Evaluating The Minnesota Twins’ Top 10 Prospects Going Into 2016 Spring Training

10. Alex Meyer, Pitcher

Meyer is a monster at 6-foot-9 and possesses a blistering fastball and a plus slider. However, his size makes it hard for him to repeat his delivery, which leads to control issues, and those control issues will likely limit him to a bullpen role in the majors. He made a cameo in the big leagues last season, but it did not go well. He did start to get comfortable with a bullpen role in triple-A, so he should be ready to return to the majors whenever the Twins need another arm in the bullpen.

10. Alex Meyer, Pitcher

Meyer is a monster at 6-foot-9 and possesses a blistering fastball and a plus slider. However, his size makes it hard for him to repeat his delivery, which leads to control issues, and those control issues will likely limit him to a bullpen role in the majors. He made a cameo in the big leagues last season, but it did not go well. He did start to get comfortable with a bullpen role in triple-A, so he should be ready to return to the majors whenever the Twins need another arm in the bullpen.

9. Adam Walker, Outfield

With 31 home runs and 31 doubles in double-A last year, Walker has tons of power, which is a valuable commodity in baseball. Of course, Walker has a strikeout rate that's painfully high, with 195 Ks in 133 games last season. Hitting for a high average could also be an issue. That being said, Walker's raw power will give him plenty of opportunities to figure things out and become a more rounded and balanced player. He doesn't figure into Minnesota's plans for 2016, but considering his power, he's someone to keep watching.

9. Adam Walker, Outfield

With 31 home runs and 31 doubles in double-A last year, Walker has tons of power, which is a valuable commodity in baseball. Of course, Walker has a strikeout rate that's painfully high, with 195 Ks in 133 games last season. Hitting for a high average could also be an issue. That being said, Walker's raw power will give him plenty of opportunities to figure things out and become a more rounded and balanced player. He doesn't figure into Minnesota's plans for 2016, but considering his power, he's someone to keep watching.

8. Stephen Gonsalves, Pitcher

A 6-foot-5 lefty with an above-average fastball and a couple of decent secondary pitches is always going to be a worthwhile prospect. He cruised through A-ball last season, and so he's more than a year from reaching the big leagues, but Gonsalves is a big lefty with decent stuff and plenty of pitchability. A couple years down the road, he could fit nicely into the back end of Minnesota's rotation.

8. Stephen Gonsalves, Pitcher

A 6-foot-5 lefty with an above-average fastball and a couple of decent secondary pitches is always going to be a worthwhile prospect. He cruised through A-ball last season, and so he's more than a year from reaching the big leagues, but Gonsalves is a big lefty with decent stuff and plenty of pitchability. A couple years down the road, he could fit nicely into the back end of Minnesota's rotation.

7. Max Kepler, Outfield

It's taken a long time for Kepler, who hails from Germany, to develop.He's made great strides the past couple of years and after a brief major league call up last year, and he isn't far away from a permanent spot on Minnesota's roster. He could benefit from more seasoning in triple-A, but he put up impressive numbers in double-A last year, he has a mature approach at the plate and he can play all three outfield spots. In the long run, he's probably not an everyday player in Minnesota's outfield, but Kepler will hit for a good average, provide some pop and be versatile defensively, so the Twins will find a place for him on their roster.

7. Max Kepler, Outfield

It's taken a long time for Kepler, who hails from Germany, to develop.He's made great strides the past couple of years and after a brief major league call up last year, and he isn't far away from a permanent spot on Minnesota's roster. He could benefit from more seasoning in triple-A, but he put up impressive numbers in double-A last year, he has a mature approach at the plate and he can play all three outfield spots. In the long run, he's probably not an everyday player in Minnesota's outfield, but Kepler will hit for a good average, provide some pop and be versatile defensively, so the Twins will find a place for him on their roster.

6. Jorge Polanco, Shortstop

Polanco spent some time in Minnesota last season when the Twins needed an extra infielder, but he'll need a little more time until he's ready for a full time job in the majors. He won't provide much power, but Polanco is a switch-hitter who can hit to all fields, and defensively he can handle both middle infield spots. He's probably not Minnesota's long-term answer at shortstop, but he can play there if necessary and could develop into an everyday second baseman. In the meantime, if the Twins need another infielder, they can call upon him in 2016 if necessary.

6. Jorge Polanco, Shortstop

Polanco spent some time in Minnesota last season when the Twins needed an extra infielder, but he'll need a little more time until he's ready for a full time job in the majors. He won't provide much power, but Polanco is a switch-hitter who can hit to all fields, and defensively he can handle both middle infield spots. He's probably not Minnesota's long-term answer at shortstop, but he can play there if necessary and could develop into an everyday second baseman. In the meantime, if the Twins need another infielder, they can call upon him in 2016 if necessary.

