Twins Minor League Week in Review (7/3-7/16)

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The minor-league review should be back to regular programming for the rest of the season after taking a week off with the all-star break. We will recap the last two weeks of action in the organization. With the draft complete, new players will soon be joining teams. Doors opening provide a wave of excitement. But that also means doors closing for others you've read about over the last handful of years.

Image courtesy of Alonzo Adams-USA TODAY Sports (photo of Carson McCusker, back in his Oklahoma State days)

Don’t forget to read Nick’s Week in Review to catch up on the Twins week.

Please check out all the upcoming draft content here!

All referenced stats are over the last 15 days.

WEEK IN REVIEW 

Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 53-36 
• Overview: The Saints have played .500 ball since the last update.
• 🔥: Anthony Prato has slowly worked his way up the organization ladder and, though it's only been 91 at-bats at AAA, is posting his career-best OPS of 1.069. His three home runs in the last 15 days gives him six for St. Paul and eight total on the year (only two short of his career best). He's worked his way into the conversation in that he could be a utility-type player who can give you defensive value in the infield or outfield and can swipe a base too.
• 🔥: Simeon Woods Richardson is sporting a 0.60 WHIP and 1.52 batting average against over his last two games/ten innings. He's struck out nine and walked one. 
• 🔥: Though he's been relatively dreadful on the whole, Kyle Garlick continues to beat lefties up. He's got an OPS of 1.004 against southpaws this season and collected nine hits (including two doubles and two home runs) in his last two weeks.
• 🥶: Blayne Enlow had a rough start, allowing four earned runs in five innings. He struck out four.
• 🥶: Austin Martin has finally reached Triple-A and the results aren't great. In his last nine games, he's 5-for-36 with two doubles. He's struck out only seven times and has drawn four walks, but his OPS over the last two weeks is a team-low .438 (minimum 10 at-bats). 
  What's Next: The Saints will head to Omaha for a road trip this week.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 35-48 
• Overview: It's been a rough two weeks for the Wind Surge. Sunday's fun win was the team's first in eight days (yeah, there was a four-day break in there), but Wichita is only 3-8 since July 2. 
• 🔥: Brooks Lee heard the rumbles that fans thought the organization had a new #1 prospect and responded by posting a 1.263 OPS over the last eight games going 13-for-33 with four doubles, three home runs, ten RBIs and more walks (6) than strikeouts (5).
• 🔥: Marco Raya has made two starts for Wichita so far. He's thrown 5 2/3 innings and has struck out seven. He has only allowed two hits. He'll need to reduced his walks as he's already issued five free passes.
• 🔥: Alex Scherff was excellent in his five relief outings. He struck out nine in 7 2/3 innings and only allowed one unearned run on three hits and four walks.
• 🤔: Pierson Ohl was impressive with 11 strikeouts in 9 2/3 innings, and you can live with hit eights and three walks in those outings. But he allowed two home runs. 
• 🥶: Will Holland got only five hits this week in 27 at-bats and struck out in 11 of those trips to the bat. He walked twice and did swipe three bags. 
• 🥶: Aaron Rozek has done some good things this year. The last 15 days weren't good, however. In 8 2/3 innings, he allowed 16 hits and 12 earned runs. He walked five and only struck out three.
• What's Next: Wichita will be on the road facing Amarillo.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 11-7 in the second half. 
• Overview: The Kernels continue to play good baseball. They took four of six from Quad Cities and two of three from Beloit. 
• 🔥: Noah Cardenas and Ben Ross both had an OPS over 1.000 in somewhat limited at-bats (23 and 19, respectively). Cardenas had ten hits including three doubles and two home runs. Ross had seven hits including three doubles and a home run. 
• 🔥: Multiple good performances from the pitchers in this edition: Jaylen Nowlin struck out ten in six innings. He allowed two runs on two hits and a walks. (Home runs will get you.) C.J. Culpepper struck out six in five three-hit shutout innings. Christian MacLeod gave up too many hits and walks, but carried a K/9 over nine. 
• 🔥: Kala'i Rosario (13 hits), Tanner Schobel (11 hits, including six extra-base hits) and Jorel Ortega (11 hits, two home runs) all had over ten hits on the week. 
• 🥶: Kyle Jones got roughed up over his two starts. In nine innings, he allowed 12 hits and two walks, which turn into nine runs (eight earned). He also gave up two home runs. 
• 🥶: Alejandro Hidalgo allowed six runs (five earned) on four hits and four walks in just two innings.
• What's Next: The Kernels will play host to Peoria for six games as they look to climb up from one game behind the Chiefs.

