Twins Minor League Week in Review (5/13-5/19): Kernels Sweep the Week; Top Prospects Returning Soon

[Ted Schwerzler]

Monday brought great news for top prospects with both Brooks Lee and Walker Jenkins returning to action. There were more than a few impressive performances last week, but it was the team results for the Cedar Rapids Kernels that paced the Minnesota Twins farm system. A perfect 6-0 was the opposite of what the big league team was able to accomplish.

 

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints (photo of Michael Helman)

TRANSACTIONS

• OF Walker Jenkins assigned to FCL Twins on MiLB rehab
• SS Brooks Lee assigned to FCL Twins on MiLB rehab
• RHP Andrew Huffman assigned to FCL Twins
• RHP Andrew Morris promoted to Double-A Wichita from Cedar Rapids
• IF Rayne Doncon promoted to Cedar Rapids
• RHP Jeremy Lee promoted to Cedar Rapids
• OF Willie Joe Garry Jr. released by Twins

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Twins 5, FCL Braves 2
Box Score

The big news for the FCL Twins today was both Brooks Lee and Walker Jenkins being in the lineup. The former batted leadoff while playing shortstop and the latter hit second as the designated hitter. Lee had yet to play this season after dealing with back spasms that turned out to be a herniated disc, and Jenkins left the first game after suffering a hamstring injury.

Through their first three plate appearances, neither Lee or Jenkins had a base hit, though the latter drew a walk his third time up.

After getting down 1-0, the Twins got to work. Ariel Castro doubled home Dameury Pena in the 3rd inning to tie things up. In the 5th inning it was Castro with another double, this time scoring Jenkins and Yasser Mercedes. Ricardo Pena then singled and scored Pena while loading the bases and making it a 4-1 game.

Lee was lifted after four at bats and seven innings defensively. Castro singled in the 6th inning to score Mercedes and make it a 5-1 game. The Braves scored in the 8th inning, but the three run lead remained and the Twins improved to 8-3 on the season. Jenkins finished 0-for-4 with the walk. 

 

WEEK IN REVIEW
Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 18-25 (2-4 last week) Ninth place in the IL West
• Overview: Facing a solid Omaha team, the Saints couldn’t find much success and continue to search for answers.
• Michael Helman was incredible, blasting four home runs and putting up a 1.313 OPS in six games this week.
• Jorge Alcala continues to be good for whatever team he pitches. A 4/1 K/BB across 2 2/3 this week came with a save.
• Ronny Henriquez, Ryan Jensen, Austin Schulfer, and Nick Wittgren all put up perfect weeks from an ERA perspective.
• Chris Williams had a pair of home runs as well, and despite a .214 batting average, put up a 1.067 OPS.
• Louie Varland and Joke Gunkel both struggled in their starts against Omaha.
• Yunior Severino had an 8/0 K/9 this week and continues to really struggle in 2024.
• What’s Next: Heading to Buffalo, it’s a two-week road trip out to New York with Rochester the following week.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 16-22 (3-3 last week) Fifth place in the Texas League North
• Overview: Starting the series strong with three straight wins, Wichita couldn’t sustain the run dropping the final three.
• Jake Rucker batted .500 going 8-for-16 in five games. He homered and also had an impressive 2/5 K/BB.
• Pierson Ohl made two starts this week and had an impressive 17/2 K/BB across 11 innings of work.
• Emmanuel Rodriguez was on fire and ripped a triple with a pair of homers.
• Carson McCusker had a much colder week after his big one last week. With just one hit in 15 at bats, he’ll turn the page.
• Marco Raya had one of his tougher starts this season allowing five runs in just three innings and posting a 3/4 K/BB.
• What’s Next: Home against San Antonio this upcoming week, the Wind Surge face the third place team in the Texas League South standings.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 24-14 (6-0 last week) Second place in the Midwest League West
• Overview: A sweep of the River Bandits pushed the Kernels up a spot in the standings, taking it from Quad Cities.
• Luke Keaschall was unconscious and batted .500 on the week with a 1.420 OPS. He crushed a pair of home runs and two doubles.
• Kevin Maitan made his Twins organization debut and homered while going 4-for-13 in his first three games.
• Rubel Cespedes hit .364 with a pair of stolen bases. Misael Urbina also stole a pair of bases.
• John Klein posted a one-hit start across six innings of work. He struck out six and walked just one.
• Andrew Morris had a seven-inning scoreless start in which he allowed only one hit and struck out six.
• What’s Next: Traveling to Peoria, Cedar Rapids faces the team with the worst record in the Midwest League.

Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 16-23 (3-3 last week) Fifth place in Florida State League West
• Overview: Splitting a series with Lakeland, the Mighty Mussels remained entrenched in the same spot of the standings.
• Kyle Hess was signed out of the Independent League and his first six games included a home run and team-leading .960 OPS.
• Payton Eeles was also recently added from the Atlantic League and his .828 OPS was second on the team last week. He picked up a home run in the process.
• Brandon Winokur swiped a trio of bases.
• Cesar Lares worked six innings in his start and allowed just a single unearned run on five hits.
• Ty Langenberg’s eight strikeouts during his five inning start were the most by any Mighty Mussels pitcher last week.
• What’s Next: Welcoming Daytona to Fort Myers, the Mighty Mussels get an opponent who is currently just one game under .500.

Complex League: FCL Twins

• Overall: 7-3 (3-1 last week) First place in Florida Complex League South
• Another strong week of action had the Twins taking over the top spot in the standings.
• Yasser Mercedes was 8-for-16 with a pair of doubles and home runs.
• Ariel Castro had a strong week and his seven RBI led the team.
• Yilber Herrera got on base at a .500 clip thanks in part to his team-high five walks.
• Eider Machuca had three strikeouts in his three innings of work.
• Alejandro Crisostomo’s five strikeouts were a team high on the bump.

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Wichita) – 6-17, 3B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 9 BB, 4 K
#4 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) –
#5 – Marco Raya (Wichita) – 3.0 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 4 BB, 3 K
#6 – David Festa (St. Paul) – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
#7 – Austin Martin (St. Paul) –
#9 – Charlee Soto (Fort Myers) – 0.2 IP, 5 H, 5 R, 1 BB, 1 K
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 5-19, 2B, RBI, 3 BB, 5 K, 3 SB
#11 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 7-21, 2 2B, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K, 3 SB
#12 – Luke Keaschall (Cedar Rapids) – 11-22, 2 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 3 BB, K, 2 SB
#13 – Kala’i Rosario (Wichita) – 3-18, 2B, 3 RBI, 5 BB, 6 K
#14 – C.J. Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 4 K
#15 – Danny De Andrade (Cedar Rapids) – 0-6
#16 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 2-21, HR, RBI, 8 K
#17 – Matt Canterino (IL) – Shoulder injury
#18 – Connor Prielipp (IL) – UCL Surgery
#19 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 6-20, 2 2B, 2 HR, 6 RBI, 2 BB, 4 K
#20 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota) – 

Hitter of the Week - Michael Helman (St. Paul) - 8-23, 5 R, 1 2B, 4 HR, 11 RBI

Pitcher of the Week - Pierson Ohl (Wichita) - 11.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 17 K

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[FlyingFinn]

Thank God for the minors reports the way the Twins are playing! And Jenkins and Lee returning as well as promotions - bonus!!

[Ted Schwerzler]

1 hour ago, FlyingFinn said:

Thank God for the minors reports the way the Twins are playing! And Jenkins and Lee returning as well as promotions - bonus!!

I'm here to serve!

[Doctor Wu]

Willie Joe Garry released?! I'm shocked. Any explanation for that move?

[FlyingFinn]

3 minutes ago, Doctor Wu said:

Willie Joe Garry released?! I'm shocked. Any explanation for that move?

He has tools but it appears the bat is never going to get there. In 6 seasons, he never hit better than .238. And this year, his third at high A ball, he is hitting .132 with an OPS of .459. That's my guess.

[mikelink45]

Is Alcala is someone's doghouse?  Why do we keep bringing up the old arms and hope they will come through instead of using a relatively young arm with some promise?

And I continue my rant about getting someone who can actually play CF to come up and spell Buxton instead of Margot and Castro and Martin - none of whom can protect this important part of the diamond.  I keep saying Keirsey - is there another option?

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

10 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Thank God for the minors reports the way the Twins are playing! And Jenkins and Lee returning as well as promotions - bonus!!

