Another Top MN Twins Prospect Hits the IL

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Emmanuel Rodriguez, Minnesota Twins
Credit: Chris Tilley-Imagn Images

The Minnesota Twins have been getting healthier, of late, even if the wins haven’t necessarily followed. Royce Lewis has been back for a while now. Both Byron Buxton and Carlos Correa have returned from their stay on the concussion list, after colliding with one another in shallow center field last month.

Most recently, Matt Wallner finally re-joined the club over the weekend. He hit a homer in his first at-bat back, after a month and a half on the shelf. But even he couldn’t save the 31-27 Twins from dropping two of three in Seattle, after doing the same earlier in the week, across the country in Tampa.

Unfortunately, news on the injury front is not as positive down on the farm, where top prospect after top prospect continue to be stashed on the injured list. Walker Jenkins — a top 10 MLB prospect by most accounts — has played just two games this season, thanks to an ankle injury that stems back to Spring Training.

Emmanuel Rodriguez injured at Triple-A for Minnesota Twins

Emmanuel Rodriguez — ranked in the top 25 by MLB.com and Baseball America — has been dealing with his own ankle injury, but up until now, had remained mostly available, playing in 39 of the St. Paul Saints 54 games this season. But on Monday, the oft-injured young outfielder landed on the injured list.

If there are three things synonymous with Emmanuel Rodriguez so far during his professional career, they are patience, power, and injuries. The Minnesota Twins star prospect has constantly been tied to all three since signing with the Twins back in 2021, when he was just a teenager.

Last season Rodriguez played in just 47 games after dealing with a thumb injury that ultimately required season-ending surgery. He got 99 games in with Cedar Rapids during 2023, but it’s the only season of his five-year career in which he has played more games than the 47 he played last season.

This year, his first full season at Triple-A, Rodriguez has performed to his offensive track record. He owns a .232/.400/.392 slash line. The outfielder has posted six doubles, a triple, and four home runs with a 56/32 K/BB ratio.

Payton Eeles activated by Saints, Yunior Severino sent to IL

Amidst the roster shuffling for St. Paul on Monday, they do get Payton Eeles back. He is an independent baseball success story that has climbed the Twins minor league ranks. Mike Ford was released and Yunior Severino joined Rodriguez on the IL.

Related: Young Minnesota Twins Star Down on His Luck and Confidence

Eeles is someone to watch. The 25-year-old made it from Single-A to Triple-A last season. He owned a .299/.419/.500 slash line last summer in St. Paul (64 games). It wouldn’t be a shock to see the utility infielder debut with Minnesota this season, especially should he come out of the gates hot.

Rodriguez last played on May 30 for St. Paul, when he was lifted mid-game for Jeferson Morales, then proceeded to miss each of the Saints next two games. Unfortunately, E-Rod’s bad hip forced him to the injured list he had tried so hard to avoid.

How long will the Twins miss E-Rod this time?

Emmanuel Rodriguez is a capable centerfielder, but he is more likely destined for a corner spot, once he makes it to the big leagues. His patience at the plate can be to his detriment, and is a reason the average sags. He does have legitimate plus-power and is considered a consensus top 25 prospect across baseball.

Each year, an injury seems to befall Rodriguez, just like so many high-end prospects before him. The severity of this hip injury has not yet been reported, but the timing isn’t great. Rodriguez is on the 40-man and would be a candidate to make his big league debut, had he continued to hit and stay on the field. ESPN Insider Kiley McDaniel recently noted this exact concern about Rodriguez.

“Rodriguez gets hurt a lot but is at Triple-A doing his usual thing: low average, crazy-high walk rate, power and solid center-field defense.”

Kiley McDaniel – ESPN

McDaniel called Rodriguez the Twins “next to debut” but this certainly throws water on that. Carson McCusker got a promotion only after a rash of injuries. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. was optioned after Matt Wallner returned, and his .109/.136/.156 line won’t earn him a return all too soon.

Related: Three Weaknesses the Minnesota Twins Should Address Before MLB Trade Deadline

Theoretically Rodriguez could have been next in line if Minnesota needed a regular outfielder. The 22 year old’s latest injury puts a wrench in the plan though. The hope should be that this injury doesn’t cost him significant time, but that’s never been a reality for the Dominican Republic native.

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