Twins Minor League Report (6/11): Kernels Pop Off Lugnuts

[Steve Lein]

While the affiliates in Florida dealt with flooding rain all day, the upper levels of the system all kicked off a new series. Top prospects in Triple-A helped their team to a win on the road, Wichita couldn’t buy a hit for most of their game, and the Kernels left a bunch of cars stranded on top of blocks in Lansing after they were done with the Lugnuts on Tuesday.

Image courtesy of Seth Stohs, Twins Daily

TRANSACTIONS

• Early in the day, the Minnesota Twins announced they were recalling RHP Louie Varland to make the “spot start" on Tuesday against the Colorado Rockies. To make room, RHP Diego Castillo was optioned back to the St. Paul Saints.
• Also in Triple-A, C Chris Williams was placed on the Development List, while C Jair Camargo was activated from his rehab assignment.
• In the Texas League, offseason prospect darling and knuckleball throwing RHP Cory Lewis was activated from the 60-day injured list. In a corresponding move RHP Jarret Whorff was sent back to Cedar Rapids.
• The Kernels also received RHP Ty Langenberg from the Mighty Mussels.
• In the Florida State League, Fort Myers was assigned recent free agent signing OF Nick Lucky, activated RHP Tomas Cleto from the 60-day injured list. Lucky was a 14th round draft pick of the Boston Red Sox in the 2018 season, but did not sign and went on to play five seasons at Coastal Carolina. He spent the 2023 season and 2024 in multiple independent leagues before signing with the Twins yesterday.
• In the FCL, the Twins were assigned RHP Matt Helwig and were returned OF Gregory Duran from the Mighty Mussels.

SAINTS SENTINEL
St. Paul 3, Louisville 2
Box Score
On the bump for the Saints was right-hander Caleb Boushley, and he was made to work through his 4 1/3 innings pitched. He was charged with just two earned runs, but they came on eight hits and a walk. He struck out three and threw 96 pitches (61 strikes).

The Saints lineup tied the game at one in the top of the fourth after Brooks Lee led off the frame with his first double of the season with St. Paul. Two batters later, he came home on a sac fly from Michael Helman.

In the top of the fifth, they again tied the game, this time at 2-2, after Yunior Severino led off with a single. He moved to second on a walk to Will Holland, and scored on a single from Lee.

Ronny Henriquez came on for Boushley with one out in the fifth and a runner on first. He went the next 2 1/3 innings, allowing three hits but no runs, and striking out two. He was credited with the win as the Saints took the lead in the top of the seventh.

Severino drew a walk. Holland put him on third with a double, and Austin Martin him home with an RBI single to center for the 3-2 lead.

Nick Wittgren got the final out of the seventh before giving way to Kody Funderburk in the eighth. He pitched a scoreless inning to keep the Saints in front, walking one but striking out two. In the ninth, a pair of singles put the tying run 90-feet away with two outs. The second of those was a slow bouncer to Martin at second who made a nice play, but Edouard Julien looked like he got handcuffed by the throw at first base, and it got away from him (it was not in the dirt). After a mound visit, Funderburk got an easy fly out to center field to end the game, picking up his first save of the season at Triple-A in the process.

The Saints got multiple hits from Martin (2-for-5, RBI, SB), Lee (2-for-4, R, 2B, RBI, BB, K), and Severino (2-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB).

WIND SURGE WISDOM
Midland 4, Wichita 2
Box Score
Travis Adams took to the hill for Wichita on Tuesday, and found himself in a pitcher’s duel through the first third of the game. He retired the first eight hitters he faced, before allowing a walk, but that was it in the third inning as well.

In the fourth, Midland finally strung a pair of hits together, with the second of those including an error on left fielder Tanner Schobel (just his third career game in the outfield, all coming in the past three weeks) that led to the game’s first run. Adams pitched into the sixth inning, but would leave the game responsible for two runners on base and one out. Both of those runners came around to score, so in total he was charged with three runs (two earned) on three hits and two walks in his 5 1/3 innings pitched. He racked up eight strikeouts as well.

The bullpen trio of Miguel Rodriguez (1 2/3 IP, H, 2 K), Jared Soloman (IP, 3 H, ER), and Scott Engler (IP, K) finished off the rest of the game for the Wind Surge.

