Twins Daily 2020 Top Prospects: #6 Jhoan Duran

Ahhh! This is the prospect I wanted to read about the most. He has dynamic stuff. I really hope they keep him as a starter at least until he indicates some limits on durability. He seems to have great movement on his pitches.

I do hope his delivery becomes a bit smoother over time.

Seems like he abbreviates his follow thru, but still his delivery doesn't look like a max effort strain. The vertical movement on his breaking stuff is worth piles of money. Even if they know it's coming, most guys won't be able to straighten it out. He sure does look like a future starter in the majors. Possibly a good one.

To me he`s our real diamond in the rough left. Diamonds are very rare (very hard to come by)  & precious so we need to take good care of them & hold onto them. Only a year older than Graterol he has many years to develop into an ace we desperately need. His talent we need to keep him as a starter & make every attempt to do so. Not make the same mistake the 3X. The small temporary gain of having him in an already full BP is not worth the cost of not grooming him as our future ace.

Was excited when the Twins got him in the trade and am still excited about Duran.  The K9 has always been there.  His FIP and XFIP are better than his ERA so no regression worries.  He is who he is which is a very good pitcher.  Like others have said if can be just a bit more consistent on the delivery this guy looks like a stud.  He looks like someone that can make me forget about Escobar.

Was excited when the Twins got him in the trade and am still excited about Duran.  The K9 has always been there.  His FIP and XFIP are better than his ERA so no regression worries.  He is who he is which is a very good pitcher.  Like others have said if can be just a bit more consistent on the delivery this guy looks like a stud.  He looks like someone that can make me forget about Escobar.

I will never forget about Escobar and hope that someday he returns, perhaps as a utility guy at the end of his career.

But this kid sure looks like he can be special.  As for a Top 100 ranking next year, I think not as I don't want him to retain rookie status in 2021.  Someone is going to be this year's Randy Dobnak and push his way up several levels to the Twins.  Why not Duran?

Will likely start season in AA, but since on 40 man may be called up for spot start or to cover short stay on IL. Very exciting prospect, looks like he had passed Graterol in Twins evaluation as possible starters. Besides Thorpe, Dobnak, and Smeltzer who made their MLB debut last year, definitely the next in line as potential starter, and most likely top of rotation starter

Jeffers and Duran can't make it into the Twins top five prospects. What a dynamic farm system they have. Future looks bright.

 

But this kid sure looks like he can be special.  As for a Top 100 ranking next year, I think not as I don't want him to retain rookie status in 2021.  Someone is going to be this year's Randy Dobnak and push his way up several levels to the Twins.  Why not Duran?

How about a top 100 ranking right now?  Eric Longenhagen just released his top 100 on Fangraphs.  https://blogs.fangraphs.com/2020-top-100-prospects/  Duran comes in at 63.

I’m always leery of pitchers who struggle with command. There are plenty of guys who throw hard but fail in the majors

Kid looks special. Like the word and glimpses of Balocovic as well. I applaud the FO in regard to being aggressive with prospects and challenging them. But the beauty is, we don't have to feel compelled to rush either of them.

I like this guy a lot. The fastballs look great and if he can develop that curve against righties and the change against lefties then he's going to have the arsenal to stick in the rotation.

AA should be a good test for him this year: more advanced hitters who won't flail at everything and more guys who might not get overwhelmed by the heat, so his command should have to improve for him to dominate.

I think the bullpen is deep enough they won't be looking to move him in as a late season flamethrower: his development track as a starter looks good and he could be competing for a job in the rotation in 2021 if he has a strong year. I'd love to see him continue to roll and be the 5th starter in 2021 and a top 3 guy for years to come. He's got the stuff. If he can refine it he's going to be great.

I would like to see Duran get his feet wet at the major league level this year and be key part of the rotation next year. Whether that is a solid number 4 or  better for his first full year. It would be great to see Duran and Balazovic fill 2 spots in that 5 man rotation in 2021.

3 walks per 9 is Odorizzi level but most pitchers considered aces have that much closer to 2 walks/9.    I love pitchers that are capable of throwing 100mph but don't especially love when they actually throw that hard, especially in the minors.   I know even the soft throwers (90 mph is soft?) develop arm problems but max effort doesn't seem worth it.    I would think if he settles in around 95 it would help his command also.

I will never forget about Escobar and hope that someday he returns, perhaps as a utility guy at the end of his career.

 

But this kid sure looks like he can be special.  As for a Top 100 ranking next year, I think not as I don't want him to retain rookie status in 2021.  Someone is going to be this year's Randy Dobnak and push his way up several levels to the Twins.  Why not Duran?

I would love to see Almost Everyday Eduardo back!

6-5, 230. Balazovic closing in on 6-5, 220.

It doesn't guarantee anything, but when assessing the chances that someone can sling a baseball 95 mph 3000+ times over the course of a summer, like a major-league starter will...the stats above help...a lot.

I’m anxious to see how this top 5 plays out... Lewis, Larnach, Kirilloff, Balazovic...who is the 5th guy in the Twins Minor Leagues? AND that guy is in the top 5? WHO is it?!?! THE MYSTERY!!

I’m anxious to see how this top 5 plays out... Lewis, Larnach, Kirilloff, Balazovic...who is the 5th guy in the Twins Minor Leagues? AND that guy is in the top 5? WHO is it?!?! THE MYSTERY!!

I heard Nick Punto is making a come back.

I think the mystery guy is the new number 30 player--probably one of the honorable mentions.  He'll replace Graterol.

I've seen Duran throw a few times now in the minors.  He's one of those guys you stop your conversation for because of the pop you heard after the pitch.  Don't get me wrong.  When I'm at a game, I watch, but he just has that pop.  I'm excited about this guy we got for a utility player...my favorite utility guy of all time.