Sunday, August 16

MINNEAPOLIS -- The turnover at the top of the Twins’ prospect list has begun, and it’s likely to continue. For now, it’s about additions and risers: No. 3 overall Draft pick Vahn Lackey makes his rankings debut at No. 2 in the system and No. 19 in the Top 100, and last year’s top pick, Marek Houston, has rocketed up the rankings into the No. 4 spot as well as earning a Top 100 overall ranking.

The next step in the turnover is the fun one, though. That’s when those prospects start turning into big leaguers. And that is under way, too.

Kaelen Culpepper has made his Major League debut, homering in his first game and stepping in as the primary shortstop. Andrew Morris has played his way off of the prospect list and into the bullpen. Kendry Rojas is currently at Triple-A, but has performed enough that he’s moved out of prospectdom as well.

And the next stage should be even more fun. Walker Jenkins, the team’s No. 1 prospect and No. 15 overall, is knocking on the door, and it wouldn’t be shocking to see him get the call before this season is out. If not 2026, it’s hard to imagine we get too far into ’27 without seeing Jenkins in a Major League uniform.

Houston is at Double-A and may be knocking on the door himself before too long. And although Emmanuel Rodriguez has fallen out of the Top 100, his combination of patience and power continues to make him an extremely intriguing player with a ton of upside.

It’s been an interesting transitional year at the Major League level for the Twins, with some young players establishing themselves as the team has been a surprise contender. But you can already start seeing the core of a very exciting future as Jenkins, Lackey, Houston and Rodriguez push to join Culpepper in Minneapolis.

Here’s a look at the Twins’ top prospects:

Walker Jenkins, OF (No. 15 overall)

Vahn Lackey, C (No. 19)

Kaelen Culpepper, SS (No. 34)

Marek Houston, SS (No. 74)

Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF

Complete Top 30 list »

Biggest jump/fall

Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the preseason list:

Jump: Ben Ross, Util (2026 preseason: NR | 2026 re-rank: 13)

Sometimes a prospect just performs so much that even though he doesn’t have an elite pedigree, even if maybe he’s a little older than ideal, you can’t overlook him. That’s Ross, who’s put up excellent numbers at both Double-A and Triple-A this year, getting on base, hitting for power and playing five positions.

Fall: Quentin Young, IF (Preseason: 14| Midseason: 24)

It’s way too early to write off Young, who was a high-risk upside play when he was drafted and is still only 19. But he’s had a rough time at Single-A Fort Myers this year, striking out at a staggering rate even when he’s been productive. Development isn’t linear, and there’s a reason the Twins were so excited to draft Young, but so far things have been tough.

New to the list

Here are the players added to the Top 30 from outside the organization:

No. 2 Vahn Lackey, C (Draft)

No. 10 Carson Tinney, C (Draft)

No. 12 Ethan Wachsmann, P (Draft)

No. 14 Brett Renfrow, P (Draft)

No. 22 Tommy LaPour, P (Draft)

No. 23 Steele Murdock, P (Draft)

Best tools

Hit: 60 - Walker Jenkins (Vahn Lackey)

Power: 60 - Walker Jenkins (Vahn Lackey, Carson Tinney, Brandon Winokur)

Run: 60 - Brandon Winokur (Yovanny Duran)

Arm: 65 - Quentin Young

Defense: 60 - Marek Houston

Fastball: 60 - Riley Quick (James Ellwanger, Tommy LaPour)

Curveball: 55 - James Ellwanger (Ethan Wachsmann)

Slider: 60 - Riley Quick (Marco Raya, Steele Murdock)

Changeup: 55 - Charlee Soto (Ryan Gallagher)

Control: 55 - Ryan Gallagher

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