The St. Paul Saints Are the Biggest Beneficiaries of the Twins' Roster Depth

[Cody Christie]

The Twins front office had a clear mission this winter, including adding more depth to multiple places on the roster. So far this season, the Twins have seen some benefit to this depth, but the St. Paul Saints continue to thrive.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

For some fans, getting used to the idea of the St. Paul Saints being the Twins' Triple-A affiliate still takes a little. The 2023 season marks the third year of an affiliation between the crosstown teams. Pros and cons of this affiliation have been evident since the organizations joined forces, and it will be interesting to see how the relationship continues to evolve in the years to come. However, the most significant positive for the Saints this season is the caliber of players on the field on any given night. 

Last season, the Twins had to dig into the team's Triple-A depth quite regularly because of the vast number of injuries at the big-league level. The Saints finished the season with a 74-75 record, which placed them 17 games back in the International League West Division. Mark Contreras and Jermaine Palacios were the lone position players to play over 100 games for the club. At the same time, Ronny Henriquez, Dereck Rodriguez, and Mario Sanchez were the only pitchers to toss over 90 innings. Some of the team's top prospects appeared on the club, but it was a roster full of veterans looking for another shot at the big-league level. 

Minnesota's front office focused on adding depth to the big-league roster for the 2023 season. These moves naturally added more talent to the Saints' roster because the Twins pushed players down the organizational depth chart. Many big-league teams would be forced to use players like Matt Wallner, Trevor Larnach, Jose Miranda, and Edouard Julien. Luckily, the team has allowed these players to find their footing at the Triple-A level, no matter if they are playing well or struggling when they get called up. 

This depth has helped the Saints to start the season at the top of their division. Through Sunday's game, St. Paul had a 32-23 record with a +42 run differential. The Saints rank in the top 10 in runs per game, home runs, and OPS in the International League. St. Paul's pitchers have fared even better, ranking in the top-5 in ERA, strikeouts, and K/9. The top seven teams in the IL West Division are only separated by 4.5 games, so the Saints must continue to rely on organization depth to qualify for the playoffs. 

Saints fans can also look to Double-A for players that can reinforce the roster in the second half. Yunior Severino has started the year on a tear for Wichita with 12 home runs and an .899 OPS in his first 44 games. Brooks Lee is considered by many to be the organization's top prospect, and he's holding his own (.756 OPS) during his first full professional season. Alex Isola and DaShawn Keirsey have an OPS higher than .800 and can provide different defensive skills at Triple-A. Those are just some offensive weapons that could be in a Saints uniform later this year. 

On the mound, Blayne Enlow seems like a lock to enter St. Paul's rotation in the second half. The Twins removed him from the 40-man roster this winter, but he's out to prove he belongs. He has been terrific with a 3.30 ERA, a 1.10 WHIP, and a 61-to-13 strikeout-to-walk ratio in his first 49 innings. David Festa is another pitcher to watch at Double-A, but he's had a slower start to the 2023 campaign. The Wind Surge have been giving many late-inning opportunities to Alex Scherff, and he has posted a 12.13 K/9 that might translate well to the Saints bullpen. 

Injuries have started to impact the Twins, but it has yet to deplete the Saints' rosters. Fans in the Twin Cities can head to CHS Field and watch some impact players working toward Target Field. Minnesota's depth is substantial, and the Saints will continue to benefit throughout 2023. 

Do you think the Saints will continue to stay in the division race? Which players will significantly impact the Triple-A roster most in the second half? Leave a COMMENT and start the discussion.

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[David Maro]

Everyone wants Wallner and Larnach back up with the Twins. Why would you want that? This team is full of strike out artists,who only want to hit homeruns. Bringing them up will only add to the same at bats we all see. Worst thing happened when they hit 307. Now their goal is to hit 308,but instead they will be lucky to keep the strike outs under 2000. Need to change the teams identity and we know that isn't going to happen. The FO seems to be able to only fix one thing at a time,so maybe next year.

[Beast]

We don’t have depth.  At the very least, the depth is grossly overstated.

Many of the Saints best pitchers are guys that wouldn’t be here regardless (Murphy, Sanchez, Schulfer, Lawyerson, Sadzeck De Leon have the best ERAs with over 20 IP).  Guys like Headrick, Winder, Balazovic, Dobnak, SWR, Henriquez have been bad. 

Offesnively, I’m not sure Julien is ready to be here regardless of our “depth.”  I wouldn’t say it’s “depth” blocking Wallner,  it poor roster management.  The rest of the guys producing with significant ABs are Contreras, Stevenson, Perez, Bechtold, Williams.  None of those guys would or should be here.

