Twinkie Town Community Prospect Vote 2018: Round 2

Congratulations to 2017 #1 overall pick Royce Lewis for winning round 1.

Twins Top 30 prospects for 2018

1. Royce Lewis - 57% (Gonsalves 25%, Gordon 18%)

Two players are being added for round 2.

Nick Gordon, SS

2018 Age: 22

2017 High Level: Chattanooga (AA)

The former first round selection had another solid season at Chattanooga despite being about 3 years younger than the rest of the competition. He hit .270/.341/.408 with career highs in doubles, triples and home runs. His stolen base success rate was still not good (13/20) but an improvement on 2016. He has solid range at shortstop but still had 22 errors. Scouts are mixed as to whether he is a shortstop or second baseman in the majors but nearly everyone agrees that he has the tools to be a solid big leaguer. He played in the All-Star Futures game in 2017 and was the first Twin to get a hit in that game since 2014. He should begin the season in AAA and make his major league debut sometime in 2018.

Stephen Gonsalves, LHP

2018 Age: 23

2017 High Level: Rochester (AAA)

Gonsalves was number one on our list a year ago. The former fourth round pick has pitched well at every stop and is now within sight of the big leagues. He has moved quickly, earning mid-season promotions each season. He had a great start to 2017 in Chattanooga with a 9.9 K/9, 2.4 BB/9 and 2.89 Run Average in 87.1 innings. His Run Average (5.56) ballooned in AAA as he gave up more walks and homers in his last four starts. He is expected to start the season in AAA but should make a 2018 debut and depending how well he performs could nab a spot in the 2019 rotation.

Fernando Romero, RHP

2018 Age: 23

2017 High Level: Chattanooga (AA)

Romero was signed by the Twins as an international free agent from the Dominican Republic in 2012. He missed all of 2015 due to Tommy John surgery but came back strong in 2016 getting promoted to Fort Myers. He built up his stamina in 2017 logging 125 innings at AA Chattanooga with a 120K against 45BB. Romero faded a bit at the end of 2017 and ended the season on the disabled list with a shoulder impingement. Romero throws really hard and has great stuff but has not been durable so a move to the bullpen might be his fastest route to the major leagues. Alternately the Twins could try to build up his innings in AAA with an eye on a September debut.

Wander Javier, SS

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

The Twins signed Javier as an international free agent in the summer of 2015. He was ranked by Baseball America as the #9 international prospect and #8 by MLB.com. The Twins gave him a $4M signing bonus which was their entire international free agent budget. He hit .299/.383/.471 at Elizabethton last summer and was named the #2 prospect in the Appalachian League. Scouts love his righthanded power and ability to play the position. He should debut at Cedar Rapids this spring.