Image courtesy of Cedar Rapids Kernels (Photo of Eduardo Tait)

The Minnesota Twins have continued to replenish their farm system with prospect-for-proven-player trades and strong draft classes. By 2027, several of those acquisitions and recent draft picks will be pushing toward Target Field. Today, we look ahead at who will be Minnesota’s top-ranked prospects in two years as the organization continues to develop its next core. It’s important to note that the Twins are in position to have a top-five pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and that player would likely rank highly on this list. 

5. Riley Quick, RHP
MLB ETA: 2028
Minnesota took Quick with the 36th overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of the University of Alabama. He is a hard-throwing righty who had Tommy John surgery during his sophomore collegiate season. With a sinker that sits in the high-90s and touches 99, Quick has the type of velocity that plays at any level. He has yet to make his pro debut as the Twins will likely have him work at the complex level and debut in 2026. 

What has separated him from other young arms is his ability to command a sharp-breaking slider and an improving changeup. His fastball and slider are already plus pitches. He stands at 6-foot-6 and 255 pounds, a frame that holds up throughout games. If he stays healthy, Quick projects as a mid-rotation starter with a chance to become a playoff-caliber starter by the end of the decade.

4. Quentin Young, SS
MLB ETA: 2029
Minnesota took Young with their second-round pick in July (54th overall). They have already promoted the 18-year-old to Low-A, where he is nearly three years younger than the average age of the competition. He has a limited sample size to date, with only 10 plate appearances, but the Twins believe he possesses all the tools to become an impact player. 

He is the nephew of Dmitri Young and Delmon Young, so baseball is in his bloodline. Some scouts have worried about his swing-and-miss tendencies, but the Twins felt strongly enough to sign him for his full-slot bonus. Defensively, his athleticism allows him to stick at shortstop for now, but he could shift to second or third base if his body continues to fill out. He is the furthest away from Target Field at this point, but has a lot of upside. 

3. Marek Houston, SS
MLB ETA: 2028
The Twins haven’t hidden their admiration for Houston since drafting him with the 16th overall pick. A slick-fielding shortstop, Houston is already viewed as one of the best defenders in the system, with scouts praising his range, instincts, and throwing arm. It takes a lot to be a shortstop at the big-league level, and Houston has already shown his 60-grade fielding during his pro debut with the Twins, already moving him from Low- to High-A.

At the plate, he’s still finding consistency, but there’s enough bat speed to suggest he’ll add some gap power as he matures. He added to his frame during his final two collegiate seasons and has started to pull the ball more often. If the bat develops even moderately, Houston could be a future Gold Glove-caliber shortstop anchoring Minnesota’s infield.

2. Dasan Hill, LHP
MLB ETA: 2028
Hill has developed into one of the most exciting arms in the organization since the Twins took him with the 69th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. Drafted with some risk attached due to rawness, his combination of size and athleticism has allowed him to make huge strides. He also won’t be 20 until later this year. During his senior year of high school, he shot up to 6-foot-5, allowing him to add velocity. There is likely room for even more growth, as he currently sits below 170 pounds. 

Across Low- and High-A, he’s made 19 appearances (62 IP) while posting a 3.19 ERA with a 1.36 WHIP and a 31.1 K%. He’s been young for both levels and has only faced younger batters in 15 plate appearances. His fastball sits comfortably in the upper-90s, pairing it with a devastating sweeper that misses bats at every level. The Twins have worked carefully to refine his mechanics, and his command has taken a noticeable leap. If Hill continues on this path, he could emerge as a top-of-the-rotation talent, something the organization has lacked since the days of Johan Santana.

1. Eduardo Tait, C
MLB ETA: 2028
Minnesota’s prized acquisition from the Jhoan Duran trade, Tait has quickly established himself as the jewel of the farm system. A switch-hitting catcher with advanced plate discipline and emerging power, he has all the tools to be an All-Star at a premium position. He makes a ton of contact and has shown the ability to drive the ball to all fields. In many other farm systems, he would be the organization’s top-ranked prospect.

Behind the plate, his arm strength is above-average, and he’s steadily improving in his game-calling and receiving. On a recent episode of Inside Twins, Drew MacPhail, Director of Player Development, praised his ability to work with starting pitchers. What makes Tait so valuable is his combination of offensive upside and defensive reliability, traits that are extremely rare at catcher. If his development continues on track, Tait could be Minnesota’s long-term answer behind the plate. 

The Twins’ 2027 top prospect list has the potential to look different than just a few years ago, with recent drafts and trade acquisitions all represented. Each of these players brings unique upside, and together they represent a system that consistently produces talent. For a franchise aiming to build sustainable success, this wave of prospects could play a pivotal role in shaping the next competitive Twins team.

Should other prospects be added to the list? Leave a comment and start the discussion. 

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