Low-A: Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 8-10 in the second half. 
• Overview: Fort Myers went into and came out of the break with wins, but has only played .500 baseball since the last update.
• 🔥: Carson McCusker joined the Mighty Mussels at the end of the June and he's spent the month of July showing off his mighty muscles. With 18 hits in 42 at-bats, McCusker has a .429 batting average, but he's also belted five home runs in that time. McCusker joined the organization after playing in the Frontier League for three seasons. He's a big (6-8, 250) right-handed bat with high-level experience (Oklahoma State), so this might be a fun story to watch.
• 🔥: Andrew Morris is the highest of last year's draft picks who hasn't made it to Cedar Rapids yet, but he's making his case. In two starts (nine innings), Morris allowed only five hits and two walks and struck out nine with no earned runs allowed.
• 🔥: Not to be outdone by McCusker, Mikey Perez has four home runs (out of seven hits) in only 28 at-bats. He also stole three bases.
• 🥶: Rafael Cruz (4-24, two walks, eight strikeouts, .389 OPS) and Carlos Aguiar (2-21, two walks, eight strikeouts, .317 OPS) both had rough weeks.
• 🥶: Develson Aria had impressed earlier in the year, but had another rough week. He allowed five earned runs on six hits and six walks in only three innings.
• What's Next: A visit to Bradenton is on the agenda.

Rookie: FCL Twins

• Overall: 13-15, 7.5 games behind the FCL Pirates in the FCL South. 
• 🔥: Cleiber Maldonado (4 2/3 innings, eight strikeouts), Juan Mercedes (4 1/3 innings, six strikeouts) and Bianger Liendo (two innings, two strikeouts) all made the last two weeks without allowing an earned run. 
• 🔥: Yasser Mercedes had two home runs (among seven hits). He also stole two bases. But struck out seven times with only one walk. 
• 🔥: Jankel Ortiz had seven hits in 15 at-bats, including a triple and home run. He walked four times with three strikeouts. 
• 🥶: Bryan Acuna went 3-for-22. So far, he's batting .198 in his stateside debut. But he is only 17, so there's plenty of time.
• 🥶: Cesar Lares and Jeferson Lopez both got roughed up for lots of runs (nine and 11, respectively), but Lares was able to strike out nine in 6 2/3 innings. Lopez only got six outs.

Rookie: DSL Twins 

• Overall: 7-21, 15 games back in the DSL South. 
• 🔥: Dameury Pena collected 13 hits over the last eight games. The 17-year-old is batting .417/.467/.548 (1.045) .
• 🔥: Juan Cota struck out five batters in five innings. He struck out five. He did allow three runs, but only allowed two hits and two walks. His 0.80 WHIP and .118 batting average against were both team-bests.
• 🔥: Jesus Peraza (seven hits, three doubles, 1.286 OPS), Ewing Matos (seven hits, four doubles, one triple), Jayson Bass (eight hits, double) all had good offensive weeks. 
• 🥶: Jeicol Surumay allowed 10 runs (nine earned) on eight hits and four walks. He pitched three innings.
• 🥶: Yilber Herrera (3-for-20) and Angel Trinidad (1-for-13) really struggled. 

PROSPECT SUMMARY 
This Prospect Summary shows our current Twins Top 20 Prospect Rankings and how they performed last week. The Prospect Tracker will be updated periodically throughout the season. Notice that these pages now include stats and splits, as well as past article links, video and more. Season-long stats will be in parenthesis. Fielding stats are since the last update three weeks ago.

