Monday, November 02

MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Twins underwent a massive selloff at last year’s Trade Deadline, their haul consisted mostly of young Major Leaguers and prospects close to the Majors. Five of those players -- Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, Kendry Rojas, Alan Roden and James Outman -- have already appeared in the Majors since arriving. 

Then there’s Eduardo Tait, who is the opposite of that list. Tait, the only Top 100 prospect acquired in the selloff, is still only 19. In his second year in the Twins organization, he’s one of the youngest players at the High-A level, with the most at-bats by far of any 19-year-old in the Midwest League.  

And after a few bumps earlier in the year, Minnesota’s No. 3 prospect is beginning to find his footing. His overall slash line -- .224/.291/.455 -- may not catch your eye. But first, see the previous paragraph: He’s doing it almost exclusively against pitchers who are older than he is.  

Second, he’s had a very strong June after a very shaky May. And even that overall line hides some very nice numbers, like being tied for the fourth-most homers in the Midwest League (15). He’s also tied for 13th in the league with 14 doubles, not bad for a catcher. 

Offensively, Tait is working mostly on walking that most difficult line for any hitter, especially a young hitter. He’s trying to make sure he lays off bad pitches, without getting too passive. Only swing at strikes, but do swing at strikes. 

“It depends on the situation,” Tait said recently through interpreter and hitting/development coach Yeison Perez. “If it’s a hitters’ count, the pitcher is behind, I can sit on pitches that I’m looking for. If I don’t get the pitch, spit on it. If I’m behind, two strikes, then be protective of the zone. But yeah, when I’m behind, I can choose what pitches to swing.”

Tait’s offensive tools rate as outstanding. He has displayed excellent bat-to-ball skills despite the batting average, and his power also tantalizes. There’s some question as to whether he stays at catcher, but the Twins are willing to take the time to find out, because a left-handed-hitting catcher with Tait’s hitting upside is a rare thing indeed. 

That’s why they targeted him last year, acquiring him from the Phillies in the same deal that brought over Abel, for Jhoan Duran. And while the first trade is jarring for any young player, it was especially so for Tait, who had just turned 19. He was only in his second year in the United States, having played in the Dominican Summer League in 2023. 

Even now, he only has 300 professional games. As a Top 100 prospect whom Twins fans have been hearing about for a year now, it can be easy to forget just how young and green Tait is. 

“At the beginning, when I got traded, it was a little hard for me,” he said. “I had to deal with new teammates. In the past I was more comfortable with the teammates I had. But I got used to it and I have more relationships with the guys. It’s a lot better. The guys have been really good, so I’m in a good spot with that right now.”

It hardly seems the case even needs to be made, but humor me here. Phase 2 of All-Star voting is under way, and the Twins have one candidate to start the Midsummer Classic next month in Philadelphia. It is, of course, Byron Buxton, who finished third among American League outfielders -- but first among AL flycatchers not currently on the injured list -- in the first stage of the vote. 

You have until Thursday morning to ensure Buxton gets his second career start in the All-Star Game, and it’s awfully hard to make the case he shouldn’t get the nod. Here are his ranks among AL outfielders: 

Home runs: 1st (25) 

RBIs: 3rd (43) 

Runs: 1st (56) 

OPS: 1st (.910) 

Slugging percentage: 1st (.581)

Extra-base hits: 1st (41) 

You tell me someone who’s more deserving. For more on Buxton’s case, please check my newsletter from 11 days ago.

We’re now just two weeks from the 2026 Draft, where the Twins hold the No. 3 overall pick. Fortunately for them, there’s a clear consensus top tier in the 2026 class that consists of, yep, three players. For much of the spring, speculation centered on Georgia Tech catcher Vahn Lackey going to Minnesota, but the last couple of Mock Drafts from my friends at MLB Pipeline have it a little different. 

Just this past week, the outstanding Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis instead mocked Texas high school shortstop Grady Emerson to the Twins at No. 3, and that would be a very exciting pick. For the full mock, visit this link.

Speaking of the All-Star Game, Twins manager Derek Shelton was officially named to the American League coaching staff this week. Blue Jays manager John Schneider, whose career path looks a bit like Shelton’s, with a Minor League playing career as a catcher followed by years coaching and managing in the Minors, named Shelton as one of his coaches.

The better half and I trekked up to beautiful Duluth, Minn., on Friday night to see someone neither of us had ever seen in concert before: "Weird Al" Yankovic. It was, unsurprisingly, delightful. Here are five of my favorites from the legend himself. Y’all be kind and look out for each other, OK? 

“Eat It” 

“I Want A New Duck” 

“One More Minute” 

“Smells Like Nirvana” 

“Word Crimes”

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