Part 1: Seth's Midseason Top 40 Twins Prospects (31-40)

Let’s take a quick look at my choices for Twins Prospect 31-40, and I certainly encourage your questions and any discussion on the players. (I have included my preseason rankings. Note that I do a Top 30 list in the Prospect Handbook, but I keep and update occasionally a ranking of all of the Twins prospects. However, for this, I will put NR if they were outside my Top 50.)

40. Alex Robinson, LH RP, 22

Robinson was the Twins fifth-round draft pick in 2015 out of Maryland.He spent the last two years at Elizabethton where he struck out 67 batters combined in 45 innings. So why was he there for two years? It might have something to do with the 50 walks. He’s worked hard to harness some incredible stuff, including a fastball that sits 96-97 and touches 98-99. He also has a slider that is nearly unhittable. He’s currently in the Cedar Rapids bullpen where he has seven walks and 28 strikeouts in 20 innings. Continued improvement of those two pitches as well as some semblance of command, and Robinson could be another dominant relief option.

Preseason Ranking: NR

39. Mitchell Kranson, C/3B/1B/DH, 23

Kranson was the Twins ninth-round pick in 2016 out of Cal-Berkeley. Kranson is a hitter. That is what his position is. However, he has made himself valuable by being able to play all over the field. While he has DHd a lot, he’s also spent multiple games behind the plate, at first base and at third base this season. In college, he also played some in the outfield. In 38 games for the Kernels, he is hitting .262/.314/.421 (.735) with 12 doubles, a triple and three home runs. Kranson has a high baseball IQ as well, and his offseason demonstrates his drive to be better. He lost 25 pounds without losing any muscle.

Preseason Ranking: NR

38. Mason Melotakis, LHP, 25

“Melo” was the Twins second-round draft pick in 2012 out of Northwestern State in Louisiana. He had a year as a starter before moving to the bullpen. And, soon after, his elbow required Tommy John surgery. He returned to the mound for the 2016 season. He spent the year in Chattanooga. This season, he returned to Chattanooga where he didn’t give up a run for the first five weeks of the season. He has struggled more in the past two weeks, but his stuff is still good. He’s another lefty reliever who throws in the mid-90s with a strong slider. If needed, he can still work more pitches into the mix as well. (Here is a One To Watch story on Melotakis from Twins Fest 2015, shortly before his return from surgery)

Preseason Ranking: 31

37. Jaylin Davis, OF, 22

Davis was the Twins 24th-round pick in 2015 out of Appalachian State. He likely would have been drafted about 15 rounds sooner if not for an injury that cost him the rest of that year. He returned to action last year and hit seven home runs in 12 games for Elizabethton. He then hit nine more homers in 52 games in Cedar Rapids. That’s where he started the 2017 season. In 46 games, he’s hitting .256/.309/.506 (.815) with six doubles and ten home runs (most in the Twins minor leagues so far this year). While he strikes out a lot, Davis has tremendous power. He’s actually become a real solid right fielder as well. He should get a midseason promotion to the Miracle. (Here is his Get to know ‘em Q&A)

Preseason Ranking: 39

36. Eduardo Del Rosario, RHP, 22

Eduardo Del Rosario signed with the Twins way back in December of 2012 out of the Dominican Republic. He spent 2013 in the DSL, 2014 in the GCL. He split 2015 between the GCL and Elizabethton. Last year, before the short-season started, he was promoted to Cedar Rapids. He returned to the Kernels to start this season. He is currently 3-2 with a 4.69 ERA in eight starts and 40.1 innings. He’s got 43 strikeouts but also 18 walks. He’s listed at 6-0 and 145 pounds. He is more than 145 pounds, but he is very thin. He’s got a good, whip-like action in his delivery. He throws in the low 90s with a good slider/breaking ball and a decent changeup. He’ll have to keep improving those pitches, but the potential is there.

