The Minnesota Twins have announced that Low-A Fort Myers infielder Danny De Andrade and Triple-A St. Paul right-handed pitcher Louie Varland have been named Twins minor league Player and Pitcher of the Week for week 19.
According to sources, the Minnesota Twins have signed (6/21/20) and agreed to pay shortstop Danny De Andrade of Venezuela, number 14 on MLB Pipeline’s 2020 Top 30 International Prospects List, a $2.2 million signing bonus. De Andrade is tall and lean and projects to be a middle-of-the-order hitter. He’s slotted in at shortstop now, but there’s a chance he moves to third because of his size, and his skill set might fit better at the hot corner. He has a chance to be an above-average defender at either position. For more info on De Andrade see here. He is currently rated by MLB as the Twins 10th best prospect.
De Andrade, 19, hit .462 (6-for-13) with two doubles, one home run, six RBI, one walk, six runs scored and a 1.380 OPS for the Mighty Mussels. Currently playing his third year of pro ball.
Louie Varland was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 15th round of the 2019 MLB June Amateur Draft from Concordia University (St. Paul, MN). Varland and this St. Paul native signed for a $115,000 signing bonus. Varland has 15 big league starts with the Twins on his resume with a 4-5 record.
Varland, 25, made the start on Friday night vs. Louisville, pitching 7.1 shutout innings with three hits allowed, one walk and six strikeouts in the Saints’ 5-0 victory over the Bats. With the AAA-Saints this year Varland is 7-0 in 13 starts having pitched 67 innings while striking out 76. He has allowed six home runs. I would expect him to be called up again soon, maybe this week.
