Minnesota Twins beat writer Aaron Gleeman is currently doing a Top 40 list of the best prospects in the Minnesota Twins organization. Two European players made the Top 20.
Dutch right-hander Tom Stuifbergen came in at number 20:
Clearly staying healthy is key for Stuifbergen, who’s appeared in just 40 pro games, but even in limited action a 169/33 K/BB ratio in 188 innings is impressive and he’s still just 22 years old. His raw stuff isn’t overpowering, but Stuifbergen throws strikes, misses a fair number of bats, and induces grounders in bunches. Right now Nick Blackburn seems like a decent comparison, but if he can stay healthy for a while and add some velocity he could have mid-rotation upside.
German outfielder Max Kepler-Rozycki, who apparently is also going to get some games at first base this year, was ranked 16th:
For now at least Kepler projects as a potential center fielder, but that may change quickly once his 6-foot-4 frame fills out and he played all three outfield spots in rookie-ball, where Baseball America named him the ninth-best prospect in the upside-filled GCL. He’s likely still a season or two from facing full-season competition, so thinking about how Kepler might look roaming the outfield at Target Field is very premature, but if he gets there the ceiling could be sky high.