Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month: June 2023

[Seth Stohs]

Yesterday, we shared the articles of the Twins Minor League Pitchers (Starter and Reliever) of the Month. Today, we take a look at the hitters throughout the organization that had a big month of June. Granted, the choice of Chris Williams as the Hitter of the Month was easy. However, it is incredible how many minor leaguers had an OPS over .900, and over 1.000. Click into the article to see some incredible performers. 

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

Before jumping into the top five hitters of the month, here are some of the honorable mentions. I’ll be honest. I’ve been following the Twins minor leagues and done these types of monthly reports for more than 15 years. I honestly can’t remember a month when there were this many strong candidates for the monthly hitter award. Many months, an OPS of .900 would make you a strong candidate to win the award. This month, there were seven players with an OPS over 1.000 that were considered. Six more had an OPS over .900. 

What a great month for hitters in the Twins minor leagues! Unfortunately, it was one of the worst hitting months for the big league hitters. 

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• C Jair Camargo - St. Paul Saints - 20-63, .317/.353/.714 (1.067) with 4 doubles, 7 home runs, 4 BB, 16 K.
• OF Alerick Soularie - Wichita Wind Surge - 14-66, .390/.510/.634 (1.144) with 1 double, 3 home runs, 7 BB, 9 K.
• 1B Aaron Sabato - Wichita Wind Surge - 18-76, .237/.389/.487 (.876) with 8 doubles, 1 triple, 3 home runs, 19 BB, 29 K.
• OF Emmanuel Rodriguez - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 23-83, .277/.425/.518 (.943) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 22 BB, 26 K. 
• OF Kala’i Rosario - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 20-83, .241/.370/.530 (.900) with 3 doubles, 7 home runs, 17 BB, 25 K.
• IF Rubel Cespedes - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 26-89, .292/.393/.562 (.955) with 9 doubles, 5 home runs, 15 BB, 19 K. 
• OF Andres Centeno - FCL Twins - 16-51, .314/.426/.490 (.916) with 1 doubles, 1 triple, 2 home runs, 9 BB, 23 K
• IF Harold Grant - FCL Twins - 15-45, .333/.404/.489 (.893) with 2 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 6 BB, 12 K 
• IF Isaac Pena - FCL Twins - 19-64, .297/.423/.422 (.845) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 1 home run, 14 BB, 12 K. 
• IF Yilber Herrera - DSL Twins - 13-47, .277/.455/.611 (.966) with 8 doubles, 1 home run, 16 BB, 10 K. 
• IF Dameury Pena - DSL Twins - 21-56, .375/.435/.482 (.917) with 4 doubles, 1 triple, 5 BB, 5 K. 
• OF Jayson Bass - DSL Twins - 22-63, .349/.447/.429 (.876) with 3 doubles, 1 triple, 11 BB, 14 K. 

THE TOP FIVE HITTERS
Number 5 - Cedar Rapids Kernels - IF Tanner Schobel - 30-93, .323/.400/.613 (1.013), 2 doubles, 2 triples, 7 home runs, 11 BB, 16 K.
Last July, the Twins made Tanner Schobel their second round draft pick out of Virginia Tech. In his junior season, he played in 59 games and hit .362/.445/.689 (1.134) with 18 doubles, 19 homers, and 74 RBI as the team’s shortstop. In his minor-league career, he has split his time between second base and third base. This year, he’s playing a little over 60% of his innings at the hot corner. Schobel has primarily batted out of the leadoff spot for the Kernels and has been able to provide early power for his offense. He had eight multi-hit games including three, three-hit games and one four-hit game. He ended the month on a nine-game hitting streak and had a stretch where he had five home runs in five games. For the season, the 22-year-old is now hitting .285/.362/.469 (.832) with seven doubles, four triples, and 11 home runs. He also has been successful on nine of ten stolen base attempts. 

