Twins Minor League Report (4/27): Big Innings Help Kernels to Split, Surge and Mussels to Wins

[Seth Stohs]

It was a full day in the Twins minor leagues on Saturday. The Saints and Kernels each played afternoon doubleheaders. The Wind Surge and Mighty Mussels each put some big crooked numbers on the board to help them to wins. 

Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily (photo of Willie Joe Garry)

We are still incredibly early in the season. Over the rest of the week, there will be several pitchers making their first starts of the season for their Twins’ affiliate, but there are already lots of storylines to follow. While we don’t really have any reason to look at the standings for a couple of months, I’ll include it anyway.  

CURRENT W-L Records
Minnesota Twins: 13-13 
St. Paul Saints: 10-15 
Wichita Wind Surge: 7-13 
Cedar Rapids Kernels: 10-10
Fort Myers Mighty Mussels: 8-12    

Let’s get to the report. As always, please feel free to discuss and ask questions. 

TRANSACTIONS
Following their game on Friday night, the Saints placed Will Holland on the 7-Day Injured List. On Saturday morning, they announced that Michael Helman was being activated from the IL in between games. 

Aaron Sabato began a rehab assignment with the Mighty Mussels on Saturday. 

SAINTS SENTINEL
Game 1: St. Paul 2, Rochester 3
Box Score
Twin Cities weather on Friday night forced a postponement, but the weather was just fine for the Saints and Red Wings to play two games on Saturday afternoon. 

Louie Varland started and gave up only one run on four hits and a walk. He had five strikeouts. A first-hand report from Twins Daily’s Nick Nelson at CHS Field indicates that the first inning was a bit rough, but he got out of it and was much better the next four innings.   

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That said, he did get a little help from DaShawn Keirsey who, in the fourth inning came up with the play of the day, robbing Travis Blankenhorn of a homer.  

 

 

The Saints tied up the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the fourth when Alex Isola singled in Jair Camargo. At that point, Isola had the only two hits for the Saints. 

Jhoan Duran looked tremendous in his second rehab outing. He struck out two of the three batters that he faced and worked with a fastball 100-102 mph. 

 

 

So, the game remained tied until the top of the seventh. Ronny Henriquez gave up two runs on four hits. 

In the bottom of the inning, Isola doubled for his third hit of the game. The next two batters got out. Anthony Prato lined a single and Isola went to third. DaShawn Keirsey singled to score Isola and cut the deficit to just one. Unfortunately, a flyout ended the inning and the game. 

Game 2: St. Paul 7, Rochester 8
Box Score
The second game was a bit different than the first. Yet, there were nearly as many zeroes on the scoreboard. This game had a few big innings that made it look more offensive than it may have been. 

The Saints took the early lead in the bottom of the second when Chris Williams lined a single up the middle to score Matt Wallner. 

 

 

Randy Dobnak started the game by putting three zeroes on the board. However, he gave up four runs in the fourth inning and three runs in the fifth inning. In total, he was charged with seven runs (5 earned) on seven hits and a walk over five innings. The big hit he allowed was the final hit he allowed, a two-run homer to #OldFriend Travis Blankenhorn (who ended the game with a .301 average and a 1.038 OPS). 

However, down 7-1 going to the bottom of the fifth frame, the Saints mounted a pretty impressive comeback. It started with a Tony Kemp walk. He advanced to third on Patrick Winkel’s double. Diego A. Castillo singled to drive in Kemp. Yoyner Fajardo knocked a double to drive in Winkel. Anthony Prato walked. After a pitching change, Castillo scored on a sacrifice fly by DaShawn Keirsey. Michael Helman came up with two on base and launched his second homer of the season, a three-run blast that evened the score at 7-7.  

 

 

Josh Staumont came in for the sixth. His outing started out with a double and a single. With runners on first and third, he got a big strikeout. But Darren Baker his a sacrifice fly to put the Red Wings back on top. Over two innings, Staumont gave up one run on three hits. He had no walks and struck out three batters. 

The Saints were unable to counter over the final two innings. 

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Wichita 5, San Antonio 3                                                                                                                                                                                                             Box Score
Jaylen Nowlin remains a very intriguing pitching prospect. Whether he is able to remain a starting pitcher or eventually is moved to the bullpen, he is certainly one to watch. In this game, the lefty gave up two runs on six hits over five innings. He walked three and struck out three. He has really good stuff but occasional bouts of wildness. Of his 76 pitches, he threw just 42 strikes. 