5. Kohl Stewart, Pitcher

Stewart has been slowed somewhat by injuries, but if everything comes together he has a chance to pitch at the front of a major league rotation. The young righty has a plus fastball and slider, as well as a curveball and changeup that can also be adequate in the major league. Stewart has made it through A-ball without much trouble and now he has to prove himself at the upper levels. He may not help the Twins for a couple of years, but his upside is quite high.

5. Kohl Stewart, Pitcher

Stewart has been slowed somewhat by injuries, but if everything comes together he has a chance to pitch at the front of a major league rotation. The young righty has a plus fastball and slider, as well as a curveball and changeup that can also be adequate in the major league. Stewart has made it through A-ball without much trouble and now he has to prove himself at the upper levels. He may not help the Twins for a couple of years, but his upside is quite high.

4. Nick Gordon, Shortstop

The son of former major leaguer Tom Gordon, Nick Gordon could develop into Minnesota's shortstop of the future in a few year's time. He's only 20 years old, so he's a few years away from the majors, but Gordon is a great athlete who is competent in the field and has more than enough arm strength to be an average or better defensive shortstop. He'll have to keep on hitting, and maybe show some power, as he moves up the ladder, but Gordon has plenty of promise and potential.

4. Nick Gordon, Shortstop

The son of former major leaguer Tom Gordon, Nick Gordon could develop into Minnesota's shortstop of the future in a few year's time. He's only 20 years old, so he's a few years away from the majors, but Gordon is a great athlete who is competent in the field and has more than enough arm strength to be an average or better defensive shortstop. He'll have to keep on hitting, and maybe show some power, as he moves up the ladder, but Gordon has plenty of promise and potential.

3. Tyler Jay, Pitcher

In 2016, Jay will be making the unconventional transition from college reliever to professional starter. However, if things go well, not only will he have a chance to move through the minors quickly, but he also has a high ceiling. Jay is a somewhat undersized lefty, but one with a plus fastball and a great slider, as well as a curveball and changeup that also show promise. He's unlikely to reach the big leagues this year, but with a strong 2016 season, he could be in position to help the Twins at some point in 2017.

3. Tyler Jay, Pitcher

In 2016, Jay will be making the unconventional transition from college reliever to professional starter. However, if things go well, not only will he have a chance to move through the minors quickly, but he also has a high ceiling. Jay is a somewhat undersized lefty, but one with a plus fastball and a great slider, as well as a curveball and changeup that also show promise. He's unlikely to reach the big leagues this year, but with a strong 2016 season, he could be in position to help the Twins at some point in 2017.

2. Jose Berrios, Pitcher

Berrios won't turn 22 until May, but he is already all-but-ready for the majors. He has a live arm and a fastball in the mid 90s, as well as two above-average secondary pitches. He's undersized, but that hasn't been an issue for Berrios before, and ultimately he should develop into a No. 3 caliber starter, or possibly an elite late-inning reliever. The Twins won't want to rush him, so he may not make their roster out of spring training, but he can help Minnesota in 2016 whenever they need an extra starter.

2. Jose Berrios, Pitcher

Berrios won't turn 22 until May, but he is already all-but-ready for the majors. He has a live arm and a fastball in the mid 90s, as well as two above-average secondary pitches. He's undersized, but that hasn't been an issue for Berrios before, and ultimately he should develop into a No. 3 caliber starter, or possibly an elite late-inning reliever. The Twins won't want to rush him, so he may not make their roster out of spring training, but he can help Minnesota in 2016 whenever they need an extra starter.

1. Byron Buxton, Outfield

Buxton figures to be a huge part of Minnesota's future. He's struggled with injuries, but when he's been healthy he's turned his incredible tools into production. The Twins brought him up last year when they needed him, but he wasn't quite ready and struggled. Eventually, Buxton will be Minnesota's everyday center fielder, but the club would be wise to give him more seasoning in the minors in 2016. If he can stay healthy, Buxton should be in Minnesota the second half of the season, when his major league career will have a chance to really take off.

1. Byron Buxton, Outfield

Buxton figures to be a huge part of Minnesota's future. He's struggled with injuries, but when he's been healthy he's turned his incredible tools into production. The Twins brought him up last year when they needed him, but he wasn't quite ready and struggled. Eventually, Buxton will be Minnesota's everyday center fielder, but the club would be wise to give him more seasoning in the minors in 2016. If he can stay healthy, Buxton should be in Minnesota the second half of the season, when his major league career will have a chance to really take off.