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Ranking the Minnesota Twins’ Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

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Minnesota Twins' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016

Minnesota Twins' Top 5 Prospects Heading Into 2016 Leon Halip Getty Images
With Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton both making their major league debuts in 2015, in my estimation they no longer fit a list of the Minnesota Twins' top prospects. An argument can be made for Buxton, who retains rookie eligibility for 2016, but he has a clear place on next year's Opening Day roster and stretches the definition of "prospect" now. Here are the Twins' top five prospects heading into 2016.

With Miguel Sano and Byron Buxton both making their major league debuts in 2015, in my estimation they no longer fit a list of the Minnesota Twins' top prospects. An argument can be made for Buxton, who retains rookie eligibility for 2016, but he has a clear place on next year's Opening Day roster and stretches the definition of "prospect" now. Here are the Twins' top five prospects heading into 2016.

5. IF Jorge Polanco

IF Jorge Polanco Brad Rempel USA TODAY Sports
Polanco has made brief cameos with the Twins in each of the last two seasons. He's a somewhat rare commodity, since he can play both middle infield spots and has potential offensively (.288/.339/.386 slash line with 19 stolen bases in Double and Triple-A last season). Polanco could be a trade chip at some point, but for now he's a top-five prospect in the Twins' organization.

Polanco has made brief cameos with the Twins in each of the last two seasons. He's a somewhat rare commodity, since he can play both middle infield spots and has potential offensively (.288/.339/.386 slash line with 19 stolen bases in Double and Triple-A last season). Polanco could be a trade chip at some point, but for now he's a top-five prospect in the Twins' organization.

4. SP Kohl Stewart

SP Kohl Stewart Rob Carr Getty Images
Stewart did not have a great 2015 season at High-A Fort Myers (7-8, 3.20 ERA, 4.9 K/9), but an early elbow issue may have been a factor and shoulder soreness in 2014 shouldn’t be dismissed either. As long as any lingering arm woes are behind him, Stewart still belongs among the top 50-100 prospects in all of baseball and I expect him to get back on track in 2016.

Stewart did not have a great 2015 season at High-A Fort Myers (7-8, 3.20 ERA, 4.9 K/9), but an early elbow issue may have been a factor and shoulder soreness in 2014 shouldn’t be dismissed either. As long as any lingering arm woes are behind him, Stewart still belongs among the top 50-100 prospects in all of baseball and I expect him to get back on track in 2016.

3. SS Nick Gordon

SS Nick Gordon Taylor Baucom Getty Images
Minnesota's top pick in 2014 (fifth overall) had a solid 2015 season at Single-A Cedar Rapids, with a slash-line of .277/.336/.360, 25 stolen bases and 58 RBI. He should move up to Double-A to start 2016, and if Gordon continues to make progress he could be the Twins' Opening Day shortstop in 2017.

Minnesota's top pick in 2014 (fifth overall) had a solid 2015 season at Single-A Cedar Rapids, with a slash-line of .277/.336/.360, 25 stolen bases and 58 RBI. He should move up to Double-A to start 2016, and if Gordon continues to make progress he could be the Twins' Opening Day shortstop in 2017.

2. OF Max Kepler

OF Max Kepler Marilyn Indahl USA TODAY Sports
After posting a slash-line of .322/.416/.531 with nine home runs, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases at Double-A Chattanooga last season, Kepler earned a promotion to the big leagues and got seven late-season at-bats. He's likely to start 2016 in Triple-A, but Kepler could make his way back to the big leagues before too long.

After posting a slash-line of .322/.416/.531 with nine home runs, 71 RBI and 18 stolen bases at Double-A Chattanooga last season, Kepler earned a promotion to the big leagues and got seven late-season at-bats. He's likely to start 2016 in Triple-A, but Kepler could make his way back to the big leagues before too long.

1. SP Jose Berrios

SP Jose Berrios David Kohl USA TODAY Sports
After pitching at three levels in 2014 (one start in Triple-A), Berrios went 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and great peripherals (9.5 K/9, 2.1 BB/9) over 27 starts (166.1 innings) between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He's on track to make his major league debut in 2016.

After pitching at three levels in 2014 (one start in Triple-A), Berrios went 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and great peripherals (9.5 K/9, 2.1 BB/9) over 27 starts (166.1 innings) between Double-A and Triple-A last season. He's on track to make his major league debut in 2016.

Brad Berreman is a writer for RantSports. Follow him on Twitter and like him on Facebook.
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