Twins Minor League Report (8/24): Walker Jenkins Jumps Up

[Ted Schwerzler]

While there was action all over the Minnesota Twins farm systems tonight, eyes were on Single-A Fort Myers where 2023 first round draft pick Walker Jenkins was making a debut.

 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

TRANSACTIONS

• RHP Jordan Balazovic recalled by Twins

SAINTS SENTINEL 
St. Paul 10, Omaha 7
Box Score

Brent Headrick took the ball Thursday for the Saints and worked four innings of four-run baseball (three earned). He walked just one, gave up three hits, and struck out six on the evening.

St. Paul gave Headrick a lead to work with in the second inning. Yunior Severino lofted a sacrifice fly to left field, scoring Trevor Larnach. Hernan Perez then picked up one of his five hits in the game. His single scored both Anthony Prato and DaShawn Keirsey Jr.

In the third inning, the Saints were out to bury Omaha early. Keirsey Jr. hit his first Triple-A homer, and the three-run shot also brought Brooks Lee and Kyle Garlick home. Tony Wolters then added a two-run single later in the frame that scored both Severino and Perez. Through three innings, it was an 8-0 game.

Headrick's trouble came in a four-run fourth inning, but St. Paul responded with one of their own in the fifth inning. Perez singled again, this time scoring Keirsey Jr. Another single from Perez, scoring Keirsey Jr. again, making it 10-4 in the 7th inning. Omaha added a run in the seventh on their own and a pair in the eighth, but the comeback fell short.

St. Paul recorded 18 hits Thursday night, and Perez accounted for five. Andrew Stevenson, Garlick, Keirsey Jr., Severino, and Wolters each had a pair. Despite being his 1,645th professional game, tonight was the first five-hit of Perez's career. Stevenson's hit also set a new single-season Saints record, surpassing Tomas Telis' total in 2021.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 4, Arkansas 1
Box Score
Wichita, facing the top team in the Northern Division of the Texas League, sent Jaylen Nowlin to the bump. He turned in 5 2/3 innings of one-run (unearned) baseball. Nowlin gave up just three hits and a walk while striking out four.

Wichita opened the scoring on a Patrick Winkel first-inning single. Tanner Schobel raced across the plate, and the first four runs in the frame were home. Jake Rucker lifted a single to right field, allowing Winkel time to cross the plate. Alerick Soularie then grabbed a single to bring Aaron Sabato and Rucker home.

That four-run lead held up throughout the game, and the Travelers sixth-inning run ended unhelpful. Alex Isola didn't homer tonight, but he did have a two-hit game. Rucker had three hits on the evening as well.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 14, South Bend 8
Box Score
The Kernels turned to Cory Lewis on Thursday night, and he worked 3 2/3 innings while allowing three runs on five hits. Lewis did also walk a pair but got seven strikeouts in the contest.

After giving up two first-inning runs, Cedar Rapids got on the board when Andrew Cossetti went deep for his seventh big fly of the year. Noah Miller followed Cossetti's lead with a two-run blast in the third inning. Miller's eighth dinger of the year also brought in Keoni Cavaco. Jose Salas kept the scoring with a single that South Bend booted around. Emmanuel Rodriguez and Kala'i Rosario scored on the play before Salas chased them in. Up 6-2, Carson McCusker went deep for the fifth time to make it a 7-2 game.

Cedar Rapids gave one back in the bottom of the third inning, but they added again in the fourth inning. Miller tripled home Cavaco before Ben Ross doubled in Rodriguez. Leading 9-3 in the sixth inning, Rosario scored Miller on a sacrifice fly, and Ross brought Rodriguez in again with a single.

By the bottom of the seventh inning, South Bend inched closer to make things interesting. Cedar Rapids held on to just an 11-8 lead entering the ninth inning, but McCusker put it away with his second blast of the night. This one scored Cossetti and Salas to make it a 14-8 game and secure the victory.

Both clubs had 12 hits on Thursday, but Cedar Rapids was able to do more damage with theirs. Miller, Ross, McCusker, and Cavaco each had two hits in the game.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 2, Daytona 1 (F/10)
Box Score
After the promotion became official yesterday, the hype for Walker Jenkins to be in the Fort Myers lineup was here. He fared incredibly well in limited rookie ball action, and Minnesota decided to challenge him the rest of the way at Single-A.

Miguelangel Boadas got the start for Fort Myers and worked 4 2/3 innings. He allowed only an unearned run on four hits. Boadas didn't walk anyone and struck out a trio of Tortugas.

The Tortugas struck first with a run during the opening frame. Danny De Andrade answered with his 11th home run, a fifth inning solo shot. Needing extras, Maddux Houghton played hero on a sacrifice fly to score Jay Harry and walk it off.

