With the MLB trade deadline creeping up (July 31), the Twins and other MLB teams will be shaking up their rosters by month’s end.
It’s obvious Minnesota needs some pitching help, specifically in the bullpen, while a high-end starting pitcher would help as well.
To make a trade, you have to give up worthy pieces and luckily the Twins’ farm system is loaded with talent. Here are five prospects who could be on the move at the deadline.
Brent Rooker, No. 7 prospect
Rooker’s power is legit. In 62 games at Triple-A Rochester, Rooker is slashing .286/.406/.550 with 14 home runs and 30 extra-base hits this season.
After a stellar career at Mississippi State, he was 22 years old when he was drafted 35th overall in the 2017 MLB Draft.
Now that he’s approaching 25, he’s getting closer to the big leagues and considering his power numbers, he probably could park some balls in the seats at the Major League level.
He’s played left field in Rochester this year, but it wouldn’t be surprising to see him move to first base. If top prospects Royce Lewis and Alex Kirlloff are off limits, Rooker would be the guy teams come calling for.
Nick Gordon, No. 11 prospect
Diehard Twins fans have been hearing about Gordon for a long time now. He was drafted fifth overall in 2014 as an 18-year-old out of high school in Orlando, Florida.
Although he’s had two separate stints on the IL this season, Gordon has been hitting the ball well in Rochester. Through 50 games, Gordon is slashing .290/.332/.449.
He’s not know for his power – just 23 home runs in the minors – but he’s a solid contact hitter who can wreak havoc on the base paths. Across six minor league seasons, he’s stolen 100 bases.
If the Twins feel content in the middle infield with Jorge Polanco and Jonathan Schoop, maybe they’ll deem Gordon expendable.
Jordan Balazovic, No. 5 prospect
Balazovic has quietly had a dominating year between Cedar Rapids and High-A Fort Myers. In 65.2 innings, the right-handed starting pitcher is 6-3, with a 2.74 ERA, with 91 strikeouts and just 19 walks in 65.2 innings. After starting the preseason as the 19th-best prospect, he’s risen to fifth in Minnesota’s system.
A native of Mississauga, Canada, Balazovic was drafted in 2016 in the fifth round. He seems to be a power pitcher but given the fact he still hasn’t reached Double-A, he’ll likely be in the minors for a while.
However, those numbers don’t lie and teams would love to bolster their farm system with an arm like his.
Balazovic is the second highest-rated Twins pitching prospect after Brusader Graterol. If the Twins want pitching help, they’ll likely have to part with future arms. With Graterol on the injured list with a shoulder injury, it’s likely he won’t be going anywhere. So Balazovic might be next in line.
Blayne Enlow, No. 10 prospect
Despite a rocky start in Cedar Rapids, Enlow earned a promotion to Fort Myers where he’s yielded much better results.
- Cedar Rapids: 4-3, 4.57 ERA, 41 innings, 44 strikeouts and 15 walks
- Fort Myers: 2-2, 1.95 ERA, 32 innings, 25 strikeouts and 8 walks
All in all, Enlow is 6-5 this season with an ERA of 4.03 while striking out nearly a batter per inning (69 strikeouts in 73.2 innings).
Although his stuff isn’t nearly as electric as Balazovic, he’ll likely be perched in the minors for a while. However, he was a higher draft pick (3rd round) and would be a nice add to any farm system.
Luis Arraez, No. 18 prospect
Despite not being a highly touted prospect, Arraez can flat out hit. Twins fans have already seen him hit well at the major league level, slashing a ridiculous .393/.453/.524 in 26 games this season.
Even though that’s not sustainable, Arraez is a professional hitter. In six minor league seasons, Arraez owns a career batting average of .331 and has drawn 122 walks while striking out just 129 times.
Also, he can play all over the diamond. To be honest, I think the Twins should be selling high on this guy. He might not be a top prospect, but his bat is obviously legit and you can plug him at a multitude of positions.
