Scouting Report

Scouting grades: Hit: 50 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

One of the top prospects on the international market when the signing period opened in January 2021, De Andrade received a $2.2 million bonus from the Twins to sign then went about showing off his solid fundamental skills, even if they didn’t show up in eye-popping numbers. He was solid in the Dominican Summer League during his debut, showed some abilities to make adjustments when he came to the United States and played in the Florida Complex League in 2022 and continued making some progress during his full-season debut in 2023. His move to High-A in 2024 ended after just 29 games with an ankle injury that required surgery.

From the outset of his pro career, De Andrade has shown off excellent bat-to-ball skills. He had stretches early on when he was making too much contact, chasing pitches out of the zone and getting himself out. Work he started putting in during his FCL season to cut his chase rate carried over to the Florida State League last year as he continues to refine his approach, make better swing decisions and draw more walks, all while still keeping the strikeouts relatively in check. He also made some subtle adjustments with his mechanics to get better swing angles and not hit the ball on the ground as much. He’s continuing to learn how to get the ball in the air more and hit the ball harder, which should help increase his power output.

With good hands and a strong enough arm, combined with excellent instincts, De Andrade has a chance to stick at shortstop even though he’s a fringy runner. He’ll have stay on top of his conditioning so he doesn’t slow down too much to stay at the premium position. Though he played short exclusively in 2023, he has seen some time at third, which would put more pressure on his bat to produce.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Ranked No. 14 on MLB Pipeline’s Top International Prospects list when the signing period opened in January 2021, De Andrade was one of two players to get seven-figure bonuses from the Twins. The Venezuelan infielder signed for $2.2 million and had a solid, if unspectacular, debut in the Dominican Summer League. He came stateside in 2022, and after a rough start, showed improvement as the Florida Complex League season wore on.

De Andrade’s knack for making contact is a blessing and a curse. He has very impressive bat-to-ball skills, having struck out in just over 15 percent of his plate appearances over his first two summers of pro ball. The down side is that he’s fallen into the habit of expanding the zone too much, something he got away with in the DSL, but then he was chasing and missing at the start of the FCL season. He focused on hunting pitches over the plate after his first month, and that cut his chase rate in half while sharply boosting his walk rate. He’s made some small swing adjustments as well, because he used to enter too steeply, which led to too many ground balls. That tweak plus added strength should help him turn his contact into more impact.

While De Andrade doesn’t run particularly well, his instincts, hands and arm give him the chance to stick at shortstop, especially if he follows through with his conditioning. He’s seen time at third base already and could slide over if he slows down more, though that will put a little more pressure on his bat.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 40 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

One of the good things about the international signing deadline not starting until January the last couple of years is that teams can get an almost immediate first impression of their new player that summer. That’s what happened with De Andrade, a Venezuelan infielder who had been training in the Dominican Republic. Ranked right in the middle of MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 international prospects list, De Andrade signed with the Twins for $2.2 million and then went out and had a solid debut in the Dominican Summer League.

De Andrade has the chance to be a plus hitter in time from the right side of the plate and stood out with his ability to control the strike zone, especially given his age (17) and lack of experience. There is bat speed and the ability to use all fields, though he’s content right now to focus on contact, and he did that well, rarely striking out even if he was a bit over-aggressive. The next step in his offensive development will be to work on driving the ball and doming more damage, something that will come as he physically matures.

The teenaged infielder saw time at shortstop and third during his debut. The Twins think he has the chance to play up the middle for a while because of his actions, hands, arm and instincts. He’s not particularly speedy, so there is some thought that sliding over to the hot corner eventually might be in his future.

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 50 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 | Overall: 40

The 2020-21 international signing period, which officially opened in mid-January, featured a class that was particularly deep at shortstop. De Andrade, a Venezuelan infielder who had been training in the Dominican Republic, was ranked No. 16 overall on MLB Pipeline’s Top 30 international prospects rankings, the eighth shortstop on the list. The Twins liked his size and athleticism enough to give him $2.2 million to sign.

De Andrade has the ingredients to develop into an impact hitter. He shows off excellent bat speed from the right side of the plate and can drive the ball to all fields. There are flashes of average power now, with above-average pop in the future possible as he adds strength to his lean frame. Added strength would also help him get close to being an average runner.

Because of his soft hands, good footwork and arm, there’s a chance De Andrade could stick at short. It’s more likely, given his speed, that he’ll eventually slide over to third as he physically matures, where his actions and instincts could make him an above-average defender. 

Scouting grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 55 | Run: 45 | Arm: 50 | Field: 55 |

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Big and athletic, De Andrade is a teenager from Venezuela has been training in the Dominican Republic for the last few years, and he projects to make an impact stateside in a few years.

Here’s why: 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 eventually moves to third because of size, and his skillset might fit better at the hot corner. He has a chance to be an above-average defender at either position because of his soft hands, proper foot work and strong arm. He shows solid defensive actions and agility in games along with a strong arm. He plays the game under control and allows his natural abilities to take over.

At the plate, De Andrade shows tons of bat speed and the ability to hit the ball with authority to all fields. He shows flashes of average power now and projects to have above average power as his body matures and he adds strength. He’s not a threat on the bases, but he could still be an average runner if he works on his speed.

De Andrade is known as a gamer, and is already exhibiting leadership qualities. Evaluators love his makeup. De Andrade trains with Jaime Ramos, a member of MLB’s Trainer Partnership Program, at the Academia Ramos in Santo Domingo. The Twins are the favorite to sign him.  

Transactions

Team	Date	Transaction
	10/30/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels activated SS Danny De Andrade.
	09/25/2024	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to Salt River Rafters.
	07/03/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels transferred SS Danny De Andrade from the 7-day injured list to the 60-day injured list.
	05/17/2024	Cedar Rapids Kernels placed SS Danny De Andrade on the 7-day injured list.
	03/31/2024	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to Cedar Rapids Kernels from Fort Myers Mighty Mussels.
	03/07/2024	Minnesota Twins Prospects activated SS Danny De Andrade.
	02/26/2024	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to Minnesota Twins.
	02/26/2024	SS Danny De Andrade roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
	04/02/2023	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to Fort Myers Mighty Mussels from FCL Twins.
	03/05/2023	SS Danny De Andrade roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
	03/05/2023	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to FCL Twins.
	03/05/2023	SS Danny De Andrade roster status changed by Minnesota Twins.
	06/06/2022	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to FCL Twins.
	01/15/2021	Minnesota Twins signed free agent SS Danny De Andrade to a minor league contract.
	01/15/2021	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to DSL Twins.
	01/15/2021	SS Danny De Andrade assigned to DSL Twins.