Twins Minor League Week in Review (8/14-8/20)

[Jeremy Nygaard]

The minor-league season is winding down. One team is already qualified for the players. Two others are in the driver's seat to earn a berth. Take a look at which teams are hot, which teams are cold and get updates on many players throughout the system. 

The Twins have pushed their lead to a season-high six games. Read all about it in Nick’s Week in Review. 

WEEK IN REVIEW 

Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 26-19 (3-3 last week) in the second half; In first place in the IL West by half a game; in fourth place in the International League.
• Overview: The Saints had a chance to separate themselves from Iowa, but struggled to a split with Indianapolis.
• 🔥: Yunior Severino  had a big week, hitting three home runs among his seven hits. He's shown to have a ton of power this season, but the strikeouts are and will reman a problem. He struck out 10 times in 19 at-bats this week. 
• 🔥: Simeon Woods Richardson  (five innings, two runs, six strikeouts) and Joe Ryan (rehab, four innings, one run, seven strikeouts) both had really good starts. Blayne Enlow also struck out three in two perfect innings.
• 🔥: DaShawn Keirsey (seven hits, triple), Austin Martin (six hits, two home runs) and Andrew Stevenson (six hits, two doubles home runs.) all had good offensive weeks. It was also nice to see Gilberto Celestino (five hits, double, triple) get back on track.  
• 🥶: Two starts for Randy Dobnak , but it was a rough week. He pitched 6 1/3 innings and allowed 12 runs (10 earned) on 19 hits and five walks. He struck out seven. 
• 🥶: Trevor Larnach  struck out 11 times in 19 at-bats. He only had one hit.
• What's Next: The Saints head to Omaha, who is currently in last place in the IL West.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 24-21 (5-1 last week) in the second half with a half-game lead. 
• Overview: The Wind Surge has won three straight series and been very hot since the promotions of their best three offensive players.
• 🔥: Pierson Ohl has been on fire. In two starts, he completed eleven innings and allowed only three runs on five hits and a walk. He struck out nine. 
• 🔥: Alex Isola and David Banuelos  had huge weeks. Isola had 12 hits in 23 at-bats. He had three home runs and scored eight runs while driving in six. Banuelos had nine hits, including three doubles and a home run. He drove in seven.
• 🔥: Travis Adams  allowed a single run on two hits and three walks over 6 2/3 innings. He struck out two. He had a no-hitter through the first six innings. 
• 🥶: Dalton Shuffield  was 3-for-18. He did steal two bases though.
• 🥶: Carlos Luna  allowed five runs on 11 hits this week. 
• What's Next: The Wind Surge head to Arkansas (18-26), the first-half champion, to try to extend their lead in the Texas League North.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 31-17 (5-1 last week) in the second half, four games ahead of Peoria. The Kernels have clinched a postseason berth.
• Overview: The Kernels got some separation from Peoria with a huge week.
• 🔥: Noah Miller  led the offensive charge with seven hits, including three doubles. 
• 🔥: Kyle Jones made a scoreless four-inning start. C.J. Culpepper, Andrew Morris, and Zebby Matthews all allowed one earned run in their starts.
• 🔥: Kala'i Rosario  had two home runs in his four hits and drew three walks. He did strike out seven times though. 
• 🥶: This is usually where you get a weekly Misael Urbina and/or Jose Salas update. They could both be here... but people are more interested in Emmanuel Rodriguez , who went 4-for-18 with six strikeouts.
• 🥶: Cory Lewis  gave up three earned runs in his start, tied for the most he's allowed with the Kernels.  
• What's Next: The Kernels head to South Bend (19-28). It's a match-up of the hottest team in the league and one of the coldest teams in the league.

