Twins Minor League Report (8/25): Perez Again, Jenkins Walks it Off

[Ted Schwerzler]

After a night in which Hernan Perez recorded a career best effort, he did something else impressive on Friday. Walker Jenkins debuted on Thursday at Low-A going 0-for-4, but he was the hero with a big game on Friday night.

 

Image courtesy of William Parmeter

TRANSACTIONS

• UTIL Willi Castro begins rehab assignment with St. Paul
• RHP Alex Scherff transferred to St. Paul from Wichita

SAINTS SENTINEL 
St. Paul 10, Omaha 7
Box Score
Looking to get off the injured list after dealing with an oblique issue, Willi Castro started for the Saints on Friday night batting second as the designated hitter. Simeon Woods Richardson made the start and turned in six innings of three-run baseball. He allowed five hits and three walks while striking out three.

Omaha got up by a pair in the first inning, and added a third in the third inning. The Saints came out for the fourth inning and started to chip away. Jair Camargo singled home both Austin Martin and Willi Castro to draw within one. In the fifth inning, Hernan Perez blasted his sixth home run to score Gilberto Celestino and take the lead. Martin then stole third base and came home when the ball got away. DaShawn Keirsey Jr. kept things going with a double that brought Castro home and all of a sudden it was a 6-3 lead. 

After a 5-for-5 game last night, Perez made his mark on this one with his second homer of the game. A three-run shot in the sixth inning scored Yunior Severino and Celestino. St. Paul now had a comfortable 9-3 lead.

Castro is down with the Saints working to return for Minnesota, but with an option remaining, it’s curious if the Twins would opt for Martin instead. The key piece acquired for Jose Berrios has been on fire of late, and he’s a legitimate outfield option at all three spots. Although the Twins have returning players that will probably take September roster spots, Martin continues to prove his worth.

Ronny Henriquez and Kody Funderburk combined for three scoreless innings to close out the win. Martin was joined by Celestino and Perez with two hits on the evening.

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 11, Arkansas 1
Box Score
Despite his innings now being limited, Marco Raya took the ball to start for Wichita on Friday. He worked 2 2/3 innings allowing one run on two hits. Raya walked two and struck out just one.

Arkansas grabbed a first inning run, but the WInd Surge took a lead in the third inning. Jake Rucker singled home Yoyner Fajardo and Tanner Schobel to grab a 2-1 cushion.

The Wind Surge put up runs in a big way during the fourth inning. Rucker singled again, this time with the bases loaded, and he brought home Alerick Soularie and Ernie Yake. Not wanting to leave anyone on the bases, Alex Isola blasted his 18th home run. Fajardo and Rucker scored on the big fly and it was suddenly a 7-1 game.

In the fifth inning Wichita exploded again. This time they came up with four runs and made it an 11-1 game. Fajardo singled home Soularie before Schobel’s single brought home both Fajardo and Yake. Isola then added a single to drive in Schobel and the rout was on. Unfortunately, a ten-run rule wasn’t in action Friday.

Fajardo, Rucker, and Isola all recorded three hits apiece. Schobel added two of his own on Friday night.

KERNELS NUGGETS
South Bend 18, Cedar Rapids 2
Box Score
After the Kernels put up 14 on Thursday night, it was South Bend’s turn for a big outing on Friday. C.J. Culpepper was chased after just three outs. He allowed five runs on seven hits, one of which left the yard. Culpepper didn’t give up a walk, but struck out two.

Cedar Rapids was down after the first inning thanks to a five-spot by the Cubs. Kyle Fedko did triple in the second inning to score Misael Urbina but the run was quickly wiped out. South Bend added a pair in the second, third, fourth, and sixth innings. The Kernels sprinkled one more in during their portion of the sixth inning on a passed ball that allowed Noah Cardenas to score.

From there, the Cubs added another seven and made Friday night’s contest a complete laugher. It only counts as one win, but it was an ugly loss. Cedar Rapids finished with just four hits and no one recorded more than one.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 3, Daytona 2 (F/10)
Box Score
John Klein started Friday night for the Mighty Mussels and he was nothing short of electric. Throwing six innings of one-hit baseball, Klein didn’t give up a run. He did allow three walks, but punched out nine on the evening.

Similar to Thursday night, scoring was at a premium for Daytona and Fort Myers. The Mighty Mussels notched the first tally with a fifth inning single from Gregory Duran. Three throwing errors on the play by the Tortuga’s allowed Duran to come around for a little league homer. In the fifth Walker Jenkins picked up his first Single-A hit, a single, as well.

