Twins Prospect Dasan Hill Stuns Team With Breakout Rookie Season

After being drafted as a long-term project, lefty Dasan Hill turned heads with a dynamic debut season that fast-tracked his rise within the Twins organization.

When the Twins grabbed left-hander Dasan Hill with the 69th pick in the 2024 MLB Draft, they weren’t drafting for the now - they were betting on the future. And after just one professional season, it’s clear why they were willing to make that investment. Hill’s debut wasn’t just promising - it was a showcase of raw tools, advanced feel, and flashes of dominance that have the Twins’ front office buzzing about what’s to come.

Hill, a high school product out of Texas, came into pro ball with plenty of intrigue. Lefties with mid-90s velocity don’t grow on trees, especially ones who can generate that kind of heat with ease.

His delivery adds another layer - a crossfire angle that gives his fastball late life and a tough look for hitters on both sides of the plate. Early on, that heater was his calling card.

At the lower levels, it overwhelmed hitters on its own. But what really turned heads in the organization was how quickly his secondary stuff started to come along.

“We’re excited about Dasan,” said Twins GM Jeremy Zoll. “He did a really nice job of missing bats.

His changeup came along really well. He had an incredibly high swing-and-miss rate on that pitch.”

That changeup, once viewed as a developmental pitch, has already turned into a legitimate weapon. It’s not just something to keep hitters honest - it’s a go-to option that helped him rack up strikeouts at an impressive clip.

Over 62 innings between Low-A Fort Myers and High-A Cedar Rapids, Hill posted a 31.1% strikeout rate to go with a 3.19 ERA and a 3.35 FIP. That’s not just impressive for a teenager - that’s a signal that the stuff is already playing.

But the Twins aren’t just looking at the numbers. They’re watching how the pitches evolve, how the body matures, and how Hill adjusts to the rhythm of pro ball.

The breaking stuff - both the slider and curveball - made tangible strides throughout the year. The slider, in particular, has the makings of a wipeout pitch against lefties, while the curveball gives him a different look against right-handers.

With the changeup already a strength and the fastball playing the way it does, Hill is quickly developing into a legitimate four-pitch pitcher.

Still, there’s work to be done. The biggest area of focus heading into 2026?

Command. Hill’s walk rate pushed his WHIP to 1.35, a reminder that while the stuff is there, the consistency is still a work in progress.

That’s not surprising - he spent most of the season at just 19 years old, facing pro hitters for the first time. The Twins know that refining his ability to get ahead in counts and stay in the zone will be key to unlocking his full potential.

“We challenged him in High-A at the end of the year,” Zoll added. “He knows that he has to be in the zone a little bit more. That will be a big thing for him - getting ahead of hitters and staying ahead a little bit more.”

That late-season promotion to Cedar Rapids was more than just a reward - it was a statement. The Twins believe in Hill’s long-term ceiling, and they’re not afraid to push him.

Even with a limited workload - the organization was careful not to overextend him - Hill showed he could hang at a higher level. The fastball still played, the changeup still missed bats, and the breaking balls continued to trend in the right direction.

“He’s 19 and just getting started,” said Twins president Derek Falvey. “The changeup is really, really good - it’s a weapon pitch - but there’s a lot of maturation coming with this kid. There’s not just understanding how to pitch, but also his body and physicality.”

That physical development is part of the equation. Hill’s frame is projectable, and the Twins believe there’s more velocity and durability to come as he fills out. For now, they’re focused on building a foundation - one that includes strike-throwing, sequencing, and the ability to navigate a lineup with a full mix of pitches.

Looking ahead, Hill is likely to open the 2026 season back in High-A or possibly take the next step to Double-A. The path forward will depend on how quickly he can tighten up the command and continue refining his arsenal.

If it all clicks, the upside is massive - we’re talking about a potential mid-rotation starter with swing-and-miss stuff from the left side. And even if the command takes time, his fastball-changeup-slider combo could still make him a high-leverage bullpen weapon down the line.

What’s clear is this: Hill’s first year in pro ball validated everything the Twins saw on draft day. The tools are real.

The progress is happening. And while there’s no rush, there’s every reason to believe the Twins have something special in the making.