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**Right below is the Twins Risers and Shiners list simplified. Scroll further down for FULL Future Grades, Role, ETA, and summaries on EACH PLAYER ranked on this list! Tons of 2021 Statistics on each player as well! Some player highlights, future outlooks and more enjoy!**
**These will exclude any 2022 draft picks due to the teams already being posted prior to the 2022 Draft**
| Rank | Player | Position | How Acquired |
| 1 | Austin Martin | SS/OF | Trade with Blue Jays |
| 2 | Simeon Woods-Richardson | RHP | Trade with Blue Jays |
| 3 | Jordan Balazovic | RHP | 2016 Draft: 5th Round |
| 4 | Jhoan Duran | RHP | Trade with Diamondbacks |
| 5 | Matt Canterino | RHP | 2019 Draft: 2nd Round |
| Risers | |||
| 1 | Emmanuel Rodriguez | OF | International FA Signing 2019 |
| 2 | Cade Povich | RHP | 2021 Draft: 3rd Round |
| 3 | Alerick Soularie | OF/2B | 2020 Draft: 2nd Round |
| 4 | Edouard Julien | 2B | 2019 Draft: 18th Round |
| 5 | Matt Wallner | OF | 1st Round: 39th Overall – 2019 Draft |
1. Austin Martin SS/OF | Wichita Wind Surge (AA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 185 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 60 | 45 | 50 | 50 | 50 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .270 | .414 | .382 | .796 | 5 | 14 | 4 | 19.9% | 14.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .112 | 128 | 6.9% | 45.3% | 25.1% | 29.6% | 44.8% | 22.2% | 32.9% |
Scouting Report:
It was a bit of a shock when the Blue Jays managed to snag Austin Martin with the 5th overall pick in the 2020 MLB Draft as he was projected to go top two overall. It was even more of a shock when Toronto included Martin in the Berrios trade. Wherever Martin ends up, he will hit. He swings to make contact, and while he has below-average power, it won’t matter as much since he gets on base and knows how to make contact. Martin has spent time both in center and at short, but will play better in center.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
2. Simeon Woods-Richardson RHP | Wichita Wind Surge (AA)
21-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’3″ | 210 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | SL | Control | Role |
| 60 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 55 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 53.1 | 15 | 14 | 5.91 | 1.54 | 32.1% | 14.2% | 0.84 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 14.8% | 4.16 | 32.8% | 23.8% | 43.4% | 46.1% | 22.7% | 31.3% |
Scouting Report:
Woods-Richardson was included with the trade for Jose Berrios along with Austin Martin. The righty struggled in 2021, but could end up a mid-to-top of the rotation pitcher for the Twins. He’s got a large frame and a plus fastball and an above average slider that has spike to it. While Woods-Richardson has above average control, he sometimes leaves his pitches up in the zone and in hittable spots early, but once he starts settling in, he finds his spots. His off-speed stuff has more than enough depth to them that he’ll fool plenty of hitters.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
3. Jordan Balazovic RHP | St. Paul Saints (AAA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 215 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | SPL | SL | Control | Role |
| 60 | 55 | 55 | 55 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 97.0 | 20 | 20 | 3.62 | 1.40 | 23.8% | 8.9% | 0.84 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 12.9% | 4.28 | 47.8% | 21.2% | 30.9% | 44.6% | 23.9% | 31.6% |
Scouting Report:
Balazovic was drafted 5th-Round in the 2016 draft as a Canadian high schooler. He features a mid-90’s fastball that plays up given his arm angle and his ability to create down hill plane on his pitches, which also helps a mid-80’s slider and a deceptive splitter. In 2021, Balazovic struck out better than a batter per inning getting 102 strike outs in 97 innings. 2022 hasn’t been as kind to Balazovic as he’s taken a step back and dealt with injury issues. Overall, I see a solid #2 starter for a major league team and a #3 on a playoff bound rotation.
