Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month: July 2023

[Ted Schwerzler]

Although the big league club has struggled with offense over the course of the 2023 season, the minor-league system had more than a few prospects put up big offensive numbers this month. The choice for a winner was close, but plenty of names were worthy of consideration.

 

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

As was the case last month for the Minnesota Twins, their offensive output was not ideal. There’s not much expectation these prospects could replicate this level of production at the highest level immediately, but there were a few slash lines that the Twins wish they were seeing in Rocco Baldelli’s lineup.

Before getting into the top five, here are a few honorable mentions.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

• Kyle Garlick - St. Paul Saints - 22-57, .386/.487/.719(1.206), 7 2B, 4 HR, 28 RBI, 12 BB, 24 K
• Andrew Stevenson - St. Paul Saints - 28-83, .337/.409/.578(.987), 5 2B, 5 HR, 19 RBI, 7 BB, 24 K
• Noah Cardenas - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 23-60, .383/.441/.567(1.008), 5 2B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 7 BB, 17 K
• Ben Ross - Cedar Rapids Kernels - 17-63, .270/.343/.524(.867), 7 2B, 3 HR, 11 RBI, 4 BB, 19 K
• Carson McCusker - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 28-95, .295/.350/.537(.886), 2 2B, 7 HR, 8 BB, 35 K
• Ricardo Olivar - Fort Myers Mighty Mussels - 21-80, .263/.422/.488(.909), 10 2B, 1 3B, 2 HR, 12 RBI, 16 BB, 12 K
• Jankel Ortiz - FCL Twins - 7-28, .250/.405/.429(.834), 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 9 K
• Isaac Pena - FCL Twins - 12-37, .324/.405/.405(.810), 2B, 3B, 2 RBI, 5 BB, 9 K
• Dameury Pena - DSL Twins - 20-43, .465/.511/.651(1.162), 4 2B, 2 3B, 7 RBI, 4 BB, 2 K

THE TOP FIVE HITTERS
Number 5 - Wichita Wind Surge - OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. - 25-95, .263/.340/.463(.803), 3 2B, 2 3B, 4 HR, 10 RBI, 11 BB, 36 K
The Twins selected Keirsey Jr. as a fourth-round pick back during the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. He has been somewhat of a slow-burn type of prospect, and repeating Double-A Wichita for the second straight season, he has put things together in a big way. July was a great month for the outfielder, and he’d probably already be in St. Paul if the top of the Twins system wasn’t so outfield heavy. The power has come on in a big way this year, and 13 homers on the season is one shy of doubling his output last season. Keirsey Jr. should soon get a chance to prove it at the highest level of the farm system, and he’ll have the opportunity to factor in as a fourth outfielder type.

Number 4 - Cedar Rapids Kernels - C/1B Andrew Cossetti - 19-52, .365/.485/.615(1.100), 5 2B, 3B, 2 HR, 11 RBI, 11 BB, 10 K
Playing in his first professional season after being selected in the 11th round of the draft last year, Cossetti has shown extremely well in two spots. He earned an early-season promotion from Fort Myers, and has continued to hit for the Cedar Rapids Kernels. He now owns a .923 OPS at High-A, and that’s while coming out of the gates a bit slow. At 23 years old, he is a bit senior for the level, but he’s been exceptional at the plate hitting for power while showing a high level of discipline. Minnesota’s system is not currently ripe with catching talent, so Cossetti should continue to force his own opportunities with this level of play.

Number 3 - St. Paul Saints - IF Anthony Prato - 21-61, .344/.494/.738(1.232), 9 2B, 5 HR, 18 RBI, 16 BB, 17 K
The Saints needed an infielder when Prato was promoted earlier this season, and he may have been bored doing Double-A for a second straight season. With just a .553 OPS through 43 games for Wichita, it’s hard to suggest he earned the move up. In reaching St. Paul though, he’s validated the move and has a whopping 1.151 OPS through 37 games. Prato has looked the part of a very strong defensive third baseman, and he’s hitting the cover off the baseball. While he isn’t on the Twins 40-man roster at this point, it’s worth wondering if he’s starting to creep in on the opportunities that would have been ticketed for Jose Miranda.

