Lee, Rosario headline Twins' Organization All-Stars
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the Minnesota Twins. 2023 organization summary: Triple-A St. Paul: 84-64
Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization and honors the players -- regardless of age or prospect status -- who had the best seasons in each farm system. Next up in our 2023 Organization All-Stars series are the Minnesota Twins.
2023 organization summary:
Triple-A St. Paul: 84-64
Double-A Wichita: 64-73
High-A Cedar Rapids: 82-50
Single-A Fort Myers: 67-64
FCL Twins: 25-29
DSL Twins: 14-37
Overall record: 336-317 (10th among MLB organizations)
Midseason Farm System Rankings: 17
2023 Twins Organization All-Stars
C: Ricardo Olivar (MIN No. 21)
A: .285/.403/.452, 100 G, 10 HR, 58 RBI, 75 R, 59 BB, 12 SB
After playing just 43 games in 2022, Olivar appeared in 100 games in 2023 for Single-A Fort Myers. With a larger sample size of games, he was able to show out for the organization. Oliver showcased his ability with the bat with a .855 OPS. His 10 home runs were the third most for Single-A Fort Myers. Olivar was also able to put his good eye at the plate on display to the tune of 59 walks, which were the most for the Twins Single-A affiliate. While his season at the plate was great, the organization is very much excited with the versatility Olivar brings on defense. He appeared as a catcher in more games than any other position, but he also made contributions in the outfield.
"It's not every day that you see someone who catches a ton of games, and also goes out and plays center field," Twins farm director Drew MacPhail said.
1B: Alex Isola
AA: .279/.366/.480, 110 G, 20 HR, 58 RBI, 66 R, 50 BB, 5 SB
The 25-year-old spent the entire season in Double-A Wichita where he made 50 starts at first base. Isola was primarily playing first base and DH in 2023 after playing more catcher and DH than first base in 2022. Isola's 20 home runs were fifth in the entire organization. His 50 walks were the most for the Twins Double-A affiliate. Isola set career highs in home runs, total bases and RBIs in 2023
2B: Tanner Schobel (MIN No. 7)
A+/AA: .265/.352/.424, 126 G, 16 HR, 79 RBI, 72 R, 61 BB, 12 SB
Schobel split time between second and third base in 2023, but when he was called up to Double-A Wichita he primarily appeared in the middle infield. Schobel's defensive versatility is great, but he made real strides at the plate. After playing just 32 games in 2022 he played 126 in 2023. After just one home run in 2022, an increase in games served Schobel well. He swatted 16 home runs and drove in 79 runs. The 22-year-old showcased why he is so highly ranked in the organization during his first full Minor League season.
SS: Brooks Lee (MIN No. 2, MLB No. 18)
AA/AAA: .275/.347/.461, 125 G, 16 HR, 84 RBI, 83 R, 56 BB, 7 SB
Lee moved up from Double-A Wichita to Triple-A St. Paul in August. The second-ranked prospect in the organization had a great year at both levels and continued to show why the team drafted him so highly in 2022. Lee ranked in the top 10 for home runs, walks, runs, hits and total bases. Lee put on a show at the plate consistently while also being a consistent defender. At just 22 years of age, Lee has solidified himself as one of the best young hitters in the Minors. He was named one of the two Twins Minor League Players of the Year along with Cory Lewis.
"He controls the zone really well, he makes contact at a really high clip and when he does make contact his contact quality is quite good," MacPhail said. "He came in as an absolute stud and he's raked through levels, so it's really just been subtle adjustments."
3B: Yunior Severino (MIN No. 28)
AA/AAA: .272/.352/.546, 120 G, 35 HR, 84 RBI, 80 R, 51 BB, 3 SB
Severino signed with the Braves in 2016 before eventually joining the Twins organization. The 24-year-old set career highs across the board in 2023 and reached Triple-A. Severino played in the most games he's ever played as a Minor League player. He blasted 35 home runs across two levels, which was the most by any player in the organization. Not only did Severino impress at the dish in 2023, but he also put together a solid season in the field. He made 64 starts at the hot corner and posted a .937 fielding percentage at the position.