Nolan Santos uncorked a wild pitch in the seventh inning to give Daytona their first run, and a second came around to take the lead before the frame was over. Jenkins recorded his first Single-A extra-base hit on a seventh inning double, and with Luke Keaschall crossing the plate, he tied the game.

After going 0-for-4 last night, Jenkins stepped in with the game on the line. He picked up his third hit and drove in Alec Sayre to walk it off for the Mighty Mussels. His 3-for-6 effort was the only multi-hit appearance for Fort Myers.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – John Klein (Fort Myers) - 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 9 K
Hitter of the Day – Hernan Perez (St. Paul) - 2-4, 2 R, 5 RBI, 2 HR(7)

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, 2 K
#2 - Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) - 3-6, 2 RBI, 2B(1), K
#4 - Marco Raya (Wichita) - 2.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 1 K
#7 - Austin Martin (St. Paul) - 2-5, 2 R, 2B(7), SB(11)
#8 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 2-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
#10 - Luke Keaschall (Fort Myers) - 1-4, BB, 2B(6), 2 K
#14 - Yunior Severino (St. Paul) - 1-4, R, 2 K
#15 - Simeon Woods Richardson (St. Paul) - 6.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
#17 - Danny De Andrade (Fort Myers) - 1-5, 2 K

SATURDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Omaha (6:35PM CST) - RHP Randy Dobnak
Wichita @ Arkansas (7:05PM CST) - RHP Pierson Ohl
Cedar Rapids @ South Bend (6:05PM CST) - RHP Zebby Matthews
Dayton @ Fort Myers (6:00PM CST) - RHP Jose Olivares

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

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[Jocko87]

Martin will not come up in place of Castro.

Maintaining the flexibility of Castro's option into next year will be incredibly valuable and this late in the year you can't waste it.  They will be happy to pay a ML salary for the option next year.  That doesn't mean Castro won't have a set back in rehab.

[AlwaysinModeration]

5 hours ago, Jocko87 said:

Martin will not come up in place of Castro.

Maintaining the flexibility of Castro's option into next year will be incredibly valuable and this late in the year you can't waste it.  They will be happy to pay a ML salary for the option next year.  That doesn't mean Castro won't have a set back in rehab.

But couldn’t they bring up Martin if first if they wanted him as a possible post-season option?

[mikelink45]

I really question the wisdom of the limited use of Raya.  If he is going to be a SP he needs to build arm strength.  If they are convinced he is going to have to have TJ surgery then we are just putting off the inevitable.  2 2/3 innings?  

[Guest]

3 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

But couldn’t they bring up Martin if first if they wanted him as a possible post-season option?

I agree.  There is no reason the rehab assignment could not push the 20-day limit.  We're only days away from the active roster expansion anyways.

The more challenging issue is making room on the 40-man.  Probably DFA Luplow, though I guess most would still be calling for Gallo.  Miranda could also be moved to the 60-day IL.

[FlyingFinn]

33 minutes ago, Bill Tanner said:

I agree.  There is no reason the rehab assignment could not push the 20-day limit.  We're only days away from the active roster expansion anyways.

The more challenging issue is making room on the 40-man.  Probably DFA Luplow, though I guess most would still be calling for Gallo.  Miranda could also be moved to the 60-day IL.

Martin just needs to get on the 40 man by August 31 to be eligible for the playoffs correct? As you said, Miranda (or Alcala) to the 60 day IL and Martin on the 40 man. If Castro get re-injured, Martin is the speed guy we will need off the bench in key situations for the playoffs.

I think Castro will be back with the Twins on September 1. Kirilloff is apparently working out with the Twins on the field so he should be back. I think Buxton will be back sometime. We don't need to DFA Luplow, just send him down to the Saints. Then, the very logical move because we will have multiple guys at each position is to DFA Gallo.

[Guest]

2 minutes ago, FlyingFinn said:

Martin just needs to get on the 40 man by August 31 to be eligible for the playoffs correct? As you said, Miranda (or Alcala) to the 60 day IL and Martin on the 40 man. If Castro get re-injured, Martin is the speed guy we will need off the bench in key situations for the playoffs.

I think Castro will be back with the Twins on September 1. Kirilloff is apparently working out with the Twins on the field so he should be back. I think Buxton will be back sometime. We don't need to DFA Luplow, just send him down to the Saints. Then, the very logical move because we will have multiple guys at each position is to DFA Gallo.