Hunter McMahon came on and gave up one hit over two scoreless innings. Miguel Rodriguez gave up one run on two hits in his innings. Jared Solomon recorded the save. He had a hit batter and two strikeouts in a scoreless ninth frame. 

The Surge got on the board first when Ben Ross drove in Carson McCusker on a sacrifice fly.  

After the Missions tied the score in the fourth, the Surge put two on the board in the top of the fifth inning. Jorel Ortega scored on Tanner Schobel’s first triple of the season. Then Schobel scored on a ground-rule double off the bat of Andrew Cossetti. The Missions scored one in the bottom of the fifth. 

With just a one-run lead through six frames, the Surge put another two-spot on the scoreboard in the top of the seventh. With Ortega on third and Schobel on second, Jeferson Morales hit a sacrifice fly to score Ortega. Soon after, Schobel scored on a wild pitch. The Missions did score one in the bottom of the eighth, but that was it. The Surge won on the road again. 

Morales went 2-for-4. Jake Rucker was 2-for-4 with his fourth double. Ortega was 2-for-4 with his second double. Tanner Schobel hit his first triple and walked once. Rucker, Ortega, and Schobel each had a stolen base. 

For the third straight game, Emmanuel Rodriguez did not play. He left the game on Wednesday night after a head-first slide on a successful stolen base. He came out of the game (hand/wrist) and has been “day-to-day” since. With the standard day off on Monday, I would expect that E-Rod won’t play on Sunday and be back in the lineup on Tuesday. 

KERNELS NUGGETS
Game 1: Cedar Rapids 4, Beloit 9 (8 innings)
Box Score
Hard to believe that this was a 2-2 ballgame going into extra innings. 

C.J. Culpepper started the first game on Saturday afternoon for the Kernels. He struggled a bit in the first inning. It started with a triple and a walk. In all, two runs scored, but it could have been worse. Culpepper was on the edge of being removed from the game, but he ended that first inning with 28 pitches. 

Fortunately, Culpepper really settled in after that. His final line shows that he gave up two runs on two hits and three walks over five innings. He had five strikeouts. After the first inning, Culpepper faced just 12 batters over the next four innings. He gave up a walk, and that runner was erased by a double play.   

Gabriel Yanez gave up three hits over two scoreless innings. He had two strikeouts. 

In the bottom of the third inning, Misael Urbina launched a long home run to left to cut the deficit in half. Then in the bottom of the sixth frame, Gabriel Gonzalez hit a triple over the center fielder’s head. Rubel Cespedes followed with a single to center to tie the game. 

Both teams went scoreless in the seventh inning, so the game went to overtime! 

Jacob Wosinski came on to start the eighth inning for the Kernels. Coming into the game, he had allowed only an unearned run on six hits and three walks over 10 1/3 innings. I have to say that because this outing did not go well for him. Two batters into the inning, Yiddi Cappe launched a three-run homer. Then Wosinski gave up a single and a walk before Josh Zamora lined another three-run homer which gave the Sky Carp an 8-2 lead. After a strikeout, Wosinski gave up a double. Then after a ground out, he gave up a triple to make it 9-2. At that point, Keoni Cavaco came in for the second time within the past week. He got a groundout to end the inning. 

The Kernels got RBI doubles from Agustin Ruiz and Rubel Cespedes to cut the deficit to 9-4, but that’s where it ended. 

Cespedes continues to rake with two hits and two RBI. He’s hitting .375 with a 1.116 OPS and leads the team with 21 RBI. 

Game 2: Cedar Rapids 1, Beloit 8 
Box Score
The Kernels bats put together two big innings in Game 2 to give Darren Bowen his first win in the Twins organization. 

Bowen came to the Twins in early February from the Mariners in the Jorge Polanco trade. He worked five innings in this game. He was charged with one run on three hits. He walked three and struck out four batters. Ricardo Velez threw two scoreless innings to complete the game and earn his fourth save. 

Velez came into the game in the sixth inning, looking to hold a 3-1 lead. Then the Kernels put up six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to give Velez a more-relaxed save.  

Let’s start with the three-run second inning. Willie Joe Garry came up with the bases loaded and lined a single to left field. It drove in Jay Harry and Agustin Ruiz. Keoni Cavaco grounded to short. Garry was out at second, but Cavaco beat the throw to first, allowing the third run to score. 