Low-A: Ft. Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 22-26 (4-2 last week) in the second half, 9.0 games out of first place.
• Overview: It's been a turnaround for Fort Myers, who have put up a +24 run differential in the second half, but still find themselves far behind Lakeland, Clearwater and Bradenton. 
• 🔥: Danny De Andrade had another big week and jumped into the TwinsDaily Top 20 prospects. His two home runs led the team as did his six runs batted in and three stolen bases. 
• 🔥: John Klein struck out eight over six one-hit, one-walk innings and earned his first victory of the season in his best start as a professional.
• 🔥: Jay Harry had a very successful week at the plate batting .522 (12-23). He also led the team with three doubles and walked and struck out twice. As most college hitters should - with the elimination of short-season rookie ball - he's proving that he may be too advanced for this level. 
• 🥶: Miguelangel Boadas made a start, but couldn't make it out of the third inning before allowing eight runs on six hits, three hit batters and two walks. 
• 🥶: Maddux Houghton and Gregory Duran were the only hitters to bat below .200 on the week.  
• What's Next: Fort Myers will play host to Daytona (21-25).

Rookie: FCL Twins

• Overall: 23-29 (2-2 last week) on the season. 6.5 games behind the FCL Pirates in the FCL South. 
• 😍: Walker Jenkins didn't have a great week, but still had a very good week with some promising signs. Among his five hits, he doubled and hit a home run. Most encouraging though, is that he struck out and walked twice each. 
• 🔥: Brandon Winokur continues to strike out too much (four times in eighteen at-bats is good for him), but he keeps swinging. He had seven hits including three doubles and a home run. 
• 🔥: On a staff where only six pitchers threw more than two innings, Kyle Bischoff's week really stands out. In two appearances, he pitched seven innings. He allowed three hits and hit a batter, but surrendered no runs and struck out 10.
•  🤔: Devin Kirby made his professional debut with six strikeouts over three innings. Kirby is unique in that he throws a legit knuckleball. He's an undrafted free agent from Connecticut. 
• 🥶: Bryan Acuna (1-9, 2 K) and Byron Chourio (1-7, 2 K) both struggled this week.

