Twins Minor League Week in Review and Roster Rundown

[Ted Schwerzler]

Baseball season is back, and while the St. Paul Saints are the only Minnesota Twins affiliate to kick off action thus far, the rest of the rosters are being set, and players throughout the system are ready to get going.

Image courtesy of Grayson Wolfe, Twins Daily

Saints Start it Off
Over the weekend, the St. Paul Saints kicked off their 2024 season alongside the Minnesota Twins. Although Opening Day was pushed back until Saturday (and then delayed just a few hours), the grounds crew at CHS Field did an incredible job getting the playing surface ready to go. It was only two quick games before a road trip to Columbus, but it was good to have baseball back in Lowertown.

Pitching highlighted a 2-0 start for Toby Gardenhire’s squad. David Festa and Randy Dobnak combined to look great in game one, while Brent Headrick punched out eight in his start for game two. Austin Martin was originally slated to be on the roster, but instead was promoted to Minnesota as a replacement for Royce Lewis.

The unfortunate news for St. Paul is that both Brooks Lee and Trevor Larnach opened the year on the injured list. Lee is expected to be out a bit longer than Larnach, but both getting back to action soon would be ideal. Austin Schulfer, who also is on the injured list, is expected to join the club this week in Nashville.

On Monday, the Twins made a minor trade with the Toronto Blue Jays, acquiring infielder Tanner Morris for cash considerations. With that, the depth at St. Paul has been bolstered. A former fifth-round pick, Morris doesn’t hit for power or play with much speed, but walks a ton. He has played over 120 games at the Triple-A level, and the 26-year-old will join the Saints infield, and immediately raises their "guys who look like a slapdash fake ballplayer created via Photoshop" quotient.

Wichita Roster Unveiled
Pitchers: Travis Adams, A.J. Alexy, Scott Engler, Taylor Floyd, Regi Grace, Cody Laweryson, Rafael Marcano, Hunter McMahon, Jaylen Nowlin, Pierson Ohl, Marco Raya, Sheldon Reed, Miguel Rodriguez, Jared Solomon, Jarret Whorff

Catchers: Noah Cardenas, Andrew Cossetti, Jeferson Morales

Infielders: Jorel Ortega, Ben Ross, Jake Rucker, Tanner Schobel, Dalton Shuffield

Outfielders: Kyler Fedko, Carson McCusker, Emmanuel Rodriguez, Kala’i Rosario, Alerick Soularie

Fourteen players from last year's Wind Surge roster return to start the 2024 season. It is interesting that veteran pitcher Alexy is at Double-A, as opposed to being with the Saints. Raya is the top pitching prospect of the bunch, and will headline the rotation. Engler is a Wichita native, so a fun homecoming happens there.

Both Cardenas and Cossetti have turned heads as catching prospects, and the infield has some stars, too. Schobel logged 49 games at Double-A last season, following the promotion from Cedar Rapids. He'll look for stronger numbers this time around, and an eventual promotion to St. Paul should be in the cards if he shows well.

The outfield is home to one of Minnesota's best hitting prospects in Rodríguez, and Rosario led the Arizona Fall League in home runs in 2023 after being named the Midwest League Player of the Year. Soularie spent the season with Wichita last year and is a familiar face for manager Ramon Borrego.

Wichita hosts Frisco on Friday to begin their season.

Cedar Rapids Roster Unveiled
Pitchers: Kyle Bischoff, Miguelangel Boadas, Darren Bowen, Jordan Carr, C.J. Culpepper, John Klein, A.J. Labas, Christian MacLeod, Zebby Matthews, Juan Mendez, Juan Mercedes, Andrew Morris, Jack Noble, John Stankiewicz, Ricardo Velez, Jacob Wosinski, Gabriel Yanez, Alejandro Hidalgo (IL), Matt Gabbert (IL), Jose Olivares (IL), Connor Prielipp (IL)

Catchers: Nate Baez, Ricardo Olivar, Dillon Tatum.

Infielders: Keoni Cavaco, Rubel Cespedes, Danny De Andrade, Jay Harry, Luke Keaschall, Jose Salas.

Outfielders: Willie Joe Garry Jr., Gabriel Gonzalez, Agustin Ruiz, Misael Urbina. 

The Cedar Rapids Kernels return 15 players from their Midwest League championship roster. Graduations have taken place as players move throughout the system, but the High-A affiliate has plenty of big names. The squad is set to begin their title defense on Friday in Beloit.

