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As the Twins continue their push for contention at the big-league level, the farm system is quietly developing names that could impact the future in Minnesota—or serve as valuable trade chips at the deadline. This season, a pair of young hitters and an emerging pitcher are making notable progress. These three players are each turning heads for different reasons, and their recent performances have them climbing the organizational ranks.

INF/OF Brandon Winokur, Cedar Rapids Kernels
The Twins selected Winokur in the third round of the 2023 MLB Draft out of high school in California. A multi-sport athlete with rare physical tools, Winokur drew attention for his combination of size, speed, and raw power. The Twins gave him second-round money ($1.5 million) and signed him away from a commitment to UCLA, betting that his loud, athletic profile would translate well to pro ball with the right development plan. His first full season in the Florida State League was filled with numerous learning experiences. Still, he showed glimpses of the potential that made him a top-100 draft prospect, launching a few long home runs and flashing defensive versatility in the infield and outfield. In 94 games, he posted a .761 OPS with 14 home runs and 19 doubles with 28.0 K% and an 8.3 BB%.

Hitting the Hot Button:
Winokur started slow this season as he adjusted to High-A, but he is starting to see the pieces come together. In his age-20 season, he’s playing in the Midwest League, where he’s over two years younger than the average age of the competition. Over his last 22 games, he has hit .241/.300/.566, with seven home runs, four doubles, and six stolen bases. Winokur posted these totals while the Kernels were in the thick of the first-half playoff race. Most importantly, his strikeout rate, which was a concern coming out of high school, has improved, as he’s shown a better two-strike approach and a willingness to use the whole field. He cut his strikeout rate from 28.0% in 2024 to 23.3% during his recent hot stretch. If Winokur keeps trending upward, a promotion to Double-A later this summer is a possibility, and his long-term ceiling as a potential five-tool player remains intact.

RHP Pierson Ohl, Wichita Wind Surge
The Twins drafted Ohl in the 14th round of the 2021 MLB Draft out of Grand Canyon University. Ohl wasn’t a high-profile pick at the time, but the Twins were intrigued by his excellent control and feel for pitching. In his first two professional seasons, Ohl worked his way steadily through the lower levels, showing off his ability to limit walks and fill the strike zone with a diverse mix of pitches. While his stuff didn’t jump off the page—his fastball sits in the low 90s—his command and pitch efficiency made him a reliable rotation option as he reached Double-A Wichita. Last season, he posted a 4.68 ERA with a 1.27 WHIP with a 16.3 K%, and a 3.7 BB%

Hitting the Hot Button:
Ohl has taken a significant step forward in 2025, as the Twins have shifted his role. He is one of a handful of pitchers being used in a unique bulk inning role that the Twins are implementing this year. In 15 appearances (44 innings), he has posted a 1.84 ERA with a 0.86 WHIP. Scouts have noticed a slight uptick in velocity and sharper breaking pitches, which have helped him miss more bats than in previous years. His K% has increased to 33.1% in his new role, while also maintaining a low walk rate of 3.0%. He’s held batters to a .499 OPS for the season, and he’s limited them to a .138 OBP in June. Ohl’s consistent performance and improved stuff have pushed him into the conversation as an MLB-ready arm when the Twins need him. On Monday, Ohl was promoted to Triple-A, so he’s one step closer to the big leagues. 

INF Haritzon Castillo, DSL Twins
Castillo signed with the Twins in January 2025 as part of their international signing class out of Venezuela. The Twins were drawn to the switch-hitter’s raw power potential and physical projection as a corner infielder. FanGraphs ranked him as the 39th-best international prospect in the class, while MLB Pipeline ranked him 43rd. Castillo will need to spend time adjusting to professional pitching, focusing on improving his pitch recognition and overall approach at the plate. His bat is his ticket to the big leagues, but he has a long way to go before reaching Target Field.  

Hitting the Hot Button:
Castillo has quickly made an impact in his professional debut and is already popping up on prospect lists as one of the best bats in the Twins’ system. In 11 games in the DSL, the 17-year-old is slashing .395/.500/.684, with six extra-base hits and nearly as many walks (7) as strikeouts (8). Castillo’s ability to drive the ball to all fields has drawn praise from Twins development staff. His blend of youth, power, and an improving plate approach has raised his prospect profile considerably, making him a name to watch closely as the organization’s next potential impact corner bat.

These three prospects exemplify the various ways talent can emerge within a system. Winokur is the high-upside prep bat whose tools are starting to turn into production. Ohl is the command-first arm turning into a legitimate option for the big-league bullpen. And Castillo is the international teenager whose offensive breakout is turning heads and pushing him up prospect rankings.

As the Twins continue their push for contention, the organization’s depth is quietly building underneath. Whether it’s as future contributors in Minnesota or valuable trade assets, Winokur, Ohl, and Castillo are proving they deserve attention. Their progress is good news for a franchise that values both player development and roster flexibility. Stay tuned. These names may become even more significant as the 2025 season progresses.

What stands out about these three names so far this season? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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