Number 2 - Wichita Wind Surge - SS Brooks Lee - 31-85, .365/.433/.600(1.033), 5 2B, 5 HR, 20 RBI, 10 BB, 10 K
Since the Twins selected Lee last year with the eighth overall pick all he has done is hit. His .846 OPS at Double-A Wichita this season has been impressive, and he’s tapped into some nice power having launched 11 longballs this season. July was a great month for the top prospect, and he’s all but certain to reach Triple-A in August. Brooks Lee will have an outside chance to make the Opening Day roster for the Twins next spring, but a better bet is that he factors in at second or third base sometime next summer. Minnesota will continue to hope for this sustained level of production, and nothing we’ve seen from him yet has suggested it will slow.

And the Twins Minor League Hitter of the Month is:
Wichita Wind Surge - IF Yunior Severino - 26-76, .342/.432/.750(1.182), 4 2B, 9 HR, 19 RBI, 10 BB, 21 K
The former Atlanta Braves prospect has broken out in a way national outlets always hoped he would. Tied to Kevin Maitan as the cream of that international crop, Severino is launching baseballs for the Wind Surge. This month he had hits in 17 of 20 games played, and he homered in five straight contests. After hitting 19 round-trippers last season, he has already surpassed that number in fewer games during 2023.

The bugaboo to Severino’s game is his swing-and-miss tendencies. Racking up a 91/39 K/BB last year, focusing on controlling the zone a bit more was a must in 2023. This season he has a 114/34 K/BB, and having already seen the pitching at Double-A, a better adjustment would have been nice. He’ll still probably see a late season promotion to Triple-A, but the strikeout numbers have to get in check.

Minnesota would love to have another option for a power bat at the corner infield spots, and Severino has played plenty of third base. Wichita has used him at second base sporadically this season as well, but opportunity on the big league roster could come elsewhere.

We want to congratulate Wind Surge infielder Yunior Severino, Twins Daily’s choice for Minor League Hitter of the Month for July 2023. Feel free to share your thoughts and ask questions.

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[TwinkieFan4life]

So many guys striking out at around a 30% clip.  I think I am just burned out on strikeouts.  Makes me really appreciate Lee's approach to hitting. 

Will be interesting to see if they move Severino and Lee up before the end of the season.

[Dman]

I don't understand how Severino Sustains a high batting average and incredible slugging with so many K's and what seems to defy all odds high BABIP of .378.  I have been waiting for his BABIP to drop all year and it has stayed around that .370 mark most of the year.  I know there is a correlation with hard hit rate and BABIP.  The theory goes the harder you hit the ball the harder it is for fielder's to make a play on the ball. I believe it is why the Twins always seemed to go for players that hit the ball hard.  Still that seems like an incredibly high rate to me.

I will say that while he is an aggressive hitter his plate discipline isn't bad as he has a near 10% walk rate. Also he is hitting .290 on the year which is a very good batting average for a guy who K's as much as he does. And then there is the thing teams fall in love with Slugging and his .567 mark is in elite territory.  Like I said earlier on average given the warts his numbers shouldn't be sustainable but here we are his BABIP's have generally been high since A ball so I guess I have to concede he might be an elite hitter.  Congrats to Severino who isn't even on the top 30 prospect list but is probably better with the bat than most hitters in the top 30.

 

[Dman]

Happy to see Brooks Lee in the top 2 this month.  He has been on fire and you have to love that 16% K rate. Pretty rare for someone to have a K rate that low.  His BABIP of .330 is pretty normal especially since he doesn't K that much.  Batting average of .290 on the year is right in range to move up.  For as much as I complain about his power he has a .478 slugging percentage. So he is not devoid of power and he is hitting double digit home runs and leads his league in doubles on the season as well.  His all around line leads me to believe he is ready whenever the Twins want him to be ready.

If you add up all his numbers on the season (AA and AAA) Prato looks like a nothing burger.  If you look at just his AAA numbers you have to say this guy looks like a future All Star. In AAA he has more walks than K's. His walk rate is approaching 20% which is elite and keeping the K rate under 20% is elite as well.  He has an elite batting average average of .336 and to top it off elite slugging at .647.  The only issue is his high BABIP of .384 and that he has only done this for a month and a half.  If he can maintain those numbers or even be in range of those numbers the rest of the year then the Twins might have found their version of Whit Merrifield.  That is a lot of if's but that is how good Anthony Prato has been the last month and a half.

