One of the faces of the Twins’ future arrived on Friday when the Twins called up Luke Keaschall, one of the team’s — and Major League Baseball’s — top prospects.
Keaschall, ranked as MLB Pipeline’s No. 57 prospect, got the call in place of utilityman Mickey Gasper, whom the Twins optioned to Triple-A St. Paul. The 22-year-old Keaschall was drafted by the Twins in the second round of the 2023 draft and has done nothing but hit since arriving in their minor league system.
“He’s got a swing that, as you watch him, whether it be in batting practice or against live pitching, it’s very direct to the ball,” manager Rocco Baldelli said in February. “He’s got a very short swing. There is some strength to his body, his hands and to the swing itself. And he can run on top of that. He’s a good athlete. He’s going to be an exciting player to watch.”
Last year, between Class-A Advanced Cedar Rapids and Double-A Wichita, he slashed .303/.420/.483, adding 15 home runs in 103 games.
He did that while playing through elbow pain, leading to his season being cut short so he could undergo Tommy John surgery and be ready for the start of the 2025 season. In a way, he said during spring training, the injury helped him at the plate.
“I swung at better pitches because when I swung at bad pitches, it hurt a bit,” he said in February.
As a minor leaguer, he has played first base, second base and outfield, though he has yet to return to the outfield since his surgery, playing second base and DHing for the Triple-A Saints this year.
Keaschall’s addition to the roster comes as the Twins are banged up in the infield — Carlos Correa (wrist) and Willi Castro (oblique) left games earlier in the week due to injury.
To make room on the 40-man roster, the Twins designated reliever Matt Canterino for assignment. Canterino, one of the more interesting arms in the organization, has dealt with years of injuries, the latest setback coming this spring. The pitcher had shoulder surgery in March and is out for the entire 2025 season.
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