Minor League Report (4/9): Royce Lewis and Christian Encarnacion-Strand go Nuclear

[Matt Braun]

A few hitters had monster nights, while the pitchers also did their job. Read all about that and more in this edition of the minor league report.  

 

TRANSACTIONS

None

Saints Sentinel
St. Paul 11, Louisville 1
Box Score
SP: Devin Smeltzer: 4 IP, 2 H, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K
HR: Royce Lewis (1), Chance Cisco (1)
Multi-hit games: Royce Lewis (2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, 2B, HR), Daniel Robertson (2-for-5, 2 R, RBI, BB), Jake Cave (2-for-5, R, BB), Caleb Hamilton (3-for-5, R, 3 RBI)

It’s Royce Lewis’ world, and we’re just living in it.

The top prospect reached base five times on the back of three walks, a double, and a homer. He also flashed some leather with an excellent play rolling to his right. It’s been a small sample, but Lewis has quickly re-established why evaluators were originally high on the high school shortstop out of California. 

The rest of the offense wasn’t bad. Saints bats took nine walks and dropped 14 hits on the helpless Bats pitching staff. They aren’t called the Louisville Arms. Somehow, the Saints scored 11 runs while leaving 13 players stranded on base.

Not to be outdone, Devin Smeltzer and the Saints’ pitching staff did their job as well. Smeltzer tossed four scoreless innings while Griffin Jax, Jovani Moran, and Yennier Cano combined to finish the job. Those three relievers struck out eight hitters and allowed just one run.

Wind Surge Wisdom
Wichita 2, Tulsa 3
Box Score
SP: Simeon Woods Richardson: 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
HR: None
Multi-hit games: None

Simeon Woods Richardson pitched a masterpiece on Saturday.

The right-handed pitching prospect was looking to improve his 2021 performance with Wichita, and Saturday was a good start. His start was the longest of the day for any Twins prospect, and it took him just 66 pitches to net 17 outs. Woods Richardson’s prospect stock may be deflated, but his talent is undeniable.

The Wind Surge offense was mainly held in check. The game took 10 innings to complete, but the bats were held to three hits and three walks on the night. Hopefully, Sunday can be a more productive day for Wichita hitters.

The game was going smoothly before two runs were scored in the 7th off of wild pitches from Austin Schulfer. In fact, if one doesn’t count the 10th inning zombie runner as legitimate, then Tulsa did not have a hit with a runner in scoring position. 

Kernels Nuggets
Cedar Rapids 9, Beloit 3
Box Score
SP: Brent Headrick: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
HR: Christian Encarnacion-Strand (3)
Multi-hit games: Anthony Prato (3-for-5, 2 R, 2 RBI), Christian Encarnacion-Strand (5-for-5, 3 R, 5 RBI, 2B, HR)

Christian Encarnacion-Strand may not be of this planet.

The 2021 4th round draft pick went an amazing five-for-five on Saturday, one notch better than the previous day when he went four-for-five. He somehow has more RBIs on the year than plate appearances, and it should be fully expected that he somehow goes six-for-five on Sunday. He also stole a base.

The rest of the Kernels offense acted like prime Michael Jackson by dropping singles after singles in what ended up being a 13 hit effort. Like the Saints, the Kernels still left 23 men on base despite scoring nine runs.

Brent Headrick, the Twins’ 9th round pick in 2019, shoved. He punched out eight batters over five innings of work and allowed just two runs to score off two hits. Cody Laweryson and Matt Mullenbach tossed four innings with no earned runs to end the game.

Mussel Matters
Fort Myers 4, Clearwater 2
Box Score
SP: David Festa: 5 IP, 3 H, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
HR: Emmanuel Rodriguez (1)
Multi-hit games: Emmanuel Rodriguez (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 2B, HR)

The Mighty Mussels won a close one on Saturday.

