Twins Minor League Report (8/3): Lee Promoted, Jenkins Debuts

[Ted Schwerzler]

There was a full slate of games across the Twins minor league system today, but the biggest notes included the promotion of top prospect Brooks Lee, and the activation of Walker Jenkins. (NOTE: Night games will be updated upon their completion.) 

 

Image courtesy of Ken Blevins, USA Today Sports

TRANSACTIONS

• OF Walker Jenkins assigned to FCL Twins 
• SS Brooks Lee promoted to Triple-A St. Paul
• OF DaShawn Keirsey Jr. promoted to Triple-A St. Paul
• INF Yunior Severino promoted to Triple-A St. Paul
• INF Ernie Yake assigned to Double-A Wichita
• OF Willie Joe Garry Jr promoted to Double-A Wichita
• INF Dalton Shuffield promoted to Double-A Wichita

SAINTS SENTINEL 
Columbus 6, St. Paul 3
Box Score
The big news for St. Paul was the promotion of Brooks Lee from Double-A Wichita. He wasn’t in the lineup for Thursday’s matinee action, but presumably will be tomorrow. It was Randy Dobnak’s turn on the mound, and he’s put together a great run of outings recently. Going five strong (no runs, no hits), Dobnak didn’t get an out in the sixth inning and was lifted following three hits. He was charged with three runs while walking four and striking out seven.

Staying hot, Andrew Stevenson tripled for the sixth time this season, and then Anthony Prato’s 18th double brought him home and put the Saints on the board. Dobnak took a no-hitter into the sixth inning, but then things unraveled. Columbus grabbed three straight hits, and when Mark Contreras threw to the cutoff man after the final one, Jair Camargo lazily played the throw, booting it, and allowing a run to score. 

Jose Tena doubled off of Ronny Henriquez to bring in both inherited runners, and St. Paul was now looking at a 3-1 deficit. In the seventh inning Austin Martin made a poor throw to catcher Tony Wolters, allowing a run to score, before a sacrifice fly plated another for the Clippers.

Mounting a comeback in the eighth inning, Camargo blasted a two-run shot that was completely annihilated. After Gilberto Celestino walked, he was able to jog around the rest of the bases. With the bases loaded in the bottom of the eighth, and facing Guardians prospect George Valera, Michael Boyle walked in a run allowing his first run of the season.

James Karinchak, still working to figure out his command issues on the farm for Cleveland, got the ninth against the Saints. He closed it out and the Saints fell 6-3 on Thursday. Camargo was the lone St. Paul hitter to record multiple hits.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Tulsa 10, Wichita 0
Box Score
Carlos Luna got the ball tonight for Wichita and went 4 1/3 innings allowing four runs (three earned) on six hits. He didn't give up a walk but struck out three. A pair of homers did him in.

Jorbit Vivas launched a solo homer for Tulsa in the first inning to open the scoring. They added another in the third inning to make it 2-0 and tacked on a third during the fourth inning. Vivas plated another with a sacrifice fly during the fifth inning and Tulsa led 4-0. Josh Stowers made matter worse for the Wind Surge when he blasted a two-run homer in the sixth inning. For a team pilfered of talent today, things could have been going better. Vivas kept being a pest with a seventh inning single, and the score was now 7-0. Diego Cartaya added another on a single before Stowers did more damage and it was 10-0 deficit.

Yoyner Fajardo did have a pair of hits out of the leadoff spot tonight, but those were two of the three Wichita hits. This was one to forget.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 7, Lansing 5
Box Score
Kyle Jones started tonight for Cedar Rapids and went five innings allowing four runs on eight hits. Two homers were the big bugaboo, but he did strike out three while walking none.

After getting down 1-0 in the first inning, Cedar Rapids answered with runs of their own. Kala'i Rosario doubled for the 24th time scoring both Noah Miller and Emmanuel Rodriguez before Andrew Cossetti brought him in on a sac fly. The three runs were enough to win the inning and give the Kernels a 3-1 lead.

A Carson McCusker third inning single drove in Cossetti and made it a 4-1 game. Emmanuel Rodriguez added another run in the fourth inning with his 14th homer of the season, and the addition was necessary as Lansing scored three in the top of the fifth. Brennan Milone homered in the sixth even to even the score, and the Kernels lead was gone.

In the eighth inning Noah Miller roped his 11th double, driving in Kyler Fedko, and putting the Kernels back in front. Ben Ross then took a bases loaded walk to bring home Miller before the inning ended.

Ross grabbed a pair of hits as did Noah Cardenas. A.J. Labas and Niklas Rimmel combined to work scoreless relief for Cedar Rapids.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 11, Dunedin 1
Box Score
Juan Mercedes made the start Thursday for Fort Myers. He worked four innings of two-hit baseball allowing just a single unearned run. Mercedes also struck out four while scattering three walks.

