Twins Minor League Week in Review (8/7-8/13)

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The Twins are in a pennant race. (Can we call it a race when you can win it if you just don't fall over?) But so are so many of the affiliates. The Saints are within striking distance of making the International League playoffs. The Wind Surge are a game out. The Kernels are already in. The others were all .500 or better last week.

Image courtesy of William Parmeter (photo of Danny De Andrade)

It was a typically weird week for the Twins, which you can read about in Nick’s Week in Review. For all things minor-league related, keep reading.

WEEK IN REVIEW 

Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 23-16 (5-1 last week) in the second half; In first place in the IL West by half a game; tied for third place in the International League.
• Overview: A huge week for the Saints, adding Royce Lewis to the newly-promoted prospects and taking five of six from Louisville.
• 😍: Hello Royce! Lewis hit two home runs in 13 rehab at-bats. It shouldn't be long until Minneapolis takes him back. Sorry St. Paul. 
• 🔥: Austin Martin turned in another big week. His seven hits led the team and he also stole three bases while showing off his power by hitting a home run. He also doubled. May Martin be making his way into the centerfield conversation? 
• 🔥: Louie Varland pitched the same day as Dallas Keuchel and showed, over 7 1/3 shutout innings, that maybe he deserves the spot with the Twins. He struck out six while allowing three hits and walking one.
• 🔥: Jair Camargo had a big week, homering twice and doubling twice in his five total hits. Trevor Larnach also added two home runs. 
• 🔥: Ronny Henriquez (4 2/3 innings), Randy Dobnak (four innings), Patrick Murphy (four innings), Austin Schulfer (3 2/3 innings), Jovani Moran (2 2/3 innings), and Andrew Bechtold (two innings) all threw multiple shutout innings (in addition to Varland) for the week.
• 🥶: It wasn't a great week for Carlos Luna , who surrendered eight earned runs in 2 2/3 innings.
• 🥶: Kyle Garlick  was 1-for-10 and struck out five times. Those wondering why Garlick wasn't the right-handed bat that was called up on just need to look at his stats. 
• What's Next: The Saints will look to continue their dominance at home against Indianapolis (19-19)

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 19-20 (4-2 last week) in the second half; 1.0 game back in the Northern Division. 
• Overview: Despite losing their best three offensive players last week, Wichita is 6-4 in their last ten games and creeping up the standings.
• 🔥: Pierson Ohl is dealing. In his eight-inning start this past week, Ohl allowed a single run on seven hits and no walks. He only had four strikeouts, but he continues to impress at the Double-A level.
• 🔥: Alex Isola  led a balanced attack, pacing the team with 13 total bases on six hits, including a double and a team-leading two home runs. He was tied for second with six runs scored and had a team-high eight RBI. 
• 🔥: Regi Grace remains an interesting bullpen arm. He pitched 6 1/3 innings over two appearances, allowing only one run on three hits, a walk, and a hit batter. He struck out only three.
• 🔥: Patrick Winkel had four doubles this week after two doubles and two home runs last week. Jake Rucker had two doubles and two triples.
• 🥶: Will Holland  went hitless in 14 at-bats. 
• 🦃: Marco Raya is here for the third straight week. He did get outs this week (three) and only gave up one run, but struggled with the walks (four).
• What's Next: The Wind Surge head to Springfield (20-19) to try to close the one-game gap in the Texas League North.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 26-16 (3-3 last week) in the second half, one game ahead of Peoria. The Kernels have clinched a postseason berth.
• Overview: The Kernels remain the drivers seat of the Midwest League West.
• 🔥: Carson McCusker has adjusted nicely to high-A ball, leading the team with 14 total bases on a team-high six hits. He had two doubles, two home runs and team-leading seven RBI. He did, however, strike out seven times without taking a walk. 
• 🔥: It seems like there's always at least a 2012 draft pick starter or two that needs to be highlighted. Andrew Morris picked up another win, allowing only an unearned run on four hits and a walk over five innings. He struck out three. Cory Lewis struck out six over 4 1/3 innings. Of his four runs allowed, only one was earned. C.J. Culpepper - who might just end up being the best of the lot - struck out seven in five innings. Mike Paredes struck out eight in four two-hit innings.  
• 🔥: Ben Ross also had two home runs and two doubles (among his five total hits). He drew seven walks and struck out nine times. 
• 🥶: Two of the bigger disappointments this year have been former first-round pick Keoni Cavaco and recently-acquired Jose Salas . Cavaco was 1-for-10 with seven strikeouts. This year might be the end of the line for him. He was a swing-for-the-fences pick... and the team struck out. Salas is back with the team after going to the FCL for a bit. He was 2-for-18 with five strikeouts, but he did manage to steal two bases. A top-10 prospect in the organization to the start the year, he's really fallen off. 
• 🥶: Zebby Matthews gave up six hits and issues two walks in 4 1/3 innings. It wasn't a typical Zebby performance, but he still struck out eight.   
• What's Next: The Kernels host Wisconsin (21-21). The Timber Rattlers trail the Kernels by five games. 