Garry got it going for the Kernels in the sixth inning too. His single to right field drove in Nate Baez. Soon after, Gabriel Gonzalez hit a double to left that scored Garry and Luke Keaschall. Ricardo Olivar followed with a double to score Gonzalez with the seventh run. Jay Harry singled to drive in Olivar with the fifth run of the inning and their eighth run of the game. 

Willie Joe Garry led the way. He went 2-for-3 and drove in three runs. He also stole two bases. Olivar went 2-for-4 with his sixth double. Jay Harry went 2-for-4. Keaschall, Gonzalez and Baez each had a hit and a walk. 

MUSSEL MATTERS
Fort Myers 8, Palm Beach 6
Box Score
The Mighty Mussels scored five runs in the first innings and held on for the win. 

Maddux Houghton led the first inning off with a single and stole second. Rehabbing Aaron Sabato walked. Rayne Doncon singled to load the bases. Brandon Winokur lined a single to left that drove in Houghton and Sabato. Doncon went to third base on a throwing error. So, Winokur stole second. Jose Rodriguez drove in the third run of the inning with a sacrifice fly. Gregory Duran doubled to score Winokur. Wilfri Castro switched places with Duran for the inning’s fifth and final run. 

 

 

The Cardinals scored three runs in the top of the third, but the Mussels responded with one in the bottom of the inning. Castro drove in Winokur with the sixth run. 

Palm Beach scored single runs in the sixth and seventh innings. The Mussels responded with two runs in the bottom of the seventh. Jose Rodriguez drove in both Houghton and Doncon with his seventh double. 

Paulshawn Pasqualotto started and worked the first four innings. He gave up three runs (2 earned) on nine hits and a walk. He had two strikeouts. Lefty Sam Perez gave up one run on five hits over two innings. Danny Moreno gave up two runs (1 earned) on two hits and a walk over 2 1/3 innings. Juan Bonilla got the final two outs to record his second save. 

Houghton led off and went 3-for-4 with a walk and his fifth double. He stole his fourth base. Winokur was 3-for-4 with his fifth double and his fifth stolen base. Ohh! And he also threw out a runner at home.  Doncon went 2-for-4. Duran was 2-for-4 with his first double. Castro went 2-for-3 with a walk and his second double. 

 

 

In his first rehab game, Sabato batted second and DHd. He went 0-for-4 with a walk and two strikeouts. 

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Hitter of the Day – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) - 2-for-4, 2B(5), 2 R, 2 RBI, SB(5).  
Pitcher of the Day – Darren Bowen (Cedar Rapids) - 5 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 3 BB, 4 K, HBP, 84 strikes, 49 pitches (58.3%).  

 

PROSPECT SUMMARY
Check out the Prospect Tracker for much more on the Twins Top 20 prospects after seeing how they did on Wednesday. 

#4 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – Game 1: 1-for-4, 3B(1), R. Game 2: 1-for-3, BB, 2B(8), R, RBI, BB, K. 
#7 – Austin Martin (Minnesota) - 1-for-5, 2B(6), R, K
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 3-for-4, 2B(5), 2 R, 2 RBI, SB(5). (played CF, outfield assist)
#11 - Tanner Schobel (Wichita) - 1-for-4, BB, 3B(1), 2 R, RBI, K, SB(2).
#12 – Luke Keaschall (Cedar Rapids) – Game 1: 0-for-4. (played CF), Game 2: 1-for-2, BB, HBP, R (played 2B)
#13 - Kala’i Rosario (Wichita) - 0-for-4, 2 K.
#14 - C.J. Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) - Game 1: 5 IP, 2 H, 2 ER, 3 BB, 5 K, 78 pitches, 44 strikes.
#15 – Danny De Andrade (Cedar Rapids) – Game 1: 0-for-3, HBP. Game 2: 0-for-4, 2 K.
#16 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – Game 1: 0-for-3, K. Game 2: DNP.
#19 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – Game 1: 1-for-3, BB (caught), Game 2: 2-for-4, 2B(6), R, RBI, 2 K (DHd)

SUNDAY’S SCHEDULE AND PITCHING PROBABLES
Rochester @ St. Paul (2:07 PM CST) - RHP David Festa (1.72 ERA)
Wichita @ San Antonio (1:05 PM CST) - RHP Nick Wittgren (0-0, -.-- ERA)
Beloit @ Cedar Rapids (1:05 PM CST) - TBD
Palm Beach @ Fort Myers (11:05 AM CST) - RHP Ty Langenberg (0-1, 6.30 ERA)

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Saturday’s games or any other Twins minor league topics! 

