With the dust having settled from both events now, MLB Pipeline went to work with a rerank of their top 100 prospects. That also included shuffling among each team’s top 30. The final step was to order each organization by overall farm talent as well.

Although Walker Jenkins is the top Twins prospect at 14th overall, the health of the system may never have been better.

MLB Pipeline puts Minnesota Twins system second

The Twins acquired the second best prospect traded at the deadline in Eduardo Tait. The young catcher coming over, with Mick Abel from the Phillies, definitely was a boost to the system. MLB Pipeline believes the group is now so good, they trail only the Los Angeles Dodgers across the league.

While Jenkins, Keaschall and Rodriguez have all had health issues, the Twins added a ton of talent at the Trade Deadline. Those deals brought in 10 prospects, six of whom are on the new Top 30. That group is led by Tait in the Top 100, coming over in the Jhoan Duran deal. Add in the five 2025 draftees now on their list, the Twins boast a nice combination of top-level talent (five Top 100 guys) and depth.

MLB Pipeline

The MLB Pipeline team of Jim Callis, Jonathan Mayo, and Sam Dykstra had the Minnesota Twins system ranked 10th coming into the year. They now have five top 100 prospects, although Luke Keaschall will graduate by the end of the season.

The second ranking matches where MLB Pipepline put the Twins prior to the 2024 season. Of course they dropped after Brooks Lee was promoted, and players like Gabriel Gonzalez and Emmanuel Rodriguez saw their luster fade a bit.

Now the Twins have two legitimate stars locking in on Triple-A St. Paul, and it shouldn’t be long before one or both of Kaelen Culpepper and Walker Jenkins are promoted. They represent the next wave of position talent, along with Rodriguez, and that trio could help the big league roster as soon as next year.

Twins draft picks and trade acquisitions among the new @MLBPipeline top 30 for Minnesota:

2. Eduardo Tait*
6. Mick Abel*
7. Kendry Rojas*
8. Marek Houston^
12. Riley Quick*
14. Quentin Young^
16. Ryan Gallagher*
22. James Ellwanger^
24. Matt Barr^
29. Jason Reitz^
30. Enrique…

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 12, 2025

Although the addition of Tait was nice to see, a strong farm system is as much about depth as it is top talent. Plenty of new acquisitions littered the Twins organizational top 30, and there are names absent that can be notable players as well.

Next wave brings refresh for MN Twins

It’s a positive that the Twins current farm system is viewed so favorably. Derek Falvey will now need to hope the staff and infrastructure he put in place can maximize the talent. Departures by key players like Carlos Correa, Jhoan Duran, and Griffin Jax means that Rocco Baldelli needs the next group to step up.

Minnesota is not in a horrible spot for next season, and the way in which they reload could be accelerated by additional spending on the free agent front. Rather than continue trotting out the same guys though, this new group of prospects will want to separate and make names for themselves.

Related: Update Reveals New MN Twins Top 100 Prospect; Others Tumble Down List…

If the Twins are going to return to competitiveness in 2026 and beyond, it will be because many of the names from this group have begun to realize their potential.

Some prospect rankings update more often than others. The MLB Pipeline list receives a major update following the MLB Draft and MLB trade deadline. And after the MN Twins’ historic 2025 midseason sell-off, there were a lot of reasons to keep an eye out for this year’s deadline update.

Minnesota Twins prospect rankings update – post MLB trade deadline

On Monday, when the MLB Pipeline’s post deadline prospect update went through, the Twins debuted a whopping 11 new faces in their top 30 organizational rankings.

In total, Minnesota landed five youngsters on the updated top 100 prospect rankings. Only one of those five were acquired before the deadline a couple weeks ago — 18 y/o catcher Eduardo Tait (No. 54), who was sent to the Twins by Philadelphia in the Jhoan Duran deal.

The other four — Walker Jenkins (No. 14), Luke Keaschall (No. 64), Emmanuel Rodriguez (No. 72) and Kaelen Culpepper (No. 77) — were already in the organization entering the season.

Today @MLBPipeline dropped a new top 100 including draft prospects.

Twins to make the list:

14. Walker Jenkins
54. Eduardo Tait
64. Luke Keaschall
72. Emmanuel Rodriguez
77. Kaelen Culpepper

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 11, 2025

Emmanuel Rodriguez tumbles down MLB top 100 rankings

For the better part of the last two years, the Minnesota Twins top two prospects have been 20-year-old OF Walker Jenkins and 22-year-old OF Emmanuel Rodriguez, in that order. That is no longer the case, however.

