Reviewing 2022 Performances by Twins Shortstop Prospects

[Cody Christie]

Every team is looking for top-tier shortstop prospects and the Twins are no different. Can any of these players become the team’s shortstop of the future?

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

Few players can handle the rigors of shortstop at the big-league level. There is pressure to perform offensively and defensively while being a leader on the field. It is arguably baseball’s most important position, and that’s why many young players are considered shortstops during their amateur careers. The Twins have struggled to cultivate shortstops throughout the franchise’s history, but one of these players has a chance to stop that trend. 

Triple-A: Royce Lewis (ETA: 2022)
Lewis returned from ACL surgery in 2022, and Minnesota was aggressive with Lewis to start the season by sending him to Triple-A. Lewis looked like he hadn’t lost a step as he hit .313/.405/.534 (.940) with 18 extra-base hits in 34 games. His first taste of the big leagues went well too. In 12 games, he posted an .867 OPS before running into the outfield wall and undergoing a second ACL surgery. Lewis will be back in 2023, and the Twins can sign a placeholder shortstop until he is ready to return. 

Double-A: Brooks Lee (ETA: 2024)  Austin Martin (ETA: 2023)
Lee and Martin will be a fascinating duo to watch in the years ahead. Both were top-10 picks and considered the best college bats in their draft class. Martin struggled through most of 2022 (.685 OPS) before having a redeeming September. His performance has improved in the Arizona Fall League by going 18-for-38 (.474 BA) with three extra-base hits and 11 runs. He was recently named the league's Hitter of the Week. Martin hopes to follow in Matt Wallner’s footsteps from last year’s AFL season. The Twins should have Martin start at Triple-A next season. 

The Twins drafted Lee in June, and he quickly put himself on the prospect map. He played games at three different levels and used his college experience to post a .839 OPS. Lee saw his stock already rising in his professional debut. Many top prospect lists will consider him the organization’s best prospect, and he has a chance to be a consensus top-40 prospect entering 2023. Lee likely starts next year at Double-A, but Lee and Martin have a chance to debut next season. 

High-A: Wander Javier (ETA: 2024)
Minnesota signed Javier back in 2015 out of the Dominican Republic, so his name has been on Twins prospect lists for most of the last decade. Some projected him to be a five-tool talent during his early minor league career, but he’s never put it all together. As a 24-year-old, he played most of 2022 at High-A, but he saw late-season action at Triple-A when there was a shortstop need. Over the last two seasons, he has failed to compile an OPS over .700, and his time might be running out in the Twins organization. If he stays with the Twins, he will start the year at Double-A. 

Low-A: Noah Miller (ETA: 2025), Keoni Cavaco (ETA: 2025)
The Twins took Miller with the 36th overall pick in the 2021 MLB Draft, and the 2022 season marked his full-season debut. As a 19-year-old, he was over two years younger than the average age of the competition in the FSL. He hit .212/.348/.279 (.627) with 18 extra-base hits and 110 strikeouts in 108 games. There were positive signs during the season, as he posted a .964 OPS during May. It seems likely for him to start next season at Low-A while continuing to refine his swing. 

Minnesota’s current front office took Cavaco with the 13th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft. As that draft approached, he was a late riser, but the Twins projected he had the tools to succeed. Last season, he hit .231/.275/.397 (.672) with 34 extra-base hits in 99 games. It was his second straight season at Fort Myers, and he was slightly younger than the competition. With Miller in the same line-up, Cavaco played all of his defensive innings at third base. He likely heads to Cedar Rapids in 2023 to see if he can live up to his first-round pedigree. 

The names above are just some of the organization’s shortstop options. In rookie ball, other names like Danny De Andrade, Yilber Herrera, and Bryan Acuna will garner more attention as they get deeper into their careers. Baseball’s best teams usually have players with a shortstop background at multiple positions on the field. Minnesota hopes the club’s shortstop of the future is in the group mentioned above. 

