Twinkie Town Prospect Vote: Round 25

It was a close election but 2B Luis Arraez edged SS Engelb Vielma for your choice in round 24. For round 25 we add an infielder who was also one of last summer's draft picks.

Twins top 30 prospects for 2017

1. Stephen Gonsalves - 52% (Gordon 34%, Kirilloff 8%, Jay 7%)
2. Nick Gordon - 73% (Jay 15%, Kirilloff 13%)
3. Tyler Jay - 46% (Kirilloff 29%, Romero 17%, Stewart 4%, Mejia 4%)
4. Alex Kirilloff - 51% (Romero 35%, Stewart 9%, Mejia 6%)
5. Kohl Stewart - 43% (Romero 29%, Chargois 14%, Javier 9%, Mejia 6%)
6. Fernando Romero - 48% (Chargois 32%, Javier 11%, Mejia 10%)
7. Wander Javier - 35% (Chargois 33%, Jorge 20%, Mejia 12%)
8. J. T. Chargois - 43% (Jorge 26%, Mejia 16%, Blankenhorn 14%)
9. Felix Jorge - 31% (Mejia 30%, Garver 30%, Blankenhorn 5%, Rortvedt 4%)
10. Adalberto Mejia - 45% (Garver 32%, Burdi 13%, Blankenhorn 6%, Rortvedt 4%)
11. Mitch Garver - 47% (Thorpe 24%, Burdi 18%, Blankenhorn 7%, Rortvedt 4%)
12. Nick Burdi - 45% (Thorpe 36%, Blankenhorn 11%, Rortvedt 8%)
13. Lewis Thorpe - 49% (Palka 21%, Rortvedt 12%, Blankenhorn 11%, Wade 6%)
14. Daniel Palka - 32% (Rortvedt 21%, Blankenhorn 19%, Wade 16%, Ynoa 12%)
15. Ben Rortvedt - 60% (Wade 15%, Blankenhorn 14%, Ynoa 11%)
16. Travis Blankenhorn - 37% (Wade 23%, Hildenberger 22%, Ynoa 19%)
17. Zack Granite - 55% (Wade 13%, Hildenberger 13%, Ynoa 10%, Vielma 9%)
18. LaMonte Wade - 29% (Hildenberger 27%, Ynoa 21%, Diaz 15%, Vielma 7%)
19. Trevor Hildenberger - 31% (Ynoa 23%, Reed 20%, Diaz 14%, Vielma 12%)
20. Huascar Ynoa - 25% (Reed 24%, Arraez 17%, Vielma 17%, Diaz 17%)
21. Jake Reed - 36% (Arraez 21%, Diaz 20%, Vielma 17%, Wells 5%)
22. Mason Melotakis - 50% (Vielma 18%, Arraez 17%, Diaz 13%, Wells 3%)
23. Lewin Diaz - 35% (Vielma 25%, Arraez 24%, Wells 8%, Haley 7%)
24. Luis Arraez - 35% (Vielma 31%, Baddoo 17%, Haley 9%, Wells 7%)

Jose Miranda, 3B

2017 Age: 19
2016 High Level: Gulf Coast Twins (Rookie)

Puerto Rican infielder Jose Miranda was a supplemental 2nd round pick in last summer's draft. He has played a lot of shortstop but profiles as a third baseman going forward. Miranda hits and throws right handed; scouts like his power and his defensive ability. In his introduction to pro baseball last summer he only hit .227 but his defense at 3B was promising. The Twins have done well finding talent in Puerto Rico (Jose Berrios, Kennys Vargas, Eddie Rosario). Let's hope they have found another promising prospect in Jose Miranda.

Akil Baddoo, OF

2017 Age: 18
2016 High Level: Gulf Coast Twins (Rookie)

Baddoo was also a Twins supplemental 2nd round pick in the 2016 draft but out of high school in Georgia. He is considered a good athlete, fast runner with a decent arm and a compact, powerful lefthanded swing. Twins scouting director Deron Johnson compared Baddoo to Jacque Jones. He is not a polished baseball player, fitting the profile of the "toolsy outfielder". He hit just .178 in his first experience in professional baseball but drew walks, stole bases and hit for power. The Twins have done well developing high school outfielders from the southern United States  in the past (Buxton, Hunter). Baddoo is a long way from the big leagues but he has the necessary tools to succeed. He should get to showcase those tools in Elizabethton this summer.

Justin Haley, RHP

2017 Age: 26
2016 High Level: Pawtucket (AAA)

Haley was originally drafted by the Red Sox in the 6th round of the 2012 draft. He was acquired in the Rule 5 draft this offseason by the Twins via trade. Haley has a starting pitcher's build at 6'5" and 230 pounds. He has an average fastball and changeup and can show a curveball. He has steadily advanced levels each season in the minors but has not been one of the younger players at any level. He had a bad 2015 in AA but a great Arizona Fall League (1.29 Run Average, 7.7 K/9, 1.3 BB/9). He followed that up with a strong season split between AA and AAA last summer (146 2/3 IP, 3.01 RA, 7.7 K/9, 2.8 BB/9). Those numbers aren't overwhelming but he throws strikes and has the stamina to put up innings. Haley is competing for a long relief role out of the Twins bullpen this spring. If he loses the competition he may be headed back to the Red Sox.

Lachlan Wells, LHP

2017 Age: 19
2016 High Level: Cedar Rapids (A)

Wells was signed by the Twins in August of 2014 by their hardworking scout Howard Norsetter in Australia. Listed at 5 foot, 8 inches and 165 pounds, his frame and giant glasses reminds many of Squints from "The Sandlot". Despite his youth and size, Wells performed very well at Cedar Rapids last season posting a 2.65 Run Average, 7.9 K/9 and 2.0 BB/9 in 71-1/3 innings. He has an effective fastball and average curve with good control of his location. He should be promoted to Fort Myers this season and we will be able to see if that advanced command is enough at the higher levels. We should also get to see him pitch in the upcoming World Baseball Classic. If he doesn't quite measure up as a starter, the Australian with the Scottish name could have a future in the bullpen as a lefty specialist.

Engelb Vielma, SS

2017 Age: 23

2016 High Level: Chattanooga (AA)

Vielma was signed as an international free agent from Venezuela in 2011. He is listed as 5'11" and 155 pounds which is jarring because my brain thinks "Engelbert" and "baseball" and immediately remembers the fat catcher from The Bad News Bears. Vielma is known as a great fielding shortstop with terrific range, clean footwork and a strong arm. At the plate he is the stereotypical "all glove, no bat" shortstop posting a .264/.327/.309 line for his minor league career. He stole 10 bases in AA but was caught 8 times so he needs work in that area. Vielma was added to the 40 man roster in the offseason and given the lack of infield depth on the roster you may see him called up if there is an injury to Polanco, Dozier or Escobar.