Twinkie Town Community Prospect Vote: Round 5

Summer 2017 trade acquisition Zack Littell wins round 4, his first round on the ballot.

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%)

Our next add is a 2017 draft pick who performed very well in his pro debut.

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 2018 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. 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 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

2016 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.