Which prospect plays the most career games at shortstop with the Twins? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

 

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[mac098]

At this point we can't really call Wander Javier a prospect. I know he was young when we signed him, but he has been with the organization for almost 10 years now, and hasn't surpassed High-A. Yes, he did play some AAA ball, but it was because there was a need for his positioning there. But that could have also been the kick in the keister he needed to get going on development. 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Yes, Martin might find himself in the OF eventually, as well as Lewis if Buck cannot stay healthy. But, in a few years we might actually benefit from a Miranda, Martin, Lewis, and Lee infield group (there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery). Young core of players to have, which will then help the development of our supposed pitching "pipeline". 

[Linus]

It’s basically Lewis. Martin couldn’t even play SS for his college team. He should be rotating between 2nd and cf. let’s give him a chance to be really great at one of those positions. Same thing with Lee. Stretched at SS he can be an elite defender at 3rd. Let’s get him there now as he may be in the bigs faster than any recent prospect.  If Lewis develops we could have great infield defense going forward. 

sheesh Cavaco is really looking like a bad pick. 

[Mark G]

37 minutes ago, mac098 said:

At this point we can't really call Wander Javier a prospect. I know he was young when we signed him, but he has been with the organization for almost 10 years now, and hasn't surpassed High-A. Yes, he did play some AAA ball, but it was because there was a need for his positioning there. But that could have also been the kick in the keister he needed to get going on development. 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Yes, Martin might find himself in the OF eventually, as well as Lewis if Buck cannot stay healthy. But, in a few years we might actually benefit from a Miranda, Martin, Lewis, and Lee infield group (there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery). Young core of players to have, which will then help the development of our supposed pitching "pipeline". 

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

[Karbo]

If this is the best of the Twins ss candidates, They should pony up the $$ it takes to keep Correa.

[Old fox]

How will the 2023 rules of the game change the needs of ss, 3b, 2b, 1b even pitchers? I assume they will have improve reflexes, speed, athletic ability. The changes will affect all 9 positions on the field.

[gman]

I think the person who plays the most games at shortstop next year is currently in the Twins system. Lewis is probably the closest. It is highly likely that there is an intermediate signing or trade this winter. The worst intermediate option would be A Gordon/Polanco/Urshela combination for the seasons firsts 2-3 months. That would almost assuredly sink the whole year. I also think the current Twins system provides the player(s) who play the most games at shortstop over the next 10 years.

My pick for long term would be Noah Miller. He has the history from High School through the minors of sticking at shortstop, gaining defensive experience and not being moved around to different positions.  He has provided good defense at the position in his short professional career. At the plate, while needing a lot of work, has demonstrated patience has exhibited by his 76 walks in 469 plate appearances. At 6'1' and 190lbs he appears to be big enough to ultimately provide solid extra base hitting from the position. I think he should be advanced a level at the start of next year or soon there after. I could see him making his first appearance in the majors during the 2024 season at the age of 22.

[chpettit19]

This is not an overly exciting list of shortstops. I very much like the top of this list as baseball players, but not SSs. Lee seems to have "gold glove 3B" written all over him. They seem determined to force Martin to be an IFer even if all reports are that he's destined for the OF (which is weird since the Twins have a gigantic need for a RH hitting OFer right now) cuz he just can't field well enough on the dirt. And while I'm a huge Lewis supporter, and he certainly looked like he could handle the position defensively in his brief stint, it's hard to really bank on him without question after a 2nd straight major knee surgery. If he turns out to be SS worthy it's always nice to have more SSs than you need. This list makes me want Correa, Turner, or Swanson even more than I already did.

[TwinsDr2021]

If Brooks Lee starts the season hot he should be up with the team instantly I don't care if it is SS/3B/1B/DH. There is no reason he needs to be in minors if he proves his bat is for real. Same with Lewis after he is ready to play get him minors and if he is playing well get him up. Guys like Celestino/Gordon(27)/Larnach(26)(if not hitting well)( can be demoted or cut if need be they are more than likely not in the teams plans as everybody players anyway.