After reaching as high as 37th at MLB Pipeline coming into the season, and top 20 at both Baseball America and Baseball Prospectus, Rodriguez dropped all the way to 72 in the latest Pipeline update. The problem for E-Rod hasn’t been his skillset… but instead, his availability.

Rodriguez was on the injured list with a right hip issue from June 2 through July 8th. He returned for just 10 days before landing back on the IL with a right oblique strain (July 18th). In total, Emmanuel Rodriguez has played just 43 games for St. Paul this season. And those are only the beginning of his minor league injury woes.

#MNTwins No. 2 prospect Emmanuel Rodriguez went 6-for-13 with a homer, seven RBIs and seven runs scored over four games in his return from the injured list. @USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/DGHUm8EAT1

— St. Paul Saints (@StPaulSaints) July 15, 2025

Related: Insider Compares MN Twins Rookie to MVP Candidate

Rodriguez has been largely the same prospect, when available. His .254/.411/.428 slash line could be better, but he has been more aggressive and willing to attack earlier in counts, something the Minnesota Twins have been asking him to do. It’s his inability to remain on the field that is hurting his prospect stock, though.

MN Twins’ top prospects are getting close…

Walker Jenkins — who has had his own health issues since being drafted No. 5 overall in 2023 — has been great at Double-A (.315/.421/.500 at Double-A), which makes his drop from 3rd overall prior to the season a bit odd.

He and Wichita teammate, Kaelen Culpepper, should both be ticketed for St. Paul by year’s end, if healthy and playing at a high level. Culpepper has been tearing up Double-A too, slashing .338/.402/.541. He earned his first top 100 ranking at MLB Pipeline pre-All-Star Game.

Eduardo Tait was the top piece acquired by the Twins during the trade deadline, and one of the highest rated prospects across the league to be dealt before July 31. Only Leo De Vries (No. 3), who was traded to the Athletics, is ranked higher.

Eduardo Tait launches his FIRST homer as a member of the Twins organization 🚀

He ranks No. 50 in our Top 100 🔥

(🎥@CRKernels)
pic.twitter.com/AMUJeHndcC

— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) August 7, 2025

Rounding out the group is Luke Keaschall, who will likely exhaust rookie status by the end of the season. He returned from the injured list after suffering a broken forearm. He immediately homered, then walked off the Kansas City Royals on Sunday.

Deadline acquisitions litter Twins top 30 prospects list

With the draft and trade deadline in the rearview mirror, the Minnesota Twins farm system has seen an influx of new faces. As mentioned earlier, 11 of the players acquired over the past month are now considered top 30 organizational prospects, per MLB Pipeline.

Twins draft picks and trade acquisitions among the new @MLBPipeline top 30 for Minnesota:

2. Eduardo Tait*
6. Mick Abel*
7. Kendry Rojas*
8. Marek Houston^
12. Riley Quick*
14. Quentin Young^
16. Ryan Gallagher*
22. James Ellwanger^
24. Matt Barr^
29. Jason Reitz^
30. Enrique…

— Ted (@tlschwerz) August 12, 2025

Related: Former GM Admits MN Twins Can’t Keep Top Tier Talent

Top pick Marek Houston, who is considered an already above-average major league defender at shortstop, makes his debut as the 8th prospect. The Duran return from the Phillies shows up as the top acquisitions, which also makes sense.

Minnesota crushed Louie Varland by sending him to the Blue Jays. Derek Falvey insists Kendry Rojas was worth it, and MLB Pipeline has the new lefty starting prospect at 7th. Riley Quick, the Alabama product, slots in just behind fellow former Crimson Tide pitcher Connor Prielipp.

Ryan Gallagher (Cubs trade for Willi Castro) and Enrique Jimenez (Tigers trade for Chris Paddack) were the only other deadline additions to make the cut. Adding a bunch of draft prospects to the system is always a positive reflection of scouting as well.

Not every move was done with such disregard for baseball competitiveness though. The MN Twins swung a couple of deals that should have impact down the road.

Ultimately it seemed like the overall return was light for what they gave up. When it came to Eduardo Tait though, they got the second best player moved at the deadline.

Eduardo Tait highlights Minnesota Twins deadline haul

The Minnesota Twins got 13 players back for the 11 that they traded. Each has a differing level of value, but it is Eduardo Tait who paces the group. Acquired alongside Mick Abel for Jhoan Duran, ESPN insider Kiley McDaniel called him the second best piece acquired.

