Minnesota Twins Top Minor League Prospects

The Minnesota Twins have had some of the worst teams in baseball over the last two years. Injuries played a part to the dismal record, but lack of talent on the mound, in the field, and at the plate have dropped the Twins from perennial division contender to AL Central doormat. It has been a quick and painful fall into the cellar for Twins fans.

One of the most difficult parts of the free fall, other than the constant losing, has been the slim pickings from the farm system. What was once an envy of many teams around the league, the Twins farm system became depleted and bare under the reign of Bill Smith. Now with Terry Ryan back at the helm, there is a glimmer of hope in the farm system. Here are some of the most important minor-league prospects for Minnesota.

Byron Buxton, OF

Age: 19

Height/Weight: 6’1”, 188

Bats/Throws: R/R

Drafted/Signed: First round, 2012 (Appling County HS, Ga.)

Buxton was the No. 2 overall draft pick in 2012. He is an elite athlete and is lauded as having all the tools a prospect needs to be an All-Star outfielder. Scouts have anointed Buxton as a rare five-tool prospect–speed, power, arm strength, hitting for average, and fielding. While many of those tools are under-developed right now, he boasts impressive bat speed and power the Twins don’t often see in the lineup. His speed in the field gives him the range to play center and his excellent arm puts Buxton as the likely center fielder of the future.

Go to TC Huddle to review and analyze the rest of the Twins top prospects.