Neither of these two players make me shy away from the Correa or Turner.

[tony&rodney]

The article just points to the need for the Twins to sign a shortstop. Will they? This post aligns with the posting that asks why the Twins wouldn't just sign Correa long term. It's Falvey's decision. 

If the Twins want to just go with what they have, Lee would likely be their steadiest option but he has only played a few games at AA. That gamble might work if the starting staff was rebuilt through a trade plus a free agent addition as well as a bullpen piece added.

[mac098]

2 hours ago, Mark G said:

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

Oh I'm not saying Lewis will stick there as he won't have the same movement laterally that he had previously. But we really haven't been able to draft/sign quality SS for a long time. Personally, I would rather we have awesome defensive ability at SS over a big time bat. In todays game, I think the metrics tend to overlook the help that defense gives, especially in post-season games or later in the season. 

I'm also not saying Kiriloff is bad or won't come back, because I really want him to. I want him and Larnach to succeed but they are just showing that they have not been able to stay healthy, just like Lewis. I just have to look through my non-hometown eyes and start looking from an outside perspective. The Twins' prospects have been repeatedly plagued by major injuries that will and have hampered their development. 

A huge turnaround or feel good story for us fans would be the Nick Gordon story. Finally having the ability to stay off the IL after suffering through repeated injuries/illnesses for years. 

[DocBauer]

Perhaps my belief is tinged with a dose of hope, but I think Lewis is the guy. I'm not predicting GG defense, but I believe he will be good and be a heck of a hitter.

I'm happy to be proven wrong by Martin sticking at SS! But I think he's a LF/CF who can cover 3B and 2B and I think that's where he ends up.

A SSS right after being drafted is not enough to convince me Lee can't be a SS. He's got the experience, the arm, the hands and the instincts from all reports. I guess the question is does he have that right kind of athleticism to play SS at the ML level. Well, a few other, larger guys who weren't exactly speedy turned out to be very good SS. So let's let him play a little longer before we decide for sure.

But I do find the idea of a left side of the  infield of Lee, Lewis with Miranda at 1B very exciting. 2B is open to a few nice possibilities, including Martin and Julien and some others.

I'd like to re-sign Javier on a milb deal and see if this is finally the year something starts to click. He's talented enough and young enough I think you give him that next year.

Cavaco has been a huge disappointment. I wonder if, despite poor numbers, if he just needs a change of scenery and a re-start by jumping up to A+.

[Mark G]

49 minutes ago, tony&rodney said:

The article just points to the need for the Twins to sign a shortstop. Will they? This post aligns with the posting that asks why the Twins wouldn't just sign Correa long term. It's Falvey's decision. 

If the Twins want to just go with what they have, Lee would likely be their steadiest option but he has only played a few games at AA. That gamble might work if the starting staff was rebuilt through a trade plus a free agent addition as well as a bullpen piece added.

My only response would be that it is not Falvey's decision, it is Jim Pohlad's decision.  If he wants Correa we stand a chance, but he knows the commitment it would take.  Falvey only does the paperwork, JP signs the checks.  If we do not sign him, it will not be on Falvey, it will be on JP.  

[Loosey]

13 hours ago, Mark G said:

"there is no guarantee Kiriloff will come back stronger and better after this highly invasive surgery".

It always amazes me how many people are so skeptical about Kirilloff ever being able to be the player he once was and we hope he can be, but are convinced that Lewis will come back after not one, but two major knee surgeries.  Knees that will always be questionable for years to come.  Not putting down your optimism, just trying to be realistic about how much of a plan A Lewis can be.  And below him, who is a legitimate plan A anytime soon?  

SS is a tough position to fill long term.  A contending organization who has had the answer in their clubhouse all year would be trying to keep him instead of guessing which minor leaguer is going to be his replacement.  

