Payton Eeles

Organization Prospect Rankings

• 
  Ranked Minnesota Twins #17 prospect in 2025
  BA Grade/Risk: 45/High.
  
  Track Record: Before Billy Milos left the Twins and went to scout for the Rockies, one of the players he turned in was Eels, an undersized Coastal Carolina hitter who was playing for the American Association’s Chicago Dogs. The Twins didn’t sign him then, but they did sign him off the Atlantic League’s Southern Maryland club in 2024, sending him to fill in at Low-A Fort Myers. He hit .331 there, so he earned a promotion to High-A Cedar Rapids. When St. Paul needed an infielder, Eeles was promoted to Triple-A in early July. From then through the end of the season, he was among the International League’s most productive hitters.
  
  Scouting Report: As a hitter, Eeles proved a revelation. He has well-below average raw power, but he has the knack of making tons of solid contact, spraying the ball from the right field foul pole to the left field foul pole. He accentuates his 5-foot-5 stature by hitting from a crouch, which makes his strike zone seemingly microscopic. He has one of the best contact rates in the minors, which explains why he walked almost as much as he struck out. He’s an aggressive above-average runner. While short, the lefty hitter is well-built and stocky. Eeles is an above-average defender at second base and is playable at third, shortstop and in left field.
  
  The Future: Eeles should be a useful big leaguer. His pro track record is quite short, but he hit .381 in five college seasons and .309 in indy ball. He should be able to get on base and play almost anywhere.
  
  Scouting Grades: Hit: 55 | Power: 30 | Run: 55 | Field: 55 | Arm: 50.