Low-A: Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 18-24 (3-3 last week) in the second half, 10.0 games out of first place.
• Overview: Another split. The last-place Mighty Mussels have a +5 run differential though. The bad luck may be attributed to the franchise replacing the classic Miracle-palm-tree-M hat with... whatever is happening now. 
• 🔥: Danny De Andrade - my personal #8 prospect - led Fort Myers with eight runs, nine hits and three doubles on his way to a 1.416 OPS. 
• 🔥: Juan Mendez pitched 3 1/3 hitless innings over his two appearances. He struck out seven and allowed two walks. 
• 🥶: Johnathan Lavallee had a week so bad, it has to be mentioned. In three appearances he pitched 2 1/3 innings. He allowed only two hits, but issued 11 walks and hit a batter. The result was eight earned runs.
• 🥶: Luke Keaschall was 2-for-16, but his line was made respectable by drawing four walks. He also stole four bases and tried out centerfield.   
• What's Next: On the road to Palm Beach (19-21).

Rookie: FCL Twins

• Overall: 21-27 (4-2 last week) on the season. 7.5 games behind the FCL Pirates in the FCL South. 
• 😍: Walker Jenkins  led the team in at-bats (21), hits (7), total bases (13), runs batted in (7) and stolen bases (2). It's not too early to call him the real deal. He's the real deal. It's also not too early to suggest a promotion. It's not going to harm him to see some low-A pitching before the end of the season. And, realistically, it's also not going to hurt him to be a part of the high-A playoffs. Is that too aggressive? Maybe. But Jenkins is that type of special. 
• 🤔: Brandon Winokur strikes out too much (eight times this week), but getting time at shortstop is a fun development. Is he going to stay there? Noooooooo... but that's not to suggest he couldn't play third base. Versatility rules. 
• 🤩: Five 2023-drafted pitchers made their professional debuts - Nolan Santos, Ty Langenberg, Xander Hamilton, Spencer Bengard and Hector Garcia Jr. - by pitching an inning each. Santos gave up a hit and struck out two. Langenberg allowed an unearned run on a hit and a walk while striking out two. Hamilton picked up a save despite giving up an earned run while striking out two. Bengard issued a walk and struck out one. Garcia gave up a run on a hit and walk and struck out one. 

Rookie: DSL Twins 

• Overall: 14-33 (5-1 last week) on the season. 23.5 games back in the DSL South. 
• 🔥: Junior Del Valle  has been in DSL for three years. He's steadily improving. This past week, he had five hits in 12 at-bats. He stole two bases. 
• 🔥: Yency De Jesus  gets a nod every week. He struck out eight in five innings. He allowed two runs (one earned) on three hits and a walk.
• 🥶: Hendry Chivilli appeared to be turning the corner, but went only 1-for-16 last week with six strikeouts.

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. 