Jenkins finished the night 0-for-4 but made contact each time he stepped in. Fort Myers had just two hits on the night, but they squeezed everything out of limited opportunity.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Jaylen Nowlin (Wichita) - 5.2 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K
Hitter of the Day – Carson McCusker (Cedar Rapids) - 2-5, 2 R, 4 RBI, 2 HR(6)

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) - 1-5, R, BB, 2 K
#2 - Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) - 0-4
#3 - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Cedar Rapids) - 1-4, 3 R, BB, 2B, K
#8 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 0-3, R, BB
#13 - Kala’i Rosario (Cedar Rapids) - 0-1, R, RBI, 3 BB
#14 - Yunior Severino (St. Paul) - 2-3, R, RBI, BB, K
#17 - Danny De Andrade (Fort Myers) - 1-4, R, RBI, HR(11)
#19 - Cory Lewis (Cedar Rapids) - 3.2 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 7 K
#20 - Brent Headrick (St. Paul) - 4.0 IP, 3 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 6 K

FRIDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Omaha (6:35PM CST) - RHP Simeon Woods Richardson
Wichita @ Arkansas (7:05PM CST) - RHP Marco Raya
Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05PM CST) - RHP C.J. Culpepper
Dayton @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) - RHP John Klein

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

 

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[Guest]

A five-hit game does not get you hitter of the day?  Tough break, Hernan!

[AlwaysinModeration]

My vote is Andrew Stevenson over Jordan Luplow on the Twins’ roster. (Even though he is a lefty.)

[FlyingFinn]

Nowlin is the Prato of pitching - move up a level and he plays much better, especially his control. Also, anyone else with me back on the Miller bandwagon? He is hitting great this month.

[Doctor Wu]

13 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Nowlin is the Prato of pitching - move up a level and he plays much better, especially his control. Also, anyone else with me back on the Miller bandwagon? He is hitting great this month.

Yes, Miller is looking very good lately, but as far as bandwagon's go, I'll also join you on the Jaylen Nowlin one. He's pitched very well at AA thus far. Hoping he keeps those walks down and continues to develop confidence ... and a few more strikeouts!

[jishfish]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Nowlin is the Prato of pitching - move up a level and he plays much better, especially his control. Also, anyone else with me back on the Miller bandwagon? He is hitting great this month.

I'm with you on Miller. It's too late in the season to salvage his overall numbers, but he's hitting .275 in August with an .860 OPS, which is really solid, especially given the reviews on his defense. Not saying he's a top 100 prospect or anything, but always good to remember that prospect development isn't linear.

I believe he was pretty young for A+ ball this year, so I wonder if they send him back to start next year, and if he proves this finish wasn't a fluke, pull him up to Wichita after 6-8 weeks? The jump from A+ to AA is pretty big, so I don't think it would be terrible to give the kid a little more time at A+ where he would still be young for the level.

[TwinsDr2021]

19 minutes ago, jishfish said:

Not saying he's a top 100 prospect or anything, but always good to remember that prospect development isn't linear.

 

He spent the whole year at A+ as a 20 year old, that is great, sure it would be nice to have better stats, but if he spends next year AA at 21, he is knocking on the major league's door at 22, and that is awesome. I don't think he currently is behind the development curve I believe he is ahead of it.

[Steven Buhr]

Couple of observations...

I agree the Nowlin performance at AA is surprisingly positive. When he was promoted, I was skeptical... he just hadn't impressed me in the several starts I'd seen in CR. But whatever the Twins minor league staff was thinking, they obviously got it right. Hope he keeps it up!

Miller's situation makes me smile. He's SO good in the field and everyone you talk to at the ballpark would say, "If he could just hit a bit better." Well... he has. And more than a bit. It's been so fun to watch him prove himself at the plate this month.

And McCusker. Wow. 6 HR in 13 games in CR. Extrapolated over a full season, that would be... um... a lot of dingers. Just a real feel-good story there. Hope he keeps it up as he moves up the ladder.

[roger]

1 hour ago, Steven Buhr said:

Couple of observations...

I agree the Nowlin performance at AA is surprisingly positive. When he was promoted, I was skeptical... he just hadn't impressed me in the several starts I'd seen in CR. But whatever the Twins minor league staff was thinking, they obviously got it right. Hope he keeps it up!

Miller's situation makes me smile. He's SO good in the field and everyone you talk to at the ballpark would say, "If he could just hit a bit better." Well... he has. And more than a bit. It's been so fun to watch him prove himself at the plate this month.

