Minor Leagues

As Memorial Day approaches, it’s noteworthy the the first halves of the Kernels, Miracle and Lookouts seasons are coming to an end. Soon, we’ll hear which players are going to play in the All Star game. Often, that milestone also means that it is promotion time for some of the prospects. Today, I’ll mention six Twins minor leaguers that I think are ready for the next level.

Brent Rooker hit two homers for Chattanooga, Nick Gordon cracked a couple of doubles for Rochester and neither Stephen Gonsalves nor Blayne Enlow gave up an earned run in their starts. Keep reading for more information on the night that was across the minor league system

Lots of action took place on the farm today. Miguel Sano homered for the second straight day during his rehab assignment and Ervin Santana began to work his way back up to the Twins. Specifically among minor leaguers though, Nick Gordon debuted at Triple-A, and Jacob Pearson made his stamp on the Twins organization. There's a lot to dive into here, so let's get started.

When this season was in its infancy, I had a lot of high expectations for the 2018 Cedar Rapids Kernels. I was not alone, of course, since the Kernels’ Opening Day roster was filled with big-bonus position players, highlighted by 2017’s first-overall draft pick, Royce Lewis, and the Twins’ 2016 first-round pick, Alex Kirilloff.

We are just under two weeks from the start of the 2018 MLB Draft. I think this is a good time to look at the depth in the Minnesota Twins organization, by position, to see if there are areas that the team should focus on adding some depth to. Of course, in the first ten to 15 rounds, the team should really just take the players they believe have the most potential. Beyond that, there are positions that need to be filled by players that hopefully have some tools.

Today, we will discuss the middle infielders throughout the system. Naturally, these are typically some very good athletes, capable of moving around the diamond as needed. As it relates to the draft, in the early rounds, it is best to believe that guys can stick at shortstop. Besides catcher, it is probably the most difficult position to play.

Despite there only being three games in the Minnesota Twins farm system Tuesday, there were plenty of interesting stories both in games and out. Off the diamond, a top prospect was promoted to the final rung of the minor league ladder before an MLB debut could happen. On it, a Fort Myers pitcher delivered his best start of the season, and another prospect walked off a win for the Miracle. Trevor May and Miguel Sano also continued their rehab tours in Triple-A.

The Cedar Rapids Kernels won a one-run ball game in the ninth inning on Monday night. To be honest, the three other games in the Minnesota Twins minor leagues on this night were not pretty. But that doesn’t mean that there weren’t some very noteworthy performances and transactions.

There has been plenty to be excited about this year with the Twins farm system. Top pitching prospect Fernando Romero has been more than holding his own at the big league level. Other pitchers like Stephen Gonsalves and Aaron Slegers look close to ready for the big leagues. Minnesota also has to find room on the roster for the likes of Ervin Santana and Trevor May.

It’s going to be tough for some of these minor league players to break through to baseball’s highest level. However, Slegers made quite the case on Sunday.

Myles Jaye threw seven innings of one-hit ball to help lead Rochester to a 2-1 win. Meanwhile, Tyler Jay was on the mound in the bottom of the 10th while Chattanooga squandered its game away. Also, Akil Baddoo reached safely four times in a Cedar Rapids victory and Miguel Sano was in action for the Red Wings.

It was a night of close games throughout the Twins minor league system. Rochester won a 2-0 decision behind a K-filled start by one of the organization’s top pitching prospects. The three other affiliates all played close, one-run games. Along with Stephen Gonsalves, the other starters on Friday included a current, former and potentially a future Top 10 Twins prospect. Find out how they all did.

Chris Paul, LaMonte Wade and Zander Wiel all homered for Chattanooga in a Lookouts victory and Trevor May continued his rehab in Rochester, throwing 60 pitches over four innings. See what else happened in this lightning round edition of the minor league report.

Minnesota Twins affiliates went undefeated on Tuesday thanks in large part to big performances from a couple of top prospects and another who has spent time in the majors already. One of those top prospects extended his hitting streak and almost got to the plate once more for a chance at the cycle. After a rainout yesterday, a doubleheader was scheduled in Florida but only one of those games was played as the rain couldn’t stay away.