• 20. Jose Rodriguez, OF, FCL Twins: 3-13, 2B, HR, R, 2 BB, 4 K. (.250/.317/.399. .716 OPS)
• 19. Brent Headrick, RHP, St. Paul: (1.42 WHIP, .271 BAA); recently optioned to St. Paul.
• 18. Jose Salas , INF, Cedar Rapids: 2-18, RBI, 2 R, 5 K, 2 SB. (.174/.257/.249. .506 OPS), played one game (14 total) at shortstop and committed no errors in 11 chances (four errors in 154 chances total), played one game (15 total) at third base and committed one error in two chances (four errors in 34 total chances), played four games (44 total) at second base with two errors in 18 chances (five errors in 179 total chances).
• 17. Yunior Severino, 3B, St. Paul: 4-17, 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 3 K. (AA/AAA combined .281/.361/.552. .913 OPS).
• 16. Kala'i Rosario, OF, Cedar Rapids: 5-20, 3B, 3 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K. (.262/.375/.474. .849 OPS).
• 15. Jordan Balazovic, RHP, Minnesota. St. Paul: (1.60 WHIP, .261 BAA); currently pitching out of the Twins bullpen.
• 14. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, St. Paul: 1-0, 4.76 ERA, 5.2 IP, 4 H, 4 R (3 ER), 4 BB, 3 K (1.62 WHIP, .266 BAA); Minnesota: (1.85 WHIP, .313 BAA)
• 13. Brandon Winokur, OF, FCL Twins: 3-20, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 R, 2 BB, 8 K. (.275/.339/.569. .908 OPS), played four games at shortstop (eight total) and committed one error in 14 chances (two errors in 31 total chances) and played two games (four total) at centerfield and committed no errors in three chances (no errors in 11 total chances). 
• 12. Luke Keaschall, 2B, Fort Myers: 2-16, RBI, 4 R, 5 BB, 4 K, 4 SB. (rookie/l-A combined .263/.455/.316. .771 OPS), played four games (nine total) at second base and committed no errors in 8 chances (one error in 20 total chances) and one game in centerfield and had no chances. Previously played one game at third base and committed one error in two chances. 
• 11. Yasser Mercedes, OF, FCL Twins: Did not play. (.196/.248/.381. .629 OPS)
• 10. Tanner Schobel, INF, Wichita: 5-23, 2 2B, RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 3 K, CS. (high-A/AA combined .265/.357/.447. .804 OPS), played four games (39 total) at second base and committed two errors in 18 chances (8 errors in 160 total chances), played three games (55 total) at third base and committed no errors in two chances (four errors in 109 total chances).
• 9. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Cedar Rapids: Prielipp underwent season-ending elbow surgery. (1.75 WHIP, .294 BAA)
• 8. Austin Martin, SS, St. Paul: 7-15, 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 5 R, 3 BB, 2 K, 3 SB. (rehab/AAA combined .260/.372/.382. .754 OPS), played four games in centerfield and committed no errors in nine chances and played four games (21 total) at second base and committed no errors in 17 chances (two errors in 89 total chances). Has also played four games in left field and committed no errors in 10 chances. (Not so sure we can call him a shortstop prospect anymore.)
• 7. David Festa, RHP, Wichita: 0-0, 1.80 ERA, 5 IP, 3 H, ER, 3 BB, 4 K. (1.43 WHIP, .257 BAA)
• 6. Charlee Soto, RHP: Has not played in a professional game.
• 5. Matt Wallner, OF, Minnesota: St. Paul (.291/.403/.524. .927 OPS); currently with the Twins.
• 4. Marco Raya, RHP, Wichita: 0-1, 9.00 ERA, 1.0 IP, 1 ER, 4 BB. (AA/Hi-A combined 1.20 WHIP, .212 BAA)
• 3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Cedar Rapids: 4-18, HR, 2 RBI, 6 R, 4 BB, 7 K, CS. (.228/.394/.448. .842 OPS)
• 2. Walker Jenkins, OF, FCL Twins: 7-21, 2B, 3B, HR, 7 RBI, 2 R, BB, 5 K, 2 SB. (.333/.371/.545. .916 OPS)
• 1. Brooks Lee, SS, St. Paul: 6-20, HR, 4 RBI, 3 R, BB, 3 K, SB. (AA/AAA combined .285/.355/.461. .816 OPS), played three games (88 total) at shortstop and committed no errors in 13 chances (14 errors in 355 total chances) and played one game (two total) at third base and committed no errors in three chances (one error in six chances total chances). 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTER - Danny De Andrade, Fort Myers. 

