Twins Minor League Report (6/13): Chris Williams is the Boss

[Steve Lein]

If the past two weeks have told me anything, it’s that you should be betting on Chris Williams of the St. Paul Saints on Tuesdays. Last week he was the hitter of the day after clubbing a grand slam, but his first three at-bats today were even more notable. So, spoiler alert, he’s taking home that title again today.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Chris Williams)

 

TRANSACTIONS

• With C Ricardo Olivar being activated from the 7-day injured list for the Fort Myers Mighty Mussels, they returned C Alex Rodriguez to the FCL Twins.

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 18, Louisville 7
Box Score
The pregame conversation for this one could have focused on current Saints players facing off against a former teammate many Twins fans have been fretting over trading away last year, in Christian Encarnacion-Strand.

One of those current Saints players, Chris Williams, perhaps took issue with this idea, remembering that when he played with CES, it was him showing the young guy what a slugger is.

They played 13 games together before Encarnacion-Strand was traded to the Cincinnati Reds organization, but in that time Williams hit seven home runs, drove in 20, and amassed a 1.319 OPS compared to just five homers, 17 RBI, and a 1.085 OPS for his former teammate.

With that in mind, Williams reminded his brief teammate and the Bats who’s the real boss in this one.

His first home run of the game came in the second inning, a two-run shot for the Saints first runs of the game. Elliot Soto added an RBI single later in the inning to make it 3-0 Saints.

With two outs in the third, Williams again connected like Encarnacion-Strand only wished he could, hitting his ninth home run of the season to make it 5-3 Saints. Tony Wolters extended the lead to three with an RBI single later in the frame.

The fourth inning started with a walk from Matt Wallner and a single from Kyle Garlick, before Williams stepped into the box for the third time with one out. Watch for yourself:

His third bomb of the game made it 10-3 Saints, and despite the Bats drawing 13 walks and collecting 10 hits, couldn’t match Williams and the Saints' 21 total hits.

So in case you’re counting, Williams wasn’t the only one who went off. In fact, all nine hitters in the Saints lineup reached base multiple times, scored at least one run, and only one didn’t collect at least two hits in the game. Rather than recounting this insanity in full, I invite you to please click that box score link above, and scroll the @StPaulSaints Twitter feed today for all the highlights.

Adding to the comparison above in the Chris Williams and Christian Encarnacion-Strand history after this one, in 14 total games played with or against each other:

Williams: 18-for-50, 11 R, 2 2B, 10 HR, 27 RBI, 14 BB, 10 K
vs.
CES: 19-for-57, 11 R, 4 2B, 1 3B, 5 HR, 17 RBI, 6 BB, 15 K 

That acronym guy was even pinch-hit for to end this game…Psshh…Pathetic… 

Polite (or infuriating) reminder Encarnacion-Strand is second in the International League with 17 HR’s this season, and leads the league with a .734(!) slugging percentage after this game, so this is all in jest…

On the pitching front, starter Aaron Sanchez went the first 3 1/3 innings, running into trouble in multiple innings due to some wildness ending up charged with seven earned runs on six hits and six walks, while striking out only one. He allowed a pair of home runs to former major leaguers Matt Reynolds and Wil Myers. Future Hall of Famer Joey Votto was also rehabbing with the Bats, finishing 0-for-3 with two walks and an RBI.

Ronny Henriquez (W, 1 2/3 IP, H, 2 BB, K), Austin Brice (1 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K), Michael Boyle (1 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K), and Patrick Murphy (2 IP, H, 2 BB, 3 K) produced a scoreless effort from the Saints bullpen to close it out.

Gilberto Celestino (3-for-6, 2 R, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, K) and Matt Wallner (2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, BB, 3 K) chipped in from the top two spots in the lineup.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 8, Midland 2
Box Score
DaShawn Keirsey Jr. blasted the first pitch of the game for his seventh home run of the season and an early 1-0 lead, but it was a seven-run third inning that would end up smashing the RockHounds in this one.

