Marco Raya - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	18	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	45	40	55	45	55/50

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 18 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 165 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 4
RuleV: 2024

Physical Description: Below average height and physicality. Small even for a six-footer, skinny without much bulk. High level of athleticism with the ability to add some muscle and strength without detracting from his ability to move on the mound.

Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; drop and drive delivery; 3/4 slot; moderate leg lift; plus arm speed. Repeats mechanics well; improved leg block and saw velocity climb during shutdown. Still quad dominant lower half in motion; likely an area to uncover more velocity in game.

Fastball: 89-92 mph; up to 93 mph in bullpens during the shutdown. Lots of cut movement late which plays up his fastball versus right handed hitters. Runs into lefty barrels when he throws glove-side. Likely to work on fastball shape in an attempt to add ride to his fastball, making it more effective in the upper quadrants and gloveside to lefties. Commands the pitch well now and his repeatable athletic motion allows him to project as a strike thrower. Fringe average fastball with projection for more. Grade: 45

Curveball: Third pitch with slow 12-6 break. Sits 73-75 mph, early count strike stealer to keep hitters off his FB+SL combination. Below average pitch he commands well. Not an out pitch but a true change of pace offering. Grade: 40

Slider: Sits 80-82 mph; touching 83. Above-average slider with heavy horizontal break. Bat missing pitch that jams lefties on and gets righthanders to chase. Commands it well pounding the zone gloveside. High spin (2600-2800 rpms) with good velocity, throws it hard and might be able to add a few ticks which would likely only up his strikeout rate. Shows the best feel for his slider of all his pitches. Grade: 55

Changeup: Low-80s changeup with some armside run late. Doesn't always get on top of it, and it can lack bite. Sells it with his arm speed, and has shown more consistency in pen. Needs to show he can use it effectively. Has the most projection out of all his pitches and his ability to sell it provides a strong foundation upon which to build. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Strike thrower with consistent control of his body. Repeatable deli every with loose athletic motions. Should only improve feel as he grows and adds velocity. Release point is consistent; with the ability to tunnel fastball and slider. Still learning feel for his changeup which is the biggest question mark in his control and command profile. Needs to work on armside location and command. Once he improves in that area there's a real chance he can develop into an above-average command guy. For now it's above-average strike throwing with average pitch placement. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: One of the best development plays in the 2020 MLB draft. A strong athletic baseline, a deep pitch mix, and feel for his arsenal. As he improves fastball velocity and shape it's likely he moves to a 55 grade when it's all said and done. For now that's speculative, as it still has to happen in actuality. His slider is all already an above-average offering with a chance to play better in the coming years. While his curveball will likely be phased out over time, his changeup development is the true sticking point in his future role as a starter. He's young and talented enough to bring it to an average grade at maturation which could see him develop into a true rotation arm with three average or better pitches and the ability to command the zone. A name to watch in the coming years.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5
Risk: High

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Matt Wallner - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	17	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	45	60	45	60	40

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 220 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 1 CBA
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Tall; strong physical build; with long levers, and strength throughout his frame. Physically maxed out; string athlete that was a two-way star in college his first two seasons.

Hit: Open-stance; hands set by back shoulder; high leg lift trigger mechanism. Good bat speed; longer bat path due to long levers. Has holes in his swing down and in and fastballs in the upper-quadrants. Plus approach, works deep into counts and does not expand. Shows consistent quality of contact, majority of which is in the form of flyballs. Swing and miss, contact issues but overall hit tool is buoyed by approach. Grade: 45

Power: Plus game power he gets to with consistency. Raw power is plus-plus, unlikely to get to that level in game without improvements in zone whiff. Slugger that looks to drive the ball in every at bat. The strength of Wallner's offensive game. One of the best power hitters in the Twins system. Grade: 60

Field: Fringe-average left fielder, with solid routes but limited range. Likely fine in left field where his arm is a weapon. Will never be a real asset defensively. Grade: 45

Arm: Plus arm; was up to the mid-90s on the mound prior to his arm injury his sophomore campaign. Arm plays everywhere in the outfield. Grade: 60

Run: Below average runner; lacks foot speed, can be lumbering at times. Enough speed to handle left field moderately well, likely stretched in right Grade: 40

Overall: A three true outcome type of hitter that will get on base and hit for power without a lot of supporting skills to boost the profile. Wallner needs to hit to justify his higher draft position. Likely maxes out as a platoon bat versus right handed pitching. A player with two very loud tools that will win him some fans.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: High

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Alerick Soularie - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	16	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	50	45	50	45	55

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 2
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Undersized, with strength, natural athleticism and twitch. Abound maintain athleticism and conditioning at a high level going forward. Projection remains in the frame but will be more strength than bulk.

