Jovani Moran lost our tie breaker in round 27 but was the clear winner in round 28. He is currently pitching for the Saints.

1. Royce Lewis 40% (Martin 37%, Balazovic 23%)
2. Austin Martin 65% (Balazovic 25%, Duran 7%, Woods-Richardson 2%)
3. Joe Ryan 43% (Balazovic 27%, Miranda 24%, Duran 4%, Woods-Richardson 2%)
4. Jordan Balazovic 48% (Miranda 45%, Duran 4%, Woods-Richardson 2%, Celestino 1%)
5. Jose Miranda 68% (Woods-Richardson 12%, Duran 10%, Winder 9%, Celestino 2%)
6. Jhoan Duran 32% (Winder 24%, Woods-Richardson 20%, Canterino 20%, Celestino 4%)
7. Josh Winder 45% (Woods-Richardson 28%, Canterino 14%, Petty 9%, Celestino 4%)
8. Matt Canterino 51% (Woods-Richardson 35%, Celestino 7%, Petty 6%, Urbina 0%)
9. Simeon Woods-Richardson 79% (Petty 10%, Celestino 10%, Cavaco 1%, Urbina 0%)
10. Gilberto Celestino 45% (Wallner 38%, Strotman 14%, Urbina 2%, Cavaco 2%)
11. Matt Wallner 45% (Sands 30%, Strotman 15%, Urbina 9%, Cavaco 1%)
12. Cole Sands 55% (Strotman 18%, Miller 15%, Urbina 10%, Cavaco 2%)
13. Noah Miller 47% (Strotman 24%, Sabato 14%, Urbina 13%, Cavaco 2%)
14. Misael Urbina 44% (Strotman 23%, Enlow 22%, Sabato 9%, Cavaco 3%)
15. Blayne Enlow 38% (Strotman 27%, Sabato 15%, Rodriguez 14%, Cavaco 5%)
16. Aaron Sabato 37% (Strotman 28%, Varland 25%, Rodriguez 9%, Cavaco 1%)
17. Louie Varland 42% (Strotman 28%, Julien 16%, Rodriguez 9%, Cavaco 6%)
18. Edouard Julien 42% (Strotman 36%, Rodriguez 12%, Cavaco 8%, Soularie 3%)
19. Drew Strotman 44% (Rodriguez 29%, Henriquez 14%, Cavaco 10%, Soularie 2%)
20. Emmanuel Rodriguez 33% (Steer 26%, Henriquez 19%, Cavaco 16%, Soularie 6%)
21. Spencer Steer 26% (Henriquez 24%, Cavaco 24%, Hajjar 20%, Soularie 6%)
22. Keoni Cavaco 46% (Henriquez 31%, De Andrade 10%, Hajjar 9%, Soularie 3%)
23. Ronny Henriquez 58% (Soularie 12%, Raya 11%, Hajjar 11%, De Andrade 8%)
24. Marco Raya 29% (Soularie 18%, De Andrade 18%, Hajjar 18%, Povich 16%)
25. Christian Encarnacion-Strand 49% (Hajjar 22%, Soularie 10%, Povich 9%, De Andrade 9%)
26. Steven Hajjar 36% (Soularie 22%, Rosario 17%, De Andrade 16%, Povich 9%)
27. Cade Povich 29% (Moran 29%, Soularie 16%, De Andrade 13%, Rosario 12%)
28. Jovani Moran 36% (De Andrade 23%, Soularie 19%, Rosario 16%, Mercedes 7%)

We have had a run of pitchers winning five of our last six elections. I decided not to add anyone for this round to let someone who isn’t a pitcher win instead.

Alerick Soularie, LF/2B

2022 Age: 22

2021 High Level: Fort Myers (A)

The Minnesota Twins selected Alerick Soularie in the second round (59th pick) of the 2020 MLB Draft. The junior from the University of Tennessee was the leading hitter for the Volunteers while playing 1B, 2B and all outfield positions. He started his college career at San Jacinto Junior College and was named a third team junior college All-American after his freshman season. He transferred to Tennessee for his sophomore year, led the team in batting average, OBP and SLG and was named All-SEC. His junior season in 2020 was cut short but he still managed to hit 5 HR in 60 AB. He also went 10 for 11 stealing bases as a Volunteer. The Twins gave him a $900,000 bonus to forgo his senior year and become a professional. His 2021 debut was delayed due to a sprained ankle and a broken foot and his results were a little disappointing (.219/.344/.324 in 125 plate appearance) but it was good to see him able to play regularly. It looks like the Twins will try to see if they can develop him as a second baseman but left field is a more likely future position. Soularie started his 2022 season at Cedar Rapids.

Danny De Andrade, SS

2022 Age: 18

2021 High Level: DSL Twins (Foreign Rookie)

The international signing period opened in 2020 and the Twins immediately closed a $2.2 million deal with Venezuelan shortstop Danny De Andrade. The 6 foot 160 lb infielder ranked 16th on MLB’s list of all international free agents in this signing period. He had his first at-bats as a professional in the Dominican rookie league last summer. He hit .264/.340/.348 and showed some speed on the base paths (6SB 2CS) while splitting time between SS and 3B. The scouts like his bat speed and ability to drive the ball to all fields. They believe he can develop power and also think he can stick on the left side of the infield. Like all international free agent teenagers he is a long ways away from the major leagues. A stateside debut in a rookie league is expected this year.

Kala’i Rosario, OF

2022 Age: 19

2021 High Level: Florida Complex Twins (Rookie)

Kala’i Rosario was considered the best high school prospect in Hawaii in 2020 after receiving the Gatorade award for that state. The Twins drafted him in the 5th round of that shortened draft but there were no minor leagues for him to play in that summer. Last year he debuted with the rookie league team and hit .277/.341/.452 in 208 plate appearances while playing both corner outfield positions. Rosario has one prominent tool - plus power. He is considered an adequate defender in the field. He struck out a bit too much but when he made contact the ball left his bat very quickly. He should spend the summer in Fort Myers.

Yasser Mercedes, OF

2022 Age: 17

2021 High Level: N/A

Yasser Mercedes was the Twins top rated international free agent signing in the most recent signing period. MLB.com ranked him 17th on their list of potential free agent signings. He rates as an average hitter with average power who has the athletic ability to play centerfield. He weighed 180 pounds when signed but at 6’3” he has the frame to add some more muscle. He was born in Puerto Rico but grew up in the Dominican Republic. The Twins paid him a $1.7M bonus. Expect him to start his professional career in the Dominican Summer League this year.