In the third, it was five consecutive singles to start the inning, an RBI double from Aaron Sabato, and then a three-run home run off the bat of Seth Gray that did the damage. In a somewhat odd occurrence, Alerick Soularie was both the first and last hitter of the inning.

Starting pitcher Travis Adams picked up his second win of the season, finishing five innings and allowing two earned runs on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out three. Osiris German (1 2/3 IP, 3 H, BB, K) and Regi Grace (2 1/3 IP, H, BB, 2 K) finished off the final four scoreless innings.

The Wind Surge got multiple hits from Keirsey Jr. (2-for-5, 2 R, HR, RBI, SB), Yunior Severino (3-for-5, R, RBI), Sabato (2-for-4, R, 2 2B, RBI), and Gray (2-for-4, R, HR, 3 RBI, 2 K) to lead the offense. Brooks Lee was 1-for-5 with a run scored and RBI out of the two-hole.

As a team Wichita did not draw a single walk but made the most of their 12 hits by going 5-for-11 with runners in scoring position, leaving only four men on base for the game.

KERNELS NUGGETS
South Bend 2, Cedar Rapids 3
Box Score
The Kernels got a solid start from Mike Paredes, and an even better piggy-back outing from Jordan Carr to take down the Cubs in their series opener.

Cedar Rapids struck early in the bottom of the first, thanks in part to a pair of errors that extended the inning. Kala’i Rosario and Noah Cardenas made them hurt with consecutive RBI singles for the 2-0 lead.

Paredes pitched the first four innings of the game, allowing two earned runs on three hits and a walk, while striking out five. He gave up a two-run homer in the top of the third to tie the game at two but otherwise was on point. Then came Carr. 

He struck out three, scattered one hit and three walks over the next five innings, and kept the game tied going into the bottom of the ninth, giving his team a chance to walk it off.

In a flash, they did.

Leading off, Ben Ross was hit by a pitch to put the winning run on base, then moved up to second on a wild pitch. This brought Rosario to the plate, and like he’s done so far this season, came through with a single up the middle to start the celebration.

Both teams had just four hits in the game, but like Rosario’s, three of those came with runners in scoring position for the Kernels, compared to zero for the Cubs.

Rosario finished 2-for-4 with two RBI to lead the way. Misael Urbina chipped in the other single, and Ross scored two runs and stole his fifth base of the season in the win. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 9, Bradenton 3
Box Score
Mighty Mussels starter C.J. Culpepper was ambushed by solo home runs from the leadoff man in each of the first two innings, but after that the Marauders couldn’t find an answer for the Minnesota Twins 2022 13th-round draft pick.

Those home runs were the only runs he would allow, settling in for three scoreless frames to end his outing after five. In all, he surrendered five hits, walked three, and struck out seven to pick up his third win of the season.

Even when allowing those home runs, his lineup had his back by scoring runs in each of the first four innings. Ricardo Olivar had an RBI single in the first, Dillon Tatum an RBI single in the second, and Jorel Ortega’s homer in the third gave them the lead for good.

They put up a crooked number in the fourth thanks to Tatum’s first home run of the season, a three-run shot making it 6-2  Fort Myers. In the seventh they tacked on some more insurance, with Dylan Neuse’s grounder to third leading to a run-scoring error, Ortega contributing an RBI groundout, and Danny De Andrade’s RBI single capping their scoring at nine.

Relievers Jarret Whorff (2 IP, 2 H, BB, 2 K) and Danny Moreno (2 IP, H, ER, 2 BB, 2 K) finished out the win for the Mighty Mussels.

Ortega (3-for-5, 2 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI), De Andrade (2-for-4, RBI, K), and Tatum (2-for-4, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, BB, K) each had multiple hits.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 3, FCL Braves 7
Box Score
The Twins fell behind early and weren’t able to recover against the Braves on Tuesday morning.