Hit: Sets slightly closed off; toe tap timing mechanism; hands set by shoulder; bat flat over shoulder. Flatter bat path with some length; shows the ability to make adjustments based on pitch height, still struggles with lower quadrant strikes. Good bat speed, and twitch, deep coil during load. Has a hole in his swing down and away. Good high ball hitter. Struggles versus changeups. Patient hitter, with plus on-base skills, rarely expands the zone. An average contact hitter with a strong approach and some holes in his swing. Grade: 50

Power: Shows power to his pull-side, generates good torque with his swing that culminates in plus bat speed. Good twitch, with the ability to elevate or ambush a fastball. Lacks big strength or natural juice, his bat path is fairly flat leading to a lot of groundball contact and a good number of pop ups. Will sell out for elevated contact at times, which is likely the culprit behind his high pop up numbers. It's fringe-average game power that could improve over the coming years. Grade: 45

Field: Still learning the position. Reads and routes are still inconsistent. Does flash the baseline tools to be an effective corner outfielder. Not enough speed for centerfield, possibly not enough arm for right field. Likely fits in as an average left fielder with the ability to fill-in at right in a pinch. Still improving at the position. Grade: 50

Arm: Converted infielder that caught some in high school. Played exclusively outfield at Tennessee, arm shows some strength and zip but it's inconsistent. Fringe-average tool that can improve with instruction. Grade: 45

Run: Above-average runner. Gets out of the box off balance but makes up for it with good burst. Good strength line runner with quick feet. Clocks consistent above-average times. Grade: 55

Overall: Fits the second division regular profile. While Soularie is unlikely to ever be a star there's enough bat talent and supporting skills to be a contributor at the major league level. Some untapped potential at the professional level, and Minnesota has done a good job of coaching up players with Soularie's profile. An improvement in power and defensive awareness in the outfield could push the profile to major league regular.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: High

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Bailey Ober - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	15	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	50	45	60	60/60

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Mike Kurland

Age: 25 yr
Height: 6-9
Weight: 260 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 12
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Big frame that's filled out. Long limbs and high waist. Looks every bit of his size. No projection left here.

Delivery & Mechanics: Keeps is simple and for a tall pitcher it is repeatable as the game goes on. Seems a bit stiff in his delivery and could benefit from utilizing his lower half more. Windeup; glove remains at just above waist high. Knee comes up just above waist high and drives forward. Remains a little high and appears to utilize the upper half more. Lower half could benefit from more use. Would help generate some power and assist in velocity. Does sit into his glutes but seems a little stiff .Does set and pivot front leg and allows for the extension. Average hip/shoulder separation. Lacks above average scap flexibility. Throws from a high 3/4 arm slot. Leans to first base slightly as he extends and releases.

Fastball: 86-88 MPH. There is movement to it that allows it to play up well in the zone. There is some arm-side run with life to the fastball. He throws it as both an out and a whiff pitch with confidence. Although the velo is less than desirable, he is able to pain the black on both sides and attack up in the zone with success. He hits his spots and attacks the zone often. Velo is the concern but the rest is there. Grade: 50

Curveball: 72-75 MPH. Looping curve with 12-6 action. Able to put it at the knees and attack the zone but can leave it over the middle of the plate too often but does not get hit hard even when he misses his spots. Attacks RHH and LHH with it but it could use work. Has potential and can flash above average at times but it's the lack of consistency that keeps it from being above-average. Grade: 45

Changeup: 77-79 MPH. Good fade and movement on it. Generates whiffs and soft contact. Will throw against both LHH and RHH but it is mostly used against LHH. Able to paint the corners and the black as well. He induces swings and misses both in and out of the zone. Good differential in velo from the fastball. Keeps good arm action and throws with a similar arm speed as the fastball. Grade: 60

Control and Command: The control and command is just great. Can hit his spots more times than not with every pitch. Able to locate with pinpoint accuracy a ton. Even when he misses his spots, he tends to miss in ways that don't allow for a ton of damage. Control: 60 | Command: 60

Overall: Although there have been some injuries and the velocity is less than desirable, apparently he took the appropriate steps towards correcting it. Ober has improved his mechanics in 2020 to utilize the lower half more to help take strain off his throwing arm. In the process, he also added a few ticks to the fastball and it is said to be sitting 91-92 MPH. Adding velo to what is plus command and control and great strikeout and walk rates could be just what he needs to take the leap. There is a relief risk here but the profile could play to a high-floor in production due to the ability to go deep into games. In 2019, he managed to pitch 6 innings or more in 9 of his 14 starts. There is a chance for a back-end rotation type of starter here with a bullpen role the more likely outcome.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5 or Long Reliever
Risk: High

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Blayne Enlow - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	14	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	55	50	55	45	50/45

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 3
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Tall and lanky frame with long arms and loose shoulders. Lacks standout physical features. Solid lower half. More room for added weight as he physically matures.

Delivery & Mechanics: Standard three-quarter slot delivery from the right side. Semi windup with high left leg kick. Smooth mechanics and arm movement throughout operation. LIttle hiccups in delivery. Great extension, controls his upper and lower half well. Pitches comfortably from the stretch, keeps his body balanced. Good feel for his arsenal.

