Minnesota Twins Prospects – Second Base

There is so much uncertainty when talking about the Minnesota Twins and their second baseman.  Brian Dozier‘s name has been making its rounds throughout baseball this offseason, with his final destination yet to be determined.  But for the time being he is a Twin and the organization is set at that position until he is moved.

The Twins have had their share of second baseman over the past decade or so with Alexi Casilla, Luis Castillo, and even Orlando Hudson, but none had as much impact on the game than Dozier.

As we continue to make our way around the diamond and get familar with the prospects that make up the Twins system, we will take a look at, you guessed it, second base.

SECOND BASE

1. Luis Arraez (Cedar Rapids)
2016 Statistics (Class-A) – .347 AVG, .830 OPS, 31 2B, 3 3B, 3 HR, 66 RBI, .976 FLD%

The Twins signed Arraez to a free agent contract in November of 2013 out of Venezuela, when he was 17-years old.  He started his professional career playing in the Dominican Summer League in 2014.  His main position was second, but he did see very little time at first and third.  After batting .348 in 2014, the Twins moved him to the Gulf Coast Twins for 2015.  Arraez continued to hit at that level and was promoted to Cedar Rapids of the Midwest League last season.  He was able to show the organization what he is capable of, and also added his first three professional home runs.  Defensively, He committed nine errors in 239 attempts.  It wouldn’t be a stretch to say he will start and likely finish 2017 playing for the Miracle in Fort Myers.

2. Travis Blankenhorn (Elizabethton, Cedar Rapids)
2016 Statistics (Rookie and Class-A) – .293 AVG, .850 OPS, 12 2B, 3 3B, 10 HR, 41 RBI, .944 FLD%

Blankenhorn is the Minnesota Twins #10 prospect according to MLB.com.  He was Twins third round selection in 2015 out of Pottsville High School in Pennsylvania.  He decided against attending the University of Kentucky (where he was committed) and signed with the Twins for a $650,000 signing bonus.  He started out his career in 2015 playing for both Rookie League teams in the organization.  Blankenhorn started out 2016 playing for the Elizabethton Twins before being promoted to the Cedar Rapids Kernels.  He played in 59 games last season and showed off some power by hitting 10 bombs.  Blankenhorn is relatively large and may end up being a third baseman when it’s all said and done, and may even see more time at the hot corner this season.  I could see him starting out where he left off last season in Cedar Rapids before making the jump to Fort Myers.

3. Andre Jernigan (Elizabethton)
2016 Statistics (Rookie) – .243 AVG, .710 OPS, 6 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, .993 FLD%

The Twins selected Jernigan from Xavier University in the 14th round of the 2016 draft.  The newly turned 23-year old spent last season playing for the Elizabethton Twins.  He was able to play in 36 games after signing and made more of an impression with his glove compared to his bat.  His average was a little low which can be expected in the first professional season.  Jernigan made just one error at second base in 137 chances.  He did play a couple of games at short stop and catcher, but his main position is at second.  Being that he was selected out of college, he is a touch older than others in the Rookie league.  I’d expect him to see time at Cedar Rapids and depending on their plans maybe even a stop in Fort Myers.

Minnesota Twins Prospects [Catcher, First Base]