This story was excerpted from Matthew Leach’s Twins Beat newsletter. To read the full newsletter, click here. And subscribe to get it regularly in your inbox.
MINNEAPOLIS -- When the Twins underwent a massive selloff at last year’s Trade Deadline, their haul consisted mostly of young Major Leaguers and prospects close to the Majors. Five of those players -- Taj Bradley, Mick Abel, Kendry Rojas, Alan Roden and James Outman -- have already appeared in the Majors since arriving.
Then there’s Eduardo Tait, who is the opposite of that list. Tait, the only Top 100 prospect acquired in the selloff, is still only 19. In his second year in the Twins organization, he’s one of the youngest players at the High-A level, with the most at-bats by far of any 19-year-old in the Midwest League.
And after a few bumps earlier in the year, Minnesota’s No. 3 prospect is beginning to find his footing. His overall slash line -- .224/.291/.455 -- may not catch your eye. But first, see the previous paragraph: He’s doing it almost exclusively against pitchers who are older than he is.
Second, he’s had a very strong June after a very shaky May. And even that overall line hides some very nice numbers, like being tied for the fourth-most homers in the Midwest League (15). He’s also tied for 13th in the league with 14 doubles, not bad for a catcher.
Offensively, Tait is working mostly on walking that most difficult line for any hitter, especially a young hitter. He’s trying to make sure he lays off bad pitches, without getting too passive. Only swing at strikes, but do swing at strikes.
COMPLETE TWINS PROSPECT COVERAGE
“It depends on the situation,” Tait said recently through interpreter and hitting/development coach Yeison Perez. “If it’s a hitters’ count, the pitcher is behind, I can sit on pitches that I’m looking for. If I don’t get the pitch, spit on it. If I’m behind, two strikes, then be protective of the zone. But yeah, when I’m behind, I can choose what pitches to swing.”
Tait’s offensive tools rate as outstanding. He has displayed excellent bat-to-ball skills despite the batting average, and his power also tantalizes. There’s some question as to whether he stays at catcher, but the Twins are willing to take the time to find out, because a left-handed-hitting catcher with Tait’s hitting upside is a rare thing indeed.
That’s why they targeted him last year, acquiring him from the Phillies in the same deal that brought over Abel, for Jhoan Duran. And while the first trade is jarring for any young player, it was especially so for Tait, who had just turned 19. He was only in his second year in the United States, having played in the Dominican Summer League in 2023.
Even now, he only has 300 professional games. As a Top 100 prospect whom Twins fans have been hearing about for a year now, it can be easy to forget just how young and green Tait is.
“At the beginning, when I got traded, it was a little hard for me,” he said. “I had to deal with new teammates. In the past I was more comfortable with the teammates I had. But I got used to it and I have more relationships with the guys. It’s a lot better. The guys have been really good, so I’m in a good spot with that right now.”