Written By: Jake Wood (@woodbat28)
4. Jhoan Duran RHP | Minnesota Twins (MLB)
24-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 230 lbs. | ETA: 2022
| FB | CUT | SPL | CB | Control | Role |
| 70 | 45 | 60 | 50 | 45 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 115.0 | 23 | 22 | 3.76 | 1.19 | 28.9% | 8.5% | 0.55 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 16.4% | 2.70 | 56.5% | 18.6% | 24.9% | 44.4% | 23.6% | 31.9% |
Scouting Report:
Duran is one of the more unique names on this list as he was a heck of a starter coming through the Twins system and now he looks like an elite reliever during the 2022 season. His main issue has always been staying healthy and the Twins might’ve found a role where he can provide the most value when completely healthy. Let’s just say when he’s healthy, he’s borderline untouchable. His most used pitch is his fastball, which he has always had solid velocity and is topping out at 102 mph. He’s now operating between 97-100 mph with his fastball consistently. While his curveball has good 12-6 bite and control of the corners. It’s his “Splinker” that’s his best secondary, this unique mixture of a splitter and a sinker is his bread and butter and he will get massive strikeout rates going forward with it. He also displays a cutter and it’ll need more usage for it to become a prominent pitch in his repertoire. Overall, Duran maybe a mainstay in the bullpen but he still has the ability to start and it’ll be an interesting development for him going forward.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Matt Canterino RHP | Wichita Wind Surge (AA)
24-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 220 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| FB | CB | CH | SL | Control | Role |
| 60 | 50 | 55 | 60 | 60 | 5 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 23 | 6 | 6 | 0.78 | 0.61 | 53.6% | 4.8% | 0.39 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 26.8% | 1.24 | 38.2% | 20.6% | 41.2% | 54.3% | 22.9% | 22.9% |
Scouting Report:
Canterino has the stuff to be a mid-to-top of the rotation pitcher with a lively fastball that hits 97. He will be 24 in 2022, so he is on the older side but in 2021 he didn’t allow more than three hits in an outing. Unfortunately, he was hurt multiple times in the season and couldn’t reach double-a. If he can stay healthy, he should rocket through the ranks. He has three pitches that are above-average or better, and commands all of them working ahead in the count and quickly. His changeup is used to get batters to fish and his slider is a plus with plenty of late bite to it. The Rice alum is a high energy player and will be fun to watch for years to come.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
Risers:
1. Emmanuel Rodriguez OF | Fort Myers Mighty Mussels (A)
19-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 5’10” | 210 lbs. | ETA: 2025
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 60 | 45 | 50 | 55 | 55 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .214 | .346 | .524 | .870 | 10 | 9 | 4 | 36.6% | 15.0% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .310 | 124 | 31.3% | 27.7% | 12.3% | 60.0% | 62.1% | 18.2% | 19.7% |
Emmanuel Rodriguez is a name baseball fans should get used to. He’ll be a fast riser throughout the Twins system and while he’s still fairly raw, he’s got massive upside. Rodriguez, has a knack for barreling up the ball and while his hit tool will be plus, he’ll struggle with velocity and higher level pitching due to his longer swing. For his size, he does have some surprising power in his bat but it will be slightly below average. One of his best traits is his ability to control the strike zone and get on-base. His solid eye will take him places in this system. Rodriguez did have season ending knee surgery in June so it’ll be interesting to see how he overcomes this as he’s a very exciting player to watch.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
2. Cade Povich LHP | Cedar Rapid Kernels (A+)
22-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: L | 6’3″ | 185 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| FB | CB | CUT | CH | Control | Role |
| 50 | 45 | 45 | 55 | 55 | 4 |
| IP | G | GS | ERA | WHIP | K% | BB% | HR/9 |
| 10 | 4 | 3 | 0.90 | 0.90 | 45.2% | 4.8% | 0.0 |
| SwStr% | xFIP | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| 21.3% | 2.20 | 40.0% | 13.3% | 46.7% | 46.7% | 6.7% | 46.7% |
Scouting Report:
Povich really blasted onto national radars when he outdueled Michigan ace LHP Steven Hajjar (whom the Twins took with the 61st pick in the 2021 Draft) to a 1-0 Nebraska win in April 2021. Povich showed his potential to be on par with other top college LHPs like Hajjar. The Twins selected Povich in the 3rd round of the 2021 Draft.