Starting pitcher Jacob Wosinski recorded just one out in the first inning and ended up charged with four runs (three earned) on three hits before his exit. Relievers Owen Griffith (1 2/3 IP, 2 K) and 2022 DSL standout Miguel Olivares (2 IP, BB, 4 K) filled in admirably after Wosinski’s exit, before Carlos Gutierrez (3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 4 K) gave up a two-run homer in his second inning. Kyle Bischoff finished off the game for the Twins, allowing one earned run on two hits in his lone inning, striking out one.

The lineup for the Twins managed a single run in each of the third, seventh, and ninth innings, and outhit the Braves 9-7 in the game, but had only one extra-base hit. Isaac Pena (3-for-5, 2 RBI, K) and Reynaldo Madrigal (1-for-3, 2 R, 2 K) led the way, with Jose Rodriguez (1-for-5, RBI, K), and Bryan Acuna (1-for-3, BB) also contributing.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 8, DSL Astros Orange 7 (10 innings)
Box Score
The Twins took an early lead with two runs in the first inning, thanks to multiple balks and a wild pitch from the Astros pitchers. It stayed that way until the bottom of the fifth as starter Adrian Bohorquez was solid through the first four innings, allowing just two hits and one walk while picking up four strikeouts. In the fifth inning, however, he was out of gas and walked the first three hitters of the inning, putting an end to his outing. All three of those runners would end up crossing home plate to put the Astros in front.

The good guys tied the game at three thanks to multiple wild pitches and an error in the top of the sixth, then took a 6-3 lead in the seventh thanks to a bases-loaded walk and two-run double from Dameury Pena.

Relievers Leonardo Lugo (3 IP, 3 H, BB, 3 K), Jeicol Surumuy ( 2/3 IP, ER, 3 BB, K), and Jose Ojo (1 1/3 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 2 K) got the team through the ninth inning, but the blown save from Ojo led them to extra innings.

In the top of the tenth inning, two throwing errors from the Astros on a pop-out led to the ghost runner on second base scoring the go-ahead run, then after a pair of singles another wild pitch and an errant pickoff throw added another insurance run.

The Astros were able to score their own ghost runner in the bottom half, but didn’t get another runner on base as Oscar Paredes shut the door to pick up the save.

Pena (2-for-6, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI) and Jayson Bass (3-for-5, RBI) led the way with multiple hits. Lead-off man Yilber Herrera drew five walks, scored a run, and was credited with an RBI.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Jordan Carr, Cedar Rapids Kernels (W, 5 IP, H, 3 BB, 3 K)
Hitter of the Day - Chris Williams, St. Paul Saints (3-for-5, 3 HR, 7 RBI, BB, 2 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1 - Brooks Lee (Wichita) - 1-for-5, R, RBI
#2 - Royce Lewis (Minnesota) - 1-for-3, K
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-4, R, 3 K
#4 - Edouard Julien (Minnesota) - 2-for-4, R, 2B, BB, K
#9 - Matt Wallner (St. Paul) - 2-for-5, R, 2 RBI, BB, 3 K
#12 - Jose Salas (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-3, K
#13 - Noah Miller (Cedar Rapids) - 0-for-3, K
#18 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL) - 1-for-5, RBI, K
#19 - Yunior Severino (Wichita) - 3-for-5, R, RBI

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Louisville (11:05 AM CDT) - RHP Randy Dobnak (2-3, 6.15 ERA)
Wichita @ Midland (6:30 PM CDT) - LHP Aaron Rozek (0-3, 7.11 ERA)
South Bend @ Cedar Rapids (12:05 PM CDT) - RHP Cory Lewis (1-0, 0.00 ERA)
Fort Myers @ Bradenton (11:00 AM CDT) - RHP Miguelangel Boadas (0-1, 1.80 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

 

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[FlyingFinn]

Runs galore from our teams last night and Rosario is really having a great season at Cedar Rapids.

[mikelink45]

Can you tell us more about Chris Williams. What is this position and does he have good defense.? Is he going to make the next list of prospects?

