Twins Minor League Week in Review (5/20-5/26): Promotion Week for Big Prospects

[Ted Schwerzler]

The Minnesota Twins were in action for Memorial Day on Monday, but there was more important action than that of the farm system for an organization looking to supplement for the future. Check out how they fared.

 

Image courtesy of Ed Bailey, Wichita Wind Surge

TRANSACTIONS:

• RHP Diego Castillo contract selected by Minnesota.
• LHP Kody Funderburk optioned to St. Paul.
• RHP Josh Winder activated from 60-Day IL and optioned to St. Paul.
• RHP Joe Gunkel released by the Twins. 
• INF Luke Keaschall is being promoted from Cedar Rapids to Wichita
• OF Kyle Hess promoted from Fort Myers to Cedar Rapids
• INF Brooks Lee rehab transferred to Fort Myers

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Pirates 2, FCL Twins 1
Box Score

Eider Machuca drew the start for the Twins, and while he worked three innings of one-run ball, he worked around four hits and four walks. Brooks Lee was notably absent from the lineup, and that was due to his rehab being transferred across the complex.

Walker Jenkins went 0-for-1 with a pair of walks before being lifted. The Pirates plated a run during the 2nd inning before Ricardo Pena homered to even things at one. The Pirates scored in the fifth inning, and that run was the distance.

WEEK IN REVIEW
Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 22-27 (3-3 last week) Ninth place in the IL West
• Overview: Royce Lewis was the highlight of St. Paul’s week, and he’ll remain with the team for at least a couple more games.
• DaShawn Keirsey Jr. posted 1.121 OPS in six games last week while hitting two homers and driving in 11.
• Austin Martin posted a ridiculous 1/9 K/BB this week while remaining an on-base master.
• David Festa punched out eight over five innings of work during his lone start while allowing a single hit.
• Josh Winder worked four scoreless innings in relief while striking out five.
• What’s Next: Staying out in New York, the Saints will square off against former Twins Triple-A affiliate Rochester.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 18-26 (2-4 last week) Fifth place in the Texas League North
• Overview: Despite San Antonio being below .500, Wichita couldn’t do enough to carry a winning week.
• Emmanuel Rodriguez continues to rake and hit two homers with a 1.364 OPS in five games. It’s time for a promotion.
• Kalai Rosario recorded 12 total bases, just behind Rodriguez’s 16 for the week.
• Jaylen Nowlin struck out seven across six scoreless innings while working around three hits and two walks.
• Zebby Matthews recorded eight strikeouts to lead the team and it came during a single outing in a six inning start.
• What’s Next: Returning home against Springfield, the Wind Surge square off against the Cardinals affiliate currently sitting second in the Texas League North.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 28-16 (4-2 last week) First place in the Midwest League West.
• Overview: Another winning week, albeit not a sweep, had the Kernels overtaking the top spot in the Midwest League West standings.
• Luke Keaschall was incredible again which would be expected when earning a promotion. He went 10-for-25 with 17 total bases and a pair of homers.
• Jose Salas stole two bases while picking up a pair of doubles and also grabbing a home run.
• C.J. Culpepper punched out eight hitters while working six perfect innings. The Kernels flirted with a perfect game during his outing.
• Darren Bowen and Miguelangel Boadas both recorded six strikeouts this week to check in second on the team.
• What’s Next: Welcoming Lake County to Cedar Rapids, the Kernels have a tough test as they face the second best team in the Midwest League East.

Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 19-26 (3-3 last week) Fifth place in Florida State League West
• Overview: Splitting a series with Daytona, the Mighty Mussels found themselves in the same position they entered this week at.
• Kyle Hess earned a promotion to High-A Cedar Rapids by posting a 1.370 thanks to five doubles and a dinger.
• Payton Eeles may not be far behind Hess as he owned a 1.009 OPS with four doubles this week.
• Xander Hamilton struck out ten across three outings that spanned a total of six innings. The only walk he allowed was intentional.
• Ty Langenberg struck out nine during his start while Spencer Bengard struck out eight.
• What’s Next: Bradenton comes to town and the Marauders are a game ahead for Fort Myers in the Florida State League West standings.

Complex League: FCL Twins

• Overall: 11-5 First place in Florida Complex League South
• Yasser Mercedes put up a ridiculous 1.196 OPS with a pair of three baggers this week for the FCL Twins.
• Brooks Lee played a team-high five games and is now set to move his rehab up a level, given multiple reports.
• Wilker Reyes struck out five while Adrian Bohorquez struck out six this week.
• Corey Lewis made his first appearance of the season after being behind this spring.

