The early rounds of the MLB Draft are where organizations find their potential franchise players, but the later rounds are where scouting departments can truly separate themselves. These picks often require teams to identify traits that can be developed into something more.
Maybe it’s a pitcher with one dominant pitch but some command concerns. Maybe it’s a power hitter whose defensive home remains uncertain. Or maybe it’s a player who simply needs the right development environment to unlock his potential.
The Twins have found plenty of value outside the top rounds throughout franchise history. Kent Hrbek famously became a franchise icon after being selected in the 14th round. Taylor Rogers was an 11th-round pick who developed into an All-Star closer. Even Gene Larkin, whose pinch-hit heroics helped Minnesota win the 1991 World Series, was a 20th-round selection.
There is value to be found throughout the draft, and the Twins continued their search for future contributors in Rounds 16-20 of the 2026 MLB Draft.
16th Round, 467th Overall: RHP Connor Mattison, Kentucky
Mattison is a 6-foot-2, 195-pound right-handed pitcher with a history of missing bats. Before transferring to Kentucky, he spent two seasons at Grand Canyon, where he became one of the program’s most accomplished young pitchers. As a freshman, Mattison threw Grand Canyon’s first no-hitter in 42 years, striking out 10 batters against Sacramento State. He earned national recognition while finishing the season with a 12.5 K/9 rate and multiple weekly honors.
In 2025, Mattison continued to show swing-and-miss ability, leading the team with 41 strikeouts in just 33 1/3 innings while earning WAC Pitcher of the Week honors after throwing five shutout innings against Vanderbilt. The move to the SEC level at Kentucky proved more challenging.
Mattison made 14 appearances (six starts) and posted an 8.10 ERA with a 1.53 WHIP. However, some underlying numbers suggest there could be more upside. His 6.33 FIP and .337 BABIP indicate some bad luck, while his strikeout rate remained above 20%. The Twins are betting that their pitching development staff can help Mattison recapture the dominant stuff he showed earlier in his career.
17th Round, 497th Overall: C Hideki Prather, California
Prather enters professional baseball as one of the more intriguing offensive profiles in this group. After limited playing time early in his college career, he broke out in 2026 with California. The catcher slashed .333/.421/.632 (1.053) with 14 home runs and 17 doubles across 52 games. He posted a .299 ISO, a 10.8% walk rate, and a 123 wRC+, showing impressive power and plate discipline.
Prather missed the 2024 season because of injury and saw limited action at Clemson before transferring. That lack of consistent catching experience means he still has development ahead of him defensively, particularly with receiving and game-calling responsibilities. The bat gives him a chance to climb quickly if the Twins can help him continue developing behind the plate.
18th Round, 527th Overall: RHP Colter McAnelly, Utah
McAnelly brings plenty of starting experience to the Twins organization after serving as Utah’s Friday night starter during his final two collegiate seasons. In 2025, he earned All-Big 12 First Team honors after making 14 starts and posting a 3.79 ERA across 92 2/3 innings. He struck out 92 batters, averaged 8.9 K/9, and ranked among the conference leaders in innings pitched and opponent batting average.
McAnelly followed that performance with another solid season in 2026, recording 70 strikeouts over 67⅓ innings. He finished his Utah career ranked fourth all-time in program history with 207 strikeouts. The right-hander has experience handling a starter’s workload and has consistently shown the ability to generate swings and misses. His next challenge will be translating that success against professional hitters.
19th Round, 557th Overall: SS PJ Moutzouridis, Arizona State
Moutzouridis gives the Twins another athletic middle-infield option with a strong approach at the plate. In 55 games with Arizona State in 2026, he hit .286/.410/.417 (.827) with 14 extra-base hits. His 13.0% walk rate and 15.0% strikeout rate highlighted his advanced approach, while his .131 ISO and 94 wRC+ showed room for additional offensive growth.
Before transferring to Arizona State, Moutzouridis spent time at California, where he emerged as one of the better young shortstops in the country. He earned Freshman All-American and All-Pac-12 honors after starting all 55 games at shortstop. Moutzouridis has the defensive foundation and plate discipline that teams look for in middle infielders. If the power develops, he could become an interesting organizational piece.
20th Round, 587th Overall: RHP Michael Barnett, UCLA
Barnett gives the Twins another experienced college starter with a proven track record of durability and winning. Over four seasons at UCLA, he compiled a 24-3 record, finishing eighth in program history in career victories while serving as a key member of the Bruins’ weekend rotation.
His best season came in 2025 when he earned Second Team All-Big Ten honors after leading the conference with 12 wins, posting a 3.98 ERA over 86 innings with 75 strikeouts and an impressive 75-to-22 strikeout-to-walk ratio. He followed that with another productive senior season in 2026, going 6-0 with a 4.18 ERA across a team-high 71 innings while helping UCLA go 15-1 in his starts.
Barnett struck out 58 batters and allowed one earned run or fewer in seven of his 16 outings. While he doesn’t possess overpowering velocity, his experience, command, and ability to throw strikes give him a chance to move quickly through the Twins’ system as organizational pitching depth with the potential to develop into more.
The final five rounds of the draft are about finding players with one or two standout traits and trusting the development system to maximize their potential. Whether it’s power stuff, defensive versatility, or an advanced approach at the plate, the Twins added several intriguing bets. History has shown that impactful big leaguers can come from anywhere in the draft, and Minnesota will hope one of these late-round selections becomes the next hidden gem.
What stands out about the players in this group? Leave a comment and start the discussion.
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