Emmanuel Rodriguez led the offensive movement, reaching base four times and supplying two of the three RBIs from Mighty Mussels hitters. He also owned the two extra-base hits of the game for Fort Myers. The big 2019 international signee is looking to make a significant splash in his first taste of full-season minor league ball, and Saturday’s performance was just the kind of day to make his name known.

David Festa was the shining star on the mound. The tall right-hander punched out five batters while allowing just three hits over five innings of work. Festa was a 2021 draft pick, and while pitchers like Steve Hajjar and Cade Povich have received more attention, he should not be forgotten. 

A rule change also aided Fort Myers. Kala’i Rosario appeared to strike out on a full count with the bases loaded to end the 8th, but he challenged the call, and the ABS system reversed the strike to a ball, leading to an insurance run to score. (Also, that would have been Rosario's fifth strikeout of the game. Instead, he settled for the Golden Sombrero and an RBI walk!) 

Regi Grace and Mike Paredes combined for four innings of relief with just one earned run to win the game for Fort Myers.

TWINS DAILY PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Twins Daily Minor League Pitcher of the Day – Simeon Woods Richardson, Wichita Wind Surge 
Twins Daily Minor League Hitter of the Day – Christian Encarnacion-Strand, Cedar Rapids Kernels 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Here’s a look at how the Twins Daily Top 20 Twins Prospects performed:
#1 – Austin Martin (Wichita) - 1-for-4, 2B
#2 – Royce Lewis (St. Paul) - 2-for-3, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, 2B, HR
#3 – Jose Miranda (St. Paul) - 1-for-5, R, RBI, 2 K
#8 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Wichita) - 5 2/3 IP, 1 H, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K
#10 – Noah Miller (Fort Myers) - 0-for-5, 3 K
#12 – Matt Wallner (Wichita) - 1-for-4, 2 K
#15 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Fort Myers) - 2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, 2 BB, K, 2B, HR
#18 – Spencer Steer (Wichita) - 1-for-4, RBI, K, 2B
#19 – Edouard Julien (Wichita) - 0-for-3, BB, K

SUNDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Louisville (12:05 PM) - RHP Jake Faria
Tulsa @ Wichita (1:05 PM) - RHP Chris Vallimont 
Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (2:05 PM) - RHP Sawyer Gipson-Long
Fort Myers @ Clearwater (11:00 AM) - RHP Travis Adams

View full article

[Dman]

Encarnation-Strand has taken no walks and is now batting 900.  This guy has amazing contact skills. Three home runs in Ten plate appearances. That is crazy good.

[ashbury]

32 minutes ago, Dman said:

Encarnation-Strand has taken no walks and is now batting 900. 

Yeah.  Imagine how good he'll be when he learns a bit of plate discipline.

[ToddlerHarmon]

31 runners left on base means several guys didn't go back to the dugout after the third out

[twinstalker]

Thanks!

Old complaint: we won't be able to follow CES because he's not Top 20 in your book.

New complaint:  You have the order of Cedar Rapid and Fort Myers wrong (I assume you're trying to go AAA, AA, A+, A).

Thanks for the update!

[wsnydes]

"The top prospect reached base five times on the back of three walks, a double, and a homer. He also flashed some leather with an excellent play rolling to his right."

I'd love to see a lot more of this, Mr. Lewis.

[big dog]

Lewis didn't steal a base- his is knee hurting? What's wrong?

Other than that, great night.

[LewFordLives]

Did I miss something? Why is Martin starting the year in Wichita?

[puckstopper1]

1 hour ago, LewFordLives said:

Did I miss something? Why is Martin starting the year in Wichita?

They want both Lewis and Martin playing regular SS.  And they can't do that if they are on the same team in St. Paul.

[puckstopper1]

Who is this Cave kid tearing up St. Paul?  Maybe he should get a look at the MLB level... ?

[goulik]

1 hour ago, LewFordLives said:

Did I miss something? Why is Martin starting the year in Wichita?

Because Lewis and Miranda are in AAA?