PITCHER - Louie Varland, St. Paul.

 

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[mikelink45]

The prospect list does not go down very far before it becomes a lot of question marks and not very exciting at this point.

 

[jorgenswest]

37 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

The prospect list does not go down very far before it becomes a lot of question marks and not very exciting at this point.

 

Is that typical for this time of the year? Several players have moved off the list and others haven’t established themselves.

I think it would be more valuable to have lists by age instead of rookie status. The Twins rank on 25 and under talent would be much better indicator on future of franchise than a prospect rank.

MLB had the Braves ranked number 30 to start the season but they have Acuna, Harris, Grissom, Strider, Elder, Stroker, Shuster…

[Dman]

De Andrade is doing what I always hoped Cavaco would do which is slowly improve.  It hasn't been an elite year for Danny and August has been his best month so far with an .858 OPS but each month looks a little better than the last one.  Add in the fact that he has a fairly balanced line with 13% walk rate and 23% K rate, and a solid hard hit rate and what he is doing right now makes his improvement look sustainable to me.  Oh and he is doing all that as a 19 year old in A ball where he is likely two to three years younger than the average age of competition.  This kid could be special but we will know more next year as it looks like he has slowly figured some things out.

Jenkins seems good for a hit pretty much every game and he gets the bat to the ball as his K rate is only 17% right now which is really good for a high school hitter in the FCL.  He hasn't walked much though so that will be a part of his game to improve at some point. He is off to a great start and yet maybe I am Home run bedazzled or maybe my expectations were so low that I am finding Winokur to be even more interesting.  While his K rate was hovering around 40% for a while it is now down to 34%, when he connects he does real damage. Of his 14 hits 3 are doubles and 4 are home runs. So while the K rate is concerning and something to be worked on he has done an amazing job barreling up the baseball and hitting it hard reaching his HR power in games which for an 18 year old is pretty special if you ask me.  Most 18 year old's are waiting on their man muscle to get to their power later, Winokur has his right now.  He is 18 and he will need to work on plate discipline and is likely blasting off against fastballs right now but for an off the radar 5 tool pick in the 3rd round he is looking really good right now in a SSS.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

The prospect list does not go down very far before it becomes a lot of question marks and not very exciting at this point.

 

Eh,  I would disagree and particularly on the pitching side.  You have 4 pitchers from last years draft in A+ ball dealing.  Culpepper, Morris, Lewis and Matthews.  Add in all the 2023 pitchers,  There is about 12 solid prospects that are not on the top 20 at all.  Also outside the top 20 are Williams, Prato, Funderburk, Stevenson.  No they are not elite prospects,  but they look like potential MLB players with the outside chance of succeeding similar to a Dozier, or even Arraez who was typical in the teens or twenties on the prospect lists.   Right now the depth goes about 40-45 deep in players that I am interested in.   12 of them are from the 2023 draft.  As a note in 2019 Julien was ranked as a top 30th prospect and Varland wasn't even in the top 40.  You won't have as many hits deeper in the rankings list,  however,  I think the depth is much stronger right now than what people realize.  

Granted we have had 2 more games not counted, but there should be a fire for Winokur,  if you are calling Jenkins the real deal,  right now he looks just as legit.  Both have good speed, compact strokes,  with plenty of power.   Yes they need to continue to improve their contact rates, but both of them are raking for their first taste of pro ball.  Winokur still playing at Center and SS is also very interesting,  may have bit more defensive versatility in the future, but ultimately likely a corner outfielder.  

I think what you are seeing is the international prospects for whichever reason, the Twins have not done well with at all at the end of the top 20.   They have tended to struggle individually and in the team settings.  There are a couple with some power potential but for me they are meh and for the majority way to high on the rankings.  

 

[terrydactyls]

"Mike Paredes struck out eight in four two-hit innings."

Did you intend to say that he pitched four innings and gave up two hits in each inning (a total of eight hits)?  Or did you mean to say he gave up only two hits in the four innings he pitched?

