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Experts Split Big Time on Twins Farm System
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- Experts Split Big Time on Twins Farm System
William Parmeter
It wasn't all that long ago when the Minnesota Twins farm system was considered the second-best in baseball . That assessment came from MLB Pipeline, who have four Minnesota prospects in their recently unveiled top 100 .
With Grapefruit League action just around the corner, we have new lists from Baseball America , ESPN , and The Athletic . Some of those outlets are now dropping their team rankings as well.
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ESPN gives MN Twins top 10 honors
Kiley McDaniel (ESPN) has been working with prospect evaluation forever. From his time at FanGraphs, to that spent in multiple front offices, and now at ESPN, he knows his stuff. McDaniel isn't as high on the Minnesota Twins as MLB Pipeline was, but an 8th ranking is hard to get mad about.
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The top of the Twins' list looks similar to last year after losing Luke Keaschall and Zebby Matthews to graduation and replacing them with the headliner from the Jhoan Duran trade in Eduardo Tait. Kendry Rojas also was acquired at the deadline, ranking 163rd, and Mick Abel just barely graduated after being included in the Duran return.
I like their draft haul, with a low-floor shortstop in Marek Houston and maybe the prospect with the highest ceiling in the draft in Quentin Young, along with possibly the highest-ceiling college pitcher in Riley Quick.
Keep an eye on Dasan Hill (161st) for a possible breakout and also No. 54 prospect Connor Prielipp as a stealth Rookie of the Year contender if he can get into the rotation in time.
Graduations to Keaschall and Matthews take away from the system, but neither were at the top of the list. Walker Jenkins still has immense firepower as a top 10 prospect, and he's a potential Rookie of the Year candidate as well ( 16/1 odds – 10th ).
Grading a farm system is often about the depth behind those top tier names. As McDaniel mentions, Minnesota's first round pick from 2025, Marek Houston, isn't included among the top 100 prospects. He's certainly a safe bet as a defensive-ready player now, and Quentin Young has the lineage of Dmitri and Delmon to lean on.
Last season we saw the MN Twins dip deep into their pitching depth due to injuries. They won't be calling up Dasan Hill this year, but he can continue to develop. Connor Prielipp might be among the most exciting arms on the farm, he just needs to stay healthy and get a chance.
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Keith Laws knocks down Minnesota Twins
Often controversial for his prospect rankings, Keith Law (The Athletic) actually seemed quite fair to the Minnesota Twins in his top 100. Then came their positioning as a system where Law placed them 21st.
The Twins would be much higher if they could just keep their best guys healthy. Two of their top three prospects have missed time every year with injuries, but I still see so much offensive potential in Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez that I just can't quit them. The Twins' system leans position player, with some pitchers in their second tier who are very intriguing and seem poised to make a leap … if they stay healthy, that is.
It's beyond fair to note that Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez have both consistently been hurt. That said, it seems much more fluke than systemic when it comes to Jenkins. Either way, with both at Triple-A, them staying on the field should help to earn quick trips across town.
Gabriel Gonzalez was 3-5 with his 6th HR for @StPaulSaints today.
On the final home game of the season, Walker Jenkins also went yard. pic.twitter.com/oHdOSV5I2u— Ted (@tlschwerz) September 14, 2025
Minnesota's system has more mid-level pitchers at the higher levels outside of Prielipp. I can understand why lottery ticket types, even with high ceilings, would be a cause for concern. However, the discrepancy between Law's ranking and virtually everyone else is again noteworthy.
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