Fastball: Low-to-mid 90s offering with solid late life. Fastball sits 92-94 and tops 96-97. Lacks elite velocity, but has good late life and spin for whiffs. Good feel for his fastball up in the zone. Solid pitch with room for added velocity Grade: 55

Curveball: Mid-70s curveball that shows promise as above-average pitch. Has touched 80-81 with good 12-6 movement and heavy drop. Lacks depth and consistency. Gets loopy at times, sits in the meat of the plate. More improvement with tighter spin and movement. Grade: 50

Slider: Mid-80s slider with tight spin and deception. Pairs well with his fastball, thrown with cutter-esque movement. Shows more strikeout potential, thrown effectively away against righties. Late movement and consistency give a slight edge over his curveball. Grade: 55

Changeup: Low-to-mid 80s changeup that rounds out as a viable fourth pitch. Good feel for it late in counts, lacks much depth and fade. Shows signs of improved movement and consistency. Grade: 45

Control and Command: Solid control and command on the mound. Has a good feel for all four pitches, throws with confidence. Pounds the zone consistently, rarely gives up walks. Good command with his fastball. Lacks strikeout stuff, relies more on command and soft contact. Shows solid command at this stage in his development. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Enlow has a good feel for his four-pitch mix, and it shows with solid command. He lacks eye-popping stuff and doesn't miss many bats, but he continues to improve and show increased velocity at points. He has the makeup of a solid backend starter.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5
Risk: Moderate

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Cole Sands - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	13	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	Ctr/Cmd
45	40	50	50	50	50/45

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Mike Kurland

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 5
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Long legs; high waist. Frame is full with little remaining projection. Looks his size.

Delivery & Mechanics: Windup; works quick to home. Short arm action. Pivots and locks lead leg. Big follow through with back leg leading to him falling toward first base. Keeps the mechanics simple and easy to repeat. Starts with glove waist level and raises it up and over his head and back down as he goes through the windup. Knee comes up to the letters and almost meets the glove. Doesn't sit into glutes as much and generates good hip/shoulder separation. Throws from a 3/4 arm slot.

Fastball: 92-95 MPH T96. Velocity sits low to mid 90s with ride and arm-side run. Able to attack the zone with success. Keeps batters getting under it when he locates it atop the zone. Willing to throw east and west while attacking up as well. Does not put it down in the zone often. Command can get away from him at times. Really seems to attack away on RHH and attack the black. Will also attack glove side against LHH. Overall, Sands just appears to be comfortable throwing the fastball glove side. He can utilize it for strikeouts as he generates whiffs with it up in the zone on 2-strike counts. Grade: 50

Curveball: 76-78 MPH. Good break to it. 12-6 curve that can get some 1-7 movement to it at times. Able to attack RHH well with it. Able to locate outside the zone and create whiffs with it. Can be utilized as an out pitch. Oftens attacks glove side against RHH and generates chases as well as hitting the zone a good amount of the time. Induces a lot of weak contact. Compliments the fastball well. Grade: 50

Changeup: 78 MPH. Good velocity differential from the fastball. Changeup has good arm-side fade. Keeps batters guessing and off balance as it moves similarly to the fastball but comes in slower and with more of that arm-side break. Throws more often to LHH but can struggle to locate it. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Sands can hit the zone often but doesn't quite hit his spots at times. He tends to focus on the outside edges and will get a good amount of chases and called strikes. He is able to produce whiffs often and that swing-and-miss was evident at every stop and also done with every pitch. He can hit spots around the strike zone. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: There's potential here. He has three pitches that are solid with the fastball flashing plus potential. All seem to move well and can cause deception and keep hitters off balance. The changeup and curve are good secondary offerings and has three pitches he can throw with confidence. He limits hard contact and is able to miss bats often which shows in the strikeout numbers. There's room for growth and it's all about how much he carries the early success from his pro debut in 2019 over to 2021 after missing 2020 to the pandemic shortened season. Can see a path to being a backend SP.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Backend SP #5
Risk: High

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Brent Rooker - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	12	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	45	60	40	45	40

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Evan Morin

Age: 26 yr
Height: 6-3
Weight: 225 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 1 CBA
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Muscular build with strong, powerful lower half. Tall frame that is near full maturity.

Hit: Square, shoulder width stance. Upright with hands at the shoulders. Toe tap timing leads to strong back side push for great bat speed. Semi uppercut swing gives high launch angle from the nature of being a power hitter. Confident maturity in the box and is ready to hit every pitch. Short to the ball with great extension upon contact. Grade: 45

Power: Provides a lot of raw power stemming from strong thighs and legs. Loud, deep homers when given his pitch. Power to all fields, extra to pull side. Power is shown in game and will be shown more with development of hit tool. Grade: 60

Field: Reads ball well off the bat. Plays loose with soft hands and hustles to every ball. Can manage any position in the outfield. Needs to work on speed more to have better range in the field. Grade: 40

Arm: He throws the ball with good backspin and carry. Uses whole body and throws over the top. Fringe-average velocity. Quick release may help with lower velocity. Grade: 45

Run: Below-average speed. Quick out of the box. Stays low and aggressively tries to stretch out extra bases. Power in the box for stand up doubles allows for less of a need for high speed. Grade: 40

Overall: Rooker provides a ton of power and will continue to have many XBH in the future. He did well in his 7 games with the Twins during the 2020 season, batting .316 with a home run off Rays' Tyler Glasnow, until he suffered a fractured forearm. There is plenty of potential for him to become a consistent hitter that can contribute to his club. He has a defensive gap from an MLB starter that he will need to fix before he can become an everyday player. Approaching 27, he will need to start producing even more or else he may find himself in an up and down role.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: Moderate

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Gilberto Celestino - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	11	45

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
45	40	50	40	60	55	55

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Kerns

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 170 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/L
Acquired: 2015 IFA (HOU)
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Average height and build with some room for additional upper-body strength. Athletic and displays it in all facets of the game. High-effort player that is fun to watch.