“Tait is an electrifying prospect with massive raw tools from the enticing demographic of an 18-year-old lefty-hitting catcher. He has some of the biggest raw power in the entire minor leagues, even if you don’t adjust for his age. He hit a ball 116.2 mph this season; the average max velo for an 18-year-old minor leaguer is between 103 and 106 mph, depending on how you’re qualifying it. And yes, that 116.2 mph rocket was hit 424 feet to the pull side, exiting the entire stadium. Tait has a solid feel for bat-to-ball, but there’s a concerning amount of chase, which is in keeping with the power-based, high-effort pull-and-lift approach.

Beyond that, Tait has plus-plus arm strength behind the plate, posting some insane pop times in games but also rushing and losing his mechanics at other times, so his caught-stealing numbers are merely good instead of great. The subtle art of framing is another area where Tait excels — particularly at the top of the zone — but his ball blocking and agility suffer as he often can sell out to frame a pitch or set up for a throw to second.

I can see a scenario in which his raw tools carry the profile and he doesn’t improve much more, with a career similar to that of Gary Sanchez. Or Tait could really take a step forward and be a future 30- to 40-homer stalwart who also is a solid catcher — that is to say, a potential star.”

Kiley McDaniel – ESPN

Tait was a good get, and coming in second (among 97 prospects that were traded) to the 3rd overall prospect in baseball (Leo De Vries) is not a bad place to be. He’s just 18 years old and there is a lot of exciting projectability. Minnesota has shown an inability to develop hitters, and this is where it needs to change.

The Panamanian played for the Phillies in the All-Star Futures Game this season. Recently promoted to High-A, Tait had 75 games in Single-A where he batted .251/.322/.436. He hit 11 home runs but also carried a 64/30 K/BB.

Quick note on pronunciation:
Eduardo Tait = “tie-eet", not “tayt" as many Twins folks are saying.
File this one away.#MNTwins received Tait from the Phillies in the Jhoan Durán trade. Should be a key part of the team's future roster. pic.twitter.com/9iW0uIz5DS

— Talkin' Twins (@TalkinTwins) August 1, 2025

There is plenty to refine at the dish. Command of the strike zone is a must, and that’s not new for most young hitters. Behind the plate too, Tait will need to develop tools beyond just pitch framing, which will be somewhat neutralized by the incoming ABS challenge system.

Related: What to Make of the Craziest Trade Deadline in Minnesota Twins History

Prospects are exciting, but the ambiguity of their outcomes makes the process difficult to master. Minnesota needs to make sure they get this one right.

Opinions differ on the MN Twins deals

While Tait was the second-best prospect to be moved, that doesn’t mean the Minnesota Twins did well overall. For the most part, the returns felt a bit underwhelming. The Athletic’s Stephen Nesbit ranked the Twins amongst his “losers.”

“Well, they sure incinerated that roster…The Twins acquired talented prospects, but it’s not yet time to celebrate organizational depth.”

Stephen Nesbitt – The Athletic

Former general manager Jim Bowden, who also writes at The Athletic, gave the team a “B” grade for selling. The positioning of it should not sit well with fans, however.

“They were able to shed a lot of payroll while also adding significant talent to the farm system, which sets the organization up for future success and its eventual sale.”

Jim Bowden – The Athletic

Both Bradford Doolittle and Alden Gonzalez called it fake news that the MN Twins made their future better at the deadline. Doolittle said, “I don’t know — it looks to me like a case of moving things around and not necessarily ending up in a better place.” Gonzalez followed it up well suggesting, “This was a bad day for Twins fans. Painting it any other way would be a disservice.”

Related: Confirmed: Cheap Pohlads Ordered MN Twins’ Deadline Demolition

Maybe Tait becomes a cornerstone star in the future. Right now though, it’s pretty hard for Twins fans to pick up the pieces. Assuredly though, that’s what Derek Falvey and the Pohlad’s will sell as the logical step forward.

Derek Falvey had no choice but to sell after the team came out of the All-Star Break and lost four-straight series. Listening on all of the expiring contracts, Duran would always command more with team control to his credit.

It had been reported that Minnesota was asking for the world in return for their high-leverage arms. It certainly seems like they got it.

MN Twins earn high grades for Jhoan Duran trade

Jhoan Duran owns a 2.01 ERA (2.48 FIP) this season and has arguably been the best version of himself. Making just $4.13 million and under team control through 2027, the Phillies had to hand Minnesota a bunch. In Mick Abel and Eduardo Tait they gave up two top 100 prospects and that certainly had to sting.

Tyler Kepner, senior writer for The Athletic, says they knocked it out of the park.

