Five MLB-Ready Twins Prospects Who Could Force Their Way Onto the 2026 Opening Day Roster

With spring training less than a month away, the Minnesota Twins still have unresolved roster questions — and limited financial flexibility to address them externally. That reality puts a brighter spotlight on the organization’s internal options, particularly a group of MLB-ready prospects who could play their way onto the Opening Day roster with strong performances in camp.

Last summer, the Twins dealt nearly a dozen veteran players at the trade deadline, signaling a clear pivot toward building from within. Since then, they’ve done little to replace that lost experience through free agency. Team leadership has repeatedly emphasized confidence in their farm system, which MLB executives recently labeled one of the most underrated in baseball, according to an MLB Pipeline survey.

If Minnesota truly intends to follow through on that philosophy — and back it up financially — opportunities should exist for prospects to seize meaningful roles right away. While top outfield names like Walker Jenkins and Emmanuel Rodriguez reached Triple-A in 2025, both are left-handed hitters blocked by an already crowded, lefty-heavy outfield. That’s not where the Twins’ most urgent needs lie.

Instead, two areas stand out: bullpen arms and right-handed bats. With that in mind, here are five under-the-radar prospects who have yet to make their MLB debuts but could realistically break camp with the Twins if they impress this spring.

Connor Prielipp: A Potential Bullpen Game-Changer

Service-time manipulation often discourages teams from carrying rookies straight out of spring training, but that concern is far less relevant with Connor Prielipp. The left-hander recently turned 25, meaning even if he sticks immediately, the Twins would still control him through his age-30 season.

Purely from a talent standpoint, Prielipp already looks like one of Minnesota’s most dangerous relief options. When healthy, his explosive fastball-slider combination from the left side gives him legitimate late-inning upside. In fact, it’s not unreasonable to envision him stepping into a setup — or even closer — role right away, much like Jhoan Duran did in 2022.

The primary questions surrounding Prielipp remain health and workload, not stuff. If he arrives in camp healthy and dominant, there’s little reason to delay his impact by sending him back to the minors.

Marco Raya: High-Risk, High-Reward Bullpen Bet

Marco Raya’s 2025 Triple-A season was rocky, particularly while working primarily as a starter. At this stage, both Raya and the Twins appear ready to embrace what seems inevitable: a transition to the bullpen.

In shorter stints, Raya can unleash his full arsenal, especially his devastating slider, which remains his calling card. Twins president of baseball operations Derek Falvey has hinted that the organization views Raya as an important piece of a reworked bullpen, even if the transition isn’t immediate.

Consistency and emotional control remain hurdles, but the raw stuff is undeniable. If Raya shows improved command and composure in spring training, Minnesota may decide the upside is worth the gamble — particularly given how thin the bullpen currently looks.

John Klein: The 40-Man Dark Horse

John Klein might be the most intriguing sleeper in Twins camp. Added to the 40-man roster last November, the 6-foot-5 right-hander flew under the radar despite an impressive minor-league season in which he struck out 128 batters over 106 innings across the upper levels.

Klein only logged 25 innings at Triple-A, but he turns 24 in April and possesses a deep five-pitch mix that could be streamlined effectively in a bullpen role. His inclusion on the 40-man roster gives him a distinct advantage over non-roster invitees and minor-league signees.

If Klein’s stuff plays against big-league hitters in spring action, he profiles as the kind of late-blooming bullpen arm that can quickly become useful at the MLB level.

Gabriel Gonzalez: Right-Handed Power the Twins Need

Beyond pitching, the Twins’ other glaring weakness is right-handed offense. Minnesota is overloaded with lefty-swinging corner bats — including Trevor Larnach, Matt Wallner, Kody Clemens, Alan Roden, and James Outman — but lacks reliable right-handed balance.

That’s where Gabriel Gonzalez enters the conversation.

At just 22 years old, Gonzalez might be the organization’s most intriguing right-handed hitting option against left-handed pitching. In 2025, he tore through three minor-league levels, posting a dominant .368/.430/.592 slash line against lefties and finishing with an .862 OPS in 150 Triple-A plate appearances.

The biggest obstacle is playing time. The Twins aren’t likely to carry Gonzalez simply to start twice a week in a strict platoon role. For him to break camp, roster space would need to be cleared — but if Minnesota wants real right-handed impact, Gonzalez offers more upside than any veteran placeholder currently in the mix.

Kyler Fedko: The Safer, Older Alternative

Kyler Fedko presents a more conservative version of the Gonzalez bet. At 26, Fedko is less of a developmental project and more of a finished product, which could make the Twins more comfortable deploying him in a part-time role.

Fedko posted a strong .855 OPS at Triple-A in 2025, yet failed to earn a late-season call-up or a 40-man roster spot. He also went unselected in the Rule 5 Draft, suggesting league-wide skepticism. Still, he remains firmly on the prospect radar, ranking 18th on Twins Daily and 33rd on Aaron Gleeman’s most recent list.

Fedko may not carry star potential, but his right-handed bat and positional flexibility could address Minnesota’s immediate needs more smoothly than a younger, higher-upside option.

A Real Test of the Twins’ “Build From Within” Philosophy

Spring training will reveal whether the Twins are truly committed to giving internal options a legitimate chance. With payroll uncertainty and roster holes to fill, this is an ideal moment for a prospect to force the issue.

If Minnesota is serious about competing without major spending, at least one of these players should find a way onto the Opening Day roster.

Who’s your dark horse Twins prospect to debut in 2026?