Hit: Stands slightly crouched; hands stay high and back. Minimal pre-pitch movement. Uses a big leg, lengthy kick as his timing mechanism. It's a mostly linear swing but he can fall tendency to chopping at the ball to make contact. Has innate bat-to-ball skills and an approach that is designed to put the ball in play. Has consistently created more ground outs than fly outs since signing and would be better served in elevating the ball with more regularly. Shows an advanced eye at the plate and feel for the strike zone; does not strike out often and should stay that way, even as he faces better pitching. Beginning to go the opposite way, but still primarily uses the left half of the field. There's some untapped potential with the bat, particularly if he can drive the ball more often. Grade: 50

Power: Fringe-average raw power that began showing up more consistently in games during the 2019 season. His over-the-fence power is primarily to the pull side. Has increased the rotation in his hips, which has helped him create more leverage on the ball and better utilize his above-average bat speed. His approach is still contact-oriented, but he could be a high doubles hitter if he can start elevating the ball to the gaps with more regularity. Grade: 40

Field: Gets good reads off the bat and covers a lot of ground in the outfield. Takes average routes but can quickly change course of direction if out of position or dealing with wind. Shows a comfort for moving backward and has a natural feel for the wall. Willing to lay out for the ball in all directions. Makes some difficult plays. Whole package indicates plus range. Majority of his experience is in CF and RF; defensively profiles in either. Plays all-out. Grade: 60

Arm: Strong arm with above-average or better carry from the grass. Throws from a high overhand position when being tested by baserunners. Throws were on target in looks. Grade: 55

Run: Timed between 4.19 and 4.26 down the line from the right side. He has close to plus straight-line speed, but he is not always quick out of the box, so the tool plays slightly down. Hustles at all times. Can swipe double-digit bags at the next level. Grade: 55

Overall: Celestino makes highlight reel-worthy defensive plays with regularity and is among the best defensive outfielders in the minors. He possesses an advanced feel for the bat, and potentially possesses an above-average hit tool, but he lacks the power that is generally sought after for a starting outfielder. He has everyday upside, and took some steps toward that profile as he increased his extra-base output in 2019, but the offensive profile is still fringey. He's a high-likelihood major leaguer with his defense alone, but his progress with the bat will dictate just how good he can become.

OFP: 45
Role: 40 - Second Division Regular
Risk: Moderate

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Malfrin Sosa - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	38	35

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 18 yr
Height: 6-1
Weight: 198 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Overall: Sosa is part of the Twins 2019 international class. The Dominican outfielder has plus raw power, and strength is the biggest part of his game right now. He's going to be limited to a corner defensively, and it will likely be left field due to his arm. There are some contact questions, as well as approach issues. He struggles with spin and his pull-heavy approach will limit his offensive skill set.

OFP: 35
Risk: Extreme

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Danny De Andrade - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	SS	31	35

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 17 yr
Height: 5-11
Weight: 173 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2021 IFA
RuleV: 2025

Overall: The Twins signed Andrade in 2020 as the highlight of their J2 class. The Venezuelan prospect has a well developed hit tool for his age and has shown the ability to work counts and use all fields during international play. He's a gap power guy at the moment, but he will be a 20+ homer bat at shortstop as he adds to his frame. He's a smooth shortstop that with a developed internal clock and smooth footwork. He's an underrated prospect because he lacks a present plus tool, but I think his defense and potentially his power could get to that point sooner rather than later.

OFP: 35
Risk: Extreme

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Emmanuel Rodriguez - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	20	40

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 18 yr
Height: 5-10
Weight: 165 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/L
Acquired: 2019 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Overall: Emmanuel Rodriguez was the top guy in the Twins' 2019 J2 class. The Dominican outfielder signed for $2.5 million. He has one of the best swings in the class and stays direct to the ball while also generating loft and showing an ability to drive the baseball. He was playing center as an amateur but his future will be in right field where he can show off his above average arm. He's going to fill out, and reports say he's already added significant strength and mass to the frame already while working out at home during the shutdown. All of Rodriguez's tools are at least average, but there's a chance the hit and power tools can grow to above-average or even plus. Rodriguez has the skills to be a big league regular, and one of the better hitters in the lineup when he gets to the show.

OFP: 40
Risk: High

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Misael Urbina - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	10	45

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Matt Thompson

Age: 19 yr
Height: 6-0
Weight: 175 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 IFA
RuleV: 2022

Overall: The Twins signed Urbina to a $2.75 million bonus in 2018. He performed well in the DSL in 2019 (.279/.382/.443) and was all set to make his stateside debut in 2020 before the pandemic. Urbina has a well-rounded all around game with average or better tools across the board. While he might lack a true plus tool, there's some optimism that his hit tool can get to that point as he gets his man muscles and fixes some mechanical inconsistencies in his swing. He should stick in centerfield as well.

OFP: 45
Risk: High

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Keoni Cavaco - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	SS	9	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
50	50	45	55	55	70	55

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Isaiah Burrows

Age: 20 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 195 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Oozes athleticism in his lean frame. Has packed on good muscle, but plenty of room for projection as he matures physically. Strong upper half with broad shoulders. Long, lanky legs fill out his lower half. Has the chance to transform into a physical specimen. Constant work ethic, always looking to improve.