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[Doctor Wu]

Another excellent report, Seth, Thanks for that and the videos. What a catch in center by Keirsey! And lots of other encouraging performances by players across the system. Hope to see more of these youngsters called up later this season. 

[nclahammer]

Awesome report Seth & TD.  A cup of coffee and Twins Daily, the perfect way to start your morning.

[FlyingFinn]

Nice starts by Nowlin, Culpepper, Bowen and Varland. After the 44 pitches by Raya and some saying the Twins don't let any of their starters throw many pitches, I've started watching that. Results - Varland 83, Dobnak 89 (63 for strikes!), Nowlin 76, Culpepper 78, Bowen 84, and Pasqualotto 86 (60 for strikes).

Maddux Houghton really has good numbers in his repeat of low A (.423 BA, 1.203 OPS, 4 SB). Probably not enough to beat the still on fire Cespedes (.375 BA, 1.116 OPS) for hitter of the month as he didn't play much early.

[D.C Twins]

Cavaco to the mound not a bad idea.... complete bust otherwise...

Cespedes just waiting on the call up....

[terrydactyls]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Nice starts by Nowlin, Culpepper, Bowen and Varland. After the 44 pitches by Raya and some saying the Twins don't let any of their starters throw many pitches, I've started watching that. Results - Varland 83, Dobnak 89 (63 for strikes!), Nowlin 76, Culpepper 78, Bowen 84, and Pasqualotto 86 (60 for strikes).

Those pitch counts make the handling of Raya even more questionable.  Let the guy pitch!

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

That catch was insane! And Brandon Winokur is going to shoot up some prospect lists by the end of the year I suspect. He is a stud. 19 years old in a tough hitting league and holding his own so far while playing critical positions in the field. That draft could be an all timer if Jenkins, Keaschall and Winokur all make it and contribute. 

[jmlease1]

30 minutes ago, Ghost of Kirby Puckett said:

That catch was insane! And Brandon Winokur is going to shoot up some prospect lists by the end of the year I suspect. He is a stud. 19 years old in a tough hitting league and holding his own so far while playing critical positions in the field. That draft could be an all timer if Jenkins, Keaschall and Winokur all make it and contribute. 

I like Winokur and he's an interesting prospect, but I'm definitely concerned about his Ks. He's also only at 5 BB on the season, so he's got to improve his ability to control the strike zone. Yes, it's a more difficult hitting environment, but he's also swinging at everything.

[Otaknam]

Nowlin has 91 walks in 191 minor league innings with a WHIP of 1.403. So unless he is a reincarnation of Randy Johnson I am not as optimistic that he is an intriguing prospect, despite being a lefty. 

[Fatbat]

Winokur needs to go to the Julien school of patient swinging but what a young stud!!!

Any updates on Jenkins and Lee? 

[FlyingFinn]

1 hour ago, Otaknam said:

Nowlin has 91 walks in 191 minor league innings with a WHIP of 1.403. So unless he is a reincarnation of Randy Johnson I am not as optimistic that he is an intriguing prospect, despite being a lefty. 

Who has the better chance of making the majors - Nowlin or Pierson Ohl? Ohl has walked 35 in 240 innings. SO's - Ohl 231, Nowlin 236. Hits - Ohl 238, Nowlin 178. IIRC - Ohl throws in the low 90's, Nowlin in the upper 90's. Nowlin has to reduce his walks but Ohl has to increase his velocity or else the MLB hitters would just foul off everything until they got a mistake pitch. I think it's easier to increase control than add velo so I would say Nowlin has the better chance. Many disagree. Interesting to watch that variation at Wichita I'm sure.

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

2 hours ago, jmlease1 said:

I like Winokur and he's an interesting prospect, but I'm definitely concerned about his Ks. He's also only at 5 BB on the season, so he's got to improve his ability to control the strike zone. Yes, it's a more difficult hitting environment, but he's also swinging at everything.

He's 19. I repeat, 19! In the FSL.

[MN_ExPat]

On 4/28/2024 at 11:21 AM, Fatbat said:

Winokur needs to go to the Julien school of patient swinging but what a young stud!!!

Any updates on Jenkins and Lee? 

I was just thinking about that this morning (Jenkins).  Park posted the other day that it looks like Lee might miss up to another month (herniated disk), but I've only heard crickets as far as Jenkins goes 🤷‍♂️.

@Seth Stohs, have you heard anything Seth??