Wander Javier

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #27 prospect in 2021
  TRACK RECORD: A $4 million signee out of the Dominican Republic, Javier was one of the top prospects in the 2015 international class and looked the part in 2016 and 2017. Injuries have dampened his outlook the past few years, along with a tough 2019 season at low Class A Cedar Rapids.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: By nature a player with a slow heartbeat, Javier has been asked by the Twins to turn up his intensity level and become a more aggressive swinger. He's passive by default, which has allowed him to walk at a solid clip, but also puts him in poor positions to do damage when he decides to swing. Javier had a tendency to lunge on his front side, so he has worked to stay in his back hip. Javier was previously one of the organization's best defensive players with a reliable glove and strong arm at shortstop, but leg injuries have hurt his quick-twitch actions and range.
  
  THE FUTURE: Javier has a lot of work to do to get back on track. He'll be just 22 the entire 2021 season.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #28 prospect in 2020
  TRACK RECORD: Javier was one of the top amateur prospects in the 2015-2016 international signing class, as Minnesota signed him to a team-record $4 million bonus. He seemed right on track through his first two pro years, but he missed all of 2018 with left shoulder surgery. Slowed by a quad injury in spring training, he returned to action in 2019, but looked little like the five-tool prospect he was pre-injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier did show some power for Cedar Rapids and he still is one of the best gloves the Twins have, but other than that, almost all of his tools suffered during his year-long layoff. He didn't have the explosiveness he had pre-injury as he didn't run as well. He looked lost at the plate for much of the season. He generally was battling from behind in the count and failed to make adjustments at the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: If 2018 was a lost season, the 2019 season was a big step backwards. Javier needs to show significant improvement in 2020. He was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #4 prospect in 2019
  Track Record: A torn labrum in Javier’s non-throwing shoulder required surgery in May, costing him all of the 2018 season. Signed for $4 million in July 2015 as the No. 9 international prospect, he still holds the Twins’ bonus record for a foreign amateur. Hamstring issues plagued Javier in his first pro summer in 2016, but he shined at Rookie-level Elizabethton in 2017.
  
  Scouting Report: A plus runner with plus athleticism, Javier shows plus range, a plus arm and a true shortstop’s profile. He has worked hard to improve his English and his body, which was wiry and a bit gangly when he signed. Javier junked a big leg kick in favor of a simpler setup and swing that now features quiet hands and a small lift of his front foot. He was able to take part in batting practice in time for fall hitter’s minicamp, where he again showed good barrel awareness, an inside-out swing and the ability to hit the ball with authority into the opposite gap.
  