They’re largely being carried by guys who aren’t impacted by our “depth.”  The one exception may be Wallner.

In my book, depth means there’s too many high quality players for the number spots (or something along those lines).  We have 5 guys that have played more than 30 games with an OPS above league average (Buxton, Gallo, Jeffers, Castro, Solano).  One of those is over .800 (Jeffers).  One of those is below .750 largely as a first baseman (Solano).  League average AL OPS right now is around .720.  That’s flat out awful.  That’s the opposite of depth.

[Beast]

3 hours ago, David Maro said:

Everyone wants Wallner and Larnach back up with the Twins. Why would you want that? This team is full of strike out artists,who only want to hit homeruns. Bringing them up will only add to the same at bats we all see. Worst thing happened when they hit 307. Now their goal is to hit 308,but instead they will be lucky to keep the strike outs under 2000. Need to change the teams identity and we know that isn't going to happen. The FO seems to be able to only fix one thing at a time,so maybe next year.

The team is full of guys who hit home runs?  We have nobody in the top 25 in the MLB in home runs.  We have 3 in the top 100, and one is Michael Taylor.  Carlos Correa and Max Kepler sit squarely tied with Robbie Grossman and CJ Cron at 115th (along with about 40 other guys).

We are 7th overall in the MLB in home runs right now, but I feel like that’s temporary.

[JoeCool]

Here is to hoping we can see more of a regular dose of Eduardo Julien at the big league level. I believe he is a much more competent hitter than many at the big league level once he adjusts for higher level pitching.

Brooks Lee I hope is promoted soon to AAA as well. I know he is only hitting around .270 at AA, but has a high on base percentage and again like Julien has the ability to be a more complete hitter than many already at the MLB level. The sooner we bring his talent to the MLB level the better. Even if he starts slow he has the ability and natural talent to adjust. His bat reminds me a bit of Joe Mauer as he was coming through the system. I think he will hit for more power than Mauer and may not have the elite fielding Mauer brought to his position, but from a pure hitting perspective I see a special talent in this kid. 

At the big league level we have too many swinging for the fences rather than working the count in their favor and selecting pitches that can get them on base.  Those fundamentals are missing badly and without them I don’t see this team making any sort of meaningful run in the playoffs. I do think Correa will right the ship. Buxton just needs to stop swinging at everything and to start working the count and using his speed to get on base. 

Kiriloff seems to be the best and most underrated weapon the Twins have. 

Royce Lewis also will be fun to watch. He brings a Torii Hunter and Kirby Puckett level of energy to the game which the Twins need. Hopeful he also becomes a bit more selective in his pitches and utilizes his elite speed as well.  

There is some very good talent on this club, but I would not be against replacing the hitting coach. The at bats are undisciplined and missing basic fundamentals.  

[Bigfork Twins Guy]

Having depth at STP is a good thing and a win-win for all.  It allows the Twins to pull solid contributors up when needed while also providing the Saints with a good roster and a chance to win every day.  If fans have issues with the MLB club, they can easily become Saints fans and head over there.  I think both cities and fans are benefiting.

[Cody Christie]

It's still boggles my mind that they aren't trying to get Julien more reps at other defensive positions besides second base. Right now, he has only been called up when Polanco is injured, but that doesn't seem like an optimal plan. Unless the team is fine with him spending the majority of 2023 at Triple-A. 

[John Belinski]

How can the Saints be in the top 10 for runs per game and the Twins can't score runs like last night.

Maybe we can IR  Rocco down to Saints and call up their manager.  He could not do any worse than Rocco.

[FlyingFinn]

52 minutes ago, Cody Christie said:

It's still boggles my mind that they aren't trying to get Julien more reps at other defensive positions besides second base.

Julien is bad at 2B and worse in the OF and 3B. 1B would be a possibility but you probably are moving Kirilloff (a very good 1B) to the OF where I think he is average. You then probably get worse at two defensive positions. Julien belongs at DH with the Twins with Buxton in CF when he comes off the IL.

[Cody Christie]

27 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Julien is bad at 2B and worse in the OF and 3B. 1B would be a possibility but you probably are moving Kirilloff (a very good 1B) to the OF where I think he is average. You then probably get worse at two defensive positions. Julien belongs at DH with the Twins with Buxton in CF when he comes off the IL.

I just don't see them moving Buxton to CF especially when he is coming off the IL

[FlyingFinn]

2 hours ago, Cody Christie said:

I just don't see them moving Buxton to CF especially when he is coming off the IL

I don't either as he doesn't play CF when he plays 90% of the games. Then, we have to choose - guys who can hit but are bad fielders or great defense, in general.