Nash Walker

It hasn't been an easy journey for Lewis, whom the Twins selected with the first overall pick in 2017. After a difficult season in 2019, Lewis lost the 2020 season due to Covid and then tore his ACL just before the 2021 campaign. Looking to put it all together in a healthy 2022, it's a pivotal year for the former top global prospect. View full video

Undoubtedly the biggest breakout during the 2021 campaign, José Miranda turned heads in a massive way. Miranda hit for average, power, and rarely struck out in a historically good Minor League season. Miranda led the minors in total bases and blasted 30 homers. The question is no longer whether Miranda will make it to the majors, it's when he'll become a regular in Minnesota. View full video

I can watch these on my computer. I'll ask Brock for you!

Our selection for top Twins pitching prospect, Jordan Balazovic has grown immensely since the Twins drafted him in 2016. Balazovic, 23, works with a mid-90s fastball with a plus curveball and changeup. Balazovic's teammates rave about his stuff, and rightly so. If healthy, it's almost a certainty Balazovic will debut for the Twins in 2022. View full video

It was an exciting debut for Joe Ryan, whom the Twins acquired from the Rays along with Drew Strotman at the deadline. Ryan's invisiball translated well into four of his five MLB starts, and Twins fans are understandably excited to see how he follows it up in 2022. View full video

Matt Canterino has gained considerable buzz since the Twins drafted him out of Rice in 2019. Already polished in college, Canterino added multiple ticks to his fastball, now reaching the upper-90s. He has a sharp breaking ball and a recently-developed changeup. Canterino has struck out a ridiculous 43% of hitters in the minors. With an eye toward health in 2022, he's a candidate to reach Minnesota in short order. View full video

Duran struck out 14 of the first 28 hitters he faced at Triple-A last year, flashing his triple-digits fastball and heralded splinker. It went downhill from there. Duran injured his elbow and his season ended prematurely, a big blow after a lost 2020 season. Looking to stay healthy in 2022, Duran remains among the best pitching prospects in this system. View full video

It's been a long, winding journey for SWR since the Mets drafted him in 2018. Traded to the Blue Jays at the 2019 deadline, Woods Richardson enjoyed a strong Minor League season, especially for someone so young. Two deadlines later, the Jays flipped him and top prospect Austin Martin for José Berríos. Now the former top-100 prospect is a member of the Twins organization, with eyes toward a rebound in 2022. View full video

The Twins drafted prep starter Chase Petty in the first round last summer, adding a potentially lethal pitcher to the farm system. Petty, 18, has a fastball that reaches triple digits and pairs it with a sharp biting slider. There are certainly risks in drafting an electric high school pitcher, but the reward could be significant. View full video

Josh Winder was dominant for the Double-A Wind Surge last summer, combining increased velocity (95-96) with two plus offspeed pitches. Winder is polished, experienced, and a great bet to debut for the Twins this summer. View full video

Our Numbers 11-15 prospects include two young, exciting right-handed starters and three rising position players. View full video

Over the next few weeks, Twins Daily is releasing its top 20 Twins prospects. We started with Honorable Mentions and now move on to Numbers 16-20. Twins prospects ranking between 16-20 in our series highlights a dynamic group of players, some brimming with upside and others with higher perceived floors. Let's break it down. 20. LHP Steve Hajjar Age: 21 2021 (Michigan): 14 starts, 81 2/3 IP, 3.09 ERA, 32% K, 8.5% BB The Twins selected Hajjar with the 61st pick in last June’s draft, expressing serious interest in Massachusetts's 2018 Gatorade Player of the Year. Hajjar is a sizeable lefty with a plus-changeup. Like Bailey Ober and Joe Ryan, Hajjar’s fastball gets on hitters promptly because of his extension. Hajjar was excellent in his two seasons at Michigan, pitching to a 3.01 ERA with a 31% strikeout rate in just over 100 innings. Hajjar has a deceptive delivery, relying primarily on a fastball-changeup combo with a loopy curve. Hajjar has a chance to move quickly up the system. 19. INF Edouard Julien Age: 22 2021 (A-A+): 112 games, .267/.434/.480, 28 2B, 18 HR, 34/39 SB, 28% K, 21% BB Julien had an exciting season last summer. He walked or struck out in nearly half of his plate appearances while nabbing 34 bases in 39 tries. Julien hit .267 but walked 110 times. It was a strong season overall for Julien, but there are some blemishes, especially considering he’s still in the low minors. With a left-handed stroke, Julien reached base in 44% of his appearances against right-handed pitchers. Julien logged 20 starts at first base, 38 at second base, 22 at third, 15 in left field, and 15 at DH. Like many of the other position players in the Twins’ system, Julien will continue to play all over the diamond. 18. INF Spencer Steer Age: 24 2021 (A+-AA): 110 games, .254/.348/.484, 18 2B, 3 3B, 24 HR, 21.5% K, 11% BB An example of the Twins helping their contact-oriented prospects tap into more power; Steer hit 24 homers in 110 games in 2021. He had never hit more than six homers in a season, dating back to Oregon. Steer broke out at Cedar Rapids before struggling initially in Wichita. He had a 26-game stretch where he hit .307/.371/.634 (1.004 OPS) for the Surge. Steer worked hard to add more pop to his bat, and his progression has significantly improved his ceiling. Instead of a future slap-hitting utility player, Steer now projects as a potential double-digit homer bat. Steer’s development is certainly encouraging. 17. RHP Blayne Enlow Age: 22 2021 (A+): 3 starts, 14 2/3 IP, 1.84 ERA, 39% K, 10% BB Enlow was off to a terrific start in Cedar Rapids before an elbow injury (and Tommy John surgery) ended his season. Enlow will have thrown just 14 2/3 Minor League innings in over two years when he returns. Even then, the Twins chose to protect him by adding him to the 40-man roster this offseason. The Twins signed Enlow for $2M in the 2017 draft, pulling him away from a commitment to LSU with an over-slot bonus. Enlow’s fastball had ticked up last summer, an encouraging sign after it sat in the low-90s in a mediocre 2019. Enlow is young, talented, and driven and will be right back on the radar when he returns. 16. OF Emmanuel Rodríguez Age: 18 2021 (FCL): 37 games, .214/.346/.524, 5 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 37% K, 15% BB Rodríguez gained considerable buzz after his power-heavy debut for the FCL Twins. 58% of his plate appearances ended in a walk, strikeout, or home run. To slug .524 in his pro debut at 18 years old is reason enough for excitement, but there are things Rodríguez has to work on as he works his way up. Touted for his advanced approach at the plate, Rodríguez is oozing with projection. Scouts have tabbed Rodríguez with above-average speed in centerfield with a chance to stay there permanently. If you’re looking for a talented potential future top prospect for the Twins, Rodríguez is probably your best bet. MORE FROM TWINS DAILY — Latest Twins coverage from our writers — Recent Twins discussion in our forums — Follow Twins Daily via Twitter, Facebook, or email View full article

This group of Twins prospects features two breakouts from the 2021 season, a 40-man addition, a recent draft pick, and perhaps the most exciting young player in the system. View full video