OF: Kala'i Rosario (MIN No. 19)
A+: .252/.364/.467, 118 G, 21 HR, 94 RBI, 71 R, 75 BB, 2 SB
Rosario put together a great 2023 campaign and earned the Class A Midwest League MVP. His 21 home runs were second in the organization while his 94 RBIs were the most. Rosario took a huge step forward with his power stroke. He set a career-high in home runs before heading to the Arizona Fall League. Rosario put together a strong outing in the desert and even won the Fall League Home Run Derby. The 21-year-old established himself as one of the better hitters in the organization.
"I think [Rosario] is such an awesome story because every single year he has shown real improvement in his game," MacPhail said. "He's continued to decrease his strikeout rate as he goes to more aggressive levels, and be really young for those levels."
OF: Emmanuel Rodriguez (MIN No. 3, MLB No. 48)
A+: .240/.400/.463, 99 G, 16 HR, 55 RBI, 87 R, 92 BB, 20 SB
Rodriguez spent the season with High-A Cedar Rapids and impressed. Rodriguez is still growing as a hitter but is already showing off his great eye at the plate. His 92 walks were the most in the organization by a good margin. Not only can Rodriguez work counts and get on base, but he can also cause problems for opposing pitchers after doing so. He was second in steals and also led the organization in triples.
"He has some of the best power in our system, and that's saying a lot," MacPhail said. "He has an incredible eye and is a really, really athletic kid. He can cover a ton of ground in center field. The next step is pairing his incredible eye with a level of aggression over the heart of the plate."
OF: Yoyner Fajardo
AA: .305/.375/.446, 123 G, 9 HR, 53 RBI, 75 R, 50 BB, 50 SB
Fajardo was an offensive machine for Double-A Wichita in 2023. He led the Twins' Double-A affiliate in hits, average, OBP, total bases, walks and stolen bases. Fajardo excelled in almost every way offensively while also impressing as a corner outfielder. His speed plays a huge role in his success on both offense and in the field. He was second in the organization in triples and was first in stolen bases. The 24-year-old played over 100 games for the first time as a Minor Leaguer and had a career year in 2023.
RHP: Cory Lewis (MIN No. 13)
A/A+: 9-4, 2.49 ERA, 101.1 IP, 118 K, 33 BB, .198 BAA, 1.06 WHIP
Lewis was drafted in the ninth round of the 2022 MLB Draft and started 22 games in his first Minor League season in 2023. Lewis did a good job of keeping the ball in the ballpark and navigating the zone with his full arsenal, which includes an above average velocity knuckleball. Lewis' 118 strikeouts were one shy of being tied for the organization lead. The 23-year-old from Santa Barbara has already made an impression on the organization and was one of the organization's Minor League Players of the Year.
"The first time I met Brooks Lee he actually told me Cory Lewis was the toughest at-bat he had in college," MacPhail said. "What makes him so effective is that he has a really impressive north and south arsenal. His fastball plays really well at the top of the zone and a lot of his breaking balls tunnel off of those."
LHP: Jaylen Nowlin
A+/AA: 6-7, 4.44 ERA, 105.1 IP, 114 K, 45 BB, .250 BAA, 1.38 WHIP
Nowlin started the season with High-A Cedar Rapids before eventually making starts for Double-A Wichita. The southpaw struggled a little with keeping runs off the board, but still put his talents on display in 2023. He went after hitters all year and racked up 114 strikeouts, which was enough for fifth in the organization. Nowlin was better in his seven starts with Wichita than he was at the High-A level. His ERA was 3.82 as opposed to his 4.79 in Cedar Rapids. Nowlin did a better job of keeping the ball in the ballpark after his promotion.
RP: Miguel Rodriguez
A+/AA: 5-5, 17 SV, 3.13 ERA, 54.2 IP, 66 K, 15 BB, .242 BAA, 1.21 WHIP
Rodriguez led the organization in saves by a double-digit margin. The 24-year-old right-hander converted on 17 of 18 save opportunities. Rodriguez saw more chances to close games after just seven save opportunities in 2022. After dealing with injuries in 2022, he was able to put together a strong 2023. Rodriguez gave up hits but racked up the strikeouts and limited the walks. His ability to limit damage when runners got on was key to his strong season.
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