The Wichita lineup didn’t really threaten anything until the seventh inning, when a pair of walks put their first runner in scoring position of the game. In the bottom of the eighth, they finally got something to work with. Jorel Ortega was hit by a pitch and Luke Keaschall drew a walk to get their second RISP opportunity of the night. Jake Rucker came through with an RBI single to get them on the scoreboard, and Jeferson Morales followed with an RBI single of his own to cut the RockHounds lead in half.

Down 4-2 in the bottom of the ninth, Kyler Fedko drove a single into center field to bring the tying run into the batter’s box. Ortega then popped out for the second out, bringing up Keaschall. He drove a hard grounder toward the hole on the left side, but the third baseman made a nice sliding stop, spun 360 degrees around, and beat him to first base with his throw to end the game. At least according to the umpire (I think MLB replay would have overturned it). Either way, it was a solid defensive play, and Wichita still could have came up short in the end.

The Wind Surge offense managed just six singles in the game, with Fedko leading the way with a pair of them in four at-bats. As a team they were 2-for-7 with runners in scoring position and left eight men on base.

KERNELS NUGGETS
Cedar Rapids 15, Lansing 7
Box Score
The Kernels scored multiple runs in four different innings on Tuesday night, including seven in one frame that put them in command early. It’s an impressive box score from their lineup, so be sure to take a glance even after reading the rest of this recap.

John Klein made the start for Cedar Rapids, and didn’t have his best stuff. The Lugnuts actually took an early lead, as a two-run triple and RBI single put them ahead 3-0 after the first inning.

In the top of the third, the Kernels decided to bat around. With one out, Ricardo Olivar and Rubel Cespedes hit consecutive singles to get it started. Rayne Doncon and Austin Ruiz followed with a pair of doubles that tied the game. Then Kevin Maitan and Jose Salas went back-to-back with singles that put them out front. After a strikeout, Kyle Hess clubbed an RBI double to make it 5-3, before Jay Harry brought in two with a single to cap the inning’s scoring.

Klein allowed three runs over his next two innings, and his game was finished in the middle of the fourth. In total, he went 3 2/3, and was charged with six earned runs on seven hits and four walks. He struck out three.

Gabriel Yanez came on to salvage the fourth inning, and pitched into the sixth. Over his two frames, he allowed two hits and walked one, but no runs on the scoreboard.

Cedar Rapids tacked on three more runs in the fifth as the first five hitters of the inning reached base. Nate Baez drove in two with a double, and a catcher interference play (the second of the inning) allowed their third run to trot home, making it 10-6 Kernels.

In the top of the seventh Harry, Olivar, Cespedes, and Doncon hit consecutive singles to score two more. Then in the eighth Dalton Shuffield led off with his second home run of the year in a Kernels uniform, and Olivar added his ninth home run of the season, a two-run shot later in the inning to punctuate their offensive masterclass.

Relievers Kyle Bischoff (2 1/3 IP, 2 H, ER, 3 K) and Juan Mendez (IP, H, K) finished off the final three-plus innings for the good guys.

Every hitter in the Kernels lineup collected at least one hit, and everybody also reached base at least twice in the game (Hess reached a second time thanks to one of those catcher interference plays) and scored at least one run. There were six extra-base hits, they went 10-for-18 with runners in scoring position, and with all those baserunners, left only nine men on base for the game as a team. Only one batter did not collect an RBI, and nobody knocked in more than two. Total team effort domination.

Olivar (4-for-6, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, 2 K), Harry (3-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI, K), and Cespedes (3-for-5, R, 2 RBI) had more hits than everybody else.

MUSSEL MATTERS
Lakeland @ Fort Myers, Postponed - Rain
Rain was forecast throughout the day in the Fort Myers area, and their series opening game against the Flying Tigers was postponed due to that inclement weather early in the day. The game will be made up as part of a doubleheader tomorrow, with the first pitch of game one scheduled for 3:30 PM CDT. Game 2 will not start before 7:05 PM, and both contests will be seven innings.

COMPLEX CHRONICLES
FCL Pirates @ FCL Twins, Postponed - Rain
As the FCL squads were set to also play in Fort Myers, their game was also postponed on Tuesday and will be made up on Thursday, June 13th as both teams were set to square off with each other again this week.

DOMINICAN DAILY
DSL Twins 11, DSL Phillies White 2 (7 innings)
Box Score
The Twins took advantage of two big innings and little fight from the lineup of the Phillies, to take them down in blowout fashion Tuesday morning.