[Doctor Wu]

Celestino is looking good in his rehab games thus far. I say "rehab" but not sure what the plan is for him this year. Will they leave him at AAA for a few months, or possibly be called up again soon due to  the need for extra center field depth with the big club?

[FlyingFinn]

12 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

Celestino is looking good in his rehab games thus far

Last nights game may be a little misleading. My assumption is that the opponent pitched their worst pitchers the last half of the game, after the game got out of control. Williams got 3 home runs in the first 4 innings. Celestino was 0 for 3 during those innings. All three hits came after that. Still good that he is hitting. I'm just thinking these guys were guys that aren't as good.

[wabene]

I don't want to be mean, but I like seeing Garlick's name in these reports. 

[jorgenswest]

40 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Last nights game may be a little misleading. My assumption is that the opponent pitched their worst pitchers the last half of the game, after the game got out of control. Williams got 3 home runs in the first 4 innings. Celestino was 0 for 3 during those innings. All three hits came after that. Still good that he is hitting. I'm just thinking these guys were guys that aren't as good.

What is the basis of the assumption?

It only took a quick look to see that two of the relievers that Celestino had hits off are Santillan and Salazar. They are both younger and on the 40 man roster. They probably have the best stuff of the 6 pitchers. Santillan has solid major league numbers and on rehab. Salazar has been up with the big club this year. The starter Herget is 32 years old and has played in the minors since 2013. He gave up 7 runs including two home runs by Williams. Herget has also played for the Reds this year.

[Dman]

Have to say I wasn't a real Keirsey Jr. believer.  His 2019 .406 OPS in A ball was very unimpressive and the .199 batting average in 2021 at High A didn't inspire confidence either.  2022 looked better but still only a .724 OPS at AA and that won't get you to MLB.  This year isn't over but he has a .311 BA and .840 OPS and plays elite defense in center field.  Celestino better step it up as there is competition for the center field spot with Keirsey's new found bat to ball skills and added power.

I thought it was going to be Emmanual Rodriguez I would be talking about at High A but Rosario looks like the more well rounded hitter at this point, as Rodriguez is looking more like the hitter he was in FCL with contact issues. Rosario is putting on a hitting clinic for a 20 year old at A+.  His K rate is below 30% he is close to batting .300 (.290) and his slugging is at a career high right now. I am sure they will wait until he turns 21 in July but they should move him to AA and see what he can do against slightly better pitching.

Chris Williams was hot last year at AA with a .915 OPS before moving up to AAA where it dropped to .716.  He started off a bit slow this year but has been on tear for a while now capped with that 3 HR game his AAA OPS sits at .940.  The BABIP and K rate are a little high right now but just given his track record he looks like an MLB bat to me. He seems likely to regress some so will be interesting to see if he can keep this up further into the season but if he does he looks like a pretty good bat to me.

It is gonna be interesting come Rule V time with Keirsey, Severino, Rodriguez, Martin, Camargo, Enlow, Grace, Funderburk and now maybe even Williams that they will need to make decisions on.  Not gonna be room for everybody.

 

 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Doctor Wu said:

Celestino is looking good in his rehab games thus far. I say "rehab" but not sure what the plan is for him this year. Will they leave him at AAA for a few months, or possibly be called up again soon due to  the need for extra center field depth with the big club?

I doubt they put Celestino on the MLB bench. He'll play every day in AAA and come up if Taylor gets hurt.

[jmlease1]

Good to see Celestino back on the field. I think he spends most if not all of the season in AAA this year, unless Michael A. Taylor goes down for an extended period, and that's fine. Frankly, Celestino needs a couple of months in the minors in the same place working a program and getting himself back on track. He's got talent, but his development really got screwed up and the injury this year has set him back.