After getting behind in the first inning, Fort Myers took a second inning lead and never gave it back. Maddux Houghton singled to score Nate Baez before a balk during Jay Harry's at bat allowed Dylan Neuse to come home. In the third inning Neuse recorded his 13th double of the season to bring home Rafael Cruz, and then Kyle Schmidt singled home both Baez and Neuse.

In the fifth inning Alec Sayre lifted a sacrifice fly to bring home Cruz again, and make it a 6-1 game. Another balk, this time with Yohander Martinez batting, allowed Sayre to cross the plate and make it 7-1. Ricardo Olivar singled in Houghton during the inning to add another run, and Baez walked on a wild pitch that allowed Olivar an opportunity to scamper home.

In the ninth inning Martinez reached on an error that allowed Schmidt to score before Olivar drew a bases loaded walk driving in Sayre. For the second time today, the Twins system was part of an 11-1 game in Florida, but this time they were on the right side of it.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Rays 11, FCL Twins 1
Box Score
It was an exciting day for the FCL Twins as they wrote 2023 first-round pick Walker Jenkins’ name in the lineup for the first time. Brayan Medina was on the bump to start the game, but allowed three runs on two hits before being removed from the game without recording an out.

Jenkins batted third for the FCL Twins, and that slotted him in just ahead of fellow Twins draftee Brandon Winokur. In Jenkins’ first professional at bat, he ripped a double to left field.

Pitching woes continued for the Twins, this time reliever Pierce Banks, as he allowed a five-spot in the fourth inning to make it a 9-0 game. The Twins did get on the board in the fourth inning when Endy Rodriguez singled home Winokur. They needed to get to work if a comeback was in the cards.

Unfortunately the Rays added two more runs, making it an 11-1 lead. With 16 hits on the day, they had plenty of opportunities.

Jenkins finished with two hits, on of which was a double, and a stolen base during his debut. He was the lone Twins batter to record a pair of hits on the afternoon.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Cardinals 6, DSL Twins 3 (F/7)
Box Score
The DSL Twins faced off against the same organization the big league club is playing later on Thursday. Yency De Jesus made the start and worked five strong innings of no-hit baseball. He allowed a pair of walks but struck out five.

Moises Lopez opened the scoring in the first inning with a single that scored Jayson Bass. The Twins added another in the second inning on a solo shot by Ewing Matos, his first as a professional. In the third inning, Hendry Chivilli lofted a sacrifice fly allowing Ariel Castro an opportunity to cross the plate.

Unfortunately, things got out of hand in the sixth inning and the Cardinals took the lead. Adding two more in the top of the seventh, the lead now was 6-3. No Twins hitters recorded multiple hits, and they couldn’t mount a comeback.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Randy Dobnak (St. Paul) - 5.0 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 4 BB, 7 K
Hitter of the Day – Dylan Neuse (Fort Myers) - 3-4, 3 R, RBI, 2B(13), BB, K

PROSPECT SUMMARY
We will again keep tabs on the Twins top prospects. You’ll probably read about them in the team sections, but if they aren’t there, you’ll see how they did here. Here’s a look at how the current Twins Daily Top 20 performed:

#1 - Brooks Lee (St. Paul) - Did not play, but he was promoted to the Saints. 
#2 - Walker Jenkins (FCL Twins) - 2-4, 2B, SB(1)
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 1-2, 2 R, RBI, BB, HR(14)
#5 - Matt Wallner (Minnesota) - 0-3, K
#8 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 0-1, 3 BB, K, SB(6)
#10 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 0-2
#13 - Brandon Winokur (FCL Twins) - 1-3, R, BB, K 
#16 - Kala’i Rosario (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, R, 2 RBI, 2B(24), 2 K
#20 - Jose Rodriguez (FCL Twins) - 1-4

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Columbus (6:05PM CST) - LHP Blayne Enlow
Tulsa @ Wichita (7:05PM CST) - RHP Marco Raya
Lansing @ Cedar Rapids (6:35PM CST) - RHP Christian MacLeod
Fort Myers @ Dunedin (5:30PM CST) - RHP Ben Ethridge

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

 

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[Dman]

Jenkins with a nice debut just happy to see him playing.  Hoping he hits his way to A ball this year.

Winokur actually took a walk so that was good to see.  He is hitting pretty darn well in a tough league for High School aged bats.  Nice to see is isn't so aggressive that he can't take a walk.  Really hoping his bat is for real.

Good to have Lee in AAA just one step away from the Twins team.  Pretty cool he got that far in his first pro year and honestly I think if the Twins were more desperate for infield spots he could play at the MLB level.

