Twinkie Town Community Prospect Vote: Round 3

Congratulations to 2017 Twinkie Town #1 prospect Stephen Gonsalves for winning round 2.

Twins Top 30 prospects for 2018

1. Royce Lewis - 57% (Gonsalves 25%, Gordon 18%)
2. Stephen Gonsalves - 55% (Gordon 30%, Javier 10%, Romero 5%)

A former first round pick is being added for this round.

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.

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 and could be competing for a big league spot in 2021.

Alex Kirilloff, OF

2018 Age: 20

2016 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

Alex was the Twins first round pick in 2016. He was drafted #15 overall for his lefthanded bat which he developed at his father’s batting cages. Kirilloff was sent to advanced rookie ball at Elizabethton straight out of high school and he did so well that he was named the league MVP. In late August of 2016 he suffered an elbow injury to his left (throwing) elbow. In spring of 2017 the doctors determined ligament replacement surgery was the best option and he missed the 2017 season. He should be back in 2018 and will probably play at Cedar Rapids some time this summer. Kirilloff has a pretty high floor as his bat should play well at higher levels. His ceiling is limited by how much power he develops and his ability to play defense as a corner outfielder. Don’t expect to see Kirilloff in the big leagues before 2020.