Depth is something every organization tries to create, whether through the draft, international free agency, or even minor league free agency. Let’s take a look at how the Twins’ system stacks up at various positions. I started with catchers and decided to work my way around the diamond. This list for first basemen is shorter, mostly due to the fact that very few prospects are only first basemen and often are listed at other positions instead. 

Most first basemen started playing another position and moved down the defensive spectrum either because they were blocked at the position they were drafted at, or they weren’t cutting it defensively elsewhere and things were working out better at first base. A few examples in Twins history who became first baseman but played elsewhere when younger or in the minors include Justin Morneau, Harmon Killebrew, and more recently, Carlos Santana. 

For each player below, I’ve included how and when they were acquired, along with the highest level they played this past season.

Aaron Sabato
Acquired: 2020 Draft, 1st round
Highest Level in 2025: Triple-A

Sabato is one of many college sluggers the Twins have taken early in the draft over the last handful of years. In College at UNC, he hit for a 1.158 OPS with 25 home runs over 83 games played. He’s had his ups and downs since being drafted and the prospect shine has worn off, but in 2025, he appeared to turn a corner, hitting 23 home runs with a .809 OPS over 109 games played and 449 plate appearances. He did go unprotected and unselected in the Rule 5 draft, again. Always seen as a bat-first prospect, Sabato can still carve out a role if his offense is up to it. While he is a first baseman by trade, his future could be at designated hitter, depending on what other first base options there are.

Andy Lugo
Acquired: Trade, Boston Red Sox, June 2025
Highest Level in 2025: High-A

Lugo was acquired from the Red Sox in late June so the Red Sox could jump the other teams on the waiver wire to acquire relief pitcher Jorge Alcala, after he was designated for assignment.

Lugo has also played some second base and third base, along with a bit of left field as well. After the trade, he hit well at High-A Cedar Rapids, where he posted a .889 OPS over 28 games. He will be playing his age 22 season in 2026 and with experience just in the low minors, he is still a decent distance away from making an impact, but his bat will be an interesting thing to watch. He might get his first crack at Double-A this year, and we will see how that goes, as this step up in levels is often a key challenge for young prospects.

Jaime Ferrer
Acquired: 2024 Draft, 4th round
Highest Level in 2025: High-A

Another college slugger, who posted a .989 OPS over three college seasons at Florida State. Since being drafted, he has struggled at the plate, hitting for a slash line of .227/.312/.345 with limited power (5 home runs over 101 games played). He has played first base, but has also been tried out at catcher and in the corner outfield. Like many prospects, Ferrer is looking to take the next step in his development, and depending on his long-term position, his development trajectory could change. Catchers have a lower bar offensively for example, but if he ends up being a corner bat, he will have to hit to move into the Twins future plans. 

JP Smith II 
Acquired: 2025 Draft, 17th round
Highest Level in 2025: Single-A

Are you starting to notice a trend here? Smith was a college bat who mashed at Sacramento State. He had a .953 OPS over three seasons, hitting 48 home runs and showing a good eye at the plate as well. He got his first taste of professional ball at Single-A Fort Myers where, like many prospects, he didn’t hit for as much power, but that typically comes with time. He held his own over his first 101 professional plate appearances, where he struck out at a 24.8% clip and he walked 6.9% of the time. As a later-round draft pick, he doesn’t have the pressure of living up to high expectations, but if he is able to continue making adjustments, he might just be able to continue slowly climbing the minor league ladder. Mark him down as a player to check in on from time to time to see how he adjusts to his first full year in the Twins system.

Jayson Bass 
Acquired: International Free Agency, 2023
Highest Level in 2025: Single-A

Signed out of Mexico in 2023, Bass will be just 20 in 2026. He is a contact-oriented hitter, with just three home runs since signing. In previous years, he was tried in the corner outfield, but in 2025 was tried at first base a bit more to see where he best fits defensively. He was a great hitter in the Dominican Summer League after signing, hitting .308/.406/.378 at age 17. He played the 2025 season mostly in the Florida Complex League and did get his first taste of Single-A, where he played eight games this past year. Still very early in his career, seeing if he can develop some power will be key in seeing if he can continue to develop.

Do any of these future first base options catch your attention? Which other sleepers in the system might you add to the list? Sound off in the comments!

Interested in learning more about the Minnesota Twins’ top prospects? Check out our comprehensive top prospects list that includes up-to-date stats, articles and videos about every prospect, scouting reports, and more!

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