And McCusker. Wow. 6 HR in 13 games in CR. Extrapolated over a full season, that would be... um... a lot of dingers. Just a real feel-good story there. Hope he keeps it up as he moves up the ladder.

Thanks, Steve.  It is great getting your first hand comments about the kids in Cedar Rapids.  Cannot be happier to see Miller beginning to turn the corner.  Is his defense as special as some suggest?  Is there anyone who has come thru the league that you could compare him to?

[terrydactyls]

3 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Nowlin is the Prato of pitching - move up a level and he plays much better, especially his control. Also, anyone else with me back on the Miller bandwagon? He is hitting great this month.

I am. I am.

It seems like he's been getting multiple hits almost every night lately.

[Dave Borton]

Pretty bleak AAA Omaha attendance based on clips from behind home and right field/1st base.

[jmlease1]

2 hours ago, jishfish said:

I'm with you on Miller. It's too late in the season to salvage his overall numbers, but he's hitting .275 in August with an .860 OPS, which is really solid, especially given the reviews on his defense. Not saying he's a top 100 prospect or anything, but always good to remember that prospect development isn't linear.

I believe he was pretty young for A+ ball this year, so I wonder if they send him back to start next year, and if he proves this finish wasn't a fluke, pull him up to Wichita after 6-8 weeks? The jump from A+ to AA is pretty big, so I don't think it would be terrible to give the kid a little more time at A+ where he would still be young for the level.

I'm not quite ready to say that Miller is back as a significant SS prospect yet; he's had one good month as a hitter, 2 sorta ok ones, and 2 awful ones. He's on a really good run right now, and as you note: prospect development is not linear, so this could easily be him figuring out something and putting himself on a good track. but it also could be small sample size.

But it is important to remember that he's still pretty young and there's no need to rush him, especially with all of the infield talent we have in MLB and the high minors right now. If he starts out next season repeating high A it's hardly a crime. I think he's the 3rd youngest player at Cedar Rapids? (Behind Rodriguez and Salas) So it's not like it's a big concern if he slows down a little right now to get his bat where it needs to be with that quality defense.

Severino continues to have an excellent season. There are always going to be some concerns about him with the big K totals, but the power is real and he doesn't just hack at everything. I'm pretty confident we'll see him at Target Field next season unless he becomes part of a trade.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, Steven Buhr said:

And McCusker. Wow. 6 HR in 13 games in CR. Extrapolated over a full season, that would be... um... a lot of dingers. Just a real feel-good story there. Hope he keeps it up as he moves up the ladder.

Yeah McCusker is interesting.  He looks a bit like Winokur in that he is so tall.  Watched his last at bat On MiLB.tv and was going to write that he didn't seem have a good eye at the plate and that might be why the K rate is so high and then down to his last strike he hit his second home run of the game.  He has managed around a .900 OPS where ever he has been but the 35% or above K rate does lead one to believe he has trouble recognizing pitches.  Fix that and he would be an awesome MLB player kind of Judge like but eye at the plate generally is not easy to fix.

[DJL44]

1 hour ago, davidborton said:

Pretty bleak AAA Omaha attendance based on clips from behind home and right field/1st base.

Heat index over 100.

[LanceJS]

As one who watched McCusker play independent ball, I’m not surprised at his power. The only concern I have about him, then and now, are the strikeouts 

[Steven Buhr]

On 8/25/2023 at 9:59 AM, Dman said:

Yeah McCusker is interesting.  He looks a bit like Winokur in that he is so tall.  Watched his last at bat On MiLB.tv and was going to write that he didn't seem have a good eye at the plate and that might be why the K rate is so high and then down to his last strike he hit his second home run of the game.  He has managed around a .900 OPS where ever he has been but the 35% or above K rate does lead one to believe he has trouble recognizing pitches.  Fix that and he would be an awesome MLB player kind of Judge like but eye at the plate generally is not easy to fix.

I'm not going to make excuses for him, but I will say this much... he's had PAs where umpires clearly weren't adjusting their strikezones to account for his height. He clearly has higher knees than pretty much anyone, but he gets "shin high" pitches called strikes with considerable regularity.

[Steven Buhr]

On 8/25/2023 at 8:59 AM, roger said:

Thanks, Steve.  It is great getting your first hand comments about the kids in Cedar Rapids.  Cannot be happier to see Miller beginning to turn the corner.  Is his defense as special as some suggest?  Is there anyone who has come thru the league that you could compare him to?

I don't want to assign a comparable. But he's just one of those guys you start to take for granted. Somewhere around the 3rd inning, there will be an eye-catching play made at SS that will make you say "Wow!" Then, you're like, "Oh... yeah... that's Miller out there tonight."