Number 4 - St. Paul Saints - OF Matt Wallner - 31-97, .320/.432/.588 (1.020), 9 doubles, 1 triple, 5 home runs, 13 BB, 28 K.
I’m not sure if Twins fans are aware of this, but Matt Wallner has been pretty good at hitting baseballs in June. He ended May with a handful of games in the big leagues. He went 7-for-11, including 6-for-6 with two walks and a homer in his final two games. However, he was optioned to St. Paul. Did he mope? Nope! Instead, he continued to mash. He hit for average, took his walks, struck out less than he has in the past, and still provided power near the top of the lineup. He returned to the Saints and had a double, triple and home run in his first game. He had eight hits over his first three games back. The Forest Lake native had 11 multi-hit games including three-hit games in the final two games of June. Ultimately, it’s just a matter of time before Wallner again finds himself in the Target Field outfield. 

Number 3 - Wichita Wind Surge - OF DaShawn Keirsey, Jr - 31-87, .356/.414/.609 (1.023), 3 doubles, 2 triples, 5 home runs, 9 BB, 15 K.
Keirsey is one of the more athletic and toolsy players in the Twins organization. He is the fastest player in the system. Along with the above stats, the former fourth-round draft pick from the University of Utah, went 7-for-7 on stolen base attempts last month. He can hit for average. He showed in June his power potential. He can hit at the top of the order and play an elite level of defense in center field. The key for Keirsey is being on the field. He stayed healthy in 2022, and he has remained healthy this season. In 66 games, he has hit .317/.368/.490 (.858) with 12 doubles, three triples, and nine home runs. He also has been successful on 26 of 30 steal attempts. He’s more than ready to move up to St. Paul.  

Number 2 - St. Paul Saints - OF Andrew Stevenson - 36-91, .396/.466/.659 (1.125), 6 doubles, 3 triples, 4 home runs, 10 BB, 16 K.
The Twins signed Stevenson to a minor-league contract in early March. He had spent his entire professional career with the Washington Nationals. They selected him in the second round in 2015. He made his big-league debut two years later. In total, he hit .248 over 248 games with the Nationals between 2017 and 2021. He spent the full 2022 season at Triple-A Rochester. The Twins decided that they needed a left-handed hitting outfielder to play in St. Paul and added him. Stevenson has become the team’s primary leadoff hitter and did it all in June. He hits for average, takes his walks, and has extra base power. In 65 games this year, he is hitting .321/.396/.502 (.898) with 14 doubles, five triples, and seven home runs. He also has 28 steals in 31 attempts.

 

And the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month is:
St. Paul Saints- C/1B Chris Williams - 25-71, .352/.478/.789 (1.267), 1 double, 10 home runs, 17 BB, 26 K.
If you’ve been paying attention to the Twins Minor League Reports here at Twins Daily in July, this choice for Hitter of the Month will come as no surprise to you. Many will point you to his three-homer game on June 13th in Louisville. However, by that time, he had hits in all nine games that he played during the month. He already had two homers, and he already had two, four-RBI games. But that Tuesday night game in Louisville was special. He hit three homers and drove in seven runs. The Saints played an afternoon game the next day, and he hit two more homers and drove in four runs. On Thursday, he added one more homer. He didn’t need doubles and triples in June. he just hit the ball well beyond the fencing in the outfield and got to jog around the bases. 

The 26-year-old former eighth-round pick out of Clemson led the Twins minor leagues in Home Runs, RBI, On-Base Percentage, Slugging Percentage, OPS. He was also third in batting average and walks. 

Overall, in 52 games, he has hit .286/.401/.600 (1.001) with eight doubles, a triples, and 15 home runs. He had mostly played at first base, but he has started six games behind the plate, and he’s done some DHing too. 

If the Twins have a need for a first baseman or DH, or even a second (or third) catcher, Williams has put himself into serious consideration for a call up. He’s earned it. Now it’s just about getting an opportunity. 

We want to congratulate Saints catcher and first baseman Chris Williams, Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League Hitter of the Month for June 2023. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.

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[NoCryingInBaseball]

Is there a #2?

[Trov]

38 minutes ago, NoCryingInBaseball said:

Is there a #2?

I thought I was the only one not seeing it.  