[baul0010]

It's great seeing Lewis's swing.  It's looking quick, compact, and comfortable to him.  I hope we get to see him with the Twins this year.  It's hard to root against that kid.  

[jmlease1]

It's exciting to see Encarnacion-Strand get off to a fast start like this. He's destroying A-ball, and is lining himself up to jump up a level quickly. It's good to see a college hitter like him not have adjustment problems to minor league pitching and beat up on younger pitchers. He'll move up quickly in the prospect rankings too. (passing his teammate Sabato quickly at this rate)

Woods Richardson was always a talented pitcher; it's been unfortunate that his development track got screwed up by multiple trades, a lost minor league season, and the Olympics. He's still only 21, and I expect that he's back on track now with a real plan for his season that should be consistent (for maybe the first time ever?). He's one of the guys who has been forgotten a little bit but gives the Twins some real depth in their young pitching. (and another guy that I didn't want dealt in the off-season because we would have been selling low on him)

Love seeing healthy Royce get it going. Just keep it rolling and let that talent play.

[PatPfund]

Beloit's pitching staff must be having Encarnacio-Strand nightmares at this point.

[RJA]

I think anyone who has played baseball or any other sport knows what it is like to be in the zone.  But, my goodness is Encarnacion-Strand in the zone right now.  I wish we could bottle it as "in the zone" and give it to our major league roster, kind of like liquid luck from Harry Potter. 

[roger]

Move over Jose Miranda, there is a new sheriff in town.  Granted, E-S has only played two games, but Holy Cow!

Throughout history there have been players that step onto a field and arrive in the big leagues shortly after to put up unbelievable Hall of Fame careers.  You know, guys like Willie Mays, Robin Yount or Mickey Mantle.  As I follow all these young Twins, I annually ask myself could this young man have that type of future.  Understand odds are he won't, but I sure as heck am asking myself that question about E-S this morning.

And Royce Lewis is getting the job done in AAA like we would hope from a top prospect.  With a wasted two years now behind him, it is going to be exciting to see how soon he arrives at Target Field.  Jmlease1 hit it on the head when talking about SWR, who finally is looking forward to a normal season.  Couldn't be happier for this young man who just may make all of us happy the Twins did that trade with the Jays last summer.

After a summer last year where it seemed every other top prospect had a DNP, injured following their name it is exciting seeing the results from some of these young men.

[KirbyHawk75]

I am always excited to read these articles daily.   I am glad Royce is looking good.  The only thing that scares me is my negative thinking is asking who will get hurt first?  Royse or Buck?

[terrydactyls]

19 minutes ago, roger said:

Move over Jose Miranda, there is a new sheriff in town.  Granted, E-S has only played two games, but Holy Cow!

Throughout history there have been players that step onto a field and arrive in the big leagues shortly after to put up unbelievable Hall of Fame careers.  You know, guys like Willie Mays, Robin Yount or Mickey Mantle.  As I follow all these young Twins, I annually ask myself could this young man have that type of future.

Willie Mays was only hitting .477 with 8 home runs when he got called up.

[2wins87]

41 minutes ago, roger said:

Move over Jose Miranda, there is a new sheriff in town.  Granted, E-S has only played two games, but Holy Cow!

Throughout history there have been players that step onto a field and arrive in the big leagues shortly after to put up unbelievable Hall of Fame careers.  As I follow all these young Twins, I annually ask myself could this young man have that type of future.  Understand that odds are he won't, but I sure as heck am asking myself that question about E-S this morning.

And Royce Lewis is getting the job done in AAA like we would hope from a top prospect.  With a wasted two years now behind him, it is going to be exciting to see how soon he arrives at Target Field.  Jmlease1 hit it on the head when talking about SWR, who finally is looking forward to a normal season.  Couldn't be happier for this young man.

I think modern scouting has gotten better and better at identifying truly special talents more accurately earlier. CES seems to be a guy who has been on the rise quickly for the last few years though, so we'll just have to see how long that continues. He has certainly had the most exciting start to a season for any prospect that I can remember.

