Twinkie Town Community Prospect Vote: Round 7

Congratulations to Wander Javier for being voted the #6 prospect.

Twins Top 30 prospects for 2018

1. Royce Lewis - 57% (Gonsalves 25%, Gordon 18%)
2. Stephen Gonsalves - 55% (Gordon 30%, Javier 10%, Romero 5%)
3. Nick Gordon - 65% (Romero 19%, Javier 9%, Kirilloff 7%)
4. Zack Littell - 57% (Romero 27%, Javier 13%, Kirilloff 4%)
5. Fernando Romero 46% (Rooker 24%, Javier 21%, Kirilloff 9%)
6. Wander Javier 44% (Rooker 31%, Kirilloff 13%, Enlow 7%, Graterol 5%)

For round seven we get another promising young outfielder. I normally like to keep an infielder available to vote on but we’ve already selected three of them in six rounds of voting.

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. Kirilloff was sent to advanced rookie ball at Elizabethton straight out of high school and he did so well (.306/.341/.454 with 7HR) 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 is expected to play well at higher levels. His ceiling is only 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.

Brent Rooker, OF

2018 Age: 23

2017 High Level: Fort Myers (A+)

Brent Rooker was drafted in the supplemental first round of the 2017 draft (35th overall) out of Mississippi State. He was drafted as a redshirt sophomore in the 38th round of the 2016 draft by the Twins but decided to return for his junior season. He improved his draft stock considerably with a terrific junior year culminating in being named SEC player of the year among other honors. The Twins sent him to Elizabethton and he hit so well (.282/.364/.588) that they skipped over Cedar Rapids and promoted him to Fort Myers. Rooker hit .280/.364/.552 for Fort Myers against competition roughly the same age. Rooker is seen as a competent LF but it is his bat that will get him to the big leagues. Look for a promotion to AA in 2018 and a potential major league spot in 2019 if he continues to hit.

Blayne Enlow, SP

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Gulf Coast (Rookie)

Blayne Enlow was picked in the 3rd round of the 2017 MLB draft out of high school but was signed for an overslot $2M bonus similar to the level of a low first round pick. The scouts use the word “projectable” often when describing Enlow which usually means the kid has a big frame (Enlow is 6’4”) and he should be able to put on enough muscle to make it as a starting pitcher. Scouts also love Enlow’s curve ball which was rated as one of the best in the draft. Enlow was sent to the Gulf Coast Twins after signing and he had a good summer posting an 8.4 K/9, 1.8 BB/9 and 1.77 Run Average in six games. He will probably spend time in extended spring training this summer before being sent to Elizabethton. The major leagues are not likely before 2021.

Brusdar Graterol, SP

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

I have seen Graterol’s name mentioned as a “sleeper” so many times he should get a pillow from Dan Gladden. Graterol was signed as international free agent from Venezuela in 2014 for a modest bonus. Just a few games into the 2015 Dominican Summer League season he was injured and needed ligament replacement surgery (Tommy John). He came back from the surgery throwing his fastball 93-98MPH and a nice upper 80s slider. Toward the end of the season he was clocked throwing 100MPH and everyone noticed. He finished last season in advanced rookie ball and posted a 10.9 K/9, 3.9 BB/9 and 3.92 RA in five games. Since he only pitched 40 competitive innings last summer he could start the season in extended spring training to work on his changeup and build strength but it wouldn’t be shocking to see him on the Cedar Rapids roster in 2018.

Akil Baddoo, OF

2018 Age: 19

2017 High Level: Elizabethton (Rookie)

Akil was drafted in the second round in 2016 and was considered a toolsy work in progress with exceptional athletic talent (comparisons to Carl Crawford and Jacque Jones) but in need of refinement at the plate. Not unexpectedly, he hit .178 that summer in rookie ball. In 2017 it all seemed to come together in a hurry. He improved to .267/.360/.440 playing for the Gulf Coast Twins and was promoted to Elizabethton where he did even better. He hit .357/.478/.579 with more walks (27) than strikeouts (19) at Betsy and drew rave reviews for his approach at the plate. He had a 13-game hit streak from July 31 to August 19 where he hit .460/.557/.680 with 10 walks and just 5 strikeouts. His grade 70 speed allows him to cover CF but his arm might keep him in LF in the majors. Expect to see him in Cedar Rapids in 2018 but by 2021 he might be patrolling the spacious LF of Target Field.