's pretty good! 

[se7799]

Great list and Article! I love this!

[mikelink45]

 

Considering these guys are 16-20, seems like a really strong group. Although I would have Rortvedt even a bit higher, surprised that your group has him this high.

 

Don't know what to think about Soularie, coming out of the weird draft in 2020 then sitting at home thinking about his future. But your description of his abilities paints an awfully bright picture of someone we should be excited about.

 

Am a huge fan of Ober and loved Seth's interview recently. Don't really understand how he accomplishes what he does considering his fastball is under 90. But that takes me back to a banquet maybe 20 years ago where the keynote speaker was Warren Spahn. When one of the Legion kids asked him how hard he threw, his response was that throwing hard had nothing to do with winning baseball games. Went on to talk about controlling your pitches and putting it exactly where he wanted it. Considering no lefty has ever won more games than Spahn, maybe there is something to his approach.

Since Spahn is my all time favorite pitcher this really warmed my -28F soul

[mikelink45]

 

Yet he was drafted on the same day as Kirilloff, Rortvedt and Baddoo... He's 22 in AA, even with the missing season. That's pretty good! 

I would say it is okay - not very good

[Seth Stohs]

 

I would say it is okay - not very good

 

Most 22 year olds are just coming into pro ball and playing at Low A, or maybe High A. 

[h2oface]

When someone is so massive, like Ober, it always surprises me that they can't get the velo on the ball. Rauch was about Ober's size, and he was low velo, too. 

[Shaitan]

Always enjoy this series, especially the collaborative approach.