There was some mixed news for the Minnesota Twins when MLBPipeline.com announced it’s top 100 prospects for 2016.
Los Angeles’ Corey Seager passed highly-touted Twins prospect Byron Buxton at the top of the list this year. Buxton remained near the top at No. 2 overall.
Minnesota’s top pitching prospect Jose Berrios is now No. 19 overall – the only other Twins’ prospect in the top 20. Outfielder Max Kepler is No.44, left-handed pitcher Tyler Jay is No. 60, shortstop Nick Gordon is No. 91 and infielder Jorge Polanco is No. 97.
Buxton, who made his Major League debut for the Twins last year, but still has rookie status for 2016. Buxton had another outstanding year in the Minors, hitting .305/.367/.500 with seven homers, 13 triples and 22 stolen bases in 72 games between Double-A Chattanooga and Triple-A Rochester.
He struggled in the Majors though, hitting just .209/.250/.326 in 46 games, but he showed some promise with his play in September.
Jose Berrios climbs into the Top 20 prospects
While there was serious talk about calling Berrios up during the Twins’ playoff chase last year, Minnesota resisted the temptation and left him in the minors.
But MLB Pipeline says the right hander is close.
“In the end, long-term future won out, but there’s no question the two-time Futures Gamer is knocking on the door loudly.
Berrios has a terrific combination of stuff and feel, especially for someone of his age. A terrific athlete, he has a live, quick arm that can consistently fire fastballs at the mid-90s level. Berrios’ curveball has improve so much that it’s almost an out pitch for him at this point.”
Kepler made a brief debut in the Majors last season after putting up numbers that won him the Southern League MVP at Double-A Chattanooga. He is projected to make it to the Twins this season as well.
There is a lot of promise in left-hander Jay, but he’s not expected to debut until 2018, and Gordon is on the same track.
The other prospect who may find himself with the Twins this year is Polanco. MLBPipeline notes that scouts say he is ready to hit Major League pitching now, but with Trevor Plouffe, Miguel Sano, Eduardo Escobar and Brian Dozier finding him consistent at bats in the Twins lineup might be tough.