  The Future: Look for the Twins to take things slowly with Javier, who figures to open 2019 at extended spring training. Once the weather warms up at low Class A Cedar Rapids, he should get a chance to test himself and pile up some much-needed game reps.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #2 prospect in 2018
  The Twins liked Javier so much, they spent their entire 2015-16 international bonus allotment on him, even going 1.3 percent over their limit to secure him for $4 million. That's still an international amateur record for the organization, which saw five-tool potential in a player ranked No. 9 in his international class. Javier received the highest bonus among Dominican shortstops that year and was second only to Phillies outfielder Jhailyn Ortiz among all Dominican signees. Limited by hamstring issues to just 26 at-bats in his first pro summer, Javier surged forward in his first exposure to rookie-level Elizabethton. Wiry, long-limbed and lanky upon signing, Javier has begun to add strength to his frame and could still be growing. Still fairly raw with limited game experience beyond the amateur showcase circuit, Javier worked with hitting coordinator Rick Eckstein and Elizabethton hitting coach Jeff Reed to better incorporate his lower half and improve his balance. Javier ditched his big leg kick and now has a simple setup and swing with quiet hands and a small lift of his front foot. While he still has a tendency to chase pitches out of the zone, the ball jumps off his bat and he shows gap-to-gap power with a willingness to stay up the middle with authority. A plus runner with plus athleticism, he shows plenty of range, plus-plus arm strength and should have no problem staying at shortstop as he advances through the system. He's also worked hard to improve his English and is acclimating well. Low Class A Cedar Rapids should be the next logical step for Javier, but the Twins might need to start him at extended spring training in order to produce enough shortstop reps for both Royce Lewis and Javier. Swapping those two between shortstop and third base is another possible avenue.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #13 prospect in 2017
  The Twins pursued Javier aggressively in 2015, going slightly above their international pool to sign the Dominican shortstop for $4 million--the largest bonus the organization has awarded an international amateur. Ranked No. 9 in the 2015 international class, Javier debuted in the Dominican Summer League in 2016, but a hamstring strain limited him to just 26 at-bats. He remains exceptionally raw, but the Twins are enticed by his five-tool potential at shortstop. A plus runner with a plus arm, Javier has quick defensive actions and the potential to be an above-average defender, and most evaluators believe the wiry infielder won't outgrow the position. His explosive bat speed gives him the chance to develop above-average power, with his two home runs in nine 2016 games serving as a somewhat surprising preview. However, Javier needs to clean up his mechanics, avoid lunging at pitches and hone in on the strike zone. He spent more of his youth working out than playing games, so his game IQ has room to grow. With his first season cut short, Javier has been training in Florida and should be ready for a Rookie-level Gulf Coast League assignment in 2017.
• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #11 prospect in 2016
  One year after spending nearly $4 million to sign Nick Gordon with the No. 5 pick in the draft, the Twins waded into international waters for another big-ticket shortstop. They outmaneuvered several deep-pocketed clubs to nab Javier with a $4 million signing bonus that exceeded their international pool by a small amount. He was rated No. 9 in the international draft class. After packing on 10-plus pounds of muscle in the months that followed his signing, Javier is poised to justify the Twins' richest investment in a Dominican player, exceeding the $3.15 million they gave Miguel Sano in 2009. Javier has five-tool ability and should have no problem staying at shortstop, thanks to quick actions and a plus arm that has some projectability. He projects to have plus raw power due to strong, quick wrists that produce impressive bat speed. His hitting mechanics, however, could use some work. He tends to lunge forward after starting his swing with a pronounced leg kick. For now, he relies on his hand-eye coordination and natural athleticism, which extends to his above-average running ability. Javier figures to start his first pro season in the Dominican Summer League. Sano spent just 20 games there at the same stage before finishing his first full season in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, and it's possible Javier will do the same. His long limbs, thin legs and large feet all point to further growth as he matures.

Minor League Top Prospects

• 
  Ranked American League #2 prospect in 2017
  The Twins signed Javier for $4 million in 2015 as one of the toolsiest players on the international market. The growing teenager thrived in the Appy League this summer, showcasing premium offensive skills and an ability to stick at shortstop. Javier was relatively inexperienced compared to his Elizabethton peers because he missed almost all of 2016 with a hamstring injury but quickly caught up to speed. He flashes an above-average feel for the barrel and should grow into more power as he gains weight. The Twins note that he already has added 15 pounds since signing and projects to add about another 15, leaving enough room to add to his above-average power potential. As he learns to recognize pitches better and strike out less, he should be able to hit at the top of the order. In the field, Javier projects to remain at shortstop thanks to a plus arm and present average range and above-average speed.

Top 100 Rankings

• Ranked Baseball America's #95 prospect in 2018

• March, 2021 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A $4 million signee out of the Dominican Republic, Javier was one of the top prospects in the 2015 international class and looked the part in 2016 and 2017. Injuries have dampened his outlook the past few years, along with a tough 2019 season at low Class A Cedar Rapids.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: By nature a player with a slow heartbeat, Javier has been asked by the Twins to turn up his intensity level and become a more aggressive swinger. He's passive by default, which has allowed him to walk at a solid clip, but also puts him in poor positions to do damage when he decides to swing. Javier had a tendency to lunge on his front side, so he has worked to stay in his back hip. Javier was previously one of the organization's best defensive players with a reliable glove and strong arm at shortstop, but leg injuries have hurt his quick-twitch actions and range.
  