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1– Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) – 5-15, 2B, 3B, 4 RBI, 2 BB, K, 2 SB
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 9-20, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K
#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Wichita) – 8-19, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K
#4 – David Festa (St. Paul) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 8 K
#5 – Gabriel Gonzalez (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List
#6 – Marco Raya (Wichita) – 4.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
#7 – Charlee Soto (Fort Myers) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K
#8 – Austin Martin (St. Paul) – 7-21, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 9 BB, K
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) - 10-25, 2B, 2 HR, 5 RBI, 5 BB, 4 K, SB
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 5-24, 2B, HR, 4 RBI, 5 K, SB
#11 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota) – 4.2 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K
#12 – Kala’i Rosario (Wichita) – 8-26, 2B, HR, RBI, BB, 8 K
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 4-18, 2B, 3B, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 4 K
#14 – Zebby Matthews (Wichita) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, BB, 8 K
#15 – Cory Lewis (Wichita) – 2.0 IP, H, R, ER, BB, 3 K
#16 – Danny De Andrade (Cedar Rapids) – Injured List (Ankle)
#17 – Connor Prielipp (IL) – UCL Surgery
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 7-21, HR, 6 RBI, 3 BB, 6 K
#19 – C.J. Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) – 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 7-23, 2B, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K

Hitter of the Week - Emmanuel Rodriguez (Wichita) - 8-19, 2 2B, 2 HR, 4 RBI, 4 BB, 5 K

Pitcher of the Week - C.J. Culpepper (Cedar Rapids) - 6.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

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[FlyingFinn]

Very interested to see how Keaschall does in Wichita. Schobel kind of had the same numbers at high A and it's taking time for him to conquer AA. Does Keaschall surpass him?

[darin617]

ERod isn't quite ready for a promotion to St Paul.  They would need to open a spot up for him so he can play everyday as well.  Give him time,

[RpR]

The Twins once sent Sano back to A ball; could they do that to Wallner?

[Aerodeliria]

I noticed batters were swinging at a lot of balls vs. Culpepper. Is his stuff that good or were the hitters just that impatient? (I know the question is subjective, but I'd like to hear some opinions. It looks more like that latter to be honest...)

[Jocko87]

Nice to see most of the list back in action.

[SaberNerd]

3 hours ago, FlyingFinn said:

Very interested to see how Keaschall does in Wichita. Schobel kind of had the same numbers at high A and it's taking time for him to conquer AA. Does Keaschall surpass him?

I had the same thought, but looking at the numbers Keaschall was far better than Schobel's was.  

 

Schobel: .288/.366/.493 10.4%BB/18.4%K

Keaschall: .335/.457/.544 15.2%BB/14.7%K

[wabene]

Keaschall is on the move. Note to the Twins, this is the infield prospect you do not trade. I don't get the comps with Schobel, they are both infielders, that's about it. This here is not a future MLB utility guy.  Keaschall's got the tools and high ceiling. I think we have a fast mover here that will hit the ground running in AA.

[h2oface]

"#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 9-20, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K"

Really? St. Paul?

 

 

[LambchoP]

Nice to see our prospects healthy and producing now. I say give Keirsey Jr his much deserved shot in the bigs. This will also open up everyday playing time at AAA for E-Rod.

[MN_ExPat]

On 5/27/2024 at 10:40 PM, Aerodeliria said:

I noticed batters were swinging at a lot of balls vs. Culpepper. Is his stuff that good or were the hitters just that impatient? (I know the question is subjective, but I'd like to hear some opinions. It looks more like that latter to be honest...)

I was watching most of that game.  CJ's stuff looked great and he was just not missing his spots.  Kind of appeared to force the hitters hands somewhat into a more aggressive mode. Not saying he'll do that every start, but he was dealing that night.

[jmlease1]

Good week for a lot of prospects! Always nice to see. I'm very excited about the Wichita rotation right now; lot of talent there and interesting prospects, and if they can thrive in the Texas league it might be a good sign.

