Twins Minor League Week in Review (6/3-6/9): Helman Continues to Make a Big-League Case

[Ted Schwerzler]

A handful of Twins pitching prospects put up strong lines this week, and there were a few big slugging performances to note as well. With the Dominican Summer League in full swing, we've got multiple months of significant action coming.

Image courtesy of Rob Thompson, St. Paul Saints

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
Set to play the FCL Braves today, the Twins were postponed and the game will be made up on June 25.

DOMINICAN DAILIES
DSL Twins 11, DSL Phillies Red 10
Box Score
Anderson Chacon started for the Twins and worked three innings allowing two runs on three hits. He struck out a pair and walked just one.

The Twins put up a three-spot in the first inning to open the scoring. Carlos Silva’s first double of the season scored Ramiro Dominguez and Yandro Hernandez. Luis Fragoza then singled to bring SIlva across the plate.

The Phillies got a run in the second inning but the Twins answered with one of their own. Dominguez singled for the second time on the afternoon, and this one plated Daiber De Los Santos in the process to make it a 4-1 game. After a Phillies run, Fragoza drove in Silva again, this time with a third inning double, and the Twins were out front 5-2.

A rough fifth inning allowed the Phillies to put up a four-spot and take the lead. Fragoza lifted a sacrifice fly in the bottom half, scoring Hernandez and knotting things at six. Unfortunately the Phillies scored four in the top of the seventh to make it a 10-6 game. The Twins weren’t content going down easy and put up a five-spot in the bottom half to walk it off and complete the comeback.

Nestor Urbina drew a bases loaded walk to score Luis Rodriguez before Irvin Nunez tripled and cleared the sacks to tie it at 10. De Los Santos singled to put a bow on the inning and wrap it up. Dominguez and Fragoza both had multiple hits, with the former tallying three.

WEEK IN REVIEW
Triple-A: St. Paul Saints

• Overall: 27-35 (2-4 last week) Eighth place in the IL West
• Overview: For the third straight week the Saints played a team from New York. They also faced former 1st round pick Tyler Jay. The Mets took the series though.
• Michael Helman was on fire this week and owned a 1.226 OPS while batting .348. He blasted three homers.
• Yunior Severino got hot for the Saints to the tune of a .357 average. He homered and posted a 1.121 OPS.
• Matt Wallner’s eight RBI were a team high, and he is still going well with an .885 OPS.
• Kody Funderburk returned to the Saints and punched out five in two scoreless innings while walking just one.
• Caleb Boushley had eight strikeouts across seven innings of one-run work.
• Jeff Brigham and Ronny Henriquez both threw three scoreless innings.
• What’s Next: Back on the road, St. Paul heads out to Louisville this week. The Bats are second in the IL West.

Double-A: Wichita Wind Surge

• Overall: 23-34 (4-3 last week) Fifth place in the Texas League North
• Overview: Playing a seven-game week with a makeup from a prior postponement, the Wind Surge won the series.
• Jake Rucker had a pair of doubles and dingers en route to a team-leading 1.071 OPS. His nine RBI paced the squad.
• Jeferson Morales had a pair of doubles as well, and his one home run pushed him to a .945 OPS. He stole a team-high two bases.
• Luke Keaschall’s strong plate approach continued and he drew five walks on the week.
• Zebby Matthews was incredible striking out eight over seven scoreless innings allowing just three hits.
• Aaron Rozek made another good start allowing just one run in five innings with five strikeouts.
• Andrew Morris had eight strikeouts across six innings during his solid start.
• What’s Next: Hosting Midland, the second place team in the Texas League South, Wichita will have their hands full.

High-A: Cedar Rapids Kernels

• Overall: 32-24 (2-4 last week) Second place in the Midwest League West
• Overview: Dropping four of six games this week, the Kernels fell out of first place in the Midwest League standings.
• Nate Baez played in only three games but came up with a pair of doubles and a home run to record five RBI which led the team.
• Agustin Ruiz had a home run and a team-high .795 OPS while playing six games this week.
• John Klein struck out a team-high seven batters during his 5 1/3 innings.
• Gabriel Yanez was the only pitcher to appear without allowing a run. He pitched 2 2/3 innings of relief.
• What’s Next: Playing an Oakland affiliate similar to Wichita, Cedar Rapids travels to Lansing.

Low-A: Fort Myers Mighty Mussels

• Overall: 28-29 (4-2 last week) Fourth place in Florida State League West
• Overview: A second straight winning week has the Mighty Mussels within a game of reaching the .500 mark.
• Carlos Aguiar’s two home-run game pushed him to a 1.500 OPS for the week.
• Brandon Winokur is settling in and batted .300 with a pair of dingers and a 1.067 OPS. He also stole two bases.
• Payton Eeles drove in a team-high eight runs. He had a triple and a home run.
• Cory Lewis made a rehab appearance throwing three scoreless innings with three strikeouts.
• Jose Olivares had six strikeouts in his five inning start and that tally led the team.
• Ricky Castro pitched three innings of scoreless relief work while striking out four.
• What’s Next: Hosting Lakeland, the top team in the Florida State League West division comes to town.