The Twins should move Cossetti to AA yet this year as his well rounded batting profile makes him the best catching prospect in the system at least IMO.  There isn't a red flag in his batting numbers and they are very similar to Lee's line. I heard somewhere that his defense is solid and if they move him to AA where his age is more appropriate to level he actually could have prospect status.  I like Cardenas and the always under rated Morales but I think Cossetti just has skills that they don't.  I like him better than Winkel and in the end I like him better than Camargo because the batting line is so balanced.

To be honest I thought Keirsey was a bust and was never gonna get there with the bat.  I guess the joke is on me as he looks really good at the plate this year.  The walk rate could be higher but other than that he looks really solid at the plate this year.  He is an aggressive hitter and he plays really good defense and he has stolen 30 bases this year.  Another late bloomer and if the numbers hold he would be a nice 4th outfielder option at the MLB level.  Likely better than Gordon all the way around but until they promote him to AAA we won't know if that bat plays at higher levels.

Dameury Pena is hitting .400 on the year so far and his .465 batting average for the month is just mind boggling.  The Twins might have another Arraez in the system.  A nobody who can just hit everything thrown his way. I am going to be keeping my eye on that kid.  He is very impressive out of the gate,

[rv78]

If you are Severino, you shouldn't be too worried about the swings and misses. He's at a .317 clip for strikeouts for his career. If the batting average stays in the .270-.290 range he'll be a huge upgrade over a current Twin who can't hit the ball and strikes out much more than he does. Gallo for the 2023 season is striking out at rate of .427 and has a career rate of .447. It's amazing how foolish this FO thought Gallo would help this team for a staggering $11M. League minimum would have been too much for him. 

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, Dman said:

To be honest I thought Keirsey was a bust and was never gonna get there with the bat.  I guess the joke is on me as he looks really good at the plate this year.  The walk rate could be higher but other than that he looks really solid at the plate this year.  He is an aggressive hitter and he plays really good defense and he has stolen 30 bases this year.  Another late bloomer and if the numbers hold he would be a nice 4th outfielder option at the MLB level.  Likely better than Gordon all the way around but until they promote him to AAA we won't know if that bat plays at higher levels.

I wouldn't call Kiersey a bust. It was always a long shot he would contribute as a major leaguer. It's still kind of a long shot. He's 26, this might be his career year and he's still only an .850 OPS in Double-A. That won't play as more than a 4th outfielder. He could be a fun addition when rosters expand as a pinch-runner, he can steal a base.

[twinstalker]

15 hours ago, TwinkieFan4life said:

So many guys striking out at around a 30% clip.  I think I am just burned out on strikeouts.  Makes me really appreciate Lee's approach to hitting. 

Will be interesting to see if they move Severino and Lee up before the end of the season.

Yeah, agreed.  But Severino's an eventual AAAA player.  I just hope they don't protect him this offseason.  How difficult would it be for MLB pitchers to strike him out?  I will say his K rate this month is under 25%, so that's huge improvement for him.  But then again, the tougher pitchers get promoted in June, and he didn't.

Pretty much doesn't matter which player Falvey was offering me in trade for my reliever or rh stick, I wouldn't want anybody he was wiling to give up.  It's a very stinky system, and will really only avoid being the worst this offseason because they lucked into the 5th pick.  Lee, EmRod, and Jenkins are the only three who stand out, and I believe anyone else would be an after-thought in nearly every other system.

Just wondering, how does Keirsey, 26, get the nod for #5 hitter of July over catcher Cardenas, 23?  Keirsey's numbers are average in a hitter's park/league, while the more valuable position player in much more of a pitcher's park/league had very good stats.  I could see it one were the prospect and the other not, but Cardenas is more of a prospect than Keirsey.

[Guest]

Along with hard-hit rate, the best predictor of success as a major league hitter has always been that hitter's SO/W percentage.  When the hitter's SO/W ratio is materially below the league average, he's controlling the strike zone.  That means it will be worth watching Prato and Cossetti.  