Dobnak has really been coming on strong this past month.  He might find his way back to the Twins yet.

[chpettit19]

20 minutes ago, Dman said:

Jenkins with a nice debut just happy to see him playing.  Hoping he hits his way to A ball this year.

Winokur actually took a walk so that was good to see.  He is hitting pretty darn well in a tough league for High School aged bats.  Nice to see is isn't so aggressive that he can't take a walk.  Really hoping his bat is for real.

Good to have Lee in AAA just one step away from the Twins team.  Pretty cool he got that far in his pro year and honestly I think if the Twins were more desperate for infield spots he could play at the MLB level.

Dobnak has really been coming on strong this past month.  He might find his way back to the Twins yet.

A ball this year, and end at AA next year and we're really onto something! I'd be awfully happy if he follows the Jackson Holliday path in his first year and a half as a pro.

[twinstalker]

For some reason I thought Winokur was a college bat and thought it was telling he stayed at FCL when the other moved over to A ball.  Happier now that I checked and saw otherwise.  It appears the Twins hedged their bets between Winokur and Keaschall.  They took the potential power guy Winokur who likely profiles as Kepler or Larnarch if he succeeds, and they took the hit tool guy in Keaschall.  Amazing that they took only one position player after the 3rd round and only four overall (not counting the two quasi-picks at the end they weren't going to sign).  Four hitters, fifteen pitchers.

Good to see Jenkins have success on Day 1.  His only two possible outcomes at FCL are Expected and Bad, so glad we saw Expected.  I left out Injured, I guess. :-)

[Blyleven2011]

Finally some promotions ...

Lee to triple A , I look forward to  seeing more doubles from him as he leads all Twins organizations in doubles  ,,, we need double hitters that finds the gaps , please don't mess with his swing , if power comes , power will come with him finding it ...

Lots more promoted , wonder who gets designated  , more to follow tomorrow I presume  ...

[Doctor Wu]

Very happy, and excited, to see this new batch of promotions, plus the debut by Jenkins and others. Go with the youth, and Go Twins!

[FlyingFinn]

Great day with Jenkins playing and several promotions. Do have to laugh though as we are a little overly excited and now posting foul home runs!

[TopGunn#22]

It sure does seem like the promotion of Lee took too long but glad to see it finally happen.  Agree...don't mess with that kids swing.  The power will come as he fills out.  Doubles are just fine right now.  That double to LF by Jenkins is classic hitting.  Don't mess too much with that kid either.  

The Twins really fortified St. Paul with their 3 promotions and than resupplied Cedar Rapids.  They had to open up some slots for the young'ens!  

[Dman]

After last night I checked the stats for the Midwest league and it was interesting to see three Kernals at the top for OPS. So they have\had the top three bats in the league and 4 of the top 9 and that doesn't include Cossetti and Ortega who don't qualify. Cedar Rapids is stacked this year.

I was surprised they didn't move Rosario and or Rodriguez up but I guess they are setting up Cedar Rapids for the playoffs and being they are both young will just wait until next year to promote them.

[madtowntwin]

In commentary to the lead article photograph of Walker Jenkins pointing his bat at the camera...At 18 years old the kid (and I mean kid) is an absolute physical stud. I remember Tori's good natured "Rookie Ribbing" of Mauer which was basically just wait until this kid gets his man body!! On a weekend commemorating Joe's myriad accomplishments could another legendary chapter be opening?? If a picture is worth 10,000 lakes - How many hits, RBIs, and HRs does that equate. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

19 hours ago, Dman said:

Jenkins with a nice debut just happy to see him playing.  Hoping he hits his way to A ball this year.

Winokur actually took a walk so that was good to see.  He is hitting pretty darn well in a tough league for High School aged bats.  Nice to see is isn't so aggressive that he can't take a walk.  Really hoping his bat is for real.

Good to have Lee in AAA just one step away from the Twins team.  Pretty cool he got that far in his first pro year and honestly I think if the Twins were more desperate for infield spots he could play at the MLB level.

Dobnak has really been coming on strong this past month.  He might find his way back to the Twins yet.

Jenkins for 1 game sample size,  the bat, balance and hard hit balls looks very promising for SSS.   Keaschall is the one who the last couple games is ripping the cover off the ball.  .714 BA in A ball in 2 games.  I know its 2 games,  but there is very few people who do that in 2 games over the course of the season.   Winokur is also looking like a solid selection and with a hit tool that may be slightly more advanced than we may have thought.   Its always at the top of the draft that the Twins have struggled if they hit on these,  I feel really confident in the pitchers they selected that at minimum they will hit on a few if not a lot more than normal.  Early returns are the Twins look like they drafted very well in this draft.