Six players from the Minnesota Twins’ minor league system were ranked in MLB.com’s Top 100 Prospects.
That’s really good. But not as impressive as the eight prospects Baseball Prospectus included in its Top 101 rankings.
Outfielder Byron Buxton is the No. 1 overall prospect for a second year in a row. He’s followed by third baseman Miguel Sano (12), right-handed pitcher Alex Meyer (14), right-handed pitcher Kohl Stewart (28), right-handed pitcher Jose Berrios (48), shortstop Nick Gordon (70), left-handed pitcher Lewis Gordon (91) and right-handed pitcher Nick Burdi (99).
Buxton and Sano remain near the top of the rankings despite injuries derailing their 2014 seasons. Buxton had nagging wrist injuries and a concussion while Sano underwent Tommy John surgery.
On #TwinsHotStove @OfficialBuck103 "I'm more prepared for this year than I have been for any other season."
— TwinsRadio (@TwinsRadio) February 12, 2015
The eight rising stars are the most of any team in the Top 101. Overall, the publication slotted the Twins No. 2 in its 2015 Organizational Rankings. The Chicago Cubs (seven players in the Top 101) are ranked No. 1.
#MNTwins 8 prospects on @baseballpro top 101 is more than 6 teams combined:
0-MIA
1- MIL, OAK, LAA, DET
2-CWS#powershift— Mike BerardinoNDI (@MikeBerardino) February 16, 2015
Here is Baseball Prospectus’ evaluation Minnesota’s farm system:
“After resting atop these rankings in 2014, the Twins managed to retain their lofty title despite injury-marred seasons from two of the game’s elite prospects, Byron Buxton and Miguel Sano. Even with their arrivals delayed due to injury, both prospects headline an impressive crop of talent that was augmented by top picks Nick Gordon and Nick Burdi; both of whom offer impact potential. When combined with the continued progress of Alex Meyer, Kohl Stewart, Jose Berrios, and Lewis Thorpe, and depth provided by the likes of Eddie Rosario and Trevor May, the Twins boast an enviable collection of talent with the potential to push them back up the Central Division standings in the years to come.”
Baseball Prospectus added that Minnesota’s Double-A affiliate, the New Britain Rock Cats, were the best of the team’s farm clubs thanks to elite-level Buxton, Sano, Burdi and Berrios.