Severino has been pretty great at the plate; a little worried about him in the field, but if he keeps hitting like this, they will find a spot for him. (but players have shown the ability to grow and develop at 3B before, so maybe he'll start figuring it out. But oof he's a bit of a butcher there right now)

I'd say Rosario has earned a promotion to AA. He's making good hard contact and racking up the hits, but also piling up the walks. yes, he Ks a fair bit, but he's actually brought it down a little bit and with with everything else he's doing right it's hard to see his approach at the plate being a problem. Let's see how he does against more advanced pitchers. He looks ready for the challenge, and 232 PAs isn't that small of a sample any longer.

[roger]

Will second MikeLinks comment and questions about Williams D.  Is he competent enough as a catcher to earn a spot as backup catcher/first base with the Twins?  Sure like his bat.

Will also second the above comments about Rosario.  Sure seems to be settling in as the hitter we all thought he would be when drafted.

Interesting seeing Owen Miller in the middle of the Brewer's lineup last night.  Am I correct in remembering that coming out of high school Noah was considered the better Miller prospect?  If so, he still has a few years for his bat to catch up to his sterling defense.

Also thrilled with how Reggie Grace moves up a level and just keeps putting up zeros on the scoreboard.  Would be fantastic if he could become another solid late inning guy for the Twins by say, mid 2024.

[PKMNTWINS]

Great to see the affiliates doing well. I noticed neither Jose Miranda or Austin Martin have been in the lineups recently. Any word on if Miranda is hurt? I know Martin got hurt last week but I expected him to be back in the lineup by now since he hadn't landed in the IL.

[TwinsDr2021]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Have to say I wasn't a real Keirsey Jr. believer.  His 2019 .406 OPS in A ball was very unimpressive and the .199 batting average in 2021 at High A didn't inspire confidence either.  2022 looked better but still only a .724 OPS at AA and that won't get you to MLB.  This year isn't over but he has a .311 BA and .840 OPS and plays elite defense in center field.  Celestino better step it up as there is competition for the center field spot with Keirsey's new found bat to ball skills and added power.

Chris Williams was hot last year at AA with a .915 OPS before moving up to AAA where it dropped to .716.  He started off a bit slow this year but has been on tear for a while now capped with that 3 HR game his AAA OPS sits at .940.  The BABIP and K rate are a little high right now but just given his track record he looks like an MLB bat to me. He seems likely to regress some so will be interesting to see if he can keep this up further into the season but if he does he looks like a pretty good bat to me.

It is gonna be interesting come Rule V time with Keirsey, Severino, Rodriguez, Martin, Camargo, Enlow, Grace, Funderburk and now maybe even Williams that they will need to make decisions on.  Not gonna be room for everybody.

 

 

Just to point out Keirsey just turned 26 (76 days younger than Larnach and older than AK and Wallner) and is in AA, I don't consider him a prospect so I wouldn't worry too much about adding him to the 40 man. Funderburk will either be added this year because he is so good or they need him, otherwise there is zero reason to add a 27 year old minor league player to the 40. Same with Williams, all of those players are on the older or way older side for prospects except Rodriguez. My thoughts are only Martin gets protected and that is only because of the Berrios trade, maybe Enlow because of where he was drafted.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

Have to say I wasn't a real Keirsey Jr. believer.  His 2019 .406 OPS in A ball was very unimpressive and the .199 batting average in 2021 at High A didn't inspire confidence either.  2022 looked better but still only a .724 OPS at AA and that won't get you to MLB.  This year isn't over but he has a .311 BA and .840 OPS and plays elite defense in center field.  Celestino better step it up as there is competition for the center field spot with Keirsey's new found bat to ball skills and added power.

I thought it was going to be Emmanual Rodriguez I would be talking about at High A but Rosario looks like the more well rounded hitter at this point, as Rodriguez is looking more like the hitter he was in FCL with contact issues. Rosario is putting on a hitting clinic for a 20 year old at A+.  His K rate is below 30% he is close to batting .300 (.290) and his slugging is at a career high right now. I am sure they will wait until he turns 21 in July but they should move him to AA and see what he can do against slightly better pitching.

