Ranking the Twins Top 30 Prospects: #26-#25

#26.  Max Kepler-Rozycki, outfielder – Kepler-Rozycki is perhaps the greatest enigma in the Twins organization right now.  KR is a sixteen year old outfielder that the Twins signed out of Germany for an 800,000 dollar signing bonus.  That bonus is a record for an amateur player outside of the United States and Latin America, but the Twins believed enough in his talent to make the huge offer.  KR is as raw as they get, but has the potential to one day excel in all five tools: speed, arm strength, glove work, average and power.  In fact, one scout declared that “Kepler is the toolsiest kid we’ve ever had in Europe.  No question.”  The Twins signing of Miguel Angel Sano could have a positive effect on KR’s development as the spotlight will be shifted to the more heralded of the sixteen year olds.  It is very difficult to project how KR will actually perform in American professional baseball, and that is a large reason for why he is not higher up on this list.  KR is the ultimate unknown quantity.  He is blessed with dynamic tools and big time talent, but he is still extremely young and lacks any semblance of professional experience.  KR is certainly a guy for Twins fans to keep an eye on, but don’t expect to see him in the majors anytime soon.

#25.  Michael Tonkin, Pitcher – Tonkin was a more significant part of the Twins farm system before the 2009 draft.  Prior to that draft the Twins were very thin on organizational starting pitching depth and Tonkin ranked as one of the more promising pitchers.  However, the Twins addressed that need by drafting big starting pitching arms with their first four picks in the 2009 draft, knocking Tonkin down a few levels.  Tonkin was selected in the 30th round of the 2008 draft due to issues with his signability, but the Twins were able to lock him down for a bonus of 230,000 dollars.  Tonkin hasn’t wowed management with the year and a half so far spent in the minors, but he has been solid and consistent.  Tonkin has shown a surprising penchant for striking out batters, 60 in 54 innings in 2009, despite not having overpowering stuff.  Now that the Twins system has been restocked with promising pitching talent, management can afford to be more patient with Tonkin as he progresses and grows into his 6′6″ frame.  Tonkin has posted solid numbers at rookie level ball and the Twins will look for him to continue that success at class a ball next season.