“The Phillies need a closer much more than the Twins do right now, so the return makes a great deal of sense for Minnesota. Tait is only 18, a lefty hitter with good pop, and if he can stay at catcher, he’s a great get. Abel’s career minor-league walk rate (5.1) is concerning, but he has sharply reduced it this season and looked good in three of his six Phillies starts. At 23, he’s another long-term keeper for Minnesota.

It’s hard to see the Twins regretting this deal. The Phillies might, in time, but they had no choice but to fix the bullpen, and Duran gives them a better chance to win a championship. That’s what matters most now.”

Tyler Kepner – The Athletic

Chad Jennings, who covers the Boston Red Sox for The Athletic, spoke glowingly of Minnesota’s return as well. He didn’t go with the “A” grade that Kepner did, but turned in a solid “A-“

“Could the Twins have held out for Andrew Painter? They could have tried — I’m sure they did try — but the Phillies weren’t going to do that. Instead, the Twins got a first-round pick in Abel, who’s resurrected his prospect status and could be in the Twins rotation the rest of the year. He’s ready. That’s immediate value with some upside. Does he need to get better? Sure, but the Twins aren’t the worst organization to get him there. They also add some lottery ticket upside in Tait, who might not be a catcher in the long run, but he sure can hit from the left side. There’s a decent floor with Abel, and a high ceiling with Tait. 

This is what a deadline deal is supposed to look like.”

Chad Jennings – The Athletic

As Jennings points out, the Minnesota Twins get an early return on the deal in Abel. He made his big league debut earlier this year and has shown mediocre results (5.04 ERA) across his first six big league starts.

That said, Abel owns a 2.31 ERA in 13 starts at Triple-A Lehigh Valley this year, and he was previously a consensus top 50 prospect. The rest of the way this season will be about letting young guys go, and Abel certainly should have opportunity.

Related: MN Twins Clubhouse Boils Over as Trade Deadline Looms

What else the MN Twins do on deadline day remains to be seen. With Duran and Chris Paddack gone, they still should remain one of the most active organizations up until it’s pencils down.

It was another ugly loss against the Boston Red Sox on Wednesday, but Jhoan Duran was guaranteed to avoid the mound because of it. With multiple teams closing in, a deal got done before the Twins needed to get on a plane to Cleveland.

Philadelphia deals for MN Twins closer Jhoan Duran

Derek Falvey has been floating Jhoan Duran in trade talks as the trade deadline has draw closer. The Philadelphia Phillies were among the most interested teams and the Twins had talked about prospect Andrew Painter. They didn’t land him, but got a deal done anyways.

The Twins and Phillies deal is agreed upon. Right-hander Mick Abel and catcher Eduardo Tait are going to Minnesota for closer Jhoan Duran, sources tell ESPN.

— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 30, 2025

Duran heads to the Phillies with a 2.01 ERA (2.49 FIP) in arguably the best season of his career. He brings high-leverage talent to a Philadelphia bullpen that seriously needs help. By fWAR, Duran has been the 13th-best reliever in baseball, and he’s set to join former Twins teammate Max Kepler.

Eduardo Tait is the top prospect in the deal from Philadelphia. He is the Phillies 4th-best prospect per MLB Pipeline and a fringe top 100 consensus prospect. He’s an 18-year-old catcher at High-A with a .255/.319/.434 slash line this season.

#Phillies No. 4 prospect Eduardo Tait recorded two doubles and drove in a pair of runs Sunday during his first three-hit game at High-A.@USAFRecruiting #AimHigh pic.twitter.com/DEQc5wPORs

— Jersey Shore BlueClaws (@BlueClaws) July 29, 2025

Of course there’s an exceptional amount of uncertainty when dealing with teenagers. The Twins are certainly hoping that Tait can be a future asset behind the dish, and someone that provides a level of stability they haven’t had since Joe Mauer.

Beyond just Tait, Mick Abel is a former 15th overall pick (2020) and has already made his big league debut. In 74 innings at the Triple-A level this season Abel owns a 2.31 ERA with a 9.9 K/9. He has just six big league starts under his belt, and he has allowed 14 runs on 25 hits in 25 innings.

Mick Abel is only 23 and has pitched in 6 games this season with a 5.04 ERA. 2.31 ERA in the minors. Talent is there!

Phillies #6 prospect, with a fastball in the high 90s. Really excited about this pickup#MNTwins
pic.twitter.com/hZRRGfz6xD

— Twins Talk (@LetsTalk_Twins) July 30, 2025

Like Tait, Abel was a consensus top 100 prospect. The upside here is immense for Minnesota considering the team control on both assets. Losing Jhoan Duran won’t be easy, but the transition to the next phase of competitiveness has begun.