Hard to fault him for not walking yet in two games when he's been crushing pitches to early in the count to get close to walks for the most part.  He had 5 BBs to 26 Ks in 92 plate appearances last year, so the plate discipline definitely seems to be a weak spot still. We will see more swing and miss when he's not quite so dialed in, but it seems like improving his pitch selection could help to mitigate that.

Reportedly the Twins viewed him mostly as a first baseman when they drafted him, but his hard work and defensive improvement this off-season has forced them to give him a greater opportunity to prove he can stick at the hot corner.

[Seth Stohs]

7 hours ago, twinstalker said:

Thanks!

Old complaint: we won't be able to follow CES because he's not Top 20 in your book.

New complaint:  You have the order of Cedar Rapid and Fort Myers wrong (I assume you're trying to go AAA, AA, A+, A).

Thanks for the update!

Good catch! Ha! I totally missed that. It's been updated 

[tony&rodney]

33 minutes ago, 2wins87 said:

I think modern scouting has gotten better and better at identifying truly special talents

Not in disagreement but just curious as to what made you think this was possible?

[Doctor Gast]

Encarnacion-Strand is seeing the ball super well being able to hit any pitch even outside the zone. Always had faith in Lewis, so happy he's proving me right so soon. It's great to see such great performances from our prospects and the rise of their stock. Twins future looks very bright. 

[ashbury]

3 hours ago, goulik said:

Because Lewis and Miranda are in AAA?

Not to mention Palacios, who is by no means on a par with the others but is a significant part of contingency planning for 2022.  At least, mine, not that I have any say.

[ashbury]

42 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

Good catch! Ha! I totally missed that. It's been updated 

It bothered me too, but I refrained from highlighting my OCD tendency last night.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

5 hours ago, LewFordLives said:

Did I miss something? Why is Martin starting the year in Wichita?

I guess Martin and Lewis both need to play everyday at SS to see what each can do at that position.

[tarheeltwinsfan]

1 hour ago, Doctor Gast said:

Encarnacion-Strand is seeing the ball super well being able to hit any pitch even outside the zone. Always had faith in Lewis, so happy he's proving me right so soon. It's great to see such great performances from our prospects and the rise of their stock. Twins future looks very bright. 

I agree. Now let's win our first game  today (Sunday).

[2wins87]

On 4/10/2022 at 12:30 PM, tony&rodney said:

Not in disagreement but just curious as to what made you think this was possible?

I'm not sure I have a full answer but probably mainly data collection and manpower.  Pitch tracking and other techs have now become ubiquitous at big colleges and in high school circuits.

And I don't know for sure that this is true but I think that even as data has become a bigger part of scouting, the number of traditional scouts has not decreased and has most likely increased.  It's just a much more cost effective way of acquiring talent, and it's not just smaller market teams trying to find a cheaper edge, the big teams now focus just as much on building their pipelines and everyone needs to keep up with the crowd.

Also I think basically every sport has a lot more infrastructure around it at the amateur level these days, which is part of why things like world records have mostly continued to keep progressing steadily over the years.  Baseball is not really different and it's probably led to getting the eyes of evaluators on young players earlier and more often.

[tony&rodney]

1 minute ago, 2wins87 said:

I'm not sure I have a full answer but probably mainly data collection and manpower.  Pitch tracking and other techs have now become ubiquitous at big colleges and in high school circuits.

And I don't know for sure that this is true but I think that even as data has become a bigger part of scouting, the number of traditional scouts has not decreased and has most likely increased.  It's just a much more cost effective way of acquiring talent, and it's not just smaller market teams trying to find a cheaper edge, the big teams now focus just as much on building their pipelines and everyone needs to keep up with the crowd.

Also I think basically every sport has a lot more infrastructure around it at the amateur level these days, which is part of why things like world records have mostly continued to keep progressing steadily over the years.  Baseball is not really different and it's probably led to getting the eyes of evaluators on young players earlier and more often.

Thank you for the complete response.