Twins Minor League Report (4/3): Keirsey Crushes

[Ted Schwerzler]

Still the lone Twins affiliate in action for the next few days, the St. Paul Saints took center stage Wednesday night with an eye on another victory. Caleb Boushley shoved, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. stirred the drink.

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 6, Nashville 5
Box Score
It wasn’t a top prospect night featuring David Festa or Simeon Woods Richardson, but that didn't mean there was nothing to see. Caleb Boushley toed the rubber for St. Paul, and he was dominant during his first start of the season. Working against the club for which he threw over 135 innings a season ago, it had to be nice to put up an impressive showing.

Boushley went 5 2/3 innings, allowing just a single run on two hits. He didn’t walk anyone and picked up five strikeouts. Making his first start in the Minnesota organization after spending 2023 with his hometown Brewers (he's a native of Hortonville, in Northeast Wisconsin), it’s hard to argue that he could have put a better first step forward. Across 153 2/3 innings last year, Boushley posted a 5.11 ERA in 29 games (26 starts). This was definitely an outing the likes of which the Saints and Twins would like to see more.

DaShawn Keirsey Jr. kicked off the scoring in the first inning, with a single that plated José Miranda. The baserunner crossing the plate may not have been noteworthy, but the infielder playing third base for the first time since last season definitely was. Miranda was passed over in favor of Austin Martin when it came to a Royce Lewis replacement, and seeing how his arm worked across the diamond was a must.

After Nick Kahle evened things in the third, St. Paul went to work with intentions of providing some distance. Keirsey tripled home Jair Camargo in the fourth inning, and the recently acquired Tanner Morris doubled him home. Dalton Shuffield then recorded a double of his own to bring home Morris, and a Michael Helman single brought Yoyner Fajardo around to make it a 5-1 game.

A three-run dinger by Nashville's Isaac Collins made it a one-run game, but Miranda’s ninth-inning double scored Helman and gave St. Paul a little bit of room for error. Veteran reliever Diego Castillo was called upon to close it out. After a strikeout of Tyler Black, Castillo walked Brewer Hicklen. He did get Chris Roller to punch out, but a wild pitch and a walk to Collins set up an overcooked offering that allowed Hicklen to scamper home. Chavez Young then drew a walk of his own, and Yonny Hernandez followed with a free pass. If there was any question as to why Castillo has not been the pitcher he was with the Tampa Bay Rays in 2021, it was on full display tonight.

Toby Gardenhire wasn't impressed and turned the ball over to Michael Boyle, in hopes of grabbing the final out. He was able to induce an infield fly from Kahle, and even with Castillo putting the game in doubt, St. Paul moved to 3-1 with the victory,

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day – Caleb Boushley - 5.2 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 5 K
Hitter of the Day – DaShawn Keirsey Jr. - 2-4, 3B(1), R, 2 RBI, K

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#7 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) – Pinch ran for Alex Kirilloff in the 8th inning in Milwaukee

THURSDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Nashville (6:35 PM CST) – RHP Randy Dobnak (1-0, 2.25ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Wednesday’s game!

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[FlyingFinn]

Miranda playing 3B is interesting. Were we on TD just speculating he was done at 3B or did the Lewis injury change the plans? His bat seems just fine. Maybe the Twins are willing to have his defense at 3B for the first 6 or 7 innings of games, especially with Farmer and Castro not starting out very good from the hitting side (very SSS I know).

[Doctor Wu]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Miranda playing 3B is interesting. Were we on TD just speculating he was done at 3B or did the Lewis injury change the plans? His bat seems just fine. Maybe the Twins are willing to have his defense at 3B for the first 6 or 7 innings of games, especially with Farmer and Castro not starting out very good from the hitting side (very SSS I know).

I guess they are not ready to give up on the idea of Miranda playing third, or at least it could be some sort of Plan B scenario. But you are right; his bat looked good in spring training, so hopefully he will continue to hit and the Twins might find a way to bring him up again sometime this season. And hey, good to see the Saints win!

[mikelink45]

Miranda playing 3B is just part of the Twins strategy to create versatile players in my view.  Farmer and Castro have too few ABs to think they are going to have an off season.  I did like seeing Keirsey do well.  As I pointed out in another post if we need OF replacements I prefer players who have a minor league career in the OF to a player like Martin who can fill in there but has no real experience.  

And that brings up another question.  Martin has 3 ABs.  Will we damage him by letting him sit?  

[Ted Schwerzler]

2 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Miranda playing 3B is interesting. Were we on TD just speculating he was done at 3B or did the Lewis injury change the plans? His bat seems just fine. Maybe the Twins are willing to have his defense at 3B for the first 6 or 7 innings of games, especially with Farmer and Castro not starting out very good from the hitting side (very SSS I know).