Rookie: DSL Twins 

• Overall: 14-36 (0-3 last week) on the season. 26.0 games back in the DSL South. 
• 🔥: Javier Roman and Moises Lopez tied for the team lead in hits with four each. They both had a double as well. 
• 🔥: Yency De Jesus seems to get an update every week. He struck out six in four innings and neither of the two runs he allowed were earned. He only gave up one hit, but the four walks were too much.
• 🥶: Hendry Chivilli had another lackluster week, collecting only two hits in 12 at-bats. One of those hits was a grand slam, but two-thirds of the at-bats resulted in 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. Brent Headrick, RHP, St. Paul: 1-0, 9.00 ERA, 4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 ER, HRA, BB, 4 K (1.39 WHIP, .267 BAA).
• 19. Cory Lewis, RHP, Cedar Rapids: 0-0, 6.23 ERA, 4.1 IP, 7 H, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K (1.03 WHIP, .191 BAA).
• 18. Jose Rodriguez, OF, FCL Twins: 6-19, 2B, HR, 3 RBI, 3 R, 2 K, CS. (.257/.319/.410. .729 OPS)
• 17. Danny De Andrade, SS, Fort Myers: 5-19, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 7 R, BB, 3 K, 3 SB, CS. (.242/.357/.398. .755 OPS), played 77 total games at shortstop and committed 13 errors in 278 chances and one game at third base and had no errors in four chances. 
• 16. Jordan Balazovic, RHP, Minnesota. St. Paul: (1.60 WHIP, .261 BAA); recently optioned to St. Paul.
• 15. Simeon Woods Richardson, RHP, St. Paul: 0-1, 3.60 ERA, 5.0 IP, 4 H, 2 ER, HRA, BB, 6 K (1.58 WHIP, .263 BAA); Minnesota: (1.85 WHIP, .313 BAA)
• 14. Yunior Severino, 3B, St. Paul: 7-19, 3 HR, 4 RBI, 5 R, BB, 10 K. (AA/AAA combined .286/.363/.566. .929 OPS).
• 13. Kala'i Rosario, OF, Cedar Rapids: 4-18, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 2 R, 3 BB, 7 K. (.260/.373/.478. .851 OPS).
• 12. Yasser Mercedes, OF, FCL Twins: Did not play. (.196/.248/.381. .629 OPS)
• 11. Connor Prielipp, LHP, Cedar Rapids: Prielipp underwent season-ending elbow surgery. (1.75 WHIP, .294 BAA)
• 10. Luke Keaschall, 2B, Fort Myers: 5-19, 2 2B, HR, 5 RBI, 7 R, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 SB. (rookie/l-A combined .263/.430/.386. .816 OPS), played four games (13 total) at second base and committed no errors in 13 chances (one error in 33 total chances) and one game in centerfield (two total) and had no chances. Previously played one game at third base and committed one error in two chances. 
• 9. Brandon Winokur, OF, FCL Twins: 7-18, 3 2B, HR, 6 RBI, 3 R, 4 K. (.288/.338/.545. .883 OPS), played one game at shortstop (nine total) and committed no errors in three chances (two errors in 34 total chances) and played three games (seven total) at centerfield and committed no errors in eight chances (no errors in 19 total chances). 
• 8. Tanner Schobel, INF, Wichita: 5-21, 4 RBI, 3 R, 5 K, SB. (high-A/AA combined .263/.351/.436. .787 OPS), played four games (43 total) at second base and committed no errors in 14 chances (8 errors in 174 total chances), played one game (56 total) at third base and had no chances (four errors in 109 total chances).
• 7. Austin Martin, SS, St. Paul: 6-19, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 3 K, CS. (rehab/AAA combined .268/.373/.415. .788 OPS), played three games (seven total) in centerfield and committed no errors in five chances (no errors in 14 total chances), played six games (27 total) at second base and committed two errors in 20 chances (two errors in 109 total chances), played three games (seven total) in left field and committed no errors in four chances (no errors in 14 total chances). (This must have not been updated last week, so these are two-week totals.)
• 6. David Festa, RHP, Wichita: On the Temporary Inactive List. (1.43 WHIP, .257 BAA)
• 5. Charlee Soto, RHP: Has not played in a professional game.
• 4. Marco Raya, RHP, Wichita: 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 2.0 IP, H, 3 K. (AA/Hi-A combined 1.17 WHIP, .210 BAA)
• 3. Emmanuel Rodriguez, OF, Cedar Rapids: 4-18, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 R, 3 BB, 6 K. (.227/.390/.441. .831 OPS)
• 2. Walker Jenkins, OF, FCL Twins: 5-18, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 4 R, 2 BB, 2 K, CS. (.340/.380/.574. .954 OPS)
• 1. Brooks Lee, SS, St. Paul: 6-20, 3 2B, 3B, HR, 4 RBI, 2 R, 2 BB, 3 K. (AA/AAA combined .286/.355/.465. .820 OPS), played four games (92 total) at shortstop and committed one error in 22 chances (15 errors in 377 total chances) and played one game (three total) at third base and committed no errors in one chance (one error in seven chances total chances). 

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK
HITTER - Alex Isola, Wichita

 

PITCHER - Pierson Ohl, Wichita

Old tweet; still plays:

 

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Free Austin Martin!

On a more serious note, you gotta like what Pierson Ohl is doing. I also retract all the nice things I said about Dobnak two weeks ago (in my defense, I was traveling in Europe and was just in a good mood).

[Dman]

23 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Free Austin Martin!

On a more serious note, you gotta like what Pierson Ohl is doing. I also retract all the nice things I said about Dobnak two weeks ago (in my defense, I was traveling in Europe and was just in a good mood).

I was back on the Dobnak bandwagon as well. I really thought he was back on track.  Needs to find another pitch or another something but for now another season of lost hope.

 

[Dman]

So many good things to choose from but I am going to focus on Miller and his chance to have an .800 OPS in the month of August.  Just needs to keep getting a few extra base hits a week and keep that average and OBP up and he can do it.  If starts doing it consistently he will be back in the top 10 of the top 30 list.

Harry had a really tough start but A ball has been good to him.  Going .500 for the week isn't easy to do. Another week like that and I bet they move him to High A for the playoffs.

K rate has been brutal for a lot of my favorite hitters.  Hopefully they can settle back in and take some walks.