[Fatbat]

Even the link to Chris Williams goes to a Detroit Tiger by the same name…..

[tarheeltwinsfan]

I met Chris Williams when he was at Elizabethton. He was a personable, humble guy who was very friendly. I wish him well. I wonder how his fielding and arm strength are at catcher?

[tarheeltwinsfan]

Seth, I think you got so excited about all the great Twins hitting prospects, who in June had the best month of their careers, that you forgot #2. It's OK. Your report was so positive (as are most of your articles and interviews, and I mean this in a very good way) that I wonder how much better could your report possibly get, if you added a #2? Be careful that you don't overdo the excitement. Keep up the outstanding journalism, Seth. And thank you.

[gman]

Can we add Wallner in rightfield, Kiersey in center and Williams at Dh?

[silverslugger]

This just goes to show that the person who finishes in 2nd place is never remembered😬

[Fred]

Stevenson looks like a better Jake Cave.  A ☆☆☆☆ 1/2  acceptable, continually disappointing #4 outfielder with just enough flash to his game to get some fans excited. A guy on the MLB roster whose spot looks like a good place for improvement. Don't get me wrong, I like him on the Saint's roster. I feel bad for him that Kiersey is coming up behind him.

[Brett]

Good Lord, I need to go see a Saints game before those guys get called up!

[Larry Janisewski]

5 hours ago, NoCryingInBaseball said:

Is there a #2?

Andrew Stephenson

[Seth Stohs]

5 hours ago, NoCryingInBaseball said:

Is there a #2?

Sorry y'all, when I pasted in the video, it just went right over the #2 thing. We see this once in awhile, and there's an easy fix, I just missed it. Sorry y'all! 

[Larry Janisewski]

1 minute ago, Larry Janisewski said:

Andrew Stephenson

sorry to have misspelled Stevenson

[Seth Stohs]

4 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

I met Chris Williams when he was at Elizabethton. He was a personable, humble guy who was very friendly. I wish him well. I wonder how his fielding and arm strength are at catcher?

The arm strength seems to be the area of concern as he's had some shoulder issues going back to college. But, I've watched him a few times, and I think he receives the ball fine. He has been the catcher for both of Dallas Keuchel's starts so far and he sets up well and such. I don't know how he ranks at the things that we can see. He also correctly challenged three pitches that were called balls and got them overturned. 

[Seth Stohs]

4 hours ago, tarheeltwinsfan said:

Seth, I think you got so excited about all the great Twins hitting prospects, who in June had the best month of their careers, that you forgot #2. It's OK. Your report was so positive (as are most of your articles and interviews, and I mean this in a very good way) that I wonder how much better could your report possibly get, if you added a #2? Be careful that you don't overdo the excitement. Keep up the outstanding journalism, Seth. And thank you.

Thank you... I think... 

And, from all of my journalism classes that I've taken in my life, I learned that once in a while, you have to just leave something out to make sure that your readers are fully engaged. So, that's why I skipped #2. 

Is this a real journalism strategy, @Nick Nelson and @Theo Tollefson? I've actually never taken a single journalism class. 

[Seth Stohs]

1 hour ago, Fred said:

Stevenson looks like a better Jake Cave.  A ☆☆☆☆ 1/2  acceptable, continually disappointing #4 outfielder with just enough flash to his game to get some fans excited. A guy on the MLB roster whose spot looks like a good place for improvement. Don't get me wrong, I like him on the Saint's roster. I feel bad for him that Kiersey is coming up behind him.

I would doubt that he's better than Jake Cave. Cave's got so much more MLB time for a reason. That said, Stevenson is a nice player, a solid defensively outfielder who hits alright. I just wouldn't put him ahead of Cave. 

[jorgenswest]

Williams and Wallner strike out 30% in AAA. I am not sure if that will translate well though I would like Wallner to get a chance.

Since his return to AAA about a month ago Gilberto Celestino has an OBP of .400 and more walks than strike outs. His strike out rate is 10.8%. Does his glove, right handed bat and contact skills fit the Twins needs better right now?

