Minnesota Twins Stack Organization with More Power in 2020 MLB Draft

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A five-round Major League Baseball draft makes easy work for front offices around the league, especially when the non-pandemic season ‘norm’ is 40. The Minnesota Twins only had four selections in this year’s truncated draft. They lost their third-round selection earlier this offseason, when they signed Josh Donaldson and traded their competitive-balance pick (67) and Brusdar Graterol, to the Dodgers, for Kenta Maeda.

With only 4 picks in an already (EXTREMELY) short draft, it was imperative the Twins made quality selections this year. Relying heavily on relatively under-scouted players, the Twins focused on adding power and depth to an already loaded farm system. Let’s take a look at the next generation of baseball in the Twin Cities (hopefully):

AARON SABATO (1B) — 1st ROUND (27th OVERALL)

As our own Cameron Thompson wrote on Wednesday night, Sabato fits right in with the Bomba Squad narrative. The University of North Carolina first baseman finished his collegiate career with a .332 average that included 25 home runs and 81 RBI. The kid can MASH!

Rated as one of the best power hitters in the draft, there is a lot to like about Sabato’s offensive potential, in an already potent lineup. However, he has some deficiencies in his defense, which is why he dropped to pick 27.

The Minnesota Twins are looking to ensure the Bomba Squad isn’t just a one year anomaly. Adding Sabato to a list of prospects that include Brent Rooker, Trevor Larnach, Alex Kirilloff and Matt Wallner, will help make “The Bomba Squad” a long-term moniker.

ALERICK SOULARIE (OF) — 2nd ROUND (59th OVERALL)

One powerful bat wasn’t enough for this Twins’ front office. Alerick Soularie (OF – University of Tennessee), was somewhat of a shock pick among fans. He did NOT rank inside any top-100 lists…

A preseason first-team all-SEC player coming into 2020, he ranked in the top three for AVG, OBP, and SLG in 2019. He hit at a .357 clip, with 11 HR, 46 RBI, and 13 doubles in 2019 and a superb strikeout to walk ratio.

In 2020, he saw a slight dipped a bit, prior to COVID-19 shutting the season down. Soularie batted just .267 in that shortened time, but did hit five dingers while driving in 17 runs. It may not be the selection we thought Derek Falvey and Thad Levine would make, but Soularie’s upsides make it worth the risk.

MARCO RAYA (RHP) — 4th ROUND (128th OVERALL)

At only 17-years old, Raya is a high-ceiling pitching project for the Minnesota Twins. High schoolers are difficult to peg but Raya, a six-foot and 160 pound Texas Tech commit from United South High School in Laredo (TX), has shown signs of greatness throughout his young career.

His shortened senior season saw him go 2-0, with a 0.00 ERA and 36 K, in just 18 IP — yeah, go back and read those stats again — High school hitters never stood a chance, compiling just three hits, a .054 AVG, and .131 OBP. Raya already has a higher spin rate than any of the Twins’ top pitchers.

Raya was committed to Texas Tech it looks like he will forego that commitment, in order to sign with the Twins. He is slotted for $442,900 at pick 128 — *Scoffs from Edina* — but Falvine may have offered more. Either way, we don’t make this pick if there is any doubt he was going pro.

KALA’I ROSARIO (OF) — 5th ROUND (158th OVERALL)

Another masher? Color me surprised!

Rosario, a 6′ 1″ and 205 pound outfielder from Waiakea High School in Hawaii, put himself on the map back in 2019 during the Area Code Games. While there, he slugged 21 home runs in the home run derby.

He played well in his shortened senior year, hitting .343 with five dingers and 11 RBI. With a top exit velocity of 105 MPH (99.8 percentile), this is another kid who can rake. He has even studied hitting under Koten and Kean Wong’s father, Kaha. Talk about a leg up.

If he can hone in on utilizing his plus-plus power, expect another addition to the Bomba Squad sooner, rather than later. He was the perfect ending to the 2020 Minnesota Twins draft… which was really just a hardcore hunt for MORE POWER!

Jack Kewitsch | Minnesota Sports Fan

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