Hit: Compact right handed stance in the box. Hands stay slightly above the letters, crouched knees; legs shoulder width apart. Sound lower half preload; slight toe tap and left leg kick. Quick hands and bat speed show glimpses of intriguing raw power. Struggles to make consistent contact with his uphill swing path, flattened his swing for better results at the alternate site. Lack of approach hinders his hard contact ability, gets behind in the count and swings for the fences. Relies on his physical traits more than his mental approach in two-strike situations. Has yet to utilize all fields, more pull-heavy approach. Can grow into more of a sound hitter if he makes the necessary mechanical adjustments. Grade: 45

Power: Intriguing raw power from the right side, hasn't translated to in-game situations. Makes loud contact, translates to over the fence pop when his swing connects. Has a good natural loft in his swing to the gaps. Relies heavily on power, needs to hone in on his other strengths at the plate for consistent results. Frame and physical tools ideal for future power increase. Grade: 55

Field: Above-average fielding ability that will stick to the left side of the infield. Smooth motions and awareness, always on his toes defensively. Can outgrow shortstop and move to third base. Looks comfortable at both positions. Reads contact well and shows solid instincts. Has the ability to be a capable defender at either position. Grade: 55

Arm: Tremendous arm strength from either position worthy of a true plus-plus grade. Fluid arm motions creates crisp velocity. Ball simply zips with accuracy and touch. Crisp glove-to-hand transfers; turns double plays effectively at third base. Makes difficult throws with ease from different angles. Throws with a natural zip and carry. Grade: 70

Run: Above-average speed with good acceleration and quickness. Quick movements around the infield defensively. Solid speed and stride out of the box. Lean frame bodes well for his athletic traits. Reaches high gear around the basepaths. May lose a step or two as he continues to add to his frame. Shows promise of a capable base stealer. Grade: 55

Overall: Injuries and inconsistencies plagued Cavaco in his first pro season in 2019, but he could be well on his way towards a bounce back 2021 campaign if he improves his approach at the plate. He has all the raw ability to pop, but his constant struggles in his approach and swing and miss issues have plagued him at times. With this much promise and a dedicated work ethic, keep a close eye on Cavaco in the Twins' system.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: High

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Aaron Sabato - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	C	8	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
50	50	60	60	40	50	30

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Geoff Pontes

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2020 Round 1
RuleV: 2023

Physical Description: Below average body and conditioning, above-average strength particularly in his upper body. Broad, squared shoulders, muscular arms, true dad bod. Better athlete than his frame portends.

Hit: Upright setup pre-pitch, square to pitcher, hands set by back shoulder, moderate leg kick, simple compact stroke, with powerful bat speed generated by his quick hands. Looks to elevate on pitches on the inner-half. Shows the strength to drive pitches off the plate the other way. Strong approach very rarely expands, if ever. Shows the ability to catch-up to high-90s velocity, is rarely fooled by breaking balls, and spits on junk on the fringes. The rare power bat with on base ability and a lack of strikeouts. Grade: 60

Power: Combination of raw strength and feel to hit allow Sabato to get the most out of his power tool. Shows the ability to drive the ball all over the field but has an uncanny ability to ambush fastballs on the inner-half and drive them a long ways to his pull-side. Plus raw that plays in games, and compliments his bat first profile. Could develop into a 30 home run bat at the major league level. Grade: 60

Field: Well below average first baseman with poor mobility, fair infield actions, and fringe average hands. The lack of mobility and poor physical tools likely limit Sabato to first base, even if he has the bat and arm for left field. A former shortstop in high school Sabato's hands and actions are clean enough that with some work he might be able to carve out a fringe average defensive profile at first. For now it's below average with the ability to go either way on the scale. Grade: 40

Arm: The strongest supporting tool in Sabato's profile, and it's the reason he was able to play on the left side of the infield in high school. Still shows zip and carry. Average arm strength that could play in an outfield corner, even if Sabato can't. Grade: 50

Run: Poor runner, will hustle but lacks quickness and twitch. Grade: 30

Overall: There are a few profiles coming out of the draft that always attract question marks, and certainly first base/DH-only, right-handed hitting college players is one. Sabato fits this description to a tee. A slugger that put up video game numbers at UNC, his combination of approach, discipline, contact, and raw power make him the rare hitter where below average supporting skills do not put his everyday role into question. Whether you value data, production, or the good ol' eye test, Sabato at the dish checks all the boxes. Even as a future DH, Sabato might be a true impact hitter.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate

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Matt Canterino - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	7	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	60	55	55	50	50/45

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Danny Brackman

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 222 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2019 Round 2
RuleV: 2022

Physical Description: Medium thick frame. Strong legs with big quads. Upper body has room to develop. Very good mobility and athleticism despite awkward posture.

Delivery & Mechanics: Unique motion. In wind-up starts square and takes a quick gather and turn to begin motion. Pumps arms out from body in sync with medium leg kick to engage hips and core. Sinks very deep into drive leg while reaching back into a long arm action. Good extension, an over-the-top slot, and a low release height creates a very deceptive look and efficient mechanical sequencing helps repeatability regardless of what it looks like. Good consistency out of the stretch as well.