The Phillies struck first in the bottom of the first, getting their two runs on two walks, an error, and a single. But they would have only four other baserunners for the rest of the game (two singles, and two more walks).

The Twins racked up seven runs in the top of the second, as the first six hitters reached base before an out was recorded. A Luis Fragoza single drove in two and Daiber De Los Santos delivered a sac fly for their first three runs. A wild pitch, two run single from Yandro Hernandez, and a throwing error on a steal attempt scored the next four.

Right-handed pitcher Yoel Roque got the start and went the first four innings. He was charged with two unearned runs on two hits and four walks, while striking out three. Fabian Herrera went the final three innings to pick up the win. He gave up just one single and struck out five.

In the fifth inning the Twins padded their lead with four more runs. Those came on five walks, a single, an error, and four wild pitches.

Yandro Hernandez (2-for-4, 2 R, 2 RBI, K, 3 SB) and Fragoza (2-for-3, R, 2 RBI, BB, SB) led the way with multiple hits.

TWINS DAILY MINOR LEAGUE PLAYERS OF THE DAY
Pitcher of the Day - Travis Adams, Wichita Wind Surge (5 1/3 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 K)
Hitter of the Day - Cedar Rapids Kernels (20-for-44, 15 R, 4 2B, 2 HR, 15 RBI, 3 BB, 8 K)

PROSPECT SUMMARY
#2 – Brooks Lee (St. Paul) – 2-for-4, R, 2B (1), RBI, BB, K
#8 – Austin Martin (St. Paul) – 2-for-5, RBI, K, SB
#9 – Luke Keaschall (Wichita) – 1-for-3, R, 2 BB
#13 – Tanner Schobel (Wichita) – 1-for-4, K
#18 – Yunior Severino (St. Paul) – 2-for-2, 2 R, 2 BB
#20 – Ricardo Olivar (Cedar Rapids) – 4-for-6, 3 R, HR (9), 2 RBI, 2 K

WEDNESDAY’S PROBABLE STARTERS
St. Paul @ Louisville (11:05 AM CDT) - RHP Adam Plutko (0-1, 5.59 ERA)
Midland @ Wichita (7:05 PM CDT) - LHP Aaron Rozek (2-3, 1.48 ERA)
Cedar Rapids @ Lansing (6:05 PM CDT) - LHP Christian MacLeod (0-1, 3.38 ERA)
Lakeland @ Fort Myers, Game 1 (3:30 PM CDT) - RHP Tanner Hall (0-0, 3.72 ERA)
Lakeland @ Fort Myers, Game 2 (30 min after game 1) - TBD

Please feel free to ask questions and discuss Tuesday’s games!

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[mikelink45]

How nice to see the prospect list with every player getting hits!

Can you tell me about Jay Harry - his name surprised me in ST and it seems like most days I read about him in your summaries.  Is he a top prospect now?

[2wins87]

Nice to see Langenberg moving up. He's gotta be the breakout pitching prospect from last year's draft at this point. Really came on strong over the last month.

His low 3/4 arm slot looks like it adds some deception. His fastball is probably still average-ish in terms of velocity (~92 avg) and whiffs, but he has run it up to 96 so there could be more to come.  Seems like he mixes in a pretty deep repertoire with a cutter, slider, changeup, and sinker all thrown regularly as well. Seems like the slider can be a dominant pitch when it's on.

He's flirting with top 30 prospect status for me now.

I'm also curious how they fill the rotation spot. They've often shuffled guys from relief to the rotation in low-A. I think Nolan Santos would be my candidate as someone who's pitched well in relief, often going multiple innings. I'd like to see if he can do it going a little longer as a starter.

 

[2wins87]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

How nice to see the prospect list with every player getting hits!

Can you tell me about Jay Harry - his name surprised me in ST and it seems like most days I read about him in your summaries.  Is he a top prospect now?

For me Harry is in the 35-50 range.  He had a slow start but has been better lately.

He's definitely got a path as a smaller, high-contact, low-power utility type.  He's actually gotten to more power than I would have expected this year, but I'm guessing that there were some swing changes that also sacrificed a bit of contact.  Not that his 19% K rate isn't still good, but it was just 6% last year.  I doubt he would have maintained such a low K-rate as he faced tougher competition anyway.  If he can put together contact with at least gap and occasional HR power it's certainly the best case.  I kind of liked the floor better as the all-contact, zero-power guy last year, but he might not have the speed to really pull that off in the majors anyway.