[Theodore Tollefson]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Thank you... I think... 

And, from all of my journalism classes that I've taken in my life, I learned that once in a while, you have to just leave something out to make sure that your readers are fully engaged. So, that's why I skipped #2. 

Is this a real journalism strategy, @Nick Nelson and @Theo Tollefson? I've actually never taken a single journalism class. 

It's not unheard of to leave something out to keep people fully engaged, but you want to be sure what you leave out isn't crucial information to the story. As long as you have the 5 W's and How all included, it's acceptable. 

[roger]

A catcher with a 1.067 OPS and he can't make the Top 5?  Man, this is a tough crowd.

Great seeing ERod have a big month and is Sabato teasing us?  Or could he be turning the corner?  Guess we will have to stay tuned and see how the next month or two go.  If you include the walks, he struck out just a touch over 30% of his plate appearances.  Is that a noticeable improvement, Seth?

Sure seems that Wallner is telling the Twins I can hit wherever you put me.  My question, Seth?  Was the handful of ugly defensive plays I saw from him with the Twins late last year a problem?  Or is he better defensively than he appeared, at least to me?  Haven't seen him at all this year at St. Paul.  Has his D improved?

Thanks for a great report, Seth.  Could Twins fans be so fortunate to have a handful of these guys take that last step and get it done on the big stage?  

[Major League Ready]

Great to see this many honorable mentions with an OPS around 900.   I quit paying attention to Sabato so that was a nice surprise.  I am really pulling for Keirsey and Camargo.  We need some depth at those positions.

[Dman]

9 hours ago, Fred said:

Stevenson looks like a better Jake Cave.  A ☆☆☆☆ 1/2  acceptable, continually disappointing #4 outfielder with just enough flash to his game to get some fans excited. A guy on the MLB roster whose spot looks like a good place for improvement. Don't get me wrong, I like him on the Saint's roster. I feel bad for him that Kiersey is coming up behind him.

I was looking at the International League stats for AAA and to my surprise Jake Cave leads that league in OPS.  He is ahead of CES and Wallner and Williams and 20 spots ahead of Stevenson. It looks like he is doing it with Doubles power as he has 28 of them so he is still hitting the ball hard and at AAA they are falling in.

I have really come to appreciate Stevenson and I think he is faster than Cave but Stevenson does lack power or I think he would be a major league player already.  Also Cave was so bad for so long with the Twins I think it was past time for him to try some place new.  

At any rate I have to say to I was very surprised to see him number 1.

[Blyleven2011]

10 hours ago, gman said:

Can we add Wallner in rightfield, Kiersey in center and Williams at Dh?

I'm for it , can't hurt and might be exciting seeing players that can make some contact ...

[Blyleven2011]

4 hours ago, roger said:

A catcher with a 1.067 OPS and he can't make the Top 5?  Man, this is a tough crowd.

Great seeing ERod have a big month and is Sabato teasing us?  Or could he be turning the corner?  Guess we will have to stay tuned and see how the next month or two go.  If you include the walks, he struck out just a touch over 30% of his plate appearances.  Is that a noticeable improvement, Seth?

Sure seems that Wallner is telling the Twins I can hit wherever you put me.  My question, Seth?  Was the handful of ugly defensive plays I saw from him with the Twins late last year a problem?  Or is he better defensively than he appeared, at least to me?  Haven't seen him at all this year at St. Paul.  Has his D improved?

Thanks for a great report, Seth.  Could Twins fans be so fortunate to have a handful of these guys take that last step and get it done on the big stage?  

I agree that his defense wasn't very good last year ....

I too would like to know hid defense has improved  ,

Thanks Seth  ...

[DocBauer]

Crazy good month for so many bats across the system! Honestly, many months, the HR list would make a pretty good top 5.

I'm really hoping Carmago has zero need to see MLB this year so he can keep polishing his skills and his bat, especially the K area. I think he's actually turning in to a ML catcher.

Tremdous to see E Rodriguez get cranked up!

Soularie finally getting going is a surprise. Can he keep it going?