[GeorgiaBaller]

I am not a jersey guy, but I would wear that one! Flowers up the sides and black pants with a pink belt---just fire!  Fun! Latin baseball at its finest---the Latino Leagues and MLB Latino players bring fun to the game. 

[saviking]

15 hours ago, rv78 said:

If you are Severino, you shouldn't be too worried about the swings and misses. He's at a .317 clip for strikeouts for his career. If the batting average stays in the .270-.290 range he'll be a huge upgrade over a current Twin who can't hit the ball and strikes out much more than he does. Gallo for the 2023 season is striking out at rate of .427 and has a career rate of .447. It's amazing how foolish this FO thought Gallo would help this team for a staggering $11M. League minimum would have been too much for him. 

What bothers me about our front office is that like in the case of Gallo they won't admit and correct their mistakes ... 

[saviking]

Just now, saviking said:

What bothers me about our front office is that like in the case of Gallo they won't admit and correct their mistakes ... 

 

[D.C Twins]

Lee will be the starting 2B in The Show next year!

[tarheeltwinsfan]

10 minutes ago, D.C Twins said:

Lee will be the starting 2B in The Show next year!

Where do you think Julian will be?

[Daniel Anderson]

Just read that Lee is on his way to St. Paul, or wherever the Saints are, today.

[chpettit19]

14 hours ago, DJL44 said:

I wouldn't call Kiersey a bust. It was always a long shot he would contribute as a major leaguer. It's still kind of a long shot. He's 26, this might be his career year and he's still only an .850 OPS in Double-A. That won't play as more than a 4th outfielder. He could be a fun addition when rosters expand as a pinch-runner, he can steal a base.

4th OFer feels like his ceiling, but he also makes me think of Terrance Gore from those KC WS teams. If you have room to stash him on your 40-man for the year you can use him as a base running threat in the postseason. Not suggesting the Twins force that kind of thing with the 40-man, or that he hopefully doesn't get a crack at the 4th OFer job next year, but true base stealers can get themselves a ring without really ever having a major league career since playoff lineups usual shorten (although this regime probably wouldn't want to shorten their PH options in the playoffs).

[TwinsDr2021]

16 hours ago, Dman said:

The Twins should move Cossetti to AA yet this year as his well rounded batting profile makes him the best catching prospect in the system at least IMO. 

Cossetti (will turn 24 in a month and in A+) - .806 OPS

Winkel (will turn 24 in January in AA) - .773 OPS

Camargo (just turned 24 one month ago in AA) - .810 OPS

 

Catchers usually take longer so age really isn't a huge factor here, but I think Camargo on the hitting side is the best prospect.

 

 

[2wins87]

41 minutes ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Cossetti (will turn 24 in a month and in A+) - .806 OPS

Winkel (will turn 24 in January in AA) - .773 OPS

Camargo (just turned 24 one month ago in AA) - .810 OPS

 

Catchers usually take longer so age really isn't a huge factor here, but I think Camargo on the hitting side is the best prospect.

 

 

Cossetti - 14.9% BB, 16.9% K

Winkel - 13.6% BB, 23.1% K

Camargo - 7.8% BB, 34.9% K

For the record, Cossetti also has a .925 OPS overall in A+, which is significantly different from OPSing around .800.

There is more than just OPS to being a well rounded prospect who can carry success to the highest level.  I do like Camargo too, but his long track record of being an aggressive hitter who whiffs a lot is going to limit his ceiling.  He seems likely to be Gallo-esque in the majors but without the walk rate to help him get on base.  If the defense is good enough, which I think it could be, you can still live with that for a backup catcher.

Cossetti's bat has been about as well rounded as you can get.  Good plate discipline and contact rates, with very strong quality of contact in A-ball too.  The defense is another question, but the reports are that he's worked hard and made huge strides so he should at least stick.  It's fair to wait a little to see how well the numbers hold up against tougher competition, but to me Cossetti still has a huge edge in performance so far.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, TwinsDr2021 said:

Cossetti (will turn 24 in a month and in A+) - .806 OPS

Winkel (will turn 24 in January in AA) - .773 OPS

Camargo (just turned 24 one month ago in AA) - .810 OPS

 

Catchers usually take longer so age really isn't a huge factor here, but I think Camargo on the hitting side is the best prospect.

