The Minnesota Twins currently boast one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. They have also seen the graduation of some truly special talents. MLB Pipeline has put out rankings for 20 years now, and a former Twins great stands out above the rest.
Minnesota Twins Joe Mauer called best catching prospect
Jonathan Mayo and Jim Callis have been covering baseball prospects for literal decades. Their work at MLB Pipeline dates back to 2004. They have seen it all with the Minnesota Twins, and every other organization across Major League Baseball. They haven’t ever seen someone quite like Joe Mauer though. Mayo looked back at the 34 lists MLB Pipeline has put out, and compiled a lineup with the best prospect at each position. For catcher, it was the Twins newest Hall of Famer.
“ We’ll be tracking how Adley Rutschman continues to perform, but I can’t not pick our very first No. 1 prospect and the only prospect to date who is enshrined in the Baseball Hall of Fame . Six All-Star nods, five Silver Sluggers, three batting titles, three Gold Gloves, an MVP Award and a .306/.388/.439 line. “
Jonathan Mayo on Twins Joe Mauer for MLB Pipeline
Joe Mauer’s 55.2 bWAR comes in just above his 53.5 fWAR . Of course those numbers are splitting hairs, but the reality that matters is his first ballot enshrinement into Cooperstown. That’s quite the bar to clear, and something Rutschman will be tracking towards for the duration of his career.
Related: Details of Joe Mauer’s Target Field Statue Revealed
With Mauer as the gold standard from the catching position, it’s hard to think of anyone topping his peak given the position realities today.
What other Minnesota Twins could make MLB Pipeline’s future lineup?
Obviously an all-time lineup will feature plenty of players that will eventually find themselves enshrined in Cooperstown. That’s a pretty tough bar to clear, but there is an opening in the MLB Pipeline all-time lineup. That comes at second base and the Minnesota Twins have a couple of candidates.
The Atlanta Braves’ Ozzie Albies currently holds the position. His 21.5 bWAR is not otherworldly (for context, Byron Buxton has complied 24.1 bWAR ) but he is just 27 years old. Of course Albies will continue to produce as a big leaguer, and the bar will push higher. Minnesota has some young studs that could come for the tally down the line though.
Brooks Lee immediately jumps off the page as a top talent that could find himself having an Albies sort of career. The hit tool is legit, and he’s more than capable of playing second base. If the power comes along as it has shown, then the sky could be the limit for his future. Luke Keaschall is also a top 100 prospect at this point, and 2024 first round pick Kaelen Culpepper could slide across the diamond.
Related: Exclusive: Twins Top Prospect Opens Up About Torn UCL That Eventually Ended His Season
Second base is traditionally not the most impressive position from a production standpoint. That gives Minnesota a chance for some of their brightest young stars to shine. We can revisit this discussion in the next 20 years.
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