[roger]

Want to second Dman's comments about DeAndrade.  Remember being excited about him when he was signed to the big bonus.  Then didn't think about him a lot as his play was ok, but not special.  But I kept seeing his name in these daily reports a lot over the past month or so.  Kid is young, maybe he is just starting to put it together.  Does anyone know much about his defense?  Can he stay at short and be a good one?

Add me to the growing list of those super excited about those two high school bats.  It seems Wichita loses a lot more than they win, how in the world are they only a game out of first in their division?

[FlyingFinn]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

The prospect list does not go down very far before it becomes a lot of question marks and not very exciting at this point.

Not everyone agrees as it was posted yesterday on TD that one national site has the Twins ranked #11 out of the 30 teams for prospects.

[mikelink45]

2 hours ago, jorgenswest said:

Is that typical for this time of the year? Several players have moved off the list and others haven’t established themselves.

I think it would be more valuable to have lists by age instead of rookie status. The Twins rank on 25 and under talent would be much better indicator on future of franchise than a prospect rank.

MLB had the Braves ranked number 30 to start the season but they have Acuna, Harris, Grissom, Strider, Elder, Stroker, Shuster…

I say this in contrast to the lists with Lewis, Kiriloff, Julien, Miranda, Steer, Encarcion, Balazovic, Ober... That was when our farm system was rated near the top. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I say this in contrast to the lists with Lewis, Kiriloff, Julien, Miranda, Steer, Encarcion, Balazovic, Ober... That was when our farm system was rated near the top. 

I am not so sure a Jenkins, Lee, Rodriguez, Soto, Raya, Preilipp, Winokur, Martin, Festa is that far off.   The depth is where this current iteration shines they are not well known yet but Morris, Matthews, Lewis Culpepper from 2022 and Hall, Questad, Stoffal, Dougherty, Dun, Langenberg, Paqualotto, Lee, Hamilton, Bragg, Silvas, Bengard from 2023  - I think you have the potentially 1 of those pitchers end up as a #2 pitcher or higher and possibly 2 others as mid level pitchers or higher.  A through AA is going to be absolutely stacked on the pitching side next year and will be an absolute grinder and competition to get promoted.   

[Mike Sixel]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

The prospect list does not go down very far before it becomes a lot of question marks and not very exciting at this point.

 

What are you expecting? The following guys lost rookie status this year: Wallner, Lewis, Juien.....

The farm is right in the middle of rankings.....most clubs have question marks pretty fast on their lists. 

[LanceJS]

Glad to see McCusker doing well. Watched him in independent ball (Tri-City ValleyCats) the last couple years and was hoping someone would give him a shot. This update is much like his play at Tri-City - high strikeout total (fortunately not Joey Gallo-type numbers there) but exciting when he makes contact.  Liked his upside

[twinstalker]

I really liked De Andrade's swing when they signed him.  As opposed to Wander Javier's.  I wouldn't be shocked if he's someone who actually belongs in that #4 prospect slot, as much of a drop off the cliff it is (with Wallner not eligible anymore).

[mikelink45]

5 hours ago, IA Bean Counter said:

I am not so sure a Jenkins, Lee, Rodriguez, Soto, Raya, Preilipp, Winokur, Martin, Festa is that far off.   The depth is where this current iteration shines they are not well known yet but Morris, Matthews, Lewis Culpepper from 2022 and Hall, Questad, Stoffal, Dougherty, Dun, Langenberg, Paqualotto, Lee, Hamilton, Bragg, Silvas, Bengard from 2023  - I think you have the potentially 1 of those pitchers end up as a #2 pitcher or higher and possibly 2 others as mid level pitchers or higher.  A through AA is going to be absolutely stacked on the pitching side next year and will be an absolute grinder and competition to get promoted.   

I hope you are right, but right now it's too early to say that for sure. 

[mikelink45]

5 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

What are you expecting? The following guys lost rookie status this year: Wallner, Lewis, Juien.....

The farm is right in the middle of rankings.....most clubs have question marks pretty fast on their lists. 

I agree. I'm saying the same thing you are. It's just not exciting yet. Hopefully it will become more intriguing as the new player start to develop