Chris Williams was hot last year at AA with a .915 OPS before moving up to AAA where it dropped to .716.  He started off a bit slow this year but has been on tear for a while now capped with that 3 HR game his AAA OPS sits at .940.  The BABIP and K rate are a little high right now but just given his track record he looks like an MLB bat to me. He seems likely to regress some so will be interesting to see if he can keep this up further into the season but if he does he looks like a pretty good bat to me.

It is gonna be interesting come Rule V time with Keirsey, Severino, Rodriguez, Martin, Camargo, Enlow, Grace, Funderburk and now maybe even Williams that they will need to make decisions on.  Not gonna be room for everybody.

 

 

They almost need to make a trade from depth again. That's what people forget about last trade deadline.....

Keirsey, Severino, Martin, Carnargo, Enlow are 100% getting traded or protected, IMO.

[Mike Sixel]

1 hour ago, DJL44 said:

I doubt they put Celestino on the MLB bench. He'll play every day in AAA and come up if Taylor gets hurt.

agreed

[DJL44]

16 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They almost need to make a trade from depth again. That's what people forget about last trade deadline.....

Keirsey, Severino, Martin, Carnargo, Enlow are 100% getting traded or protected, IMO.

Other players (Balazovic, Henriquez, SWR) may get also dealt if they like someone else better for that roster spot.

[TwinsDr2021]

12 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They almost need to make a trade from depth again. That's what people forget about last trade deadline.....

Keirsey, Severino, Martin, Carnargo, Enlow are 100% getting traded or protected, IMO.

Keirsey is 26 in AA with only a .840 OPS (That would be an awesome if he was say 22) why would they waste a 40 man spot on a guy not likely to be anything more than an injury replacement? Now, maybe they trade off a Larnach or Wallner and Keirsey gets put on it this year and gets some time in the majors. I agree with Martin, maybe on Enlow because of where he was drafted, and maybe Severino because of how much money was spent. Maybe Carnargo if they believe his future position is catcher, because he is young for a catcher prospect.,

[Mike Sixel]

1 minute ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Keirsey is 26 in AA with only a .840 OPS (That would be an awesome if he was say 22) why would they waste a 40 man spot on a guy not likely to be anything more than an injury replacement? Now, maybe they trade off a Larnach or Wallner and Keirsey gets put on it this year and gets some time in the majors. I agree with Martin, maybe on Enlow because of where he was drafted, and maybe Severino because of how much money was spent. Maybe Carnargo if they believe his future position is catcher, because he is young for a catcher prospect.,

Enlow is in AAA, and two injuries from being a starter in MN, he's not being left unprotected. The money means nothing on him or Severino, they left both unprotected this year, but both have been healthy and taken steps forward. 

I'll give you Keirsey. Carnargo is young and might be a catcher. You don't let that walk.

The main point? They have a lot of guys that will be taking up 40 man spots, and that doesn't include signing any FA next off season, which they might do.  

[Dman]

32 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

They almost need to make a trade from depth again. That's what people forget about last trade deadline.....

Keirsey, Severino, Martin, Carnargo, Enlow are 100% getting traded or protected, IMO.

Yeah Martin, Enlow and Camargo are sure bets to be added IMO unless something changes performance wise later on.  We lost Stuart Turner in Rule V to the Reds and he never could hit and with Camargo's power and bar for hitting catchers so low if they don't protect him I bet the A's or KC would love to grab him in Rule V.

Severino has his warts as a hitter with a high K rate, High BABIP and low walk rate but if he keeps performing this well as a 23 year old they are going to have to think hard about adding him or trading him.  

