Catching depth has been a quiet strength for the Minnesota Twins in recent seasons, but it’s been tested in 2025. Christian Vazquez landed on the injured list with a shoulder infection, forcing Minnesota to dip into its reserves for the first time in three years. Jhonny Pereda, a recent waiver claim from Oakland, joined the roster alongside Mickey Gasper, who has extensive minor-league catching experience despite primarily being used in a utility role.

The front office also made it clear at the trade deadline that catching was a priority. Eduardo Tait was acquired in the Jhoan Duran deal, and Enrique Jimenez arrived from San Diego in the Chris Paddack trade. Those moves added to an already layered system stocked with intriguing talent at every level.

Here’s a look at the organization’s catching depth from the Triple-A St. Paul to Low-A Fort Myers.

Triple-A St. Paul Saints
Jhonny Pereda – Pereda was claimed off waivers from the Athletics organization last month and already has been called up to the Twins. Since joining the Saints, he is hitting .393/.500/.679 (1.179) with five extra-base hits in eight games. He won’t continue to hit at that level with the Saints, but has a .352 OBP in nearly 3,000 plate appearances in the minor leagues. Pereda adds solid organizational depth at a position where the Twins will need options in 2026. 

Patrick Winkel – Drafted in the ninth round in 2021 out of UConn, Winkel has built his value on solid receiving skills and a steady presence behind the plate. In 2025, he’s posted a .217/.280/.443 (.723) slash line while throwing out 16% of attempted base stealers. His OPS has risen by over 80 points this season as he repeats Triple-A. His experience calling games makes him a valuable option if the Twins need another emergency promotion.

Noah Cardenas – Drafted in the eighth round in 2021 from UCLA, he’s split time between Double- and Triple-A. He’s shown more offensive consistency this season, hitting .241 with a .831 OPS through mid-August. Last season, he struggled in the Texas League with a .587 OPS in 75 games. His college experience and offensive improvements could make him a backup option at the big-league level in 2026. 

Double-A Wichita Wind Surge
Ricardo Olivar – Olivar has been known for his bat over the last two seasons as he combined for an OPS above .800. Signed out of Venezuela in 2018, he’s hitting .273 with 26 extra-base hits and a .797 OPS in 81 games this season. Also, he’s making strides in controlling the running game with a career-high 19% CS%. His versatility adds to his roster value as he has played outfield in the past.

Nate Baez – A 12th-round pick in 2022 out of Arizona State, Baez split time between Cedar Rapids and Wichita this season. His 2025 season features a .285 batting average with gap-to-gap doubles power and a walk rate near 12%. His game-calling continues to improve as he moves up the organizational ladder. He also plays first base regularly to keep his bat in the lineup. 

Andrew Cossetti – Known for his bat-first profile, Cossetti has lived up to that billing this season. The St. Joseph’s product has 23 extra-base hits and has improved his OPS by 125 points compared to 2024. He’s repeating Double-A where he is a year older than the average age of the competition. 

High-A Cedar Rapids Kernels
Eduardo Tait – The centerpiece from Philadelphia in the Jhoan Duran trade, Tait is only 18 years old but already showing an advanced feel for hitting. During the 2025 season, he has hit .251/.313/.428 (.741) with 23 doubles and 13 home runs in 93 games. Those numbers might not pop off the page, but he’s also been pushed aggressively and has yet to face a younger pitcher this season. Scouts rave about his arm strength and raw power projection. The Twins hope he is their long-term catcher of the future. 

Khadim Diaw – The Twins’ third-round pick in 2024 out of Loyola Marymount, Diaw entered the season as one of the top catching prospects in the system. He’s continued to put himself on the prospect map at High-A, posting a .297/.450/.445 (.895) slash line with ten extra-base hits in 42 games. His athleticism behind the plate and improved blocking skills make him a potential long-term answer.

Poncho Ruiz – Signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2023, Ruiz provided steady production for Fort Myers to start the year with an .813 OPS in 31 games. Since being promoted, he’s been getting on base nearly 35% of the time with modest power (.664 OPS). Defensively, he has cut down over 20% of would-be base stealers. 

Luis Hernandez – Hernandez spent four years as a college catcher before signing with the Twins in July. He went 4-for-9 (.444 BA) with three walks and three strikeouts in four games with Fort Myers before an injury at Cedar Rapids forced a promotion. He’s very early in his professional career, so there is a lot to learn. His college experience should help to add catching depth to the system. 

Jefferson Valladares – The Twins selected Valladares in the Triple-A phase of the 2024 Rule 5 Draft from the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. Over the last two seasons, he has averaged 22 games per year due to multiple injuries. In 2025, he is slashing .186/.268/.361 (.629) with 11 doubles and seven home runs in 59 games. At 23 years old, he is slightly older than his level of competition. 

Low-A Fort Myers Mighty Mussels
Enrique Jimenez – Acquired from the Padres in the Chris Paddack deal, Jimenez is a switch-hitting catcher who won’t turn 20 until November. The Tigers had been playing him in the rookie leagues, but the Twins bumped him to Fort Myers after the trade. He has a strong approach at the plate (.356 OBP) and shows above-average arm strength (29.0 CS%). Evaluators believe his offensive approach will improve as he gets more pro at-bats.

Daniel Pena – Signed out of Venezuela in 2021, Pena has been splitting time between catching and first base. Offensively, he’s struggled with consistency (.570 OPS) even though he is repeating Low-A. He’s faced older pitchers in over 90% of his plate appearances, so he could show improvement when facing same-aged competition. 

Ian Daugherty – The Twins signed Daugherty in July following a four-year college career playing for Oklahoma State, where he posted an .841 OPS. In two games for Fort Myers, he has gone 2-for-7 with a home run and two RBI. His college experience in the Big 12 should help him work with young pitchers in the low minors. 

Ranking the Best Catcher by Level
Triple-A: Cardenas – His improved bat in 2025 gives him the edge over Winkel as a short-term call-up candidate. Pereda might have the inside track on a role with the 2026 Twins. 

Double-A: Olivar – His ability to contribute offensively while handling pitchers makes him a high-upside name to watch. He could be a fast riser if injuries strike.

High-A: Tait – While young, Tait already shows an advanced approach and could move quickly if he continues to adjust to High-A pitching. He’s one of baseball’s best catching prospects. 

Low-A: Jimenez – His age, tools, and athleticism give him the inside track as a future everyday MLB catcher, though he’s still several years away.

From the majors to the Florida State League, the Twins’ catching cupboard is as stocked as it’s been in years. Between recent trade acquisitions and steady player development, Minnesota has built a depth chart capable of absorbing injuries without drastically compromising production behind the plate.

Who’s the team’s top-ranked catcher outside of Tait and Diaw? Who will be the team’s catching duo in 2027? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

 

 

View full article