Let’s take a short trip back in time. Four years ago, Twins Daily rolled out its top-20 prospects entering the 2022 season, a list that blended near-ready contributors, teenage upside, and trade-deadline acquisitions.
Some names have become core pieces. Others were rerouted in trades that reshaped the roster. A few never found their footing at the big-league level. Development is rarely linear, and the 2022 list is a reminder of just how unpredictable the path from prospect to producer can be.
There were immediate risers. Emmanuel Rodriguez made his first appearance on the Twins Daily top 20 at No. 16, after a dominant introduction to pro ball in the rookie league. At the time, he looked like a lottery ticket with tools. Today, he is very much part of Minnesota’s long-term outfield conversation.
Simeon Woods Richardson slotted in at No. 8, after arriving from Toronto in the José BerrÃos trade. He was viewed as a polished arm with mid-rotation potential. His big-league career has reflected that projection in flashes, showing stretches of stability mixed with the growing pains typical of young starters.
Current Twins Matt Wallner (13th) and Cole Sands (14th) both cracked the top 15. Wallner’s left-handed power has blossomed, even if streakiness remains part of the package. Sands has moved between roles, and now might be the bullpen’s highest-upside arm.
There were disappointments, too. Matt Canterino ranked sixth but has been derailed by injuries throughout his professional career. The stuff was real. The availability never facilitated the upside.
Josh Winder came in at No. 10, fresh off a dominant run in the high minors. At 25, he was close to big league-ready, but he never carved out a sustainable role in Minnesota. Gilberto Celestino, ranked 12th, looked like a potential everyday center fielder after strong numbers in the upper minors. The bat never developed.
Let’s look at the top five from 2022 and revisit what was said then, compared to what actually unfolded.
5. RHP Joe Ryan
What was said at the time: Amazing numbers in minors looked like real omens during five-start run with Twins.
What happened: When Minnesota acquired Ryan, he was overpowering hitters in the upper minors with a fastball-heavy approach. His unique arm slot and the way the ball played at the top of the zone allowed him to miss bats without premium velocity. The organization worked to deepen his arsenal and sharpen his sequencing. The result was an All-Star-caliber starter who became a pillar of the rotation. Ryan validated the belief that his minor-league dominance was not a mirage.
4. RHP Jordan Balazovic
What was said at the time: Safest combination of ceiling, floor, and proven durability among arms in the system.
What happened: Not much about that projection held up. Balazovic struggled to secure a consistent role and appeared in just 18 games with Minnesota, working exclusively as a reliever. He posted a 4.44 ERA with a 15.7 K% and an 11.1 BB%. During spring training in 2023, he suffered a broken jaw after being punched at a bar, an incident that sidetracked his season. The Twins stayed patient, but he was ultimately released in July 2024. The presumed safety never materialized.
3. 2B/3B José Miranda
What was said at the time: Perennial breakthrough candidate broke through with minor-league season for the ages.
What happened: Miranda arrived in the bigs on a wave of momentum. As a rookie in 2022, he posted a 114 OPS+ with 25 doubles and 15 home runs, looking like a long-term middle-of-the-order bat. Injuries derailed his 2023 season, but he rebounded in 2024 with a 112 OPS+ and etched his name into the record books with hits in 12 consecutive at-bats. Then came a stunning collapse in 2025. He posted a 13 OPS+ in 12 games, was demoted to Triple A, and injured himself carrying a case of water at Target. Minnesota released him this winter. His arc might be the clearest reminder of how fragile success can be.
2. SS Royce Lewis
What was said at the time: Missed two straight years, but has the elite skills, athleticism, and drive to catch up fast.
What happened: Lewis looked every bit the star during the 2023 postseason push, flashing power, charisma, and the ability to rise in big moments. Over the last two seasons, he has appeared in 188 games and posted a 93 OPS+, battling inconsistency and more injuries. Still under team control for three more seasons, Lewis revamped his swing this winter. The talent that made him the top overall pick in 2017 remains. Now, it’s all about sustained production.
1. SS/OF Austin Martin
What was said at the time: Headliner of 2022 deadline sell-off is a worthy top prize, with evident star qualities.
What happened: Martin entered 2022 as a consensus top-100 prospect. Drafted fifth overall in 2020 after starring at Vanderbilt, he was viewed as one of the safest bats in the minors. Injuries slowed his development, and he never quite locked down a defensive home. Last season, however, he made a strong second-half impression, with a 106 OPS+ and 11 steals in 50 games. Heading into 2026, he is fighting for a bench role. The question now is whether his versatility and on-base skills can translate into something larger.
The 2022 Twins Daily top-20 list is a study in extremes. It produced an All-Star starter in Joe Ryan and meaningful contributors like Matt Wallner. It also featured injuries, stalled development, and several players who became trade currency.
Prospect rankings are not promises. They’re probabilistic outlines, shaped by scouting reports, performance data, and educated guesses. Four years later, the list stands as both a testament to the organization’s ability to develop talent and a reminder that projecting 22-year-olds is an inexact science.
What stands out about the team’s top prospect list from 2022? Leave a comment and start the discussion.Â
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!