MN Twins Calling Up Another First Round Pick

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MN Twins Calling Up Another First Round Pick

MN Twins Calling Up Another First Round Pick — USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect

Ted Schwerzler · Minnesota Sports Fan

Mon, Sep 21, 2026 ·

4 min read

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At 73-83 the Minnesota Twins have officially fallen out of postseason contention in the American League, and coming off a four-game split against one of baseball's worst teams, in the Los Angeles Angels .

Thankfully, for all involved, the Twins have just two series (six games) remaining on their regular season schedule , a "grand" finale that starts tonight in San Francisco and ends this weekend back at home against the Texas Rangers .

As the season began to spiral, and even before that, the Twins have used the second half of 2026 to call up and get big league experience for most of their top prospects, all of whom have been knocking on the big league door most of the season.

The names, to this point, include former first round draft picks, Walker Jenkins and Kaelen Culpepper, along with top international signing, Emmanuel Rodriguez. In total, the Twins have already debuted 12 different rookies in 2026. And Monday night, they'll make that number lucky 13.

Aaron Sabato coming up for Minnesota Twins debut

As first reported by Star Tribune columnist Patrick Reusse , the Minnesota Twins are calling up their latest former first round draft pick, Aaron Sabato , a power-hitting 1B/DH type who they selected No. 27 overall back in 2020, out of UNC.

Few yrs ago, I was in The Fort early & talked w/ Aaron Sabato, Twins' 2020 first-rounder.
A team "source" told me: "I wouldn't make the article too optimistic. Nice guy, but if he doesn't pick it up when over in minors camp, he could get cut."
Monday, Aaron will be w/ Twins.

— Patrick Reusse (@Patrick_Reusse) September 21, 2026

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/Q5p0zlIqEk

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) September 21, 2026

Finally, after six minor league seasons, the 27-year-old slugger will get his shot at the Major League level. Given his lack of defensive bravado, Sabato's best path to the big leagues was always to absolutely crush minor league pitching, which he never really did, until the past year and a half.

What to expect from Sabato

While at North Carolina, Sabato showed immense power that quickly translated to 19 home runs during his first professional season, between Cedar Rapids and Fort Myers (107 games).

After a rough 2024, the righty-handed tank of a human has been on the upward trend, posting an .809 OPS in 2025, a season he finish at Triple-A.

Sabato's development has peaked in 2026, though. In 113 games with the Saints this summer, Sabato batted .273 with an .877 OPS, including 25 home runs — a career-high for him and a single-season record for St. Paul.

Aaron Sabato hit his 19th home run of the season for the @StPaulSaints .
The former Twins first round pick looks ready for The Show. pic.twitter.com/i2FrGNUjTF

— Ted (@tlschwerz) July 31, 2026

What he's also brought from his collegiate days… are a ton of strikeouts. The New York native struck out 149 and 142 times, respectively, during his first two seasons in MN's farm system.

At Triple A the past two summers, Sabato shouldered a brutal 25.3% strikeout rate , meaning we can expect more than one strikeout every three to four at bats, at the big league level.

MN Twins turning attention to 2027

Regardless of whether there will be baseball in 2027 or not, the Minnesota Twins chances to compete are in the years ahead — a thought we are used to in this fanbase.

They have a strong group of young talented baseball players who emerged as legitimate big leaguers this season, but the roster needs more if they are going to be legitimate AL Central competitors in 2027 or beyond.

In all likelihood, Aaron Sabato will not factor into the team's plans next season. However, this is a big opportunity for him to put good at bats on tape, and maybe even put up a few highlight swings that might get teams excited this offseason.

What more can we say about the season @SabatoAaron is having. He calls game with this walk-off 2-run HR. Came in with a .954 OPS on the season. Hits his 11th long ball of the year. pic.twitter.com/yf7FOfthiI

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) June 7, 2026

Adding Sabato to the 40-man roster gives him an inside track for 2027, at least until the offseason officially begins. The Twins have risked having him taken in the Rule 5 Draft the past couple years, but will they do that again this offseason? That's something worth watching.

If nothing else, at least for the next six games, Sabato taking up a bench spot provides the MN Twins with more value than the third catcher they've been carrying since the All-Star break.