On the pitching side of things, Prielipp begins the season on the 60-Day IL after a second elbow surgery last summer. Bowen was among the players acquired by Minnesota in the Jorge Polanco trade with the Seattle Mariners. MacLeod, Matthews, and Morris could be among the better rotation arms grouped together throughout the system.

Last season, Cavaco played just 63 games, as injuries held him back. He starts at Cedar Rapids again, and will be joined by notable prospects like De Andrade and Keaschall on the dirt. Minnesota is hoping for a bounce-back from Salas, who was a nice get in the Luis Arráez trade.

The Kernels outfield is where González will start, and as a fringe top-100 prospect, he could make it a quick stop. Last season in the Mariners organization, he played 43 games at High-A after earning a midseason promotion.

Fort Myers Roster Unveiled
Pitchers: Kade Bragg, Jack Dougherty, Ross Dunn, Ben Ethridge, Tanner Hall, Xander Hamilton, Aaron Holiday, Ty Langenberg, Cesar Lares, Jeremy Lee, Danny Moreno, Paulshawn Pasqualotto, Samuel Perez, Wilker Reyes, Nolan Santos, Charlee Soto

Catchers: Wilfri Castro, Cole Elvis, Poncho Ruiz

Infielders: Rafael Cruz, Angel Del Rosario, Rayne Doncon, Yohander Martinez, Isaac Pena, Brandon Winokur

Outfielders: Carlos Aguiar, Byron Chourio, Maddux Houghton, Walker Jenkins, Jose Rodriguez

The pitching staff has a bunch of 2023 draft picks on it, and Fort Myers is where top prospect Charlee Soto will make his professional debut. After throwing in the Spring Breakout game for the Twins, he has some familiarity with the mound on which he'll get going as a pro. The group doesn’t have a ton of professional experience, and will be exciting to watch.

It’s worth noting that the Mighty Mussels list Winokur as an infielder. Despite a possibility that he winds up as a corner outfielder, he has the ability to play shortstop and centerfield as well. The toolsy prep pick is one to watch, alongside Jenkins, out of the gate. Fort Myers has an impressive collection of outfielders as well. While Jenkins is the big name, Aguiar, Chourio, and Rodríguez all have garnered differing levels of prospect buzz.

Fort Myers kicks off its season on Friday at home against Tampa.

---

Which assignments interest or excite you most? What affiliate will have your attention most nights early in the season? Join the conversation with a comment below.

View full article

[Doctor Wu]

Another season begins and we can enjoy these Minor League Week in Review articles again. Great stuff! Speaking of one of the prospects, the Twins are a few decades overdue for another Cardenas on the team. Might this kid be the one?

[jmlease1]

Where is Cory Lewis starting the season? Didn't see him on either Cedar Rapid or Wichita rosters here. I hope it's Wichita; would love to have Lewis, Raya, and Ohl pitching there.

Call it a hunch, but I don't think Walker Jenkins is going to be at Ft. Myers more than half a season.

[FlyingFinn]

Wichita's roster was the weakest last year. NOT this year. Nowlin, Ohl, Raya and Adams in the rotation. E-Rod, Rosario, Schobel, Cardenas, Cossetti, etc at the plate. They should be very good. Cedar Rapids - you get to watch some great pitching (Matthews, MacLeod, Morris, Culpepper and Bowen in the rotation). Fort Myers - if anyone can hit in that pitchers league, it's these guys (Jenkins, Rodriguez, Chourio, Doncon, Winokur). Let the fun begin!

And as @jmlease1 said, Cory Lewis has to be added to one of these teams, presumably Wichita.

[mikelink45]

I love this type of review because I cannot keep track of all the prospects and you help me know where to focus.  Many new arms are unknown for me.  But somehow the bats we drafted (including Walker) in that last selection process really stand out - Winokur and Keaschall seem really good.  But how did Keaschall get put in a higher level than both Walker and Winokur?

With Texas playing their number one pick from last year I wonder how the Twins think of Walker and how fast he will rise. 

[FlyingFinn]

7 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

But how did Keaschall get put in a higher level than both Walker and Winokur?

College player vs direct from high school players.

[roger]

Ah, come Friday we can all sit back and begin following these young kids following their dreams.  Baseball is back!

[jmlease1]

7 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

I love this type of review because I cannot keep track of all the prospects and you help me know where to focus.  Many new arms are unknown for me.  But somehow the bats we drafted (including Walker) in that last selection process really stand out - Winokur and Keaschall seem really good.  But how did Keaschall get put in a higher level than both Walker and Winokur?