As pointed out above Keirsey is older and only at AA but he is hitting .300 and playing very good defense.  Will that translate to the majors hard to say but since it is such a scarce position the bar for hitting is lower than most positions and while he is no Keirmieir he could be a nice pickup for a rebuilding team.  If he catches fire he could be a trade asset for another team if not protected if he doesn't they can send him back to the Twins.  I just think if he keeps this up he has figured some things out and could make it.  He is hitting better than Lee on that team right now and not far off of Severino's OPS with better supporting numbers like only a 20% K rate.  He is making contact and that bodes well for sustaining his numbers.  Walk rate could use some help yet but he is getting there.  Maybe he is too old to add but if he keeps this up I think he makes it to MLB whether he can hit enough to stay there is hard to say. Hitting MLB pitching is really, really, hard. He certainly can't be much worse than some backup center fielders out there. Unfortunately he is probably too old and too unknown to be a trade candidate so they might not protect him the end.  Roster is pretty tight as it is.  I just think a case can be made.

If Emmanuel Rodriguez is still a top 100 prospect they likely will have to make room for him as well.

 

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Dman said:

Yeah Martin, Enlow and Camargo are sure bets to be added IMO unless something changes performance wise later on.  We lost Stuart Turner in Rule V to the Reds and he never could hit and with Camargo's power and bar for hitting catchers so low if they don't protect him I bet the A's or KC would love to grab him in Rule V.

Severino has his warts as a hitter with a high K rate, High BABIP and low walk rate but if he keeps performing this well as a 23 year old they are going to have to think hard about adding him or trading him.  

As pointed out above Keirsey is older and only at AA but he is hitting .300 and playing very good defense.  Will that translate to the majors hard to say but since it is such a scarce position the bar for hitting is lower than most positions and while he is no Keirmieir he could be a nice pickup for a rebuilding team.  If he catches fire he could be a trade asset for another team if not protected if he doesn't they can send him back to the Twins.  I just think if he keeps this up he has figured some things out and could make it.  He is hitting better than Lee on that team right now and not far off of Severino's OPS with better supporting numbers like only a 20% K rate.  He is making contact and that bodes well for sustaining his numbers.  Walk rate could use some help yet but he is getting there.  Maybe he is too old to add but if he keeps this up I think he makes it to MLB whether he can hit enough to stay there is hard to say. Hitting MLB pitching is really, really, hard. He certainly can't be much worse than some backup center fielders out there. Unfortunately he is probably too old and too unknown to be a trade candidate so they might not protect him the end.  Roster is pretty tight as it is.  I just think a case can be made.

If Emmanuel Rodriguez is still a top 100 prospect they likely will have to make room for him as well.

 

Hard to see anyone keeping ERod on their MLB roster all year next year, but stranger things have happened I guess. 

[TwinsDr2021]

4 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Enlow is in AAA, and two injuries from being a starter in MN, he's not being left unprotected. The money means nothing on him or Severino, they left both unprotected this year, but both have been healthy and taken steps forward. 

I'll give you Keirsey. Carnargo is young and might be a catcher. You don't let that walk.

The main point? They have a lot of guys that will be taking up 40 man spots, and that doesn't include signing any FA next off season, which they might do.  

My point with Enlow is they can't continue to load the 40 man with mid 20's relief pitchers that they don't trust to pitch. SWR, Winder, Sands, Henriquez, Headrick, Canterino, Balazovic, Alcala. Yes I get they need depth at starter and relief.

Lopes Arb 2, Pagan Arb 3, Jax Pre-Arb, Moran Pre-Arb, Duran Pre-Arb, Winder Pre-Arb,  Alcala - Pre, Sands Pre, Stewart - Pre

They basically have their whole bullpen locked up next year and are going to add more to the 40 man?

I believe Martin for sure will be added, do they really have room to add another utility type player in Severino with trading others away.

So I agree with your other post, they absolutely are going to have to make some trades this deadline (not so much for helping this year) but for getting their 40 man in shape for this offseason. There is garbage (not all is garbate) on the 40 that could be cleared out Kepler, Garlick, Solano, MAT, Gallo) but they can't replace major league players with minor league players and expect a decent offense.

[Dman]

2 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Hard to see anyone keeping ERod on their MLB roster all year next year, but stranger things have happened I guess. 