Fastball: Typically sits 93-96 but was recently up to 99 in a short ST outing. Borderline elite 4-seam movement with true vertical axis. Average raw spin but release height, axis, and spin efficiency give one of the lower VAAs in all of baseball. Movement is awesome and plays exceptionally at the top of the zone and the deception in the delivery makes it difficult to pick up when it's left over the plate. Canterino's velo gains will be the determinant factor on overall pitch ceiling. Grade: 60

Curveball: 78-81 breaker with 12-6 action. Vertical nature of the FB helps the CB play up despite average underlying metrics. Good feel for his release lets Canterino utilize the CB both to steal strikes early in the count as well as to put hitters away late. Above average ability to change eye levels and keep hitters off balance. Continuing to hone consistency could eventually make the CB a legit plus offering. Grade: 55

Slider: Firm at 85-87 and up to 90. Cutter-ish plane with heavy gyro and sharp glove-side movement. Tunnels very well with other offerings. Not much separation from FB at times but late movement helps miss barrels and generate weak contact. Grade: 55

Changeup: Mid-80s with good fade and sink. Good velocity separation from FB and movement mirrors SL profile well. Can flatten out though release and arm speed make it hard for hitters to see out of the hand. Has improved over the past year but Canterino still relies primarily on the FB and breaking ball combo. Grade: 50

Control and Command: Has an above average feel with the FB and is more or less average with his secondaries in terms of staying around the zone. Can get the FB up above bats regularly and will paint to the glove-side. Release inconsistencies do cause some bad misses but generally commands the fastball well. Flashes an above average feel with spin but totally different profiles between SL and CB causes some occasional command issues. Control: 50 | Command: 45

Overall: Canterino has the stuff to start, though his unique mechanics and delivery bring up some important questions. He's generally done a good job answering them by providing workhorse stamina and limiting free passes while missing bats at a high level. He could likely be an impact relief arm with his vertical FB and CB combo, yet the work he's put in since going pro indicates he has a legitimate chance at remaining a starter. If the current FB velo gains hold and he continues to develop his secondaries, Canterino could provide some of the best upside in the system.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP #4
Risk: High

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Jhoan Duran - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	6	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	CH	SPL	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	70	50	40	60	45/40

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Tyler Jennings

Age: 23 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 230 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2015 IFA (ARI)
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: High-waisted pitcher with long levers and broad shoulders. Big and physical specimen. Body is relatively maxed out in terms of projection. Plenty of arm strength. Originally signed by Arizona, traded to Minnesota as part of the Eduardo Escobar deal in 2018.

Delivery & Mechanics: Throws closer to middle of the rubber and operation is triggered by a chest-high leg kick. Mechanics can get sloppy at times and refinement will be needed. Arm is up at foot plant. Throws from a high three-quarters arm slot. Relatively low effort delivery. Works downhill well.

Fastball: High octane heater that sits in the upper-90's and touches 100+ MPH on a consistent basis. Prior to trade to Minnesota, Duran's heater was more in the low-to-mid 90's. Pitch has plenty of ride at the top of the zone and throws with sink at a tough angle when he works at the bottom of the zone. Has gotten consistently better at throwing strikes and attacking hitters with the pitch. Some refinement is needed on his command of the pitch, but fits the mold of a double plus heater. Grade: 70

Curveball: The curveball has been a focus point for Duran as he's progressed through the Twins organization. He's worked on throwing the pitch more for strikes and improving the spin efficiency of the pitch. It's a hard-thrown, high spin breaker in the low-to-mid 80's with a knuckle-curve grip. He's shown flashes of serious potential with the pitch, flashing above-average or better at times, though he's still refining aspects to the pitch. Average offering for now, but there's a good chance it becomes better. Grade: 50

Changeup: Duran has begun to develop a change-up to give himself a fourth offering in his arsenal. Pitch needs more development to become an average offering. Grade: 40

Splitter: This pitch is a hybrid of a sinker and a splitter, with the organization referring to it as a “splinker.” It has the velocity of a sinker, reaching upwards of 94 MPH at times, with the depth and diving action of a splitter. It is a nasty pitch that gets plenty of swings and misses when thrown in the zone. The pitch also generates relatively weak contact. Certainly an interesting pitch, and a plus offering at that. Grade: 60

Control and Command: Duran has gotten better with his strike throwing as the years have progressed. He boasts a career 3.1 BB/9, which rates as fringe-average. Tends to lose feel and command once he gets to be a tad sloppy in his delivery, something that Minnesota is looking to refine as they eye to develop Duran as a starter. Control: 45 | Command: 40

Overall: The Twins have every intention to give Duran a chance to be a potential mid-rotation #3 or #4 SP at the next level. Development of his control/command and his curveball will be what defines the future for Duran. If neither develop, he would fit the role of an above-average reliever with a powerful fastball/splitter combination.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend SP #4 or High Leverage Reliever
Risk: High

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Jordan Balazovic - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	RHP	5	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	FB	CB	SL	CH	Ctr/Cmd
50	50	60	50	55	45	55/50

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Joe Drake

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-5
Weight: 215 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2016 Round 5
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: Large, long frame that fits listed numbers. Broad shoulders, long legs, high waist. Prototypical starter frame. A tick above "skinny" now, has added good weight but still room for more projection. Hip flexor injury in 2018.

