2017 Minnesota Twins Midseason Top 10 Prospects — College Baseball, MLB Draft, Prospects

Twins Midseason Top 10

1. Nick Gordon, SS/2B

2. Royce Lewis, SS

3. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP

4. Fernando Romero, RHP

5. Wander Javier, SS

6. Felix Jorge, RHP

7. Mitch Garver, C

8. Alex Kirilloff, OF

9. Brent Rooker, OF/1B

10. Zack Granite, OF

The Twins won 83 games in 2015 and still had prospects such as Byron Buxton, Miguel Sano, Max Kepler, Eddie Rosario and Jose Berrios who had yet to graduate to be full-time, established big leaguers. It seemed like Minnesota was on the verge of a major step forward.

Instead, almost all those young players struggled in 2016 (Kepler the lone real exception), the pitching staff fell apart and the Twins lost 103 games, the worst season since the club moved to Minnesota in 1961.

A year later, those young players have helped Minnesota rebound into contention in the American League Central, with a 46-45 record that defies a minus-65 run differential. Most significantly, those young players—with the exception of Buxton offensively—have been key pieces to contention. If Buxton ever hits, he’ll be a star thanks to his blinding speed and Garry Maddox-level defense, but patience is required for a 23-year-old who is a career .218 hitter in 682 at-bats.

Minnesota’s starting pitching could use a fix, and the Twins have prospects if first-year chief baseball officer Derek Falvey and new GM Thad Levine choose to act. The system’s top prospects—Double-A shortstop Nick Gordon, lefthander Stephen Gonsalves and righty Fernando Romero—all have taken steps forward this season. And that 103-loss season led the Twins to have the No. 1 pick and largest bonus pool in this year’s draft, where they added Southern California prep dynamo “Rolls” Royce Lewis to start their class.

1. Nick Gordon, SS/2B
Double-A Chattanooga
Age: 21

The lefthanded-hitting Gordon has taken the next step in his development, with more impact from his bat. No longer just content with contact, Gordon has traded some strikeouts for more power and ranks among the Southern League leaders in doubles and extra-base hits. Defensively, Gordon remains good enough at shortstop but won’t threaten to win any Gold Glove awards, and he’s played more second base in the season’s first half than in previous years. His struggles with lefthanded pitchers has continued, but his success against righthanders profiles him as a regular who should man a middle-infield spot.

2. Royce Lewis, SS
Rookie-level GCL Twins
Age: 18

The No. 1 overall pick in the draft and first-team High School All-American signed for a club-record $6.75 million bonus after a decorated prep career that included three MVP awards in the tough Trinity League. Lewis has significant upside with power, speed, instincts and a baseball-first mentality. The Twins believe his twitchy athleticism will allow him to stick at shortstop, although others see a center fielder.

3. Stephen Gonsalves, LHP
Double-A Chattanooga
Age: 22

Gonsalves started on the disabled list with shoulder discomfort but has excelled since returning in May. His fastball velocity is up to 90-94 mph and he gets good angle allowing him to shackle righthanded hitters (.636 OPS). He’s dramatically reduced his walk rate (from 4.5 to 1.7) and maintained his strikeout rate (10.8 to 10.6) from his 2016 Double-A debut to this season.

4. Fernando Romero, RHP
Double-A Chattanooga
Age: 22

Romero started the year slowly before settling into a groove. Since May 24, Romero has allowed just seven earned runs in 50.2 innings (1.24 ERA) with 54 strikeouts and 17 walks. He has a power fastball that reaches the upper 90s and is learning to work up and down in the zone with his heater and curveball while mixing in his slider and changeup.

5. Wander Javier, SS
Rookie-level Elizabethton
Age: 18

Signed for $4 million in 2015, Javier has a chance to be a two-way impact player with fluid defensive actions and a feel for the barrel. His bat requires projection but he’d gotten off to a good start in the Appalachian League. Javier has plus speed and range at shortstop, and quick wrists that produce some offensive snap.

6. Felix Jorge, RHP
Double-A Chattanooga
Age: 23

The 23-year-old Dominican remains a durable innings-eater who pounds the lower part of the strike zone with a 90-93 mph fastball, lacks the power stuff to live up in the zone (11 homers allowed in 91.2 minor league innings) and mixes and matches five pitches to vex hitters. He throws enough strikes to have earned a pair of big league starts.

7. Mitch Garver, C
Triple-A Rochester
Age: 26

Garver has taken a significant step forward, as many catchers do, at a later age. He has become an above-average offensive player with above-average power and plate discipline, and he ranked second in the International League in OPS. His bat is ahead of his glove, but Garver throws well enough and has improved his blocking and handling of a staff.

8. Alex Kirilloff, OF
Disabled list
Age: 19

Kirilloff was the Twins’ 2016 first-round pick and had a strong pro debut in the Rookie-level Appalachian League. However, the Pennsylvania prep product will miss all of 2017 after having Tommy John surgery in March. He could be ready to hit in instructional league but won’t make his full-season debut until 2018.

9. Brent Rooker, OF/1B
Rookie-level Elizabethton
Age: 22

Rooker he won the first Southeastern Conference triple crown since Rafael Palmeiro in 1984 and was drafted No. 38 overall by the Twins. He has shifted from first base to the outfield since signing, and his plus power helped him get off to a fast start with an Appalachian League-leading six home runs.

10. Zack Granite, OF
Minnesota
Age: 24

The late bloomer from Seton Hall just keeps hitting. His .361 average was leading the International League and earned him a July promotion to Minnesota. He’s a contact bat with 70-grade speed who can hit good stuff. He may not have impact power, but he can play all three outfield positions defensively.

RISING

• OF LaMonte Wade jumped to Double-A after just 32 games in high Class A last year, and the 23-year-old has continued to hit with gap power and exceptional plate discipline.

• Australian LHP Lewis Thorpe has come back strong after two years of inactivity following Tommy John surgery. He is 2-2, 2.78 at high Class A Fort Myers and working in the 87-93 mph range with his fastball.

• LHP Alex Robinson has a fastball that reached 98 mph at low Class A Cedar Rapids and was recently promoted.

FALLING

• RHP Kohl Stewart missed a month with elbow inflammation and is stuck at Double-A battling control issues.

• OF Daniel Palka hasn’t gotten to his big power as consistently in 2017 due to swing-and-miss struggles, and his defense has been exposed as below-average.

• SS Engelb Vielma is a defensive whiz, but his lack of hitting ability has resulted in a .509 OPS at Triple-A.

HURTING

• LHP Tyler Jay, the Twins 2015 first-round pick, was moved to the bullpen and then lost for the year after surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome.

• 2014 second-rounder RHP Nick Burdi succumbed to Tommy John surgery.

GRADUATING

• LHP Adalberto Mejia has given the big league rotation a lift, showing durability and strike-throwing ability.

• Several relievers have earned their first big league time—RHPs Alan Busenitz and Trevor Hildenberger stand out—but retain prospect eligibility.