As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Things didn't go as the Twins fans or the Twins faithful had hoped in 2024. The usual issues that show up when you build your roster around a few batters who, while healthy, are fantastic are the key part of this whole thing. The Twins are one of the better organizations at coaxing more out of pitchers, and they show a feel for attacking pitching early and often in drafts and trade returns. They are one of the teams with some of the highest financial constraints in the league, and they have to get creative and build a good pitching staff in the aggregate. Their farm system is headlined by two of the more controversial hitting prospects in the space. Some publications will argue for Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez as higher OFP prospects, but we feel comfortable with them being closer to the Top 20 prospects in the game than the Top 10 prospects. Rodriguez is far too patient for our liking, and Walker Jenkins has not shown the [power one would expect when you hear others talk about him. The Twin's biggest surprise for even us was Connor Prielipp, who had the most underrated season in the minors and revived his prospect status for us and many others we talked to. Ultimately, this is a strong system that lacks the star power of other teams that are comparable to the Twins, but they have a nice collection of upper minors arms and some upside bats that, while good, have some flaws.
About Our Top 20 Lists
Prospects Live, led by its evaluating team & Director of Scouting Rhys White, is proud to begin rolling out its annual offseason system reports. The team combines industry feedback, our live looks, film, and available data to compile each org. We believe this effort has enabled us to present you, the reader, with our best possible view of the prospects in the organization.
We have constructed this list using the Overall Future Potential (OFP) scale. There is no perfect equation for ranking prospects or assigning value to them, but we believe this method is the best possible approach. Every prospect on this list has been graded based on the tried and true 20-80 scouting scale. An 80 is the highest tool and OFP grade on the scale, reserved for MVP-caliber players or tools. Conversely, a 20 is reserved for non-prospects (NPs). A 50 OFP falls in the middle, indicating our evaluators deem this player a future average major league player. Below the 50 OFP tier are the 45s and 40s, comprising a large majority of players on each list. These are specific-role players, such as platoon hitters, utility players, or low-leverage relievers. Above the 50 OFP tier are the 55s and 60s. A 55 represents a future above-average player, and a 60 OFP designation is reserved for future All-Star caliber players.
In addition to the tool grades and OFP, we will also include a 'Risk' associated with each prospect. We use this to better communicate to you, the reader, whether a grade is more aggressive or conservative in nature. The evaluation team has worked hard to apply both the grades and risk components to better illustrate how each individual prospect stacks up in their respective system and in the baseball ecosystem.
Evaluators: Rhys White, Tyler Jennings, Alex Kempton, Trevor Hooth, Jamie Cameron, Adam Kiel
1. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF - 55 OFP 2. Walker Jenkins, OF - 55 OFP 3. Luke Keaschall, 2B - 55 OFP 4. Kaelen Culpepper, 3B - 50 OFP 5. Connor Prielipp, LHP - 50 OFP 6. Dasan Hill, LHP - 50 OFP 7. Rayne Doncon, 3B - 50 OFP 8. C.J. Culpepper, RHP - 45 OFP 9. Andrew Morris, RHP - 45 OFP 10. Billy Amick, 3B- 45 OFP 11. Brandon Winokur, SS - 45 OFP 12. Cory Lewis, RHP - 45 OFP 13. Charlee Soto, RHP - 45 OFP 14. Eduardo Beltre, OF - 45 OFP 15. Marco Raya, RHP - 45 OFP 16. Yasser Mercedes, OF - 45 OFP 17. Dameury Pena, SS - 45 OFP 18. Kyle DeBarge, SS - 45 OFP 19. Tanner Schobel, 2B- 40 OFP 20. Gabriel Gonzalez, OF - 40 OFP
Scouting Reports
OF Emmanuel Rodriguez
DOB: 02/28/2003
HT: 5-11
WT: 210
H/T: L/L
Acquired: 2019 IFA
Highest Level: Triple-A
ETA: 2025
Rule V: 40-Man
Grades
Hit
Power
Field
Throw
Run
OFP
Risk
40
60
55
60
55
55
High
SCOUTING REPORT
Rodriguez is one of the most tantalizing prospects in baseball due to his unique combination of on-base ability, close-to top-of-the-scale bat speed, and raw power that offers a chance for him to be a middle-of-the-order bat. It's a thick, muscular frame with shorter levers that help him stay direct to the ball. Rodriguez has a quiet operation in the batter's box underpinned by a shoulder-height handset and a small stride as he swings. Explosive rotational acceleration is the foundation of close-to-the-top-of-the-scale exit velocities (with a max north of 117 mph and a 90th percentile exit velocity of 112.8 mph in a minuscule AAA sample). While Rodriguez's on-base ability is impressive (24.9 BB% in 2024), his approach flirts with the line between patience and passivity. His 31.9% Swing% would be dead last in MLB (although he's been getting more aggressive on pitches over the heart of the plate), and swing-and-miss issues led to a 29.4 K% in 2024. It's fair to question how much Rodriguez will hit at the MLB level. His 27.3 InZoneWhiff% was around 9% higher than average at AAA, albeit in a small sample, and he's shown vulnerability at the top of the strike zone. While he might not look the part, Rodriguez's defense is an underrated asset of his game. His above-average speed, efficient route running, and aptitude for controlling his body at the catch point all stand out, aided by a plus arm. As he ages and thickens, Rodriguez may lose the foot speed to man centerfield effectively, but the skill set should lend itself to a plus right field. Rodriguez remains a unique blend of offensive skills with the potential to be a middle-of-the-order bat if he can navigate contact concerns and hit just enough - Jamie Cameron
FANTASY SPIN
Can Em-Rod be Juan Soto, minus the batting average but with speed? That could be his ceiling if he can stay healthy. His walk rate provides a solid foundation for more stolen base opportunities, which would help offset a lower batting average. This makes him a significant asset in OBP leagues. Rodriguez might also be platoon-proof, given his strong performance against lefties in the minors, which is vital since the Twins are known for being platoon-heavy. Right now, you'll often see Rodriguez ranked among the top 10 prospects, but he's one of the few with genuine #1 overall potential. After finishing last season in Triple-A and undergoing thumb surgery, he could be on track to make his MLB debut as early as 2025. -Tom Gates
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
Watch Path to the Show on Bally Sports Live & Stadium! | Check out the On Deck Podcast! | Dynasty Team Writer/Podcaster | I love the Tennessee Volunteers, milk, pitchers, catchers, & you <3 P4:13
Director of Dynasty Content - Canadian born and raised, moved to Arkansas with my wife and two sons Ezra and Ari. Followed and played baseball my whole life; played dynasty for 25+ years.
Sophomore undergraduate student at Indiana University studying Sports Marketing & Management. Staff writer for Prospects Live covering MiLB prospects, MLB Draft, and Fantasy Baseball
As Director of Pro Scouting, I lead a talented group of evaluators as we break down future stars. You can find me at random California League games throughout the season!
A Giants fan living in San Diego, been playing fantasy baseball since 2005 and dynasty since 2021. Started the Dynasty Baseball Pickups podcast in June 2023 and joined Prospects Live in March of 2024.