Most wouldn't but you have some really bad teams in the A's, KC and Maybe Washington that aren't really competing next year.  Why not grab a top 100 player who has a good eye at the plate and walks about 20% of the time.  Hits the ball hard when he hits it.  He K's a ton at least right now and he might be a black hole offensively that year but you picked up a top 100 player for nothing and those generally are not easy to find.  I am trying to remember if teams have left top 100 player unprotected before. He is not ready for Major League Baseball IMO but he could have star potential so not sure what might happen there.  They added Celestino when he was pretty young as well I just think they might be forced to add him.

I think Celestino was added when he was 19?  Can correct me if I am wrong. Link

[Mike Sixel]

4 minutes ago, Dman said:

Most wouldn't but you have some really bad teams in the A's, KC and Maybe Washington that aren't really competing next year.  Why not grab a top 100 player who has a good eye at the plate and walks about 20% of the time.  Hits the ball hard when he hits it.  He K's a ton at least right now and he might be a black hole offensively that year but you picked up a top 100 player for nothing and those generally are not easy to find.  I am trying to remember if teams have left top 100 player unprotected before. He is not ready for Major League Baseball IMO but he could have star potential so not sure what might happen there.  They added Celestino when he was pretty young as well I just think they might be forced to add him.

I think Celestino was added when he was 19?  Can correct me if I am wrong. Link

Ya, I'd take him if I was Oak or KC for sure. Likely Detroit also. So, I'd be shocked if he's left unprotected if he hits at all this year.

[Mike Sixel]

Williams with another HR today.....

[TwinsDr2021]

17 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Ya, I'd take him if I was Oak or KC for sure. Likely Detroit also. So, I'd be shocked if he's left unprotected if he hits at all this year.

If some other teams leaves a top 100 20 year old talent (21 in February) that can play the outfield and steal a base for you, the Twins should draft in the rule 5 and worry about how to play the 26 man on the roster at a later time.

The Braves would probably pick ERod and he would be just another of the super young prospects to thrive in the majors. They seem to have one of those every year.

[roger]

Will agree with those above that ERod is almost a lock to be added.  With what I have seen from Enlow this year, I expect him to be added in November, if not later this summer.

Will also agree with many above that I hope the Twins use this trading deadline to fine tune the 40-man and those at risk of being lost in the Rule 5.  Hopefully we see several of the players talked about above included as a second or third part of a deal or two next month.

 

[Steve Lein]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Can you tell us more about Chris Williams. What is this position and does he have good defense.? Is he going to make the next list of prospects?

Primarily 1B this season, a little bit of LF and some emergency C thrown in. 

He has been a streaky hitter, but when he's hot it's been scorching. He had a sequence in Wichita last season that was ridiculous right before his promotion (same time frame when CES joined him on the squad). Then later did the same with the Saints.

He's absolutely been my most common hitter of the day the past two seasons. He must like Tuesday's 😉

[Steve Lein]

5 hours ago, Doctor Wu said:

Celestino is looking good in his rehab games thus far. I say "rehab" but not sure what the plan is for him this year. Will they leave him at AAA for a few months, or possibly be called up again soon due to  the need for extra center field depth with the big club?

I'd assume he's kept down because he has options and should be playing. Is still only 24 years old. Injuries certainly can bring him up once he's done with his rehab assignment.

[Steve Lein]

2 hours ago, roger said:

Also thrilled with how Reggie Grace moves up a level and just keeps putting up zeros on the scoreboard.  Would be fantastic if he could become another solid late inning guy for the Twins by say, mid 2024.

If you haven't watched Grace pitch this year, I would make an effort too!

Outside of Brock Stewart before he was brought up, Grace has been the most impressive relief arm I've watched this season. His slider/sweeper/curve/whatever is an elite pitch. So much so, it can get away from him at times, but man, nobody has touched it when I've watched.

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

If Emmanuel Rodriguez is still a top 100 prospect they likely will have to make room for him as well.

Rodriguez will be on the 40 man roster next year. No way they let him get away in the Rule 5 draft.