I'm not sure if his defense at short is good enough to project as a super-utility or the kind of utility that doesn't play short.  I'd be interested to hear scouting on that.

[Jocko87]

2 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

How nice to see the prospect list with every player getting hits!

Can you tell me about Jay Harry - his name surprised me in ST and it seems like most days I read about him in your summaries.  Is he a top prospect now?

I've been wondering about Harry as well. I've been seeing him in centerfield a few times which is interesting. He's not hitting quite as much this year but seems a solid player.

[LambchoP]

Luke Keaschal just continues to always get on base. I think Austin Martin has earned a call up to replace Margot. He'll hit better, play better defense, and he also hits right handed. What are they waiting for? Margot hasn't hit at all this year but now he's becoming a liability in the outfield! Nice to see Severino heating up. If he could cut down on the strikeouts and raise hit batting average a bit his power could be intriguing to the twins or any other team in need of some pop.

[mnfireman]

I see Julien went 0-5 with 3 more K's, the kid is a mess. Might be time for trip to the IL for a mental re-set...

[2wins87]

44 minutes ago, LambchoP said:

Luke Keaschal just continues to always get on base. I think Austin Martin has earned a call up to replace Margot. He'll hit better, play better defense, and he also hits right handed. What are they waiting for? Margot hasn't hit at all this year but now he's becoming a liability in the outfield! Nice to see Severino heating up. If he could cut down on the strikeouts and raise hit batting average a bit his power could be intriguing to the twins or any other team in need of some pop.

Margot has actually looked very good at the plate recently.  He's lining the ball all over the place including a few deep into the gaps.  .832 OPS over the last 28 days, .944 over the last 14.

I agree his defense has not lived up to what I would have expected, but Martin has also not been great in the outfield.  His jumps were really bad when he was up with the Twins.  He needs some more experience reading the ball off the bat.

I was pretty ready to cut bait on Margot a month ago, and maybe he turns back into a pumpkin, but I honestly think Martin would be a big downgrade right now. 

[MMMordabito]

3 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

Can you tell me about Jay Harry - his name surprised me in ST and it seems like most days I read about him in your summaries.  Is he a top prospect now?

His walk-up music is "Ain't No Sunshine" by Bill Withers, and he made a nice over-the-shoulder catch on one of those no man's land/dying duck pop flies when I saw him earlier this spring.

That's all I got.

[Steve Lein]

5 hours ago, mikelink45 said:

How nice to see the prospect list with every player getting hits!

Can you tell me about Jay Harry - his name surprised me in ST and it seems like most days I read about him in your summaries.  Is he a top prospect now?

6th round draft pick in 2023, signed for slot money as a Jr. Definitely contact-over-power guy and was thought of as one of hardest players to strike out in country in that draft. But also not a big walk guy. Should be able to stay in the infield, though maybe stretched at shortstop. Has been functioning as a super-utility guy this year, including time in center field. 

[Steve Lein]

1 hour ago, mnfireman said:

I see Julien went 0-5 with 3 more K's, the kid is a mess. Might be time for trip to the IL for a mental re-set...

I watched some bad at-bats last night. Including a 3-pitch K. He was also playing 1B, and while he made a nice play on a hard grounder I remember, he also just straight up dropped a throw from Martin. Probably because he committed toward the throw way too soon from the way it looked to me.

[roger]

With us entering the normal rainy season in Florida, really wish they would move Jenkins up to Cedar Rapids so he could play, every day.

Other than that, what caught my eye today was where certain players were playing.  Martin at second with Julien at first caused me to check my glasses.  Also saw that Keaschall was in center field.  What wasn't a surprise was that Lee was at shortstop.  Really expect to see him playing a lot of second base, hmmmmm?

[twinstalker]

Harry's numbers don't really excite in any way unless he's been hurt this year (maybe hurt in the eyes).  Low A last year was a step down, and his walk and K numbers reflected that.  Despite this, because it's a pitcher's league, his batting numbers were surprisingly good, and he's young for his college draft status. 

All this leads to anticipation for his promotion to A+, where he's sort of sh*t the bed.  His K rate doubled, BB rate halved, and as you'd expect with that, his slash line is bad.  It seems clear to me the pitching at A+ has been too tough for him on first try.  Right now the odds against him are huge.  The hope with him would be a flaw they discover that he can correct.  Starting to crush A+ would be a good sign, but there's no indication of that.

My guess is he's an organizational player.