Minnesota's farm system shines bright heading into the 2026 season.
The Minnesota Twins entered the offseason facing hard questions after a 70-92 finish in 2025 that saw them trade away much of their roster at the deadline.
Despite the difficult year, the team's future looks promising thanks to an impressive showing on MLB Pipeline's preseason Top 100 prospects list, where the Twins landed four names among baseball's elite young talent.
A Strong Foundation for the Future
Walker Jenkins leads the way for Minnesota at No. 14 overall.
The former fifth overall pick from the 2023 draft is the headliner of this group, and the left-handed hitting outfielder spent most of 2025 climbing through the system before reaching Triple-A, posting an .850 OPS in 84 games with a mature approach at the plate.
Scouts have compared his swing to Hall of Famer Joe Mauer, and he is tracking toward an early-2026 big league debut.
Emmanuel Rodriguez comes in at No. 74 and joins Jenkins as an outfielder who could impact the big league roster in 2026.
The 22-year-old has dealt with injuries throughout his career but finally strung together consistent playing time this past winter in the Dominican League, where he earned All-Star MVP honors and showed the 70-grade raw power that made him a top international signing back in 2019.
Shortstop Kaelen Culpepper ranks No. 52 after a breakout first full professional season that saw him hit .289/.375/.469 with 20 home runs and 25 stolen bases across High-A and Double-A.
The 2024 first-round pick has made it clear he wants to be in Major League camp next spring, and his bat-to-ball skills suggest he could push for a spot sometime in 2027.
Catcher Eduardo Tait rounds out the group at No. 65 after coming over from Philadelphia in the Jhoan Duran trade at last year's deadline.
The 19-year-old switch-hitter brings left-handed pop from the catcher position, which is rare in today's game, though his aggressive approach and defensive development mean he is likely a 2028 arrival at the earliest.
Twins Look to Build Around Young Core
After trading away 11 players from the 40-man roster at the deadline, the Twins have made it clear that they intend to compete in 2026 while building around their prospects.
Jenkins and Rodriguez in particular could form the foundation of an exciting outfield alongside Byron Buxton, giving Minnesota fans plenty of reason for optimism despite last season's struggles in the AL Central.
The Twins' four-prospect showing ties them with several other clubs including the Tigers, Dodgers, and Yankees for the most representatives on MLB Pipeline's preseason Top 100 list.