Inside The Twins

Three Twins make expert's list of top ten players at every age from 16 to 25

The Twins have a lot of young talent rising up through their organization.
Will Ragatz|
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels outfielder Walker Jenkins (27) catches a ball from the dugout during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Tarpons at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Friday, June 28, 2024.
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels outfielder Walker Jenkins (27) catches a ball from the dugout during the second inning of a game against the Tampa Tarpons at Hammond Stadium in Fort Myers on Friday, June 28, 2024. | Jonah Hinebaugh/Naples Daily News/USA Today Network-Florida / USA TODAY NETWORK

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Minnesota Twins

Three Twins players or prospects made the cut in a recent article from ESPN's Kiley McDaniel ranking the top ten players in baseball at every age from 16 to 25.

Royce Lewis came in fourth among players born in 1999, which was the oldest age group included in the story. He's behind only Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Fernando Tatis Jr., and Hunter Greene. McDaniel notes that Lewis "has trouble staying healthy but is still showing star potential when on the field." Even amidst a current slump, Lewis has 36 home runs in his first 130 MLB games, including playoffs. He just needs to stay on the field.

Emmanuel Rodriguez ranks fifth among players born in 2003, a group that's headlined by Jackson Merrill and Jackson Holliday. Rodriguez is the Twins' No. 2 prospect and the No. 14 overall prospect in McDaniel's most recent ranking. The Dominican-born outfielder has a 1.100 OPS in 37 games with Double-A Wichita this year but hasn't played in nearly two months due to a thumb injury.

In the 2005-born group, Twins top prospect Walker Jenkins — a consensus top-10 prospect in all of baseball — leads the way. The 19-year-old from North Carolina, who was the fifth overall pick in last year's draft, is currently with High-A Cedar Rapids. Jenkins is the crown jewel of a Twins farm system that ranks among the best in baseball.

Five other Twins also received honorable mentions from McDaniel: Zebby Matthews (2000), David Festa (2000), Brooks Lee (2001), Luke Keaschall (2002), and Charlee Soto (2005).

The future looks bright in Minnesota.

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Will Ragatz
WILL RAGATZ

Will Ragatz is a senior writer for Vikings On SI, who also covers the Twins, Timberwolves, Gophers, and other Minnesota teams. He is a credentialed Minnesota Vikings beat reporter, covering the team extensively at practices, games and throughout the NFL draft and free agency period. Ragatz attended Northwestern University, where he studied at the prestigious Medill School of Journalism. During his time as a student, he covered Northwestern Wildcats football and basketball for SB Nation’s Inside NU, eventually serving as co-editor-in-chief in his junior year. In the fall of 2018, Will interned in Sports Illustrated’s newsroom in New York City, where he wrote articles on Major League Baseball, college football, and college basketball for SI.com.

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