Ohl sure knows how to pitch. I am going to have to watch some of his games to see just how he does it since I don't think he has any plus pitches.

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

Walker, Keaschall, Winokur and Harry all having a pretty strong start to their professional careers.  

How about the entire starting staff at A+ ball absolutely on fire.    Just need better relief.     Ohl  is also doing very well in AA

Martin or Stevenson could provide a spark at Center for the Twins.  Would be giving up some defense for offense.     As to the pitching in AAA,  not sure anyone is really there to provide a boost for the end of the season run other than Funderburk.   

The minors have been fun to follow this year.  We seem to find the bats from all over the draft and the bat first catchers seem to be really hitting, even if they don't seem to stay at the catcher position.  

 

[mikelink45]

Dobnak is not MLB ready and will not be.  His star flamed out and now he is just a fun story.  Larnach seems intent on being an AAAA player which really disappoints me.   And Severino needs to be more than a minor league Gallo.

How will the Cedar Rapids pitchers do when they go up a level?  I hope they maintain their success.  Rodriguez is disappointing this year.  We need him to catch fire. 

 

[Tibs]

Danny De Andrade hasn't been talked about enough this season.

I see plenty of catchers in the system with some interesting offensive stats. How many of them are legit catchers?

[Otaknam]

18 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Free Austin Martin!

On a more serious note, you gotta like what Pierson Ohl is doing. I also retract all the nice things I said about Dobnak two weeks ago (in my defense, I was traveling in Europe and was just in a good mood).

The FO gave Dobnak an undeserved multi year contract. Good for Dobnak but that was always a head scratcher to me. 

[Hawkeye Bean Counter]

26 minutes ago, Tibs said:

Danny De Andrade hasn't been talked about enough this season.

I see plenty of catchers in the system with some interesting offensive stats. How many of them are legit catchers?

Isola is the backup catcher in AA.  Camargo is the primary catcher in AAA.   Williams is backup catcher in AAA.  Banuelos is the primary catcher in AA. Winkel is a backup in AA.  Cardenas is the primary catcher in A+ ball then the backup is Cossetti.  Nate Baez in A Ball is another to keep your eye on.  I think if MLB goes to the electronic strike zone you will see more bat first catchers - or at least catchers with a strong arm to stop stealing as pitch framing is no longer necessary.   We have ample players who can be back up catchers in the league.   When you look at the stats we may have the most stacked offensive catching staff of any other organization.   These teams are often being led by the catchers,  and we have spent minimal resources.  I don't know what they are doing but they are doing well with these players.  

[FlyingFinn]

30 minutes ago, Hawkeye Bean Counter said:

Isola is the backup catcher in AA.  Camargo is the primary catcher in AAA.   Williams is backup catcher in AAA.  Banuelos is the primary catcher in AA. Winkel is a backup in AA.  Cardenas is the primary catcher in A+ ball then the backup is Cossetti.  Nate Baez in A Ball is another to keep your eye on. 

Isola and Williams are emergency catchers only should they ever get to MLB. Winkel catches more than any of our guys in the minors so I would call him the primary catcher. Cardenas and Cossetti split time at catcher but also play a little at 1B and DH to get them more AB's, which certainly says the Twins like them. These last three (maybe Baez as well) are potentials. It's incredible that Vasquez and Jeffers haven't been injured at all this year so we haven't got a chance to see Camargo. The Twins must like this group as they didn't draft any catchers this year.

[jorgenswest]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Isola and Williams are emergency catchers only should they ever get to MLB. Winkel catches more than any of our guys in the minors so I would call him the primary catcher. Cardenas and Cossetti split time at catcher but also play a little at 1B and DH to get them more AB's, which certainly says the Twins like them. These last three (maybe Baez as well) are potentials. It's incredible that Vasquez and Jeffers haven't been injured at all this year so we haven't got a chance to see Camargo. The Twins must like this group as they didn't draft any catchers this year.

One of their top international signings is a catcher. He is years away but pretty equivalent to drafting a high school catcher.