Really hoping Schobel gets to AA before the season is done.

I know Keirsey is older than we'd like, but injuries and the lost 2020 held him back. I think he's a late bloomer who has a chance to be a ML OF. Now, he might just be a 4th OF and PR, BUT, being LF with defense and speed might help him be a little more than that, sort of a 3 1/2 OF who can fill in at all 3 spots and help at the top and bottom of the order. He needs to be at AAA SOON. But it's crowded up there until or unless a move is made somewhere. But he shouldn't be held back just because of St Paul depth. 

I have nothing to say about Wallner that hasn't already been said. 

It's hard right now to see room for Stevenson or Williams at the ML level. Injuries, or changes in the Twins roster, might allow a shot for either, or both. I have no illusions that Stevenson is going to be a starting ML OF. But could he work with Taylor in CF in a quasi-platoon? Maybe. But first, there would have to be room on the 40 man, much less the 26 man. Williams, on the other hand, is a 26yo who isn't exactly ancient, and is putting together back to back really good years. I CAN see a scenario where he plays 1B, a little DH, and Kirilloff gets more OF time. But we're right back to the roster crunch scenario again unless changes happen.

Interesting that if this was 2022, there'd be room for these guys. If it was 3 or 4yrs ago, there'd be room for some of these guys. But right now, there is no clear path.

[Fred]

7 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

I would doubt that he's better than Jake Cave. Cave's got so much more MLB time for a reason. That said, Stevenson is a nice player, a solid defensively outfielder who hits alright. I just wouldn't put him ahead of Cave. 

I can see your thinking, but would Stevenson had more MLB time if he was a call-up replacement for Buxton? I know I really, really wanted the Twin's "fascination" with Cave to end. He had plenty of time to show us he is a very good career AAA ballplayer. I think I would have had the same impression  had it been Stevenson in that role. Hopefully we'll never know.

[Blyleven2011]

2 hours ago, DocBauer said:

Crazy good month for so many bats across the system! Honestly, many months, the HR list would make a pretty good top 5.

I'm really hoping Carmago has zero need to see MLB this year so he can keep polishing his skills and his bat, especially the K area. I think he's actually turning in to a ML catcher.

Tremdous to see E Rodriguez get cranked up!

Soularie finally getting going is a surprise. Can he keep it going?

Really hoping Schobel gets to AA before the season is done.

I know Keirsey is older than we'd like, but injuries and the lost 2020 held him back. I think he's a late bloomer who has a chance to be a ML OF. Now, he might just be a 4th OF and PR, BUT, being LF with defense and speed might help him be a little more than that, sort of a 3 1/2 OF who can fill in at all 3 spots and help at the top and bottom of the order. He needs to be at AAA SOON. But it's crowded up there until or unless a move is made somewhere. But he shouldn't be held back just because of St Paul depth. 

I have nothing to say about Wallner that hasn't already been said. 

It's hard right now to see room for Stevenson or Williams at the ML level. Injuries, or changes in the Twins roster, might allow a shot for either, or both. I have no illusions that Stevenson is going to be a starting ML OF. But could he work with Taylor in CF in a quasi-platoon? Maybe. But first, there would have to be room on the 40 man, much less the 26 man. Williams, on the other hand, is a 26yo who isn't exactly ancient, and is putting together back to back really good years. I CAN see a scenario where he plays 1B, a little DH, and Kirilloff gets more OF time. But we're right back to the roster crunch scenario again unless changes happen.

Interesting that if this was 2022, there'd be room for these guys. If it was 3 or 4yrs ago, there'd be room for some of these guys. But right now, there is no clear path.

They will just have to wait it out for their chance ...

Right now let's see how this homestand goes  , if it gets ugly then don't wait till deadline to make the changes necessary  , do it during the break  ....

[Ruven]

So many guys hitting so well at AA and AAA makes me wonder if the parent organizations for teams in those two leagues are pitching poor and have called up any arm with real promise, leaving the pitching staffs in the high minors loaded with non-prospects and retreads, guys on the way back down. Anyone tracking that?