Minnesota Twins Claim Former Top Prospect

We are now less than a month from the start of Minnesota Twins Spring Training and president Derek Falvey still has a lot of shopping to do, if he is going to build an AL Central contender before then.

And last we heard, that’s the plan. At least, that’s what Falvey and his “new” boss Tom Pohlad told us last month, when they left the MLB Winter Meetings publicly proclaiming themselves offseason buyers.

But if the MN Twins want to lift themselves out of “pretender” status in the AL Central, they’ll have to fix a bullpen that remains an absolute disaster, since Falvey & Co tore it to shreds before the July trade deadline.

Vidal Brujan claimed by MN Twins

Elsewhere on the roster, we’ve seen more shuffling, even what might be mistaken as a “significant” signing, when the Twins signed starting first baseman Josh Bell to a one-year deal weeks ago.

While we wait on pitching help, though, the Minnesota Twins have signed another infielder on Wednesday, when they claimed former top MLB prospect Vidal Brujan.

We have made the following roster moves: pic.twitter.com/j2KCBcEzYD

— Minnesota Twins (@Twins) January 14, 2026

Brujan was available after the Braves designated him for assignment after Atlanta claimed pitcher Ken Waldichuk last week. Coming through the minors, the now 28-year-old played more outfield than infield. When he did play infield, it was usually second base.

Recently, however, Brujan has played more infield, and usually on the left side, either at third base or shortstop. Over the course of his big league career (248 games), he’s played at least 30 games at four different positions.

Yet, right field is the only outfield spot he’s logged more than 40 games at (CF-17, LF-10). In the infield, Brujan has played 84 games at second base, 56 at shortstop and 36 at third base.

Former top prospect cred

A consensus top 100 prospect as recently at 2022, Brujan is not the same player he was in the minors for Tampa Bay. Now five years into his MLB career, it’s clear Brujan isn’t the baseball player many thought he would be.

And now the utility slugger is coming off a 2025 season where he played 60 games (second most of his career) split between three different teams (Atlanta, Chicago, and Baltimore), producing just five extra base hits and a disappointing .253/.305/.310 slash line.

Vidal Brujan believes in revenge games!

He gets an RBI double against his former Marlins team to push Atlanta into the lead in the 9th

As heard on the Miami broadcast: "the move backfires – right idea, bad execution" pic.twitter.com/F7JJk6bmHA

— Lindsay Crosby, big baseball guy (@CrosbyBaseball) August 27, 2025

Brujan’s profile as a player has changed drastically as well. When in the minors, he was a smaller, speedy guy (multiple seasons with 40+ steals) who played strong defense and never hit for power.

Last season, however, Vidal’s sprint speed continued to plummet, now down to the 37th percentile of the league, and he’s never swiped more than five bags in a big league season.

Related: Minnesota Twins Top Prospect Rankings (2026 Edition)

Where or how the Twins use Brujan remains to be seen as well, but they don’t seemingly have a need for a former top prospect-turned-bus who plays marginal defense and can’t hit.

At any rate, Gasper all but proved his minor league abilities don’t translate to the big leagues last year, so the Minnesota Twins will be no worse for the wear.

Gasper still had two minor league options remaining, but Falvey & Co. decided to cut bait instead. Brujan, meanwhile, must make the Opening Day roster. Otherwise, the Twins will lose his rights back to Atlanta and/or waivers.