Mahle traded to the Twins

[CJD]

Spencer Steer:

Quote:Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 50 | Run: 50 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Power was never a significant part of Steer's skillset as a three-year starter for the University of Oregon, where his .349/.456/.502 slash line and control of the strike zone as an everyday shortstop during his junior year earned him a third-round selection in the 2019 Draft. After Steer maintained that profile with four homers and a .385 on-base percentage in '19, the Twins worked with him during the shutdown to drive the ball more effectively, and he responded with 24 homers in his first taste of full-season ball.

Steer doesn’t have any big tools, but his natural affinity for putting the barrel to the ball helps his skillset play up. The swing tweaks didn't affect his bat path or approach too much but allowed him to use his lower half more effectively to transfer force from the ground into his bat speed. He didn't trade off too much of his excellent discipline, maintaining a .348 on-base percentage with 55 walks in '21, though the strikeout rate jumped and the Twins hope those numbers could rebound some more. He’s an average runner, but isn’t really a base-stealing threat.

Though Steer's collegiate shortstop experience has helped him play three infield positions with good hands, his throwing needs work and his focus has been more at second and third than at shortstop, with continuing uncertainty as to where he'll fit best. Previously, he likely profiled best as a utility type at the highest level, but if he can maintain this newfound power, he could push into consideration as a regular with defensive versatility, with third base becoming more realistic if the power stays and his arm improves.

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/twins/spencer-steer-668715

Christian Encarnacion-Strand

Quote:Scouting grades: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 40 | Arm: 50 | Field: 50 | Oveall: 40

All Encarnacion-Strand did as an amateur was hit, spanning two seasons at Yavapai (Ariz.) College in the JUCO circuit and one year at Oklahoma State, where he was Big 12 Conference newcomer of the year after hitting .361/.442/.661 with 15 homers. He didn't slow down after the Twins selected him in the fourth round in 2021, hitting .391/.424/.598 in A-ball across 22 games in the notoriously pitcher-friendly Low-A Southeast.

He chases outside the zone a little too much, perhaps borne of seeking contact and hits instead of waiting for his pitch, but he's got solid bat-to-ball skills and the ability to drive the ball hard to all fields. The results have obviously spoken for themselves throughout his amateur career, but the Twins hope he'll make strides with his plate discipline and selectivity, with some mechanical adjustments with his stride also in play to help his consistency.

Though he mostly played first base in his first professional season, the 22-year-old also opened eyes with his defense at the hot corner, where he moves well with his big frame and features strong instincts and angles to the ball and good hands. If he can address the plate discipline, his bat could carry him up the system, with the ability to contribute from either corner infield spot.

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/twins/christian-encarnacion-strand-687952

Steve Hajjar

Quote:Scouting Grades: Fastball: 50 | Curveball: 50 | Slider: 50 | Changeup: 60 | Control: 50 | Overall: 45

Hajjar was a solid pitching prospect while in high school in Massachusetts, but opted not to sign with the Brewers as a late-round choice in 2018 to honor his commitment to Michigan. He missed his freshman year after tearing his ACL playing pickup basketball, but came back and led the Wolverines rotation the next two years. While his stuff wasn’t super-sharp, he led the Big Ten in strikeouts in 2021 and landed in the second round of the Draft, where the Twins signed him to full slot.

The big lefty didn’t throw an official pitch for the Twins after a full workload at Michigan, but the Twins were thrilled to see his stuff tick up in the short time they worked with Hajjar after he signed. While his fastball averaged around 90 mph in college in 2021, he was more around 93 mph, touching a bit higher, in bullpen sessions with the Twins. He can miss bats with all of his secondary offerings and he used his plus low-80s changeup with good tumble and his mid-70s curveball effectively last year. The Twins have encouraged him to add velocity to his low-80s slider and to focus on adding lateral movement to it so it can be a better weapon against left-handed hitters.

Hajjar’s overhand delivery creates deception and the Twins don’t think it needs much work for him to have success at this level. He has a good feel for pitching and should continue to improve his command as he progresses, with perhaps more in the tank as he keeps adding strength to that 6-foot-5 frame.

https://www.mlb.com/prospects/twins/steve-hajjar-680727