Povich has above average command, is always around the zone and does not try to get batters to chase a lot. Naturally, he does induce a lot of balls in play, albeit producing poor contact. Povich’s FB sits in the low 90’s and he will occasionally get up to 93/94. He has shown the ability to work his FB to all quadrants of the zone. Povich compliments his FB with a mid 70’s CB. The pitch is nothing special but it can get swings and misses against batters when located low in the zone. Povich also throws a Cutter, the pitch has horizontal depth to it and he will throw it in the mid 80’s. Povich’s best secondary pitch is his CH which is tunneled well and is a solid ground ball pitch for him. His CH is an extremely difficult pitch for LHHs to get their barrel squared around on. While Povich’s stuff is not electric, his delivery helps him to throw off hitters’ balance and get weak contact. He has a short clean arm action and hides the ball extremely well causing hitters to visually pick up the ball late. When you combine this with his quick tempo, and ability to pound the zone it produces success. If he can stay healthy, Povich could develop into a solid back end of the rotation starter.
Written By: Milton Dauber (@MiltonDauber)
3. Alerick Soularie 2B/OF | Cedar Rapid Kernels (A+)
22-Years-Old | Bats: R | Throws: R | 6’0″ | 175 lbs. | ETA: 2024
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 45 | 45 | 50 | 45 | 4 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .240 | .367 | .360 | .727 | 3 | 9 | 1 | 24.7% | 15.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .120 | 106 | 14.5% | 41.5% | 24.4% | 34.1% | 47.7% | 17.4% | 34.9% |
Scouting Report:
Soularie has had a track record of hitting since his JUCO days at San Jacinto CC. The Haitian has an interesting profile as no tool truly sticks out, but has enough potential and athleticism that he should start get starting time with the big-league squad. His power is fringe, but he brings his athleticism to the plate. The big question mark has been where he will end up on the field. He was originally a catcher, then moved to the outfield at Tennessee. The Twins have used him as a second basemen since his professional debut, where his glove is below average, but if he moves back to the outfield, he could project better.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
4. Edouard Julien 2B | Wichita Wind Storm (AA)
23-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’2″ | 195 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 60 | 55 | 45 | 40 | 50 | 4 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .266 | .434 | .480 | .914 | 18 | 34 | 5 | 28.0% | 21.4% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .213 | 154 | 8.4% | 33.3% | 28.4% | 38.3% | 37.9% | 26.1% | 36.0% |
Scouting Report:
Julien is on this list simply because of his upside with the bat as he’s a bat first prospect but his bat will be something special, I fully believe it. Julien’s swing is quick, compact and he displays effortless power to all fields. All he does is hit, the sound that comes off his bat is something amazing and his hit tool is easily plus. On the other side, those are his only two prominent tools as he’s not a strong defender and isn’t a burner on the base paths but will be able to steal some bases due to his IQ on the bases. In the end, Julien is a name to watch in this system as he’ll hit for a high average, high on-base and hit 20+ home runs a year. It’ll only depend where the Twins want to slot him on the field as he’s a second baseman but may need to switch to first base due to his defensive ability.
Written By: Drake Mann (@drakemann4)
5. Matt Wallner OF | Wichita Wind Storm (AA)
24-Years-Old | Bats: L | Throws: R | 6’5″ | 220 lbs. | ETA: 2023
| Hit | PWR | FLD | SPD | ARM | Role |
| 50 | 55 | 50 | 35 | 60 | 5 |
| AVG | OBP | SLG | OPS | HR | SB | CS | K% | BB% |
| .265 | .350 | .504 | .854 | 15 | 0 | 1 | 33.3% | 9.3% |
| ISO | wRC+ | SwStr% | GB% | LD% | FB% | Pull% | Cent% | Oppo% |
| .239 | 130 | 16.8% | 43.6% | 21.5% | 35.0% | 47.9% | 17.6% | 34.5% |
Scouting Report:
If you like power hitters with large frames, Matt Wallner is your guy. Wallner hits from the left side and has outstanding bat speed. The outfielder had an outstanding 2021 despite injuries. He crushed balls all season belting 15 bombs over 300 plate appearances and continued to mash at the Arizona Fall League crushing six more homeruns over 79 plate appearances. The left-handed hitting outfielder has continued to put a hurt on Minor League pitching in 2022. The Southern Mississippi alumni projects 25-29 homers a season and will be fun to watch in Minnesota.
Written By: Austin Farmer (@AustinF0421)
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