• 20. Michael Helman, UTIL, St. Paul: On the 60-day Injured List with a dislocated shoulder. (.333/.434/.711. 1.145 OPS)
• 19. Yunior Severino, 3B, Wichita: 6-21, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K, CS. (.275/.349/.514. .863 OPS).
• 18. Jose Rodriguez, OF, FCL Twins: 4-19, 2B, HR, RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 5 K. (.263/.336/.404. .740 OPS)
• 17. Blayne Enlow, RHP, St. Paul: 0-1, 7.20 ERA, 5 IP, 6 H, 4 ER, 2 HRA, 1 HB, BB, 4 K. (AAA/AA combined 1.21 WHIP, .235 BAA)
• 16. Matt Canterino , RHP: Still recovering from Tommy John surgery.
• 15. Brent Headrick, RHP, St. Paul: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 5 IP, 5 H, 8 K. (1.27 WHIP, .268 BAA).
• 14. Jordan Balazovic, RHP, Minnesota. St. Paul: (1.60 WHIP, .261 BAA); currently pitching out of the Twins bullpen.
• 13. Noah Miller, SS, Cedar Rapids: 9-35, 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 10 RBI, 8 R, 4 BB, 7 K, CS. (.214/.283/.303. .586 OPS), played shortstop in eight games (67 total) and committed no errors in 34 chances (six errors in 287 total chances); played two games (eight total) at second base and committed no errors in 11 chances (no errors in 27 total chances).
• 12. Jose Salas, INF, Cedar Rapids: 8-30, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB, 7 K, SB. (.181/.268/.265. .533 OPS), played two games at shortstop and committed one error in seven chances (13 total; four errors in 43 chances total), played one game (14 total) at third base and committed no errors in one chance (three errors in 32 total chances). He played five games (40 total) at second base with no errors in 16 chances (three errors in 161 total chances).
• 11. Austin Martin , SS, St. Paul: 5-36, 2 2B, RBI, 3 R, 4 BB, 7 K, 2 SB, CS. (.177/.282/.258. .540 OPS), 
• 10. Yasser Mercedes, OF, FCL Twins: 7-25, 2 HR, 8 RBI, 4 R, BB, 7 K, 2 SB. (.213/.269/.393. .662 OPS)
• 9. Matt Wallner, OF, St. Paul: 5-31, 2B, 5 RBI, 6 R, 7 BB, 7 K. (.291/.403/.524. .927 OPS); Minnesota: (.368/.520/.579. 1.099 OPS)
• 8. David Festa, RHP, Wichita: 0-0, 2.25 ERA, 4 IP, 2 H, ER, 2 BB, 6 K. (1.39 WHIP, .256 BAA)
• 7. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, St. Paul: 2-0, 1.80 ERA, 10 IP, 5 H, 3 R (2 ER), BB, 9 K (1.68 WHIP, .290 BAA); Minnesota: (1.85 WHIP, .313 BAA)
• 6. Marco Raya, RHP, Wichita: 0-0, 3.18 ERA, 5.2 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 5 BB, 7 K. (AA/h-A combined 0.97 WHIP, .180 BAA)
• 5. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Cedar Rapids: Announced recently that Prielipp will be undergoing season-ending elbow surgery. (1.75 WHIP, .294 BAA)
• 4. Edouard Julien, 2B, Minnesota. St. Paul: (.293/.435/.496. .931 OPS), has played all 34 games at second base and has committed three errors in 158 chances; currently up with the Twins.
• 3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Cedar Rapids: 6-27, , 3B, 2 RBI, 6 R, 3 BB, 11 K, 2 SB. (.212/.374/.406. .780 OPS)
• 2. Royce Lewis, SS: Minnesota. Currently on the injured list and expected to miss another month.
• 1. Brooks Lee, SS, Wichita: 13-33, 4 2B, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 6 R, 6 BB, 5 K. (.279/.358/.468. .826 OPS), played 8 games (71 total) at shortstop and committed one error in 26 chances (11 errors in 293 total chances). Lee has committed one error in three chances in one game at third base this season.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK will return next week when we can vote on a day when there are no games.

Ask questions and discuss the Twins prospects in the COMMENTS below. 

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[Dman]

Dameury Pena was an after thought in INTL free agency and he is far and away the most consistent hitter on that team and the best all around hitter as well.  Wish I knew more about him as he looks like he is going to be a good one.  The top signs from that draft class have not looked at all this year.  At least not compared to last years class.

[AceWrigley]

At 6-8 250, Carson McCusker is Aaron Judge size (6-7 282). Those are 2 BIG baseball players.

[roger]

The Strib talked about Prielipp's surgery today.  They went in and repaired the UCL (I think) and put in a brace...whatever that is.  Mentioned that it was not of the same magnitude as a complete TJ surgery.  I don't know anything more, but hopefully, that means he can be back on the mound sometime next year.  Maybe someone knows more about this.

When I look at the Twins draft the last several years, Canterino and Prielipp stand out as potential top of the line starters.  And today we see both out for extended periods with major arm surgeries.  The Twins can't seem to catch a break and in both cases the damage was done before they were drafted.

Hopefully,  Canterino will be back next summer and maybe Prielipp will follow later in the year.  We can hope, can't we?

[Mike Sixel]

9 minutes ago, roger said:

The Strib talked about Prielipp's surgery today.  They went in and repaired the UCL (I think) and put in a brace...whatever that is.  Mentioned that it was not of the same magnitude as a complete TJ surgery.  I don't know anything more, but hopefully, that means he can be back on the mound sometime next year.  Maybe someone knows more about this.

When I look at the Twins draft the last several years, Canterino and Prielipp stand out as potential top of the line starters.  And today we see both out for extended periods with major arm surgeries.  The Twins can't seem to catch a break and in both cases the damage was done before they were drafted.

Hopefully,  Canterino will be back next summer and maybe Prielipp will follow later in the year.  We can hope, can't we?

They knew this might happen with Prielipp......was always a risk. That's the only reason he was available where he was. I don't see this as a bad break, it was probably 40%+ likely when they took him. Still, a risk worth taking, imo

[gman]

I think it's close to time to move Lee up. Maybe the first part of August.

[ashbury]

Do the Twins just basically punt on investing much in trying to sign young players for the DSL?

[twinstalker]

You can Royce Lewis off the list because he's surpassed rookie thresholds.  You can take Noah Miller off the list because.