He definitely is better at 3B, but the lack of playing there this spring has been concerning regarding his shoulder. Obviosuly it must not be a concern anymore.

[JD-TWINS]

14 minutes ago, mikelink45 said:

Miranda playing 3B is just part of the Twins strategy to create versatile players in my view.  Farmer and Castro have too few ABs to think they are going to have an off season.  I did like seeing Keirsey do well.  As I pointed out in another post if we need OF replacements I prefer players who have a minor league career in the OF to a player like Martin who can fill in there but has no real experience.  

And that brings up another question.  Martin has 3 ABs.  Will we damage him by letting him sit?  

Regarding Martin - that’s baseball. He’s the depth guy this Spring. Speed & defense is his current role to provide. He takes BP and he’ll possibly get swapped out by early May by Lee? I don’t think his playing a limited role for 3-6 weeks will set him back. He is much more active than if he was injured….

I like Kiersey’s speed and defense as well! Would like him to get a look at least by September if he keeps his bat progressing.

Agree completely on Farmer & Castro, might take 3-4 weeks & some warm weather games to get going……..it’ll happen.

Just developing Miranda for options as you state - not expecting him playing at Target any time soon.

[MplsFan]

I took the family to the game last night while we’re in Nashville for Spring Break.  We had a great time in spite of the frigid weather.  Couple impressions of players from what I saw:

Keirsey- best player on the field last night.  His AB that resulted in a triple was big time- worked like 7 or 8 pitches til he got what he wanted.  He had another one the first baseman was lucky to spear or he would’ve had a second triple.  Great speed and athleticism- could definitely see him in the Twins infield if needed.

Miranda- looked really good at third.  His arm was a cannon- clearly nothing lingering from that shoulder injury.  Looked good at the plate too.

Fajardo- didn’t do much at the plate, but really nice OF defense including a highlight where he ranged far to his right to catch a ball I didn’t think he could get (and then safely navigated the Sounds’ bullpen and the wall in foul territory)

Chris Williams- really nice first base defense.  He picked anything thrown his way.

Helman- arm seems stretched from Shortstop.  I spose he’s just holding that down until Brooks Lee is ready, but his throws came in weak and low to Williams.

Tanner Morris- what a nice pickup for Cash from the Blue Jays a couple days ago.  Nice approach at the plate and solid play in the field.

Dalton Shuffield- the “infielders in the outfield” bit is going to get old quickly as his play left something to be desired out there.

Boushley- that was awesome.  What a great pickup on a minor league deal for the year.  He’ll be quality for the Saints even if he doesn’t help the Twins at all.

 

exciting game.  Was great Boyle could finish it out.

[jmlease1]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Miranda playing 3B is just part of the Twins strategy to create versatile players in my view.  Farmer and Castro have too few ABs to think they are going to have an off season.  I did like seeing Keirsey do well.  As I pointed out in another post if we need OF replacements I prefer players who have a minor league career in the OF to a player like Martin who can fill in there but has no real experience.  

I think you're right about Miranda: the Twins definitely prefer to have players that can play multiple positions, even if they're going to most likely play at one. Having Miranda ready to play 3B if needed even if they think he might end up getting most of his time at 1B makes sense, especially if they think he can handle it defensively.

I disagree with you a little on Martin: he's had a fair amount of experience in the OF already; he's had about 2100 innings of pro ball and 1400 are on the dirt and 700 on the grass (most of it at SS or CF). He's a more than reasonable OF replacement.

[DocBauer]

I never bought in to Miranda never playing 3B again. Saying he was viewed mostly/primarily as a 1B was general "coach speak". I mean, his shoulder was rehabbing, Lewis was at 3B, Lee was in the wings, and Castro and Farmer are available. If you can hit, they will find a place for you. Additionally, a Twins roster shuffle also affects the Saints roster, as does injuries to Lee and Larnach. So you need to be flexible with your roster. 

It sure would be nice if Keirsey can keep this up. He was drafted high for reasons. I can see him being important depth if his health and advancement continue.

[bean5302]

Miranda is playing 3B because he's enormously more valuable, and much easier to roster if he can play 3B is my best guess.

His defense hasn't been great, but Miranda isn't really a platoon guy and if he can hold down 3B with a wRC+ 115ish bat, he's a young, cost controlled, 2.5-3.0 WAR starting caliber 3B. Valuable stuff either for the Twins or to another team with maybe an excess of starting pitching?

If he's at 1B/DH, he's a 1.5-2.0 WAR kinda guy. Good enough, but worth upgrading if the team has a chance.