Delivery & Mechanics: Semi-windup; Drop and drive delivery from lower 3/4s arm slot with moderate effort. Average arm speed; simple motion that he repeats well; hides the ball fairly well, long limbs whipping through create some deception. Solid extension from long legs. Long arm path, but generally on time in my looks. Good scap retraction and separation.

Fastball: 93-96; Solid carry despite lower arm slot with some run. Plays well up in the zone where he attacks often. Frequent whiffs and pop-ups. Will dot the corners with it as well. Leaves some over the heart, but movement helps keep it off most barrels. Best out pitch. His go-to pitch that he'll lean on in any situation. Grade: 60

Curveball: 79-82; vertical 11-5, very similar to slider but slightly more depth and less sweep. Not as sharp as the slider, less bite. Shape and speed blend with the slider too much leaving little separation between the two; should probably be considered one pitch that he manipulates. Uses this after he's already established the slider to give the hitter a different look. Grade: 50

Slider: 83-86; good depth with some sweep to it. Mirrors fastball well due to arm slot and movement profile. Flashes above-average, borderline plus, but has consistency issues; hangs some that roll in and give up loud contact. Leaves it up at times. Works it to both sides of the plate, stealing strikes in the zone and inducing whiffs and weak contact when low or below the zone. Grade: 55

Changeup: 87-91; Solid depth, some fade. Often firm with little to no separation from fastball aside from depth. Little feel at present. Keeps it low most of the time, but some leak up over the plate and get punished. Looked better in brief 2021 spring appearance. Grade: 45

Control and Command: In and around the zone often; attacks hitters. Reliable strike thrower who limits walks most days. Works to all 4 quadrants, typically living near the edges. Pitches will leak over the heart a few times an inning. Solid pitchability and sequencing. Not afraid to work backwards and is effective in doing so as it sets up his fastball. Control: 55 | Command: 50

Overall: Big, projectable righty with a plus fastball and multiple breaking balls. Balazovic marries good stuff with above-average control to put together a backend starter package with a little more projection left in the tank. The fastball is his best offering which he uses to start and end at-bats, but the slider and curve can also be used for strikeouts and weak contact. Balazovic could end up as a mid-rotation arm if the velocity takes another step forward, but currently projects for a backend role. Should he move to the pen, he would likely compete for a high-leverage role.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Backend #4 SP
Risk: Moderate

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Ryan Jeffers - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	C	4	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
50	50	50	55	55	50	40

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Martin

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 235 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 2
RuleV: On 40-Man Roster

Physical Description: 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame. Just really large and physical for a catcher. Comparable to Jarrod Saltalamacchia or Kevan Smith.

Hit: Starts in a moderately open stance with hands near back shoulder. Fairly narrow base, standing almost up and down, but keeps weight in toes causing slight lean over the plate. Small leg lift before striding towards pitcher. Level bat path for the most part with a little bit of upward movement. Hits the ball fairly hard. Jeffers adjusts really well to pitches in different locations. For example, he will drive his back knee down and under-rotate his back foot on low and outside pitches to hit them to the opposite field. Generally, he hits pull side grounders and sprays line drives and fly balls, but is still generally more of a pull side hitter. Adjusts well to pitches so he will aim for power on certain pitches while trying to make solid contact on others. Rare ability. Average strikeout and walk rates. What really works well for Jeffers is his ability to adjust to pitches in different locations and with different speeds. He can draw a walk and will not strike out a ton, but neither of those abilities necessarily stand out. The biggest problem for Jeffers is his lean over the plate while swinging, it limits the barrel time through the zone. He has reverse splits, hitting right handed pitchers better than southpaws. Grade: 50

Power: Due to his physical size, he has a ton of raw power. It does not directly correlate into game power but he still utilizes it well. Above-average power potential for the Major Leagues. Super valuable coming from the catcher position. He swings with a level bat path, if he locked out his front leg, he could probably hit for more power but his contact ability would be pillaged. Mostly power to the pull side but he can hit some the opposite way as well. Grade: 55

Field: Being a massive catcher, Jeffers struggles a little bit with blocking, hand-transfers, and pop times. Luckily, in his lone month in the Major Leagues, he had extremely positive reviews on his framing and receiving metrics. Smooth hands, catches and sticks the ball firmly on the corners. He is definitely athletic for his size but he is below-average in the blocking department. Would be an athletic first baseman if catching does not work. Grade: 55

Arm: Has decent arm strength and throws that carry with accuracy. Was sort of slow making hand transfers and moving feet towards second base which limited pop time. Grade: 50

Run: He runs like a catcher. Slightly below-average speed for his position. Ranked in the 23rd percentile in 2020 for sprint speed. Grade: 40

Overall: Ryan Jeffers possesses a valuable skill set for the modern day Major Leagues. A framing-heavy catcher with a lot of raw power and an average contact ability. After having a strong showing in 2020 over 26 games, Jeffers figures to have some playing time cut if Mitch Garver can stay healthy. However, he is certainly Major League ready and the Twins really liked him, as evidenced by his use in the postseason. Has the ceiling to be an all-star catcher (not like that's saying a ton, the catchers are pretty bunched up talent wise) and his lowest conceivable floor is a Major League backup. There is a lot to like about Jeffers.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Low

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Trevor Larnach - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	OF	3	50

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
50	50	55	60	45	45	30

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Trevor Hooth

Age: 24 yr
Height: 6-4
Weight: 223 lbs
Hits/Throws: L/R
Acquired: 2018 Round 1
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: High waisted. Big frame is filled out well and he looks every bit of his listed weight.