 

 

I guess it depends on what you value as a hitter. Walk and K rates tend to lead to better transitions to the MLB level than just OPS.  Guys with high K rates can be vulnerable at the MLB level. Cossetti's walk and K rate are nearly identical and there is a lot of value in that. Not sure where you are getting your numbers from but Cossetti has a .925 OPS at high A and .994 OPS overall. 

Not going to argue too hard about Camargo though.  His early numbers are bringing his total line down.  For as much as I am concerned about his K rate he hit .300 in May with a .900 OPS and .300 in June with a 1.000 OPS. All at AAA. Camargo is doing well with the bat but with a 35% K rate odds are that doesn't translate well to MLB.  He also has low walk numbers. so he doesn't control the zone and doesn't have great contact skills or he wouldn't K 35% of the time.  I like Cossetti's chances of being a difference maker better.

can agree that age doesn't really matter all that much at catcher but why hold the likely best player back instead of trying to get him to help the MLB team as soon as possible.

[TwinsDr2021]

37 minutes ago, 2wins87 said:

Cossetti - 14.9% BB, 16.9% K

Winkel - 13.6% BB, 23.1% K

Camargo - 7.8% BB, 34.9% K

For the record, Cossetti also has a .925 OPS overall in A+, which is significantly different from OPSing around .800.

There is more than just OPS to being a well rounded prospect who can carry success to the highest level.  I do like Camargo too, but his long track record of being an aggressive hitter who whiffs a lot is going to limit his ceiling.  He seems likely to be Gallo-esque in the majors but without the walk rate to help him get on base.  If the defense is good enough, which I think it could be, you can still live with that for a backup catcher.

Cossetti's bat has been about as well rounded as you can get.  Good plate discipline and contact rates, with very strong quality of contact in A-ball too.  The defense is another question, but the reports are that he's worked hard and made huge strides so he should at least stick.  It's fair to wait a little to see how well the numbers hold up against tougher competition, but to me Cossetti still has a huge edge in performance so far.

You are correct I pasted the wrong OPS for him, my only point was that Cossetti is two levels below and they are basically the same age, he could shot though the minors and pass Carnargo but as of now he is the basically the same age two levels down and I think that matters when looking at players and saying one has better numbers.

I generally am not a huge fan of a 23 year old in A+, unless their path puts them in AAA this year.

[Trov]

19 hours ago, Dman said:

I don't understand how Severino Sustains a high batting average and incredible slugging with so many K's and what seems to defy all odds high BABIP of .378.  I have been waiting for his BABIP to drop all year and it has stayed around that .370 mark most of the year.  I know there is a correlation with hard hit rate and BABIP.  The theory goes the harder you hit the ball the harder it is for fielder's to make a play on the ball. I believe it is why the Twins always seemed to go for players that hit the ball hard.  Still that seems like an incredibly high rate to me.

I will say that while he is an aggressive hitter his plate discipline isn't bad as he has a near 10% walk rate. Also he is hitting .290 on the year which is a very good batting average for a guy who K's as much as he does. And then there is the thing teams fall in love with Slugging and his .567 mark is in elite territory.  Like I said earlier on average given the warts his numbers shouldn't be sustainable but here we are his BABIP's have generally been high since A ball so I guess I have to concede he might be an elite hitter.  Congrats to Severino who isn't even on the top 30 prospect list but is probably better with the bat than most hitters in the top 30.

 

Severino numbers are very close to CES numbers at nearly same age and level.  CES struck out a little less but ratio has been about the same.  Similar power levels too.  What is funny is CES was a college guy that started hitting HR, Severino did not start hitting HR until age 22 season.  If Severino was drafted out of college same year as CES we would be singing Severino praises like may have for CES.  They both have huge issues with their game, like bad defense and a lot of swing and miss, but people fell in love with CES power.  CES is struggling at MLB level so far, and I think some expect him and possibly Severino to be the dreaded AAAA player.  Unless Severino can drop the K's he will be a fringe MLB player.