Minor League Report (4/8): And Off They Go

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins have been playing for over a week now, but outside of their Triple-A affiliate St. Paul Saints, Opening Day was just a few days ago. With all of the full-season leagues having started, we’ve seen stats accumulate and professional debuts take place.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Randy Dobnak)

As many fans are accustomed to by now, the minor leagues take Mondays off, so there's no new action on which to report since yesterday's recap. However, there's plenty about which to talk going on in the farm system. 

Strong in St. Paul
The Saints rotation is going to be worth monitoring all year long, as they will be called upon to supplement Rocco Baldelli’s group. Toby Gardenhire’s squad owns a 5-3 record after their first road trip, and the starters have shown out through the first couple of turns in the rotation.

Brent Headrick has a whopping 15 strikeouts through just 8 2/3 innings, and Randy Dobnak is close behind with 10 in 7 2/3 innings. Both have looked sharp in their first two outings, and each has eyes set on a return to the majors this year. Simeon Woods Richardson has shown the same velocity that he had this spring, and despite misleading results from his second start, he’s been good out of the gate. David Festa has been handled cautiously to ramp up this season, but that leash should lengthen, and Diego Castillo is a name to watch as a bullpen option for Minnesota as the season goes on.

After blasting a bunch of home runs last season, this version of the Saints have come out swinging as well. Yoyner Fajardo, new to the level, leads the team with a pair of dingers, and DaShawn Keirsey Jr. paces the club with seven RBIs. José Miranda has cooled some after his torrid spring, but consistent hard contact is the only focus for him at bat. Playing third base was good to see after the shoulder injury that scuppered his progress in 2023, and he's now matriculated to the majors as an option off the bench, alongside Austin Martin.

We’re still probably a couple of weeks away from seeing Brooks Lee return to action, as he’s dealing with back spasms since the end of spring training. Trevor Larnach’s turf toe was more of a short-term injury, so the hope would be that he can return to St. Paul in short order.

Rosario Keeps Raking
If there’s one power bat to watch for Wichita, it is the reigning Arizona Fall League home run leader. Kala’i Rosario earned a promotion to Double-A this season, and the outfield prospect has looked right at home. Through three games, he has already homered twice, and both were three-run shots. He has seven RBIs, to lead the team.

Although the team has just a 1-2 record to show for it, the lineup has largely come out hot. Tanner Schobel is 5-for-11. Him putting up strong numbers this season at Double-A would be great to see, after he earned the promotion in 2023 after a great performance in Cedar Rapids. Catchers are something every system needs, and the tandem of Noah Cardenas and Andrew Cossetti are both worth keeping an eye on. Each has an extra-base hit to their credit. As expected, Emmanuel Rodríguez is doing Emmanuel Rodríguez things. He’s got two doubles, more walks than strikeouts, and four stolen bases already.

The pitching has been a bit slower out of the gate for the Wind Surge, but Marco Raya did make his season debut. Watching how he is handled this year will be intriguing, and there’s an outside chance he could make his way to the big leagues by season’s end. Travis Adams was the highlight on the bump through the first three games; he's the very best kind of organizational depth.

Kernels Come Home
Cedar Rapids played just two games in their opening series at Beloit, and are still looking for their first victory of the campaign. With weather postponing Sunday’s tilt, the Kernels didn’t have an opportunity to exact revenge for the pair of losses. Both games combined saw the Twins' High-A affiliate push across just a single run, and the bats will look to benefit from some home cooking. Misael Urbina is the only player with an extra-base hit thus far.

While both games were losses, pitching performances kept the contests within reach. Both John Klein and Andrew Morris looked lights-out to start the year; each put up six strikeouts in their first turn.

Maladies for the Mussels
Fort Myers started the year with a 2-1 record at home while hosting Tampa, but it was top prospect Walker Jenkins going down in the second inning of the first game that drew attention. After dealing with a quad strain during spring training, a catch against the center-field wall had him limping off with a hamstring injury. It isn’t believed to be serious, but he hasn’t returned to the lineup since and the utmost caution will be exercised there.

A pair of acquired prospects are leading the lineup in the early going. Byron Chourio came to the Twins in the Luis Arráez trade, and Rayne Doncon was acquired alongside Manuel Margot from the Dodgers. Both are hitting above .400 through their first 12 at-bats, and Doncon’s five RBIs lead the team. He also has the Mighty Mussels' lone home run.

Multiple pitchers made their professional debuts for Fort Myers in the first series. Both Ross Dunn and Jeremy Lee have shined, as well as a five-inning relief effort from Paulshawn Pasqualotto. Charlee Soto took the mound for his first big showing since the Spring Breakout game, and while he did give up three runs (two earned), he also punched out the side in a frame.

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Feel free to jump in with your own observations of the first weekend of minor-league ball, and to ask questions or offer takes on players of interest on the farm.

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[D.C Twins]

Pictures of Randy Dobnak make me irrationally happy. Great 'everyman' story and appearance. He also does great work in the community.

I'm not saying he will ever or should ever pitch for the Twins again.... but I will ALWAYS be a big fan. (and yes... I am happy he got paid... the Pohlads will be just fine without the 8-9 million)

[twinstalker]

Quote

As expected, Emmanuel Rodríguez is doing Emmanuel Rodríguez things. He’s got two doubles, more walks than strikeouts, and four stolen bases already.

No small feat for EmRod.

 

[Dman]

Too early to say too much about anything, but nice to see lot's of players off to good starts.  Hopefully things click for the outfielders as could use more depth there.  The pen looks like a weakness at all the affiliates this year except maybe Fort Myers as we just haven't seen most of those guys yet.  Starting pitching looks like a strength, but will have to wait and see how it all shakes out.

[FlyingFinn]

44 minutes ago, Dman said:

The pen looks like a weakness at all the affiliates

You sure were correct in your prediction of Wichita's bullpen last week. They blew multiple save attempts in one game. 

[terrydactyls]

Even on an off day for all minor leagues, I enjoy reading the farm system daily updates more than reading about the Twins.

[Dman]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

You sure were correct in your prediction of Wichita's bullpen last week. They blew multiple save attempts in one game. 

Hopefully I am wrong about them the rest of the way. 🙂

[nicksaviking]

3 hours ago, Dman said:

Too early to say too much about anything, but nice to see lot's of players off to good starts.  Hopefully things click for the outfielders as could use more depth there.  The pen looks like a weakness at all the affiliates this year except maybe Fort Myers as we just haven't seen most of those guys yet.  Starting pitching looks like a strength, but will have to wait and see how it all shakes out.

Like always, most of the best relievers the Twins will pull from the minors are still starters.

[Cap'n Piranha]

8 minutes ago, nicksaviking said:

Like always, most of the best relievers the Twins will pull from the minors are still starters.

Yup.  If you've already been converted to a single-inning reliever at Low A, you're probably best served to figure out what you're going to do after baseball, and figure it out fast.

[FlyingFinn]

Both Thielbar and Staumont pitched for the Saints tonight.

[Rosterman]

Headrick down. Was hoping he come up and pitch some long relief.

[DocBauer]

SSSS after only a handful of games for everyone, but just nice to have milb to follow and talk about!

Emma and Rosario off to hot starts is good to see. A number of starts from the rotation have been solid to good. The only really bad bat to start to the season seems to be Severino. But it's still awfully early.

I don't know what his future holds for the Twins...or anyone else ultimately...but it is fun to see Dobnak looking solid.

We'll have a lot better feel for how things are shaping up May 1st.