Thrilled to have Lee and Jenkins back to work. While there wasn't anything to suggest their injuries were ruinous, it was just such a bummer to see a top Twins prospect not playing. We've had some rough luck with that over the years. Expecting Lee back in Saint Paul soon, and looking forward to seeing him go. Nothing wrong with putting a little pressure on Julien. Jenkins should be heading back across the parking lot to resume destruction of the FSL, and I still think he could move up to Cedar rapids this season even after missing a big chunk of time with the hammy.

Hope Emma gets bumped to Saint Paul sooner rather than later; there really seems to be little left for him to prove in AA, which is kind of awesome, considering he's only 21 and has only 36 games under his belt there. but he's dominating, just crushing it. I say send Ohl along with him, get him some AAA time in case there's a flood of injuries in the rotation (knock on wood).

[DocBauer]

Keep wondering what Wichita's record would be with some pen help. Just feels like I'm seeing blown leads almost every day in the milb reports.

I do think Rodroguez is going to move up relatively soon. But from what I hear/read there still seems to be some concern about passitivity at the plate. Is he that disciplined? Because the pitching is only going to get better as he moves up and he may have to move from his comfort zone without opening up to the wide swing and miss stuff. I can't see where a couple weeks hurts him before moving up.

No offense to Schobel, who seems a solid prospect, nut Keaschall is just bigger and more powerful and appears better. I think he'll adapt reasonably quick to AA and I also agree he's not someone you trade. At least, not unless it's part of an excellent return. 

I'm also on the band wagon to bring up Kiersey even though he's a LH bat. Margot hasn't shown any signs of turning it around. Kiersey offers defense and speed and at least a CHANCE to be a decent hitter. 

I'd also like to see Ohl promoted to St Paul. I was somewhat disappointed he didn't begin the season there. But he's been throwing really well and I think it's about time for the next level. 

By the end of this year and/or the start of 2025 at St Paul: Festa, Headrick, Ohl, Raya, Matthews, Morris, and Lewis as.long as he has no more setbacks. 

Wow!

And if he doesn't take a step forward in command to remain a starter, Varland is then free to be that big arm for the pen he's previously teased us with.

[Doctor Gast]

Keirsey is well overdue for a call-up. We know his glove will make it & I think his bat will too. Love Martin to bring that OB machine up to MLB & be that lead-off hitter we need. Emma is ready for AAA but I give him more time there to refine his approach before bringing him up.

[bean5302]

18 hours ago, darin617 said:

ERod isn't quite ready for a promotion to St Paul.  They would need to open a spot up for him so he can play everyday as well.  Give him time,

Demote Wallner to AA = spot opened.
DFA Margot, promote Keirsey = spot opened.

[bean5302]

 

6 hours ago, h2oface said:

"#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 9-20, 2 2B, 2 RBI, BB, 2 K"

Really? St. Paul?

 

 

I mean, he's only a 2.5hr flight and 4 MiLB levels away from St. Paul. Pretty close, really.

[FlyingFinn]

3 hours ago, DocBauer said:

I do think Rodroguez is going to move up relatively soon. But from what I hear/read there still seems to be some concern about passitivity at the plate. Is he that disciplined?

He is Julien with more power and better defense. Now, there are a wide range of opinions on that translating to MLB and Julien isn't exactly supporting those of us who thought he wouldn't have a sophomore slump.

 

3 hours ago, DocBauer said:

No offense to Schobel, who seems a solid prospect, nut Keaschall is just bigger and more powerful and appears better.

Schobel had more homers at high A. I didn't look but maybe they are about the same rate per AB. Again, very interested to see how Keaschall does at AA.

[Ghost of Kirby Puckett]

19 hours ago, darin617 said:

ERod isn't quite ready for a promotion to St Paul.  They would need to open a spot up for him so he can play everyday as well.  Give him time,

The number 10 prospect in baseball who has been crushing and is 3.3 years younger than the competition doesn't need to wait for a spot to open, sorry. You make a spot. I'll bet he moves up in the next week or so. Nothing left to prove in Witchita. This is exactly the type of guy you push to see how he responds. 

[D.C Twins]

Free Cespedes!

[darin617]

On 5/28/2024 at 5:08 PM, Ghost of Kirby Puckett said:

The number 10 prospect in baseball who has been crushing and is 3.3 years younger than the competition doesn't need to wait for a spot to open, sorry. You make a spot. I'll bet he moves up in the next week or so. Nothing left to prove in Witchita. This is exactly the type of guy you push to see how he responds. 

So what happens if he is outmatched right away? It happens often. Just because he has good numbers in AA doesn't mean it will carry over all the time/.