MN Twins Prospect Absolutely Crushed Winter League

The Major League Baseball offseason has begun, following one of the more thrilling World Series’ in recent history. Now, while many veteran players are resting and prepping for 2026, others are getting more baseball in elsewhere.

That includes multiple Minnesota Twins youngsters, like 22-year-old Emmanuel Rodriguez, who spent the majority of 2025 at Triple-A St. Paul. While injuries have held Rodriguez back throughout his time in affiliate ball, the consensus top-100 prospect had no such issues during his time in the Dominican Winter League.

Emmanuel Rodriguez stock continues to soar

The Dominican circuit is largely viewed as the top winter ball options for Major League caliber baseball players. And it’s the perfect offseason testing grounds for Rodriguez, a Santiago native.

Rodriguez played in the well-respected winter league for the first time this fall for Aguilas Cibaenas. To say that he made a good impression would be putting it lightly.

The Minnesota Twins’ top prospect slashed .292/.417/.646 (1.063 OPS) for the Cibaenas, during his 18 games played. A-Rod also earned All-Star MVP honors, as noted by the Star Tribune’s Bobby Nightengale on Wednesday.

Emmanuel Rodriguez is done playing in the Dominican Winter League.

His stats in 18 games: .292/.417/.646 (1.063 OPS) with 4 HR, 11 RBI, 10 R and 3 SB. He was also the MVP in an all-star game at Citi Field. pic.twitter.com/GR0gYNG6T7

— Bobby Nightengale (@nightengalejr) November 19, 2025

In 65 games last year in the Twins minor league system, Rodriguez batted .269/.431/.409. He has immense power and an extremely patient approach. There is a bit of a concerning whiff rate but when the kid uncorks on a ball, it flies.

Rodriguez saw plenty of current and former big league talent during Dominican Winter League action. It’s great experience for a guy who has an outside chance of making Derek Shelton’s Opening Day roster in 2026, as a corner outfielder.

Emmanuel Rodriguez with a 112.1 MPH rocket at Citi Field in LIDOM action 🚀💣#MNTwins pic.twitter.com/jrwV5rBFSS

— Twins Player Development (@TwinsPlayerDev) November 15, 2025

Former Twins slugger Miguel Sano shines too

It wasn’t just Rodriguez that tore up the Dominican Winter League this offseason. Former Minnesota Twins infielder Miguel Sano didn’t play in the big leagues last season, but he certainly tore up the winter circuit again.

In 15 games for Estrellas, Sano batted .353/.433/.804. He had seven home runs and 19 RBI with a respectable 11/7 K/BB. Sano is still just 32 years old and is is laughable to think he couldn’t still contribute at the big league level.

¡Cañonazo número 7 de Miguel Sanó! 💥#LIDOM #CopaBanreservas pic.twitter.com/bNBfypr57X

— LIDOM (@LIDOMRD) November 5, 2025

It remains to be seen if a major league team will give Sano a deal this offseason. He too would need to decide that playing stateside is worth his time. If that’s the case though, it could be a cool bounceback story.