TD Top Twins Prospect Rankings (Post Draft and Trade Deadline): 26-30

I am most excited about Jovani Moran.  If he can become another dominant lefty that will really help the big club out.  Hopefully we can find a few more home grown pen arms to help fix a weakness at the MLB level.

Moran is exciting. It's really fun to watch a pitcher with a great change up. His ranking is limited by his status as a reliever, but he's the guy I'm most interested in with this pod of prospects. I don't think he'll stay on the list long: I expect to see him in MLB this year and to be a relief option from the jump next year.

I got my first chance to see Javier in action last Friday.  The one thing he has going for him is that he can probably stick at SS at least from what I saw.  It's not a deep position in the system.  It could be a blessing in disguise that the bat still isn't quite there.  He probably still slips through the Rule 5.  He's still slightly young for his league, but that 33% K rate just isn't going to play.  I hope he can hang on for at least another season or two and be a late bloomer.

Am I correct that Javier will be a 6-year minor league free agent at year's end?  If so, he would only be rule 5 eligible should the Twins resign him before the draft.  He has begun turning that proverbial corner this year.  I am hopeful he will fully turn it next year, and do so while still in the Twins organization.  The Twins have so many great candidates for short, yet most have questions whether they can stick there in the big leagues.  Based on what I have heard, Javier is one who should remain at short for the Twins.

Like all of you, I want to see Moran pitching for the Twins before year end.  I am hopeful that he can be a solid member of their revamped pen in 2022.  Of this group, I am most excited about Soularie, who I understand has special speed...is that correct?

Can we stop the hopes for Javier?  I mean how long does he need to be not good before we just say he is a player and most likely never will make majors? 

50 minutes ago, Trov said:

Can we stop the hopes for Javier?  I mean how long does he need to be not good before we just say he is a player and most likely never will make majors? 

I'm going to say nope on the nope hope train.  If he doesn't make it... he doesn't make it.  As long as he's part of the Twins system, I for one, will pull for the kid to bring it all together.

Not saying that he hasn't had more than his fair share of struggles (and some pretty ugly batting numbers).  Basically, there is a solid chance that he never fully coalesces into a MLB player, but the physical skills and talent are there.

41 minutes ago, Trov said:

Can we stop the hopes for Javier?  I mean how long does he need to be not good before we just say he is a player and most likely never will make majors? 

Yeah, I mean he's already 22, has never been hurt and played for that Ghost League in Atlantis in 2020.  He's had plenty of time. He's probably had more than that Eduardo Escobar guy that never amounted to anything.  Pull the plug.

I agree on Moran. Stop with the pickups like Burrows and give our own guys a chance. 

I am surprised by Javier's age. Seems like we have read about him forever.  Not impressed so far but hope is always on the horizon.  

This seems like a pretty damned solid #26-30. Admittedly biased but the depth of this system still seems to be a major strength. 

Thinking Moran is major league ready and potentially very useful bullpen arm he should be rated higher. Look at this year’s bullpen to see the value in relievers

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

I get the sentiment here, and I think Moran should be up, but they're both 24 and Burrows is a much higher upside guy than Moran. He may not reach it, but Burrows is the exact type of player the Twins should be claiming. I'd agree with this for guys like Minaya, Coulombe, veterans who likely will be DFAd at season's end anyway. 

Not challenging this, it makes absolute sense to give Burrows a spin, just curious what makes you say he has a higher upside? He's had little success so far, is half a year older, and doesn't have the standout pitch that Moran does. 

At any rate, I've got to think that Moran will be the next guy up from St. Paul. His numbers are undeniable and the stats under the hood doesn't raise any red flags.

37 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Welp, Edgar Garcia was the next guy up.

I should say that he's got a higher prospect pedigree. Maybe that's more what I meant. He's a former first-round pick. He still could be a starter. I personally think that Moran has the higher likelihood to have an impact in the big leagues, but Burrows shouldn't be given up on (like the Tigers did). And if they don't see anything over the next two months, they can DFA him too. 