I did not realize that Luplow had options remaining.  Since there are other 40-man solutions, I agree with you that DFAing him would be unnecessary.  Though, he will probably have to be DFA'd this fall anyways.

[Otaknam]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

I really question the wisdom of the limited use of Raya.  If he is going to be a SP he needs to build arm strength.  If they are convinced he is going to have to have TJ surgery then we are just putting off the inevitable.  2 2/3 innings?  

 

56 minutes ago, Bill Tanner said:

I did not realize that Luplow had options remaining.  Since there are other 40-man solutions, I agree with you that DFAing him would be unnecessary.  Though, he will probably have to be DFA'd this fall anyways.

I am not sure why they are so careful with Raya. Potential arm trouble? 

[OptimisticTwinsFan]

Walker Jenkins

[D.C Twins]

I could care less if Luplow has options left or not.... he is less than replacement level. 

 

[D.C Twins]

24 minutes ago, OptimisticTwinsFan said:

Walker Jenkins

Walker F-ing Jenkins!

[Jocko87]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Martin just needs to get on the 40 man by August 31 to be eligible for the playoffs correct? As you said, Miranda (or Alcala) to the 60 day IL and Martin on the 40 man. If Castro get re-injured, Martin is the speed guy we will need off the bench in key situations for the playoffs.

I think Castro will be back with the Twins on September 1. Kirilloff is apparently working out with the Twins on the field so he should be back. I think Buxton will be back sometime. We don't need to DFA Luplow, just send him down to the Saints. Then, the very logical move because we will have multiple guys at each position is to DFA Gallo.

I could see a move to get him on the 40 man but that doesn't mean he will come up, it just keeps options open.  With several others coming back from injury in line first he won't be jumping to the front of that list.

I like the idea of keeping him available for the postseason but he's a pinch runner, specialty type.  Break glass in emergency but not a contributor.

[roger]

Gotta like a young man who takes one game to adjust to a new league and then puts up a three-spot.  I cannot tell you how much I want this young man to be the next Mickey Mantle.

For all of you talking about bringing up Martin instead of Castro, it ain't gonna happen.  The Twins have three players on the IL who all should be healthy sometime in September, Castro, AK and Buxton, likely in that order.  One spot on the active roster will come from expanding it to 28 later this week (the other spot will likely go to a pitcher).  A second spot will come from either DFA'ing or optioning Ludlow to St. Paul (does he have an option remaining?).  That means there is one more move needed and I for one will wait to see what the front office does to create that.  Expect it will be some roster engineering as it will likely only be for a few days or a week.  It also could come from another injury or one of the three not being healthy enough to return before the season ends.

I also don't understand why many of you would prefer to bring up Martin rather than Castro.  Castro has been one of the Twins most valuable players this year.  A player who makes the team better when he is available to play either as a starter or off the bench.  Yes, Martin may have a bright future, but that can wait until next spring.

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Jocko87 said:

I could see a move to get him on the 40 man but that doesn't mean he will come up, it just keeps options open.  With several others coming back from injury in line first he won't be jumping to the front of that list.

I like the idea of keeping him available for the postseason but he's a pinch runner, specialty type.  Break glass in emergency but not a contributor.

Buxton and Kiriloff, for sure, but when?  Doesn't seem that either move is imminent.  

They have to make a corresponding move for Ryan today, probably Sands, Winder or Balazovic.  But, the expanded active roster is days away.  

I can see Martin getting time in the near future.  What he's done on both sides of the ball since this time in July has been pretty special, so I am unwilling to go along with the not a contributor comment.  If all he would bring to the table is pinch running, there wouldn't be even a discussion of a call up.  I just don't think that is the case.  .378 since July 25; 9 of 28 hits for extra bases; 19BB; not to mention the SB.  Seems potentially useful.

[Guest]

6 minutes ago, roger said:

Gotta like a young man who takes one game to adjust to a new league and then puts up a three-spot.  I cannot tell you how much I want this young man to be the next Mickey Mantle.

For all of you talking about bringing up Martin instead of Castro, it ain't gonna happen.  The Twins have three players on the IL who all should be healthy sometime in September, Castro, AK and Buxton, likely in that order.  One spot on the active roster will come from expanding it to 28 later this week (the other spot will likely go to a pitcher).  A second spot will come from either DFA'ing or optioning Ludlow to St. Paul (does he have an option remaining?).  That means there is one more move needed and I for one will wait to see what the front office does to create that.  Expect it will be some roster engineering as it will likely only be for a few days or a week.  It also could come from another injury or one of the three not being healthy enough to return before the season ends.