Whether you're a basketball fan or not, Timberwolves can fill that void for you right now. They're must see tv!! Just an old school, lock down defense, junk yard dog mentality. It's really something impressive to watch when that defense gets going. I haven't seen anything like it since the Pistons in the early 2000s.

Anyway, what kind of speed does Winokur have? For a bigger guy i feel like every time I see a box score he is stealing bags. And ol Luke Keaschall is something. I loved the pick when we nabbed him and kept the receipts. He is going to be moving up i imagine very quickly to AA?? And how long do the Twins leave ERod at AA? Another month maybe? 

[LambchoP]

I agree with previous comments. Keirsey should be playing outfield for the twins over Margot or Castro and Alcala should have a spot in our bullpen.

[2wins87]

1 hour ago, mikelink45 said:

Is Alcala is someone's doghouse?  Why do we keep bringing up the old arms and hope they will come through instead of using a relatively young arm with some promise?

And I continue my rant about getting someone who can actually play CF to come up and spell Buxton instead of Margot and Castro and Martin - none of whom can protect this important part of the diamond.  I keep saying Keirsey - is there another option?

Alcala is still a few days away from the 15-day minimum before he can be called up again.

I hope they will call him up quickly once eligible and keep him on the roster in a suitable role.

[2wins87]

Good to see Yasser Mercedes having a strong start after battling injuries and (probably related) mediocre performance last year.  He's not exactly old for the level but I think he should be pushed up to low-A soon to be on the track you'd like to see for a top prospect.

I'm starting to get pretty excited about Dameury Pena too.  He's recorded a hit in every single game he's played this season, drawn a fair amount of walks, and struck out just once in 44 PAs. It's never fair to compare someone to Luis Arraez, but it's hard not to think of him.  Pena's got at least some of the same skills, and probably a bit more speed too.  If he continues to rake, he will hopefully get a taste of low-A this year too, maybe after the FCL ends, which would be great for a guy in his first year state-side.

Seems to be a pretty good group of international signings working through the lower levels right now.

[DocBauer]

Very, very happy to have Lee and Jenkins back playing ball again!

Agree on getting Alcala back up ASAP. But use him for 1 inning at a time and let someone else throw 2 when we need it. Staumont? Sands?

Also agree on Keirsey getting his shot. We're never going to know what he might be until he gets an opportunity. In addition to his defense, he gives the lineup some more speed as well. I don't care if he's a LH bat. I want the best players and best roster I can. Having a RH hitter who doesn't actually do much of anything shouldn't be on the team just because he's RH. 

But if we really want another RH bat, how about Helman? The guy raked in AAA last season when he wasn't hurt, and is doing the same now in 2024 after a bit of a slow start. (I think an ankle injury in April may have been the cause). He can literally play anywhere but catcher and couldn't be any worse than Margot could he?

Nice to see Ohl getting on a role. I'm still hoping he's up to St Paul in the second half. Emma and Keaschall may just be too good for the level that they're at. Both promoted mid year? 

[Mike Sixel]

46 minutes ago, DocBauer said:

Very, very happy to have Lee and Jenkins back playing ball again!

Agree on getting Alcala back up ASAP. But use him for 1 inning at a time and let someone else throw 2 when we need it. Staumont? Sands?

Also agree on Keirsey getting his shot. We're never going to know what he might be until he gets an opportunity. In addition to his defense, he gives the lineup some more speed as well. I don't care if he's a LH bat. I want the best players and best roster I can. Having a RH hitter who doesn't actually do much of anything shouldn't be on the team just because he's RH. 

But if we really want another RH bat, how about Helman? The guy raked in AAA last season when he wasn't hurt, and is doing the same now in 2024 after a bit of a slow start. (I think an ankle injury in April may have been the cause). He can literally play anywhere but catcher and couldn't be any worse than Margot could he?

Nice to see Ohl getting on a role. I'm still hoping he's up to St Paul in the second half. Emma and Keaschall may just be too good for the level that they're at. Both promoted mid year? 

Mid- year seems wasteful. Promote them now. Emma should be in the Twins' lineup the second half this year at some point. Ohl isn't being challenged right now.....but they'll likely wait longer than I want.