Should we put much weight on him being a first round pick given he was drafted out of High School?  I look at his AA and AAA performance and don't see much.  My take on what we have seen with the Twins is a mediocre FB and mediocre at best secondary pitches.  If he had plus control that might play but his command is suspect too.  I have no problem with them giving him a spin but I don't see anything that suggests he needs to be kept for the remainder of the season if they have other options like Moran for that roster spot.

23 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

I've got to say... any of my comments about giving Burrows opportunities kind of look silly now... 

(though I still believe in adding on the fringes of the 40-man roster is a good thing, and they should do it, and making too much of any one game or 5-game sample is probably unfair... but hard to back any of that up right now. ha!)

If they're going to give extended auditions, then it had better be to the legitimate prospects like Cano and Moran and no to the wavier wire heap pickups like Burrows. I'm fine with trying waiver claims out, but I don't think we should waste many innings on these guys. The Tigers knew what they were doing, DFA'ing Burrows, even though he still had 2 option years left. We don't have a pitching staff that can magically turn these guys into something valuable, so no point in wasting time polishing a... you know what.

Sticking with the OP: (reverse order from the list)

1] I know Raya is a HS pitcher and those kids always seem to have the biggest question marks attached to them. But he was my favorite 2020 selection because I liked his numbers velocity, and potential. Can't tell you how disappointed I am he has yet to see the mound.  Any update on his injury? 

2] Moran' s career numbers would have him higher on this list if he wasn't a RP and/or threw 92-93. We all know this. My concern is not having at least a "teaser" 3rd offering to RH batters besides his change. But he absolutely deserves a ML shot and soon. 

I KNOW I'm a hope-monger, but I keep thinking about Thielbar/Thorpe/Moran giving the Twins THREE BP options from the LH side joining Rogers. Been a good 15yrs since we had that.

3] IMO, the entire Midwest and Big 10 footprint has been undervalued for a few years now. And I understand why. But just speaking about Hajjar specifically, what's not to like about a tall and well built LHSP who has 90+ velocity? Only 21yo? Yes please! In a professional environment, his "touching" mid 90's will have him soon sitting in the mid 90's consistently.  OBVIOUSLY his development will come down to his 2nd and 3rd offerings as well as his control. But there is a lot to like and work with. But despite being a 2nd round pick, this is where I'd slot him for now. 

4] This is about where I'd slot Wander. I don't know any Twins fan who doesn't dream of him still fulfilling his potential. Unfortunately, potential is an ugly word at times. He has flashed. He entices. But he needs more time. At least another full season. I just see no reason to protect him on the 40 man. And any Badoo reference should just be stopped at the door. You just can't compare one kid to another. 

5] Very happy to see Soularie actually healthy and finally playing. Just being honest, I didn't understand his selection, even accounting for a weird 2020 season with little to zero baseball played. 

Forgive me as I'm pulling somewhat from memory, but a great athlete with BAT potential, solid OB, decent speed, pop/power potential with no clear-cut position. He played OF/CF for Tenessee as well as 2B?

Remind you of anyone?

If not, first thing I thought of was an older Rosario. A great athlete who could play multiple spots and hit with decent speed and some power potential.

Honestly, I think the FO has drafted very well so far. And I think they followed the chalk of BPA in a great way. But I'm not sure they did so well in 2020.

Considering the Twins drafted so late last year, amidst a crazy year, it will take at least another season to figure out who drafted smart and who didn't. But I admit I was shocked when it was supposed to be a big college arm draft and the FO went the opposite direction. They clearly felt other teams were ignoring other available talent with projection. 

I am stunned, in a bad way, about Saboto. Hopefully we eat crow about that one.

I was equally surprised about Soularie. But I DO appreciate the  athletic and talented selection with projection. But unless he has enough speed to play CF, or enough glove and offense to make a difference at 2B....he'd better be a great BAT LF to make his selection pay off.