With Texas playing their number one pick from last year I wonder how the Twins think of Walker and how fast he will rise. 

Keaschall has 3 years of collegiate experience behind him already. Not really a surprise that he'd get pushed up faster than Winokur or Jenkins

[mikelink45]

Just now, jmlease1 said:

Keaschall has 3 years of collegiate experience behind him already. Not really a surprise that he'd get pushed up faster than Winokur or Jenkins

Thank you - that makes sense, but I expect Jenkins to pass him - maybe this year. 

[jmlease1]

8 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Thank you - that makes sense, but I expect Jenkins to pass him - maybe this year. 

wouldn't surprise me a bit, but that's more about how awesome Jenkins is than anything else. Real chance Jenkins flies through A-ball this season and gets a cup of coffee or more at AA. He's soooooo talented and appears ready for anything

Keaschall is still a really interesting prospect, though and had a very nice start. I could see him in AA by midseason if he keeps beating up on pitchers in Cedar Rapids..

[saviking]

Thanks, Ted. I had been wondering. It doesn't look like any of our minor league teams are stacked like Cedar Rapids was last year. However, each team has several players to watch. My eyes will be on Brandon Winokur and Walker Jenkins at Fort Meyers. 

 

[roger]

4 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

wouldn't surprise me a bit, but that's more about how awesome Jenkins is than anything else. Real chance Jenkins flies through A-ball this season and gets a cup of coffee or more at AA. He's soooooo talented and appears ready for anything

Keaschall is still a really interesting prospect, though and had a very nice start. I could see him in AA by midseason if he keeps beating up on pitchers in Cedar Rapids..

Had been hoping he would streak thru the system and get a late callup to the Twins.  Unfortunately, missing most of spring training and getting a late start to the season will limit him to spending time in AA with maybe a late call to the Saints.

[DJL44]

Did they finally release Sabato?

[FlyingFinn]

8 minutes ago, DJL44 said:

Did they finally release Sabato?

No. For some reason, the rosters are still missing a few guys. Like Cory Lewis.

[DocBauer]

Wichita looks pretty good, but Adams and McMahon need to step up their performance in 2024. They were selected 6th and 9th in 2021 so their experience is limited. But a ls older college arms, they need to begin making a move. The rotation looks good there. The offense has good potential. And I like seeing both Cardenas and Cosetti both there at catcher. Carson McCusker could be someone to watch. He's a big kid, 25yo, was signed out of the independent leagues by the Twins after falling out of pro ball. Lots of power potential. A late bloomer?

This time last year I was worried about CR and all the youth they had. They really stepped forward! They look really strong to begin with, including a tremendous pitching staff that should see a bunch of guys promoted to AA at some point. Catcher Nate Baez is really intriguing, but injuries slowed his progress so far. Nice to see him at A+ to begin the year. TONS of potential there. And he's going to share time with part time OF Ricardo Oliver too. Gabriel Gonzalez and Keaschall should help pace the offense, but there's also De Andrade and Misael Urbina there. Can Jose Salas rebound after a horrific 2023? This has to be Cavaco's last shot doesn't it?

Being in low A, Ft Myers is obviously the club with the least projectability as it's going to be HS kids, international signing kids, and a handful of college players making their debut. On the mound, there's some young talent, by my eyes are clearly on Soto and Tanner Hall right now. Soto is a smart, classy kid with a tremendous frame and TOP potential. Hall was one of the best all around pitchers in college when drafted, with great control, and pitching ability. He slipped in the draft due to velocity questions and didn't throw after being drafted. If he's added velocity, look for a quick rise in the system. When you have position players like Winokur, Chourio, and J Rodriguez it's hard not to get excited. But Walker Jenkins is in a whole different world. If his reportedly mild quad injury is good, look for him to be at CR by mid season, if not before. I don't think a cup of coffee at AA is out of the question. One thing that really interests me about Ft Myers in the upcoming season is the number of past international signings there, some who came via trade acquisition. Who steps forward in their 2nd and 3rd state-side seasons?

[LambchoP]

Where is Matt Canterino? I know he's hurt, but when he comes back they should just keep him in the BP. He could be a good weapon for the Twins this summer as s set up man if they can get him healthy....

[FlyingFinn]

35 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Where is Matt Canterino?

60 Day IL - If he even gets going this year, he will be starting as if it's the beginning of spring training. I agree with you, if he's helping the Twins at the end of the year, it will be in the bullpen.