Top Minnesota Twins Prospects 2026: Jenkins, Culpepper, Rodriguez & More

The Minnesota Twins are at a crossroads. Payroll constraints have forced them to lean hard on one of baseball’s deepest farm systems.

This article digs into the prospects who might shape the Twins’ future. We’ll look at strengths, weaknesses, and when fans might actually see these players in Minnesota.

Twins Farm System Poised to Carry the Load

With spending tight in the majors, player development isn’t just a bonus for the Twins—it’s the plan. Luckily, the system’s loaded with talent at nearly every level.

They’ve got position players who could be everyday guys and pitchers who might anchor a rotation or bullpen. A bunch of these prospects already play in the upper minors, so their arrival could happen soon.

Still, questions about health, defensive fit, and polish keep popping up. The system’s not without its risks.

Walker Jenkins: Five-Tool Promise Still Developing

Left-handed hitter Walker Jenkins stands out at Triple-A. He’s got a smooth swing, makes a ton of contact, and can move on the bases.

When he’s healthy, Jenkins looks like a future star. But there’s a real question about his power. Injuries have slowed him down, and he hasn’t shown home run pop as often as you’d hope.

Emmanuel Rodriguez: Impact Talent, Fragile Track Record

Emmanuel Rodriguez might have the most advanced bat in the system. He draws walks, hits the ball hard, and plays solid defense—numbers and the eye test both say he’s special.

But can he stay on the field? Rodriguez has played more than 65 games just once in five seasons, which makes you wonder if he can handle a full MLB year.

Middle Infield and Catching Questions

The Twins have some interesting infield and catching prospects too. These guys bring bats that could play in the bigs, but each comes with questions about defense or plate approach.

Kaelen Culpepper: Shortstop or Something Else?

Kaelen Culpepper surprised a lot of folks at Double-A. He flashed more power than expected and ran well, which boosted his stock.

His long-term value really depends on defense. If he can’t stick at shortstop, his bat will have to do even more work at another spot.

Tait: Power-First Catcher with Refinement Needed

Tait, who came over in the Jhoan Duran trade, is a catcher with huge raw tools. His exit velocities jump off the page, and the power is obvious.

But there’s a problem—he’s way too aggressive at the plate. He chases a lot, and better pitchers are going to take advantage unless he tightens up his approach.

Pitching Depth: High Ceiling, High Risk

The Twins’ farm is packed with lefties who have big-time stuff. Most of them, though, have some kind of durability or command issue.

Soto and Prielipp: Frontline Stuff, Uncertain Futures

Soto lit up High-A, hitting 100 mph and mixing in nasty secondary pitches. Then arm injuries hit, and he only made three starts all year.

Grant Prielipp is up at Triple-A now. He throws a wicked sweeper and a good changeup, but people are starting to wonder if his arm can hold up as a starter or if he’ll end up in relief.

Kendry Rojas and the Command Conundrum

Kendry Rojas dominated at the lower levels with movement and deception. Things got rough at Triple-A, though—he lost the zone, walked too many, and his ERA ballooned.

Another lefty in the system throws mid-90s with quality off-speed stuff, but his strike rate just isn’t there yet. He’ll need to throw more strikes if he wants to start in the majors.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Bat-First Breakout

The centerpiece of the Jorge Polanco trade, Gabriel Gonzalez turned in a standout Triple-A season. He hit .329 and finished near the top of the league in hits.

His bat looks big-league ready. Defense, speed, and power? Those all seem pretty average right now.

That means he’ll need to keep hitting. Still, for a Twins team searching for affordable bats, Gonzalez might show up at just the right moment.

 
Here is the source article for this story: Breaking down Twins’ top prospects going into 2026 season