The Minnesota Twins have had a successful year in terms of their farm system, despite some of their top prospects losing their “prospect” status. Rookies Brooks Lee and David Festa recently surpassed the thresholds of 130 at-bats and 50 innings in the majors, respectively, making them ineligible for the prospect label. They join Simeon Woods Richardson and Austin Martin, who lost their prospect status earlier this year.
While the Twins’ farm system will slide in the rankings without these four players, it doesn’t diminish their value or the overall success of the system. The Twins have been ranked as one of the top five farm systems by MLB.com, Baseball America, and ESPN. This is a testament to the depth and talent within the organization.
In this article, we will take a closer look at three of the Twins’ top prospects who are not yet in the big leagues: Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Luke Keaschall.
Walker Jenkins, a center fielder, has had an impressive season in the minors. As a 19-year-old, he was promoted to Double-A Wichita for the final week of the season. Jenkins was the fifth overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft and has proven himself as a top-10 global prospect. He has excelled both at the plate and in center field, showcasing his hitting ability and speed on the basepaths. What sets Jenkins apart is his rare achievement of playing Double-A games during his age-19 season, a feat unmatched by any Twins hitting prospect in the last 25 years. There is a strong possibility that Jenkins will reach the majors in his age-20 season and could potentially become the number one prospect in all of baseball.
Emmanuel Rodriguez, another outfielder, has also made a name for himself in the minors. Despite missing significant time due to a thumb injury, Rodriguez has solidified his status as a top-30 prospect. He impressed with his performance in Double-A, posting impressive numbers as a 21-year-old. The Twins have shown confidence in Rodriguez by promoting him to Triple-A St. Paul as soon as he was cleared to return from his injury. Rodriguez possesses an elite power-speed combination and exceptional plate discipline, drawing walks at an impressive rate. With his hitting ability and defensive skills, Rodriguez is poised to make an impact for the Twins in the near future.
Luke Keaschall, a versatile player who can play second base, center field, and first base, had a breakout season before undergoing Tommy John surgery for a right elbow injury. Despite knowingly playing through the injury, Keaschall had a productive season at High-A Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita. His performance earned him a spot as a consensus top-100 prospect. Keaschall’s ability to get on base, along with his speed and power, makes him a valuable asset. The Twins recognized his potential and decided to proceed with the surgery earlier in the season, allowing him to have a full recovery and be ready for the 2025 season. Although his call-up timeline may be influenced by his recovery, there is a possibility that Keaschall could be in the majors by the age of 23.
The Minnesota Twins have a promising group of prospects who are making waves in the minor leagues. Despite losing prospect status, players like Walker Jenkins, Emmanuel Rodriguez, and Luke Keaschall continue to demonstrate their value and potential. These young players, along with the Twins’ overall successful farm system, provide optimism for the team’s future. As they continue to develop, their contributions could be instrumental in the Twins’ success at the major league level.