Imagine this: the Minnesota Twins, after a challenging season with 92 losses under their former manager, Rocco Baldelli, were poised to draft the top pick, Roch Cholowsky. It would have been a poetic twist, but fate had other plans. The Chicago White Sox, their division rivals, won the MLB draft lottery, leaving the Twins to potentially face off against the star UCLA shortstop 13 times a season. Talk about a twist of fate!
Despite having the second-highest odds, the Twins ended up with the third pick, a position they've held before in 1987 and 1991. While those drafts brought Willie Banks and David McCarty, both considered major prospect busts, there's a silver lining. In those years, the Twins went on to win the World Series, so perhaps history could repeat itself.
With the draft still months away, let's explore some early top prospects for the Twins at the No. 3 spot on July 12th.
Grady Emerson, SS: This left-handed hitting shortstop from Texas is the top high school prospect, according to Baseball America and MLB Pipeline. He's committed to the University of Texas, but the allure of top-five bonus money might just change his mind. Emerson is a pure hitter with exceptional bat control and good discipline at the plate. While there are questions about his future power potential, he certainly packs a punch now, and his 6'2" frame will only add to that. Defensively, he's a quality shortstop with above-average athleticism, speed, and arm strength. He's got All-Star potential written all over him.
Justin Lebron, SS: Lebron might not be as well-known as Cholowsky, but he's an exceptional college shortstop in his own right. Hitting .327/.425/.593 in two years at the University of Alabama, he showcases excellent right-handed power with 30 homers in just 116 games. Lebron is an athletic powerhouse with good speed, stealing 27 bases in 28 attempts. However, his contact skills against non-fastballs could be a cause for concern, with 121 strikeouts versus 55 walks in 116 games.
Drew Burress, OF: At 5'9", Burress might not fit the typical slugger mold, but he's been one of the best right-handed college hitters in the country for the past two seasons at Georgia Tech. Batting .357/.490/.756 with 44 homers in 118 games, he's a force to be reckoned with. His small stature and unique batting stance might raise doubts, but he's proven his power against college pitching. With seven first-round picks on college hitters with elite production under Derek Falvey, the Twins might just find their next star in Burress, who could also play a solid outfield.
A.J. Gracia, OF: Gracia has been a standout left-handed college hitter at Duke for the past two seasons, batting .299/.445/.559. He transferred to Virginia for his junior year, and while he might not have Burress' power numbers, his 29 homers in 120 games are still impressive. Gracia's on-base skills are his forte, with a remarkable 105 walks in 120 games. He's a patient hitter who can drive the ball to all fields. Defensively, he's considered a passable center fielder, but he'll likely move to a corner spot, adding pressure to develop into a true force at the plate.
Jacob Lombard, SS: Lombard, the son of former major leaguer George Lombard and younger brother of New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr., is a high school shortstop from Florida. His upside is immense, with a combination of high-end speed and raw power from his athletic 6'3" frame. While there are questions about his contact skills, especially against premium velocity, his speed and power potential are undeniable. Defensively, he's considered a quality shortstop with above-average hands and instincts, and his arm strength is a topic of debate.
Derek Curiel, OF: As a freshman, Curiel led the College World Series-winning LSU team with a .345 batting average and a .470 on-base percentage. While his power is limited with just seven homers in 68 games, he strikes out at a high rate for a college star. Curiel is known for his smooth swing and pure hitting ability, and the question remains how much power he'll develop. He played mostly left field last season, but the plan is for him to be LSU's starting center fielder in 2026. Opinions are divided on his ability to stick there in the pros, but his above-average speed and good arm could make him a viable option for the Twins.
Other prospects to keep an eye on include Liam Peterson (RHP, Florida), Sawyer Strosnider (OF, TCU), Cameron Flukey (RHP, Coastal Carolina), Tyler Spangler (SS, high school), Eric Becker (SS, Virginia), and Ace Reese (3B, Mississippi State).
With the draft still months away, these prospects could rise or fall, but for now, the Twins have some exciting options to consider with their No. 3 pick.