Complex League: FCL Twins

• Overall: 14-12 (1-5 last week) Third place in Florida Complex League South
• Javier Roman batted .417 going 5-for-12 with a pair of doubles.
• Hendry Chivilli had a .971 OPS while batting .357.
• Anthony Narvaez struck out nine batters in a four inning start in which he allowed only an unearned run.
• Eider Machuca worked three innings out of the bullpen and gave up just one unearned run while striking out four.

Dominican Summer League: DSL Twins

• Overall: 1-3 Seventh place in Dominican Summer League South
• Davirik Fuenmayor had a pair of doubles to lead the team with an .840 OPS.
• Yandro Hernandez batted .333 with two doubles and posted an .800 OPS
• Cristian Hernandez and Melvin Rodriguez both struck out five during their work this week.

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#1– Walker Jenkins (Fort Myers) – 4-17, 3 R, 2B, 4 RBI, 5 BB, 3 K
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 3-14, R, RBI, 2 BB, 4 K
#3 – Emmanuel Rodriguez (Wichita) – 2-2, R, 2B
#4 – David Festa (St. Paul) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 6 K
#6 – Marco Raya (Wichita) – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 K
#7 – Charlee Soto (Fort Myers) – 3.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 K
#8 – Austin Martin (St. Paul) – 1-8, R, RBI, 2 BB, K, SB
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 6-24, 6 R, 2 2B, 3B, RBI, 5 BB, 6 K
#10 – Brandon Winokur (Fort Myers) – 6-20, 2 R,  2B, 2 HR, 3 RBI, 3 BB, 5 K, 2 SB
#11 – Simeon Woods Richardson (Minnesota) – 6.1 IP, 6 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
#12 – Kala’i Rosario (Wichita) – 6-22, 4 R, 2B, HR, 2 RBI, 3 BB, 8 K, SB
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 5-18, 2 R, 2B, 2 RBI, 2 BB, 8 K
#14 – Zebby Matthews (Wichita) – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K
#15 – Cory Lewis (Wichita) – Rehab with Fort Myers - 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 5-14, 2 R, HR, RBI, 5 BB, 3 K
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 2-19, 2 R, RBI, 3 BB, 7 K

Hitter of the Week - Michael Helman (St. Paul) - 8-23, 5 R, 2 2B, 3 HR, 7 RBI, BB, 8 K

Pitcher of the Week - Zebby Matthews (Wichita) - 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 8 K

 

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[Mike Sixel]

Rodriguez got hurt. Any update?

[Seth Stohs]

3 minutes ago, Mike Sixel said:

Rodriguez got hurt. Any update?

He missed 7 games, came back last Wednesday, had a single and a double. On the double, he slid headfirst into second base and jammed his wrist/hand/thumb which was already bandaged/taped up pretty good. Came out after that half inning. Went on the IL. 

[Mike Sixel]

13 minutes ago, Seth Stohs said:

He missed 7 games, came back last Wednesday, had a single and a double. On the double, he slid headfirst into second base and jammed his wrist/hand/thumb which was already bandaged/taped up pretty good. Came out after that half inning. Went on the IL. 

Yup.... Was hoping for an update on this... Did they do X-rays?

[Doctor Wu]

9 hours ago, Mike Sixel said:

Yup.... Was hoping for an update on this... Did they do X-rays?

I was wondering about that too. Please give us an update when you/they know more. 

[Doctor Gast]

I remember when we drafted Carlos Silva, I have high hopes that he becomes the above average defensive catcher that can hit & desperately need. He is still far away from filling that need if he ever does. But I'll be rooting & following him.

[terrydactyls]

I have a question about the Dominican Summer League and it may sound a little racist, but I sure don't intend for it to be.  I'm just ignorant of the DSL rules and I'm too lazy to do any research.  Reading all the DSL reports, it seems as though all the names are Hispanic.  Is the DSL restricted to only players from the Dominican Republic or only to Hispanic players?

[twinstalker]

3 hours ago, Doctor Gast said:

I remember when we drafted Carlos Silva, I have high hopes that he becomes the above average defensive catcher that can hit & desperately need. He is still far away from filling that need if he ever does. But I'll be rooting & following him.

It was quite the switch from sinkerball pitcher to catcher, but kudos.

[SotaSports in NM]

Severino with more walks than strikeouts this past week, don't think I've seen that before! 

[DJL44]

If Woods Richardson maintains his performance for a whole season he'll get some Rookie of the Year votes.

[FlyingFinn]

Langenberg got moved up to High A Cedar Rapids today. With Lewis coming back, Whorff gets shifted back to Cedar Rapids as well. Both should be good and much needed for the Kernels as they have been struggling a little since Matthews and Morris got moved up.

[KBJ1]

Poor guy has hung with it on the minors for 7 years. Give him a shot!

There is no one lighting our current outfield on fire.