  THE FUTURE: Javier has a lot of work to do to get back on track. He'll be just 22 the entire 2021 season.
• December, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: A $4 million signee out of the Dominican Republic, Javier was one of the top prospects in the 2015 international class and looked the part in 2016 and 2017. Injuries have dampened his outlook the past few years, along with a tough 2019 season at low Class A Cedar Rapids.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: By nature a player with a slow heartbeat, Javier has been asked by the Twins to turn up his intensity level and become a more aggressive swinger. He's passive by default, which has allowed him to walk at a solid clip, but also puts him in poor positions to do damage when he decides to swing. Javier had a tendency to lunge on his front side, so he has worked to stay in his back hip. Javier was previously one of the organization's best defensive players with a reliable glove and strong arm at shortstop, but leg injuries have hurt his quick-twitch actions and range.
  
  THE FUTURE: Javier has a lot of work to do to get back on track. He'll be just 22 the entire 2021 season.
• July, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Javier was one of the top amateur prospects in the 2015-2016 international signing class, as Minnesota signed him to a team-record $4 million bonus. He seemed right on track through his first two pro years, but he missed all of 2018 with left shoulder surgery. Slowed by a quad injury in spring training, he returned to action in 2019, but looked little like the five-tool prospect he was pre-injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier did show some power for Cedar Rapids and he still is one of the best gloves the Twins have, but other than that, almost all of his tools suffered during his year-long layoff. He didn’t have the explosiveness he had pre-injury as he didn’t run as well. He looked lost at the plate for much of the season. He generally was battling from behind in the count and failed to make adjustments at the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: If 2018 was a lost season, the 2019 season was a big step backwards. Javier needs to show significant improvement in 2020. He was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft. BA GRADE 40 Risk: Medium BA GRADE 50 Risk: Extreme
• February, 2020 Scouting Report
  TRACK RECORD: Javier was one of the top amateur prospects in the 2015-2016 international signing class, as Minnesota signed him to a team-record $4 million bonus. He seemed right on track through his first two pro years, but he missed all of 2018 with left shoulder surgery. Slowed by a quad injury in spring training, he returned to action in 2019, but looked little like the five-tool prospect he was pre-injury.
  
  SCOUTING REPORT: Javier did show some power for Cedar Rapids and he still is one of the best gloves the Twins have, but other than that, almost all of his tools suffered during his year-long layoff. He didn't have the explosiveness he had pre-injury as he didn't run as well. He looked lost at the plate for much of the season. He generally was battling from behind in the count and failed to make adjustments at the plate.
  
  THE FUTURE: If 2018 was a lost season, the 2019 season was a big step backwards. Javier needs to show significant improvement in 2020. He was left unprotected for the Rule 5 draft.
• July, 2018 Scouting Report
  Javier was supposed to move up to Cedar Rapids this year, but instead he’s missed the entire season with a torn labrum injury that required surgery. If there is good news the injury is to his left (non-throwing) shoulder. It’s a lost season but he should be back on the field and ready to go for spring training next year.
• December, 2017 Scouting Report
  Track Record: The Twins spent their entire 2015 international bonus pool on Javier, even going 1.3 percent over their limit to secure him for $4 million. That's still an international amateur record for the organization, which saw five-tool potential in a player ranked No. 9 in his signing class. Scouting Report: Wiry, long-limbed and lanky upon signing, Javier has added strength to his frame and could still be growing. Still fairly raw with limited game experience, he worked with hitting coordinator Rick Eckstein and Rookie-level Elizabethton hitting coach Jeff Reed to better incorporate his lower half and improve his balance. Javier ditched his big leg kick and now has a simple setup and swing with quiet hands and a small lift of his front foot. While Javier still has a tendency to chase pitches out of the zone, the ball jumps off his bat and he shows gap-to-gap power with a willingness to stay up the middle with authority. A plus runner with plus athleticism, he shows plenty of range as well as a plus-plus arm at times. The Future: Low Class A Cedar Rapids should be the next logical step for Javier, but the Twins might need to start him at extended spring training to produce enough shortstop reps for both him and Royce Lewis.