Hit: Open stance, stands tall. Bends legs as he starts the load process. Utilizes shin high leg kick mechanism. The swing itself is quick, smooth and oozes with natural power. Quiet hands throughout, start at shoulder height. Patient approach. He can spit on breakers out of the zone, Covers the plate well and goes with the pitch. The swing has shortened some, but there is length to the swing that lends itself to swing and miss. His feel for the zone also leads to good walk numbers. Can struggle with big breaking balls when he does let his hands go, especially sliders breaking into him. His hands are quick enough to get to all pitches. Grade: 55

Power: Little trouble reaching his big raw power in game resulting in plenty of over the fence power when he gets a barrel on the ball. Is ready and willing to crush mistakes. His power is distributed well to all fields. His quick hands don't limit his ability to get the barrel to the ball, and he has good feel for the barrel. Produced massive exit velos at the alternate site. His swing is geared to drive the ball more than anything. Grade: 60

Field: Good jumps and decent routes make up for lack of speed. He can cover the corners adequately enough to stick there. Grade: 45

Arm: Strong arm that will play in right, though he may profile better in left.. He can make the throws necessary with decent accuracy. Grade: 45

Run: Long lumbering strides. He's not fast, which limits him on the basepaths and in the outfield. Grade: 30

Overall: The book on Larnach is that he's going to hit. He has good feel for the zone and natural power that makes him a threat with a bat in his hands. Big exit velocities from the alternate site only perpetuate the fact that he has the pop in his bat to be a problem for opposing pitchers. Defensively he does well enough in the outfield where he isn't a liability. The bat carries the profile, and he's got the chance to be a real contributor in a future Twins outfield.

OFP: 50
Role: 50 - Average Everyday Regular
Risk: Moderate

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Royce Lewis - Scouting Report

Rank History

Year	Team	Position	Team Rank	OFP
2021	MIN	SS	2	55

Grades Update: Apr 2021

OFP	Role	Hit	Power	Field	Arm	Run
55	50	40	55	60	55	70

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Apr 2021 Report

Evaluator: Jake Boes

Age: 22 yr
Height: 6-2
Weight: 200 lbs
Hits/Throws: R/R
Acquired: 2017 Round 1
RuleV: 2021

Physical Description: Sturdy, solid build near projection; every bit of listed vitals.Strong, sloped shoulders; long, athletic limbs. Built like a point guard. Limited strength gains remaining with the build; freak athlete capable of a highlight-reel play at any time. Injury history includes a torn ACL in February 2021, an oblique strain February 2019, and patellar tendinitis June 2018.

Hit: Busy set-up; feet outside of shoulder-width to form a wide base; slightly open with hands high above the ear. Weight favors the backside with a toe-tap timing mechanism. High, pronounced leg kick into load. Plus bat speed from strong legs and hips and quick hands through the zone. High hands and pronounced leg kick hinder the tool; a lesser athlete would struggle more. Shows an eye for the zone but does not want to walk; passive approach early in counts may play against him, yielding poor strikeouts and walks both. Impressive athleticism in the box but overall, a below-average hit tool with minimal projection left save a mechanical overhaul. Grade: 40

Power: Double plus raw that shows above-average in-game; plus bat speed and bat path yield natural loft and power all over the field. Power favors the pull field due to sell-out approach but has plenty of pop and athleticism to hit opposite-field home runs. Shows the ability to stretch extra-base hits with legs. Contact issues hinder the overall grade, but there is plus potential with some more contact long-term. Grade: 55

Field: Plus defender; shows strong range to both sides and smooth transfers. Light feet in the field. Comfortable tracking fly balls and charging when necessary. Strong mechanics. Plenty of range and instincts to stick at shortstop long-term. Grade: 60

Arm: Above-average arm; plus strength more than capable to play anywhere in the dirt. Manipulates mechanics as necessary; high 3/4 slot the majority of the time but shows ability to drop down to standard shortstop low 3/4. Comfortable off-balance and on the run. Accuracy less than desired at times; pulls receivers off the bag on occasion. Grade: 55

Run: Double-plus runner; 4.1 times home-to-first with base-stealing ability and strong instincts. Long and strong strides down the line. Does little things on the bases well; technically sound with leads and knows when to take an extra base. Speed translates on the bases and in the field. Grade: 70

Overall: Lewis is a prime example of the old "bet on the athlete" mantra in scouting. There are serious concerns with Lewis' approach at the plate as well as his injury history throughout his minor league career, but assuming health, he's a dynamic athlete that makes a difference daily even without any further projection with the profile. There is perennial all-star upside if he straightens out the hit tool long-term, but more likely, he settles into an above-average everyday role.

OFP: 55
Role: 60 - Above-Average Regular; Occasional All-Star
Risk: High

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