I also don't understand why many of you would prefer to bring up Martin rather than Castro.  Castro has been one of the Twins most valuable players this year.  A player who makes the team better when he is available to play either as a starter or off the bench.  Yes, Martin may have a bright future, but that can wait until next spring.

 

I agree with all of this, and I don't promote Martin as a slight to Castro.  But there is room on the expanded roster for both Castro and Martin until Buxton and AK are back.  If you get Martin on the 40-man, he's available for post season in the event of an injury.  And, the Twins haven't had many injury-free months.

Yeah, crush it Walker!  He does have a Mantle resemblance...

[Seth Stohs]

8 hours ago, AlwaysinModeration said:

But couldn’t they bring up Martin if first if they wanted him as a possible post-season option?

Martin is already a postseason option whether he's a Sept call up or not. 

And, as others have said, they're not going to call up Martin instead of Castro. 

[KBJ1]

Great to see young players like Martin & Lewis living up to their potential and not just a comedy routine. (See what I did there) . Castro comes back, but I totally agree that Martin needs to be on the 40 man roster. 

Then next year he and Lewis should do some comedic promos for the team!

 

[Guest]

1 hour ago, Seth Stohs said:

Martin is already a postseason option whether he's a Sept call up or not. 

And, as others have said, they're not going to call up Martin instead of Castro. 

Martin has to be added to the 40-man roster by Aug 31st to be eligible for the postseason.

[Mike Sixel]

3 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Martin is already a postseason option whether he's a Sept call up or not. 

And, as others have said, they're not going to call up Martin instead of Castro. 

How? He's not on the roster. Would you really rather have Luplow batting right now? Gallo, batting and playing center?

[Seth Stohs]

10 hours ago, Otaknam said:

 

I am not sure why they are so careful with Raya. Potential arm trouble? 

He's not a big dude. He's had shoulder issues pretty much every season since signing. Why would they not do this. It's always better to not have surgery if it can be avoided. Also, no rush. 

[Seth Stohs]

5 hours ago, Bill Tanner said:

Martin has to be added to the 40-man roster by Aug 31st to be eligible for the postseason.

Is that a new rule in the last year or two?

[Seth Stohs]

3 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

How? He's not on the roster. Would you really rather have Luplow batting right now? Gallo, batting and playing center?

Martin was in the organization for like 2 years. He's eligible. The Twins will have options to put guys on the 60-Day IL then, I'm sure. They have a couple now already. 

[Guest]

11 hours ago, Seth Stohs said:

Is that a new rule in the last year or two?

Seth - that is the general rule, and I missed the exception.  Teams can petition the Commissioner for an exception in the event of an injury to a rostered player, and if the replacement player was in the organization on Aug 31.  In fact, the Twins added Alex Kirilloff to the 40-man and active roster for the Houston series a couple years ago after Josh Donaldson got hurt.

[Fatbat]

I doubt the twins will decide to go younger as they layoff time creeps closer. It sucks cause Gallo and Luplow are just fillers where as the youngsters are exciting and talented. Randy Arozarena played out of his mind a couple years back when no one knew who he was. Austin Martin could have the same effect but nope. We got a Luplow. 

[jmlease1]

Nice run by Alex Isola. Wish he was catching a little more though; he's got a lot more value if he's seen as a real catching prospect, but he's only had maybe 15 games behind the plate this season. I'm liking his offense a lot, but it's starting to feel like he's not seen by the organization as a real catching option, and the bar is a lot higher to hit your way into MLB at 1B or DH.

Walker Jenkins ain't a lemon, that's for sure. Would love to see him finish the season strong at Fy. Myers and make it an easy decision to start next year there and see how high he can fly.

I'm a huge Austin Martin backer, and felt like all he needed was decent health to work himself back into the Twins plans. He's clearly there now. But I don't see any need to jam him on the MLB roster right now with so many guys coming back from injury. Let it play out. He looks like an ideal option for the OF for next season as a right-handed bat who can get on base a lot, add value with his running, and comfortably hold down any of the OF positions (and even fill in at 2B in a pinch). 

[gil4]

On 8/26/2023 at 11:57 AM, roger said:

Gotta like a young man who takes one game to adjust to a new league and then puts up a three-spot.  I cannot tell you how much I want this young man to be the next Mickey Mantle.

No pressure, kid

I'd be OK with the next Bobby Murcer (although I certainly wouldn't complain if we got Mantle.)