Analysis: Top 5 prospects to watch in Twins upcoming breakout game

By Briggs Loveland, WEBN Correspondent

Major League Baseball has introduced a new Spring Training event beginning this Spring Training. Starting on March 14, MLB breakout games will feature each team’s best prospects and brightest stars. The Minnesota Twins will play against the Tampa Bay Rays on March 16. With the 15th best-ranked farm system and four top 100 prospects in MLB, the Twins farm system will make some noise around the league.

Here are the five players you should keep your eyes on.

1. OF Walker Jenkins
Ranked as the number one prospect for the Twins and tenth in MLB, the former first-round pick is among the most exciting prospects to represent the Twins organization. Scouts rave about his hitting abilities, driving the ball to all fields with power from the left side. With a plus arm and instincts, Jenkins will be a must-see.

2. SS Brooks Lee
The former eighth overall pick in the 2022 draft is another prospect that Twins fans need to pay attention to. With plus contact, amazing plate discipline, and a solid glove, Lee is rightfully the number two prospect in the Twins farm system. A plus to Lee is he has already proven himself on the field, slashing .292/.365 in AAA ball. With 102 hits, 31 doubles, and an impressive 41 walks. Carlos Correa is already at SS, and seeing where Lee falls into place will be interesting. For right now, Twins fans enjoy seeing him play.

3. RHP David Festa
Festa, the fifth-ranked prospect and number-one pitcher on the Twins farm system board, will be excited to watch this upcoming breakout game. At 6’6/185, his presence on the mound is already intimidating. It helps that he sits around 95 mph and tops out at 98 mph. With a slider sitting at 87 mph with a high spin and swing rate, he has taken the leap, and the front office sees it. Festa will be a stud for the Twins in the future, and this game gives him all the potential to showcase it to the fans.

4. OF Emmanuel Rodriguez
The 42nd-ranked prospect in MLB has some of the best power in the game right now. Scouts graded him at 60 on the power scale, his left-handed swing demolishes baseballs. The recently 21-year-old also showcases one of the best arms out of all the best outfield prospects, a 60 grade from scouts. With injuries that have plagued him in 2022 and 2023, this will be Rodriguez’s first full season healthy and ready to make a name for himself.

5. OF Gabriel Gonzalez
If you can tell by now, the Twins have some of the best OF prospects in baseball. Acquired in the Jorge Polanco trade with the Mariners, the Twins picked up another stud outfielder who will look to impress in the breakout game. In 73 games in A ball, Gonzalez hit .348, with a .933 OPS, and totaled 103 hits and nine bombs. He struggled in high A ball, hitting a hundred points lower, but the same amount of homers in thirty fewer games. Gonzalez also has one of the best arms in the OF prospect class, with a scouting grade of 65. The 4th ranked Twins prospect is another reason for Minnesota fans to turn on the TV.

This is just five of a long list of prospects and young talent the Twins have in store for the future. The MLB breakout game will give players a chance to showcase what they can provide to the big league team and fans to pick their new favorite players before they wear a Twins uniform. The Twins and Rays face off on Saturday, March 16th, on MLB Network.