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Minnesota Twins: Top 10 Rookie-Eligible Prospects for 2018

By Benjamin Chase

DETROIT, MI - MAY 11: A detailed view of a Minnesota Twins Baseball Cap and All Star Logo in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 11, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images)
DETROIT, MI - MAY 11: A detailed view of a Minnesota Twins Baseball Cap and All Star Logo in the dugout prior to the start of the game against the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park on May 11, 2014 in Detroit, Michigan. The Twins defeated the Tigers 4-3. (Photo by Leon Halip/Getty Images) /
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10. Lewin Diaz, 1B

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 11/19/1996 (21)
2017 teams/levels played for: low-A Cedar Rapids Kernels
2017 Stats: .292/.329/.444, 508 PA, 12 HR, 2 SB, 25/80 BB/K

Info: Minnesota Twins fans have seen this story before. A young Dominican left-handed first baseman with a pretty doubles swing that many aren’t sure how he could develop and when the power will come.

While Diaz is by no means a guarantee to turn into the next David Ortiz, the similarities in swing at a young age is quite striking. Diaz has a special kind of noise a ball makes as it rockets off of his bat. He will simply need to add more loft to his swing to be able to take full advantage of that powerful frame and bat speed.

While Diaz is by no means a guarantee to turn into the next David Ortiz, the similarities in swing at a young age is quite striking

Diaz does have a significant “lead” over Ortiz when it comes to the defensive side of things. He’s well-noted for his footwork and blocking ability at the first-base bag and even has a quality arm.

While Diaz is just 21, he is still only reaching high-A to open 2018 after taking slow steps to this point. Working with the Twins hitting coaches should help Diaz to gain that loft in his swing to catapult up the Twins system in a hurry.

9. Akil Baddoo, OF

Birthday (age on opening day 2018): 8/16/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: Gulf Coast League Twins, advanced rookie Elizabethton Twins
2017 Stats: .323/.436/.527, 243 PA, 4 HR, 9 SB, 36/32 BB/K

Info: Considered one of the elite athletes in the 2016 draft, the Twins were excited to get Baddoo in the 2nd round of that year’s selections. He showed his athleticism in his draft year with 8 steals in just 38 games.

Baddoo put in a host of time with the Minnesota Twins coaches over the fall, winter, and spring, and his natural athleticism bled into a tremendously disciplined approach at the plate along with utilizing his impressive raw power to knock 3 triples, 4 doubles, and a home run in his first 20 games at the GCL.

He was even more prolific after being promoted, knocking out 15 doubles, 2 triples, and 3 home runs in just 33 games. While he was caught more frequently on the bases in Elizabethton, he was still showing elite base running skills.

Baddoo’s got incredible athleticism defensively, and he has the upside to be a true 5-tool player that can hit for power with a good average and eye at the plate, running the bases at an elite level.

The Twins will send Baddoo to full-season ball in Cedar Rapids this season, and it would not surprise me at all if Baddoo was a big riser in the 2018 season.

Next: #7 and #8

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