Twins’ DaShawn Keirsey Adds Power To Pair With Plus Speed
The ever-growing emphasis on high-value prospects reminds Derek Falvey of buying a new car.
“You know how the minute you drive your car off the dealer’s lot, it becomes worth about half as much?” mused the Twins’ president of baseball operations. “I think that about prospects sometimes.
“You assign all this value to your top picks or signees, but for a lot of them, because of age or injury or whatever, that theoretical value starts to decline as soon as they throw their first pitch or take their first swing.”
So it was for speedy center fielder DaShawn Keirsey, a 2018 fourth-rounder out of Utah.
“We were excited to get him that late—our guys had him going second round or so, and it felt like a great get,” Falvey said. “Then he had a few injuries, and the (lower) levels didn’t go smoothly, and suddenly he’s fallen off the prospect lists.”
Just one problem with labels: Keirsey got better and better each year.
“And not by a little bit,” Falvey said. “He actually had a traditional development path, noticeably adding and improving skills as he climbed.”
Now, Keirsey plays for Triple-A St. Paul and has developed a power stroke. Until a calf injury sidelined him for almost a month, he led the Saints in home runs with eight in the first six weeks. He announced his return on June 22 with another homer.
He was also sporting a .314/.389/.550 batting line with 10 homers and 18 stolen bases through 54 games.
“What’s stood out is how he commands the strike zone now. His walk rate is up, and that’s intentional with his approach,” Falvey said. “His power has jumped. He’s still one of the best basestealers in our system, and his defense in center has been exceptional.
“It’s a major league profile—power and plus speed. That plays.”
All that’s missing is that flashy label.
“He’s 27, so maybe he’s not a ‘prospect’ now,” Falvey said. “But DaShawn has convinced us he’ll have a career in the big leagues, and soon.”