It's not 1992 anymore.  Medical advancement's have come a long way since.  There are NFL running backs who come back from multiple ACL tears and still play very well and have long successful careers.  I think a shortstop in baseball can do it as well.  Kiriloff is different, he had a surgery that basically cut out a section of bone in his arm.  Maybe there have been people who have come back from that but I am not familiar with them or anyone who has had the surgery.  The concern with Lewis is he has basically played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years.  He has the skills and I personally don't think multiple ACL surgeries will be his downfall.  He will either be a Major League shortstop or a major league outfielder.  How great he becomes will not be decided by his injury.  Again back to Kiriloff, his surgery could impact his career.  It might effect his hitting and if Kiriloff can't hit he isn't anything special.  His career is completely dependent on his ability to hit.  A run of the mill ACL surgery isn't going to effect Lewis ability to hit a baseball the same way a bone reduction surgery will effect Kiriloff.

[dxpavelka]

I for one am intrigued by a 3B named Brooks who probably should have been drafted by the Orioles.

[Mark G]

2 hours ago, Loosey said:

It's not 1992 anymore.  Medical advancement's have come a long way since.  There are NFL running backs who come back from multiple ACL tears and still play very well and have long successful careers.  I think a shortstop in baseball can do it as well.  Kiriloff is different, he had a surgery that basically cut out a section of bone in his arm.  Maybe there have been people who have come back from that but I am not familiar with them or anyone who has had the surgery.  The concern with Lewis is he has basically played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years.  He has the skills and I personally don't think multiple ACL surgeries will be his downfall.  He will either be a Major League shortstop or a major league outfielder.  How great he becomes will not be decided by his injury.  Again back to Kiriloff, his surgery could impact his career.  It might effect his hitting and if Kiriloff can't hit he isn't anything special.  His career is completely dependent on his ability to hit.  A run of the mill ACL surgery isn't going to effect Lewis ability to hit a baseball the same way a bone reduction surgery will effect Kiriloff.

I wish I could share your enthusiasm, but the primary reason Lewis has only played a part of 1 season in the last 4 years is two major surgeries.  I do not doubt his ability to swing a bat; what I do doubt is his ability to play the field long term without major injuries.  I wonder if both Lewis and Kirilloff are of the Buxton mold; very talented and very fragile.  Until both can prove over a period of time that they can stay on the field, the only place I would pencil in either one of them is the trainer's room.  

My point was that we keep on bringing up Lewis as though he would be plan A, when he hasn't proven he can stay on the field at any position, much less SS.  And if we could somehow muster up the fortitude to keep the best SS in our system - heck, most systems - this whole conversation would be moot and we could get on to the task of putting together a potent outfield, and hopefully Lewis would be a good candidate there.  

As an aside, you are right, this isn't 1992, but it isn't 2052 yet either or we would be able to put all the Humpty Dumpty's back together again.  ACL surgeries may be run of the mill at times, and with some athletes, but 2 in such a short time is still more than a slight concern.  Let's hope you are right all the way down the line.  If so, I will take my crow medium rare.    

[Mark G]

12 hours ago, mac098 said:

Oh I'm not saying Lewis will stick there as he won't have the same movement laterally that he had previously. But we really haven't been able to draft/sign quality SS for a long time. Personally, I would rather we have awesome defensive ability at SS over a big time bat. In todays game, I think the metrics tend to overlook the help that defense gives, especially in post-season games or later in the season. 

I'm also not saying Kiriloff is bad or won't come back, because I really want him to. I want him and Larnach to succeed but they are just showing that they have not been able to stay healthy, just like Lewis. I just have to look through my non-hometown eyes and start looking from an outside perspective. The Twins' prospects have been repeatedly plagued by major injuries that will and have hampered their development. 

