I have not done this in a few seasons, but I always enjoyed
doing this article, so I am bringing this back. I love following the minor
league system of the Minnesota Twins. It helps me kind of feel a connection to
these players and cheer for their success. I check up every day on how the
prospects are doing. I like seeing these guys work their way up to promotions,
so here are my top five players in the Twins minor league system who deserve to
be promoted. A few of the guys who would be on my list were promoted earlier
this season and thus, will not be on the list. I also tend to avoid people who
have been on their teams for just 2023, but it doesn’t always happen. So here
is my list:
5) Brooks Lee, INF, Wichita
If you just look at his numbers, they may not wow you,
especially for a top 10 pick a season ago. However, he is having a really solid
year. When looking for guys to put in this slot, I thought he was the best one,
especially after guys who I originally had in my top five were C.J. Culpepper
and Jack Noble, but Culpepper was promoted the day I started writing this. Lee,
who many dub as the Twins top prospect, has clubbed seven home runs and a league-best
28 doubles, which have contributed to a more than respectable .800 OPS heading
into the second half of the season. While he deserves a promotion, I think he
will spend the entire season in Wichita and begin next season with the St. Paul
Saints.
4. Kala'i Rosario, OF, Cedar Rapids
I debated putting him on the list, but ultimately, I could
not find someone better. I mentioned that I try to avoid putting guys on here
that are in their first season with the club, but Rosario is beasting. He is
also just 20 and this is his first season of real success in the minors, as he
posted a .239 batting average and .728 OPS in low-A Fort Myers in 2022. Not
sure what has happened, but he has turned it on this season with the high-A
Cedar Rapids Kernels. In 73 games this season, he has a terrific OPS of .864,
hitting 12 home runs and driving in 50. Incredibly, he nearly had those exact
home run and RBI totals last season. His on base percentage of .380 is worlds
better than his .320 mark in 2022, helped in large part by drawing 44 walks,
already more than the 34 he coaxed last season in 109 games. I don’t know if
he’ll move up to double-A Wichita this season, but he will definitely be there
next season and could work his way to the top 20 in Twins prospect lists.
3. DaShawn Keirsey Jr., OF, Wichita
It was getting late for Keirsey to reach the bigs, but the
26-year-old has been tremendous for the Wind Surge this season. Keirsey has a
.303 batting average and a terrific .820 OPS. This is his fifth season in the
minors and has already has more homers this season (9) than he had in his best
homer season previously (7). He is a thief on the basepaths, stealing 28 bases
this season and 42 last year and there is always use for that on the big league
club. His two best seasons are in Wichita and is currently having his best
year. In the coming seasons, I think he could be a really solid bench
outfielder to play occasionally and come in and pinch run.
2. Yunior Severino, INF, Wichita
Still just 23 years of age, it seems like he has been in the
Twins system for about a decade. Severino was signed by the Atlanta Braves but
became a free agent after the MLB penalized the Braves for breaking
international signing rules. He got off to a blistering start and has cooled
off but is still hitting a respectable .276 with 17 homers and an OPS of an
impressive .871. With Austin Martin and Anthony Prato (who is having an
outstanding season) kind of blocking him with the Saints, he could be in Kansas
through the end of the year. Yunior has played in 114 games with the Wind Surge
and has hit 25 homers and driven in 71. He only has walked 40 times and struck
out 145 times, so he needs to work on that, but I think a promotion should be
in order.
1. 1. Tanner Schobel, INF, Cedar Rapids
Tanner is tearing it up with Cedar Rapids. The 68th
overall pick from the 2022 draft has moved up rapidly. After being drafted, he
went to the FCL before quickly moving up to Fort Myers. Schobel recorded just a
.237 batting average in the two leagues, but still started in Cedar Rapids in
2023. After a slow start, he has turned it on since May. After one month, he
was hitting just .203 with an OPS of .608, hitting just three homers and 13 RBI
in 18 games. Since then, he has hit .322 with 11 home runs and 45 RBI. Since it
would be four levels in two seasons, I am not sure he will be moving up,
especially since just turned 22 years of age, but he has earned it.