Preseason Ranking: 44

35. Trevor Hildenberger, RHP, 25

Hildenberger was the Twins 22nd-round draft pick in 2014 after five years at Cal-Berkeley. He has been the Twins Daily Minor League Relief Pitcher of the Year the last two seasons, 2015 and 2016. He is now with the Rochester Red Wings. In 16.2 innings, he has walked six and struck out 16 batters. The side-winding right-hander We’ve written a lot of words on this site about Hildenberger over the years, but now he is at the point where he’s nearly ready, and he’s just waiting for an opportunity. He could be a good seventh inning guy who could also pitch in the eighth frame.

Preseason Ranking: 42

34. Tyler Wells, RHP, 22

Wells was the Twins 15th-round pick in 2016 out of Cal State San Bernadino. He made ten starts last year in Elizabethton and went 5-2 with a 3.23 ERA. In 47.1 innings, he struck out 59 and walked 17. He began this season in Cedar Rapids where he went 2-0 with a 2.65 ERA in six starts. In 34 innings, he has walked ten and struck out 45 batters. At 6-8 and 265 pounds, Wells is a big man, and can be somewhat intimidating on the mound. He’s got a fastball that sits 91-93 and touches 94 and even 95 at times. He’s also got a couple of breaking pitches that can be very good. A sharp slider and more of a 12-6 curveball. (Here is his Get To Know ‘Em Q&A from this past offseason.)

Preseason Ranking: NR

33. Aaron Slegers, RHP, 24

Twice already this season, Aaron Slegers has taken a no-hitter through six innings. In his first AAA start, he threw six no-hit innings before being removed from the game due to pitch count. And he went into the eighth inning once before losing the no-hitter. Last night, he had yet another quality start. Slegers was the Twins’ fifth- round pick back in 2013 out of Indiana where he was the reigning Big Ten Pitcher of the Year. He has moved up one level per year. In eight starts so far this year with Rochester, he is 4-3 with a 3.72 ERA. In 48.1 innings, he has nine walks and 34 strikeouts. Slegers sits 90-93 but he has hit 94 and 95 on occasions. At 6-10, Slegers has smooth mechanics and good control. (Here is the story on Slegers discussing his big league spring training.)

Preseason Ranking: 36

Pre-2016 Ranking: 28

32. Jordan Balazovic, RHP, 18

The Twins used their fifth-round pick in 2016 on the St. Martin Secondary School in Mississauga high school in Ontario, Canada. After signing, he went to the GCL and made eight appearances including six starts. He went 2-1 with a 1.97 ERA. In 32 innings, he walked just five (though he also hit seven) and struck out just 16. But reports on him were glowing. Observers saw a fastball that could reach up to 94-95 mph with good secondary pitches. He also was described as having a bulldog like attitude on the mound. Still so young, at 6-4 and 175 pounds, Balazovic has plenty of projection remaining. (Here is his Get to Know ‘Em Q&A)

Preseason Ranking: 30

31. Randy Rosario, LH RP, 23

Rosario signed with the Twins in August of 2010. He had Tommy John surgery after just three starts in Cedar Rapids in 2014. He missed the remainder of that season. He did return to the Kernels midway through the 2015 season and flashed a fastball that touched 96-97 mph. It was enough to get added to the 40-man roster. He pitched to mixed results last year in Ft. Myers. He throws hard and has a good slider, but he didn’t rack up many strikeouts. He came to spring training this year and was moved to the bullpen full time, something he was happy about. With the big fastball and sharp slider, it’s a great role for him. He’s pitched well this season in AA Chattanooga. (Here is his Get To Know ‘Em Q&A from late 2015.)

Preseason Ranking: 33

Pre-2016 Ranking: 19

So there you have it, the start to my personal midseason Top 40 Twins prospect rankings. Today’s installment covered my choices for Twins prospects 31-40. Over the next week or two, there’ll be several more installments until we reach #1.

Hopefully you will enjoy the series and will leave comments and discuss the prospects mentioned and the order they are in.