A huge turnaround or feel good story for us fans would be the Nick Gordon story. Finally having the ability to stay off the IL after suffering through repeated injuries/illnesses for years. 

Nice to know someone else still feels defense is the most important part of the SS position.  It is super nice if you can get both at the same time, but first priority is the glove.  Ask any pitcher.    

[weitz41]

I saw Lewis and Kirilloff playing together in 2019. They just stood out. The hits were louder, the speed they played with and so on. So I'm going to be a bit of a homie, in spite of the injuries, and say Lewis is the guy.

The interesting part to me is in a few years this could and likely is three fifths of the starting infield. Add Jeffers, Miranda, Arraez  and hopefully Kirilloff. Assuming they play to their abilities that should be a pretty good team for a long stretch.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

22 hours ago, gman said:

I think the person who plays the most games at shortstop next year is currently in the Twins system. Lewis is probably the closest. It is highly likely that there is an intermediate signing or trade this winter. The worst intermediate option would be A Gordon/Polanco/Urshela combination for the seasons firsts 2-3 months. That would almost assuredly sink the whole year. I also think the current Twins system provides the player(s) who play the most games at shortstop over the next 10 years.

My pick for long term would be Noah Miller. He has the history from High School through the minors of sticking at shortstop, gaining defensive experience and not being moved around to different positions.  He has provided good defense at the position in his short professional career. At the plate, while needing a lot of work, has demonstrated patience has exhibited by his 76 walks in 469 plate appearances. At 6'1' and 190lbs he appears to be big enough to ultimately provide solid extra base hitting from the position. I think he should be advanced a level at the start of next year or soon there after. I could see him making his first appearance in the majors during the 2024 season at the age of 22.

Miller is extremely smooth and impressive at the SS position. Don't underestimate his ability to become a ML hitter. he is already a ML defender at SS.

 

[mac098]

On 10/20/2022 at 1:24 AM, Mark G said:

Nice to know someone else still feels defense is the most important part of the SS position.  It is super nice if you can get both at the same time, but first priority is the glove.  Ask any pitcher.    

And that is the reason I was actually okay with Andrelton Simmons there. Yes, his defense was a little worse than in the past but he is also older and has never really been much of a weapon with stick. But I know the game is in a state of you only need offense. Then we start seeing the teams that have focused on getting players that can field and do some damage with the bat in the post-season consistently. 

[RpR]

15 minutes ago, mac098 said:

And that is the reason I was actually okay with Andrelton Simmons there. Yes, his defense was a little worse than in the past

In the 18 games he played at SS with the Chicago Cubs, his fielding numbers were second only to the 49 games he played in his first season ever with Atlanta.

His glove is still near the best in either league, if the Twins do not sign Correa, they should make a serious effort to get Simmons again., and hire a GOOD batting coach to help him. (And a LOT of the Twins players.)

[RpR]

On 10/19/2022 at 8:28 AM, mac098 said:

 

Lewis, Lee, and Martin are definitely looking to be SS of the future or at the very least, a rotating door there. Y

A rotating door is the reason the Twins stink so badly.

[Major League Ready]

On 10/19/2022 at 12:49 PM, Mark G said:

My only response would be that it is not Falvey's decision, it is Jim Pohlad's decision.  If he wants Correa we stand a chance, but he knows the commitment it would take.  Falvey only does the paperwork, JP signs the checks.  If we do not sign him, it will not be on Falvey, it will be on JP.  

That's not how it works.  They have X dollars to spend.  In other words, they have a budget based on revenue like every other business or just as any responsible adult has a spending limit based on income.  They will no doubt discuss  Correa and any other player requiring a huge contract.  Pohlad will certainly ask Falvey it is wise to spend 25% of their budget on one player (140/35).  It's one thing to do it for a year.  It's entirely different to commit that percentage to one player for 8-10 years.  It's not a Twins thing and it's not a Pohlad thing.  Teams are very reluctant to spend anywhere near 25% of their budget on one player.